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What is HSDPA?
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, also known as HSDPA or High-Speed Downlink Protocol Access, is a mobile telephone protocol in the High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) family of third generation (3G) technologies designed to increase data transfer rates and the capacity of such networks through the transfer of data using a cellular phone. HSDPA is associated with the various Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks including the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Currently, HSDPA can support speeds ranging from 1.8 Megabits per second to 14.4 Megabits per second. While this is not a very high speed in comparison to various wired networks, it is a major milestone in the speed available to cellular technology.
Although a majority of the publicity given to HSDPA is related to its downlink speeds, it also has the ability to greatly expand transfer capacity as well. Currently, HSDPA networks can transfer up to 30 Gigabytes of data each and every month along with as much as 300 minutes of cellular television viewing and as many as 1000 minutes of talk time.Current HSDPATechnology
There are currently as many as one hundred HSDPA capable networks operating in fifty four countries in the world. A large amount of these networks currently offer 3.6 Megabits per second downlinks speeds although more and more networks are beginning the process to switch to faster 7.2 Megabits per second downlink speeds. At this time there is only one network that has been regarded as offering full 14.4 Megabits per second speed, although it looks as though as a few other networks will have this capability before 2008.
HSDPA is currently in competition with a competing format, known as Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) provided by Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular providers. While CDMA-EVDO was more popular for the past few years thanks to its already fast downlink speeds and ease of access, HSDPA is gradually usurping it of its lead as the technology matures. HSDPA is becoming so successful that many CDMA-EVDO providers are beginning to make the switch from their prior technology to the newer, more powerful HSDPA network.HSDPA Capable Devices
Aside from having a cellular plan with a company that offers HSDPA access, the only requirement for logging on to the HSDPA network is to have a cellular device that is capable of taking advantage of the technology. There are currently 171 handsets and other mobile devices that can be used with the HSDPA network. Among them are some famous cellular device names such as the Motorola RAZR (and many of its various iterations), the Palm Treo 750, the Nokia N95.
In addition to the various HSDPA handsets on the market, there are also several HSDPA notebooks and laptops available with access to the data network. Such products are available from many major computer manufacturers including Dell, Hewlett Packard, Acer, Fujitsu Siemens, Lenovo, and Panasonic.
Future HSDPA Technology
Although 14.4 Megabits per second is the current cap on downlink speed over HSDPA, networks are preparing to be upgraded with a new type of HSDPA system. Currently known as HSPA Evolved, this new HSDPA technology is designed to increase download speeds to as high as 42 Megabits per second upon release and reach even faster speeds in the future.
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