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Canadian cell phone consumers now have a hot new acrynim to learn, HSPA.

Following in Rogers footsteps, this week both Bell and Telus will launch thier own HSPA network.

HSPA which stands for High Speed Packet Access, allows mobile phones to download data at speeds up to 21 megabytes per second — speeds which are faster than many home connections.

Canada’s three large wireless ISPs are all now on board this new technology which promises to make smart phones more exciting and powerful.

“The future of wireless begins [Thursday],” said Joe Natale, senior vice-president at Telus. “If you look at the capabilities being offered to Canadians, it’s quite significant.”

Under ideal conditions, an mp3 file and can be downloaded almost instantly, a video can be played continuously without interruption and a heavy file, like a movie, is downloaded quickly.

The HSPA is not new, as Rogers (TSX: RCI.B), like other companies in the world, has had its network in service for some time.

Bell (TSX: BCE) and Telus (TSX: T) have however decided to launch their own HSPA network, enabling them to sell the popular iPhone device from Apple and other similar phones.

The new Bell network was put into operation Wednesday and that Telus will be Thursday.

Each of these companies now trying to convince the public that its HSPA service is the best.

Rogers says they offer the largest selection of phones compatible with HSPA on a network that has been proven.

“Rogers customers can select from an even greater [italics added] lineup of the latest wireless devices — the widest selection by far in Canada — with the introduction of new smart phones designed to keep Canadians connected on Canada’s most reliable network,”  the company said in a released statement Wednesday.

Bell is promoting an option for video calls, which takes advantage of the high-speed connection, including an exclusive Facebook application that enables video calls between a user and a user cell phone.

Telus claims about it that its broad offer HSPA network for the first time Internet access to many residents of rural communities not served previously.

Personal computers and laptops can also connect to an HSPA network to enjoy high speed, but it is a more expensive option, especially for users who download lots of data and use lots of bandwidth.