Newly updated reports on worldwide mobile broadband market developments published by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) are said to confirm the continuing strong performance of mobile broadband services enabled by HSPA-based systems across the world.
416 operators have committed to HSPA network deployments in 161 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 380 networks, 20% higher than a year ago. The number of markets where HSPA systems are launched has reached 155 countries, compared to 133 countries one year ago.
Network data speeds are rapidly evolving:
* 247 HSPA networks (65%) support 7.2 Mbps or higher peak downlink capability
* Over 35% of HSPA operators have launched HSUPA for fast data uploading performance
The introduction of evolved HSPA systems – HSPA Evolution, commonly referred to as HSPA+ was the major trend in 2010. HSPA+ networks supporting up to 42 Mbps peak downlink data speed are market reality, and some operators are already preparing to introduce the next evolutionary step of 84 Mbps.
Alan Hadden, President of the GSA, said: “HSPA+ is now mainstream. This has been achieved in only 23 months since the first HSPA+ system was commercially launched. The recent trend was for operators introducing mobile broadband services to launch with HSPA. Most operators entering the market today are going straight to HSPA+.”
HSPA+ systems enable operators to deliver higher capacities and performance levels and contribute to an improved user experience of mobile broadband. 148 HSPA operators, i.e. approaching 40%, have committed to HSPA+ network deployments in 67 countries. A total of 103 operators i.e. more than 1 in 4, have commercially launched HSPA+ systems, in 57 countries.
* 79 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)
* 11 commercial HSPA+ networks support 28 Mbps utilizing MIMO technology
* 13 commercial HSPA+ networks support 42 Mbps, which is achieved by combining 64QAM and doubling the bandwidth (DC-HSPA+)
Approximately 1 in 8 HSPA operators have committed to deploy 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ capabilities on their networks. In addition to 13 systems already commercially launched as mentioned above, the GSA reports confirm at least an additional 32 operator commitments to deploy DC-HSPA+ technology.
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 in 2012.