For whom the Bell tolls: users charged CAD10 a month to enter 42Mbps fast lane

Bell Canada’s cellular division, Bell Mobility, has announced that it will commercially launch an upgrade to its HSPA+ mobile broadband network next week which will double its theoretical maximum data speed to 42Mbps via dual cell (DC) technology. The new speed will initially be available only in Toronto, and solely to users of a DC HSPA compatible USB modem – the Novatel U547 Turbo Stick – scheduled to be launched over Bell’s network on 23 November. Bell will charge an extra monthly fee of CAD10 (USD9.80) to access the 42Mbps network. Bell Mobility’s president, Wade Oosterman, claimed: ‘[DC technology] offers clients the ability to access the internet and other data services at what we believe are the fastest mobile data speeds commercially available from any wireless carrier in North America.’ Bell plans to continue rolling out the faster speeds to other cities during 2011, whilst its rival and HSPA+ infrastructure sharing partner, Telus, plans to launch a commercial DC upgrade early in the year.