Broadband News

Vodafone trials super fast mobile broadband

Friday, 16 January 2009

Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Mobile broadband provider Vodafone has achieved actual download speeds of up to 16Mb using a new mobile broadband technology, the ISP has announced.

The high speed mobile broadband downloads were achieved in trials by the company’s Spanish network using next generation HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Evolved) technology.

Vodafone Broadband (www.Vodafone.co.uk) now plans to trial mobile broadband data connections with peak rates of up to 21Mb early in 2009.

The ISP expects the new technology to “significantly enhance actual download speeds as well as customers’ overall mobile experience”.

Vodafone estimated that the technology would be capable of delivering “a typical video download experience of more than 13Mb in good conditions” and “an average of more than 4Mb across a full range of locations including urban environments”.

“Successfully demonstrating a live HSPA+ high speed connection has been a key milestone in continuing to build confidence in this new technology,” said Andy MacLeod, Vodafone global networks director. “The results show that HSPA+ technology is well placed to further enhance our customers’ mobile broadband experience through the evolution of our existing 3G networks.”

Vodafone currently offers the UK’s fastest theoretical top speeds for mobile broadband, with downloads at up to 7.2Mb, which the company said delivers “an internet experience comparable with fixed broadband”.

However, these top speeds are only offered in larger cities and airports, and just like standard home broadband, speeds degrade the more people are connected to the network and the further you are from a mobile phone mast.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “These new trials show that mobile broadband can go much further than the 3.6Mb currently being offered by most mobile broadband providers.

“If suppliers can match super fast speeds with higher download allowances in the future, mobile broadband could really begin to contend with home broadband packages,” he said.

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