Finnish Operator Upgrading 3G Network to 21Mbps Download Speeds

Finnish mobile network operator, DNA has announced that it is getting ready to boost the performance of its 3G network to reach a maximum speed of 21 Mbps. The company is conducting technical testing over the summer in preparation for the commercial launch, scheduled for the autumn of 2009.

The 3G network upgrade, known by its commercial name HSPA+, is currently being tested in the mobile network available to DNA's customers. The technology will also provide upload (uplink) speeds of up to 5.8 Mbps.

Wholly supplied by Ericsson, all base stations in DNA's mobile network support HSPA+ technology. A software update is all that is required to deploy the new speeds. HSPA+ compatible terminals having already entered the market, DNA is fully prepared to gradually increase the speed of its commercial network and launch compatible products in the autumn of 2009. This makes DNA the first Finnish telecom operator to announce the commercial launch of HSPA+.

"For the time being, we have only seen the beginnings of 3G/HSPA technology. The new 21 Mbps data transfer speed is a natural development of 3G/HSPA, while next year we will see speeds up to 42 Mbps", said DNA's technical director Tommy Olenius.

"Our objective is to continue improving our customer experience by investing in network transfer speeds and capacity. Increasing the geographical coverage of 3G network is a vital part of these efforts. As we are currently busy boosting our 3G coverage through UMTS 900 as well, we have in fact doubled our geographical coverage over the last six months. Our ultimate goal, a national 3G/HSPA network coverage, will be achieved between 2012 and 2013," added Mr Olenius.

Posted to the site on 15th June 2009