Sunday, February 5, 2012

Smart Communications HSPA+ and LTE network

Smart Communications now has 1400 HSPA+ sites and 77 Dual Cell-HSPA+ sites nationwide and has released a press release saying that they will be 100% LTE ready before 2012.

HSPA+ technology is how Smart delivers the promised 20 Mbps speeds to devices like the Smart Rocket Wifi Plus. Other the Rocket Wifi Plus, Only a few Samsung devices in the market can take advantage of this technology. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note and Samsung tablets starting with the Tab 10.1 are all HSDPA 21.1 Mbps capable. Given that Smart charges different rates for it  Smart Rocket Wifi Plus (Php200 for 180 MB) I am not sure whether Smart lets other HSDPA+ devices access its 20 Mbps network.

Other flagship phones, like Apple's iPhone 4S, HTC's Sensation and Sensation XE and Sony Ericsson's Arc S only utilize the older HSDPA 14.4 Mbps technology. 

LTE will provide download speeds of 42 Mbps and beyond. Current LTE technology allows up to 300 Mbps download speeds. In order to take advantage of this new technology you will need to have an LTE enable device.
Several models of Android phones sold abroad are LTE capable. Windows Phone from Nokia and HTC will be available in the United States by March 2012.  Apple's next iPhone is expected to support LTE.

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