Icera rolls out 21Mbps HSPA+ as Software Upgrade

Icera has announced that its HSPA+ soft modem, supporting HSPA+ Release 7 features to deliver 21Mbps peak data rates and 5.76Mbps in the uplink, is now shipping to lead customers. Icera's advantage is to offer 21Mbps HSPA+ as a software upgrade to its current HSPA 14Mbps platform, using the same silicon.

The company expects to see Icera-based Mobile Broadband devices at 21Mbps HSPA+ launched on major carriers networks from Q2 2010 in line with HSPA+ network upgrade roll outs globally. Several customers are already shipping Icera-powered devices at 14Mbps and 10.2Mbps.

Steve Allpress, CTO and VP Modem Software of Icera Inc., said: "HSPA+ is gaining increasing traction with operators looking to maximize the return from their investment in 3G networks, while increasing network capacity in response to the unprecedented demand for mobile data. Icera's soft modem technology enables us to maintain a lead in modem performance, allowing our customers to respond quickly to operator demand for the latest technologies and providing end-users with a better Mobile Broadband experience."

According to the GSA, 21Mbps HSPA+ is expected to be a major network node for 2010, with 80 HSPA+ network commitments as of February 2010 and 36 initial HSPA+ 21Mbps networks launched to date.