Cingular last week launched its 3G service in 52 markets across the country.

The Cingular service, called BroadbandConnect, uses High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) technology to deliver speeds of 400K to 700Kbps on the downlink, burstable to more than 1Mbps.

Customers can use their laptops to access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, and run corporate business applications at broadband speeds in areas covered by BroadbandConnect. Additional devices and exclusive services that take advantage of the HSDPA network, such as transmitting full-motion video and providing ultra-fast audio, are scheduled to be available in 2006.

HSDPA is an extension of the 70K to 135Kbps GSM/EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) technology,, on which Cingular had been basing its services.

Cingular is the first carrier in the world to launch an HSDPA service, according to Roger Entner, vice president of wireless telecommunications research at Ovum. "But at the same time, they had to," Entner says. "It puts them on par with EV-DO service, which has been on the market for about a year."

Cingular will initially launch the BroadbandConnect service in Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, Calif..; Seattle; Tacoma, Wash.; and Washington D.C. It will be able to reach about 32 million users in these markets, Cingular says.

BroadbandConnect combines a laptop modem card, Cingular's Communication Manager software and a Data Connect plan for use on laptops.

Cingular says the laptop modem cards are dual-band HSDPA/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and backward-compatible with EDGE and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) in four bands - 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz. Sessions are transferred to the company's nationwide EDGE network or the data network of one of its roaming partners, should a BroadbandConnect customer roam outside the HSDPA coverage area.

Customers can purchase a Sierra Wireless AC860 or Novatel U730 laptop modem card for $99.99, after rebate, when they sign up for a qualifying voice plan and introductory two-year $59.99 Unlimited Data Connect plan. A variety of monthly data plans are available starting at $19.99 for 5Mbps, Cingular says.