Nokia Siemens Networks bring EDGE closer to 3G
Cooperation between biggest brands in mobile phone industry is a rear thing to happen, but it does from time to time, and the reasons for it should be really very important. Once cooperation takes place, end user is going to feel it soon with more possibilities and/or lower tariffs. What could be a reason for Nokia and Siemens to interact with each other? – Enhancing EDGE networks, which may sound odd because EDGE is nothing but Enhanced Data rates for GSM [Global] Evolution. Enhancing enhanced rates may be a complicated job but Nokia and Siemens did it well. They have almost reached to double EDGE speed for mobile phones and are looking forward for even more results in nearest future.
If there are any questions about what EDGE is, a simple answer can be that EDGE is a milestone between GSM and 3G. GSM is a wide spread mobile network, but it doesn't let its users to enjoy modern mobile Internet features. 3G does in turn, but it takes mobile network operators to invest a lot of money in new gears and qualified staff. EDGE provides 384 kbps data transfer speed on the GSM equipment so mobile Internet providers are happy to use it. However 384 kbps is obviously not enough for mobile video steaming, downloads and especially uploads.
With new solution from Nokia Siemens Networks data transfer rate grows to 592 kbps almost doubling standard EDGE bandwidth. The solution is a software upgrade so it won't take a lot of effort to install. New equipment would have been a greater problem. Anyway, Nokia Siemens Networks’ Dual Carrier EDGE solution is based on the 3GPP release 7 standard, which means 592 kbps might be not its top speed. Project under name EGPRS 2B is up to redouble EDGE speeds to 1.2 Mbps download and 473 Mbps upload.
These words are pleasant to hear, but there is something to consider before we can say Nokia Siemens Networks are doomed to be successful. First of all I'm afraid that Downlink Dual Carrier will fall into a category of really great solutions, but not hurrying to its production unit. There are a lot of gadgets on the web that are praised and expected by everyone, but forgotten and never seen again in a short time. I hope Nokia and Siemens will not let this happen, and I hope they will start upgrading EDGE networks soon, because 3G is going forward at a steady gait.
