Lenovo Releases First Cingular-Enabled ThinkPad

The Cingular-enabled ThinkPad T60 provides mobile high-speed access nationwide with UMTS/HSDPA-based Cingular BroadbandConnect service in more than 70 markets in and around the top 21 major metro areas. Users can gain wireless access in more than 100 countries worldwide with EDGE or GPRS data services. Cingular plans to expand its BroadbandConnect coverage area to most major metro areas in the U.S. by the end of 2006.

The ThinkPad T60 is 1-inch thick and weighs 4.8 pounds. Its system design combines the ThinkPad Roll Cage (an inner armor chassis), the Active Protection System and ThinkPad shock-mounted hard drive. It also features Access Connections, a ThinkVantage technology that adjusts wired and wireless capabilities by automatically turning on and off the right connections.

"ThinkPad users can now enjoy wireless broadband Internet access via the Cingular BroadbandConnect service without needing a separate PC card or additional hardware," Scott Smith, president, Lenovo Americas, said in a prepared statement. "The combination of Cingular's technology and our ThinkVantage Technologies that simplify the connectivity process gives on-the-go users the ultimate portability with a punch."

Jeff Bradley, vice president, business data services, for Cingular Wireless, said the combined Lenovo/Cingular solution is a powerful communications tool for seamless, high-speed mobile access anywhere.

According to Cingular and Lenovo, 95 commercial networks in 45 countries offer UMTS services. Another 67 networks are planned, licensed or underway. Download speeds in the United States average between 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps), according to Cingular. Cingular claims its EDGE network downloads at average speeds up to 135kbps.

The ThinkPad T60 is available immediately at www.lenovo.com/cingular and through select business partners. ThinkPad T60 customers can activate Cingular's BroadbandConnect service directly from Lenovo and will be billed monthly by Cingular. Unlimited monthly service is $59.99 per month with a two-year contract and qualified voice contract.