Monday, January 3, 2005

Cingular and Lucent Test HSDPA at 3 Mbps

Cingular Wireless and Lucent Technologies completed the first HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) data calls on the 3G UMTS trial network deployed by the two companies in the Atlanta market. In recent tests the HSDPA-enhanced network delivered sustained over-the-air data rates of more than 3 Mbps, and supported high-quality streaming video, as well as fast downloads of high-resolution images and other large files. The company expect the technology to scale to maximum peak data speeds of 14.4 Mbps.



The calls were completed using Lucent's end-to-end commercial UMTS solution, including Lucent's Flexent OneBTS base stations (Node Bs) -- which support HSDPA -- Flexent Radio Network Controller (RNC), as well as UMTS packet core solution including Lucent's Flexent Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), along with an HSDPA test terminal.
http://www.cingular.com/

  • In November 2004, Cingular Wireless announced its plans to deploy 3G UMTS with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) networks in a number of major urban and suburban markets across the U.S. beginning in 2005. The company expects to offer 3G in most major markets by the end of 2006. The upgraded network will offer average data speeds between 400-700 kbps, bursting to several Mbps. Currently, Cingular's EDGE nationwide wireless data network supports average data speeds up to 135 kbps. In the near future, UMTS devices will be backward compatible with EDGE. Cingular's recent acquisition of AT&T Wireless provided the company with the spectrum necessary to build the UMTS/HSDPA networks.

  • Cingular has signed agreements with Ericsson , Lucent Technologies and Siemens to develop and deliver the infrastructure required for a broad-scale deployment of an expanded 3G UMTS/HSDPA network. In addition, Cingular's strategic handset providers -- Nokia, Motorola and LG -- have committed to delivery of competitive UMTS devices in Q4 of 2005. Cingular also signed an agreement with Nokia to enhance its existing GSM/GPRS/EDGE network and possibly support the deployment of its 3G UMTS network. Financial terms of the contracts were not disclosed.