Date:16/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/16/stories/2005051600540200.htm

Back New mobile tech promises to be 5 times faster than 3G

Thomas K. Thomas

Availability of handset is a major issue apart from the fact that the Government is yet to fine-tune its 3G policy.

New Delhi , May 15

IN the race to offer higher data speeds to mobile users, GSM-based operators are now looking at deploying the latest technology called the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) that promises to offer speeds that are five times faster than current 3G technology.

The move is aimed at countering the challenge from Reliance Infocomm's EV-DO (evolution data optimised) technology based on the CDMA platform.

Swedish equipment manufacturer Ericsson had demonstrated the new technology to Communication and IT Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, during the 3GSM World Congress held at Cannes recently.

"HSDPA is expected to further the advantages of 3G technology with increased throughput because of its high peak data rates. It also provides lower latency, which enables great interactive applications, such as multi-user gaming, and it brings higher capacity, supporting at least twice the number of subscribers per cell for data applications.

HSDPA is the right technology to move wireless communication into the broadband arena," said a cellular operator.

To put it simply if existing 3G technology - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) — offers speeds of around 384 kbps, HSDPA offers peak rate of 1.5 kbps. That means mobile user would be able to watch video streaming and get seamless access to all of the entertainment applications that are already used at home, such as music and video downloads, multiplayer gaming and television.

For business users HSDPA will enable wireless local area network (WLAN) applications. Corporate users will be able to use Virtual Private Network (VPN) access, hold Internet meetings, surf the Web and download large files.

Globally, NTT DoComo is also planning to launch the service this year. O2, the last major player to launch 3G services in the UK, is running an HSDPA trial. Other operators including Vodafone in Japan and New Zealand, T-Mobile and Orange are running test runs in the US.

The advantage for operators is that HSDPA uses the same radio spectrum as 3G, but sends data more effectively. Analysts, however, point out that the deployment in India will not happen overnight. Availability of handset is a major issue apart from the fact that the Government is yet to come out clear with its 3G policy.

On the other hand, equipment vendors such as Nokia, Siemens and Motorola are already working at delivering HSDPA solutions by year-end.