Globe Network Now 100% 4G?

[MikeB]

Since when is HSPA+ considered 4G? Even LTE isn't "true 4G", although the governing agency agreed to allow it for "marketing purposes". Headline says "completes" - text says "practically completed". Good work, guys.

Globe completes HSPA+ rollout; network now 100% 4G

"GLOBE Telecom practically completed last month the rollout of the HSPA+ technology, equipping its network with 100% 4G coverage, thereby providing its customers with faster and more reliable wireless internet connectivity. “The Globe 4G HSPA+ network extends the company’s ability, as a telecommunications provider, to adequately serve high data usage of customers amid proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications and growing preference for smartphones and other mobile devices,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said. The Globe 4G HSPA+ network greatly enhances customers’ digital lifestyle as technological innovations constantly change the way people live and communicate, Cu said, noting that more and more people are more drawn into living the digital lifestyle and what they download, explore, and share online define their identity and lifestyle as digital citizens. Cu also emphasized the technology would help underpin economic growth in the country, as it enables Globe to provide the required capacity and performance for the rapidly growing data consumption of business enterprises. Globe Telecom’s pervasive 4G HSPA+ technology is most relevant to businesses that are looking for ways to enhance productivity and lower costs by adapting newer technologies that require fast and reliable data connectivity, said Cu. In June, Globe Telecom became the first mobile operator in the country to fully equip its network with the 3G technology. The rollout of both 3G and 4G HSPA+ infrastructure for the entire Globe network forms part of the company’s transformation efforts. Still, Globe Telecom will continue to upgrade its facilities in line with its thrust of future-proofing its network as technologies continue to evolve at a much faster rate. Recently, Globe signed a landmark partnership with Alcatel Lucent to expand its LTE-TDD and LTE-FDD footprint in Visayas and Mindanao as part of an initiative to further extend the telecommunication provider’s mobile ultra-broadband infrastructure in the country. Last week, the company activated its first LTE-TDD site under the expansion program in Lahug, Cebu. The rollout is part of the mobile operator’s continuing adoption of more advanced technologies for better connectivity experience, higher network capacity and faster transmission speeds. Globe also recently demonstrated proof-of-concept trials on LTE-CA and LTE eMBMS, which are latest LTE technologies as part of effort to stay ahead of its customers’ burgeoning data requirement. The LTE CA technology dramatically increases efficient utilization of frequencies and thus would enable Globe to aggregate blocks of spectrum for higher bandwidth capacity. On the other hand, the LTE eMBMS technology will pave the way for efficient delivery of video and multimedia services using the company’s LTE network. (PR)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/business/2014/10/05/globe-completes-hspa-rollout-network-now-100-4g-369339

 

Update: The article was corrected and the word "practically" removed. I've been out of the US for a while and didn't realize T-Mobile, AT&T and probably others are advertising their HSPA+ networks as 4G so it's not unique to the Philippines or Globe.

Edited October 6, 2014 by MikeB
upon further checking...

[i am bob]

IEEE blew it with their WiMax and it was International Telecommunications Union instead who set the international standards of LTE as 4G.  And since HSPA+ speeds when achieved through the use of MIMO (Multi In Multi Out - or simply multiple antennas) and a bit of other chicanery (signal order modulation) or even by using a dual channel HSDPA - or both - will provide speeds well within the new range of 4G, it is now often referred to as a 4G product - even if it is still just a regular old slow HSPA+ without MIMO being used.  

 

Me? I"m waiting for 5G - though it's still only on the drawing board at this time...!