TeliaSonera’s HSDPA service gathers speed as it reaches more cities

Sweden’s TeliaSonera is expanding its 3.5G mobile network to 20 major cities and doubling its existing data transfer speeds for users of HSDPA-capable handsets and PC/laptop data cards. The incumbent telco says that its ‘Turbo 3G’ HDSDA service is being upgraded to enable maximum data transfer speeds of up to 7.2Mbps, twice as fast as the current maximum 3.6Mbps. First in line for upgrades are Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo, followed by resorts such as Åre and Sälen, in time for the main skiing season. The rollout is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2008. TeliaSonera is also increasing the number of ‘surf zone’ hotspots for its Telia Homerun Wi-Fi service in tourist locations such as the Stockholm archipelago and the west coast. New surf zones, which offer internet access at speeds of up to 11Mbps, will also be set up at camping grounds, soccer arenas and harbours. There are already a total of 1,000 surf zones available to Homerun users in the Nordic region, half of which are in Sweden.