vB Easy Archive - Difference between WCDMA (UMTS) & HSDPA 1.8

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Difference between WCDMA (UMTS) & HSDPA 1.8
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Posted by: msgph

Hi All,

I'm looking at a replacement for my Samsung Sync due to Rf issues. We're looking at a couple of Nokia phones.

I'm curious about the differences in the data on the phones. The Nokia phones are WCDMA UMTS and the Samsung has HSDPA 1.8. What's the difference?

Thanks in advance...

Michael

Posted by: jbzcar

UMTS is limited to 384 kilobits/sec downstream and HSDPA 1.8 has a theoretical max of 1.8 megabits/sec downstream.

Posted by: msgph

So, for the average cell phone user who just uses the data on the phone itself, and not tethering, is there a real difference?

Obviously there is a large theoretical speed difference, but all I do is check email, read the news, sports, etc on my phone. I don't do any tethering.

Posted by: Quake97

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgph

So, for the average cell phone user who just uses the data on the phone itself, and not tethering, is there a real difference?

Obviously there is a large theoretical speed difference, but all I do is check email, read the news, sports, etc on my phone. I don't do any tethering.

You probably won't notice the difference. In most cases the limiting factor is the phone itself: processor, memory, etc. However, I would try and get the latest phone you can. Things always change and it's always good to have the latest thing you can, as long as it fits in your budget. By the way, AT&T is also offering some HSDPA 3.6 phones, like the BJ2 and Moto Q9. I don't believe they have 3.6 rolled out anywhere though.

Joe

Posted by: formercanuck

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgph

Technically, not really - only _real_ difference would be download rate, and if you're checking small items such as email/sports/news, you probably won't notice any significant difference.

Posted by: RogerPodacter

for checking wap sites and similar, i guess plain old UMTS would be fine. i do notice a difference using HSDPA on my phone, but nothing significant. HSDPA is really great for full websites and tethering.

Posted by: msgph

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerPodacter

for checking wap sites and similar, i guess plain old UMTS would be fine. i do notice a difference using HSDPA on my phone, but nothing significant. HSDPA is really great for full websites and tethering.

Thanks for the information. We're looking at replacing our Sync's with either the V3XX ( HSDPA 3.6 ) or the N75 (UMTS). I'm not sold on either, but we want 3g phones with good RF - unlike the Sync's we currently have.

Thanks!

Posted by: JoeyDee

Moto's are well known for great reception for the most part. Someone tethering a v3xx in syracuse ny got a very, very nice speedtest I just saw. it's in one of the other threads regarding 3G.

If you use opera mini in high quality image mode, you should notice a difference between hsdpa and umts... as long as your area is capable of hsdpa, some are still umts-only

Posted by: RogerPodacter

hmmm i thought that there were no UMTS sites. any site with 3G has HSDPA is what i read before.

Posted by: JoeyDee

the at&t rep I used to have at work said there were. but then again he's just a rep and not a field tech, so who knows.

Posted by: SHoTTa35

some sites when they came out were only UMTS. Now all sites have been upgraded to HSPDA at least. The AT&T WS sites also have been upgraded to HSPDA, when they launched it with ATTWS they were juts UMTS but now it's all upgraded. I gotta do a speed test again oneday tethered to see if we have 3.6 in my area

Posted by: RogerPodacter

let us know if you find any 3.6 sites. but from what i understand, ATT's network across the country is only at 1.8. they havent turned any sites to 3.6 yet...

Posted by: SHoTTa35

the guy in the other thread did a speed test he said and came back with this:

Definitely 3.6 range.

I'm going to the Orlando, FL area this friday for the Christmas week so i'll be testing down there too

Posted by: msgph

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerPodacter

Hey, I remember when GPRS was awesome

Internet on my cell phone? Wow, what a novel idea!!!

Thanks everyone for the advice. It really boils down to getting a phone that will keep RF for me. Our Sync's aren't doing that. I'll look at the Moto first and then the Nokia's.

Thanks!

Posted by: SHoTTa35

well i'm not getting those speeds but i just pulled 1.1Mbps with my Blackjack II in the same area as before (my job). Normally for whatever reason i got 600-700Kbps

Finally starting to see some nice speeds around these parts. (Rockville, MD - full signal -68dB!)