iPhone 5 reshapes mobile network arms race as Telecom promises turbocharged 3G by Christmas
Telecom has joined the dual carrier party.
The telco says it will have DC HSPA+ on its network by Christmas, and half the country covered by the end of next year.
DC-HSPA+ is a souped-up type of 3G that allows for the kind of superfast speeds usually associated with 4G.
In the run-up to the iPhone 5 luanch, Vodafone made hay out of the fact it was the only telco with DC HSPA+.
And iPhone 5 is very much the operative device here, as only it - and the new iPad and a Vodafone data stick - support DC HSPA+ (although more devices are expected from other brands).
Yesterday, 2degrees surprised the industry by saying it had DC HSPA+ on 10% of its network, which would rise to 50% by the end of next year. The company is not selling the iPhone 5, but is selling a Nano-SIM card that can be used with it, and offering rebates for people who bring an Apple handset to its network.
The technology allows for mobile data downloads of up to 42Mbit/s (or around four times the speed of most DSL connections, and about half the speed of fibre). However, you'll only hit full tilt if no one else is on the network. NBR has found real-life HSPA+ speeds of 9Mbit/s to around 26Mbit/s - still the quickest around.
Telecom Retail CEO Chris Quin says 2500 people in Auckland have been on a trial.
The move by Telecom is a surprise in that the company has previously only promoted a LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 4G trial.
At its annual result, Telecom pushed the 4G trial, but its CFO admitted there was only capital expediture allowed for a limited trial, not any rollout over the next year.
So far, only Vodafone has gone as far as placing DC HSPA+ coverage maps on its website.
Right now, Vodafone says it has 12% DC HSPA+ coverage, centred on the of the Auckland and Wellington CBDs. By December this year 32% of its network will use technology 42Mbit/s technology, increasing to 52% by March 2013. That means all of Auckland, parts of Wellington and parts of Christchurch will be covered by December this year, and all of Wellington by March.
Although it has declined to say exactly where it has installed DC HSPA+, 2degrees told NBR it is currently in parts of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Telecom did not immediately respond to a request to provide a coverage map, or say how much of its network would be covered by Chrismas, and where. [UPDATE: A spokeswoman said the "first stage" would be around the country but concentrated on Auckland and Wellington.]
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Comments and questions13
Telecom playing catch-up. There was no mention of this until the opposition got started...
typical big blue - all marketing, followed up later by actual tech.
I've seen Ping: 38ms Down: 29.64Mbit & Up: 4.81Mbit on a very busy site - Auckland Central on the Vodafone Network.
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=109887&page_no=1#692915
I've got into the 20s around Albert Park, too, but you have to get lucky - right place, right time etc.
The speeds quoted above are more typical of my experience over multiple tests.
Vodafone, Telecom and 2degrees are quite correct to caution users that everyday speeds will be below the theoretical maximum (achievable only if you're the only person using a cellsite, standing right under it).
Well I think you may find that telecom have already deployed DC-HSPA - have a look at the speeds iphonenewzealand achieved this morning on the new isheep/ iphone 22Mbps down! Oh and HSPA+ tops out at 21Mbs down and not 26. NBR is still have faith in you to present the facts but this is a pathetic show. DC-HSPA theoretical 42Mbs - real world 23-29Mbs or a bit worse given conditions, HSPA+ 21Mbs theoretical - 4-14 in the real world, I get 10Mbs all the time in Patumahoe.
I've got into the 20s in exactly the same spot as the speeds quoted above - but you have to run multiple tests to get a fluke score at that level. It's misleading to suggest that's what people can suggest all the time from DC HSPA.
The article notes Telecom has a trial deployment underway.
Sorry lastly, I'd ask any of the carries about AMR-WB deployments also
Sorry lastly, I'd ask any of the carries about AMR-WB deployments also
In New Zealand Internet is most expensive and slow. It's even worse than 3rd world countries speed or price wise. Total rip off and all Telcos are mugger.
It is not that the "iPhone" has "all of sudden sparked a mass frenzy amongst all Telecommunications Providers in NZ to roll out DC HSPA+ Networks" as the title of this article suggests..........
These Network upgrades would been planned many, many months in advance - it's a normal part of Mobile Network upgrades, please don't humour us into thinking that the iGodphone has instigated this, OMG!!!...........
what a total yawn .. the iphone circus grinds on...
The dc in dc hspa+ stands for dual cell. Some versions of the Samsung sIII have dc hspa+ as well, so it being exclusive to the iphone 5 is wrong.
DC is variously billed as dual carrier or dual cell. I've used the terminology adopted by phone companies here.
Look forward to Samsung releasing a DC HSPA+ version of the S3 here.
Went to Melbourne, and purchased a Vodafone sim, advertised saying they got 3g, HSPDA + and working on 4g next year.. excited to use my S3 and the best speeds i got was 3mb down, 2mb up.. out of 10 tests average was probably low 1's down. went to sydney, improved to about 4mb down at best.. even with those speeds, i felt it was the slowest cr*p i've come across, Telecom XT sh*ts on Vodafone AUS.