Nokia Siemens Networks has said operators will be able to offer better mobile broadband with a new feature for its HSPA+ networks, on which it is working for further evolution with Qualcomm. Known as HSPA+ Multiflow, it allows devices located close to the edge of a mobile base station’s cell to connect with a second base station serving a neighboring cell.

'Multiflow' refers to the two different paths data can then take to reach a device, and this makes far more efficient use of network resources, delivering up to double the data speed and up to 50 per cent faster response as against existing HSPA+ networks.

“With 100 million smart devices being added every month, we see a consequent increase in ‘smart’ applications that make use of their advanced capabilities. Not only is network traffic rising dramatically, much of it is also unpredictable in nature, and this can impact user experience. This is where HSPA+ Multiflow helps operators – it reduces imbalances that typically occur in network resource usage, and increases HSPA+ speed and capacity,” said Keith Sutton, head of the WCDMA business line for Nokia Siemens Networks.

HSPA+ Multiflow enables simultaneous transmission of two data streams from base stations in two adjacent cells to a single user device instead of one data stream from one base station as is the case with HSPA+ now.. Overall, this can up to double throughput (data speeds) for users at cell edge.

Qualcomm is working with Nokia Siemens Networks to drive the evolution and deployment of technologies like HSPA+, said Serge Willenegger, vice president of product management at Qualcomm.

The HSPA+ Multiflow feature is expected to be 3GPP standardized by mid 2012, and will be available commercially from Nokia Siemens Networks by second half of 2013.