In a post entitled ‘World first in HSPA+ and dual carrier technology' by Michael Rocca, Telstra announced it is currently performing carrying out these first tests of High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) using Dual Carrier technology on its Next G closed test network, using Qualcomm's MDM8220 chipset.

"Our tests are in conjunction with our strategic partner, Ericsson, which has seen similar success in laboratory conditions in Sweden this week," says Rocca.

HSPA+ Dual Carrier technology is designed to an engineering standard of peak network downlink speeds of 42Mbps. The speeds achieved during our test—on a dedicated, closed test network—highlight that the technology can indeed deliver speeds approaching that specification.

"In real-world conditions, actual customer download speeds will always be less than 42Mbps," added Rocca.

Rocca expects that once this technology is deployed onto its network, users will be able to experience speeds around double that of today's typical user experience using a HSPA+ device.

New devices compatible with the HSPA+ Dual Carrier technology and allowing customers to experience enhanced download speeds are expected to be available later in 2010. Telstra is already working with Qualcomm and Sierra Wireless to bring these devices to market.

"The Next G network has already changed the way Australians live and work with its speed, capacity and coverage. What we are discovering with the HSPA+ Dual Carrier tests is a super fast mobile broadband solution that, once available for commercial launch and once compatible devices are available, will deliver meaningful speed, capacity and efficiency improvements on the network," concluded Rocca.