HSPA

HSPA subscribers hit 50M

Sue Marek — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:39:28 -0400

The GSMA reports that the number of HSPA subscribers has grown from 11 million in August 2007 to 50 million today. HSPA subscribers are growing at a rate of 4 million connections per month.

There are 191 commercial HSPA networks in the world and more than 740 HSPA devices (including phones, dongles and notebooks) available from 16 manufacturers.

For more:
- see this release

Related articles:
AT&T looks to roll out HSPA in time for 3G iPhone
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds

Andrew Seybold - The Rush to 4G

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:42:11 -0400

Over the next year, we will be hearing more about the network operators' move to 4G all over the world. I see the shift to 4G as inevitable, but does it need to happen as soon as LTE, for example, is finalized and the first equipment is built? We are hearing wonderful things about LTE, but the data rates and capacity increases being bandied about are theoretical and based on using 20 MHz of spectrum.

One reason the WiMAX community can claim data speed and capacity gains over today's EV-DO Rev A and UMTS/HSPA is due to the amount of bandwidth it uses. EV-DO Rev A occupies only 1.25 MHz of spectrum per carrier and UMTS/HSPA occupies 5 MHz per carrier. The WiMAX community is basing its claims on bandwidths of 8 MHz or more. If you normalize these three technologies in 10 MHz of spectrum, you find they offer about the same data rates and capacity.

Not many network operators have 20 MHz of contiguous spectrum to use for LTE, but LTE can run in any amount of spectrum from 1.25 MHz up to 20 MHz so it will fit almost anywhere. The caveat is that when LTE is used in less than 20 MHz of spectrum, data speeds and capacity are lower than the published specifications and, in most cases, are about the same as the next revisions of UMTS/HSPA+ and EV-DO Rev B (second release). Thus, I wonder why there is a rush to LTE instead of continuing with the enhancements to HSPA and EV-DO. If you put LTE in the A and B Blocks of the just-auctioned 700-MHZ spectrum, you are using 6 MHz by 6 MHz, which is a long way from 20 MHz of spectrum. When you look at what else can be done with this spectrum, you find that you can deploy four or five carriers of EV-DO or one carrier of UMTS/HSPA or LTE (depending on guard bands).

If you look at the data speeds and capacity of all three of these technologies in 10 MHz of spectrum, you will find that LTE has only a slight advantage (10 percent or less). Verizon, with its C Block holdings of 11 MHz by 11 MHz of spectrum, fairs better with LTE but not as much as is being claimed by LTE promoters. As with any new technology, it will take time to get the bugs out and it will be more expensive to deploy.

A lot of the rush to move to LTE is because of the "threat" of WiMAX and WiMAX proponents' claims about high-data speeds and lots of capacity. We are about to learn the truth about WiMAX as the Sprint portion of the new Clearwire network is turned on and independent tests are conducted. For an idea of what is in store for us, go to the WiMAX Forum website (http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/) where you can read the following statement: "Mobile network deployments are expected to provide up to 15 Mbps of capacity within a typical cell radius deployment of up to three kilometers." If you compare both of the 3G standards deployed today, you will see that there is virtually no difference in total data capacity available per cell sector or cell site.

Perhaps the commercial wireless community is rushing headlong into 4G when it should be continuing to deploy the next revisions of 3G and watching LTE. But most network infrastructure companies would not be happy with this since many of the revisions for the 3G networks are software upgrades and not nearly as expensive as the upgrade to LTE.

The race is on. NTT DoCoMo has fully committed to being the first LTE network operator and others are raising their hands. But like any new technology, it will take years to fully build out on a nationwide basis. The best we will see over the next three to four years is LTE deployed where there is a high demand for data services, and I don't believe we will see anything like a nationwide network in the United States until 2014 or 2015.

Network operators are trying to attract more customers to their broadband data networks and are still rolling out coverage in some areas. If I were a network operator, I would stay with 3G and implement the new revisions as they become available. I would let LTE technology and pricing mature before I made up my mind to deploy it, especially in less than the 20 MHz of spectrum on which today's specifications, including data speed and capacity, are being calculated.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in LTE and next-generation technology. But I also believe in making money and that the best way for networks to do that is to let demand drive them to LTE, not competition from WiMAX or wanting to be the first kid on the block with LTE.

Andrew Seybold is an authority on technology and trends shaping the world of wireless mobility. A respected analyst, consultant, commentator, author and active participant in industry trade organizations, his views have influenced strategies and shaped initiatives for telecom, mobile computing and wireless industry leaders worldwide. www.andrewseybold.com

Report: 2.1B wireless broadband customers by 2015

Sue Marek — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:02:05 -0400

U.K.-based research firm Analysys Mason estimates there will be 2.1 billion wireless broadband customers generating $784 billion in revenue by 2015. Analysys also says although WiMAX and LTE will be available, HSPA and HSPA+ will support at least 54 percent of all wireless broadband customers in 2015.

The firm says because HSPA and HSPA+ are the natural evolution path for GSM operators using W-CDMA, the number of HSPA and HSPA+ customers will increase from 61 million at the end of 2008 to 1.1 billion at the end of 2015. Meanwhile, Analysys says LTE will take off slowly but its customer base will reach 440 million by 2015, accounting for an estimated $194 billion in revenue.

Analysys isn't as bullish on WiMAX. The firm says it will fail to achieve a significant share of the development wireless broadband market, contributing only 2 percent of global revenue. In addition, the firm says by 2015 there will be 20 times as many customers using cellular broadband services as are using WiMAX.

For more:
- see this release

Related articles:
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds
Mobile industry pushes LTE

iPhone 3G: Faster, cheaper but still not perfect

Sue Marek — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:10:30 -0400

The handful of lucky reviewers to have early access to the iPhone 3G have revealed their analysis of the new device, which goes on sale Friday, July 11. The conclusion: the iPhone 3G is cheaper and faster (if you're lucky enough to be in one of AT&T's HSPA markets) but it still has some issues such as battery life (higher power demands from the 3G network cause the battery to drain quicker) and there's no Bluetooth or video capabilities. Here's a snapshot of the reviews:

Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal. Pro: The new iPhone is much, much faster at fetching data over cell phone networks because it uses a speedy cellular technology called 3G. And it now sports a GPS chip for better location sensing. Con: The iPhone 3G's battery was drained much more quickly in a typical day of use than the battery on the original iPhone, due to the higher power demands of 3G networks. This is an especially significant problem because, unlike most other smart phones, the iPhone has a sealed battery that can't be replaced with a spare. For more, read the article or watch this video of Mossberg's review.
David Pogue of The New York Times. Pro: The audio quality of the iPhone 3G has taken a gigantic step forward. "You sound crystal clear to your callers, and they sound crystal clear to you. Few cell phones are this good." Plus, Pogue praises the iPhone App Store, which he says is a central, complete, drop-dead simple online catalog of new programs for the iPhone. Con: AT&T's 3G coverage is spotty. A coverage map reveals that in 16 states, only three cities or fewer are covered. In 10 states there is no coverage at all. For more, read the review here.
Edward Baig of USA Today. Pro: Messages and calendar entries are "pushed" to the device, so they show up right away, just as they do on other computers. Set-up is a cinch. Con: You still cannot shoot video or take advantage of Bluetooth stereo or dial with a voice command. For more, see the full review.

Related articles:
See iPhone 3G Walkthrough Pictures
Chronicling the humiliation and anger induced by the iPhone 3G
Countdown to the iPhone 3G
Apple officially announces iPhone 3G, MobileMe
iPhone 3G revises AT&T data pricing

Metric: Mobile capex will reach $163.5B in 2013

Sue Marek — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:17:25 -0400

Although North America's mobile capital expenditures will likely remain flat this year, globally CAPEX investment will rise from more than $113 billion in 2007 to $163.5 billion in 2013, according to ABI Research. In the Asia-Pacific region, that growth will primarily be driven by markets that are expanding current 2G footprints and new 3G rollouts. In North America, look for carriers to be spending on 3G upgrades to HSDPA/HSPA and EVDO Rev. A, as well as activities around mobile WiMAX.

ABI researchers say that currently most of the CAPEX is still going to voice services and 2G networks expansion. However that will change. "CAPEX for data services will surpass that for voice sometime in 2009 as 4G starts to arrive," says Hwai Lin Khor, analyst with ABI. By 2013, the firm expects 28 percent of CAPEX spending to be for voice, 67 percent for data and 5 percent for mobile TV.

For more:
- see this release

Related story:
Carrier capex hits $225 billion

Early iPhone buyers may get rebate on 3G version

Sue Marek — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:13:50 -0400

The Atlanta Business Chronicle is reporting that consumers that bought the first generation iPhone will be able to get a rebate on the new 3G iPhone when it becomes available in stores July 11. The 3G iPhone, which uses AT&T's HSPA network, will retail for $199, which is significantly lower than the original iPhone that made its debut about a year ago for $499 for the 4 GB model and $599 for the 8 GB model. Article

AT&T will subsidize 3G iPhone

Sue Marek — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:54:56 -0400

AT&T confirmed it will subsidize Apple's 3G iPhone to customers who sign a two-year contract for the phone. AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega told the WSJ that the company believes the $199 price point is necessary to drive mass market adoption. While he admits that the subsidy will negatively impact the company's earnings in the short term (2008 and 2009), he believes the long-term rewards will make up for the initial hit. Specifically, he expects the operator to see a significant uptick in data usage and a reduction in churn. Some analysts estimate that AT&T will be paying as much as $499 per iPhone. The company plans to make up for some of that cost by charging consumers a higher monthly fee for the unlimited data plan. AT&T currently charges $20 per month but with the new iPhone it will charge $30 per month. Of course, the new 3G iPhone users will get the advantage of faster data because they will be using AT&T's HSPA 3G data service instead of the slower EDGE service.

- Don't forget to check out our photo slideshow...

Here's a rundown of other iPhone details:

iPhone launch: It will make its commercial debut July 11 in 22 countries. The 8 GB 3G iPhone will be priced at $199, the 16 GB device will cost $299. The new device will come with GPS, iPhone 2.0 software and WiFi. It also sports a battery life of 5 hours of 3G talk time and 300 hours of standby time.

iPhone metrics: Apple CEO Steve Jobs told attendees at yesterday's Worldwide Developers Conference that Apple sold 6 million iPhones in the first year and that the company ran out of the current generation of devices several weeks ago. The device has 90 percent customer satisfaction. In addition, 98 percent of users are browsing online, 94 percent are using email and 90 percent are texting. Approximately 80 percent are using 10 or more of the phone's features.

Special features: The 3G iPhone enables simultaneous voice and data communications and features a wealth of enterprise applications, including support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync for over-the-air push email, contact and calendar syncing, not to mention remote wipe and Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to corporate networks.

MobileMe: Apple introduced MobileMe, a new Internet service delivering push email, push contacts and push calendars to native iPhone, iPod touch, Mac and PC applications. MobileMe also provides a suite of ad-free web applications promising a desktop-quality experience through any modern browser--applications include Gallery for viewing and sharing photos and iDisk for storing and exchanging documents online. MobileMe includes 20 GB of online storage that can be used for email, contacts, calendar, photos, movies and documents. The subscription-based service costs $99 per year for individuals and $149 annually for a Family Pack, which includes one master account with 20 GB of storage and four Family Member accounts with 5 GB of storage each.

For more on the iPhone 3G:
- click here to see our slideshow
- read this release
- read this WSJ story

Related articles:
Apple's 3G iPhone arrives
Developers ready for the 3G iPhone
Samsung tries to steal iPhone's thunder

AT&T bundles and beefs up its HSPA network

Sue Marek — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:12:46 -0400

Just in time for the rumored June 9 iPhone debut, AT&T is giving its HSPA network a big speed boost. The company says that by the end of June it will have deployed HSUPA throughout its 3G markets, giving its customers downlink speeds between 700 Kbps and 1.7 Mbps and uplink speeds between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps.

Also key to this speed increase is the fact that AT&T today launched a new bundled offering called AT&T Net Reach, that combines AT&T's wireless and wireline networks, giving subscribers access to both AT&T's landline high speed Internet service and its wireless services such as AT&T's WiFi hotspots or its HSPA or Edge wireless data network. The Net Reach plans start at $79.95 per month and can be purchased by new or existing residential and business customers who subscribe to AT&T's high speed Internet and the LaptopConnect services.

For more:
- see this Net Reach press release
- and this HSPA press release

Related story:
AT&T looks to roll out HSPA in time for 3G iPhone
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds

Some AT&T laptop customers get free WiFi

Sue Marek — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:55:05 -0400

AT&T LaptopConnect customers that are on the operator's $59.99 per month or higher data plans will now get access to more than 17,000 WiFi hot spots for free. The carrier announced that LaptopConnect customers will automatically receive a pop-up message alerting them to WiFi availability when they are in range of an AT&T hotspot. Subscribers just have to download the latest version of the AT&T Communications manager software to their laptop to start getting the alerts.

When customers are not in a hot spot area, they will continue to connect via the AT&T HSPA and EDGE network.

For more:
- See this press release

Related stories:
Starbucks ditches T-Mobile's WiFi for AT&T's. See this AT&T story.
AT&T's HSUPA deployment is nearly complete. See this AT&T story.

AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds

Sue Marek — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:42:15 -0400

During a presentation this morning at Morgan Stanley's 13th Annual Communications Conference in Washington, D.C, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega said that he believes AT&T has a time-to-market advantage over WiMAX with its HSPA technology. De la Vega said that HSPA Release 7 will give the company 7 Mbps to 20 Mbps data speeds within the next two years and the company will only have to deploy a software upgrade. "When people talk about future technologies like WiMAX, they don't realize it doesn't do any good to just have it in the network. They have to have devices, coverage and the entire ecosystem," he said. "We have the best broadband network with the best throughput today. And it will get better in the short term." Of course, the company does plan to migrate to LTE technology in 2010, bringing data speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

De la Vega also touted the company's exclusive deal with RIM to distribute its new Blackberry Bold device, which he believes that along with the Apple iPhone and other advanced devices will help increase the number of postpaid subscribers using integrated devices on the AT&T network. Currently 16 percent of postpaid subscribers on AT&T have integrated devices but de la Vega said this figure will grow substantially in the year ahead. "We have seen that when you give integrated devices to customers, the ARPU is double what you get with an average phone," he said. "If you make the devices easier to use and more intuitive to the user, you will see the usage go up."

For more:
- see the replay of de la Vega's presentation here.

Related stories:
AT&T to launch 3G BlackBerry Bold. See this Blackberry Bold story
AT&T extends 3G deployments, backs LTE for 4G. See this AT&T LTE story