Vodafone experiments with HSPA+

Vodafone is testing the next evolutionary step in mobile broadband services in collaboration with Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm. The technology, known as HSPA+ or evolved HSPA, should allow downloads at up to 28.8 Mbit/s. The hardware currently used in modern base stations allows data transfer rates of up to 7.2 Mbit/s, although it may be possible to double this just with better software.

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HSPA+ uses MIMO technology (multiple input, multiple output) with multiple antennae and a complex modulation technique (64 QAM HSDPA) to increase data transfer rates. Whether HSPA+ will ever be implemented commercially remains to be seen, as network operators may choose to skip straight to the next step, known as Long Term Evolution.

(jbe)