SINGAPORE--It's not too early for HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) as the technology will let cellphone operators differentiate their services, says a senior Nokia executive.

Kai Oistamo, Nokia's executive vice president and general manager for mobile phones, said during a media briefing Monday that it is not premature to deploy HSDPA technology, even though 3G operators around the globe are still building up their 3G subscriber base. He was speaking at the annual Nokia Connections event held on the sidelines of CommunicAsia here.

HSDPA, dubbed 'super 3G', allows access speeds 10 times that of 3G networks. Oistamo said that HSDPA is an important component of fixed-mobile convergence, where consumers can enjoy the same Internet experience, whether they are using fixed-line or mobile devices. "It's about bringing an Internet experience that's similar to what you get on ADSL lines," he added. ADSL (asynchronous digital subscriber line) provides high-speed Internet access over traditional phone lines.

Oistamo likened HSDPA to SDSL (symmetric digital subscriber line), which touts an incremental speed boost over ADSL. HSDPA, he added, represents the same kind of technology evolution for W-CDMA (wideband code division multiple access), a common 3G cellular technology used by many operators worldwide.

According to Oistamo, operators can view this technology as an opportunity to differentiate themselves. "If somebody wants to go to the market more aggressively, then they've got to be ready for HSDPA," he noted.

So far, HSDPA appears to have found favor with several operators. As of last week, 32 HSDPA networks are in service, and 67 networks are either being planned for, in deployment, or are undergoing trials. In the Asia-Pacific region, South Korea's SK Telecom and Smart in the Philippines have already started offering HSDPA services. China Mobile, the world's largest mobile operator, is likely to follow suit in 2007.

According to Ricky Corker, vice president of networks at Nokia Asia-Pacific, HSDPA is particularly attractive to operators in countries where fixed-line infrastructure is not predominant. In the Philippines, for example, operators have started offering wireless broadband services with HSDPA, he said.

Corker also noted that "operator revenues from data services have been growing, though not as much as some [operators] would like". However, with higher access speeds and potential applications such as conferencing and collaboration, HSDPA can drive the adoption of mobile data services and help boost mobile data revenues, he added.

Some analysts have pointed out that HSDPA will restrict the deployment of WiMax wireless broadband networks, since HSDPA only involves an incremental upgrade from existing W-CDMA technology.

But Corker does not see the two technologies competing with each other. "I don't see how one will supersede the other," he said.

"With HSDPA, you can have full mobility everywhere, while fixed WiMax will be particularly important to offer wireless broadband in emerging markets," Corker added.

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