Wifi Revolution

When it comes to technologies used for sending and receiving mobile phone signal, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) generally are more attractive than Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). But, the numbers show that EDGE may not be as unpopular as one would think.

 

According to a new report from ABI Research, worldwide sales of EDGE-enabled handsets may reach 148 million during 2006—a number that represents 14 percent of the total mobile phone market.

 

In a statement, ABI analyst Stuart Carlaw said that EDGE generally isn’t seen as cutting- edge technology because it can’t deliver true mobile broadband.

 

“It is viewed purely as an evolutionary step on the GSM ladder, and industry attention is very much focused on the newer technologies such as W-CDMA and HSDPA,” Carlaw said.

 

He added: “That view is further compounded by the fact that operators do not actively report EDGE numbers in the public domain.”

 

But, ABI analyst Jake Saunders noted that, despite the lack of market attention, EDGE has an important role to play in delivering services today and content in the future.

 

EDGE’s role today, ABI said, includes providing near-acceptable mobile broadband—the only option to do so for carriers that do not yet have a 3G or 4G license.

“The technology still represents the only viable choice for supporting seamless service delivery on a very wide area basis,” Carlaw said of EDGE. “Neither WiMAX nor LTE nor HSDPA will be rolled out with enough geographic coverage to guarantee minimum service requirements on a wide scale.”

 

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