Release 7 HSPA+ For Mobile Broadband Evolution

Qualcomm Incorporated November 2007

Release 7 HSPA+ For Mobile Broadband Evolution

Table of Contents

[1] Executive Summary ......................................................................... 1 [2] Introduction and Overview ............................................................... 2 2.1 What is HSPA+?...................................................................... 3 [3] HSPA+ Doubles Data Capacity and Reduces Cost ........................ 4 3.1 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)..................................... 6 3.2 Higher Order Modulation (HOM) ............................................. 7 3.3 Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) and Discontinuous Reception (DRX)..................................................................... 7 [4] HSPA+ Provides Three Times Increased Voice Capacity............... 8 [5] Higher Data Capacity through VoIP............................................... 10 [6] Enhanced User Experience Benefits ............................................. 11 [7] HSPA+ Offers an Entire Range of IP Services .............................. 12 7.1 VoIP Enables Rich Services.................................................. 13 7.2 VoIP Simplifies Fixed Mobile Convergence .......................... 14 [8] Backward Compatibility and Leverage in a Large 3G Ecosystem. 15 [9] The Optimal Solution in 5 MHz ...................................................... 16 [10] Conclusion ................................................................................... 18

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[1] Executive Summary

UMTS operators are rapidly launching High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) services to capitalize on HSPAs mobile broadband capabilities and increased data capacity. As the natural evolution, HSPA+ further enhances the performance and capabilities of HSPA. HSPA+ is expected to be commercially available in 2008 through incremental investments and backward and forward compatible handsets. HSPA+ doubles the data capacity and increases voice capacity by three times enabling operators to offer mobile broadband at even lower cost. Moving voice traffic to VoIP over HSPA not only increases the voice capacity in itself, it also significantly increases data capacity. While HSPA already supports the full range of packet-based IP services with integrated Quality of Service (QoS). HSPA+ further enhances the end-user experience through higher peak rates, lower latency, extended talk time and a true always-on experience. HSPA+ is the optimal solution for a 5 MHz carrier and provides similar data and voice capacity as LTE in the 5 MHz block for the same number of antennas.

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[2] Introduction and Overview

UMTS operators are rapidly launching HSPA services to capitalize on its mobile broadband capabilities and increased data capacity. The enhanced downlink (HSDPA) had been launched commercially by 128 UMTS operators as of mid-2007, and deployment of the enhanced uplink (HSUPA) began during 2007. HSPA+, expected to be commercially available by the end of 2008, is the natural evolution of HSPA. It further enhances the performance and capabilities of HSPA. This white paper discusses these key benefits of HSPA+: HSPA+ doubles the data capacity over HSPA, thus reducing the cost of delivering data services and offering a better mobile broadband experience. HSPA+ provides three times more voice capacity through VoIP than R99 circuit-switched voice with the same quality and codec. HSPA+ VoIP frees up significant data capacity. The higher VoIP efficiency can also be used to free up significant data capacity in a mixed VoIP and data usage model. This helps to meet the increased demand for data services. HSPA+ enhances the end-user experience through higher peak rates, lower latency, faster call set-up time, significantly longer talk time and a true always-on experience. HSPA+ supports downlink peak rates up to 28 Mbps (42 Mbps in 3GPP Release 8) and up to 11 Mbps in the uplink. HSPA+ is the most economical evolution of HSPA, allowing UMTS operators to most efficiently use their existing assets and investments in network, spectrum and devices. Like HSPA, HSPA+ is forward and backward compatible, allowing for a phased introduction of devices and a smooth upgrade to existing nodes. HSPA+ is the optimal solution for a 5 MHz carrier, for existing, refarmed 900 MHz, and for new spectrum; it provides similar data and voice performance as LTE in a 5 MHz block, using the same number of antennas.

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Release 7 HSPA+ For Mobile Broadband Evolution 2.1 What is HSPA+?

HSPA+ is the name of the set of HSPA enhancements that are defined in 3GPP Release 7 (R7) and beyond. The enhanced downlink (HSDPA) was defined in 3GPP R5 and provides three times the data capacity of WCDMA R99 (using a rake receiver and a single UE receive antenna).

Broadband downloads Rel-99 Rel-5 (HSDPA)

DL: 14.4 Mbps UL: 384 Kbps

Broadband uploads Rel-6 (HSUPA)

DL: 14.4 Mbps UL: 5.72 Mbps

Enhanced Voice and data capacity Rel-7

DL: 42 Mbps UL: 11 Mbps

Rel-8

WCDMA
DL: 384 Kbps UL: 384 Kbps Figure 1: UMTS Evolution

HSPA

HSPA+ (HSPA Evolved)

The enhanced uplink (HSUPA) was defined in R6 and doubles the uplink data capacity over WCDMA R99. This paper focuses on the first step of the HSPA evolution and the enhancements that have been defined in 3GPP R7. HSPA will continue to evolve and 3GPP R8 and beyond will introduce features that will further enhance the HSPA performance. Table 1 presents the key HSPA+ R7 features and their benefits.

HSPA+ Features
DL 2x2 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) Higher Order Modulation (HOM) 64-QAM DL and 16-QAM UL

Key Benefits
Doubles peak data rates Increases downlink capacity 50% higher downlink peak data rate Doubles uplink data peak rate Increases uplink and downlink capacity Improves VoIP capacity Extends talk time by up to 50% Better always-on experience Faster cell set up Better always-on experience Increases broadcast capacity Better broadcast cell edge rate

Continuous Packet Connectivity (CPC): DTX/DRX, HS_SCCH Less Enhanced CELL_FACH state operation MBSFN (single frequency network) Table 1: Key HSPA+ R7 Features

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In addition to the HSPA+ enhancements defined in the 3GPP standards, we anticipate that interference cancellation (IC), both in the uplink (Node B IC) and downlink (UE IC) will be introduced in the same timeframe as HSPA+. Thus, the performance numbers discussed in this paper assume implementation of Node B IC. While the use of 4-Branch receive diversity could further double the uplink capacity, and the use of UE IC would increase the downlink capacity and enhance user experience at the cell edge through higher rates, those enhancements are not taken into account for the performance projections in this paper.

Additional HSPA+ Features Key Benefits

(Expected to be available same timeframe as HSPA+ R7) Uplink Interference Cancellation (Node B IC) Downlink Interference Cancellation (UE IC) Node B four-way receive diversity Increases uplink capacity and rates Beneficial for VoIP Increases Downlink capacity Higher Downlink cell edge data rate Increases uplink capacity (>100%) Higher uplink cell edge data rates

Table 2: Standard Independent HSPA+ Features

[3] HSPA+ Doubles Data Capacity and Reduces Cost

With the launch of HSPA, operators are seeing a significant uptake in data demand, a result of new data applications and increased demand for high-performance mobile broadband services. HSPA+ enhances the performance of HSPA networks and enables wireless operators to continue to fulfill these data needs in the most economical way, as HSPA+ doubles the data capacity compared to HSPA R6 (assuming a rake receiver and receive diversity at the HSPA R6 UE). Figure 2 compares the downlink and uplink data capacity of HSPA and HSPA+. The almost doubled downlink and uplink data capacity assumes advanced receivers (UE equalizer, UE receive diversity and Node B IC)1 in addition to the HSPA+ features. These results do not take higher order modulation (HOM) schemes into consideration (64-QAM on the downlink

Type 3 UE receiver: linear MMSE equalizer and receive diversity.

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and 16-QAM in the uplink). It is expected that HOM will provide further performance boost in particular deployment scenarios. HSPA greatly increased data capacity over R99 systems by adding the high-speed shared channels with HOM (16-QAM), smaller transmission interval, Hybrid ARQ and opportunistic scheduling. HSPA+ builds on this solid foundation by adding support for 64-QAM, 2x2 MIMO, CPC and other air interface improvements. Additional enhancements are being planned for R8 and beyond, which will provide a clear evolution path for current networks. Some of the HSPA+ enhancements that improve data capacity are discussed below.

Data Capacity Per Sector Mbps (5MHz)

7.81

Downlink

6.18

2.3X

1.8X
3.44

1X

R6 HSPA baseline (RxDiv)

R6 HSPA (RxDiv+EQ) 2.61

R7 HSPA+ (2x2 MIMO)

1.7X

Uplink

1.55

1X

R6 HSPA Baseline

R7 HSPA (RxDiv+IC)

Source: Qualcomm Simulations, 500m ISD, 64-QAM in DL not considered, 16-QAM in UL not considered. Details in 3GPP R1-070674.

Figure 2: Data Capacity per Sector in Mbps (5 MHz)

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3.1 Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)

HSPA+ supports 2x2 downlink MIMO that uses two transmit antennas at the Node B to transmit orthogonal (parallel) data streams to the two receive antennas at the UEs. Using two antennas and additional signal processing at the receiver and the transmitter, MIMO can increase the system capacity and double user data rates without using additional Node B power or bandwidth. Under certain channel conditions, data in a 2x2 MIMO system can be transmitted using up to two orthogonal streams. To be most effective, MIMO needs a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the UE and a rich scattering environment. High SNR ensures that the UE will be able to decode the incoming signal successfully despite distributing the transmit power among the two antennas. A rich scattering environment ensures that the two data streams remain orthogonal when they reach the UE. Line-of-sight transmissions, on the other hand, cannot support orthogonal streams and hence provide limited MIMO gain. The MIMO benefit is therefore maximized in a dense urban (city) environment where the MIMO gain is most needed, as there is enough scattering and cell sizes are small (potentially high SNR at the UE). In rural environments with large cell sizes and less scattering, the MIMO gains will be limited. HSPA+ introduces the dual transmit adaptive array (D-TxAA) scheme for 2x2 MIMO. Future releases (R8 and beyond) are considering higher-order MIMO and UL MIMO.

HSPA+ Peak Data Rates Downlink

MIMO
(2x2 DL MIMO) 28 Mbps (16-QAM)

Non - MIMO
14 Mbps (16-QAM) 21 Mbps (64-QAM)

5.76 Mbps (QPSK)

5.76 Mbps (QPSK) 11 Mbps (16-QAM)

Uplink
11 Mbps (16-QAM)
Table 3: HSPA+ R7 Data Rates2
2

The combination of 64-QAM and MIMO operation is expected in R8 and will provide DL rates up to 42 Mbps.

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Release 7 HSPA+ For Mobile Broadband Evolution 3.2 Higher Order Modulation (HOM)
R6 HSPA supports 16-QAM modulation on the downlink and QPSK on the uplink. As Figure 3 shows, the data capacity (bits/symbol) increases as we move from QPSK to 16-QAM and then to 64-QAM. HSPA+ introduces 64-QAM on the downlink, which increases the data rates by 50% for UEs that have a high SNR. On the uplink, 16-QAM doubles data rates for UEs that are not power headroom limited. Wireless signals transmitted with a higher modulation are more sensitive to interference and require a higher SNR at the receiver for successful demodulation. HOM significantly increases the data rates for those users that are in good signal conditions (high SNR). Hence, the traffic for these high SNR users can be serviced faster, leaving Node B with more time and resources to service users in weaker signal areas, such as the cell edge. Overall, this provides high data rates and improved user experience for all users in the cell. HOM complements MIMO by providing significant gains in line-of-sight scenarios, where MIMO gains are limited. Table 3 shows the peak data rates with HOM and MIMO.

3.3 Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) and Discontinuous Reception (DRX)

The CPC DTX feature allows the UE to gate off the control channels when there is no user data to send. DTX thereby increases the uplink capacity by reducing the uplink interference at the Node B. DTX can also reduce the battery consumption and thus extend the battery life by limiting the time the UE transmitter needs to be active to send information. In the same way, DRX allows the UE to turn off the receiver at certain agreed intervals in which Node B does not transmit any downlink information to the UE. This in turn saves UE battery power.
Figure 3: Higher Order Modulation

Synchronized DTX and DRX operation allows the UE to shut off its transmitter and receiver blocks completely, which significantly improves the UE battery life. DTX and DRX are, in particular, beneficial for low-rate data applications like VoIP, or bursty applications like web browsing, where it is possible to gate off transmission or turn off reception between the data transmissions.

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[4] HSPA+ Provides Three Times Increased Voice Capacity

High-quality voice is a key service that has traditionally been the core of the wireless business. With packet-based data applications rapidly taking off, it is natural also to move the voice service to VoIP for lower cost and better integration with the other packet-based services. The underlying voice technology, packet-based VoIP or circuit-based voice, does not need to be known by the end-users, as long as the quality and user experience remains the same. VoIP would, in fact, provide an even richer user experience than circuit switched (CS) voice, through its integration with other packet services. Telco-quality VoIP over HSPA+ provides three times the voice capacity of current R99/HSPA networks, which allows it to meet the increasing voice demand cost efficiently, especially when moving from traditional MOU (minutes of use) based plans to flat-rate unlimited minutes plans. Telco-quality VoIP over HSPA provides several benefits to operators and end users beyond reduced cost through higher capacity, including:

Higher data capacity through VoIP Mixing VoIP and data services frees up significant data capacity compared with mixing R99 CS voice and data services.

VoIP enables rich services The integration of voice with other data services enables new end-user services and new revenue sources for the operator.

VoIP simplifies fixed mobile convergence Moving all services to the packet domain with a common packet network creates synergies that reduce cost.

The operator can provide telco-quality VoIP in the same way as R99 CS voice and fully control the service from end to end. VoIP also enables the network operator to offer third-party VoIP clients with appropriate QoS to ensure voice quality, and charge accordingly for this high-quality VoIP flow. To support telco-quality VoIP, the HSPA network requires standard defined features such as QoS, header compression and IP multimedia system (IMS) support. Furthermore, non-standard implementation11/2007 page 8

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specific features such as QoS scheduling and admission control must be supported. In current UMTS networks, voice services are carried over dedicated circuit-switched bearers, which are assigned to users for the duration of the voice call. HSPA VoIP uses shared-packet channels with smaller transmission intervals to transfer VoIP packets more efficiently. HSPA+ further improves VoIP capacity by introducing enhancements such as CPC. This optimizes air-interface resource usage, providing a two times voice capacity increase without Node B IC and a three times increase with Node B IC for the same voice quality and codec (AMR 12.2kbps) over R99 CS voice. Figure 4 compares the voice capacity of R99 CS, HSPA R6 and HSPA+ R7 VoIP.

Voice Capacity Per Sector (5MHz)

182

2.6X

93 68

1.3X

1X

R99 CS

R6 VoIP

R7 HSPA+ VoIP

Source: QUALCOMM simulations, 500m ISD, 50ms delay, AMR 12.2 Codec. Detailed assumptions in R1-070674.

Figure 4: Number of Voice Users Supported Per Sector (5 MHz)

The next-generation wireless systems like Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) will rely on VoIP and an IMS network for voice without supporting circuit-switched services. HSPA+ enables operators to offer these same high-capacity VoIP services to the end users without relying on the circuit-switched core network.

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[5] Higher Data Capacity through VoIP

Because VoIP is more efficient and uses fewer resources than circuitswitched (CS) voice, as exemplified by the three times capacity increase, means that the remaining resources can be used to increase the data capacity. Mixing VoIP and data on the same HSPA+ carrier is significantly more efficient than mixing R99 CS voice and HSPA+ data. This means that at any given voice load level, the system has significantly more data capacity if VoIP is used instead of R99 CS voice.

6000

Throughput (Kbps)

5000 4000

Almost 3X data capacity at typical voice

3000 2000 1000 0 100 150 200 250
load (50 users/sector) when using VoIP

Data Gain

HSPA+ VoIP and Data R5 CS Voice and Data

50

Voice Users
HSPA+ does not include MIMO and HOM; MIMO and HOM would further increase the HSPA+ capacity. Assumptions: 20 BE Users vs Voice AMR 12.2 users, 1Km ISD Figure 5: Sector Data Capacity when Mixing Voice/VoIP and Data

Figure 5 presents the remaining downlink data capacity for two cases, one with R99 CS voice and HSPA data and one with VoIP and HSPA+ data mixed on the same carrier. At a typical voice load of 50 voice users, mixing VoIP and data provides almost three times higher data capacity compared to mixing R99 CS voice and data. Furthermore, VoIP is typically uplink-limited, and there is additional capacity left over in the downlink at the maximum uplink VoIP capacity. This is a key driver in the adoption of VoIP, as it increases the data capacity and offers data services at a lower cost.

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[6] Enhanced User Experience Benefits

HSPA+ not only improves data capacity, voice capacity and peak rates, it also enhances the end-user experience in other ways:

True always-on experience by allowing user to stay longer in connected mode without compromising battery life (CPC). In addition, faster state transition allows users to move more rapidly between inactive and active states (enhanced Cell_FACH).

Up to 50% extended talk time3 through VoIP as compared with R99 CS voice, due to lower battery consumption (DRX and DTX).

50% reduction in the over-the-air call set-up time compared with HSPA R6, due to faster state transitions (enhanced Cell_FACH).

Better broadband experience with up to 28 Mbps peak data rates (42 Mbps in R8) on the downlink and 11 Mbps on the uplink.

Reduced latency for data services due to higher peak rates, faster state transition and true always-on, which enhances the user experience across an entire range of IP services.

DTX and DRX will wake up every 8 TTI (T1=T2=8).

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CPC allows packet data users to stay in the connected mode longer since the overhead channels can be gated off (DTX) and the reception turned off (DRX). An inactive user will have to move to the inactive state after some inactivity time, but CPC allows the user to stay longer in the connected state without significantly compromising the battery life. In addition to CPC, the enhanced Cell_FACH allows twice-as-fast transitions between active and inactive states compared with R6. Together, these features provide an enhanced user experience with a true always-on experience for data services such as push-to-talk (PTT) or for bursty HTTP traffic. The enhanced Cell_FACH is achieved by moving the transmission of the paging channel (PCH) and the intermediate Cell_FACH state to the highcapacity HSPA channel. This allows for much higher performance and thus reduced latency. The enhancements also reduce call set-up times through twice-as-fast transition from inactive mode (Cell-PCH) to active mode (Cell_FACH/DCH) for both data and voice services.

[7] HSPA+ Offers an Entire Range of IP Services

HSPA allows consumers and business users to rely on HSPA as their main broadband connection, and offers similar user experience across mobile and fixed networks. HSPAs high-capacity broadband uplink and downlink with integrated QoS and low latency support the entire range of IP services, including delay-sensitive applications such as telco-quality VoIP. HSPA+ further enhances the users experience and makes these services more affordable by lowering the cost through doubled data and voice capacity. Some examples of the range of IP services supported by HSPA and HSPA+ are: packet-based video telephony, video sharing, low-latency gaming, push-to-media, PTT, place shifting of media, and social networking. HSPAs QoS support also enables service tiering, which allows the network to assign users different levels of priority based on their subscription levels, which are tailored to each users needs.

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VIDEO SHARING

VIDEO

HSPA+ Offers Entire Range of IP Services

GAMES

PTT VoIP

MUSIC

The following section set forth the benefits of VoIP, one of the IP services that HSPA and HSPA+ supports. VoIP enables greater flexibility in mixing voice and data traffic, and enables new, richer voice services.

7.1 VoIP Enables Rich Services

Voice will continue to be a key service, and VoIP enables the transition to richer services and communication by simplifying the integration of simultaneous voice, the vast number of Internet data applications, and presence on a common packet data channel. VoIP allows for personalization and greater service flexibility, as a user can add and remove IP services and enrich the communication in real time. During an ongoing voice call, the user may decide to share video and thus share an experience instantaneously, or share music, video clips and pictures. The presence status of friends and co-workers allows the user to select from a variety of communication types such as instant messaging (IM), PTT or a voice call. Business users will also be more productive through richer communication and improved collaborative applications that combine voice and business applications.

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Rich voice enables cheaper and faster development of new services and applications. It enables the expansion of connectivity to a wider range of devices, consumer electronics and computing platforms with integrated applications that have a familiar look and feel. Rich VoIP over HSPA leverages converged applications that users are already accustomed to in wireline and WLAN.

7.2 VoIP Simplifies Fixed Mobile Convergence

Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) is taking place in many different forms. Moving voice to VoIP enables the key aspect of FMC: the opportunity to move all services and traffic to the packet domain with a common all-IP packet network. The gradual phase-out of the circuit-switched core network will reduce PSTN interconnection fees and tariffs for long distance. The converged all-IP core network for voice and data services will support different access technologies, creating synergies in operation and maintenance that reduce operational expenditure. Furthermore, it leverages existing, standard and scalable IP network elements, thus benefiting from the IP cost curve and reducing capital expenditure. VoIP offers better end-user experience through seamless connectivity at home, on the go, and at the office, with personalized, rich, always-on services regardless of location. The common IMS network ensures that the services are consistent across the different networks.

SW upgrade to RNC
Figure 6: HSPA+ Network Upgrades

Mainly SW upgrade to Node B

New backward compatible HSPA+ devices

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[8] Backward Compatibility and Leverage in a Large 3G Ecosystem

There are currently 174 commercial UMTS networks, and 128 of these have enabled HSPA (Figure 7) as of mid-2007. Operators have already made considerable capital investments in spectrum and network resources to enable UMTS and HSPA services. HSPA+ provides an excellent technology evolution path for these networks, and enables operators to maximize their return on investments. HSPA+ will ensure that these networks continue to provide performance comparable to that of next-generation technologies like LTE and UMB in a 5 MHz spectrum block.

WCDMA WCDMA + HSDPA

There Were More Than 137 Million UMTS Subscribers July 07 WCDMA: 174 Commercial Operators HSDPA: 128 Commercial Operators 53 Commercial Operators @ 3.6Mbps Figure 7: WCDMA and HSPA Deployments [Source: GSMA (Operators: July 2007), (Subscribers: June 2007)]

HSPA+ is designed to be compatible with existing R99, 5/6 devices and networks, and uses the same spectrum and network resources to deliver the enhanced performance. The existing radio and core network can be upgraded to HSPA+ without the need for adding any new network elements. Existing UMTS and new HSPA+ devices can roam seamlessly between R99 UMTS, HSPA and HSPA+ networks. Backward
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compatibility will enable operators to roll out HSPA+ features in phases, without concern about device/network incompatibility. Many of the features being defined (e.g., DTX/DRX and other enhancements) could be an easy software upgrade to the existing base stations. By deploying HSPA+, wireless operators will benefit tremendously from the vast 3GPP device and vendor ecosystem that provides economies-of-scale benefits to the 3GPP community. Operators have greater flexibility in selecting vendors, and have a larger choice of devices and terminals that they can potentially offer to their customers at an affordable price. This wide vendor support and backward compatibility also enables operators to deploy HSPA+ in a timely manner and gives them a timeto-market advantage compared with other competing technologies. Initial HSPA+ device and network support will be available in late 2008.

[9] The Optimal Solution in 5 MHz

HSPA+ is an incremental upgrade of the existing HSPA networks, using the same spectrum and network resources. HSPA+ performance in 5 MHz is comparable to that of next-generation OFDMA technologies, such as LTE or UMB, using same number of antennas. Figure 8 shows the comparable capacity of HSPA+ and LTE in a 5 MHz system. Given the advantages of backward compatibility and superior system performance, HSPA+ presents as the optimal solution for upgrade of the existing HSPA networks and for new or re-farmed 5 MHz spectrum blocks. 3GPP is also working on LTE, which is the next-generation, OFDMA based system supported by a new core network called EPC. Throughout the design of LTE and EPC, emphasis is placed on ensuring interoperability with existing 3GPP technologies like UMTS and GSM. This will ensure that HSPA+ and LTE co-exist and that LTE will complement HSPA+, providing a capacity boost in high-demand areas. Initial deployments of LTE will be more suited for urban hot spots, whereas HSPA+ will cover the existing vast HSPA footprint.

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HSPA+ will ensure a consistent user experience across the entire network, and it allows the operator to roll out LTE in phases, such that LTE is first deployed in dense urban areas and then gradually expanded. The common IMS network enables users to experience the same services across the entire network, irrespective of LTE coverage.

7.81 6.18

8.1

2.3X

2.4X

1.8X
3.44

1X

R6 HSPA baseline (RxDiv)

R6 HSPA (RxDiv+EQ)

R7 HSPA+ (2x2 MIMO)

LTE 2x2 MU-MIMO

Source: Qualcomm Simulations, 500m ISD, LTE results scaled down from 10MHz. HSPA+: 16/64QAM not considered. Details in 3GPP R1-070674. Figure 8: Downlink Data Capacity per Sector Mbps (5 Mhz)

Given the early availability of HSPA+ in 2008, HSPA+ and its evolution remains the most optimal solution for existing HSPA/WCDMA operators. For new operators that are planning on launching 3G UMTS networks, HSPA provides a proven technology with economies of scale in device and network procurement.

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[10] Conclusion
HSPA+ is the natural and most economical evolution from HSPA, allowing UMTS operators to make the most efficient use of their existing assets and investments in network, spectrum and devices. HSPA+ is backward compatible, allowing for a gradual introduction of devices and a smooth, cost-efficient and simple network upgrade to existing HSPA nodes. Thanks to three times the voice and two times the data capacity, HSPA+ lowers the cost of delivering voice and data services enabling operators to offer mobile broadband at an even lower cost. Moving voice to VoIP over HSPA not only more than doubles the voice capacity; it also significantly increases the data capacity. HSPA supports the entire range of IP services; HSPA+ further enhances the end-user experience through higher peak rates, lower latency, extended talk time through VoIP, and a true always-on experience.

2007 Qualcomm Incorporated. All rights reserved. Qualcomm asserts that all information is correct through November 2007.

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