What is EDGE?
EDGE is a wireless network technology generally considered the next step in the 2G network. The name is an acronym that stands for Enhanced Data GSM Environment. Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution is an alternative name that is also used. As both names suggest, EDGE is an improvement on the GSM wireless technology, which is second generation, or 2G, cell phone technology. Since EDGE is an improvement on existing technology and not necessarily a third generation, it is often referred to as 2.75G. EDGE is used for the purpose of wireless data transfer, such as sharing pictures and videos or browsing the Internet via a mobile phone connection. This is because the technology offers data transfer rates up to four times faster than ordinary GSM networks. As phones with Internet browser capabilities, such as the Blackberry® and the iPhone®, have become more popular, faster data transfer has become ever more important. Because EDGE is an upgrade of GSM, it is easy for wireless carriers to u
T-Mobile has enhanced its GPRS data network with EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), improving the overall user experience when accessing data and rich content. EDGE delivers throughput speeds on the network for end users with EDGE-enabled devices up to 4 times the current rate. The service will address more than 90% of the current T-Mobile data traffic representing over 75% of T-Mobile’s network footprint.
EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) is a radio signalling technology for 3G mobile networks. It boosts data transfer rates and volumes on existing GSM/GPRS networks by significantly increasing data transfer speeds. How does EDGE work? EDGE works by improving the signalling interface used to communicate over the radio waves. Typically, EDGE brings three times the performance of GPRS, achieving an average data rate of 80 to 160 kbps per user with mobile terminals supporting 2-4 timeslots. It is great for applications that transfer large amounts of data between a mobile phone and enterprise networks – such as rich email messages that include attachments. About EDGE Due to its high data transfer rates, EDGE has been adopted as part of ITU’s (International Telecommunication Union) family of technologies. Currently, EDGE is standardized by the same 3GPP standardization body as the 3G technology, WCDMA, harmonizing the development of both EDGE and WCDMA.
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution, or EDGE, is a digital mobile phone technology which acts as a bolt-on enhancement to 2G and 2.5G General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks. This technology works in GSM networks. EDGE (also known as EGPRS) is a superset to GPRS and can function on any network with GPRS deployed on it, provided the carrier implements the necessary upgrades.
