Telstra unveiled the fastest mobile broadband modem, capable of reaching peak network downlink speeds of 21Mbps in Next G network.

Speaking at the company’s annual Investor Day briefing, Mike Wright, Executive Director, Wireless Engineering and Operations, confirmed Telstra was on track to super charge Next G network speeds with the 21Mbps capability by the end of the year.

At the Investor Day, Telstra hosted its first public enhanced HSPA (eHSPA) data session, showcasing the enhanced network speeds and demonstrating the capabilities of the super-fast new modem. Trials of the 21Mbps mobile broadband modem will begin in December with a full commercial launch to follow early next year.

“The surge in available data speeds will allow more Australians to work away from the office. They will be equipped to integrate new applications – including web conferencing, live high definition streaming video, high-speed web browsing and seamless virtual private network access – into the way they do business on the move,” said  Mike Wright, Executive Director, Wireless Engineering and Operations.

“While for consumers, it means access to a whole new world of internet-hosted mobile applications and the mainstream adoption of the mobile phone as the preferred way to access and browse the Internet and email in Australia.”

“Working with our partners Sierra Wireless, Qualcomm and Ericsson, we have developed the world’s fastest mobile broadband device – almost three times faster than the fastest devices currently available – which will push the speed barrier to levels not seen anywhere else on earth.”

The eHSPA upgrade will ensure the Next G network remains the most advanced national mobile network on the planet.

Mr Wright said that while the new, faster peak network speed was the headline benefit, eHSPA provides other critical enhancements to the Next G network.

“Australia is seeing exponential growth in the demand for mobile broadband and this burgeoning popularity puts pressure on network operators to ensure network reliability is maintained and give consumers the fast experience they seek. Peak network downlink speeds on the Next G network will have evolved from 3.6Mbps to 21Mbps in just over two years, providing extra speed, flexibility and productivity in the network footprint covering more than two million square kilometres and 99 per cent of the Australian populations ,” Mr Wright said.