Scandinavia to get 21Mbps mobile broadband

Scandinavia is to have one of the most advanced mobilebroadband networks in the world following the signing of a contract between Ericsson and 3 Scandinavia.

The two companies have agreed to improve 3's HSPA network to reach downlink speeds of 21Mbps.

This speed will be available in parts of Sweden and Denmark and is scheduled to be launched in the first half of next year.

According to 3 Scandinavia's chief executive, Peder Ramel, his company will be "one of the first operators in the world to offer a speed of 21Mbps".

The president of Ericsson Nordic and Baltic region, Mikael Backstrom, added: "With the upgrade to 21Mbps, 3 is one of the first operators to offer customers new and richer services at this speed."

Ericsson's chief technology officer in the UK John Cunliffe told PC Pro last week that mobilebroadband in the UK could potentially reach 42Mbps in 2009.