Nortel and Qualcomm crank HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps

Nortel and Qualcomm claim to have successfully achieved the industry's first 7.2Mbps HSDPA mobile data calls, offering data downloads at speeds up to four times faster than most current fixed broadband connections.

HSDPA is designed to boost network capacity for data transmissions by up to four times, and enables twice as many wireless users per cell site compared to current UMTS networks.

By making more efficient use of existing network capabilities, HSDPA helps to reduce operating costs while delivering a high quality end-user experience.

The companies completed the initial series of pre-commercial category 8 HSDPA data calls using test terminals based on Qualcomm's MSM6280 modem and Nortel's HSDPA network equipment.

The calls covered frequencies in all commercially available UMTS spectrums currently used by mobile operators throughout the world.

The 2100MHz spectrum is presently the basis for most European 3G networks, and the 850MHz spectrum is now in use for new UMTS networks in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Spectrum at 900MHz is typically reserved for GSM use, but is expected to be expanded for UMTS services in the future. Nortel believes this can also become an important part of a European HSDPA roll out.