Novatel preps USB modem for N. American HSPA+
updated 10:05 am EDT, Thu October 8, 2009
Novatel unveils Ovation MC998D
Novatel chose CTIA to launch its fastest Ovation USB modem so far. The MC998D (not yet shown) supports the current HSPA+ spec for 3G and will connect at up to 21Mbps downstream (5.76Mbps upstream) on supporting networks. It's also explicitly designed for North America's 850MHz and 1,900MHz HSPA frequiencies and will support the HSPA+ networks of Bell, Rogers and Telus in Canada as well as 7.2Mbps HSPA on AT&T in the US. The 2,100MHz band also gives it some support in Europe.
A future firmware update could let the new Ovation support 28.8Mbps HSPA+ should networks get the added speed.
The peripheral draws on multiple-in, multiple-out antenna technology to boost its reception, automatically installs its own drivers, and doubles as flash storage through a microSDHC card slot. Novatel hasn't said whether it will offer the MC998D as a stand-alone device, but it's most likely to be sold first as a network adapter tied to a Canadian carrier.
