Mobile broadband push announced

Mobile broadband will be pushed as an alternative to Wi-Fi by a new alliance of IT and mobile companies.

Companies like Microsoft, Toshiba and Vodafone make up the 16-strong group, which is backing a GSMA-led move to make a new category of always-connected mobile broadband devices.

The first phase of the initiative will see the technology pre-installed on various notebook PCs which will be able to go online as soon as they are turned on.

These machines will be identified by a badge, which is being funded by a $1 billion media drive in the coming year.

According to GSMA chief marketing officer Michael O'Hara, the main advantage of the technology is the freedom it offers.

"Freedom from hot spots, freedom from complexity and freedom from security concerns," he said.

"The mobile broadband badge will assure consumers that the devices they buy will always connect - wherever mobile broadband is available - and that they can expect a high standard of simplicity and mobility."

According to the group, after this initial stage mobile broadband will begin appearing in a host of different devices, from cameras to cars and MP3 players to fridges.