Less than 2 years after having rendered available the 3rd generation, TMN maintains its innovation strategy and is still pioneer with the launch of the mobile 3rd generation and a half. The main feature of the HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) base technology is broader band assuring, during a first phase, 1,8Mbps per second, that is, up to four times quicker than the 3rd generation (UMTS), a speed that will quickly increase to 3,6Mbps.
TMN clients with portable PC’s can access Internet in total mobility with download rates nearer to those of fixed broadband. TMN will render available, at its Lisbon stores, the Option Globe Totter HSPDA board which can be purchased for Euro 199.90 (VAT included), through a link to the TMN network for twelve months.
This launch makes TMN the sixth European operator to render available the 3,5G and places Portugal in the group of the 4 top European countries where this service can be used.
The service has a monthly cost of Euro 39.90 which already includes 1GB/month of traffic. These conditions are part of a launch campaign that will go on until the end on June 2006.
The TMN 3,5G coverage will be installed progressively throughout the national territory and will be, during a first phase, available in the city of Lisbon, followed by Madeira and then until the end of the month of April it will advance till Oporto. Until the end of the second quarter Braga, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Bragança and Ponta Delgada, amongst others, will also be covered.
During the second half of 2006 the HSDPA coverage will advance to Angra do Heroísmo; Beja; Castelo Branco; Coimbra; Covilhã; Évora; Faro; Guarda; Horta; Portalegre; Leiria; Santarém; Setúbal and Viseu.
Note that in October 1992 TMN launched the first digital network in the country (GSM), and then in November 2000 it launched the first GPRS mobile phone in Portugal, and later in April 2004 the first UMTS mobile phone. The operator was responsible for the first video-call made by Portuguese clients.