The 3G iPhone will be fast, particularly on overseas 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 is on their to do list. HSPA in its current style is tops out at 14.4mbps/5.76mbps up/down respectively. Furthermore, the highest speed most devices support is 7.2mbps.

HSPA+, plus known as HSPA Evolution, or HSPA Evolved, is set to increase speeds significantly. It supports 42mbps/22mbps up/down respectively. To my knowledge, there are currently no HSPA+ devices on the market. Unless one comes out in the next 17 days, next it looks like whether that did turn out to be true, thereupon the 3G iPhone would be the first HSPA+ device on the

For us, that would not do any good for quite a while. Telstra, down in Australia, might be able to take advantage of it though. For them, HSDPA is already at 14.4mbps, and it is rumored that by the day Christmas rolls around that year, that Telstra will have upgraded their network to HSPA+.

“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 that phone will be capable of 42mbs which will prepare it faster than a lot of broadband offerings and the fastest iPhone on any network in the world ” -Telstra

[Via Engadget Mobile]