o2 uk: 128Kb/s is all its 3G customers need

PixelTrawler

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/09/o2_speed_limits/

Is this the same here - in the UK, 02 are limiting 3g users to 128K

Also they have stopped describing it as broadband - now they call it a "High speed network"

Might stop Ryan celebrating the strength of "mobile broadband" if its the case here too

watty

This is about 3G phones. Not HSDPA phones or Modems.

HSDPA runs on 3G.
Plain 3G steals multiple 3G voice call bandwidth UPTO 384k. HSDPA can pinch UP TO the entire sector bandwidth of 3G base which is 1.8, 3.6, 7.2 or 14.4 Mbps.

Note the higher rates have MUCH MUCH shorter range.

PixelTrawler

Yeah its about phones alright but the article does mention that regardless of hsdpa or not, you can be limited to 128kbs (again about phones and the UK)

Probably some users do try and use their 3g phones as a modem so it might just be a limitation here too to be aware off

Those speeds are per cell right, its divided among all users?

watty

I beleive multiple users can get 128k or 384k on 3G. HSDPA is essentially combining the multiple 3G connections for fewer people. On a busy sector then there is no difference between 128k 3G and HSDPA.

HSDPA is essentially smoke and mirrors of value to users only on underused sectors. It's of little value to Mobile ISP other than marketing hype.

PixelTrawler

All the more reason it shouldnt be called broadband...

Didnt realise that about HSDPA. thanks Watty

ednwireland

err this may be off the wall but its not to stop other phones looking 3 times faster than an iphone is it ?
wouldn't surprise me if there throttling the bandwidth until the 3g iphone comes out