Disqus
In between EDGE and 3G there is a standard called Evolved EDGE that never really took off. It promises to half latency, increase download speed by close to 500%, and all you need to do to get E-EDGE is to upgrade the software on the network equipment you already have, so why are operators not picking up the technology then?
“Handset vendors don’t want to make E-EDGE phones unless there’s a market guaranteed by E-EDGE networks. And operators won’t upgrade their EDGE networks unless they are confident handsets will be available.” — Xavier Ortiz, ABI Research Analyst
The only vendor looking at E-EDGE right now is RIM. For urban areas which are not cost effective to cover via HSPA E-EDGE makes a lot of sense. Technologically speaking E-EDGE makes a lot of sense, but the technology world never runs on technology, that’s an assumption everyone makes. It operates on P&L sheets. Adopting E-EDGE may improve things in the short term, but in the long term HSPA equipment will fall in price and it’ll be conceivable that at some point you actually shut down your 2G and 2.5G network. If Japan can do it then so can everyone else.
About The Author
Stefan Constantinescu
Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.
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