Rogers Readies Canada’s First HSDPA Mobile Data Network

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Rogers Readies Canada’s First HSDPA Mobile Data Network

7:10 am on February 14, 2006 | Category: Wireless Technology, Telecom Services, Mobile Devices

Rogers Communications announced on Monday that is has awarded a contract to Ericsson Canada to supply wireless networking technology for Rogers’ new mobile data network, which will be faster than any existing wireless network in Canada.

The new UMTS/HSDPA-based technology will be 8 to 10 times faster than the existing EDGE data network, which Rogers uses to service 94% of Canada’s populated areas. It will also be up to twice as fast as the EV-DO networks recently created by Bell and Telus.

“Customers, we think, will see the same kind of quantum increase in utility and benefit that they did when they moved from dial-up (Internet) on their computers to high-speed Internet,” said Rogers Wireless president, Rob Bruce in a recent interview.

Rogers also revealed that the network will be ready for commercial launch by fall 2006, earlier than previously anticipated. Three to five HSDPA-compatible handsets, as well as two AirCards for use in laptops, will be on the market in Canada by the end of this year, the company announced.

Perhaps this quickening of pace is due in part to a recent Bell’s recent commercial that made fun of Rogers for having a slower data network, or maybe Rogers is just anxious to increase its mobile data revenues beyond the $91.5 million earned last quarter.

One thing is clear though; as the biggest cell phone provider in Canada, Rogers is intent on recapturing its claim to the fastest network in the country. And when they do it, they’ll certainly be giving consumers another little something to get excited about.

2 Comments »

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Competition ie GOOD. Now Telus is mocking Rogers in radio ads. I got EDGE card Friday and returned it Monday. It’s pathetic, compared to EVDO. I’m trying to get on beta test….

Comment by Mike Low — March 12, 2006 #
how can I get Rob Bruce e-mail address?

Comment by Peter — December 2, 2007 #