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story category EDGE Networks Getting Bumped to 1Mbps
Though not until 2009, making the technology even more irrelevant
(old news - 09:15AM Thursday Mar 15 2007)
tags: wireless · bandwidth
EDGE wireless broadband connectivity has long been considered the red-headed step child of the wireless broadband family. Usually offering speeds that barely meet the FCC's paltry 200kbps watermark, EDGE is T-Mobile's primary broadband offering until they upgrade to HSDPA. Mobile Burn reports that the technology is getting a facelift that will allow it to provide speeds closer to 1Mbps. Ericsson says there are 196 EDGE networks in operation in the world today, and the faster speeds will be enabled for the ones Ericsson serves (about half of them) by 2009. Of course, by then improvements to HSDPA and EVDO will again leave the standard looking like dial-up.

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Forums » EDGE Networks Getting Bumped to 1Mbps
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gdm
Premium,MVM
join:2001-06-15
Mchenry, IL
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Comcast Digital Vo..
·Comcast

Better then nothing

Better to have EDGE in rural areas then nothing. I used verizon for awhile and in certain areas I went to the data sucked. Alltel was there and the data worked fine. Went back to Cingular and at least with EDGE I can get my email and surf basic stuff.
soccerguy

join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA
·Speakeasy

Mine's faster

I have a BlackBerry Pearl through T-Mobile, which uses their EDGE network. I recently piggy-backed an internet connection for my notebook using my BlackBerry and and have consistently been getting speeds of 480kbps when I connect to EDGE. At least with my experience, the dissin' of EDGE is unwarranted. And for $20/month using my BlackBerry, the price point can't be beat.

tc1uscg

join:2005-03-09
Saint Clair Shores, MI
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..

Re: Mine's faster

480? Reminds me when all I had was my Sanyo mm7300 doggled to my laptop via USB data cable. Think I was getting around 280-300. Now, got the 7500 evdo phone and see 800-1mbps in the the Detroit metro area and outlying areas. Used a Rev A card in the laptop and dang.. I was impressed. Heck.. I still remember using my old PDA phone and it chugging along at 14.4.. amazing how far we have come and are going. T-mobile will find customers in areas no one else covers or users by default (company plans) but I doubt people will leave Sprint or Verizon for a lower speed.
soccerguy

join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA
·Speakeasy

Re: Mine's faster

I don't use it for primary internet - just when I am not at home and/or can't access wi-fi. It's too slow to use for primary access, but works just fine for occasional internet and email.

tc1uscg

join:2005-03-09
Saint Clair Shores, MI
·Comcast
·WOW Internet and C..


edit:
March 15th, @03:24PM

Re: Mine's faster

Thats what I think it's intended for. The person at the airport or at a rest stop that needs to download mail or upload too. I think once Sprint's WiMAx is online, and there is sure to be a few routers on the market (think there is one now that uses the wireless cards), HSI might be a thing of the past for cable providers. If you can have 10mbps (more like 5 or 6 speed at home and/or on the road, for the right price it will be a godsend..
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

sure

Sure, they have had 10 years to make EDGE phones with more timeslots/higher class, carriers wont allow it.

Aliens
Premium
join:2002-10-09
space-time


edit:
March 15th, @11:55AM

Happy with my T-Mobile EDGE

I'm a happy T-Mobile EDGE customer. My goal with the EDGE service is just to have *some* internet in odd places I may travel, not necessary *good* internet, and do it for cheap. The service fills the bill on both points. So far I have been able to plug the laptop into the phone (USB cable) and get on the internet in all sorts of places, including way out in the Mojave around Palmdale (L.A.) and way up in the mountains (Utah). Any place I can get a cell signal I have pretty much been able to get on EDGE at least at dialup speeds.

For faster I also buy the wireless hotspot service from T-Mobile for my laptop, which works at a zillion Starbucks all over the country where I travel on business, Borders, FedEx Kinkos, etc. And in those locations I can actually sit down at a table and plug in (AC power) to use the laptop properly. I'm especially impressed that the T-Mobile hotspot service has WPA encryption in many locations.

Faster EDGE would be nice, but not if it cost more, since all I really do while on the road is check email and the very occasional web page (OK if the web page takes a minute to load). I've priced the Verizon service. While much faster, it is also much more expensive. More than I need, and I'm not willing to pay for it.

I can't complain a bit with T-Mobile's offerings, for my needs anyway.

L337
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Chicago, IL

I demand G3 Network

I demand G3 Network

Supafly
Premium
join:2000-07-15
Lancaster, CA

Re: Happy with my T-Mobile EDGE

said by Aliens See Profile :

So far I have been able to plug the laptop into the phone (USB cable) and get on the internet in all sorts of places, including way out in the Mojave around Palmdale (L.A.) and way up in the mountains (Utah).
What do you mean WAY OUT? :P Palmdale, Lancaster and the surrounding areas have a combined population of roughly 300k+. We're not some dinky po-dunk city. Verizon and Sprint have fully deployed their 3G offerings (EVDO) and Cingular has JUST started deployment of their offering (HDSPA). Not to mention Time Warner is fully serviced here at 10/1 for their premium tier.

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

Re: Happy with my T-Mobile EDGE

There's still no 3G in Santa Clarita.. I personally care about decent call quality right now, so data isn't my big issue.

Supafly
Premium
join:2000-07-15
Lancaster, CA

Re: Happy with my T-Mobile EDGE

said by en102 See Profile :

There's still no 3G in Santa Clarita.. I personally care about decent call quality right now, so data isn't my big issue.
Don't worry, it's coming...

They're broadcasting 3G on test channels right now from the 5/210 connector up to the Soledad Canyon exit on the 14. You should see it in less than one month.
soccerguy

join:2004-06-28
Seattle, WA
My use is the same. Primary connection is at home with a high speed line. On the road, free wi-fi or HotSpot. If those aren't available, EDGE, which works great in a pinch.
UCHC

join:2007-03-15

said by Aliens See Profile :

I'm a happy T-Mobile EDGE customer. My goal with the EDGE service is just to have *some* internet in odd places I may travel, not necessary *good* internet, and do it for cheap. The service fills the bill on both points.--------- EDITED FOR LENGTH ---------------I can't complain a bit with T-Mobile's offerings, for my needs anyway.
I agree 110%!
My T-Mobile service is great for what I need it for, email, light web browsing, getting directions etc. I have the Complete Internet package, or whatever it is called, and for 30 bucks, I get the EDGE and HOTSPOT services.

T-Mobile serves a certain niche market, and they do it very well. Up-times is 100% for me so far, and I have been a customer since they were Voicestream.

Another satisfied T-Mobile customer,

WiseOldNerd
De gustibus non est disputandum
Premium
join:2001-11-25
Phoenix, AZ
Aliens is right on the mark. That is exactly why I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile. I am happy with the Edge speed when I need it briefly and the HotSpots fill the other major need when traveling.
--
Promote the radical middle
Forums » EDGE Networks Getting Bumped to 1Mbps


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