EDGE

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is an evolution of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) communication standard designed to improve data transmission in mobile networks. EDGE uses modulation techniques similar to those used in 2G GSM, but with more efficient use of the frequency spectrum.

For example, while the original GSM standard provided a data rate of about 9.6 kbps, EDGE has significantly increased this figure, reaching speeds of up to 384 kbps. Such improvements made EDGE an intermediate step between 2G and 3G technologies, providing users with faster Internet access and efficient data transfer in mobile networks.

Historical Background

• The emergence of the standard in the late 1990s. EDGE was proposed as a standard in the late 1990s as an improvement to GSM for faster data transfer.
• Standardization in 2003. EDGE was officially standardized in 2003 as part of 3GPP Release 4, paving the way for its adoption by cellular networks.
• Enhanced data rates. One of the key achievements of EDGE was the increase in data rates over the original GSM standard, allowing speeds of up to 384 kbps.
• Intermediate stage between 2G and 3G. EDGE took the position of an intermediate stage between 2G and 3G technologies and temporarily improved bandwidth until the more advanced 3G networks were fully deployed.
• Global implementation. EDGE has been deployed in various parts of the world, providing users with faster Internet access and more efficient data transfer over mobile networks.
• End of support. As faster and more advanced technologies such as 3G and 4G evolved, EDGE became obsolete. However, it continued to be used in a number of devices and networks in some regions.
• Gradual transition to more advanced technologies. With the advent of 3G and 4G technologies, EDGE has gradually lost ground, and its role is limited to older devices and networks that support this standard.

The role of EDGE in modern society

Now EDGE is considered an obsolete technology in the context of mobile networks. With the development and introduction of newer and faster technologies such as 4G LTE and 5G, EDGE has become unable to compete with their bandwidth and data transfer speeds. With the development and introduction of newer and faster technologies such as 4G LTE and 5G, EDGE has become unable to compete with their bandwidth and data transfer speeds.

Mobile operators are phasing out support for EDGE on their networks in favor of more modern standards. In practice, this means that most new smartphones and devices released in recent years do not support EDGE, and users usually have access to faster data transfer technologies. Mobile operators are phasing out support for EDGE on their networks in favor of faster data transfer technologies.