BT Cellnet launches GPRS card

BT Cellnet has launched a high-speed wireless internet card, two days after Vodafone announced that it was offering GPRS internet access to consumers.

The moves show that competition is hotting up in the bid to provide compelling services using the much-criticised and delayed GPRS technology.

Until recently only unimpressive WAP services were available over GPRS for consumers. Businessmen had a wider choice of services but still have to use phones as clumsy modems rather than a plug-in card.

The card will provide always on internet access with theoretical speeds of 56Kbps, but actual speeds will almost certainly be lower than that.

The Merlin G201 card will cost £249.99 from Novatel Wireless. BT has an exclusive agreement to distribute the product in the UK until the end of March 2002.