HSDPA on MTN

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hotdog

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Hi MTNBB,

I read with interest that MTN's closest local competitor will be switching on their first HSDPA (3.5G) enabled towers. I understand that this is simply a software/firmware upgrade on their existing 3G sites.

With this in mind, is MTN not planning on stealing the march on their competitor and releasing 3G and 3.5G at the same time? Or is it once again an issue of having the correct handsets available / tested before foraying into this new territory? :(

I also read with interest and I quote ..."982, or one quarter, of V******'s base stations are 3G-ready. This will grow by 600 by the end of October. All 3G base stations will be upgraded to HSDPA in time for the switch-on at the end of the year."

I know most forumites have read the article, but my question is, what is MTN planning to counter it? I think I could quite easily get used to a 2Mb/s link in the future.
 
Vodacom is always ahead of everyone but i would like to see whats MTN is going to do
 
MTN is busy with 3G trials. aparently their 3G offering will offer speeds 14 Mbit/s per second using HSDPA technology.

here is an explanation why MTN has taken so long... (post number 12)
 
andres101 said:
MTN is busy with 3G trials. aparently their 3G offering will offer speeds 14 Mbit/s per second using HSDPA technology.

here is an explanation why MTN has taken so long... (post number 12)
Click to expand...


This is no such thing.All 3G networks when they start it will be @ 384KB ps and than upgrade to HSDPA.Even if the yello guys launch HSDPA NOW.There is no products on the market that supports it.Where is the sense in having it NOW and no one can use it :eek:
 
Thanks for the update Andres101.

Are there any 3.5G devices / data cards out there yet? Is HSDPA new technology worldwide or are there some countries that have been using the technology for a while?
 
The MTN UMTS base stations are provisioned for WCDMA and HSDPA already as part of the rollout (one of the reasons MTN held back was to wait for HSDPA to be ratified so that they didnt have to do two UMTS rollouts). When they will turn it on (HSDPA) is an entirely different story... Its pretty pointless until they upgrade their backhaul network anyway.
 
I am pleased to say that MTN has had a number of firsts. We were very much first with GPRS by a long chalk and we rapidly took our coverage to almost 100% of the network, moving this up to 100% last year. EDGE is another excellent example.

HSDPA is an enhancement to 3G which reduces latency and provides faster downlink speeds. It is an equally new technology to all of us - the standards are generally agreed between suppliers and then the equipment follows soon afterwards.

As I understand, HSDPA devices are only available in trial quantities.

3G at the moment offers 384 kbps download and 64 kbps upload. The upload speed will increase in the near future to 128 kbps.

HSDPA standards will be introduced over time in various phases. The first phase will be around 2 Mbits/sec (download) and 384 kbps upload.

We have not yet released our strategy on HSDPA. It would be largely a software upgrade as we have new 3G equipment.

I am excited about prospects but in terms of expectations I would caution on coverage and speed promises. On coverage, bear in mind that our EDGE coverage is around 235 000 sq kilometres whereas the figures I saw mentioned earlier in this post for 3G base stations only amounts to a few hundred sq kilometres coverage. Within that area the 2 Mbits/sec speeds would only be achieved if the signal was optimal. Another limitation is the transmission links between the base stations and the operator and then to the internet. Bear in mind that a 2 megabits/sec link can carry 30 phone calls. With 3G at 384 kbps, one has to beef up these links considerably, and with HSDPA one user would require the transmission of 30 voice users.
 
MTNBroadband said:
3G at the moment offers 384 kbps download and 64 kbps upload. The upload speed will increase in the near future to 128 kbps.
Click to expand...

So you guys are close to cracking the Signal Noise/Power control problem then? :D
 
ScrnScrm said:
So you guys are close to cracking the Signal Noise/Power control problem then? :D
Click to expand...

I was simply commenting on the status and short-term plans for 3G (WCDMA) as a standard.

The older 3G cards only support 64 kbps upload. The newer data cards do claim to be ready for a 128 kbps uplink.

EDGE already offers up to 118 kbps so is great if you tend to send e-mails.
 
MTNBroadband, does this mean your network will be HSDPA complaint from day 1 or will the software upgrade happen later? If so, how long after 3G launch?

In a previous post you indicated we would need to use a handset (6630) for 3G data access? Surely you'll launch a data card? What about the 3 or 4 data cards Vodacom have available, will they work?
 
HSPDA is a soft upgrade. My understanding is that the software will be on the BTSs already, or else will be part of the contract with Ericsson that they do it at a later stage for free (similar to the agreement that Voda have with Siemens).

You can get the Vodacom cards working, but its a bit of a mission. You cant use the Dashboard... You need to use the Dashboardless drivers and make sure that your card is not network locked.
I tried to get my Vodafone card working on "a.n.other" network recently, but gave up. Much easier to just use a handset..
 
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