Vodafone cranks mobile broadband to "14 times 3G speeds"

 

Gallery

Posted on 28 Aug 2007 at 13:15

Vodafone has begun an upgrade to its mobile broadband service that will ultimately provide speeds of up to 5.5Mb/sec.

The new network will deploy HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access) technology which will make it up to 14 times faster than 3G. It will be accessed from a laptop via a new USB Modem and two ExpressCards.

Vodafone will begin the upgrade in central London and major airports and although capable of 7.2Mb/sec, the new infrastructure will typically offer between 1.7-5.5Mb/sec. Upload speeds are also increasing to 1.44Mb/sec.

Airports scheduled to receive the new kit are Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, London City, Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, East Midlands, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast City, Belfast International, Cardiff and Norwich.

Kyle Whitehill, Enterprise Business Unit Director for Vodafone UK said that since it introduced its £25 Mobile Broadband flat rate in June, the company has seen unprecedented demand for laptop connectivity.

The USB Modem 7.2 is the first "tri-band 3G" device to be available in the UK. The ExpressCard comes in two formats. One is plug-and-go, like the USB Modem, while the other is targeted at corporate customers. Both formats are also backwards compatible using an adaptor that fits older PC card slots.

Information about the new network will be available from vodafone.co.uk/mobileoffice.

Mobile phone news, reviews, themes and downloads at Know Your Mobile

Author: Simon Aughton