Telstra, the largest provider of mobile services, DSL and cable internet access has plans to boost data speeds in its Next G mobile network to 21Mbps (bits per second).Related to this, the company has plans to conduct tests of the faster service this month. However, customers will have to wait longer for the arrival of compatible phones.

To boost the mobile broadband service, the company will use technology like High Speed Packet Access Evolution, also known as HSPA+ or Evolved HSPA.

The move to HSPA Evolution from the HSPA systems in needs a software upgradeto base stations, whereas LTE will require new base stations. At the other end, subscribers will need new hardware to take advantage of the higher speeds. Telstra is working with Sierra Wireless, Qualcomm and Ericsson to develop devices.

Reportedly, Vodafone is also considering making the move to HSPA Evolution. In February the company announced a trial with Ericsson, Huawei and Qualcomm.The market watchers state that most large operators will move to HSPA Evolution in anticipation of the next technology upgrade, LTE (Long Term Evolution).

We don't know what it is about the year 2012 that has the technological world gunning for it, but we've heard predictions ranging from Linux losing it's command line, to mini-notebooks exploding onto the market with 50 million units expected to ship. There's even talk of being able to book 3-night getaways in outer space, and humans turning into robots! But if we had to pick one prediction most likely to come true, it would be that mobile broadband will hit 100Mbps by 2012, beating fixed line broadband to the punch.According to the GSM Association (GSMA), demand for faster data speeds in Asian markets is pushing Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology that could deliver speeds up to 186Mbps in the not too distant future.

"The places we expect to see it first are Japan and South Korea in early 2010 and [former Vodafone chief] Arun Sarin said he expects to see the technology in the European market by 2012," said Dan Warren, GMSA director of technology.

Despite the strides being made, Warren doesn't see mobile networks completely replacing fixed lines anytime soon. Of course, none of this will matter if the other predictions come true and we all become half-human, half-robots living in outer space by 2012.