HSPA+ is also known as HSPA Evolution or Evolved HSPA (eHSPA). In addition to significantly increasing data speeds, the standard reduces latency, boosts network capacity, and provides an enhanced user experience. Telstra recently confirmed it is on track to begin rolling out the new technology to the Next G wireless network by the end of this year.

“HSPA+ technology will provide a remarkable improvement in how people experience mobile broadband, and once again opens the door for new, higher bandwidth applications,” said Jim Kirkpatrick, Chief Technology Officer for Sierra Wireless. “Telstra has shown tremendous industry leadership in delivering leading mobile broadband technology first in the world, and we are thrilled to work with other key industry leaders like Qualcomm and Ericsson to support this initiative.”

Mike Wright, Executive Director Telstra Wireless, attended the world’s first live demonstration of the eHSPA interoperability at Ericsson headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. “This is truly game-changing. Telstra has a proven history of investment in Australia’s nation-wide, HSPA-enabled Next G network and this is our latest, very important step toward realising this technology,” Mr Wright said. “Practically speaking, our tests have shown that when combined with our planned rollout of Ethernet backhaul, this network will deliver truly high-speed connectivity on the move.”

Telstra’s Next G wireless network, which was turned on October 6, 2006, is covering 99 per cent of the Australian population. eHSPA, also known as HSPA Evolution or HSPA+, is designed to enhance the mobile broadband user experience and enable a wide range of services. The interoperability test was performed on a wireless infrastructure network solution from Ericsson using Qualcomm’s MDM8200 product.

“The peak speeds and network efficiency enabled by this evolution will encourage the development of more innovative applications and, importantly, increase our network capacity to support the explosion we are experiencing in wireless internet use,” added Mr Wright.