This product was the first solution to provide packet-data connections in an easy-to-use one-box test set, the company adds.

"This is great news for engineers as they will be able to solve determine the problems faster," says Earl Thompson, vice-president and GM of Agilent's Wireless Division.

The HSDPA packet-data channel of Agilent's 8960 Wireless Communications Test Set aims to enable developers to test HSDPA hardware, protocol and applications under the most tough and realistic operating conditions.

Adding throughput measurements to the packet-data channel connection is intended to help developers and network operators ensure UE capabilities beyond the performance expected on a real network, and to ensure deployment of high-quality UEs in less time.

"We are heavily investing in delivering the fastest IP data throughput in a one-box test set," continues Thompson. "The 8960 throughput performance demonstrated this week at 3GSM is breaking barriers in IP data throughput, delivering the fastest packet-data channel available today in a one-box tester."

The Agilent 8960 with 3,6Mbps end-to-end IP data throughput for Cat 6 HSDPA UEs will have pre-release hardware and firmware available in the second quarter of 2006. Full rate HSDPA (14Mbps) throughput enhancements are under development.