Bluetooth® Technology Boosts Data Transfer Rates, Mobile Handsets Gain Functionality - 12 December 2008
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) plans to release a new version of Bluetooth technology called Bluetooth high speed, in mid-2009. This new release will allow for Bluetooth-enabled devices to transfer data at greatly increased speeds allowing the Bluetooth functionality within handsets to provide many compelling applications beyond voice transmission to a headset.
The Bluetooth high speed specification will utilize Bluetooth technology in conjunction with either IEEE 802.11 (WLAN) or UWB (ECMA-386) for improved data rates, and an option being discussed involves marketing the two technologies as Bluetooth 10x and Bluetooth 100x respectively, nomenclature that refers to the respective data rates of the technologies. This new version will allow mobile handset users to utilize the pairing and interoperability advantages of Bluetooth technology and the increased throughputs of 802.11 or UWB for wireless video streaming, wireless printing, and wireless peer to peer content movement, among other applications.
Of course, to utilize this new technology, mobile handsets will need to be equipped with an 802.11 or UWB radio. According to IMS Research analyst Chris Schreck, “In handsets, Bluetooth high speed with 802.11 will likely come to market first, with volume shipments starting in 2010. Because 802.11 already has an established presence in handsets, and because it has a proven use case, we’ve seen most handset OEMs express an interest in utilizing the 802.11 version, at least initially.” The device environment for 802.11 is much more developed than the UWB environment and so handset OEMs may be waiting until there are a greater number of UWB-enabled devices before including UWB in a handset. Furthermore, UWB will need to prove it has achieved a level of maturity prior to it being implemented as part of the Bluetooth high speed specification. It is questionable as to whether this will be achieved by mid-2009 when the specification is finalized.
IMS Research’s recently completed report, “The Worldwide Market for Bluetooth Technology in Mobile Handsets” addresses this and many other relevant topics in great detail.
Notes for Editors
If you would like an interview with an expert in this area, please contact Stacy Hackenberg at Stacy.Hackenberg@imsresearch-usa.com or +1 512-302-1977.
About IMS Research
IMS Research is a supplier of market research and consultancy services on a wide range of global electronics markets. The company is supported by headquarters in Wellingborough, UK and offices in Austin, Texas and Shanghai, China. IMS Research regularly publishes detailed research on the mobile technologies and connectivity markets, including mobile handsets, cellular infrastructure, and short-range wireless.
