From this summer, the main mobile operators will launch
services based on fast mobile technology called HSDPA (High-Speed
Data Packet Access).
HSDPA, also called 3.5G, is the next generation of 3G, and a
technology upgrade to current UMTS networks, sending data packets
over a 5MHz bandwidth.
The technology is integrated into notebooks and smartphones and
is reputedly several times faster than current 384kbps 3G speeds -
up to a theoretical 15Mbps.
Samsung is among the mobile suppliers to demonstrate 3.6Mbps
speeds, although analysts have been more sceptical about whether
these will be achievable in commercial services in the near
future.
Jason Chapman, managing vice-president at analyst firm Gartner,
said that while HSDPA would give companies fast mobile access to
business applications and data, links from the network to mobile
PCs would run at between 500kbps and 700kbps.
"HSDPA brings ISDN speed, and is good enough for most
applications. For doing e-mail with attachments and gaining access
to corporate applications, these things become a lot more usable,"
said Chapman.
Operators upgraded their networks in 2005 to support HSDPA. But
the technology is backwards compatible, so where 3G networks do not
support HSDPA, users will continue to get mobile access, but with
data speeds dropping down to 3G or GPRS-levels.
O2 was one of the first network operators to trial HSDPA
technology, running a pilot on the Isle of Man last November. O2
will initially deliver its service direct to notebooks later this
year.
Dave Williams, O2's chief technology officer, said, "HSDPA is
probably the 3G we always wanted. Even in a loaded network, the
reliability will be there. You can get six times more data on HSDPA
than on 3G."
Later this month, Vodafone will become the second UK operator to
run HSDPA trials. O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and 3 all plan to
offer HSDPA services in the UK either later this year, or in
2007.
This month, 100 business users will test Vodafone's HSDPA
service using its Mobile Connect laptop cards across London. This
trial follows limited Vodafone HSDPA tests in the area around its
Newbury headquarters.
Vodafone plans to launch a commercial HSDPA service this summer,
mainly to users in the South East. The mobile operator said most
users in the UK's major towns and cities will have HSDPA available
to them by the end of the year.
Tim Miles, Vodafone UK chief executive, said, "We have seen high
demand for 3G since its launch two years ago and our customers are
hungry for the improvements that HSDPA will deliver."
Analysts said businesses should get involved in the trials, but
wait until the technology's stability and reliability have been
established before adopting it more widely.
T-Mobile has partnered with Nokia, which has produced an HSDPA
software upgrade to its networks, so they can run at between 1mbps
and 2mbps. T-Mobile said it would launch a UK service later this
year.
For businesses that want to start preparing for the fast mobile
technology, the main notebook makers are gearing up to sell
business notebooks with integrated HSDPA.
Dell said that by June it would be selling HSDPA-equipped
notebooks in the UK that use Vodafone's integrated Sierra Wireless
Aircard HSDPA data card.
Lenovo said it planned to integrate a Sierra Wireless HSDPA card
from Vodafone into new models of its Thinkpad T60 and X60
notebooks. These are expected to emerge before June, and Lenovo
HSDPA laptops will support 3G, Edge and GPRS. Thinkpad customers
will be able to upgrade their notebooks to HSDPA when it is
available, the company said.
Hewlett-Packard demonstrated HSDPA-equipped notebooks at the
3GSM wireless conference in February. It plans to sell its
Broadband Wireless business notebooks, which support worldwide
triband frequencies this autumn.
As for HSDPA phones, Samsung was among the first smartphone
makers to demonstrate a model, the SGH-Z560, a clamshell mobile
with data speeds of up to 3.6mbps. The firm said it would be
available this year. Lesser known manufacturer BenQ Mobile said it
would release its EF91 HSDPA phone in June, making it one of the
first available.
In terms of integrating 3G mobile devices with Wi-Fi networks,
fixed lines and PBXs, work is being done by suppliers such as
Avaya, Alcatel, BT, Cisco, Motorola and Nokia, said Nick McQuire,
senior analyst for wireless at Yankee Group. However, much of the
work is at the trial stage.
Before usable business services become available, suppliers need
to sort out tariffs, handset availability, and standards, added
McQuire.
What is HSDPA?
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), also known as 3.5G,
is a mobile telephony protocol that brings Lan-like data
transmission speeds to mobile devices. The packet-based data
service runs over a 5MHz bandwidth on W-CDMA - the technology
behind 3G. HSDPA has a low latency, which means fewer delays to
users when downloading attachments and accessing demanding business
applications such as enterprise resource planning and customer
relationship management.