US : The GSM/3G Network Update published today by GSA – the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirms 154 HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) have entered commercial service in 71 countries, almost double the number in a similar GSA survey 12 months ago (79 commercial networks in 45 countries – November 23, 2006).

61 HSDPA networks have entered commercial service so far in 2007, delivering mobile broadband access to an additional 20 countries. Another 41 HSDPA networks are in various stages of deployment, bringing the total number of HSDPA commitments to 195 networks in 85 countries.

HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is the first evolution of 3G/WCDMA, delivering advanced mobile multimedia services with typical user throughputs of 800 kbps to 3.0 Mbps, depending on individual networks and device capabilities. WCDMA is deployed in 70% of all commercial 3G networks globally and is the de-facto 3G system of choice. The Network Update confirms that 190 WCDMA networks have commercially launched in 83 countries. It means that virtually every WCDMA network operator has launched or is deploying HSDPA today.

Key facts contained in the latest GSM/3G Network Update include:

Networks

• 81% of commercial WCDMA networks have launched HSDPA * 86 HSDPA networks (55%) launched mobile broadband service delivering 3.6 Mbps (peak) or higher in 47 countries. 29 HSDPA networks have launched 7.2 Mbps (peak) service in 19 countries
• 45 network operators are committed to HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access)
• 24 HSUPA networks launched in 20 countries
• Almost 60% of HSDPA operators combine with GSM/EDGE for service continuity and the best user experience
• WCDMA systems – including HSPA, are deployed today in several frequency bands including 850, 900, 1700, 1800, 1900 and 2100 MHz

Devices

• 403 HSDPA devices are announced, addressing all segments comprizing 203 phones/consumer devices, 39 wireless routers, 61 laptops/notebooks, and 100 devices for PC/laptop/notebook HSDPA connectivity (USB modems, data cards, etc)
• Almost 150 HSDPA devices support at least 3.6 Mbps (peak) and 63 devices support or can be upgraded to 7.2 Mbps (peak) capability
• 75 tri-band 850/1900/2100 devices facilitate globalization of HSPA and roaming
• 121 HSDPA devices are capable of operation at 850 MHz
• 94 HSDPA devices are capable of operation at 1900 MHz

WCDMA and HSPA are part of the evolutionary roadmap for GSM and the natural evolution path followed by GSM network operators worldwide. The GSM/3G Network Update confirms there are over 960 million GSM, EDGE and WCDMA-HSPA subscribers in commercial HSPA-enabled networks globally.

Subscriptions

The GSM/3G Network Update also reviews the current status of GSM globally and per region, with analysis of subscriptions data provided by Informa Telecoms & Media. Key points include:

• 2.686 billion GSM (including EDGE, WCDMA-HSPA) subscriptions globally (Q3 07)
• 1.67 million daily average GSM subscriptions growth in Q3 07
• China and India together added over 103 million GSM subscriptions January – September 2007
• 65 million GSM subscriptions growth in Latin America and Caribbean region January – September 2007; region total 276 million
• GSM has over 86% market share of all mobile systems, 2.2% increase since end 2006
• Over 158 million
• WCDMA subscriptions (including HSDPA); 6.6 million average monthly growth WCDMA subscriptions grew 60% January – September 2007; almost 60 million additions
• WCDMA, HSPA responsible for 75% of mobile subscriptions growth in Western Europe in Q3 07