NEC's test of HSDPA runs successfully

Real-time implementation shows that HSDPA acheive high-speeds in a busy Node B

6 June 2006 14:40 GMT / By Amber Maitland

The first live implementation of High Speed Downlink Data Packet Access (HSDPA) has been successfully run in a busy Node B in central Reading.

NEC and its 3G partner, Siemens Communication, ran the test for two months, and have seen speeds of up to 1.4 million bits per second, which is three times faster than current 3G speeds.

HSDPA works through two techniques: Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), and Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ). These result in more efficient resource usage and faster retransmissions.

The live pilot will be extended to some central London locations in June, while 3 plans to implement HSDPA in its commercial network later in the year.

David Cooper, Chief Technical Officer 3 UK, said, "HSDPA will bring a range of benefits to our customers, including faster download speeds, high quality content and easy transfer of larger files".

"HSDPA will allow us to continue offering our customers the best new services first, over the largest and most advanced 3G network in the UK."