News of four-times faster EDGE from Nokia Siemens Networks is so yesterday. Ericsson announced today that it plans to
demonstrate end-to-end HSPA Evolution technology offering speeds up to 42Mbps at CTIA Wireless 2008 next week. These speeds are achieved by combining new higher order modulation technology (64QAM), together with 2×2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna technology.
HSPA Evolution is the next step for WCDMA/HSPA. HSPA is used on some 185 networks in 80 countries. Ninety of these networks having been deployed by Ericsson, giving them the possibility of upgrading at a future date. Ericsson indicates that the first step of the HSPA evolution will be introduced during 2008 so some of us may not have to wait too long to see speed improvements.
The demonstration will make use of a handheld form-factor device based on Ericsson Mobile Platforms access technology.