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Telecommunications and PC Technology Leaders Join to Deliver Enhanced Wireless Communications Solutions
May 20, 1998
Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba Introduce Low Cost, Short-Range Radio Technology
Industry leaders Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba today unveiled their vision to revolutionise wireless connectivity for personal and business mobile devices. Enabling seamless voice and data transmission via wireless, short-range radio, this new technology will allow users to connect a wide range of devices easily and quickly, without the need for cables, expanding communications capabilities for mobile computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices, both in and out of the office.
The open specification for this innovative technology, code-named "Bluetooth", is being developed through the combined contributions of the members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The SIG was formed in early 1998 as a result of the global commitment of the five founding companies to develop the concept towards a technology standard. Today, the SIG presents the technology at major venues in London, San Jose, Calif., and Tokyo.
By working together closely, the five companies have combined their individual specialist expertise to create "Bluetooth." Ericsson contributed the basic radio technology expertise; Toshiba and IBM are developing a common specification for integrating "Bluetooth" technology into mobile devices; Intel is contributing its advanced chip and software expertise and Nokia contributes expertise in radio technology and mobile handset software.
Other companies are being invited to support the core technology on a royalty-free basis to ensure that "Bluetooth" can be implemented in many different devices. Companies who have joined the Bluetooth program and committed to include the technology in products include Motorola, Qualcomm, 3COM Palm, VLSI and Lucent (see appendix I for additional company names).
"Bluetooth" utilises a short-range radio link to exchange information, enabling effortless wireless connectivity between mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld computers and other peripherals. The radio will operate on the globally available 2.45GHz ISM 'free band', allowing international travellers to use "Bluetooth"-enabled equipment worldwide. The new initiative is modelled after other successful industry standards such as PCI and AGP to deliver products that inter-operate.
"Bluetooth" benefits
"Bluetooth" will eliminate the need for business travellers to purchase or carry numerous, often proprietary cables by allowing multiple devices to communicate with each other through a single port. Enabled devices will not need to remain within line-of-sight, and can maintain an uninterrupted connection when in motion, or even when placed in a pocket or briefcase.
"Bluetooth" technology will offer new ways in which a user can use personal mobile devices, both for professional and personal use:
- Users will be alerted to, and can respond to, incoming e-mail via their mobile phone, even while their mobile PC remains in its carrying case. When the PC receives an e-mail message, an alert will sound on the mobile phone. It is then possible to browse incoming e-mails immediately, reading the contents on the display of the mobile phone.
- Users will be able to access the Internet via a completely wireless connection routed either through a mobile phone, or a wired connection such as the PSTN, an ISDN line, or LAN.
- Users will be able to send an 'instant postcard' by cordlessly connecting a camera to a mobile phone or any wire-bound connection. Users could add comments to their snapshots using a mobile phone or mobile PC, and send them instantly to recipients anywhere in the world.
Industry Adoption
"Bluetooth" technology adoption is expected to be widespread throughout the computer and telecommunications industry. The move to implement "Bluetooth" is expected to grow the market for personal mobile devices, and increase airtime usage for mobile data transfer.
Manufacturers will additionally benefit from the ability to replace multiple connection ports with a single "Bluetooth" port, gaining potential economies at production level. The group has defined favourable adoption terms, including royalty-free availability of the specification.
To promote open access to the "Bluetooth" concept and communicate news about its development in the future, the SIG today launched a website at www.Bluetooth.com
Ericsson's 100,000 employees are active in more than 130 countries. Their combined expertise in fixed and mobile networks, mobile phones and infocom systems makes Ericsson a world-leading supplier in telecommunications.
IBM, the world's largest computer manufacturer, is also the world's largest software company and the world's largest provider of information technology services. Additional information is available at www.ibm.com/.
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is a broad-scope telecommunications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors. With sales in 130 countries, net sales totalled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion) in 1997. Nokia, listed on NYSE (NOK.A), employs more than 38,000 people worldwide.
With sales of $44 billion (sales for fiscal year ending March 31st, 1997), Toshiba is the world's sixth largest electronics and electrical equipment manufacturer. Toshiba Corporation is a world leader in high technology products with over 180,000 employees in more than 55 countries throughout the world. Founded in 1875, Toshiba has had a long history as technological innovator and invested more than $2.6 billion in R&D in 1997.
For further information:
EUROPE
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (SIG)
Lydia Hall Tel: +44 171 344 1264
Lhall@edeluk.com
Sue Rizzello +44 171 344 1290
srizzell@edeluk.com
Intel
Peter Kroyer +49 899 9143-605
Peter.kroyer@intel.com
Nokia
Liisa Nyyssonen +35 810 505 5760 liisa.nyyssonen@nmp.nokia.com
Ericsson
Peter Bodor +46 8 404 2423
peter.bodor@ecs.ericsson.se
IBM
Susan Langmann + 33 1 41 88 59 96
slangmann@fr.ibm.com
Toshiba
Lee Koenig +49 2131 158 422
lee.koenig@toshiba-teg.com
USA
Edelman Public Relations Worldwide (SIG)
Alan Marcus Tel:+1 212 704 4481
amarcus@edelman.com
Intel
Robyn Jenkins Tel: +1 408 653 8904
robyn.jenkins@intel.com
Nokia
Megan Matthews Tel: +1 972 257 9267 megan.matthews@nmp.nokia.com
Ericsson
Per Bengtsson + 1 212 843 8420
per.bengtsson@ericsson.com
Kathy Egan +1 212 685 4030
kathy.egan@ericsson.com
IBM
James Sciales Tel: +1 914 766 3611
sciales@us.ibm.com
Toshiba
Ruth Rosene – The Benjamin Group Inc. Tel:+ 1 714 245 7500 rrosene@oc.tbgi.com
JAPAN
Cosmo Public Relations (SIG)
Yuko Honobe +81 3 556 1 2915
honobey@cosmopr.co.jp
Intel
Norikazu Aoki + 81 3 5223 9210
norikazu.aoki@intel.com
Nokia
Shoko Ueno +81 3 3597 5908
shoko.ueno@nmp.nokia.com
Ericsson
Satoshi Morimoto +81 45 475 6265 satoshi.morimoto@ericsson.com
IBM
June Namioka + 03 5572 2659
june@jp.ibm.com
Toshiba
Daisuke Takada +81 3 3457 2576
dai.takada@toshiba.co.jp
Kenichi Sugiyama, Corporate Communication Office
+ 81 3 3457 2105, kenichi.sugiyama@toshiba.co.jp
Yumiko Kokubu, Information Equipment Group
+81 3 3457 2576, yumiko.kokubu@toshiba.co.jp
Companies Participating in "Bluetooth" SIG
The following companies have formally signed to join the "Bluetooth" Special Interest Group:
Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba, Axis , Cetecom, Compaq, 3Com (Palm, Megahertz, 3com, USR), Dell, Lucent Technologies UK Limited, Motorola, Puma Technologies, Qualcomm, Symbionics, TDK, VLSI, Xircom.
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