Ericsson pushes HSPA world record to 56Mbps

Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) continues to increase HSPA speeds for an even better user experience and sustainable development of mobile broadband. Higher data rates give users an instantaneous connection. A click on a web link brings up the corresponding page immediately, even when many users are online at the same time.

Ericsson will break its own HSPA world record with the world's first demonstration of HSPA multi-carrier MIMO technology, providing peak downlink data rates of 56Mbps, at the CTIA Wireless exhibition, April 1-3 in Las Vegas, USA. This is another step for HSPA Evolution, further enhancing the mobile broadband experience.

The increase in speed is achieved thanks to a combination of multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) and multi-carrier HSPA technology. MIMO allows for higher peak data rates and increased spectral efficiency, which provides higher network capacity.

The demonstration will be carried out with a concept-design version of an Ericsson HSPA-enabled mobile-broadband router. This consumer device can be used anywhere broadband access is needed, sharing a mobile-broadband connection between multiple consumers and providing efficient use of the high-speed broadband connection.

HSPA multi-carrier technology with MIMO, which is currently being standardized, is scheduled for commercial deployment in 2010. By the end of 2009, Ericsson will support commercial deployment of multi-carrier technology with speeds up to 42Mbps - an achievement successfully demonstrated at the recent Mobile World Conference in Barcelona.

Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: "Ericsson's continued HSPA Evolution leadership enables higher data rates, increased network capacity and low network costs. This record-breaking demonstration combining MIMO and multi-carrier technology shows the strong potential of further HSPA enhancements. Operators that have chosen Ericsson's network equipment are in a unique position to offer the most attractive mobile-broadband services to their customers, today and in the years to come. "