7.2Mbps HSDPA service to hit Cingular next year

There's always thrilling news coming from ITU Telecom World in Hong Kong for those residing overseas, but this time it's the Americans rejoicing. A Qualcomm official has stated that USA's own Cingular Wireless "is set to launch" a 7.2Mbps HSDPA service this coming January (at the earliest). While we're not sure if that figure is theoretical or otherwise, nor do we know its complementary upload speed, we've found that the service will hit speed-hungry laptops equipped with PCMCIA slots real soon. While upping the speeds of HSDPA services seems to be all the rage these days, we're glad to see such a substantial jump happening right here. Notably, Cingular probably won't be alone in such launches come 2007, as Australian service provider Telstra is already planning to hit its customers up with the same luxury, while a spokesperson from SK Telecom boasted that its networks were "already designed" to support the blazing speeds, insinuating that a boost in service could be just around the bend. Per usual, we've got no details as to just how much coinage this speed will demand, nor any way to tell if this January date will actually stick, but we've got just about a month until we know for certain. [Warning: subscription required]

Update: A Qualcomm official pinged to let us know that this information was supposedly never given to Telecoms Korea, and that Qualcomm "doesn't speculate on operator plans." So there you have it, maybe it'll happen, maybe it won't.

[James Rainey @ Dec 8th 2006 11:41AM]

Cingular can barely get EDGE out there.. UMTS just rolled out in Saint Louis, MO and now we see this? Cingular, get your butt in gear and just roll out the fastest HSPDA to everyone and be done with it. It's not like you cannot afford it, have you seen my recent bill?

[Todd @ Dec 8th 2006 11:43AM]

Whoa! Awesome news if true.

Does any phone handset have the processor to push 7.2Mbps up and down? Or is this just for laptops?

[erik brunn @ Dec 8th 2006 2:29PM]

yes, its gonna be called the iPhone. And guess when its susposted to be announced? Why January. Right along with this.

[Gold Farmer @ Dec 8th 2006 12:04PM]

Knowing Cingular this speed will probably cost you in the neighborhood of 375.00 a month. I can't wait.

[Ben @ Dec 8th 2006 1:10PM]

I wish the cable/phone companies were like wireless.

Because in wireless you actually have incentive to get the latest technology because your competitor might beat you to it

[Sam @ Dec 8th 2006 1:24PM]

What about speed-hungry laptops with Expresscard slots?

[Bill @ Dec 8th 2006 1:41PM]

Cool if the price is reasonable and not $1 a Mb or MB. Otherwise it will be fun to read about all the rich geeks using it.

[Rick S @ Dec 8th 2006 7:47PM]

that was my thought too - i'm curious what this thing will be able to do

[Alan @ Dec 8th 2006 4:24PM]

For the last two days, I just wish Cingular was working without annoying squawks on every second call here in SoCal.

Every other day, I'm still waiting for Cingular to roll out regulad HSDPA in this backwater called Orange County, CA.

[Spencer @ Dec 8th 2006 9:10PM]

Don't get excited about the upload speed.. It's far from symmetrical. The ping times aren't any good either.
No, I'm not trying to play games via a tethered mobile. Latency is often similar to dial-up, anything under 100ms is really great (that statement is based on 1.8Mbit HSDPA but I doubt it's improved much).
That being said.. woohoo! Maybe I can buy an HSDPA handset then upgrade in June or July when a smartphone or better is released that supports 7.2 HSDPA. The speed really is nice!

[John Stracke @ Dec 8th 2006 9:39PM]

Since when is Qualcomm an expert in what Cingular is doing? Qualcomm is CDMA; Cingular is GSM.

[Chango @ Dec 9th 2006 4:19PM]

UMTS is a combo of GSM and CDMA...Thats why...

[David W Studeman @ Dec 10th 2006 1:08PM]

Qualcomm also makes the chips used in UMTS/HSDPA, in particular, the Qualcomm MSM6280 is capable of 7.2mbs and is what's used in the newest devices. The old MSM6275 in the Sierra AC860 as well as Novatel U730 are limited to 1.8mbs. BTW, UMTS with or without the HSDPA enhancement is W-CDMA or Wideband CDMA.

[Jeramy @ Dec 9th 2006 12:45AM]

too bad this won't come to okc for another 5 years (an understatement, probably). okc gets gipped on everything--concerts, sports, tech rollouts, you name it. everyone always says "well, hell, dallas is close enough, that'll work." so annoying. granted, it's not as big a town as some others, but it's still relatively up there and gets ignored nonetheless. the hornets was the only big thing to come here in a while and they're leaving soon anyway. ugh, whatever. they'll recognize us soon.

[Mitchel @ Dec 9th 2006 10:58AM]

Actually, Cingular is only upgrading the speed of the network, nothing changes price-wise.

Currently laptops (with a two year contract) will cost: 59.99 a month (unlimited data use)
Phones/other devices intended to tether with a laptop: 74.99 a month (unlimited data use)

If you read any of the news on Cingular they're paying something like 6 billion$ this year just on network upgrades, none of which cost anyone anything extra.

Cingular also has locations support locations in OKC, and probably will launch it there within 2 years (Tops) UMTS is already launched in more than 60 major markets, and HSDPA is just the "EDGE" of UMTS (EDGE was just the upgrade of GPRS)

Practically anywhere that has UMTS now will have HSDPA, they just need to launch it.
Oh, and did I mention that prices will remain the same? Yea.

[Chango @ Dec 9th 2006 4:35PM]

with any luck... now all they need to do is launch the first one... and come out with an unlimited messaging plan and I'd be set.

[AlohaD @ Dec 21st 2007 12:52PM]

Over a year later and NADDA!!!