Super 3G hits 250Mbps downlink in NTT DoCoMo field test

Just think -- this time next year, we'll all look back at this milestone and wonder how on Earth we thought it was impressive. For now, however, we wouldn't blame you for high-fiving everyone around, as NTT DoCoMo has stretched the boundaries again with a recent Super 3G field test. Reportedly, the outfit was able to record "a downlink transmission rate of 250Mbps over a high-speed wireless network in an outdoor test of an experimental Super 3G system," and while it's not quite the 300Mbps we'd heard about before, you won't find us kvetching. If all goes to plan, the firm is hoping to "complete development of the technologies required for the eventual launch of a Super 3G network" by 2009, but who knows how long we Americans will have to wait to indulge after that.

[Chad Gasaway @ Mar 26th 2008 9:26AM]

The problem is it will be too late due to WiMax being on the horizon. Everyone is supposed to convert to that.

[Kaminix @ Mar 26th 2008 9:32AM]

Maybe this is more problem-free than WiMax. http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/16/wimax-could-interfere-with-satellite-communications/

[Rich @ Mar 26th 2008 10:08AM]

Here's a list of carriers not converting to WiMax:

AT&T
Verizon Wireless
Vodafone
T-Mobile
Orange
Telefonica
TIM
China Mobile
NTT DoCoMo
etc.

[Tomheivers @ Mar 26th 2008 9:36AM]

Why the hell are you complaining? You get everything else first! :(

[crho85 @ Mar 26th 2008 11:36AM]

you have to remember... If you ain't first you're last!

[degree @ Mar 26th 2008 9:48AM]

I'm all about speed....

[Thermos14 @ Mar 26th 2008 9:52AM]

This means a lot to me.

[Oinquer @ Mar 26th 2008 10:26AM]

yeah right...just like 3G!!! 7.2Mbps in your pocket! then you read that that speed was only achieved in laboratory with a cable connected to phone...

[G @ Mar 26th 2008 10:56AM]

To be honest, I'd rather just have decent 3.6/7.2Mbps coverage. Here in the UK, on o2 you have to be in Birmingham or london to get stable 3g.

which is annoying, as I pay for unlimited access, but cant use it properly.

hopefully Apple will push a 3G rollout (like they did with EDGE) when the iPhone finally supports it.

G

[rento @ Mar 26th 2008 10:58AM]

Nice that means the battery can actually drain faster!

[Allen @ Mar 26th 2008 11:30AM]

The carriers not taking up WiMax will be going LTE, which is far more reliable, and (I am told) is cheaper and just as fast.

And that is supposed to start in 09 with nationwide access available by 2011. By then Super 3G will be dumb. I think most American carriers will be skipping nationwide 3G support just because it makes more sense to go LTE.

[spm.peapot @ Mar 26th 2008 12:29PM]

Porn industry rejoice!!

[whowhatme @ Mar 26th 2008 3:54PM]

The Onion: Earthquake Sets Japan Back To 2147

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/earthquake_sets_japan_back_to_2147

[Jeff @ Mar 26th 2008 5:36PM]

Ugliest Logo Ever.

...and not just this superman reference, their regular logo is awful.

[David @ Mar 27th 2008 4:14AM]

ah watch the radio cell shrink to 1 mm diameter ;)

im on 3 in the uk and we have hsdpa wherever i seem to want to use it these days.. except when i was up a mountain in Austria when i only got 56k :(

Got 3.6Mb in vienna tho

[how520130 @ Mar 27th 2008 10:21PM]

the good thing about it is the technology is evolving.
the bad thing is that we can not use it now and we can not use it if we are not in japan....

[joseph @ Mar 28th 2008 1:32AM]

Wimax is the past, the forecast is that most of the carriers will be moving towards LTE.