Qualcomm Inc (QCOM)

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GSA: HSDPA Networks Proliferating


By Susan Rush
July 26, 2006
NEWS@2 DIRECT

http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA6356469.html

High-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) networks are on pace to reach 80 deployments by year's end, according to a new survey from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSM).

To date, 45 commercial HSDPA networks have launched worldwide. This number represents 150-percent growth over the past three months, GSM says. In Europe, 15 EU countries are already delivering HSDPA services and seven more have made formal commitments to launch the technology. HSDPA supporters include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Madeira, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, Cingular is making a big HSDPA push with its Broadband Connect UMTS/HSPDA service. The carrier's 3G coverage currently spans more than 50 U.S. markets, with most recent launches occurring in San Antonio and Atlanta. The goal, according to Cingular, is to expand its 3G reach to most major U.S. markets by the end of 2006.

In addition to efforts in the United States and the EU, several other countries have already embraced the technology, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the UAE.

Earlier this month, Qualcomm said it is on target to release commercial high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) technology in early 2007. The CDMA pioneer says it has already completed test calls using its Mobile Station Modem (MSM) 7200 HSUPA chipset, which delivers 2.0 Mbps on the uplink.