Etisalat Sri Lanka first in South Asia to launch Dual Carrier HSPA+ technology

Etisalat Sri Lanka became the first in South Asia to launch Dual Carrier HSPA+ technology, a new introduction which takes Sri Lanka a leap forward in the high-speed mobile broadband market. Etisalat Sri Lanka is the first service provider in South Asia to offer this technology and it will be the 63rd DC-HSPA+ enabled network in the world.

Upgrading the wireless network infrastructure to use DC-HSPA+ technology enables Etisalat to offer speeds six times faster than any mobile broadband connection currently on the market. This latest introduction follows Etisalat’s deployment of a LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 4G ready network, last year, which too, was another first in Sri Lanka.

To experience the speed benefit of the DC (Dual Carrier) upgrade, a DC-enabled device should be used. To enable this, Etisalat will make available a range of devices to customers for the first time in Sri Lanka. This will include dongles for individual use and routers for domestic and business purposes. Customers will be able to enjoy this speed at a very special subscription fee.

Subsequent to the launch of Etisalat’s 3.75G HSPA+ wireless network in 2011, Sri Lanka’s mobile broadband subscription rate has steadily grown and in the process, improved mobile penetration. To support this rise in coverage, Etisalat took initiatives to increase accessibility to the technology, by introducing smart-phones to the market at affordable prices and expanding the Android market in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Sri Lanka Dumindra Ratnayake said: “Customers today want fast and reliable connectivity. They depend on our technology to run their businesses and manage their interests. Following meticulous testing and trials, we are proud to commercially launch the country’s fastest broadband connectivity capable of very fast Internet access, mobile TV applications, video streaming and video calls.”

Etisalat’s broadband coverage has been expanding at a rapid pace in the past year, covering all districts and key cities in Sri Lanka with continuous network improvements. The operator further supports its broadband service with innovative Value Added Services (VAS).

Commenting further, Ratnayaka said: “Having mobile broadband at accessible speeds that people can use and at affordable rates, the cause-effect that can be expected is a boost to the broadband penetration levels in Sri Lanka. We at Etisalat strive to provide services that are fast, safe and meaningful to our customers and society.”

The next evolution of 3G technology, Dual Carrier HSPA+ was defined in 3GPP Release 8, specifying carrier aggregation for increased spectrum efficiency and load balancing across the carriers. Etisalat DC-HSPA+ has aggregated two 5MHz carriers which enables them to double the current speeds of HSPA+ (3.75G). To experience this, one needs to have a DC-HSPA+ capable device.

Etisalat providing the best technology to explore the World Wide Web, also offers Net Nanny – one of the best parental control software aimed at protecting younger users from online content along with smart internet offers, accessories and expert customer support.

Broadband related content services will be offered by Etisalat in Sinhala and Tamil, a move towards breaking language barriers and enhancing accessibility and availability for all. Furthermore, ‘Web Patashala’ is another national level initiative to provide e-learning to school children at affordable rates whilst improving the quality of the Sri Lanka education sector.