A new survey by the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) confirms that 53 operators in 33 countries have committed to deploying HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) systems.<\/p>\n
HSPA+ brings features to WCDMA\/HSPA networks and terminals that offer clear benefits including higher data speeds and capacities, improved operation times, longer terminal battery life, faster response times (lower latency), and extended network coverage area. HSPA+ is realized by a software upgrade to current HSPA network infrastructures.<\/p>\n
The GSA survey confirms that 25 HSPA+ commercial systems are in commercial service in 19 countries. 24 HSPA+ networks are capable of a peak downlink data speed of 21 Mbps, using 64QAM modulation. One network supports a peak downlink data speed of 28 Mbps, which is made possible with the use of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology. Several more HSPA+ network deployments are on-going.<\/p>\n
System performance improvements and efficiencies introduced with HSPA+ mean a greater number of customers benefiting from mobile broadband access, who will typically experience 5 – 8 Mbps and enjoy a better mobile broadband experience.<\/p>\n
Alan Hadden, President of GSA said: “WCDMA\/HSPA is the fastest growing mobile technology ever and the undisputed system of choice for mobile broadband. Several operators have now launched or are deploying HSPA+ and most others are considering it. We anticipate there will be around 40 commercial HSPA+ systems launched by year end, possibly even more, and the trend continuing in 2010.”<\/p>\n
HSPA+ systems are now commercially launched in Australia, Austria,
HSPA+ Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA.<\/p>\n
HSPA Networks Increase More Than 33%<\/strong><\/p>\n A second related survey by GSA updates the global status of HSPA network deployments and launches worldwide, and is also published today. It confirms that the number of operators committing to HSPA deployments, and the number of commercial networks now in service, have both increased by more than 33% year on year.<\/p>\n Also, the majority of HSPA networks today support a peak downlink speed of 7.2 Mbps or higher. 92 networks i.e. around one third, have commercially launched HSUPA for high speed data uplink performance.<\/p>\n