Motorola Announces HSDPA RAZR Prototype

Motorola and NTT DoCoMo today announced a jointly-developed prototype HSDPA phone capable of 3.6 Mbps downlink, the maximum possible data rate for current HSDPA networks. The phone is based on the RAZR V3x, Motorola's new flagship 3G phone which recently started shipping in Europe. DoCoMo today also announced prototype HSDPA phones from Fujitsu and NEC, also supporting the 3.6 Mbps data rate. Initial HSDPA phones expected for Cingular will only support 1.8 Mbps. DoCoMo plans to launch HSDPA in Japan this summer.

Helio has asked Samsung for a handset that is to be available a few months after the MVNO launches. Samsung has not announced what model they will offer, but that it is based on design and features that have proved successful in the US, indicating it will be based on a currently available handset. The first two handsets for Helio's launch, which is expected in March or April, were earlier revealed as the Pantech Hero and the VK 650c. An SK Telecom official recently said that these models will differ from their Korean counterparts by including Wi-Fi radios. This could be an indication Helio will take advantage of Earthlink's large hotspot network either for high-speed data or UMA.

The FCC has finally announced June 29 as the date for the 3G spectrum auction. The auction will consist of 1,122 licenses for spectrum pairs in the 1700 and 2100 MHz bands. One month ago, the NTIA finally approved the government clearing current services out of this spectrum, provided the auction could raise $935 million. Hurdles such as NTIA and other administrative or legal approvals have delayed FCC auctions in the past, and might still delay this auction, as small business discounts and other auction procedures are still under debate.