3G/mobile broadband industry news from the UMTS Forum
08 October 2010
Bulgaria’s M-Tel has launched a 3G Wi-Fi router, branded the M-Tel HOTSPOT, which enables free wireless surfing and sharing of mobile broadband connection for up to five devices. The 3G router works together with a VMC mode, which can connect any device with built-in Wi-Fi module. Depending on the model of the VMC device, the data transfer speed over the M-Tel HOTSPOT may reach up to 21 Mbps within the coverage of M-Tel’s HSPA+ network.
T-Mobile USA has unveiled a new Android 2.2 smartphone, the T-Mobile myTouch. The device lets users take advantage of T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network that has now been deployed in more than 65 markets. The T-Mobile myTouch features Video Chat, which works anywhere on T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network or Wi-Fi. The 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen device is also equipped with a high-quality HD Camcorder with Screen Share, allowing customers to share or upload HD video and pictures.
AT&T Introduces its First LTE and HSPA+ LaptopConnect Devices
AT&T has unveiled its first LTE and HSPA+-upgradable mobile broadband devices. The AT&T USBConnect Adrenaline from LG the AT&T USBConnect Shockwave from Sierra Wireless both offer HSPA access, and are upgradable to LTE and HSPA+ respectively. AT&T plans to deploy HSPA+ technology later this year, while the LTE rollout is expected in early 2011. In addition, AT&T has also introduced the AT&T USBConnect 900 from Huawei, which is the operator’s first LaptopConnect device to work with DataConnect Pass prepaid data plans.
Semiconductor vendor ST-Ericsson has unveiled an energy efficient HSPA+ modem capable of data transfer speeds of up to 21 Mbps. The M5730 two-chip modem offers up to 50% lower power consumption compared to its standard HSPA+ modems. It is also the vendor’s smallest HSPA+ 21 Mbps solution to date. The modem will be shipped in smartphones early in 2011.
Rogers Communications has launched an LTE network technical trial with Ericsson in the Ottawa area using recently auctioned AWS spectrum. The partners have been conducting LTE lab testing at its Ottawa Research and Development facility, comparing speeds and performance of LTE technology in multiple frequency bands. Rogers and Ericsson will now carry out a comprehensive field trial of LTE at both low and high band frequencies in urban, suburban, and rural environments across the Ottawa area. The tests will verify LTE data throughput speeds, performance quality and interoperability with Rogers' existing HSPA+ network.
Swisscom has initiated field trials of LTE mobile broadband technology in Grenchen in the canton of Solothurn. The LTE pilot network supports data transmission speeds of up to 100 Mbps. Swisscom plans to commercially launch its LTE network at the earliest in 2011. The operator is also upgrading its HSPA network to support data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps by the end of 2010. Currently, around 500 of Swisscom’s mobile sites equipped with HSPA+ support transmission speeds of up to 21 Mbps.
US wholesale LTE network operator LightSquared has announced Nokia and Qualcomm as technology partners. Nokia will provide will provide branded, data-centric products for LightSquared customers to complement Nokia Siemens Networks' infrastructure rollout for LightSquared. Qualcomm will offer its MDM9600 multi-mode chipset that supports L-Band LTE and satellite technology.
US operator Verizon Wireless is accelerating roll-out plans for its LTE network. It will be deployed in 38 major metropolitan areas by the end of 2010, covering a population of more than 110 million: an increase on previous commitments of 25-30 markets and coverage of 100 million population. In addition, Verizon will also launch LTE services in over 60 airports nationwide. Verizon expects average LTE data transfer rates to reach 5-12 Mbps in the downlink and 2-5 Mbps in the uplink.
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