Rogers launches its first HSDPA handset, the Samsung A706
Strike up the band! Rogers, Canada's preeminent GSM provider -- and only, considering that they own Fido -- has launched its first HSDPA handset: the Samsung A706. While the actual live network is still tiny -- covering only a small portion of one province -- the implications are far larger; the fact that handsets are now on sale may point to growth of said network in the near term. The SYNC-ish A706 rolls out the gate with quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE support, dual-band 850 / 1900 HSDPA connectivity, typical lush Samsung screen at 320 x 240 pixels, and a 2 megapixel cam. This marketing focus for this handset will be tying it into Rogers' Vision plans, whereby users can stream TV at a fairly decent 1.8 Mbps. Cost on a 3-year plan is $85 CDN, and if you are quick to get in line, Rogers is throwing in unlimited video calling for the length of the contract.[Thanks, Treatz and JP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C'z Up @ Mar 28th 2007 6:41AM
It's rogers second HSDPA handset. The first is the SE K790a
sean @ Mar 28th 2007 7:06AM
K790a is a quad band handset with EDGE, K800 -- K790s twin has UMTS 2100. Sony Ericsson released its first HSDPA handset this week, peep it here: http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/03/26/sony-ericsson-intros-w580-z750-walkman-phones/
MountainDrew @ Mar 28th 2007 10:57AM
"While the actual live network is still tiny -- covering only a small portion of one province"
You may want to mention that the "small portion of one province" in question is the "Golden Horseshoe" in southern Ontario. That area may be small, but it contains nearly one third of population of the entire country.
sean @ Mar 28th 2007 11:04AM
It's a quarter, and I stand by what I say -- it is a tiny part of the country.
HSDPA coverage map: http://www.shoprogers.com/images/coverage_hsdpa_ont_gta.gif
GSM / GPRS
http://www.shoprogers.com/images/coverage_gsm_ont_gta.gif
Andrew @ Mar 28th 2007 12:04PM
Okay, I'll give you that it's a quarter. I rounded badly.
Anyway, there are 8.1 million people in that tiny part (out of 31.6 million in the whole country), and they're generally the most affluent people in the country, so it's certainly not an insignificant network rollout.