18 February 2009
Vodafone has carried out successful mobile broadband tests demonstrating speeds of up to 20 megabits per second (mbps).
The company has its HSPA+ MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology on its Spanish network, beating previous tests achieving 3G data connections of up to 16mbps.
The company currently offers speeds of around 7mbps, but the latest trials could see this increase in the months ahead.
"Breaking the 20mbps peak speed barrier in tests through HSPA+ MIMO is yet another key milestone in the evolution of 3G mobile broadband technology," said Vodafone global networks director Andy MacLeod.
He said the trials "raise the prospect of higher network performance" for Vodafone customers in certain mobile broadband hotspots.
Tim Lord, regulatory director at Hutchison 3G, said recently that mobile broadband had proved extremely popular in the UK.
He said figures from Ofcom show that around 12% of consumers have already swapped their fixed-line broadband for mobile services.