Nortel Expects HSOPA to Deliver 25 Mbps Wireless Links in 2007

Nortel announced a strategy to bring some of the key advantages of OFDM and MIMO technologies into its broadband wireless systems, including High Speed OFDM Packet Access (HSOPA). The technologies could enable wireless operators to offer true "quadruple play" services: voice, high-speed interactive applications including large data transfer and feature-rich IPTV with full mobility.



In addition, HSOPA/LTE has the potential to increase ten-fold the number of users that can be served by an operator's network. Nortel estimates that by using HSOPA/LTE technology the cost per megabyte to the operator could be as low as one twentieth of the cost associated with UMTS.



In 2006, Nortel expects to deliver an HSOPA/LTE laboratory prototype solution that can provide up to 25 Mbps uplink in the 5MHz spectrum - at least 15 times faster than today's fastest mobile connectivity. Nortel's original OFDM-MIMO laboratory prototype, demonstrated in 2004, delivered 37 Mbps in downlink in the same bandwidth. These two advances mean that Nortel anticipates beginning customer HSOPA/LTE trials in 2007.



Nortel aims to demonstrate that UMTS operators can evolve to HSOPA/LTE with minimal additional investment. On the radio access side, Nortel's Base Transceiver Station (BTS) platforms enable a smooth evolution to HSOPA as well as supporting GSM, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA and HSOPA/LTE.



By 2008, HSOPA/LTE would also benefit from the expected evolution of the converged core network. This converged core would terminate traffic from any fixed or wireless access technology to provide greater service continuity, improved quality of service and embedded security.

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