Earlier this week we broke the exclusive news that TELUS is looking to soft-launch its HSDPA network well ahead of schedule and now the folks over at MobileSyrup have unearthed an .xml file over at the LG website that may further support our scoop. The file, entitled “LG-BL40-TELUS”, contains references to UMTS and HSDPA connectivity which in turn led to speculation that the BL40 (which is also headed to Vodafone) could very well be among the first HSDPA devices to be offered by TELUS. Specs wise, it appears that the BL40 will sport a 345×800 display and a 5 megapixel camera but not much else can be gleaned from the file. Regardless of the specs, mention of an HSDPA-enabled TELUS handset already floating around in public domain is most defintely a good sign.
By now it is painfully obvious that AT&T and Apple will announce at least one new iPhone model this coming June; heck, even analysts jumped on board with bloggers a few months ago in stating that a new iPhone model this Summer is imminent. Back in March, we ran through some exciting details laid out by an AT&T exec and among them was the note that Apple’s new handset would support faster HSDPA to the tune of 7.2 Mbps. Well here we are in April and Scott McElroy, VP of Technology at AT&T Mobility, has confirmed the company is currently working on software upgrades that will boost 3G downlink speeds to… You guessed it… 7.2 Mbps. Despite the fact that we’re lucky if we can get 400 Kbps in the New York area right now, AT&T’s current 3G network supports speeds up to 3.6 Mbps so the upgrades being performed will double that speed. We have to admit, we’re a little scared to think of what network performance is going to be like when the new iPhone drops and increasing download speeds isn’t going to help resolve current issues. It looks like we may be in for a bumpy ride leading up to AT&T’s migration to HSPA+ in late 2009/early 2010, and the subsequent launch of AT&T’s LTE network.
As you may recall, the Sony VAIO P is packaged with the Gobi chipset that is capable of both HSDPA and EV-DO. Unfortunately, Sony has chosen to block HSDPA access and has locked the pocketable notebook to connect only via a Verizon Wireless EV-DO connection. Humph. Thanks to a creative blogger by the name of tnkgrl, Sony’s restrictive plans are now thwarted and those without a VZW contract are back in business. Tnkgrl has successfully hacked the HSDPA on the VAIO P, allowing it to be utilized by those not afraid to void a warranty on a $900 machine. You will need a $1 SIM holder, skill at precision soldering, some knowledge of registry editing and system file manipulation along with a whole lot of chutzpah to crack open the case of an expensive mini-notebook. It is not for the faint of heart but if you can pull it off then your prize will be… Flaunting your quad-band GSM/GPRS/EGDE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA enabled VAIO P. Who’s in?
