Dell to sell laptop with Verizon's high-speed data

NEW YORK: Dell Inc. plans to sell a laptop computer early next year with a built-in connection card for Verizon Wireless' high-speed service, the companies said today.

Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc is also talking to other laptop computer makers including Lenovo Group Ltd. according to a person familiar with the matter.

The second-biggest U.S. mobile phone provider has a high-speed wireless network based on EV-DO technology with coverage for more than a third of the population. Current users of the service must buy separate fast-wireless cards that are not built in to their computers.

Phone companies around the world are developing high speed networks to deliver services such as Web surfing and e-mail to computers an phones in a bid to boost revenue to eventually substitute falling phone-call prices.