28th November 2006

Evolved EDGE Contends 3GGrowth

Thanks to the release of a new 3GPP standard GSM operators are going to be focused on ‘Evolved EDGE’ as an alternative to 3G network upgrades, says ABI Research. For users, Evolved EDGE provides better coverage and delivers higher data rates, using a new handset, with power efficiency equivalent to a GSM handset.

With spectral efficiency similar to HSDPA and 1xEV-DO, Evolved EDGE promises to deliver data rates equivalent to 3G while utilizing existing GSM spectrum licenses. ABI Research forecasts that the Evolved EDGE market will generate $25 bn in revenue from network upgrades and mobile devices during the period between 2008 and 2011, and will reach 504 m subscribers worldwide by the end of that period.

In parallel, W-CDMA and HSDPA will grow to more than three quarters of a billion. This leaves a huge potential market for Evolved EDGE to be deployed in areas where 3G isn’t available, it said.

The radio spectrum can be used more efficiently to provide data service continuity between GSM and W-CDMA. Evolved EDGE, which uses the same spectrum as GSM and EDGE, will allow broadband data speeds to be supported across the network.

Web: www.abiresearch.com