LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cingular didn't need any luck in Vegas today as it became the first wireless carrier in the world to complete a mobile data call using a 3.6Mbps (megabit per second) HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) device on its commercial 3G network.
Cingular showcased its Las Vegas HSDPA network by carrying the live call using a laptop computer equipped with an Option Wireless PC Modem Card and QUALCOMM's MSM6280TM chipset. The company said it will showcase the potential of its network technology tonight at this year's Digital Experience event at the Bellagio hotel.
"We continuously strive to enhance our customers' wireless experience, using technology to deliver the most advanced data services and the highest quality voice services available," said Kris Rinne, chief technology officer for Cingular Wireless. "The flexibility of using HSDPA in our network gives us the ability to significantly increase data connection speeds as the market demands."
Commercial HSDPA service is available in Las Vegas and 15 other cities. Cingular's BroadbandConnect service provides downlink speeds between 400- 700Kbps (kilobits per second) with bursts to over one Mbps. Cingular plans to offer HSDPA service in most major markets by the end of 2006.
HSDPA/UMTS technology is the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers. Wireless carriers offering UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) or GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) can upgrade their networks to HSDPA and be assured there is a continued evolutionary path to faster speeds and more advanced services.
To date, there are more than 50 HSDPA networks planned or in deployment, plus eight announced trials. UMTS services are already offered on 95 commercial networks in 45 countries with an additional 67 UMTS networks in deployment, planned or licensed. There are more than 38 million 3G UMTS customers worldwide (Informa Telecoms & Media, October 2005).