Operators increase 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ investments; 62 networks commercially launched

UK: Three new reports published by GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirm how HSPA and HSPA+ systems are extending mobile broadband access to new markets and achieving even higher levels of performance and efficiencies. The reports are:

* HSPA Network Operator Commitments report.
* Global HSPA+ Network Commitments report.
* HSPA Devices Survey – Key findings report.

In all, 483 operators have committed to deploy HSPA systems in 181 countries and territories, which is more than 16 percent higher than one year ago. 451 HSPA networks are commercially launched in 174 countries. Every WCDMA operator has commercially launched HSPA on their networks.

HSPA+ is a mainstream mobile technology and is quickly expanding. A total of 241 operators have committed to HSPA+ network deployments, representing an increase of over 62 percent in the past year. HSPA+ networks are being deployed in 106 countries, 39 countries more than a year ago. 187 HSPA+ systems have been commercially launched in 96 countries, confirming that over 41 percent of HSPA operators have introduced HSPA+ on their networks.

Alan Hadden, president of the GSA, said, “HSPA and HSPA+ technology is fast bringing Internet and broadband access to mass markets, not only in developed regions, introduction in the emerging markets is a major trend.”

The rapid evolution of network capabilities to 42 Mbps dual cell HSPA+ technology (DC-HSPA+) is another clear trend, as operators invest in improvements to network performance, capacity and efficiencies, to maintain or enhance user experience. 62 commercial DC-HSPA+ networks have been launched i.e. 49 more than a year ago. Another 26 DC-HSPA+ networks are understood to be in deployment or planned. DC-HSPA+ systems combine 64QAM modulation and double the bandwidth by using dual carriers (2×5 MHz = 10 MHz). This capability was introduced by 3GPP in the Release 8 specifications, and enables a theoretical peak downlink data throughput capability of 42 Mbps.

40 UMTS900 networks have been commercially launched in 900 MHz spectrum, enabling HSPA or HSPA+ operators to significantly extend mobile broadband coverage, typically as a result of re-farming some of their existing spectrum which was previously used for GSM voice service. 719 UMTS900 user devices have been commercially introduced.

GSA added 440 products to its HSPA user devices database, which now comprizes 3,362 products. The database includes 1,413 mobile phones, which is more than 15 percent higher than a year ago. The number of routers including personal hotspots increased by almost a third in the same period.

245 HSPA+ devices (compared to 92 a year ago) are launched. 137 devices support 21 Mbps peak downlink speed, 14 support 28.8 Mbps, 93 support 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ (compared to 22 a year ago), and one device supports 84 Mbps. 27 HSPA+ smartphones (including carrier and frequency variants) are confirmed, including four phones, which support 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+. The number of HSPA-enabled tablets increased from 13 to 43 over the past year reflecting a growing interest in this expanding device segment.

HSPA and HSPA+ deployments status – global
* 483 HSPA operator commitments in 181 countries.
* 451 commercial HSPA operators in 174 countries, includes 187 HSPA+ networks commercially launched in 96 countries.
* Over 41 percent of HSPA operators have commercially launched HSPA+.
* 117 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 21 Mbps.
* 8 commercial HSPA+ networks support a peak downlink data speed of 28 Mbps.
* 62 commercial networks support DC-HSPA+ for a peak downlink data speed of 42 Mbps.
* Over 43 percent of HSPA operators have commercially launched HSUPA.
* 129 HSUPA networks (66%) support at least 5.8 Mbps peak.

Breakdown of 3,362 HSPA devices by form factor
* 1,413 mobile phones, smartphones.
* 580 USB modems (dongles).
* 502 notebooks, netbooks.
* 434 wireless routers/gateways, mobile hotspots.
* 295 PC data cards (PCMCIA cards, ExpressCards, embedded modules).
* 48 PMPs, UMPCs.
* 27 femtocells.
* 12 E-book readers.
* 8 cameras.
* 43 mobile tablets.
* 245 HSPA+ user devices are launched (compared to 92 a year ago).
* 93 support 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ (compared to 22 a year ago).
* 27 HSPA+ smartphones (including carrier and frequency variants) confirmed, including 4 phones supporting 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+.
* The number of HSPA-enabled tablets increased from 13 to 43 over the past year.
* 1,288 HSUPA devices launched, 36 percent YoY growth
* 160 dual-mode HSPA-LTE user devices are launched.