Bytemobile to double HSDPA network speeds

November 30, 2005

Bytemobile, experts in content-dynamic networking services, announced that its newest version of optimization software designed specifically for high-speed, mobile broadband networks is showing a speed-up of up to 2x on HSDPA networks. The software-based solution, called the Optimization Services Node (OSN), specifically enhances each data packet and enables mobile operators to improve the end-user experience while increasing network capacity.

Bytemobile's optimization solutions power more than 60 mobile networks supporting three quarters of a billion subscribers in 30 countries. For many operator groups, the Bytemobile OSN is the de facto dynamic optimization standard and has proven effective in driving data subscriber adoption and usage rates.

"Our customers recognize that applications using Internet protocols such as HTTP or TCP encounter inherent limitations on achieving a true broadband-like experience," says David Nowicki, Bytemobile's vice president of product marketing. "As customers build out their next generation of data networks -- which for many of them is HSDPA -- Bytemobile's OSN solution will allow them to reap the same rewards in these new higher-speed networks that they enjoy in their 2.5 and 3G networks."

HSDPA, also called 3.5G, is the follow-on high-speed network to UMTS (3G) networks. The HSDPA specification calls out data rates of up to 14 Mbps; however, practical performance in typical wide area networks averages about 700 kbps and is even lower in a loaded network. In a report released by Motorola on November 7, 2005, latency was cited as a major factor in underperformance of HSDPA networks below theoretical and expected levels, especially for certain applications such as web surfing.

Bytemobile tested the new version of the OSN, which includes features that dramatically diminish the effects of network latency, in conjunction with a major European-based infrastructure provider in an HSDPA trial environment. The tests used a client-server version of the OSN software and measured dynamic optimization improvements using TCP applications on a laptop. Performance improvements showed a 2x speedup, or an effective throughput boost from 700 kbps to 1,400 kbps. Bytemobile's OSN added 700 kbps to the web surfing experience.

"The twofold improvement was for laptop-based usage," Nowicki points out. "Web surfing speed-up on a handset is likely to be even greater."

"We're committed to helping operators make the most of their networks," says Steve Livingston, Bytemobile vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "In addition to the speed-up for effective data rates, operators can also experience data reduction and capacity increases of 3x to 4x, which reduce the cost of delivery by an equivalent amount. A great user experience and greater network efficiency deliver an improved ROI. That's critical in today's financial markets, where there is so much pressure to reduce CAPEX and OPEX."