Wireless broadband networks: EV-DO, HSDPA, and new applications
Broadband everywhere! New data technologies from major carriers will deliver over 1 Mb/s to mobile phone handsets and laptop computers in major metropolitan areas across the United States by the end of 2006. The ability to tap into a fast, low-latency network is changing the way people do business and causing a few developers to rethink their applications for an always-on broadband connected user with constant access to his or her personal device.
EV-DO is a high-speed data technology currently deployed by CDMA carriers in major markets. The latest version of EV-DO, revision A, promises up download speeds up to 3.1 Mb/s, upload speeds as fast as 1.8 Mb/s, and latency as low as 50ms. This low latency makes VoIP and video chat a reality over cellular-based networks. EV-DO is available through Sprint branded as Mobile Broadband for laptops or PowerVision for phone handsets. EV-DO is also available through Verizon Wireless branded as BroadbandAccess for laptops or V Cast for phone handsets.
HSDPA is a competing standard for GSM networks. It is capable of download speeds up to 3.6 Mb/s and uploads of 384 Kb/s. HSDPA allows simultaneous voice and data and can downgrade to older UMTS when a newer network is not available. Cingular brands their HSDPA offering as BroadbandConnect.
What would you do with a 1 Mb/s always-on connection in your pocket, on your laptop, or any other device? Om and I talk discuss current offerings from major U.S. carriers as well as some of the applications that are already taking advantage of these new ubiquitous broadband connections.