Mobile data speeds will surge in 2006, as new generation wireless Internet and mobile technologies converge, according to Korea’s JoongAng Daily.  From the mobile arena comes HSDPA (High Speed Data Packet Access), capable of speeds to your mobile theoretically of 14.4 Mbps (though expect speeds to start at 500Kbps and ramp up to about 7.2 Mbps).  From the wireless Internet world comes WiMAX and its Korean competitor WiBro, the latter capable of 20 Mbps. Mix the two together, and you get a seriously fast broadband mobile network with the potential for some amazing new mobile services.

 

[Source: JoongAngDaily]

 

Read more on what HSDPA and wireless broadband will bring to the mobile world after the jump.

 

 

 

HSDPA and wireless Internet technologies converge

 

Now if you mix HSDPA and WiBro together, as they are in Korea, you have a fixed line telecoms firm (KT Corp.) offering WiBro throughout urbanized area (and Samsung and LG offering WiBro phones), and a mobile network operator (SK) offering a HSDPA service with speeds up to 7.2 Mbps (Samsung have already demonstrated a mobile phone equipped with HSDPA running at 3.6Mbps at CES 2006 recently). Converge the two (yup, that’s happening as well) and the result is mobile phones capable of download speeds faster than most home broadband networks. Knowing the impact broadband has had on the web, this could be the start of a long-overdue transformation in mobile phone services - as long as the operators get the pricing right.

 

And what about outside of Korea, who, admittedly, are probably a good century or so ahead of the rest of the world? Well, both Vodafone and T-Mobile have been busily testing HSDPA ready for a big roll-out, and other operators will have to follow suit - or else go down the WiMAX route. Either way, we too will be following Korea’s lead, and will soon be enjoying some outrageously good mobile services.  Google Earth on your mobile in all its glory anyone? Why not? I need something to do while waiting for the tube!