Sony Ericsson's new GC99 PC Card combining 3G broadband with Wi-Fi

Now it’s possible to achieve fastest possible access to the Internet and e-mail in more places in the world than ever before. The Sony Ericsson GC99 PC card launched today combines Wi-Fi with 3G/UMTS and global quad band GSM/EDGE/GPRS connectivity, providing a variety of network choices in a single, slim PC card, ensuring that workers on the move have access to the fastest data rates and most extensive coverage.

“Sony Ericsson has long led the market in the EDGE PC Cards space and is one of the first companies to announce a combined card for the UMTS, EDGE and Wi-Fi networks," says Anders Franzén, corporate vice president and head of Sony Ericsson M2M Communications. “Today there are more than 1 billion GSM customers worldwide and more than 115 UMTS networks are expected to be in commercial deployment by the end of the year. We believe the convenience of the GC99 card and these fast networks will give business users ultimate flexibility and the fastest possible connection in any situation and at any place."

The GC99 PC Card offers connectivity on UMTS networks at up to 384 kbps and works anywhere you can use a mobile phone. Alternatively, people can take advantage of the 54 Mbps data rate of Wi-Fi (WLAN) networks in offices or at public hot-spots to browse the Internet at full speed, download large attachments such as PowerPoint presentations, images and video, and access streaming material. Wi-Fi hot-spots often offer connectivity in airports, coffee shops and other public places.

The sleek and compact form design (limited antenna extension) of the GC99 is a distinctive design of the Sony Ericsson’s PC Cards. In addition, an external antenna is also available as an accessory.This is useful when there is low GSM network signal strength.

Like all Sony Ericsson network cards, the GC99 card is simple to install, and works with both Windows and Mac operating systems and is compatible with a wide range of common business applications including: MS Exchange, MS Outlook, Lotus Notes, Netscape, CRM, SAP, Siebel and Messenger. Installation support includes customisation options that allow corporate IT managers to implement pre-loaded settings that provide one click VPN connection. Data security is assured with UMTS/EDGE/GPRS encryption technology and the SIM card authenticates with the network preventing unauthorised access. GC99 is compatible with all leading VPNs, enabling secure passage through corporate firewalls.

The GC99 will be available in Q4 2005 for the Asia Pacific region, China, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

GC99 – Features at a glance:

General

• PC Card, 32-bit Cardbus, Type II
• Size: 85.6 long x 54.0 wide x 10.5mm high
• Antenna extension: 15.4 long x 55.0 wide x 10.5mm high (GSM, UMTS & WLAN) Weight 42g
• OS support: Windows 2000® (SP4), XP (Pro, Home, Tablet), Mac OS X

Services

• UMTS: 384 kbps (up and downlink)
• EDGE: 247.4kbps (DL)/ 123.7kbps (UL)
• GPRS: (CS4) 85.6 kbps (DL) / 42.8kbps (UL)
• GPRS: (CS2) 53.6kbps/ 26.8kbps (DL/UL)
• CSD: 9.6kbps (DL/UL)
• WLAN: 54Mbps

Frequency bands

• UMTS 2100MHz
• EDGE/GPRS/CSD 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• WLAN 2400MHz