Madrid, 12th February 2008.- Vodafone will carry out tests with HSPA+, an evolution of the HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) radio access technology, to assess its potential to offer higher data speeds through the updating of existing network equipment.
Vodafone will work with the manufacturers Qualcomm, Huawei and Ericsson to test HSPA+ Release 7 technology which can potentially handle data more efficiently than current HSPA technology.
The initiative will help to determine whether HSPA+ is capable of offering data transmission rates of up to 28.8 Mbps compared to the maximum speed of 14.4 Mbps offered by existing HSDPA networks. If the test proves successful, this technology could further extend the lifespan of current HSPA infrastructure.
HSPA+ technology is designed to offer a better throughput than HSPA through the use of various antennae in both base stations and terminals (MIMO - Multiple Input Multiple Output) as well as the deployment of a complex modulation scheme called HSDPA 64-QAM. Both functions will require new advanced devices that comply with the 3GPP Release 7 standard.
The project is based on previous technical assessments carried out by Vodafone where MIMO technology achieved high throughput for users in a simulated urban macro-cellular network.
Last year Vodafone launched an HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) based 3G broadband service with downlink transmission rates of up to 7.2 Mbps in selected hotspots in the key markets. Vodafone is planning to update the software in more selected hotspots to offer speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps from the end of the year as part of its existing HSPA strategy, subject to device availability.
According to Steve Pusey, Vodafone's Global Technical Director, "these tests will help us to determine whether the greater voice and data capacity of HSPA+ can leverage existing UMTS assets, including radio spectrum, to extend the lifespan of current UMTS networks. It will complement exploratory work we are carrying out in more long-term future wireless technologies, such as LTE".
For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +34 607 133 455
E-Mail: gabinetedeprensa@corp.vodafone.es
Notes:
HSPA+ technology refers to a new set of features, mainly driven by the 3GPP Release 7 standard which support the evolution of HSPA towards higher user throughput and better support of packet services.
The two outstanding HSPA+ features are 64QAM (higher order modulation) and MIMO, which offer the possibility of supporting high peak data rates of up to 28.8 Mbps on the downlink.
The theoretical maximum rates include capacity set aside for technical administration which could reduce the net theoretical maximum rate available to the end user.