The development of HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access), an upgrade for WCDMA 3G networks providing a downlink of up to 8-10Mbps (20Mbps in an evolved version using smart antenna technology), is relatively well known in communications circles. But Ericsson’s aggressive timetable for the technology was not previously clear.

HSDPA should be ready within 18 to 20 months, Svanberg told journalists at the Sweden Wireless Hotspot event organized by the Invest in Sweden Agency. It will offer the same capacity and speed as broadband today. It will certainly open up a new world to us.

WCDMA today only provides 384Kbps. The round-trip latency of HSDPA-enabled networks will also be much lower than is currently possible. Where GPRS networks experience a latency of four to five minutes and WCDMA shows latency of around 20 seconds, that has been reduced to around four seconds in HSDPA.

That, according to Ericsson, opens the door to near-real-time applications, although Svanberg was unclear exactly what those might be. When we start to really get great transmission speed then what users do will be very different.

The push to bring HSDPA to the market quickly has come mainly from Japan, according to Ericsson. NTT DoCoMo has been reported as working on an upgrade to its WCDMA FOMA network, most likely based on the technology.

Svanberg said HSDPA will rapidly become the norm for WCDMA mobile operators. HSDPA is so close around the corner. Operators launching in 2006 will go straight for it. A further evolution to HSDPA, known as high speed uplink packet access, or HSUPA, is scheduled to follow a year later.

Ericsson’s determination to bring HSDPA to WCDMA operators in the shortest possible time appears in part to be a reaction against the perceived threat from WiMax super hotspot technology, which will likely be integrated in client devices in 2006 or 2007.

However, Ericsson is confident the technology, which is designed principally with stationary users in mind, does not represent a direct threat to 3G.

WiMax will have deficiencies [as a mobile wireless technology]. It’s really Ethernet over the air, said Hakan Djuphammar, VP systems management with Ericsson. We are looking at the joining the WiMax Forum but we haven’t decided on equipment dates, he added.

HSDPA will follow a further development of GSM/GPRS, according to Ericsson. The upgrade, known as dual transfer mode, or DTM, will be introduced along with compatible handsets, presumably from Sony Ericsson. DTM allows GSM voice and data services to be used at the same time, greatly improving convenience. Currently users have to interrupt data calls to receive voice calls and vice versa.

DTM capability has been there for some time, said Djuphammar. It’s not a secret but no one has talked about it.