Ericsson has announced the launch of infrastructure and device platforms for WCDMA/HSPA in the 2.6GHz frequency band. The move is said to be triggered by strong market interest and supports the growth of mobile broadband worldwide.
Ericsson says the launch of HSPA products for the 2.6GHz frequency band provides an immediate and secure choice for operators planning to offer mobile broadband services in this band.
The initiative also follows increased interest from mobile device manufacturers in launching HSPA devices for the 2.6GHz band. In turn, Ericsson is adding 2.6GHz support to its successful family of WCDMA/HSPA device platforms and mobile broadband modules for use in notebook computers.
New licenses for the 2.6GHz frequency band are now becoming available globally and Ericsson's HSPA solution for the 2.6GHz frequency band supports opportunities for operators to create new markets.
The deployment of HSPA on the 2.6GHz frequency band also stimulates current HSPA operators to further grow their existing mobile broadband business into new frequency bands, as it allows them to leverage existing infrastructure, providing greater cost efficiency, and supports a wider range of end-user devices.
Ulf Ewaldsson, Vice President and Head of Product Area Radio at Ericsson, says: "The launch of HSPA products for the 2.6GHz frequency band supports Ericsson's ambition to bring mobile broadband everywhere, at any time, from any device to as many people as possible.
"HSPA is a proven technology and the leading industry standard. It is already deployed in several frequency bands – including 850, 1700, 1800, 1900 and 2100MHz – and deployment in the 900MHz frequency band will start soon. Support in the 2.6GHz frequency band brings the economies of scale of HSPA also to operators with 2.6GHz licenses and their end users."
Today, HSPA is available in more than 130 live networks worldwide with more than 50 additional deployments ongoing.
The commercial launch of networks and end-user devices with HSPA support in the 2.6GHz frequency band is set to the latter part of 2008.