Nortel Networks was on hand at Mobile World Congress to demonstrate what it terms "Evolved EDGE," a portfolio of solutions aimed at 2G operators looking to make the leap to 3G and beyond.
Evolved EDGE allows GSM operators to enhance their existing architecture. With a software upgrade, they can deliver two to four times the data rate of EDGE technology, with double the spectral efficiency and a longer battery life for handsets compared to other solutions, the vendor said.
"Today, network-wide data services are delivered by EDGE," said Graham Richardson, general manager for GSM at Nortel. "Tomorrow, broadband data services will be delivered by Evolved EDGE ... This evolution of GSM technology provides a cost-effective bridge to LTE and full service continuity between GSM and LTE."
The upgrade increases data performance rate with a downlink throughput of up to 1.2mbps with reduced latency to support VoIP, gaming, Web browsing, e-mail and video streaming.
Evolved EDGE uses the same spectrum as GSM and EDGE and allows broadband speeds to be supported across the existing network. Evolved EDGE standardization is under finalization in 3GPP Rel-7 and will be introduced to commercial networks in 2009.
