3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
24 July 2009
Mobile broadband moves into the fast lane as HSPA+ launches gather pace
The mobile broadband user experience moves into the fast lane with the first wave of successful HSPA+ network deployments. The UMTS Forum confirms that eight HSPA+ networks have been launched commercially, according to data provided by Wireless Intelligence, the global database of mobile market information.
Milan Will Be the First City in the World with an Ultrabroadband Mobile Network at 28 Mbps
Telecom Italia has commercially launched its HSPA+ network in Milan, with equipment provided by Ericsson. HSPA+ technology enables peak download speeds of up to 28 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.8 Mbps. In the next phase of the HSPA+ rollout, Telecom Italia is planning to upgrade its network in Rome by October and gradually expand HSPA+ coverage nationwide.
Canadian UMTS licence holder Globalive has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to roll out its greenfield WCDMA/HSPA network in Canada. Under the terms of the contract, NSN will deploy its advanced Build-Operate-Transfer solution (BOT) based on LTE-compliant Flexi Multimode Base Station, which will enable Globalive to offer enhanced mobile broadband services to consumers quickly and cost-effectively. NSN will also be responsible for site acquisition and construction, network integration and implementation, optimization and managed services.
Auction of 2.5GHz Frequencies in Denmark
Denmark’s Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation has announced a public consultation on the auction of 2.5 GHz spectrum planned for the first quarter of 2010. In total, 205 MHz of spectrum will be auctioned, comprising 190 MHz in the 2.5 GHz band (2500-2690 MHz) and 15 MHz in the 2010 MHz band (2010-2025 MHz). The 2.5 GHz band is suitable for mobile broadband technologies based on both LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX.
ZTE has launched its first HSPA+ USB data card in Greece in cooperation with the country’s leading mobile operator Cosmote, part of OTE Group. The MF662 device supports peak download speeds of up to 21.6 Mbps and 5.76 Mbps in the uplink on Cosmote’s HSPA+ high-speed mobile broadband network. With a flexible rotatable connector, the compact data card can be easily adjusted and plugged into any USB interface.
Mobile Broadband Comes to Vietnam
Vietnamese mobile operator Viettel has selected Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to roll out its WCDMA/HSPA network. Under the terms of the contract, NSN will provide the hardware, software and services required to build and manage the network, including skills training for Viettel's team. Viettel, which was awarded its UMTS licence in April this year, plans the commercial launch of its 3G network at the beginning of 2010.
Huawei Signed Global Master Agreement with Telenor Group to Supply Mobile Broadband Modems
Telenor Group has selected Huawei to supply mobile broadband modems for Telenor's 13 subsidiaries operating across Europe, CIS and Asia. Under the agreement, Huawei will deliver 1.2 million mobile broadband USB data cards in the next 12 months to Telenor Group. Huawei is the leader in the global mobile broadband terminal market, with a 55% market share.
Romanian 3G operator Zapp has unveiled the country’s first HSPA+ network. The network equipment has been provided by China’s ZTE. In the first phase of the HSPA+ upgrade, Zapp will cover Bucharest, the capital, providing its customers with peak download speeds of up to 21.6 Mbps and 5.8 Mbps in the upload.
Turkcell has signed a contract with Alcatel-Lucent to transform its nationwide network into an all-IP 3G system using the French vendor’s IP/MPLS (Internet Protocol/Multiprotocol Label Switching) solution. The all-IP mobile backhaul upgrade will expand the capacity of Turkcell’s existing network to provide national coverage as demand for higher bandwidth 3G services grows.
According to the European Information Technology Observatory (EITO), the take-up of mobile data services has been stellar, with growth in Europe expected at 10% in both 2009 and 2010. The UK is Europe’s largest mobile broadband market in terms of revenues, and will account for EUR5.6 billion of the total mobile data services market valued at EUR32.6 billion in 2009. Mobile Internet usage has been largely driven by smartphones, while mobile broadband services on notebooks and netbooks have begun to take off.
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