20th August - Mobile phone operator, 3 UK, is in final preparations to launch its 3G HSDPA mobile network which has been branded 3Turbo. It will be accessible initially to those with a 3G HSDPA compatible handset connected to 3 UK. There will also be a new USB laptop modem dongle enabled for 3Turbo.

HSDPA significantly improves the data speeds that can be delivered over a mobile data network. It is just the first of a number of technological advances that are within the 3G standard which can be rolled out incrementally over 3's existing 3G network. HSDPA will give customers a greater quality and range of communication, and information services. As well as delivering much higher data speeds, HSDPA also makes more efficient use of radio spectrum, delivering capacity more cost effectively. 3 claim it will offer with data speeds of up to 2.8Mbps - which is currently faster than HSDPA speeds claimed by both Vodafone and T-Mobile.

There will be a range of usage packages as follows :

Launch of 3G HSDPA on 3 UK is scheduled for the first week of September, 2007. 3G HSDPA will firstly be launched in Scotland, N Ireland, the North of England and Greater London. The service will be rapidly expanded across the UK so that up to 90% of the UK will be able to access 3 UK’s 3G HSDPA by the end of 2007.

For 3G HSDPA Mobile Phones
3Turbo Broadband light ( 1GB of data per month costs £10 )
3Turbo Broadband Plus ( 3GB of data per month costs £15 )
3 Turbo Broadband Max ( 7GB of data per month costs £25 )

For 3G HSDPA Enabled USB Modem Dongle
The same plans apply for the USB Modem dongle and the price of the dongle varies from FREE to around £80 depending on whether you are an existing 3 UK customer and the type of package selected.