The 3G iPhone will be fast, especially on foreign networks where 7.2mbps HSDPA is common. Unfortunately for us in the U.S. AT & T has no HSDPA faster than 3.6mbps, but 7.2mbps HSDPA on their list. HSPA in its present form is tops on 14.4mbps/5.76mbps up / down. Moreover, the highest speed most devices support is 7.2mbps.

HSPA +, also known as HSPA Evolution of HSPA evolved, are set to the speed considerably. It supports 42mbps/22mbps up / down. As far as I know, there are currently no HSPA + devices on the market. Unless one comes out in the next 17 days, then it looks like if this did prove to be true, then the 3G iPhone would be the first HSPA + device on the market.

For us, this would not account for quite some time. Telstra in Australia can take advantage of it. For them, HSDPA is already on 14.4mbps, and it is rumored that by the time Christmas rolls around this year that Telstra have upgraded their network to HSPA +.

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““We know what is coming we have seen the new device and it will be available on our network as soon as it is launched in the USA. By Xmas this phone will be capable of 42mbs which will make it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world ” –Telstra”