HSPA+ is now mainstream; 103 operators launched in 57 countries: GSA

UK: Newly updated reports on worldwide mobile broadband market developments published by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association) confirm the continuing strong performance of mobile broadband services enabled by HSPA-based systems across the world.

So far, 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 percent of WCDMA operators. Commercial HSPA services are launched on 380 networks, 20 percent 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 percent) support 7.2 Mbps or higher peak downlink capability.
* Over 35 percent 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+.” [continues after graphic."