HSPDA
Will the voice side be using this (VoIP) or are they going to seperate their spectrum and have this be a data-only thing and have the voice keep its own spectrum?
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HSDPA is a true upgrade for WCDMA, so it will apply to both voice and data. In that respect, it's a lot like EDGE was for GPRS, or 1xRTT for CDMA (IS-95). It's not just a data-side thing.
In fact, like 1xRTT for CDMA, it will improve voice efficiency as well as data speed, bringing significant network capacity benefits.
In fact, like 1xRTT for CDMA, it will improve voice efficiency as well as data speed, bringing significant network capacity benefits.
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is this something that's going to be "backwards compatibile" so to speak or would one have to have a WCDMA phone rather than a GSM phone?
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Well, like all new wireless technologies I can think of, you'll need a new phone to get the benefit.
WCDMA is not directly backward-compatible with GSM - it runs in its own spectrum and generally requires its own base stations as well.
But WCDMA networks can integrate with GSM networks at some levels. And most WCDMA phones also include GSM, providing a certain kind of "backward compatibility" for the end-user.
As for HSDPA, yes, I believe it is truly backward-compatible, in that a carrier will be able to run HSDPA as well as original WCDMA in the same spectrum, and end-users will simply be able to use whatever their handset is capable of.
WCDMA is not directly backward-compatible with GSM - it runs in its own spectrum and generally requires its own base stations as well.
But WCDMA networks can integrate with GSM networks at some levels. And most WCDMA phones also include GSM, providing a certain kind of "backward compatibility" for the end-user.
As for HSDPA, yes, I believe it is truly backward-compatible, in that a carrier will be able to run HSDPA as well as original WCDMA in the same spectrum, and end-users will simply be able to use whatever their handset is capable of.
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