Ericsson Pushes HSPA to Offer 56Mbps Mobile Download Speeds

Ericsson says that it will break its own HSPA world record with the world's first demonstration of HSPA multi-carrier MIMO technology, providing peak downlink data rates of 56Mbps, at the CTIA Wireless exhibition.

The increase in speed is achieved thanks to a combination of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) and multi-carrier HSPA technology. MIMO allows for higher peak data rates and increased spectral efficiency, which provides higher network capacity.

The demonstration will be carried out with a concept-design version of an Ericsson HSPA-enabled mobile-broadband router. This consumer device can be used anywhere broadband access is needed, sharing a mobile-broadband connection between multiple consumers and providing efficient use of the high-speed broadband connection.

HSPA multi-carrier technology with MIMO, which is currently being standardized, is scheduled for commercial deployment in 2010. By the end of 2009, Ericsson will support commercial deployment of multi-carrier technology with speeds up to 42Mbps - an achievement successfully demonstrated at the recent Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: "Ericsson's continued HSPA Evolution leadership enables higher data rates, increased network capacity and low network costs. This record-breaking demonstration combining MIMO and multi-carrier technology shows the strong potential of further HSPA enhancements. Operators that have chosen Ericsson's network equipment are in a unique position to offer the most attractive mobile-broadband services to their customers, today and in the years to come. "

Posted to the site on 31st March 2009