Vodafone announces HSUPA mobile broadband

28 August 2007 11:24 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

From September 3, Vodafone customers who want faster laptop connectivity speeds can invest in a new range of devices that will make it possible to both send and receive information over ten times faster than the original 3G service launched back in 2004.

The new products are a plug and go USB Modem as well as two next-generation ExpressCards - one that is plug and play and another that is more suited to corporate customers.

Throughout autumn Vodafone UK is upgrading its mobile broadband network to support download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps. This will initially be in central London and major airports and will offer typical speeds of 1.7Mbps to 5.5Mbps.

These speeds mean customers will be able download a 5MB file in around seven seconds, up to 14 times faster than standard 3G and upload speeds are also increasing up to 1.44Mbps, via a technology called HSUPA, related to HSDPA, which is up to 10 times faster than 3G.

The USB Modem 7.2 is the first "tri-band 3G" device to be offered in the UK, both it and the ExpressCards are suitable for the transatlantic traveller, as customers can use the equivalent of 3G services in the USA - for £8.50 per 24 hour roaming session.

The ExpressCard comes in two formats. One version of the data card will be plug and go, just like the USB Modem, and the other version is more suited to corporate customers.

Both formats are also backwards compatible using an adaptor which customers can place over the card so it fits the more traditional PC card slots.

Prices start from £49 with an 18 month contract for both devices, for more information visit the link below.