The choice, range and data speeds of mobile broadband user devices continue to rapidly expand, according to new statistics published by the GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association). The updated HSPA Devices survey confirms that 3,071 HSPA user devices have been announced in the market. A total of 722 products were launched over the past 12 months, confirming over 30% annual growth. The number of manufacturers increased by 14% to 262 companies in this period.
GSA recently confirmed that 398 HSPA networks are commercially launched in 160 countries. Migration to HSPA Evolution (HSPA+) is continuing as a major trend and 123 operators (30%) have also launched HSPA+ systems. Most operators entering the market today are launching immediately with HSPA+ and GSA forecasts there will be at least 150 commercial HSPA+ systems launched by end 2011. In step with this evolution, the HSPA Devices survey confirms 144 HSPA+ user devices have been launched, more than triple the number in the market in April 2010. More than 30% of these devices support 42 Mbps DC-HSPA+ networks ensuring a substantial product choice for customers of the growing number of operators who have launched, or are deploying DC-HSPA+ capability.
The huge success of mobile broadband enabled by 3G/HSPA and rapid data growth has fuelled demand for more spectrum. Re-farming of GSM spectrum, particularly 900 MHz, is an option favored by many operators where practical, and in the knowledge that there exists a mature devices ecosystem of HSPA-capable 900 MHz (UMTS900) user devices. The GSA survey confirms that 618 UMTS900 devices supporting HSPA (and in some cases HSPA+) have been launched in the market by 87 suppliers, almost double the number of products (321) available one year ago. Excluding notebooks and e-book readers, over 24% of HSPA devices can operate at 900 MHz. A related GSA report, UMTS900 Global Status, also just released, confirms that 30 UMTS900 networks are now commercially launched in 22 countries with at least another 18 networks planned, in deployment or in testing phase.
Almost 200 operators have also committed to commercial network deployments or trials of LTE, and many of them require service continuity which will usually mean fall back to current HSPA/HSPA+ and GSM/EDGE systems. Manufacturers are fully aligning their product developments with operator strategies. The HSPA Devices survey confirms that 53 dual-mode HSPA-LTE devices have already been launched.