WCDMA with HSDPA reaches 9Mbps in public demo

Ericsson is demonstrating its implementation of a mobile network based on WCDMA with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology, capable of 9 Mbps high-speed data downloads, and streaming applications over the air during the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes. According to the company this is the first time that HSDPA phase 2, implemented in a live WCDMA system, based on commercial products, is being demonstrated.

HSDPA phase 2, increases the WCDMA system capacity and allow for peak rates up to 14 Mbps.

Ericsson's HSDPA system has been up and running since June 2004 and the company has since then been running some customer trials and demonstrations. At the China PT Expocomm in October 2004, Ericsson demonstrated the first phase of the HSDPA implementation, which enabled a system data throughput of 4.9 Mbps, which will be commercially available in the second half of 2005.

Ericsson says WCDMA with HSDPA will be introduced on the market in a phased manner, depending on handset availability.