GSMA and Intel will enable laptops that connect automatically to high-speed 3G broadband data and Wi-Fi networks via SIM.

At the mobile world's annual gathering, the 3GSM World Congress, the GSM Association (GSMA) and Intel Corporation announced on Tuesday an initiative to drive the adoption of the GSM family of technologies in laptop computers that will enable users to connect and roam across global mobile networks.

The GSMA and Intel will collaborate to develop guidelines for integrating 3G modems and SIM cards into laptop computers, enabling automatic connection to both 3GSM networks and Wi-Fi networks around the world, using the same SIM card technology used by mobile phones today.

Some laptop makers have already announced their intentions to offer GSM capabilities, and these guidelines are key to ensure that they can quickly and easily provide these capabilities to laptop owners around the world. The GSMA and Intel will seek to engage organizations critical to market implementation, including mobile operators, PC manufacturers and network infrastructure providers.

"Our goal is to ensure that in future, every notebook will be SIM ready," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association.

Sean Maloney, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Intel's Mobility Group, added: "During 2006, many of our customers will offer Intel Centrino Mobile Technology laptops that not only feature built in Wi-Fi technology, but also an internal 3GSM data card and an integrated SIM reader. This will turn the notebook into a real multi-communications terminal, and the SIM into a real authentication vehicle for GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3GSM, HSDPA and Wi-Fi networks."