Berne, 04 September 2009, 10:00

Another first for Swisscom’s mobile data network

Surfing on the move or working efficiently: more and more people are taking advantage of the benefits of mobile data communication. The rapidly growing volume of data traffic means that the network needs to expand continuously. Right in time for the ITU Telecom World 2009 in Geneva, Swisscom is rolling out HSPA+, the latest technology for mobile data traffic. HSPA+ allows far more people to surf the net simultaneously from the same radio cell without any loss in speed.

The quantity of data traffic sent via the wireless telecommunications network has trebled in the space of a year. An ever-growing proportion of Swisscom’s over five million mobile customers uses mobile data communication, whether for surfing on the move or attending to business. And this rapid growth is set to continue. Particularly in major urban centres, tourist areas and busy SBB lines, the mobile network is at times stretched almost to capacity which is why Swisscom is continuously upgrading its mobile networks. Following on from the introduction of HSPA 14.4 some nine months ago, Swisscom is again bringing the very latest in telecommunications technology to Switzerland in the shape of HSPA+, which will double the transmission speed of each radio cell to up to 28.8 Mbps. This means that far more customers can use these radio cells simultaneously and at a constant high speed.

Millions to be invested to increase capacity
Swisscom is to invest tens of millions in the HSPA+ rollout over the coming years. Every year, Swisscom invests over one billion Swiss francs in the expansion and modernisation of its infrastructure and equips it to meet future requirements.

Swisscom will commence its HSPA+ rollout at the Geneva exhibition site at the launch of the world’s largest telecommunications exhibition, which is taking place in the Swiss city on 5 – 9 October 2009. Thereafter, further locations across Switzerland where high volumes of customers regularly access the mobile Internet will be added. It is anticipated that the first terminal devices capable of utilising the higher bandwidth will appear on the market over the coming year.

/Spelling police

As an aside, AT&T is initially pursuing HSPA 7.2 in places where it already has fiber trenched, i.e. U-verse markets. This will help them save on the backhaul upgrades.

What’s interesting is that AT&T is just now making these upgrades, more than 2 years after the original iPhone launch. Combine this timing with the recession which started in December of 2007, and it is quite puzzling that AT&T waited so long to make these upgrades.

I think if AT&T had been making these upgrades all along, not only would they be in position to hold onto the iPhone in the US, but i’d bet AT&T would also be ahead of Verizon in its’ rollout of LTE.

Poor operating decisions by AT&T after successfully securing the iPhone. Go figure.

My $.02,

Best,