| 1G | Retrospective name for the long obsoleted analog mobile communications system |
| 2G | 2nd Generation |
| 2.5G | 2nd Generation + a packet-switched domain |
| 3G | 3rd Generation (actually IMT-2000, but who'd remember that, eh?) |
| 3.5G | Basically HSDPA |
| 3GPP | 3rd Generation Partnership Program |
| CDMA | Code Division Multiple Access (also CDMA-1x) |
| EDGE | Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution |
| EVDO | Evolution-Data Optimized (or Only) |
| GPRS | General Packet Radio Service |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile communications (originally Groupe Spécial Mobile) |
| HSPA | High Speed Packet Access |
| HSDPA | High Speed Downlink Packet Access |
| HSUPA | High Speed Uplink Packet Access |
| HSPA+ | High Speed Packet Access Evolved |
| LTE | Long Term Evolution |
| NextG | How Telstra spells HSPA :) |
| UMTS | Universal Mobile Telecommunications System |
| WCDMA | Wideband Code Division Multiple Access |
Update: In general usage, the terms "WCDMA" and "UMTS" can be interchanged without offending anyone but the telecommunications purist. WCDMA combines CDMA with the GSM network and really came around through the 3GPP in an effort to ensure compatibility between different 3G networks. Have a read of Chris Knight's comments (the first comment) for a bit more relevant information.
Both Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (the result of the merger back in early 2009) and Optus are providing regional HSPA access on the 900 MHz band, whereas Telstra uses the 850 MHz band for their regional NextG services. This means that any handsets that operate in the UMTS/WCDMA bands of 2100/900 will work well on the VHA and Optus networks in regional Australia whereas only those Telstra-authorised devices with 850/2100 support will work in regional Australia.
Now, as far as theoretical maximum speed goes, it is basically as follows:
| 2G | 14.4 kbps down / 14.4 kbps up |
| 2.5G | 57.6 kbps down / 14.4 kbps up |
| GPRS | 57.6 kbps down / 28.8 kbps up |
| CDMA | 153 kbps down / |
| EDGE | 236.8 kbps (Type 1 MS) to 1894 kbps (Type 2 MS) |
| EVDO | 2457 kbps (Rev 0) to 9300 kbps (Rev B) down / 153.6 kbps up |
| HSPA | 14400 kbps down / 5760 kbps up |
| NextG | 21600 kbps down / 5570 Kbps up |
| HSPA+ | 42000 kbps down / 11500 kbps up |
| LTE | 173000 kbps down / 58,000 kbps up |
Please note that the Telstra NextG network has been upgraded from 3.5G (HSDPA) to full HSPA+ in the recent past and this is what enables it to achieve its theoretical maximum 21 Mbps download and 5.8 Mbps upload speeds currently. They are predicting to have this upgraded to 42 Mbps downlink by the end of 2009 for a large percentage of their network. Sure, it costs as much as a horse per month, but it *is* faster than Yodafone, Optus or any other network!
Now, some of the currently available devices are listed below, along with the theoretical maximum speeds at which they will operate. Please don't assume this means that they a) are A-Ticked, b) are approved by your carrier nor c) will work with your mobile device...
| Manuf. | Model | Downlink Speed | Uplink Speed | WCDMA Bands GSM/Edge Bands | Ext Ant |
| Huawei | E220 | 7.2 Mbps | 384 kbps | 2100 1900/1800/900 | - |
| Huawei | E226 | 7.2 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900 | ||
| Huawei | E230 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/900 1900/1800/900/850 | |
| Huawei | E510 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/900 1900/1800/900 | Yes |
| Huawei | E156 | 3.6 Mbps | 384 kbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | |
| Huawei | E160 (Vodafone K3565) | 3.6 Mbps | 384 kbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | CRC9 |
| Huawei | E166 | 7.2 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/800/850 | ||
| Huawei | E169 (Vodafone K3520) | 7.2 Mbps | 384 kbps | 2100/900 1900/1800/800/850 | CRC9 |
| Huawei | E176 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/1900/850 ? | |
| Huawei | E1762 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/900 ? | CRC9 |
| Huawei | E180 (Vodafone K3715) | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/900 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Novatel | Ovation MC950D | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | AirCard 875U | 7.2 Mbps | 384 kbps | - | |
| Sierra | AirCard 880U | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 2100/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | AirCard 881U | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | Apex 880 USB | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | Compass 597 | 3.1 Mbps | 1.8 Mbps | CDMA | Yes |
| Sierra | Compass 885 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps (5.76 ready) | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | Compass 888 | 7.2 Mbps | 5.76 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | Compass 889 | 7.2 Mbps | 5.76 Mbps | 2100/900 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| Sierra | USB 306 | 21 Mbps | 5.76 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | TS9 |
| Sierra | USB 307 | 21 Mbps | 5.76 Mbps | 2100/900 1900/1800/900/850 | TS9 |
| ZTE | MF626 | 3.6 Mbps | 384 kbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
| ZTE | MF633 | 7.2 Mbps | 5.76 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | |
| ZTE | MF633BP+ | 7.2 Mbps | 2.0 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | |
| ZTE | MF636 | 7.2 Mbps | 2 Mbps | 2100/1900/850 1900/1800/900/850 | - |
A "-" in External Antenna means that there is definitely no external antenna socket, blank means that I've not yet confirmed either way.
Regards,
The Outspoken Wookie
2 comments:
Pedantry aside, that's a pretty decent breakdown of the ridiculously over-complicated space called "wireless broadband".
BTW UMTS is an umbrella term that encompasses multiple air interfaces. The carriers in Australia are all using WCDMA as their air interface, so UMTS and WCDMA are interchangeable terms when looking for compatible devices.
Also note that Telstra's Next-G network is gradually phasing out WCDMA 2100 in favour for WCDMA 850 to simplify network management and maintenance, so WCDMA/UMTS 2100 devices without WCDMA/UMTS 850 have a shorter lifespan on the Telstra network.
G'day Chris,
Yes, Telstra is looking at simplifying, which makes a hell of a lot of sense for them. And yes, they will be simplifying, not surprisingly, to the only band that we as a people gave them when the Government sold them off that no-one else has access to - the 850 MHz band.
And yes, I forgot WCDMA which I probably should have included, so have now. :)
The reason for this blog entry was to provide a simple page with definitions (technical, sure, but they are there) and an overview of what's out there. If I did what I normally do, I'd have made this entry 14 pages long and given a complete rundown of everything, but that's no help to me nor anyone else, really! :)
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