Vodafone trialling new mobile internet technology

Vodafone is to trial an updated version of the HSPA mobile broadband technology, called HSPA+, to test whether it can deliver higher data rates through an upgrade of existing network equipment.

Vodafone, the world's largest mobile phone company by revenue, said in a statement it would work with Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm to trial technology also known as HSPA Evolution which has the potential to handle data more efficiently.

HSPA+ works by using multiple antennae on both the base stations and handsets to transfer more data at any given time. "I firmly believe that customers will demand faster networks ... HSDPA fine for now, but frankly, it'll be insufficient three years from now," Vodafone chief executive officer Arun Sarin told the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona yesterday, referring to the current standard for high-speed data transfer.

The congress, that closes its doors tomorrow, combines the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry with a cutting edge congress featuring the most prominent chief executive officers representing mobile operators, vendors and content owners from across the world. The event is where the industry defines its future and creates business.