HSPA vs HSPA+

[eternlgladiator]

I have a question for anybody who's familiar with the technology for these type of networks on AT&T. I know that HSPA is the technology for regular 3G and that HSPA+ is basically 3G on steroids and the beginning of what AT&T is calling "4G" even though they're also working on LTE (Which is a lame acronym by the way). I know that current iPhones support HSPA and need a new chip or radio to handle HSPA+. My question for the forum is about how AT&T upgrades to HSPA+. Is it something they just have to "turn on" for towers that are already 3G enabled or is it a hardware upgrade? I ask because my area will be just getting 3G in about month and I'm considering upgrading to an iPhone 4 now instead of waiting for the iPhone 5 (or whatever comes out this summer) just to get access to a network I won't be able to use every day (assuming the the 5 or whatever has the HSPA+ chip in it.

 

[Travisimo]

I have a question for anybody who's familiar with the technology for these type of networks on AT&T. I know that HSPA is the technology for regular 3G and that HSPA+ is basically 3G on steroids and the beginning of what AT&T is calling "4G" even though they're also working on LTE (Which is a lame acronym by the way). I know that current iPhones support HSPA and need a new chip or radio to handle HSPA+. My question for the forum is about how AT&T upgrades to HSPA+. Is it something they just have to "turn on" for towers that are already 3G enabled or is it a hardware upgrade? I ask because my area will be just getting 3G in about month and I'm considering upgrading to an iPhone 4 now instead of waiting for the iPhone 5 (or whatever comes out this summer) just to get access to a network I won't be able to use every day (assuming the the 5 or whatever has the HSPA+ chip in it.

My advice: don't make your decision based on HSPA or HSPA+ because the former is plenty fast and the latter is just a stop-gap until LTE arrives. Decide based on whether you want a phone now or if you're willing to wait until summer. If you buy the iPhone 4, you'll be closer to being able to upgrade again when the iPhone 6 comes out in 2012. If you wait for summer, you'll be able to get the latest iPhone but will have to wait longer for the next upgrade... So it really just depends on whether you want the upgraded version this summer, and I would not base that decision on HSPA vs HSPA+.

 

[kre62]

I have a question for anybody who's familiar with the technology for these type of networks on AT&T. I know that HSPA is the technology for regular 3G and that HSPA+ is basically 3G on steroids and the beginning of what AT&T is calling "4G" even though they're also working on LTE (Which is a lame acronym by the way). I know that current iPhones support HSPA and need a new chip or radio to handle HSPA+. My question for the forum is about how AT&T upgrades to HSPA+. Is it something they just have to "turn on" for towers that are already 3G enabled or is it a hardware upgrade? I ask because my area will be just getting 3G in about month and I'm considering upgrading to an iPhone 4 now instead of waiting for the iPhone 5 (or whatever comes out this summer) just to get access to a network I won't be able to use every day (assuming the the 5 or whatever has the HSPA+ chip in it.

From what I've seen and heard it is basically a software upgrade. But to really get the max benefit the backhaul has to be upgraded in the area. As far as hspa+ itself, the towers just need a software upgrade.

 

[lsvtecjohn3]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question also, will the iPhone 4 get faster speeds because of the HSPA+? I know the iPhone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ but will HSPA speeds increase also? The reason I'm asking is because today my iPhone 4 Speeds have been faster than ever I tested my phone on speedtest and I'm getting 3.5 Mbps download on avg. Could this be because Att upgraded HSPA+ in my area because of the new Androids phones coming out?

 

[eternlgladiator]

Not to hijack this thread but I have a question also, will the iPhone 4 get faster speeds because of the HSPA+? I know the iPhone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ but will HSPA speeds increase also? The reason I'm asking is because today my iPhone 4 Speeds have been faster than ever I tested my phone on speedtest and I'm getting 3.5 Mbps download on avg. Could this be because Att upgraded HSPA+ in my area because of the new Androids phones coming out?

the iphone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ because it lacks the necessary technology. It's known for sure but it's looking like the next version will have that technology.

 

[zephxiii]

Taken from Qualcomm (and only talking about Rel. 7):

Operators around the world are rapidly upgrading their networks to HSPA+. Release 7 is the first step in the robust HSPA+ evolution path, providing next-generation performance today.

HSPA+ Rel. 7 benefits:

* 21 Mbps peak data rates through Higher Order Modulation 64 QAM and 28 Mbps with 2x2 MIMO
* Doubled data capacity while also leveraging advanced devices with enhanced equalizer and Node B Interference Cancellation
* More than doubled voice capacity through CS-over-HS that brings the benefits of VoIP without impacting the core network
* Similar performance as LTE, when using the same amount of spectrum and the same antenna configuration
* Better “always-on” experience without compromising battery life
* Simple cost-effective upgrade leveraging existing infrastructure assets
* Strong and well-established evolution path with HSPA+ Rel. 8, Rel. 9 and beyond

Qualcomm is supporting operators and vendors with the industry’s first HSPA+ chipsets that are suitable for the full range of device from USB dongles and feature phones to smartphones and smartbooks*.

White paper:
http://www.qualcomm.com/documents/files/hspa-enhanced-mobile-broadband-whitepaper.pdf

As far as I'm concerned, HSPA+ is great, and since it scales to 80mbps and beyond (650mbps for t-mobile), it is more than just a stepping stone.

 

[eternlgladiator]

Taken from Qualcomm (and only talking about Rel. 7):



White paper:
http://www.qualcomm.com/documents/files/hspa-enhanced-mobile-broadband-whitepaper.pdf

As far as I'm concerned, HSPA+ is great, and since it scales to 80mbps and beyond (650mbps for t-mobile), it is more than just a stepping stone.

So you're saying it's a software upgrade not a hardware upgrade?

 

[lsvtecjohn3]

the iphone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ because it lacks the necessary technology. It's known for sure but it's looking like the next version will have that technology.

I understand that the iPhone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ but I was worndering if HSPA+ would make HSPA faster?

 

[eternlgladiator]

I understand that the iPhone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ but I was worndering if HSPA+ would make HSPA faster?

Yes, that's the evolution. HSPA to HSPA+ to LTE (as far as I know LTE is just a crappy marketing term that applies to a variety of technology) Long Term Evolution in my opinion just gives them a word to use that says we're working on new crap. There will always be something newer and faster and large cities like NYC, Chicago, an LA will always being one or two generations ahead of other areas. Its a viscous cycle.

 

[zephxiii]

I understand that the iPhone 4 doesn't support HSPA+ but I was worndering if HSPA+ would make HSPA faster?

Technically yes in a number of ways via HOM QAM64 (7.2mbps iPhone4 to 21mbps peak HSPA+), lower latency, faster setup times etc. etc.

The other big difference between HSPA+ device and iPhone4 is that iPhone4 is limited to only grabbing 10 vs. 15 HS-DSCH data codes of the channel. Not to mention that a HSPA+ 21mbps device has twice the efficiency and data rate peak (more than twice really) of a 7.2mbps device thanks to HOM.

A 42mbps (Release 8) device is even better!

Page 17 (last page) of that pdf i posted breaks it down quickly.

 

[zephxiii]

Yes, that's the evolution. HSPA to HSPA+ to LTE (as far as I know LTE is just a crappy marketing term that applies to a variety of technology) Long Term Evolution in my opinion just gives them a word to use that says we're working on new crap. There will always be something newer and faster and large cities like NYC, Chicago, an LA will always being one or two generations ahead of other areas. Its a viscous cycle.

I wouldn't say that about LTE..it is a completely new air interface and network.

 

[rjohnstone]

So you're saying it's a software upgrade not a hardware upgrade?

It's a software upgrade for the telecom providers.
A hardware upgrade required for the phones.

HSPA and HSPA+ are only as good as the backhaul connection.

When AT&T completes their HSPA+ deployment and backhaul upgrades, regular HSPA users will see an improvement in speed.

 

[chrmjenkins]

Seems like HSPA+ support is 50/50 chance. I don't know that Apple will feel a huge drive to support it like they will LTE.

HSPA+ absolutely has higher theoretical speeds, but this always depends on carrier support, number of users, etc.

The advantages of LTE are that it's more than just a bigger engine (in going from HSPA to HSPA+), it's more likely adding a turbo charger. LTE allows for more users, lower power usage for similar operations, etc. It's just plain a superior technology, but its drawback is expense of implementation as opposed to speeding up existing 3G technologies.

 

[bripab007]

So the iPhone 4 can support a theoretical max speed of 7.2Mbps downstream (3.6Mbps up?), which should be possible once AT&T's towers/backhaul are upgraded to support faster speeds (HSPA+ and beyond)?

 

[Dmunjal]

Apple is dependant on chipset manufacturers like QualComm. The next iPhone will probably get HSPA+, not LTE.