HP laptops to bundle Vodafone 3G networking

HP has signed a marketing partnership with Vodafone to bundle its wireless notebooks with the carrier's 3G and HSDPA networking technology.

HP launched the nc6400 today as the first laptop that offers the wireless 3G bundle as an optional feature. The wireless service will offer international roaming and promises network speeds of up to 1.4Mbps.

The nc6400 is scheduled for availability later this month, although the 3G or HSPDA networking feature will not be available until later this year. A basic configuration starts at $1,549.

"More and more business professionals around the world are looking to improve productivity by staying more connected while on the move with high speed wireless networking," said Ted Clark, general manager of HP's notebook business unit.

"Expanding the range of HP broadband wireless notebooks to include mobile connectivity from Vodafone and worldwide standards like 3G is critical in addressing a global customer need for pervasive, high-speed wireless access when out of the office."

The Vodafone service is scheduled to be expanded to additional notebook models in the future, the companies said.