HP And Verizon Wireless Expand Mobile Broadband Boundaries

PALO ALTO, CA & BEDMINSTER, NJ — HP (NYSE:HPQ)(Nasdaq:HPQ) and Verizon Wireless today announced plans to bring mobile broadband connectivity to upcoming HP mobile business devices, offering users high-speed wireless data access(1) that extends beyond the reach of today's current patchwork of Wi-Fi hot spots.

As part of the collaboration, the companies will jointly market HP business notebooks and other mobile devices that take advantage of Verizon Wireless' EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) network, the nation's largest high-speed wireless broadband network with data download speeds of 400 kbps to 700 kbps.

With the technology, HP customers will be able to enjoy secure broadband-comparable wireless access to email,(1) the Internet and critical business data when away from the office and home. No longer confined by Wi-Fi hotspot locations, users can work where they want to, even staying connected in a taxi cab as they head to an airport.

"Mobile broadband, which recently entered the U.S. market, is rapidly becoming the 'must have' technology in an industry already accelerating its shift away from desktop computers," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst, The Enderle Group. "This high-speed, broad-reach wireless technology opens up a serious set of future possibilities for both business and entertainment markets, creating one of the most powerful growth opportunities we have ever seen."

HP expects to make this mobile broadband technology available to customers through a PC Card solution this fall. Starting in early 2006, HP plans to begin offering business notebooks with integrated Verizon Wireless EV-DO modules that will be based on Qualcomm chipsets.

"HP is pushing the boundaries of mobile computing with Verizon Wireless," said Ted Clark, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile Computing, HP. "The growing number of Wi-Fi hot spots is helping to drive more pervasive on-the-go computing, but our work with Verizon Wireless takes it a step further. Now, our customers will enjoy high-speed data connectivity in locations where public hotspot connections are unavailable."

The agreement between HP and Verizon Wireless calls for activities such as collaboration on product testing, product development and joint marketing.

"High-speed mobile connectivity will change the way many users stay connected and in doing so will set a new standard of productivity for users on the go," said John Stratton, vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Wireless. "Together with HP, we are expanding the range of mobile devices and options for customers who get true office mobility because of the breath and reliability of the Verizon Wireless network."

Verizon Wireless is continually fulfilling its promise to expand its EV-DO wireless broadband network. Today it is available in more than 60 major metropolitan areas and 65 of the nation's busiest airports. Customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess network, based on 1xRTT technology that allows download speeds of 60 kbps to 80 kbps.

HP is planning a technology demonstration of future HP mobile broadband notebooks with EV-DO wireless connectivity at the MobileFocus press showcase event, produced by Pepcom, which will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco on Sept. 27.

About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 47.4 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.  

About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2005, HP revenue totaled $85.2 billion. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.  

(1) High-speed access available within Verizon Wireless EV-DO wireless broadband network coverage areas and requires separately purchased Verizon Wireless' EV-DO based services.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including the expected development, performance or rankings of products or services; statements of expectation or belief; and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the development, performance and market acceptance of products and services and other risks that are described from time to time in HP's Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to HP's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2005, and other reports filed after HP's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2004. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

(C) 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

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