First post in 3G forum: 3G Speed?

[vodacom3g]

Will we require new hardware again (downside of signing a 2yr contract) or would the new speeds be covered by a flash upgrade for the v3g card?

HSDPA will require a new data card as it's more than a software upgrade.

 

[IceQB]

so its better waiting it out a bit than jumping on the bandwagon!!
When will HSDPA b launched V3G? And pricing?

 

[vodacom3g]

Should be close to year-end, depending on availability of the data cards. The network is already HSDPA ready.

Pricing should be the same as you pay met data unit and not for the access speed.

 

[HiltM]

another ? .. so does that mean that my 3g phone (v800) that works so well as my modem for access from home will not be any use with HSDPA...?

 

[LandyMan]

logging into the SAP system at work

OT: Did that once off a Sat phone to test mobility. At something like $5 per minute way back then - EINA!

Thanks for the info

 

[vodacom3g]

another ? .. so does that mean that my 3g phone (v800) that works so well as my modem for access from home will not be any use with HSDPA...?

Obviously your 3G phone will keep on working well as a modem. I don't think we'll see HSDPA phones this year ( a personal view )

 

[diabolus]

I assume HSDPA will be another "layer" rather than "replacing" current 3G? Similar to MTN's GPRS-EDGE strategy? In other words, if you do have a HSDPA datacard you can switch between GPRS->EDGE->3G->HSDPA depending on their availabilty? If you don't have HSDPA card then you'll just live on the lower "layer" from 3G and down. Right?

Imho at the current tariffs i can't imagine what i will do with those kinds of speeds anyway. Might be cheapest in the world, but it is still more expensive than ADSL/broadband, so doing any form of "streaming video conferencing" or "speed downloads" or "24-7-online-live streamed stockmarket trading", the costs will outweigh the speed [for me anyway].

Basically: I wouldn't upgrade to HSDPA just to browse 4 seconds faster Vodacom will have to offer DSTV-like monthly "flatrate" subscription services requiring an HSDPA connection, then i'll go for it. [i.e similar to blackberry, now you subscribe to different streams aka channels etc]

 

[ic]

I assume HSDPA will be anotherare "layer" rather than "replacing" current 3G?...

As I understand it, HSDPA is merely an upgrade to 3G, in the same way that EDGE is an upgrade to GPRS. So, HSDPA is still 3G, just much faster, now you need an HSDPA capable device in order to achieve HSDPA speeds, your existing 3G data card should be working on the same HSDPA network - just at the 3G speeds you are getting now...

HSDPA is Vodacom's "3G on steroids"