Vodafone achieves 16Mbps mobile broadband speed

Vodafone has achieved download speeds of 16Mbps during mobile broadband trials in Spain. It's now aiming to achieve 21Mbps in the next few weeks, which would mean consumer speeds of around 13Mbps. The tests combined new HSPA+ and 64QAM technology along with MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) - multiple antennae on base stations and data devices. 64QAM and MIMO both require new HSPA+ mobile broadband devices, so these speeds won't be available on any current mobile equipment. [Press release]

Nokia to launch 3G dongle in 2009

Nokia says it'll start selling its first 3G internet modem in early 2009, according to press reports. [Source: WashingtonPost.com]

3G laptops over-hyped according to report

The short-term importance of laptops and netbooks with built-in 3G or WIMAX capabilities has been significantly over-estimated, according to a new report from Disruptive Analysis. It says end-users currently favour external plug-in equipment, such as USB 'dongles', and will continue to do so for several years. However, it says devices with 'embedded' mobile broadband will eventually overtake separate modems, although not all wireless-equipped devices will have their built-in service activated. [Press release]

Ofcom report shows UK top for mobile broadband coverage

Ofcom has published its third annual International Communications Market Report, which looks at take-up, availability and use of broadband, landlines, mobiles, TV and radio in a number of countries. Some of the key mobile-related points include:

• HSDPA mobile broadband availability covers 87% of the UK population; the highest of all 16 countries surveyed.
• In all of the countries covered by the report, total mobile revenues last year were higher than fixed-line voice and broadband combined.
• Mobile call volumes grew by 21% in the UK during 2007. However, increases in call volumes have not been matched by corresponding increases in retail revenue.
• Text messaging volumes increased by 36% in the UK, 90% in Poland and over 100% in the US and Canada.

[Ofcom report]

50 million mobile broadband users worldwide

The GSM Association says there are now over 50 million mobile broadband users worldwide - and they're expecting the number of users to be growing at more than 4 million a month by the end of the year. This compares with just 11 million users last year. Their figures are based on the number of High Speed Packet Access users who are connecting via 191 compatible mobile networks around the world. Current UK sales of USB Mobile Broadband dongles are said to be over 100,000 per month. [Sources: Press release; Mobile News]

Mobile broadband connections increase ten-fold in 12 months

Global trade body the GSM Association has calculated that there are now more than 32 million mobile broadband connections worldwide - compared with just over 3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2007. They say there are now 166 High Speed Packet Access 3G networks in 73 countries around the world. The GSMA also recorded a 44% increase in the number of mobile broadband-enabled networks and an estimated 265% growth in HSPA devices. [Press release]

3 and T-Mobile joining forces on 3G

T-Mobile and 3 have signed an agreement to combine their individual 3G networks, creating Britain's largest 3G (and HSDPA) network. The combined network is expected to provide almost complete population coverage for 3G services across Britain by the end of 2008. [Source: Press release]