US : GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirms another strong rise in the number of HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) user devices coming onto the market. GSA’s HSDPA Devices survey released today reports 275 products launched so far in 2007, lifting the total to 403 HSDPA-capable devices, and almost 5 times the number reported in a similar GSA survey in September 2006 (84 HSDPA devices). The number of suppliers increased from 26 to 80 in the same period.

GSA’s related HSDPA Operator Commitments survey, published on October 19, 2007 confirms the major trend of network data speed evolution. This survey confirms 147 commercial launches of HSDPA networks in 69 countries. 92 operators i.e. approximately two-thirds of this figure have commercially launched or are deploying 3.6 Mbps (peak) data capability in their networks as the first phase of a planned evolution to 14.4 Mbps (peak) for many operators. 147 HSDPA devices support, or can be upgraded to deliver a downlink capability of 3.6 Mbps peak.

25 HSDPA networks have launched 7.2 Mbps (peak) commercial services in 16 countries, and 63 devices have been launched which support, or can be upgraded to, a high-speed downlink capability of 7.2 Mbps peak.

While the majority of WCDMA-HSPA systems and devices operate in the internationally designated 3G/IMT-2000 core band spectrum (2100 MHz), the 850 MHz frequency band is widely used for mobile services in the Americas, and Australia. The survey confirms 121 HSDPA devices launched which operate at 850 MHz to facilitate the further expansion of mobile broadband services in these key markets. The survey also notes at least 75 tri-band 850/1900/2100 MHz WCDMA-HSDPA devices are launched, enabling global roaming.

Alan Hadden, President, GSA said: “These HSDPA surveys by GSA highlight several significant trends. The rapidly expanding mobile broadband services market, enabled by HSPA, is the catalyst for new product launches, innovation, new business opportunities, and more players entering the market. Demand for higher downlink data speeds is met today with almost 150 devices capable of supporting at least 3.6 Mbps (peak). And the globalisation of HSPA as the de facto mobile broadband system is facilitated by at least 75 tri-band devices enabling services across the globe.”

The products identified in the GSA HSDPA Devices survey addresses all segments:

• 199 mobile phones
• 70 PC datacards (PC cards and embedded modules)
• 61 notebooks
• 39 Wireless Routers
• 30 USB modems
• 3 Personal Media Players with HSDPA-connectivity
• 1 camera with HSDPA-connectivity

HSUPA is commercially launched on 19 mobile networks in 16 countries, with a further 23 deployments on-going. At least 33 devices support, or can be upgraded for, HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access), initially delivering around 2.1 Mbps (peak) on the uplink.

GSA also confirms that over 56% of all commercially launched HSDPA networks have also commercially launched GSM/EDGE for service continuity and the best user experience of mobile broadband services. Manufacturers are supporting this requirement, with at least 70% of HSDPA devices also supporting GSM/EDGE functionality.