HSDPA is the first evolution of 3G/WCDMA and part of the evolutionary path of 3G enhancements to the GSM technology family. The primary benefit of HSDPA is improved end-user experience for existing services, while new services are enabled. No new spectrum/carrier is needed to roll out HSDPA in the network. At present, WCDMA can provide voice and data services on the same carrier simultaneously. This also applies to HSDPA.

Alan Hadden, President, GSA said: "Several recent announcements underline the quickening pace of commercialization and market take up. This new survey confirms that 30 HSDPA networks have commercially launched services in 23 countries/territories, delivering the full broadband experience to subscribers. We expect the number of commercial HSDPA networks will more than double to 63 by end 2006. All WCDMA networks are expected to activate the HSDPA upgrade."

HSDPA services are now commercially available in Austria, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Madeira, The Netherlands, The Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the USA.

A related GSA survey "HSDPA Devices" also published today confirms that the number of user devices supporting HSDPA and announced in the market has reached 39 (up from 25 in February 2006, i.e. 56% growth in 3 months) from 13 suppliers. The total of 39 HSDPA devices comprises 14 mobile phones, 15 PCMCIA PC data cards, 7 PCI Express Mini Cards (suitable for integrating into laptops and other portable multimedia devices), and products for addressing wireless ADSL opportunities.

The 49 countries where HSDPA networks are planned, in deployment or commercially launched are Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Madeira, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, UAE, UK, and USA.

Source: Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA)

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