Rogers HSPA+ announcement: “Bell is not concerned”

Rogers recently announced they will start to build out their HSPA+ network starting this August. Speeds are going to reach up to 21Mbps and we’ve received an internal document from Bell that clearly lists a number of “Key reasons why Bell is not concerned”, and even going as far as stating that the Rogers HSPA+ network “does not have any substance”. The document is titled “Internal positioning of Rogers HSPA+ announcement” and reads the following:

Context: In anticipation of Bell’s HSPA launch, Rogers announced that it will begin deployment of HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access Plus) starting August 2009 in select GTA areas. HSPA+ is an evolution of the HSPA network and will support speeds of 21Mbps.

Rogers release is in reaction to Bell’s HSPA announcement made last October and does not have any substance. This is apparent when one reads through the copy.

Key reasons why Bell is not concerned:
1. Rogers deployment of HSPA+ will start in August with a progressive roll out of the pocket coverage in the Greater Toronto Area ONLY
– Expansion timing and locations are unknown at this time since Rogers is very vague with roll out plans

2. Canada-wide rollout of Rogers HSPA+ netowrk will follow over time
– Bell plans to offer a national HSPA network at launch
– It has taken Rogers over 3 years to deploy 3G (HSPA) coverage to 78% of the Canadian population
– Bell offers 3G (EVDO) coverage to 89% of the Canadian population – the largest 3G coverage in Canada

3. Rogers plans to offer (1) Mobile Internet Stick at time of initial HSPA+ launch
– There are no HSPA+ phones and smartphones available commercially in the world today
– None of Rogers 3G devices today will be able to take advantage of 21Mbps speeds
– Most of Rogers devices are 2G (they only have one 3G BlackBerry whereas ALL of Bell’s BlackBerry devices are 3G)

Rogers typically pre-announces network deployments/evolutions before their network are commercially available to Canadians.
– Oct, 2005, Rogers announces plans to offer HSPA network
– Nov. 2006, one-year later launched HSPA in the Golden Horseshoe ONLY
– Oct. 2007, one-year later expanded HSPA network to 25 major cities across Canada
– Oct. 2007, announced that they were conducting field tests of high speed 7.2Mbps data services with PC Card in Brampton & Montreal. This was a trial only.
– Dec. 2008, one-year later launched 7.2 Mbps speeds to 75% of Canadian population”

So there you have it, Bell’s not concerned, will rollout their national HSPA network at once at launch in time for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  Thoughts?