3G AMERICAS SAYS EDGE TECHNOLOGY GAINING WORLDWIDE ACCEPTANCE
Despite initial skepticism about the technology, more than 100 operators in 63 countries are offering or preparing to roll out GSM-based EDGE high-speed wireless data technology, 3G Americas said Fri. EDGE is considered an alternative to WiMax.
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“EDGE is a technology that early on was doubted by some folks…with some leading analysts questioning EDGE,” Chris Pearson, pres. of 3G Americas told us. “There is tremendous momentum not just in the Americas but globally. It really has a lot of momentum worldwide. We expect that momentum to continue.” Pearson said that companies view the technology as a relatively low cost way of providing service at “the sweet spot” of 100 kbps and above, at relatively low cost. “When you look at the cost to upgrade your technology to get to 100 kbps and above operators are starting to recognize that it’s here and it’s real,” he said.
EDGE, which stands for “enhanced data rates for GSM evolution” is being promoted in the U.S. by AT&T Wireless, Cingular and T-Mobile. 3G Americas said 28 operators with live commercial mobile broadband networks have made nationwide launches in the U.S., Bermuda, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and Bahrain.
In addition to the 28 operators offering commercial 3G EDGE services to customers, 32 operators are actively deploying EDGE and another 33 in the planning stage, 3G Americas said. In 2000, ITU approved EDGE as a 3G standard. In Europe, Telecom Italia Mobile was the first operator to commit to Edge. In June 2003, Cingular launched the first EDGE network in Indianapolis. EDGE has been commercially launched in 4 Asian countries, 10 countries in Europe and the Middle East, and in Algeria.
Meanwhile, UBS cited media reports Fri. that AT&T Wireless is preparing to announce details on wireless CDMA, or UMTS, service it is rolling out to 4 markets. UMTS, which has an average speed of 200-300 kbps, can be a complement to EDGE. Devices are under development that can operate on both a UMTS and EDGE network. Reuters reported that AT&T Wireless will initially offer the service in San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix and Detroit at $25 per month for consumers and $80 per month for business customers.