Newly updated reports on worldwide mobile broadband market developments have been published by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) which confirm the ever-expanding global footprint and evolving performance of mobile broadband services enabled by HSPA-based systems.
Some 429 operators have now committed to HSPA network deployments in 167 countries. HSPA is the first evolution of WCDMA and has been deployed by more than 99% of WCDMA operators. Commercial HSPA services are launched on 398 networks, 17% higher than a year ago. HSPA-enabled mobile broadband services are now commercially launched in 160 countries/territories, compared to 143 one year ago.
More than two-thirds of HSPA networks (68%) are configured to support at least 7.2 Mbps peak downlink data speeds, compared to just over half of HSPA networks one year ago. 39% of operators have deployed HSUPA for fast data uploading performance, compared to 29% in April 2010.
The introduction of HSPA Evolution technology, often referred to as HSPA+ was the major trend in 2010 and this continues in 2011. A total of 173 operators in 77 countries have committed to deploy HSPA+ and 123 of those operators have now commercially launched HSPA+ systems in 65 countries. Most operators entering the market today are launching immediately with HSPA+.
Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “Our research confirms that 43% of HSPA operators are committed to HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) systems and almost 31% of HSPA operators have now commercially launched HSPA+. GSA forecasts there will be at least 150 commercial HSPA+ systems launched by end 2011.”
* 90 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 21 Mbps using 64QAM modulation, delivering a typical user experience up to 8 Mbps (depending on device capability)
* 10 commercial HSPA+ networks support 28 Mbps utilizing MIMO technology
* 23 commercial HSPA+ networks support 42 Mbps, which is achieved by combining 64QAM and doubling the bandwidth (DC-HSPA+)
An increasing number of operators have committed to deploy 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ capabilities on their networks and GSA anticipates that the number of commercial 42 Mbps systems will more than double by the end of this year. This is remarkable progress considering the first 42 Mbps system went live only a little over one year ago, says GSA.
Five operators have committed to the next HSPA Evolution step of 84 Mbps, which can be realized using a combination of DC-HSPA+ (64QAM) and MIMO. 84 Mbps systems and devices are expected to be commercially introduced within the next 12 months, it says.