[3GScottishUser]

Vodafone UK Press Release (09/03/3006):

Customer trials starting in early April ahead of mid 2006 launch

Vodafone UK HSDPA network roll out on track

All major UK towns and cities to have high speed Vodafone 3G broadband by end 2006

Following successful testing in Newbury, Vodafone UK will start customer trials on its live HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network from April.

With 100 business users testing Vodafone UK's HSDPA-enabled Mobile Connect Cards across central and greater London, the trials represent an important milestone in the evolution of the company's 3G network.

Tim Miles, CEO Vodafone UK said: "The start of our high speed 3G broadband trial marks our relentless commitment to offering the best possible experience to our customers. We have seen high demand for 3G since its launch two years ago and our customers are hungry for the improvements that HSDPA will deliver. These important trials are part of a continuing drive to lead the UK through superior network performance and a customer experience that is second to none."

HSDPA will deliver a faster mobile broadband experience to Vodafone customers in the UK from mid-2006, initially offering the mobile transfer of data from the internet and intranet at roughly four times faster than current 3G speeds. It will also deliver greater capacity (three times that of current 3G levels) meaning that more people in the same location at the same time can benefit from a superior experience. In addition, HSDPA offers improved latency, giving faster access to web-based content. As a result, customers will be able to work faster and download larger documents, such as PowerPoint presentations and email attachments, more quickly.

"HSDPA offers a win-win opportunity for both customers and Vodafone - it delivers on the promise of 3G to provide broadband-like services whilst on the move," comments Michael Ransom, Research Director for Wireless at Current Analysis.

He continues: "With higher HSDPA-driven wireless performance, Vodafone will enable business customers to move beyond mobile email and become mobile enterprises." From mid-2006, Vodafone will phase in the introduction of a high-speed mobile broadband service. Customers within the M25 will be the first to benefit with coverage rolling out across all major UK towns and cities by the end of 2006.

http://www.digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=distribution&id=3077

[Ben]

From mid-2006, Vodafone will phase in the introduction of a high-speed mobile broadband service.
The way that's written sounds like a separate deal from just normal datacards and faster handsets... will they make a play for actual broadband connections?

[3GScottishUser]

Perhaps and T-Mobile are not far behind either.

With Intel set to include WiMax on Laptop motherboards this autumn and promising a combined Wi-Fi/WiMax solution in 2007 there is now a real urgency by the serious networks to ensure 3G is not left in the slow lane.

Looks like the real 3G revolution is about to happen for real this time..

Roll on HSDPA!!

[Hands0n]

About time too :D

Really, this is good news on the proviso that the Data Access Charges are brought into some kind of [more] affordable region. Taking the ISP model, they only really started making a success of their services after bringing the cost of service provision down to sub £20 per month levels. The mobile ops will have to compete on an even footing, regardless of whether or not they think being able to access the Internet via the ether is a premium (which it should not be - certainly if they are going to compete with WiFi and WiMax).

I'm not thinking that HSDPA is the "magic bullet" for 3G but it would certainly bring it [3G] into the fore of peoples thoughts when considering Internet on the go. But they have the capability of killing the golden goose (if indeed this is it) by charging too much for a wing and a leg.