T-Mobile HSDPA links to go live in August

Carrier pledges 20Mbps downloads by decade's end

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

21st June 2006 11:31 GMT

T-Mobile UK's 'super 3G' high-speed download service will go live on 1 August, the carrier said today. And it pledged to triple the network's performance next year ahead of hitting a whopping 20Mbps by 2011.

Initially, HSPDA technology will provide download speeds of up to 1.8Mbps, though T-Mobile admitted real-world performance is more likely to be around 1Mbps - still rather faster than regular 3G download speeds. The theoretical maximum will rise to 3.6Mbps in 2007, the carrier said, then to 7.2Mbps and 10Mbps in 2008/2009.

The service will operate through T-Mobile's Web'n'Walk data tariff, at a £17 per month "introductory" rate. The carrier will also provide new customers with a free HSDPA-compatible data card if they're willing to commit to an 18- or 24-month contract. There are likely to be limits on what you can do with it.

Anyone with a T-Mobile HSDPA-ready 3G data card will be able to use the service from day one. The company began selling the card in May this year.

T-Mobile said its HSDPA network covers all key urban areas, as well as major roads, transport hubs and public facilities. ®