COMPUTER laptops embedded with 3G (third generation) technology will be introduced into the Philippine market, regional executives of information technology conglomerate Hewlett-Packard, said Thursday.

Such computers come with a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) instead of the traditional personal- computer cards manufactured by network equipment providers like Sony Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE of China.

Jae Won Song, product manager for Asia-Pacific and Japan of H-P’s mobile-business unit, said they are in talks with local telecommunications companies for the possibility of introducing telco-related services using notebook computers.

“It really depends on market demand but I really don’t see any obstacles in providing the service once we introduce the product,” Jae said during the Mobilitech event of H-P Phils. in Makati City.

Jae said that the 3G laptops, which come also with Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities, may see its place in the market by next year.

“We see the Philippines as a very interesting market that’s why we believe the 3G laptops will be a big hit here,” he added.

3G laptops were introduced last year in the region, with Australia and New Zealand as the early adapters.

Locally, Christian Reyes, market development manager for personal systems group of H-P Phils., said that Mobilitech was conceptualized to show the Philippine market the newer features available in today’s laptops.

“These features, mainly reliability, security, and ease-of-use, really target business users, who prefer mobility and convenience as prime factors that’s why we came up with this event,” Reyes said in an interview with BusinessMirror.

Reyes said they will be focusing more on the business sector, including the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“It’s really a growing sector for H-P that’s why we’re strengthening our technologies in our notebooks by coming up with more innovations,” he added.

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COMPUTER laptops embedded with 3G (third generation) technology will be introduced into the Philippine market, regional executives of information technology conglomerate Hewlett-Packard, said Thursday.

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Did you know 1: The Bureau of Customs is one unhappy place right now.

You see, it hasn’t met last year’s collection target, not even close. And that means that under the 2007 Attrition Law, those collectors who didn’t hit their quotas will have to go.