Consumer devices to get 3G connectivity

Chinese vendor Huawei has teamed up with mobile network trade body the GSM Association to launch an initiative that aims to install 3G connectivity in a new range of products, from cameras to cars.

A spokesman for the GSMA said its ‘Embedded Mobile’ initiative will initially focus on “consumer electronics, clean energy, healthcare, transport and utilities sectors”, so that data, images and information can be exchanged with mobile phones, computers or the internet.

"Our ultimate goal is that every machine, device, object will have broadband mobile connectivity,” said Rob Conway, CEO and member of the board of the GSMA.

“Everything around us will be using mobile networks to exchange information with each other and with the internet. Connected cameras could automatically upload photos to web sites, cars could regularly send detailed performance information to mechanics, while sensors could transmit emissions data direct to computer systems monitoring the environment," he added.

The initiative is being led by eight operators around the world, including Softbank, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, and Vodafone, and the GSMA hopes to bring other operators, equipment suppliers and manufacturers of consumer and industrial goods on board."Mobile penetration can and should eventually rise to several hundred per cent as everything from cars to cameras to health monitors to industrial sensors become connected to mobile networks, enabling them to automatically send images, information and other data to their owners," said Mike Short, vice president of Research and Development at Telefonica Europe.

"But realising this vision depends on the industry taking a common approach that will enable manufacturers to achieve economies of scale. This GSMA programme is an important step in that direction," he said.

The 3G connectivity scheme follows another GSMA-led initiative that launched in October, when it teamed up with sixteen hardware and software manufacturers to drive mobile broadband adoption for its mobile broadband initiative through a branding exercise.

The ‘Mobile Broadband’ sticker campaign, which the GSMA said was backed by a $1 billion budget, was seen as a move to bolster support for 3G successor LTE and head off competition from competing fourth generation technology WiMAX.