October 25 2011, BELLEVUE, Wash. – The explosive growth of wireless data usage is driving the continuing evolution of today’s mobile broadband networks. HSPA has provided a foundation for high-speed data connectivity with future 3GPP standardization able to support potential speeds up to 336 Mbps. 4G Americas, a wireless industry trade association representing the 3GPP family of technologies, today announced the publication of a white paper, The Evolution of HSPA: The 3GPP Standards Progress for Fast Mobile Broadband Using HSPA+, that highlights some of the key HSPA+ features from 3GPP Rel-7 to Rel-10 that have been standardized to address the mobile data explosion. In addition, it examines a number of upcoming important work and study items that are being considered for Rel-11 to further improve mobile broadband capabilities.

 “Whereas, LTE has tremendous momentum in the marketplace and it is clearly the next-generation technology of choice for all operators, HSPA will continue to be a leader in mobile broadband subscriptions for the next five to ten years,” said Chris Pearson, President of 4G Americas. “Explosive growth of wireless data usage is driving the standardization of technical enhancements to increase throughput speeds and capabilities of HSPA mobile broadband networks.”

Some forecasts put HSPA at over 3.5 billion subscribers by the end of 2016. Operators with HSPA and LTE infrastructure and users with HSPA and LTE multi-mode devices will be commonplace. There are 412 commercial deployments of HSPA in 157 countries, including 165 HSPA+ networks. Thus, with the continued deployment of LTE throughout the world, and the existing ubiquitous coverage of HSPA in the world, HSPA+ will continue to be enhanced through the 3GPP standards process to provide a seamless solution for operators as they upgrade their networks. While LTE, with 33 commercial deployments to date and over 250 commitments worldwide, will be the mobile broadband next generation technology of choice for HSPA, EV-DO, WiMAX and new wireless operators, HSPA will continue to be a pivotal technology in providing mobile broadband to subscribers. 

 The white paper explains that as 3GPP specifications evolve, their advanced features help to further the capabilities of today’s modern mobile broadband networks. With each release there have been improvements such as better cell edge performance, increased system efficiencies, higher peak data rates and an overall improved end-user experience. 3GPP feature evolution from Rel-7 to Rel-10 has pushed possible HSPA peak data rates from 14 Mbps to 168 Mbps. Continued enhancements in 3GPP Rel-11 will again double this capability to a possible peak data rate of 336 Mbps:

• Rel-7: 64QAM or 2X2 MIMO => 21 or 28 Mbps
• Rel-8: DC + 64QAM or 2X2 MIMO + 64QAM => 42 Mbps
• Rel-9: DC + 2X2 MIMO + 64QAM => 84 Mbps
• Rel-10: 4C + 2X2 MIMO + 64QAM => 168 Mbps
• Rel-11: (8C or 4X4 MIMO) + 64QAM => 336 Mbps

“If operators are able to gain new additional harmonized spectrum from governments, they will no doubt deploy LTE, However, it is clear that HSPA+ technology is still exceptionally strong and will continue to provide operators with the capability to meet the exploding data usage demands of their customers in existing spectrum holdings,” Pearson said.