A group of 16 computer makers, mobile operators and technology providers have signed up to a new service mark that will integrate mobile broadband into laptop computers so that customers can  surf right out of the box.

The Mobile Broadband service mark has been drawn up by the GSM Association  which is a global trade association of mobile operators. When a laptop is equipped with "ready to run" wireless mobile broadband devices, they will be  "always-connected", and  ready to switch on and surf straight out of the box in 91 countries across the world. Each of the computers would be preconfigured to connect to the Internet via GSM networks, used by many telecom operators around the world.

The first "Mobile Broadband" marked laptops will be in the shops in time for Christmas.

The 16 members of the group, which includes Microsoft, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, 3 Group, Asus, ECS, Ericsson, Gemalto, Orange, Qualcomm, Telefonica Europe, Telecom Italia, TeliaSonera, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, plan to spend $1 billion promoting the Mobile Broadband brand over the next year. X

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AP