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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into High-Speed Downlink
Packet Access. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2009.
Dual-Cell HSDPA (also known as: Dual-Carrier HSPA or Dual-Cell HSPA) is a wireless
broadband standard based on HSPA that is defined in 3GPP UMTS release 8.
Dual Cell (DC-)HSDPA is the natural evolution of HSPA by means of carrier aggregation in the
downlink
[1]
. UMTS licenses are often issued as 10 or 15 MHz paired spectrum allocations. The
basic idea of the multicarrier feature is to achieve better resource utilization and spectrum
efficiency by means of joint resource allocation and load balancing across the downlink carriers.
An advanced HSPA network can theoretically support up to 28 Mbit/s and 42 Mbit/s with a
single 5 MHz carrier for Rel7 (MIMO with 16QAM) and Rel8 (64-QAM + MIMO), in good
channel condition with low correlation between transmit antennas. An alternative method to
double the data rates is to double the bandwidth, i.e. 10 MHz by using DC-HSDPA.
Additionally, some diversity and joint scheduling gains can also be expected
[2]
with improved
QoS for end users in poor environment conditions where existing techniques such as MIMO
spatial multiplexing cannot be used to increase data rates. In 3GPP a study item was completed
in June 2008. The outcome can be found in a technical report
[3]
. New HSDPA User Equipment
categories 21-24 have been introduced that support DC-HSDPA. DC-HSDPA can support up to
42Mbit/s, but unlike HSPA, it does not need to rely on MIMO transmission.
From Release 9 onwards it will be possible to use DC-HSDPA in combination with MIMO used
on both carrier
[4]
. The support of MIMO in combination with DC-HSDPA will allow operators
deploying Release 7 MIMO to benefit from the DC-HSDPA functionality as defined in Release
8. While in Release 8 DC-HSPDA can only operate on adjacent carriers, Release 9 allow that the
paired cells can operate on two different frequency bands.
Contents
[hide]
1 Deployments
2 References
3 Literature
4 External links
[edit] Deployments
The specification was completed in December 2008. Telstra in Australia announced they had
implemented the protocol in their live NextG network on 18 January 2010. On 15 February 2010
they announced that the upgrade had been completed to section of their network in capital cities
and major regional centers. As of July 2010, two devices were available; a USB device
manufactured by Sierra Wireless, the AirCard 312U, and a portable WiFi hot spot device.
In August 2010, Telus in Canada announced that they have completed tests and are working to
deploy in the first quarter of 2011.
[5]

In October 2010, Vodafone in Portugal announced
[6]
a commercial offer of 43.2 Mbit/s
download and 11.4 Mbit/s upload. The service is currently available in Lisbon.
On Nov 18 2010, Bell Canada announced it would begin doubling its network speeds to
42 Mbit/s beginning Nov 23 2010 using HSPA+ Dual Cell technology.
[7]

On December 3, 2010, E Mobile in Japan announced the availability of 42 Mbit/s service based
upon DC-HSDPA.
[8]

On March 10, 2011, SaskTel announced that Dual-Cell HSPA+ will be available in Saskatoon
and Regina by the summer.
[9]
SaskTel also announced that the first device to take advantage of
this new technology will be the Novatel Wireless MC547 Mobile Internet Stick.
On August 23, 2011, Telenor Hungary started Dual-Cell HSPA+ service in Budapest and its
surroundings.
[10]

In 2011, Viva Telecom Kuwait started offering Dual-Cell HSPA+ to its customers.
[11]

In 2011, Personal; a Telecom Argentina / Telecom Italia subsidiary in Paraguay, started offering
Dual-Cell HSPA+ to its customers.
[12]

Also in 2011 two carriers in Finland, Elisa and DNA started offering "4G" backed up by Dual-
Cell HSPA+ whereas LTE coverage is merely spotty in nature.
[13]

[14]

In february 2012, Personal from Paraguay started offering Dual-Carrier HSPA+ to its customers.
[15]