Future 3G Devices Will Be Able to Connect to Multiple Cells at Once

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/53126.php?s=h

Operators will be able to offer enhanced mobile broadband with a new feature for HSPA+ networks from Nokia Siemens Networks and Qualcomm.

Known as HSPA+ Multiflow, it allows devices located close to the edge of a mobile base station's cell to connect with a second base station serving a neighboring cell. The 'Multiflow' name refers to the two different paths data can then take to reach a device. The feature makes far more efficient use of network resources, delivering up to double the data speed and up to 50% faster response compared to existing HSPA+ networks.

"With 100 million smart devices being added every month, we see a consequent increase in 'smart' applications that make use of their advanced capabilities. Not only is network traffic rising dramatically, much of it is also unpredictable in nature, and this can impact user experience," said Keith Sutton, head of the WCDMA business line for Nokia Siemens Networks. "This is where HSPA+ Multiflow helps operators - it reduces imbalances that typically occur in network resource usage, and increases HSPA+ speed and capacity."

HSPA+ Multiflow enables simultaneous transmission of two data streams from base stations in two adjacent cells to a single user device instead of one data stream from one base station as is the case with HSPA+ today. Overall, this can up to double throughput (data speeds) for users at cell edge.

The HSPA+ Multiflow feature is expected to be 3GPP standardized by mid 2012, and will be available commercially from Nokia Siemens Networks by second half of 2013.