Dell devotees now can have Cingular Wireless' critically acclaimed BroadbandConnect service built into their mobile systems beginning today with the availability of a new line of Dell Latitude notebooks. The new Dell Latitude D620 and D820 notebooks can be configured with Cingular's UMTS/HSPDA-based 3G technology onboard, giving customers global wireless data capabilities from day one. In the U.S., Latitude users now have mobile broadband access in all BroadbandConnect markets launched by Cingular in 2005.

Dell Latitude D820

"The new Dell Latitude notebooks configured with Cingular's BroadbandConnect service represent a complete, self-contained package -- a fantastic new computing device with unparalleled global wireless capabilities built-in," said Jeff Bradley, vice president, business data services, for Cingular Wireless.  "This simplifies the wireless experience for business users by making it seamless.  There's no longer any need to purchase and bring along a separate wireless card or search for a WiFi hot-spot when traveling domestically or abroad."

Cingular's BroadbandConnect service uses UMTS/HSDPA technology -- the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers.  In the U.S., it provides average download speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps), with bursts to more than one megabit per second (mbps).  Cingular's EDGE network, the largest national high-speed wireless data network in the U.S., provides average download speeds of up to 135kbps. 

BroadbandConnect is available today in 16 U.S. markets covering 52 cities. Markets include Austin (TX), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland (OR.), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA.), Seattle, Tacoma and Washington, D.C.  It is expected to be online in most major markets in the U.S. by the end of this year. 

Dell Latitude D620

Latitude customers can activate Cingular's BroadbandConnect service directly from Dell and are billed monthly by Cingular.  Unlimited monthly BroadbandConnect service is $59.99 per month with a two-year contract and qualified voice contract. 

Beginning in late Q2, customers will be able to sign-up for Cingular Data Connect international plans.  These will offer two international wireless data monthly usage plans -- a North American plan ($109.99 for 100MB) for travel within Canada and Mexico and an Overseas plan ($139.99 for 100MB) -- both include unlimited domestic usage on Cingular's domestic data networks. The Overseas plan will provide access in more than two dozen countries, with service planned to be offered in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and other major areas in Asia and Europe.