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Dell is teaming up with Vodafone to provide built-in high-speed wireless access to people using Vodafone's network in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Dell said Tuesday that it plans to embed Vodafone's High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology into laptops built to order and sold in Europe. The technology will be backwards compatible with earlier 3G, or third-generation, wireless technologies including UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), the company said. Customers who want the HSDPA access will also need to subscribe to Vodafone's wireless data plan.

Laptop makers are becoming a large component in promoting 3G wireless services throughout the world, as they strike deals with providers and embed the technologies in their devices. In the fall of last year, Dell announced it would embed 3G access technology from Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless. Verizon also has struck deals with several other laptop makers including Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo. Cingular also has struck a deal with Lenovo.
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Read More / Source: News.com