HP will use Qualcomm’s Gobi chips in select business notebooks

I’m not sure whether you remember Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM)’s Gobi technology — we’ve covered it in the past — but it’s a single chip solution which supports both EV-DO Rev. A and HSPA mobile broadband access. And now HP and Qualcomm have announced that select 2008 HP business notebooks will be delivered with built-in Gobi chips.

What this means is that users with such a laptop will be able to access the Internet wherever they are, without relying on WiFi availability. The bad thing is that the first laptops will certainly cost a fortune, making MacBook Air look like a bargain.

Full release follows after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE – HP and Qualcomm today announced that they are working together to incorporate Qualcomm’s “Gobi” TM global mobile Internet technology in select 2008 HP business notebooks to enable high-speed connectivity on both CDMA2000 EV-DO and UMTS HSPA networks with a single wireless solution.

Gobi technology enhances HP notebook customers’ choice of mobile operators and will help increase international roaming capabilities1. With a multi-mode Gobi powered HP notebook and an activated carrier service, customers benefit from multiple connection options to the latest network technologies and enhanced capabilities for increased connectivity.

“Qualcomm and HP have long been working together to improve the end-user experience,” said Mike Concannon, vice president of product management for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies. “With the integration of Gobi technology into HP notebooks, the two companies bring unparalleled connectivity to notebook users, enabling them to access the Internet without having to search for a Wi-Fi hotspot. Together the companies continue to meet market needs for mobility.”

Gobi technology will be offered on a range of 2008 HP notebook products, including ultra-portable, balanced mobility and performance categories. The addition of Gobi technology allows customers to access wireless networks capabilities beyond a Wi-Fi network to stay connected on various network technologies.

“HP continually strives to meet the demands of the mobile professional, and we see Qualcomm’s Gobi technology as a growing trend for the future of notebook computing,” said Carol Hess-Nickels, Director of Business Notebook Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Incorporating the Gobi solution into our award-winning notebooks provides HP customers the confidence that their notebook will work on a variety of networks around the world and help keep them connected on the go.”

“Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) is committed to growing the market for 3G broadband, with particular focus on the built-in laptop sector. The Gobi platform is a significant step forward, providing greater accessibility to data services for our customers on the move,” said Oliver Mauss, Global Director of Business Marketing of Vodafone. “We are actively engaged with both Qualcomm and HP to deliver 3G broadband connectivity and expect this collaboration to further accelerate mass market adoption.”

The embedded Gobi solution includes Qualcomm’s MDM1000 chipset, associated software and API, and a reference design for a software-defined configurable data module supporting both EV-DO Rev. A and HSPA with full backward compatibility.