T-Mobile is currently upgrading their 3G network to HSPA+ which they say offers “4G speeds” and new details reveal the carrier might double its performance in 2011.
The current implementation of HSPA+ that is being rolled out has a theoretical max of 21 Mbps, but a leaked slide from a recent T-Mobile manager’s meeting in Seattle shows that could double to 42 Mbps by next year.
The major advantage of HSPA+ is that it’s fully compatible with existing HSPA 7.2 devices, which includes T-Mobile’s entire Android lineup. T-Mobile customers in HSPA+ markets are already reporting download speeds that are faster than what we have been able to achieve on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network.
By the end of 2010, T-Mobile hopes to cover over 100 markets and 185 million people. The carrier is also aiming to have their first HSPA+ handset in the second half of this year.
Features and benefits of T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network include:
- Theoretical capability of peak download speeds of up to 21 mbps
- Theoretical capability of peak upload speeds of up to 5.7 mbps
- You don’t have to buy a new phone to take advantage of the new network—many existing T-Mobile 3G phones and laptop sticks work too
- Runs on state-of-the-art fiber optic technology
- Up to 3 times faster than our competitors standard 3G networks
T-Mobile could deliver HSPA+ 42 Mbps in 2011.
