Nokia and Vodafone Italy make 3G HSDPA call with commercial hardware

August 9, 2005

Vodafone Italy and Nokia have successfully made the first data connection with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) using fully commercial WCDMA 3G network equipment. The call obtained extremely good user data speeds of 1.5 Mbps, demonstrating the clear benefits that HSDPA will bring to the service experience of 3G subscribers, as well as the capabilities of the Nokia solution.

The end-to-end call took place at Vodafone Italy test facilities according to Nokia's expected HSDPA development timetable, and utilized a commercial UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) provided by Nokia as well as HSDPA-capable end-user equipment.

"This is a significant step on our successful journey in packet data evolution, and we are very pleased to be taking it with Vodafone Italy," said Giuseppe Donagemma, Vice President, Networks, Nokia. "It is concrete proof that Nokia's HSDPA solution is ready to enhance WCDMA 3G with a greatly increased data speeds. It also highlights the strong ten-year partnership between Nokia and Vodafone Italy, as we continue working together to shape the future of communications."

"The exhibited performance demonstrates that HSDPA has become reality and delivers amazing customer experience", said Didier Lebrat, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Italy. "This is an important milestone that make very confident in the first coming HSDPA upgrade of our UMTS infrastructure."