High-speed packet access technology through a special incoming channel - this is how HSDPA stands for. What it is and what are the advantages of this format, today only a small number of users know, but communication is quite common today. And if just a few years ago, most experts only thought about what it is and what future this format can expect, today ordinary subscribers actively use such a connection, which is being distributed as a “fourth generation connection” 4G.
Why is it needed?
The overall situation in 3G networks is bleak to say the least, and this is the main reason why many providers are interested in HSDPA connection. What it is - users do not know, but the abbreviation 4G attracts more than 3G, as it is perceived as something faster and more productive.
Few people know that in the early 2000s, CDMA and HSDPA operators in Europe paid more than $100 billion just to get a license to deploy a 3G network. Thus,many cellular companies were in astronomical debt, and as a result, they simply fell into a trap in the end. After all, the thing is that until recently there were no 3G phones on the market at all, and therefore there was no way to gain the required number of subscribers, which would allow recouping the invested funds.
HSDPA - the mobile internet of today
Of course, recently there has been an active development among those companies that once invested in 3G, as well as HSDPA. What it is? This is the output of a large number of phones that have the ability to use 3G as an active Internet connection with the ability to extremely quickly process various information through the network. In our time, almost every modern phone that has been released in the past few years is without fail equipped with the ability to access 3G. After all, in times of ubiquity of the Internet, it is simply unthinkable to use the slow old connections, which are characterized by extremely low speed.
Who uses it?
In the mobile market more and more often devices are beginning to appear, which, in addition to 3G, also support HSDPA technology. What is it and what are the advantages of this technology over GPRS, modern users often do not know, so many ask quite logical questions: is it worth buying such a phone and will it be more productive in terms of accessing the Internet.
Many habitually consider this technology as a transitional step to a faster network called 4G, as this network works well in urban areas and can be easily used indoors.
What are its benefits?
This technology can simultaneously serve a number of users through the use of multiplexing technology with time and code distribution. The main principle of HSDPA is more data, more and more speed. This is what makes this network one of the most optimal for handling intermittent traffic in a multi-user environment.
This technology is based on the following elements:
- Adaptive QPSK and 16 QAM coding and modulation schemes.
- A specialized relay protocol.
- Continuous traffic queuing to Node B using MAC-high speed protocol.
This technology takes modern multimedia services to a whole new level, allowing subscribers to enjoy a much faster connection. This is due to the fact that, due to the extremely high values of the speed of sending information, a meager delay is provided, but at the same time the amount of data sent increases.
How is it used?
The description and information of HSDPA reveal the main purpose of this network - to provide the most efficientthe use of the radio frequency spectrum in the process of servicing various services that necessitate the extremely high speed of data exchange of users through downstream channels, such as access to the Internet, as well as downloading files.
This network was first introduced to users for the first time in the 3GPP standard version 5. Theoretically, having normalized cell sizes, using this technology, it is quite possible to provide a speed of about 10 Mbps. The maximum speed within such limits is 14.4 Mbps, but in fact it is almost impossible to achieve such a speed.
Subsequent development of 3GPP standards is heading towards marginal speed increases, whereby it can be expected to start reaching 20-30 Mbps over time. The MIMO function, as well as new ways to use antenna arrays, should help achieve such speeds.
Should I use it?
Now on a practical level, speeds up to 42 Mbps are realized, and in theory, when the 11th release of the 3GPP standard is observed, the speed will already be approximately 337 Mbps. To date, always in the UMTS HSDPA 3G network, however, the speed still leaves much to be desired, although it is more than acceptable for mobile devices.
Thanks to a good data exchange rate, high quality of a permanent connection, as well as almost uninterrupted operation, this format was able to completely change the perceptions of users of various gadgets aboutwhat constitutes a third generation compound. However, some operators often force HSDPA to be disabled, which can be quite unpleasant.
WCDMA or HSDPA?
The capacious abbreviation 3G includes a huge number of technologies that are combined under the common name "third generation connection". In particular, the most common today are HSDPA and WCDMA, which hide a variety of communication technologies that are essentially third-generation, but are completely different.
If we consider and compare these technologies, then HSDPA is more advanced, and this is not surprising, since it was developed somewhat later than WCDMA and allows you to achieve higher communication speeds. Thus, if the latest technology provides a speed of no more than 3.6 Mbps, then in HSDPA in theory it can even reach approximately 42 Mbps, although in practice such values are, of course, far from such. It is worth noting that the communication of this format can be simply called HSPA, representing a combination of two formats - HSUPA and HSDPA. What is HSUPA and HSDPA in this version? This is the simultaneous acceleration of outgoing and incoming connections.
Which is better?
In practice, it is difficult to choose what is still better, and you can vote for WCDMA or HSDPA Internet, depending on the situation and needs. The choice between such networks is often made by owners of 3G modems,supporting two formats at once, as well as the telecom operator connected to them. People can start such thoughts because of different stability or the presence of an uncertain coverage. It is worth noting that sometimes there are situations when both communication standards can be used in the same apartment, while only WCDMA is used in another room. It should also be said that frequent switching can be critical if you need continuous communication, and this should also be considered.
