In a partnership with the WiMedia Alliance, the Bluetooth SIG (special interest group), that includes Nokia, Intel, Microsoft and Ericcson, has announced its plans for a high speed Bluetooth that will be able to support home entertainment facilities.

The SIG aims to use a UWB (ultra wide band) radio platform for high-speed wireless data transfer that will be capable of supporting high quality multimedia applications.

By 2008 the partnership aims to have developed a version of Bluetooth with greater range, which will transfer data 100 times quicker than at present.

The installed base of Bluetooth products reached 500 million in 2005 and is expected to reach one billion in 2006; these products will be compatible with the enhanced Bluetooth, which the SIG has stated will remain true to its low cost, low power values.

Bluetooth SIG executive director Michael Foley said in a statement: 'Having considered the UWB technology options, the decision ultimately came down to what our members want, which is to leverage their current investments in both UWB and Bluetooth technologies and meet the high-speed demands of their customers.'