Even though Canada seems to get technology last, we are definitely ahead of the curve when it comes to North American wireless speeds.
Back in September 2009, Rogers (and Fido) was the first North American wireless network to launch an HSPA+ 21Mpbs network. At that time, AT&T, the exclusive iPhone provider in the USA, was just building their 7.2Mbps network. Amazing.
Today, Telus has announced plans to introduce an upgrade to its existing HSPA+ network to 42Mbps sometime in 2011, doubling the current network speed in Canada. The technology, which is still early, will essentially act closer to LTE speeds.
Telus has reportedly already finished testing the new HSPA+ upgrade but the first device to use it will not be ready until 2011.
At this time, Rogers, Telus, Bell, Virgin, and Fido all use 21Mbps HSPA+ but in 2011, Telus may have up to 42Mbps. However, as imitation and not innovation rules in Canada’s wireless landscape, expect all of the carriers to launch a similar network around the same time.
