MobilePlanet Brings Wireless to ThinkPad Customers

Those who never heard of MobilePlanet will now — the wireless
product reseller was tapped by four technology giants to create a complete
wireless solution for IBM’s popular notebooks.

IBM, Intel, Motorola and Psion chipped in devices to create a solution
specifically for IBM ThinkPad A and T series users to grab wireless access.

The access was made sculpted with Motorola’s Timeport L7089 (International)
handset, IBM’s International V90 Modem and Psion’s Motorola GSM Upgrade
cable. Included in every wireless solution box shipped from MobilePlanet is
a “Think Wireless” Quick Start Guide, created by Intel. This guide outlines
the components of the wireless solution and explains how to get them up and
running quickly.

MobilePlanet’s move is no surprise. Hundreds of mobile specialists are
answering the bell to comes up with products, often for major companies.
Though many large firms are spawning wireless divisions, it is the smaller
firms that have been battle-tested over the years that the giants turn to
for their expertise. Accessing corporate intranets while traveling has
become more of an essential than a convenience in the New Economy.

International Data Corp. said that by 2003, 61.5 million mobile devices will
be used wirelessly for information services in the U.S. alone. And in
Europe, the number seems to be much higher what with wireless experts such
as Nokia and Ericsson paving the way.

“With the increasing demand for wireless products, a full-fledged solution
is ideal for those people wanting to go wireless today,”
said Rick McGee, vice president of mobile brand marketing, IBM Personal
Systems Group. “The combination of our new ThinkPad
notebooks and other leading products, along with MobilePlanet’s solution,
will prove to be extremely valuable to our mutual
customers.”

IBM’s ThinkPad A and T series notebooks will be shipped with brochures
describing the Think Wireless solution.

Born in 1993, MobilePlanet grew from home-based, mobile computing catalog
business to what is now a leading multi-channel direct reseller of mobile
computing products and services to mobile professionals. MobilePlanet was
acquired by e-commerce firm investor Pinault-Printemps-Redoute in June 1999.