After a short break-in of new technology in some parts of Moscow and of MegaFon-Moscow starts to total "obezhovyvaniyu" across the GSM network in the Moscow region. How we all need this exotic technology and whether it spend money and resources? It seems that we need. At least in this confident in MegaFon-Moscow, and Beeline gradually include EDGE, but so far only a part of their BS within the Garden Ring. 
Sonorous name
Technology EDGE (stands for Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) - a promising technology of mobile communications. Theoretically enables data transmission in GSM and TDMA/136 speeds up to 384 kbps. Actual speed while significantly lower and the alleged experts can reach 200 Kbps. EDGE does not require significant modifications of existing cellular networks GSM and the technology can be regarded as a bridge between systems generations 2,5 G and 3G. EDGE technology is also known under the name of EGPRS (enhanced GPRS), which is quite accurately conveys the essence of the new items. Striking the name EDGE (from the English "edge" - blade tip edge) must have been invented for aesthetic and marketing reasons.Technology or service?
Certainly technology. More about EDGE have already been written, rewritten, including the pages of Mobile-Review. Some confusion has inherited from the GPRS (General Packet technology) due to the fact that the operators still make out the inclusion of access to the packet connection as a service. It's easier and clearer for consumers, although most GPRS can be considered as transport, by which we obtain a variety of services (mobile and regular web, email, ICQ, etc.). EDGE is enhanced GPRS, and it is specifically include / connect do not need anything. Finding a base station with EDGE, the phone automatically switches to high-speed data transfer, if only he knew how to operate the device with EDGE. Coming out of the coverage of this BS phone will switch to normal GPRS-mode even without interrupting the session, data transmission, switching EDGE-GPRS and GPRS-EDGE occur transparently and invisibly to the user.How to pay
Nothing excessive pay will not have to transfer data via EDGE is charged in the same way as in GPRS: a certain amount of rubles, or cents per megabyte / kilobytes received and the information received. Moreover, the separate tariff GPRS and EDGE-traffic is technically impossible, network hardware and software do not allow. Pay is likely to be more, but for another reason: the Internet quicker and smarter - more page views, go faster email - no need to archive the documents before sending, etc.But that is another topic to which we shall return.
Sense of implementation and cost issues - solid cons ...
Philosophical and marketing considerations of progress and continuous improvement reserve behind the scenes. Formulate a simple question: Why do I need EDGE operator and will be repaid if the cost of new technology? And not it be easier to "hide" to start the deployment of third generation networks? For example, the MTS has not yet implement EDGE network in Moscow, but feel quite dry and comfortable without any "urchin". Across a regional network of GPRS users is relatively small and the income from them is small, EDGE users will be ten times less. Ie Today the mass introduction of EDGE means decent extra costs that will pay off soon. If you pay off at all. And, what is most offensive, mass consumer when downloading screensavers and favorite "Chernobumera" our progressive hedgehog will not even notice.The cost of implementing EDGE strongly depends on the age of network equipment. The older - the more expensive. Modern BS major manufacturers support EDGE c mid to late 2003, the BS bit older doustanovki require special expansion cards, in some cases, additional upgrades. Likely need to upgrade network management software, which is also expensive. Even if the downloaded software already includes the necessary EDGE-functionality release and launch EDGE will have to pay separately. Ie output to the level of commercial operation cost is incomparably more expensive than the "unofficial" work two or three BS in test mode.
A separate question - highways. Surrendered under the GPRS channel collects and delivers in two - two and a half times more data than the same channel with voice traffic. With the introduction of EDGE data flow will increase even more, which will inevitably require increased bandwidth communication lines. Well, if the network is relatively young and from the outset was designed to supply a data transfer. And if built in the last century and only a voice?
Little additional money from the users will not get prices for data transmission in the Russian networks is much lower than world average. Yes, and the users with EDGE-phones while not so much. Although statistics MegaFon in areas with EDGE-coated recorded an increase in data traffic to double, and next year 90% of its GSM handsets will be EDGE-compatible.
... But still have nowhere to go, you can only delay
However, from the refuse from the introduction of EDGE is likely to fail. 3G UMTS network will be too good for the existing infrastructure of GSM 2G +, GPRS system is elementary "no pull" even heavily trimmed functional third-generation networks. A "pull" somehow have to, because it wants to sell new services, and promote, to advertise the new system is expected to accentuating opportunities. Among which the prize will go to reception and transmission of streaming video in various guises: from a video call to the online-movies and commercials. Here - to download heavy graphics (maps), reception and transmission of high resolution photographs, possibly IP-telephony over a data network, remote access to corporate databases and much more.All of this grace should be available in 3G, but "Rome was not built and the first UMTS base stations will be a little bit. A commercial service should work everywhere, not just taken apart under a bush on the bank of the Moskva River. Let not very good, but to work, otherwise the user will be difficult to get the part with the money. And in this situation urchin destined role camel, which at its prickly hump should take out all these new services beyond the coverage of base stations UMTS.Thus, by and large today, the operator two options: to begin an active large-scale introduction of EDGE "here and now", or deliberately to test the technology and prepare your network infrastructure to the "hour of X" when no EDGE no longer be avoided. It is not excluded that the deployment of third generation networks in Russia again to postpone indefinitely, but market forces will act in any case, and a year later the lack of a full EDGE-coverage in Moscow will be perceived as a serious gap between the competitors.
You do not like hedgehogs? Yes, you just do not know how to cook them!
From users is important to not set yourself on a fantastic rate EDGE. All that we have passed the introduction of GPRS: ads promised all the charm of "high-speed access to all resources of the World Wide Web, and the real velocity were significantly lower quality dialup-connection. Advertising - it is advertising. Hopefully, this time, marketers will refrain from aggressive praises super-speed, and buyers EDGE-phones at the same time acquire gubozakatochnye machines. Without going into kilobit / kilobyte details ruler perspective can be formulated as follows: take a good and stable GPRS-connection and mentally increase the speed of loading pages in about 2 - 2,5 times. Ie average 12-15 kilobytes per second can be considered a big success, and 10.12 KB / s very good result.On successfully captured hedgehog most users will be able to guess only by indirect signs (speed). The vast majority of EDGE-devices did not demonstrate the existence of EDGE. Although there are pleasant exceptions: for example, all models Motorola icon G (GPRS), your phone changes the icon E (EDGE). In principle, the policy of manufacturers tubing is clear: to anything subscriber of one network to worry about the fact that sitting at the next table colleague connected to a more modern statement. For the same reason, no phone does not display the number of timeslots to give you. Well, that manufacturers have not yet abandoned the indication signal REF and famous sticks / cubes are still living on the displays.
Yezhov Phones
While no such majority, but to recall a time the appearance of GPRS, in the early mass operation was available only 2-3 models. Below - a partial list of phones with support for EDGE.As already mentioned, the list will actively expand this year and in 2006, most new vehicles will be produced with the support of EDGE.Nokia 3200, 3220, 6680, 9500, 6270, 6111, N70, N90, N91, 6681, 6810, 6820, 6822, 7710, 8800, 9300, 6630, 6230i, 6230, 6220, 6101, 6021, 6020, 5140i, 5140 , 3230, 7280, 7260, 7270
Motorola T725, V547, V635, V6, V8, V360
LG M4410, M4300, A7110
Alcatel One Touch S835
Sony Ericsson W600, Z500
Siemens CF75, S75, SL75
Sony Ericsson has already released and sells several models of EDGE-Modem form-factor PC Card; taking into account the quite decent EDGE-speed solution is interesting for laptop owners. Unfortunately, SIM-card MegaFon-Moscow is not amenable to cloning, but even one dollar abonentki (separate contract) does not seem an excessive price to pay for a "built-in laptop Internet access.
The population of hedgehogs in the Moscow region
Below - published MegaFon today EDGE-territory of Moscow and Moscow region. EDGE is being introduced primarily in Moscow and the surrounding areas / cities with heavy traffic. Until the end of the year it will be EDGE-covered 30% of the service area MegaFon-Moscow, only - 500 existing and new broadcast. This photo shows one of the new, 1300-I of the account base station. Full EDGE-coverage of Moscow within the Ring Road is planned for 2006, a 100% implementation of EDGE on the network in the Moscow region - by 2007.MOSCOW REGION:
In these areas, provided EDGE coverage on July 1, 2005
