T-Mobile USA launches 42Mbps HSPA+ network upgrade

T-Mobile USA said it has doubled the headline speeds of its HSPA+ network to 42Mbps in 55 US markets, taking the fight to rival LTE network operators. It will this week release a mobile broadband dongle capable of making use of the increased speeds, the ZTE manufactured T-Mobile Rocket 3.0.

The device will cost $99.99 after a $50 mail in rebate, on a two year service agreement.

T-Mobile makes the move as it prepares to be bought out by AT&T, pending approval by the FCC. AT&T recently demoed a working LTE network claiming it would deliver speeds of up to 28.7Mbps. While T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network speed nominally exceeds this, the company has not made any claims of the real-world speed it expects customers using the service to receive. However, in a statement it did say that it expected its customers to “experience more consistent 4G speeds when creating and sharing mobile content, streaming and connecting through mobile video, and participating in multiplayer gaming”.

“We are continuing the aggressive expansion of America’s Largest 4G Network, and also doubling our speeds in more than 50 markets this month,” said Neville Ray, chief technology officer, T-Mobile USA, in a statement. “While customers with existing 3G and 4G devices will benefit from our continued network enhancements, new devices like the new Rocket 3.0 laptop stick will enable customers to reap the benefits of even faster 4G speeds.”

T-Mobile USA is currently the fourth largest operator in the US with 10.47 per cent market share according to Informa WCIS statistics. The leading operator Verizon wireless recently announced that it has expanded its LTE network to a total of 55 US markets.

The fourth annual LTE North America Conference takes place in Texas, US, November 8-9