13th August - A new survey by GSA – the Global mobile Suppliers Association, confirms 316 mobile network operators in 149 countries have committed to deploying EDGE – Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution. This compares to 213 network commitments a year ago, i.e. 48% growth.
A total of 257 networks, i.e. 81% of commitments, have launched commercial services. This compares with 156 commercial networks identified in a similar GSA survey in early September 2006, an increase of 101 in under 12 months. Commercial EDGE-enabled services are available today in 123 countries, with EDGE networks being most numerous in Europe (101 networks), followed by the Americas and Caribbean (64), Asia Pacific (46), and the Middle East and Africa (46).

EDGE is a mature global technology that gives GSM/GPRS operators the capabilities to deliver 3G-like services. Over 70% of GPRS operators globally have committed to EDGE, which allows operators to handle 3 times more subscribers than with GPRS, either by tripling the user data rate to typically 120 to 160kbps or more, or adding voice capacity. EDGE uses the same TDMA frame structure, logic channel and 200kHz carrier bandwidth as GSM, allowing existing cell plans to be used. No change is needed in the core network. No new spectrum or operating license are required.

EDGE is delivering advanced data services and applications including mobile Internet services in markets around the world. Operators report significant increase in data traffic and ARPU from EDGE device users compared to GPRS device users.

EDGE and 3G/WCDMA are complementary technologies. This latest GSA survey shows that 128 3G/WCDMA operators have deployed, or are currently deploying, combined WCDMA-EDGE networks for lower capital expense, optimum flexibility and efficiencies, and 93 WCDMA-EDGE networks are now in commercial service. This trend continues with High Speed Packet Access – HSPA, since the majority of WCDMA operators evolving to HSPA also use EDGE for service continuity and the best user experience of mobile broadband services.

Alan Hadden, President, GSA said: “The GSA survey quantifies the broad international appeal and success of GSM/EDGE. The availability of commercial GSM/EDGE-enabled services extended to 31 new countries in under a year. In Europe alone there are now over 100 commercial EDGE networks, many in combination with 3G/WCDMA-HSPA networks which extend access to mobile broadband services, and ensure service continuity and the best user experience.”