The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) says operators are swiftly upgrading to 42 Mbps dual-carrier HSPA+ technology.
The association's most recent Global HSPA+ Network Commitments and Deployments report indicates that 39 commercial dual-carrier HSPA+ networks have been rolled out, representing a 70-percent increase compared with numbers announced three months prior. GSA said at least another 26 dual-carrier HSPA+ networks are in deployment or expected to be launched.
Dual-carrier HSPA+ combines 64QAM modulation and double the bandwidth by using multiplexing techniques to combine two wireless data carriers into a single carrier (2×5 MHz = 10 MHz). The capability is part of the 3GPP Release 8 specs and offers theoretical peak downlink speeds of 42 Mbps.
T-Mobile USA has been aggressively rolling out the technology, adding 56 more HSPA+ 42 markets to bring its total to 152 markets nationwide, covering 170 million POPs. However, the operator offers only one HSPA+ 42 device, the ZTE-made T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 laptop stick.
Overall, the GSA reports more than 410 commercial HSPA operators, which means every W-CDMA operator worldwide has commercially launched HSPA in its network.
For more:
- see this Cellular-News article
Related articles:
T-Mobile expands HSPA+ 42 network to 56 more markets
Cincinnati Bell joins 4G parade with HSPA+ rollout
T-Mobile takes on LTE with HSPA+ 42 Mbps launch in 55 markets
In 4G radio network rollouts, AT&T takes the lead
Lawmaker introduces bill to verify '4G' marketing claims
Battle erupts over T-Mobile's 'largest 4G network' claims