IBM Launches Plans for Wireless Access in All Its Products

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) announced a push to turn its entire product line into wireless devices. The company will be installing special antennas within the screens on all laptops. Customers will be able to configure many of those machines with a built-in computer card for wireless connections to other devices equipped with Wi-Fi technology. IBM said it would deliver the industry's first all-wireless line of products and services. 

Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: IBM is serious about opportunities resulting from wireless evolution. It is finding that corporate customers do want to move forward with wireless projects. Therefore, it is adding 5000 people to their wireless-related global services practice (estimated by IBM to be around 5 billion dollars - its own portion). It is also trying to adopt its hardware and software product to enable these for wireless applications. It is going for systems integration dollars, utilizing the components from its partners.  We think that IBM understand the opportunities better than other players. Major difference between IBM and network folks is that IBM is going after the corporate business.  Network infrastructure vendors and operators are finding it hard to shake their faith in the consumer market which is big but risky, uncertain and depends on the whims of unpredictable consumers. Since younger adults and more active yuppies are leading that market phenomenon, it will take longer time for putting dollars in their coffers.