If I understood correctly what I read in the press release issued today, the Japanese companies are preparing one or more cell phone models capable to offer HSUPA speeds of up to 5.7Mbps, in addition to HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2Mbps.

Manufactured with 45-nm process technology, the SH-Mobile G4 is designed to provide uber-fast processing and advanced integrated functions, including enhanced support for applications that use 3D graphics and HD (high definition) videos.

The SH-Mobile G4 will only be available in 2010. The good news, though, is that the handsets built on the platform are planned to be released not only in Japan, but also worldwide.

• HTC TYTN II to support HSUPA?
• NTT DoCoMo tests Super 3G system with up to 300Mbps data transfer rates
• Samsung UFO SCH W300 7.2 Mbps HSDPA slider
• Vodacom Launches HSUPA Service in South Africa
• 3 UK to roll out 14.4Mb/s HSDPA in 2010

According to the executive, the company already has a test version of HSPA 3G network running in their labs which is able to deliver download speeds of up to 7.2 mbps. The current network of AT&T can theoretically provide half of that, and it seems that it will soon get an upgrade.

The promised “exceeding 20 megabits per second” speed is another matter though; the current HSPA standard only supports download speeds up to 14.4 mbps (and even that’s in theory), so the company will switch to HSPA+ (also known as HSPA Evolution), a 3G mobile data protocol defined in 3GPP release 7 and capable of providing data rates up to 42 mbps on the downlink and 22 mbps on the uplink. Now tell me that’s not impressive!

Despite the large increase in speed, de la Vega explained that the upgrade won’t require major hardware modifications of their cell towers, and will instead be achieved mostly by means of upgrading the software on already existing electronics.

He also outlined the company’s roadmap up to year 2010, when AT&T plans to offer 700MHz 4G access based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard to their customers, again increasing download speeds fivefold and reaching the 100 mbps mark.

The steps to get there are very logical and they’re all building on the same GSM technology that we’ve been using for a while. LTE will allow for backwards compatibility to GSM and HSPA, which is a great benefit to customers. And our path forward to LTE allows us to get there step-by-step, with interim steps that will deliver more and more speeds everyday.

So, what are their competitors doing? Verizon plans to launch their own LTE-based 4G network, and what’s more, to do that before AT&T. Sprint on the other hand teamed up with Clearwire in an attempt to build a nationwide WiMAX network. For those interested, WiMAX offers 70 mbps download AND upload in theory, although the actual speeds are usually much lower like it’s often the case with wireless broadband.

Quoting Mr. de la Vega again, “It’s clear to us that we are in the very early stages of what I would call a wireless data revolution”.
Via: AppleInsider

• AT&T to upgrade its 3G network to HSPA 7.2Mbps
• 3 Scandinavia and Ericsson to launch Europe’s first 21 Mbps network in 2009
• Sprint announces 17 new WiMax (4G) markets for 2009
• Bell to Deploy HSPA Network by Next Month
• Ericsson to provide HSPA/GPS modules for Dell laptops

The Sky Duke will feature no less than a 2.4-inch QVGA screen, built-in music and video players, a 1.3-megapixel camera and is made from glossy material. So in short, this is a just a low-end handset that offers more of the basic features that can be found on other similarly priced phones.

The difference, however, of the Sky Duke from other low-end/ mid-market handsets is that it offers a Subway Map feature and M-Commerce functionality, although I’m betting that since the handset will only be available in Korea, these features will tailored only for the said country.

The design is at par with a few of Nokia’s or even Sony Ericsson’s latest model handsets but the Duke still carries the distinctive aura of a generic handset. But at least it tries to look good. If you’re in Korea or will be there any time soon, you can have one of these for a measly 400,000 Korean Won or about $403 USD. YOu gotta love the conversion rates.

Read: Press Release

• Nokia 6210s launched in Korea without navigation capabilities
• Sony Ericsson gets into Korea with XPERIA X1
• Samsung to present the world’s first 12MP phone at MWC 2009
• LG is the world’s third largest handset producer, with 100 million phones shipped in 2008
• Motorola to make Korea’s first Android phone