Final trials of broadband upgrade
PCCW may launch a mobile broadband network upgrade as early as this quarter with download speeds of up to 21 megabits per second, a company executive said yesterday.
Tom Chan, consumer group managing director at PCCW, said the company was in the final stage of an internal trial on the upgrade of a mobile data card for laptops to ensure the device could deliver a maximum download speed of 21Mbps.
Mr Chan said PCCW was working with network vendor Huawei Technologies on the upgrade.
PCCW will soon join rival CSL New World Mobility in providing mobile broadband services based on high-speed packet access plus (HSPA+) technology - an upgrade from the existing third-generation mobile network (3G), with download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps.
The news comes a week after SmarTone-Vodafone accused CSL of failing to deliver its advertised download speeds of up to 21Mbps.
SmarTone said it tested the download speeds in April and found they ranged from 2Mbps to 7Mbps. SmarTone filed a complaint to the telecoms watchdog Ofta.
'We are also working on enhancing the device to prevent overheating,' Mr Chan said. 'The device is connecting to a much speedier network than previously. We hope the new service can be launched within the third quarter.'
PCCW said the new HSPA+ network would be supported by its optical-fibre network, which was connected to the mobile network base stations. The firm had demonstrated the new technology last year.
PCCW is now competing in the mobile broadband services market with other mobile operators such as Hutchison Telecom, CSL and SmarTone. The service allows users to connect to the internet elsewhere under mobile-network coverage for a flat rate that starts from HK$188, with download speeds of 3.6Mbps.
In March, CSL launched the city's first HSPA+ mobile broadband service, built by mainland telecoms equipment vendor ZTE Corp.
A person close to ZTE said the companies had discussed the download speed issue and had decided not to argue with SmarTone about CSL's network performance.
Meanwhile, PCCW will launch a pocket Wi-fi service to boost mobile data use. Mr Chan said the service, supported by a palm-sized mobile broadband modem, could convert the HSPA network signal into a Wi-fi signal to connect up to five devices.
