3 Scandinavia rolling out 84Mbps HSPA+ 3G
updated 01:50 pm EST, Wed January 20, 2010
3 Scandinavia and Ericsson to out 84Mbps network
Wireless network operator 3 and Ericsson on Wednesday said they would introduce the first 84Mbps HSPA+ 3G wireless network in the world. The rollout will cover Denmark and four major Swedish cities. Significantly, the move means customers will see a theoretical fourfold increase in mobile broadband speeds even while they stay on a similar network standard.
Current HSPA+ networks, such as those used in Canada by Bell, Rogers and Telus, offer 21Mbps; T-Mobile is also just starting such service in the US. Real-world tests have these services running at about 7Mbps, suggesting that the 84Mbps level could result in roughly 28Mbps downloads at realistic distances and with a typical network load.
At the same time, the two companies have said they will deploy 900MHz 3G networks in Sweden will boost coverage in indoor and remote areas. Previously, most 3G in Sweden and other countries has run at much higher frequencies like 2,100MHz that get poorer reception and require more towers to cover a given area.
The high-speed services will be introduced later this winter in Denmark and the four cities in Sweden. Ericsson and 3 have a three-year contract to complete the rollout for both HSPA+ and the 900MHz expansion.
