Nortel Networks today claimed it was the first network vendor to cross the data rate halfway mark in the development of high-speed downlink packet access networks, announcing today it had completed the first 7.2 Mb/s trial calls using its UMTS infrastructure and Qualcomm's latest 3G chipset.

HSDPA has several evolutionary iterations, each offering greater downstream capacity. Starting with 1.8 Mb/s, which Cingular and other carriers are now using, the technology progresses through a dozen categories until it reaches its full theoretical potential of 14.4 Mb/s. While HSDPA networks are technically capable of supporting the full 14.4 Mb/s from day one, each new iteration requires a new terminal chipset and testing on the network. Qualcomm in October, announced it was sampling the Mobile Station Modem 6280 with 7.2 Mb/s capability, while it began commercial shipments of its 1.8 Mb/s chips in October, just in time for Cingular's 3G launch.

Nortel performed the test calls over all commercially viable UMTS bands globally, and Nortel will have the technology running live at CTIA. On the CDMA side, Nortel also will be demonstrating a live EV-DO revision A network with Sprint, using Novatel Wireless and Sierra Wireless data cards.

In addition, Nortel and antenna partner Radio Frequency Systems plan to unveil a new smart antenna array that Nortel and RFS have been testing for the last three years with Florida PCS. Finally ready for primetime, the multi-beam adaptive antenna system directs and distributes RF energy across three of the four fixed beams, simultaneously suppressing interference while gaining the signal path diversity inherent in the multi-beam system. As a result, the system promises capacity increases as high as two-fold over "unintelligent" sector antennas, RFS officials said.

Earlier this week, Nortel also announced an OEM deal with LGC Wireless to resell the company's in-building wireless products.