HSDPA
HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) : A new mobile-telephony protocol that’s often called 3.5G or 4G Internet. Its purpose is to increase the download speeds of the WCDMA networks. Other technologies it competes with include CDMA2000 1x (or CDMA2000 1xEV-DO), as well as data communication standards such as WiMax. Cingular announced in December that it plans to deploy UMTS with expansion to HSDPA in 18 markets. By the end of 2006, Cingular will have UMTS service in the top 100 markets in the United States. Cingular currently has 16 cities using HSDPA with speeds of 400kbps to 700kbps under the brand name BroadbandConnect. Cingular faces competitive pressure from operators such as Verizon Wireless and Sprint, which are using EV-DO.
