Nokia is expected to step into the 3.5G data card segment soon, a market which is expected to top 50 million units in 2009, according to market sources. Nokia's data cards will come with a USB interface supporting HSDPA technology.
China-based Huawei Technologies and ZTE are currently the two leading 3.5G data card providers, with their accumulated shipments to the end of 2008 totaling 20 million and 10 million units, respectively, the sources indicated.
Nokia will also compete with a number of Taiwan-based companies, including BandRich, Asustek Computer, Quanta Computer and BenQ, in the 3.5G data card market, said the sources.
BandRich in January launched its BandLuxe M280 HSUPA/HSDPA PCI Express half-mini card module, supporting tri-band HSPA/UMTS (850, 1900 and 2100MHz) and quad-band EDGE/GPRS/GSM for roaming on high-speed networks worldwide. The BandLuxe M280 is the world's first PCI Express half-mini card module, the company claimed.
Source: DIGITIMES