Global HSDPA Networks Reach 200; Ericsson, 3 Italia Trial HSPA+

The number of HSDPA networks in commercial operation around the world has increased to 200, according to a new report from the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). In a statement, the GSA said its survey titled "HSPA Operator Commitments" confirms that 207 HSDPA networks have launched in 89 countries by mid-July 2008, compared to 126 HSDPA networks in 63 countries at the same time in 2007. "Today there are 110 commercial HSDPA operators in Europe, 44 in APAC, 26 in the Middle East and Africa region, and 27 in the Americas and Caribbean," the GSA said, adding that a further 35 HSDPA networks in 10 additional countries are in various stages of deployment.

Continuing further, the GSA noted that the majority of WCDMA-HSPA systems operate in the IMT-2000 core band (2100 MHz) although HSPA is deployed today in several additional frequency bands such as 850, 900, 1700, 1800, and 1900 MHz to meet all market requirements. "There is considerable momentum for WCDMA-HSPA deployments in the lower frequency bands i.e. 850 MHz and 900 MHz to leverage coverage improvements, performance and cost efficiencies," the GSA said. "Several commercial HSPA systems are successfully operating in the 850 MHz band throughout the Americas and Australia, and three commercial HSPA systems are now launched in the 900 MHz band in Estonia, Finland, and Thailand, with several more in deployment."

Meanwhile, Ericsson and Hutchison Whampoa's 3 Italia have successfully trialled HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) in a commercial network in Italy. In a statement, Ericsson said the enhanced HSPA technology enables maximum uplink data rates of 5.8Mbps and a significant reduction in network latency, resulting in markedly better performance for interactive consumer applications. "The faster uplink will provide an improved consumer experience in areas such as video conferencing, uploading user-generated content and sending e-mails with attachments, and better performance for interactive online gaming," Ericsson said.

Outlook and Implications

• Mobile Broadband Takes Centre Stage: The continued growth in the number of HSDPA networks across the world is a testament to the steady growth of mobile broadband services across the world. In several countries, especially in Europe, mobile broadband is increasingly becoming a key component of the total broadband mix. Finland has even gone further, with Sonera turning off some parts of its rural fixed network and shifting its customers to mobile. Clearly, the GSM technology pathway has dominated the emerging mobile broadband terrain. The GSA reports that HSPA, the term which embraces both HSDPA and its uplink counterpart HSUPA, is supported by the largest and most developed eco-system, with the greatest number of user devices (approaching 700) and frequency combinations (see World: 5 June 2008: Evolution in Progress—Mobiles in the Post-3G Era and Finland: 14 March 2008: TeliaSonera Triggers a Debate on "Universal Services" with Plans to Migrate Customers from Fixed to Mobile Network).

• HSPAEvolutionCreatesNewHeights: Despite expectations for the emergence of LTE as the de-facto technology standard for future mobile broadband services, HSPA is still evolving, offering opportunities for even higher speeds. The HSPA Evolution (HSPA+), with its offer of up to 5.8Mbps, will be an improvement to the existing uplink speeds of around 2 Mbps on offer from HSUPA. The GSA notes that already, 51 operators in 35 countries have launched HSUPA services, with an additional 17 HSUPA networks in deployment. Unsurprisingly, 38 of these commercial networks are in Europe.

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