The infrastructure builder of the network has not named customers yet for DFCA but has outlined that software, more than hardware, would achieve much of the necessary work.

The implementation of the DFCA could be helpful in alleviating the congestion due to the ever growing number of smartphones, which triggered slowdowns in the United States on AT&T’s network, but was also supposed to cause problems on O2 in the United Kingdom, SoftBank in Japan as well as in other networks including large numbers of users owning Android devices and iPhones. In many cases, voice is overtaken by data and here is where DFCA or equivalents intervene by re-prioritizing networks without needing to add equipment immediately.

AT&T and other carriers do not use Nokia Siemens hardware for their networks and therefore would not perceive uniform benefits without having to change hardware.

We did not find many specifications about the new model but it is almost sure that they will use the 45nm Pine Trail-based Atom technology and put in a 1.66GHz Atom N450 to extend the battery life with 20 percent more. Beside all of these we do not have any other information on the new notebook.

The first models should appear on the market before CES somewhere after January 4th but until then Toshiba will probably release other new models.

Based on the same ARM7 core like the fast Snapdragon processor of Qualcomm, it will support speeds and features found on modern smartphones, with clock speeds between 800MHz and 1Gz, integrated graphics core, 720-pixel video encoding and decoding at up to thirty frames per second, 12-megapixel photo processing, OpenGL ES 2.0 for 3D rendering, 5.1-channel surround sound and built-in GPS receiver. Test samples of the processor are already sent to customers, including single-mode GSM/HSPA+ MSM7230 chipset. It will probably reach shipping products in 2010, before the end of the year, and will be accompanied by MSM9200, high-end hybrid chip, able to support both HSPA+ and the LTE standard for 4G future service on carriers worldwide.

The release of the MSM7630 chipset is a pro argument for those saying a dual-mode iPhone, with a Qualcomm chipset instead of Samsung or Infineon components, would enable Apple to ship the iPhone to Verizon without building a CDMA/EVDO version. The dual-mode iPhone could operate in both Verizon and AT&T networks. The acquisition of PA Semi was believed to provide custom-designed chipsets for devices like the iPhone, but it seems the only PS Semi-made device for next year will not be a smartphone, but the Apple tablet.

Electronista had the chance to test new HSPA+ 3G service from Rogers’ to find out what advantages T-Mobile USA customers will get in the future. Rogers’ device, that has a peak speed of 21Mbps, is as faster as three times than the best devices in the country.

Rogers usually rebrands its modems, naming them “Rocket Sticks”, and makes their design spicier. Modems often have unattractive names given by their manufacturers. Rogers has chosen the ZTE MH668 for its own HSPA+ network. The modem presents a retractable USB plug and relies on a microSDHC card slot to add supplementary memory. The device is functional but a weak point could be the thin plastic shell, which seems somehow fragile. On the other hand, the modem being fairly wide, problems could occur when plugging it in small notebooks with USB ports situated very close together. ZTE and Rogers provide a USB pass-through cable, which allows access to obscured ports by presenting a supplementary port for other USB devices. It fits in very tight places, like is the case of the MacBook Air for example.

The set up of the ZTE MF668 modem is similar to that of other modems. On Windows or Mac, the usual procedure is plugging in the modem and, if this is the first time, to load the installer for the Connection Manager automatically or from the previously mounted modem. The application is auto configured to connect onlineut the staff of Electronista found out that it does not work properly in Mac OS X Snow Leopard. It recognizes the network but generates a PPP error whenever trying to connect. The only solution found is a sequence of terminal commands to use the built-in 3G modem support of Snow Leopard to make the connection and to prevent the Connection Manager from loading. This can be quickly implemented and works very well, without affecting any feature. It is understandable that Rogers will not provide help for this kind of setup. Rogers was contacted about this issue and it seems an answer will come soon. Users of the newer Mac operating system will either follow the above-mentioned instructions or wait for an update of the Connection Manager.

Speed tests were performed to see if the modem really complies with technical specifications. The modem did not reach the peak speed of 21Mbps as specified in the HSPA+, but maybe this is not so important, as many carriers admit a slow-down exists when connecting to the network, compared to the maximum speed granted by the specifications. However, the speed was close enough to the maximum one and greater than earlier HSPA. Indoors and outdoors, were both tested and an average of 6.75Mbps downstream together with 2Mbps upstream was observed. Both are more than three times faster than usually seen on the regular HSPA service of Rogers. This is indeed only a third of the theoretical performance supported by the HSPA+, but this is much more than the quarter speed or even less as seen on the regular HSPA networks. Some fluctuation occurred, but speeds never dropped below 5.25Mbps downstream and 900Kbps upstream. Latency was also low, the average time for ping on test servers ranging between 68ms and 88ms, both of them being low enough to be considered reasonable for lag-sensitive services such as video chat for example. The overall performance was good enough compared to, let’s say, 3G that we have been used to.

After this short testing session, users have reasons to be enthusiastic about HSPA+ service as a whole. It is, besides WiMAX, the first cellular Internet service to provide services at the same level as a wired connection or a Wi-Fi network connection. For example, using a notebook in the park with speeds specific to DSL router at home or cable modem is completely at hand for now.

To conclude, Rogers, T-Mobile and many other carriers that are moving to HSPA+ have to adjust quickly their upper limits to benefit from the greatly increased bandwidth of their new networks. Users of Rogers’ Internet service paying $33 US for 1GB of data and $81 US for 5GB, have the same transfer limits as they did just a few months ago but this limit will be reached three times faster. This is a real problem and users will be forced either to choose a higher tier or to pay overage fees that are disproportionate compared to the actual bandwidth costs. American providers have lower costs for 5GB but do not offer any more traffic without overage fees.

There really is a hope that providers that upgrade to HSPA+ and eventually 4G will boost their caps in a dramatic way. The technology is helping now to better handle frequent mobile data transfers, and service options need to fully reflect this improvement.

The HTC Hero smartphone, an import of the original European version device, is adapted for the North American 7.2Mbps HSPA, with Sense UI, a five-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and GPS. The phone is available for $100 with a contract. The LG New Chocolate is a North American version of the LG BL40 phone, skinny and long, like a universal remote, with an ultra-narrow touchscreen and is selling at the same price of $100. The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is more expensive in this new network then at Bell, being sold at $250. The Nokia E71 is selling at $30. The Sierra Wireless 306, a 21Mbps HSPA+ USB modem is selling at $80 with a two-year contract.

As for iPhones, the iPhone 3G and the two iPhone 3GS, the 16GB and the 32GB, are all selling at prices similar to Rogers and Bell on three-year contracts, i.e. $100, $200 and $300, respectively. The plans start with the Clear Choice iPhone which provides 150 minutes and unlimited evening and weekend calls after 9PM, as well as 500MB of data transfer. It also supplies unlimited local calls, MMS or SMS messaging to five numbers of choice, double the number of minutes or 1,000 outbound messages. Another plan, at $65, provides 250 minutes and transfers up to 1GB of data. The $80 version includes unlimited calls to five numbers nationwide and unlimited number of messages on top of 400 minutes, as well as 2GB of data transfer. Finally, the $100 plan is going up to 500 minutes, as well as 3GB of data.

All these devices can be ordered now, as they are already available. The plans for the non-iPhone smartphones are identical to those of the iPhone devices. Any 3G modem plan can range from $30 for 500MB monthly, scaling up to $85 for a 5GB monthly usage.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS are promised to be ready for Bell’s network the same day, as some sources revealed. Telus also plans to launch the two iPhone models a day later. Other information will be available closer to the release date, rate data being the last to be revealed, a usual scenario when it comes to the iPhone’s launches.

Bell will launch soon some other high-end devices that have already been announced, such as the RIM’s BlackBerry Bold 9700, the MiFi 2372 mobile router and the Novatel U998 USB modem for HSPA+ service.

The Samsung Omnia II has been designated by the Official Mobile Device for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games which will be held in Vancouver next year. The handset is based on the Samsung S3C6410 800MHz processor and has a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 16GB of internal memory, expandable to 48GB by using a 32GB microSDHC card. There is also a 5-megapixel camera with auto focus and dual LED flash. Windows Mobile 6.5 is the operating system with the TouchWiz interface, carrying Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0 support. The Opera Mobile 9.5 browser is used.

Telus didn’t announce whether its smartphone plans would be modified or not. The only smartphone plan Telus has for the moment provides 250 voice minutes with unlimited messaging and 500MB of data for $45. Adding messaging and data to an existing plan means $35 for 500MB of data or $45 for 1GB.

The HSPA+ network from Telus will run at 21Mbps through modems provided from Huawei and Sierra Wireless. Phones launching on the network will be the iPhone 3GS and other devices limited to at most 7.2Mbps and will include the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and LG Chocolate BL40 as well as other unknown for the moment phones from Samsung and HTC.

Another well known Canadian carrier, Bell, will launch its own HSPA network almost at the same time and will also include the BlackBerry Bold 9700 and the iPhone 3GS.