LTE and HSPA mobile broadband access on the same device

A new study revealed that mobile broadband data can be trasfered between the next generation LTE (Long Term Evolution) network and the existing HSPA (3G) mobile network. According to ST-Ericsson which conducted the test, this would help the customers to use both technologies on their devices.

Björn Ekelund, the Chief technology officer and strategy planning office at ST-Ericsson said:

“If you’re travelling, for example, and move into an area where there is no LTE coverage your connection will continue regardless by moving on to an available 3G network,”

Yesterday, TeliaSonera announced the world’s first ever fourth generation LTE based mobile broadband service for commercial use in cities of Oslo in Norway and Stockholm in Sweden.

Long Term Evolution (LTE) has some signficant advantages over the current HSDPA mobile technology. LTE can offer incredibly faster download speeds of up to 100Mbps or more to the mobile broadband internet users. As LTE connection also offers better latency than ADSL, it will be ideal for using internet applications like VoIP or online game etc when you are on the move.

So far, global LTE penetration has been slow and steady as 42 operators are currently offering LTE mobile internet services in a few countries. According to Ekelund, it would take sometime for the UK to go for LTE adoption. As such, taking LTE technology to rural areas could not be an easy task for the providers in the coming years.

“The issue of making LTE compatible with 3G networks and making devices flexible enough to move across them is something all providers will have to address and we believe we are the first to do so with this test,” Ekelund said.

ST-Ericsson is a joint venture between ST-NXP Wireless and Ericsson Mobile Platforms and conducted the test in Stockholm.