Asus wants to connect ExpressCard-equipped laptops to 3G networks, and to that end this week launched the T500, an add-in card with cellular connectivity capable of downloading data at up to 3.6Mbps.

Asus' T500: high speed downloads in black...

The download speed is network dependent, of course, but many carriers are now upgrading their 3G HSDPA networks to that speed from the original 1.8Mbps spec. Asus' T500 will connect to UMTS/WCDMA networks operating on the 850MHz, 1900MHz and/or 2100MHz frequencies.

No 3G coverage? Then the T500 will automatically connect at using Edge, GPRS or even plain old GSM, depending in what it can detect. GSM/GPRS/Edge support is a 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz.

...and white

Asus claimed the card can auto-configure itself for a given network after scanning whichever SIM card you insert into it. It can handle SMS messaging as well as data, and will even host voice calls if you get yourself some telephony software.

The company didn't say when the card will go on sale, or how much it's likely to cost when it does.