Telstra boosts Next G to 21Mbps

in brief Telstra on Friday activated the HSPA technology needed to boost its Next G network to 21Mbps and made the first data call using the new speeds.

"HSPA Evolution is live and working for the first time anywhere in the world in a commercial network on the Telstra Next G network in Australia," Michael Rocca, group managing director, Telstra networks and services said in a statement. Rocca made the first call at 4pm on the souped up network.

Trials on the 21Mbps service begin this month with a full commercial launch to be held early next year. At its investor day last month, Telstra also demonstrated the first device capable of harnessing the full 21Mbps.

Next year may see maximum speeds increase again with the company having previously voiced plans to step the speeds to 42Mbps.