3 Ireland has unveiled deployment of i-HSPA mobile broadband network technology paving the way for an eventual move to LTE in the next 18 months, reported siliconrepublic.

CEO Robert Finnegan said the company is planning to trial 21Mbps and 42Mbps broadband speeds this year and by Q4 will have 14.4Mbps services commercially available on its Irish network which covers 97pc of the Irish market. He also said the company is planning to sell the iPad tablet computer later this year.

To date 3 has invested €600 million on its network including €50m upgrading its network to I-HSPA and to ensure it is LTE-ready.

 With over 26.8 million customers worldwide, 3 is Europe's leading 3G operator and 200,000 high speed mobile broadband subscribers in Ireland, this development underlines their position as the leader in mobile broadband and the country's position as a leader in the smart economy.

source: siliconrepublic | Read full story