A significant number of mobile operators will be upgrading from HSPDA to HSPA+ technology as an interim stop gap before eventually migrating to LTE, according to the latest report from EJL Wireless Research titled “3GPP Release 7 HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA) Network Migration Analysis.”

“LTE technology remains on the longer term horizon but HSPA+ is here and now. The increase of UMTS downlink speeds of up to 21 Mbps peak will significantly improve the consumer’s mobile broadband experience. While mobile operators are migrating towards Evolved HSPA (HSPA+), many questions remain: How will operators implement 64-QAM and MIMO in HSPA+ Node B sites? How will UMTS/WCDMA be implemented through spectrum refarming? We have completed a detailed technical analysis on both issues, highlighting opportunities for suppliers to benefit from this migration,” said founder and president, Earl Lum.

“Given the economic uncertainty through 2009 and 2010, it is clear that mobile operators will upgrade to HSPA+ technology during 2009-2011. Furthermore, the drive for higher spectral efficiency will mean that mobile operators need to begin planning on CAPEX for 900 MHz refarming during this timeframe,” said Lum.

The report includes detailed analysis for the following mobile equipment vendors: Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Huawei Technologies, NEC, Nokia Siemens Networks and ZTE. Detailed block diagrams for RF filters, duplexers, multicarrier power amplifiers (MCPA) and antennas are included.