Despite of packing every possible PC feature into the smartphones, when it came to speed the mobile devices could not match the high-speed connectivity of the PCs. However, efforts are on to develop a 4G data network that would enhance the data speed from the current single digit Mbps speeds. Qualcomm had recently announced that it had managed to break the current data speed limit with its latest HSPA+ technology (also called HSPA Evolved) managing to exceed 20Mps of speed using 5MHz swath of spectrum.
Theoretically, HSPA+ is expected to reach a maximum speed of 42Mps on the downlink and 23Mbps on the uplink without the need for additional frequency. The Qualcomm hardware that made it possible to hit the 20Mps speed is dubbed the MDM8200 is ready for shipping samples to hardware manufacturers. The Qualcomm HSPA+ hardware could increase download speed to 28Mbps and upload speed to 11Mbps and along with it increasing battery life, reducing latency and tripling voice network capacity. AT&T has already announced that it will be switching over to HSPA+ network by the end of 2009 and with Qualcomm’s success in developing the HSPA+ hardware it is possible that other mobile phone carriers will soon follow the suit.
via: mobileburn