Vodafone trials tech offering 16Mbps mobile broadband

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Forget fixed line broadband, Vodafone is claiming to have successfully developed mobile broadband tech which can reach speeds of 16Mbps – much faster than what many consumers receive on their home connections.

Vodafone said the speedy download rate was a hit in trials of HSPA+ 64QAM tech in Spain, adding that it is looking to test data connections at 21Mbps on HSPA+ MIMO later this year. The mobile operator claimed such tech would allow video downloads of 13Mbps in top conditions, with 4Mbps available in cities.

A recent Ofcom report showed most UK broadband users are averaging 3.56Mbps, although new fibre networks could offer speeds of 50Mbps.

HSPA+ follows on from 3G/HSPA tech. Speeds can be increased using 64QAM – an improved modulation technique – or by boosting the number of antennae on base stations and devices, called multiple input multiple output (MIMO). Using such innovations will require users to have new HSPA+ devices, however.

“Successfully demonstrating a live HSPA+ high speed connection has been a key milestone in continuing to build confidence in this new technology,” said Andy MacLeod, global networks director of Vodafone, in a statement.

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