Cingular Wireless, the largest US mobile carrier, launched its 3G network in 16 cities yesterday, becoming the first mobile network operator in the world to deploy a 3G network based on HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology.
Its BroadbandConnect service will be available initially in cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose. They plan to rapidly roll the network out across other cities next year.
HSPDA is the latest and fastest technology for GSM devices. HSDPA is the high-speed evolution of GSM/EDGE (Global System for Mobile Communication/Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), which shares a common core network.
Verizon and Sprint Nextel have already launched their 3G services based on a rival technology from Qualcomm. The Cingular approach follows more widely adopted global GSM standards utilised by more than a billion mobile phone users worldwide.
Other mobile operators around the wotld that use GSM (the majority) will be watching Cingular with great interest as HSPDA is the next generation broadband wireless technology that many of them may move to soon.
I just wish the US operators would agree on a common standard for their networks. It would be so much better for consumers. Oh well.
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