Samsung NC10 SFR 3G+ netbook

In France, the carrier SFR was the first to associate a netbook with a mobile data subscription. This was done with the Asus Eee PC 701 at the beginning of 2008. The Taiwanese maker was addressing their product at a public that was just starting out in computers, but geeks and other new technology fans all jumped on board.

With its compact dimensions and low price, the netbook quickly saw its status change from a simple computer for beginners to that of a second computer which can be taken everywhere with you. Of course, it is far from having the power of a traditional laptop computer, but these two points quickly found a willing public.


Netbooks and 3G USB sticks
Since then, Asus has released a dozen different versions of the Eee PC (different display sizes, different characteristics and different finishes) with the competition now reacting whereas six months ago they didn’t believe in the concept.

SFR has continued to couple with the Asus Eee PC netbooks, following the evolution of the hardware, while their competition started to the same with other brands and models in the summer of 2008. While in the beginning the device wasn’t offered with a 3G USB stick, it didn’t take long for this to be offered with the first netbooks with integrated 3G+ models directly integrated being more esthetic and less energy hungry.


Netbooks and onboard 3G+ modules
It was also at the end of 2008 that the Asus Eee PC 901 3G+ was presented, with its integrated 3G+ module being hidden under the battery. This device took advantage of the Atom platform, guaranteeing a battery life of 5 hours, a number that better lived up to the notion of mobility, when compared to the 2 to 3 hours of the previous products.

Its arrival coincided with SFR’s new strategic orientation which consisted of promoting connected mobile devices that are adapted to your needs (additional technical aspects with the customization of menus and look) through the association with specific subscriptions.

At the same time, SFR launched a range of services from Cloud Computing with Ma Sfere SFR being used to launch a shop offering applications that are compatible with different handsets thanks to the flexibility of the Adobe AIR technology.

Following this mobile strategy, SFR released at the end of January a new netbook with an integrated 3G+ module, the Samsung NC10 3G+, with a specific “unlimited” data subscription. The unconnected version of this device has already seen a great deal of success.