Proximus upgrades its 3G network to HSDPA
June 7, 2006
Proximus is the first Belgian mobile operator to launch 3G Broadband for professional and residential customers: superfast mobile Internet via the 3G network. 3G Broadband allows to browse with a similar comfort as with a fast internet connection at home or in the office. Proximus is upgrading its 3G network with HSDPA technology to bring the fast 3G Broadband onto the market, enabling download speeds of up to 1.8 Mbit/s now and speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s by the end of this year. From 15 June, 3G Broadband will be available in seven cities and by the end of this year, the entire Proximus 3G network with a coverage of more than 80% of the population, will be equipped with HSDPA technology. Proximus is offering professional and residential customers the 3G Broadband Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard for laptops for fast mobile broadband.
Proximus, which is still the only operator in Belgium to offer 3G services for residential and professional customers, announces today another first: 3G Broadband, superfast mobile Internet. Proximus's 3G network that allows videotelephony and television on mobile phones, is being upgraded with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology, making fast mobile broadband possible. With 3G Broadband, Proximus customers will now have the customer experience which they have grown accustomed at home or in the office.
3G Broadband: similar comfort as with a fast internet connection at home or in the office
HSDPA technology, provided by Nokia, is an improvement to the existing Proximus 3G network. 3G Broadband is up to five times faster than 3G, which has a download speed of up to 384 Kb/s. With this new technology, download speeds of up to 1.8 Mbit/s can now be achieved, making 3G Broadband comparable with the customer experience of a fast internet connection at home or in the office. At the end of 2006 Proximus will offer download speed of up to 3.6 Mbit/s with HSDPA.
3G Broadband Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard
With the 3G Broadband Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard, also compatible with 3G, GPRS and EDGE laptop users can have mobile broadband Internet at their disposal. With the datacard, the users quickly and easily achieve a wireless connection with the Internet, e-mail and business data while they are out and about. Proximus will launch the first HSDPA PDA this summer and expects the first HSDPA mobile phones end 2006.
3G Broadband in seven cities as from 15 June and more than 80% coverage end 2006
From 15 June, 3G Broadband will be available in seven cities: Antwerp, Brussels, Charleroi, Ghent, Leuven, Liθge and Namur. By the end of this year, the entire Proximus 3G network will be equipped with HSDPA technology. The Proximus 3G network will then cover over 80% of the Belgian population. Abroad, Proximus customers can use 3G services in 34 countries.
Rate plans for mobile Internet (via HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE or GPRS)
Residential customers: Mobile Internet Evening & Weekend
For residential customers Proximus offers Mobile Internet Evening & Weekend for browsing during off-peak times (19 h to 7 h), at the weekend and on public holidays.
Promotional offer until 31 July: 25.99/month for Mobile Internet Evening & Weekend with free Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard if a 12-month contract (3OOMB included for national use) is entered into. During peak times or once the 300 MB have been used up: 0.61/MB (incl. VAT, billed per 100kB). After the promotion Mobile Internet Evening & Weekend is available for 34.99/month.
Professional customers
Mobile Internet No Limit is one of the offers for professional customers. For 55 per month the user can make unrestricted (up to 1GB national use in Belgium; 0.5/MB if the volume exceeds 1GB) use of mobile Internet.
Promotional offer from 15 June till 30 September: on each registration for a Mobile Internet No Limit 12-month subscription the customer receives a free 3G Broadband Vodafone Mobile Connect data card or 3 months of free Mobile Internet No Limit.
The 3G Broadband Vodafone Mobile Connect datacard, also compatible with 3G, GPRS and EDGE, costs 239 (incl.VAT).
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