High Speed Downlink Packet Access

HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is an upgrade to UMTS/WCDMA. HSDPA increases the download speeds by up to 3.5 times, initially delivering typical user data rates of 550 to 800 kbps. Improvements to the downlink, through HSDPA, were the first upgrade steps available to operators seeking to deploy mobile broadband services as a part of 3GPP Release 5. There is some confusion regarding the use of acronyms involving HSDPA, and its further evolution to High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), as the terms are often used interchangeably along with the acronym HSPA which refers to the both HSDPA and HSUPA in their evolved state.

HSDPA speeds are ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications, such as large file transfers, streaming multimedia and fast Web browsing. HSDPA also offers latency as low as 70 to 100 milliseconds (ms) making it ideal for real-time applications such as interactive gaming and delay-sensitive business applications such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

High Speed Downlink Packet Access is predominately a software upgrade to Release 99 of the UMTS standard. HSDPA has been commercially available since December 2005, when Cingular Wireless – now AT&T – launched the world's first large scale HSDPA service. There are more than 300 HSDPA networks commercially deployed or in various stages of deployment in more than 115 countries (May 2009). International roaming is available as the technology falls back on UMTS, EDGE and GPRS for the continuation of voice and data services.

HSDPA usually requires only new software and base station channel cards, instead of necessitating the replacement of major pieces of infrastructure from UMTS and does not require additional spectrum for deployment. As a result, UMTS operators can deploy HSDPA quickly and cost-effectively. In fact, most operators that deploy 3G UMTS are deploying an HSDPA-ready network.

HSDPA technology significantly improves the UMTS downlink performance through techniques, such as adaptive modulation and coding, hybrid ARQ (HARQ) and fast scheduling. On the receiving side, initial HSDPA User Equipment (UE) solutions were based on single antenna CDMA rake receiver structures, similar to Release 99 UMTS receiver structures. The corresponding minimum performance requirement for HSDPA rake receivers was specified in Release 5. While the single antenna rake receivers worked very well for conventional UMTS and met initial system needs for HSDPA, advanced receiving technologies were later used to achieve even higher HSDPA throughputs. To achieve this goal, 3GPP studied two applicable techniques (receive diversity and advanced receiver architectures) as well as their minimum performance improvement and has specified them in Release 6.

HSDPA also benefits operators by making more efficient use of spectrum, up to three times more capacity than UMTS. This efficiency means that operators can easily and cost-effectively accommodate more users and services without having to buy additional spectrum just to keep up with growth. That efficiency also reduces operators' overhead costs, and thus, makes them better able to price their services at a point that is competitive yet profitable.

HSDPA is backward-compatible with UMTS, EDGE and GPRS. This design benefits customers when they travel to areas that have not yet been upgraded to HSDPA, as their HSDPA-enabled handsets and modems will still provide fast packet-data connections. This design also benefits operators and application developers because applications designed for UMTS also run on HSDPA networks and devices.

HSDPA benefits from the scope and scale of the GSM ecosystem of vendors. Vendors currently offer more than 1,300 models of HSPA/HSDPA devices at a variety of price points. Besides handsets and PC card modems, HSPA/HSDPA is also embedded in many laptops from major vendors such as Acer, Dell, Fujitsu Siemens, HP, Lenovo and Panasonic. Embedded modems are particularly attractive to enterprises because CIOs and IT managers do not have to worry about whether a particular modem is compatible with a particular laptop model. Devices also are available at most GSM frequencies, enabling global roaming.

UMTS/WCDMA - 3G Technology

UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, or WCDMA: Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a voice and high-speed data technology that is part of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) IMT-2000 family of third-generation (3G) wireless standards. Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) is the radio technology used in UMTS. As a result, the terms UMTS and WCDMA are often used interchangeably. UMTS is based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology with user achievable peak data rates of 350 kbps and more typical speeds for both the uplink and the downlink at 200 to 300 kbps.

UMTS has garnered the overwhelming majority of new 3G spectrum licenses with 282 commercial networks in operation by May 2009. Compared to emerging wireless technologies, UMTS technology is more mature and benefits from research and development that began in the early 1990s. It has been thoroughly trialed, tested and commercially deployed. UMTS deployment offers stable network infrastructures and attractive, reliable mobile devices that have rich capabilities. With the addition of HSPA for high-speed packet data services, UMTS-HSPA is quickly emerging as the dominant global mobile-broadband network.

UMTS employs a wideband CDMA radio-access technology. The primary benefits of UMTS include high spectral efficiency for voice and data, simultaneous voice and data capability for users, high user densities that can be supported with low infrastructure costs, support for high-bandwidth data applications, and a clean migration to VoIP in the future. Operators can also use their entire available spectrum for both voice and high-speed data services.

3G Americas is just one of the many industry groups to endorse UMTS technology; others include the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB) in Japan, European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), GSM Association (GSMA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and UMTS Forum.

UMTS builds on GSM, which is the world’s most widely used wireless technology. GSM has captured more than 89 percent of the global wireless market with more than 3.8 billion subscribers. UMTS is available from over 282 operators in more than 123 countries as of May 2009. UMTS enjoys a global cost structure, equipment selection and user adoption that is unmatched by any other 3G technology.

UMTS has been in commercial service in Japan since 2001 and is now available on every continent. On July 20, 2004, AT&T Wireless (U.S.) became the first operator to launch commercial UMTS service in the Western Hemisphere. In April 2009, Informa Telecoms & Media reported more than 330 million UMTS subscriptions worldwide, with expected adoption to top 1.9 million worldwide by year-end 2013.

UMTS works in a variety of spectrum bands offering operators more flexibility and is currently available worldwide for use in 850, 900, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2100 and 2600 MHz bands. Additionally, it is expected that the UMTS standard will be expanded for uses in the 450 MHz and 700 MHz bands. Currently, UMTS TDD equipment is available for the 450 MHz spectrum band. Because signals travel farther at lower frequencies, UMTS networks at 850 or 900 MHz are a good fit for covering sparsely populated rural areas.

UMTS operators can use a common core network that supports multiple radio-access networks, including GSM, EDGE, WCDMA, HSPA and evolutions of these technologies. This is called the UMTS multi-radio network and it gives operators maximum flexibility in providing different services across their coverage areas.

Initial UMTS network deployments were based on 3GPP Release 99 specifications, which included voice and data capabilities. Since then, Release 5 has defined HSDPA and Release 6 has defined HSUPA. With HSPA-capable devices, the network uses HSPA (HSDPA/HSUPA) for data. Operators with Release 99 networks are upgrading them to Release 5 or Release 6.

In UMTS Release 99, the maximum theoretical downlink rate is just over 2 Mbps. Although exact throughput depends on the channel sizes the operator chooses to make available, the capabilities of devices, and the number of users active in the network limit, the peak throughput rate a user can expect to achieve is about 350 kbps in commercial networks.

MTN Ghana UMTS 900 with Ericsson

Ericsson says that it has successfully trialed a 3G network at 900 MHz for the first time on the African continent with operator MTN Ghana. Under the terms of the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the access, transport and transmission of 3G UMTS 900 MHz, where roll-out will begin in Q2 2010. Additionally, Ericsson developed advanced special features and assisted with the spectrum optimisation of GSM to free up just 3.8MHz required for UMTS 900 MHz.

Lars Lindén, President, Ericsson sub-Saharan Africa, says; "By leveraging off their existing installed Ericsson 3G Radio Access Network and enabling UMTS in 900 MHz, not only can voice, video and high speed data calls be carried over the network, but operators benefit from having one network delivering all services with the lowest total cost of ownership."

According to a GSMA report, UMTS 900 provides between 44% (in urban areas) and 119% (rural areas) increased coverage per Node-B compared with UMTS 2100. This is primarily due to the propagation characteristics of the lower frequency band and leads directly to lower CAPEX and increased mobility benefits, providing a new option, with greater service capability, for operators who may wish to replace their GSM networks.

MTN Ghana CTO, Eben Albertyn says; "Ericsson's solid position as an established infrastructural provider in the local and international market and the diverse connectivity services they are able to offer MTN Ghana, allows us to continue to grow our network coverage locally as well as into many rural and remote sites - bringing voice and data services to our growing subscribers."

The trial was completed with legacy 3G RBS 3418 main-remote equipment, previously installed by MTN Ghana.

Singtel LTE trails

Singapore's SingTel and Ericsson have shown off their LTE trial showcase at SingTel's headquarters, Comcentre. SingTel's mobile broadband network will be upgraded progressively over the next 12 - 24 months to be LTE-ready. Commercial deployment is slated to take place in phases, subject to the availability of frequency spectrum and commercial LTE mobile devices.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Executive Vice President of Consumer, SingTel, said: "This trial gives a glimpse into what the future can offer our customers in the mobile broadband space. We are excited by the breakthrough applications that will be supported on an ultra high-speed and robust mobile network that is able to satisfy consumers' growing appetite for bandwidth.

"LTE technology will further enrich our customers' multimedia mobile lifestyle and experience, offering them access to a wide range of 3D and HD services concurrently. SingTel is working closely with our pool of mobile applications developers to turn ideas that work on the latest technology into reality."

Mr Fadi Pharaon, President and Country Manager, Ericsson Singapore & Brunei, said: "Today's demonstration is one clear example of how LTE enables richer lifestyle for consumers and businesses alike. Ericsson is proud to be part of this exciting showcase and we will continue to use our leading technology and services to support SingTel in offering even higher quality services and more extensive applications to their customers."

Alcatel-Lucent Bidding High on LTE- Saudi Arabia trial network

Alcatel-Lucent has been selected by Saudi Arabia's Saudi Telecom Company (STC) to conduct an end-to-end LTE trial, to begin in the second half of 2010. Alcatel-Lucent will also provide a range of professional services including project management, planning, installation, integration and commissioning, and testing.

"As a major operator, STC is committed to providing its customers superior service. It is clear to us that LTE has evolved to being more than just a promising technology," said Dr. Zeyad Al-Otaibi, STC's vice president Networks. "As STC and Alcatel-Lucent are both on the edge of innovation, we are confident that this trial will help us fulfill our customers' needs for innovative mobile broadband services."

Alcatel-Lucent will be providing an end-to-end integrated solution including LTE base stations (eNodeBs), the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), IP service routing network elements as well as operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) systems.

"This trial is a major step in the adoption of LTE technology in the Middle-East. STC can count on our technical leadership and transformation expertise to unleash LTE's full business potential," said Amr El Leithy, head of Alcatel-Lucent's activities in Africa and the Middle East. "We consider this agreement to be a strong endorsement of Alcatel-Lucent's innovation and forward-looking strategy in the area of mobile broadband solutions and efficient high-performance IP-based network."