Ericsson promises faster EDGE; year 2003 says "thanks"
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Mar 19th 2007 6:52AM
posted Mar 19th 2007 6:52AM
Hoping to squeeze a little more life out of the world's legacy (read: non-3G) GSM networks -- and there are many -- Ericsson has announced that it will deploy the recently-ratified "EDGE Evolution" protocol by 2009. That in itself isn't terribly interesting; after all, 2009 is a long way off yet. What is interesting, though, is that EDGE Evolution will require nothing more than a software upgrade to existing Ericsson network hardware (much the same as the original EDGE) and promises downstream speeds as high as 1Mbps, making it speedy enough to hang with UMTS and EV-DO Rev. 0. Remember how quickly AT&T Wireless (the old AT&T Wireless, that is) and T-Mobile were able to take their EDGE networks national once they started deployment? If it gains traction, EDGE Evolution should be able to roll out every bit as quickly, bringing 3G speeds to areas that would otherwise go without for many years to come. Of course, compatible handsets are another matter entirely, but manufacturers have until 2009 to get the ball rolling. Let's get to work, folks.[Via Phone Scoop]
It's A LOT easier to upgrade to Edge Evolution than it is to upgrade to HSDPA. No new hardware needed. Don't get offended. How many places have you been, that you lose 3G signal and go back to Edge. Now that Edge fallback will be even faster (and probably less battery life).
I live in the Tristate area and get 3G but when I'm on vacation in Florida, I only get EDGE. I really hope this picks up speed.
SOFTWARE UPGRADE! w00t! (by the way, i know they mean software of the towers, not the handsets)
Some handsets will be firmware upgradable, WOOT x2!! Granted, Cingy/at&t users already have the ability to take their SIMs and put them in UMTS/HSDPA phones/modems so this is just "cherry on top" sweeeeetness! Hey Sprint you can call off your “fruity caballero” commercial now and quit slapping us Cingy users with the hand of deception ;^)...
So EDGE Evolution translates to
Enhanced Data for GSM/GPRS Evolution Evolution
for some reason I find that hilarious.
I guess the iPhone crowd will be happy for this development.