3G. Wireless Communication Solutions

Cingular Wireless, is introducing the high-speed wireless services in 16 U.S. markets.

GSM-based Cingular is moving towards UMTS (3G) which provides 200-320 Kbps data rates using 5Mhz channels. A software upgrade, HSDPA, should boost speeds to 400-700 Kbps next year. Cingular’s BroadbandConnect uses HSDPA/UMTS technology.

Cingular’s 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. Cingular will initially launch the BroadbandConnect service in Austin (TX.), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland (OR.), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA.), Seattle, Tacoma (Wash.) and Washington D.C.

A variety of monthly data plans are available starting at $19.99 for 5 MB. They require a two-year contract and a Cingular voice plan of $39.99 or above. The Merlin U730 works on HSDPA, EDGE, and GPRS service.

But consumers should know the technologies impact behind U.S. 3G Wireless Broadband networks. Om Malik also has an interested view on that…