EDGE

GSM EDGE, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution, was the evolution of GSM, &
GPRS which used 8PSK modulation to achieve data transfer rates up to 384 kbps.
EDGE is an evolution to the GSM mobile cellular phone system. The name EDGE
stands for Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution and it enables data to be sent
over a GSM TDMA system at speeds up to 384 kbps. In some instances GSM
EDGE evolution systems may also be known as EGPRS, or Enhanced General
Packet Radio Service systems. Although strictly speaking a "2.5G" system, the GSM
EDGE cellular technology is capable of providing data rates that are a distinct
increase on those that could be supported by GPRS.
EDGE evolution is intended to build on the enhancements provided by the addition
of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) where packet switching is applied to a
network. It then enables a three-fold increase in the speed at which data can be
transferred by adopting a new form of modulation. GSM uses a form of modulation
known as Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK), but EDGE evolution changes
the modulation to 8PSK and thereby enabling a significant increase in data rate to be
achieved.

What is EDGE? - the basics

GSM EDGE cellular technology is an upgrade to the existing GSM / GPRS networks,
and can often be implemented as a software upgrade to existing GSM / GPRS
networks. This makes it a particularly attractive option proving virtually 3G data rates
for a small upgrade to an existing GPRS network.
GSM EDGE evolution can provide data rates of up to 384 kbps, and this means that
it offers a significantly higher data rate than GPRS.
There are a number of key elements in the upgrade from GSM or GPRS to EDGE.
The GSM EDGE technology requires a number of new elements to be added to the
system:

Use of 8PSK modulation: In order to achieve the higher data rates within
GSM EDGE, the modulation format can be changed from GMSK to 8PSK.
This provides a significant advantage in being able to convey 3 bits per
symbol, thereby increasing the maximum data rate. This upgrade requires a
change to the base station. Sometimes hardware upgrades may be required,
although it is often simply a software change.

Base station: Apart from the upgrade to incorporate the 8PSK modulation
capability, other small changes are required to the base station. These are
normally relatively small and can often be accomplished by software
upgrades.

Upgrade to network architecture: GSM EDGE provides the capability for

IP based data transfer. As a result, additional network elements are required.
These are the same as those needed for GPRS and later for UMTS. In this
way the introduction of EDGE technology is part of the overall migration path
from
GSM
to
UMTS.

The two main additional nodes required for the network are the Gateway
GPRS Service Node (GGSN) and the Serving GPRS Service Node (SGSN).
The GGSN connects to packet-switched networks such as the Internet and
other GPRS networks. The SGSN provides the packet-switched link to mobile
stations.

Mobile stations: It is necessary to have a GSM EDGE handset that is

EDGE compatible. As it is not possible to upgrade handsets, this means that
the user needs to buy a new GSM EDGE handset.

Despite the number of changes that need to be made, the cost of the upgrade to
move to GSM EDGE cellular technology is normally relatively small. The elements in
the core network are required for GPRS which may already be available on the
network, and hence these elements will already be present. The new network
entities are also needed for UMTS and therefore they are on the overall upgrade and
migration path. Other changes to the base stations are comparatively small and can
often be achieved very easily.

GSM EDGE evolution specification overview

It is worth summarizing the key parameters of GSM EDGE cellular technology.
PARAMETER

DETAILS

Multiple Access Technology

FDMA / TDMA

Duplex Technique

FDD

Channel Spacing

200 kHz

Modulation

GMSK, 8PSK

Slots per channel

Frame duration

4.615 ms

Latency

Below 100 ms

Overall symbol rate

270 k symbols / s

Overall modulation bit rate

810 kbps

Radio data rate per time slot

69.2 kbps

Max user data rate per time slot

59.2 kbps (MCS9)

Max user data rate when using 8 time

slots
GSM EDGE specification highlights

473.6 kbps **

GSM EDGE network architecture

- a summary, overview or tutorial about the basics of the enhancements required for
the GSM EDGE network architecture including the GGSN and SGSN.
In order that the GSM EDGE upgrade can be implemented, additions are required
within the EDGE network architecture to be able to cater for the packet data that is
carried by the system. The additional network entities required are the same as
those used for GPRS and also for UMTS.
With the introduction of the new entities within the network, it was still necessary for
the new EDGE network elements and those from the existing GSM elements to work
along side one another. Accordingly the introduction of GPRS and EDGE technology
saw the addition of some new entities within the over network architecture.
The two main elements that are required by the GSM EDGE network architecture
are the GGSN and SGSN. These enable the network to be able to cater for the
packet data that is passed over the network.

GSM EDGE network architecture upgrades

Although in practice a variety of elements are required within the network
architecture, the main new network architecture entities that are needed for the
EDGE upgrade are:

SGSN: GPRS Support Node - this forms a gateway to the services within the
network.

GGSN: Gateway GPRS Support Node which forms the gateway to the
outside world.

PCU: Packet Control Unit which differentiates whether data is to be routed to

the packet switched or circuit switched networks.

A simplified view of the GSM EDGE network architecture can be seen in the diagram
below. From this it can be seen that it is very similar to the more basic GSM network
architecture, but with additional elements.

GSM EDGE network architecture

SGSN
The SGSN or Serving GPRS Support Node element of the GPRS network provides
a number of takes focussed on the IP elements of the overall system. It provides a
variety of services to the mobiles:

Packet routing and transfer

Mobility management

Authentication

Attach/detach

Logical link management

Charging data

There is a location register within the SGSN and this stores location information
(e.g., current cell, current VLR). It also stores the user profiles (e.g., IMSI, packet
addresses used) for all the GPRS users registered with the particular SGSN.

GGSN
The GGSN, Gateway GPRS Support Node is one of the most important entities
within the GSM EDGE network architecture.
The GGSN organises the inter-working between the GPRS / EDGE network and
external packet switched networks to which the mobiles may be connected. These
may include both Internet and X.25 networks.
The GGSN can be considered to be a combination of a gateway, router and firewall
as it hides the internal network to the outside. In operation, when the GGSN receives
data addressed to a specific user, it checks if the user is active, then forwarding the
data. In the opposite direction, packet data from the mobile is routed to the right
destination network by the GGSN.

PCU
The PCU or Packet Control Unit is a hardware router that is added to the BSC. It
differentiates data destined for the standard GSM network (circuit switched data) and
data destined for the EDGE network (Packet Switched Data). The PCU itself may be
a separate physical entity, or more often these days it is incorporated into the base
station controller, BSC, thereby saving additional hardware costs.

GSM EDGE network upgrading

One of the key elements for any network operator is the cost of capital expenditure
(capex) to buy and establish a network. Capex costs are normally very high for a
new network, and operators endeavour to avoid this and use any existing networks
they may have to make the optimum use of any capital. In addition to the capex,
there are the operational costs, (opex). These costs are for general maintenance and
other operational costs that may be incurred. Increasing efficiency and reliability will
reduce the opex costs.
Any upgrade such as that from GSM to EDGE will require new investment and
operators are keen to keep this to the minimum. The upgrades for the EDGE
network are not as large as starting from scratch and rolling out a new network.
The EDGE network adds to the existing GSM network. The main new entities
required within the network are the SGSN and GGSN, and these are required as the
starting point.
The base station subsystems require some updates. The main one is the addition of
the PCU described above. Some modifications may be required to the BTS, but
often only a software upgrade is required, and this may often be achieved remotely.
In this way costs are kept to a minimum.
GSM EDGE Modulation, Slot, Burst and Air Interface
- summary, overview or tutorial about the basics of GSM EDGE air interface
including the modulation scheme, slot, burst configurations.
The air interface for GSM EDGE, including the modulation, as well as the slot and
burst structures, have been developed to be compatible with the overall GSM

concept. In this way EDGE cellular technology is able to operate alongside the
existing GSM systems by adding an EDGE upgrade.
In addition to this EDGE technology re-uses many of the features of the existing
systems allowing both technologies to utilise the same base stations, etc. This
provides a lower cost option to upgrade the network rather than having to deploy a
completely new system.
With EDGE operating alongside GSM and GPRS, it has been necessary for the air
interface to accommodate all signals, often catering for all three simultaneously. This
approach, while proving some technical challenges has been very successful, as
demonstrated by the number of operators whose networks are able to accommodate
all three signals.

GSM EDGE modulation characteristics

One of the ways in which EDGE is able to provide higher data rates is to use a
different modulation scheme for higher data rates. However the GMSK modulation
scheme used for the basic GSM system is still used for the lower data rates.
GMSK was chosen for the original GSM system for a variety of reasons:

It is resilient to noise when compared to many other forms of modulation.

Radiation outside the accepted bandwidth is lower than other forms of phase
shift keying.

It has a constant power level which allows higher efficiency RF power

amplifiers to be used in the handset, thereby reducing current consumption
and conserving battery life.

The GMSK modulation format is is used for the lower data rate transfers. The
advantages mean that it is well suited for situations where lower data rates can be
tolereated.

Note on GMSK:
GMSK, Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying is a form of phase modulation that is used in
a number of portable radio and wireless applications. It has advantages in terms of
spectral efficiency as well as having an almost constant amplitude which allows for
the use of more efficient transmitter power amplifiers, thereby saving on current
consumption, a critical issue for battery power equipment.
Click on the link for a GMSK tutorial

In order to enable data to be transmitted a form of phase modulation known as

Octonary Phase Shift Keying, 8PSK was used. This form of modulation has a
number of advantages that meant it was chosen for carrying high speed EDGE data:

Able to operate within the existing GSM / GPRS channel structure.

Able to operate within the existing GSM / GPRS channel bandwidth.

Able to operate within the existing GSM / GPRS channel coding structure.

Provides a higher data capability than the existing GSM GMSK modulation
scheme.

The 8-PSK modulation scheme fulfils these requirements. It has the equivalent
bandwidth and adjacent channel interference levels to GMSK. This makes it possible
to integrate EDGE channels into the existing GSM / GPRS network and frequency
plan as well as keeping the same channel coding structure.

Note on PSK:
Phase shift Keying, PSK is a form of modulation used particularly for data
transmissions. If offers an effective way of transmitting data. By altering the number
of different phase states which can be adopted, the data speeds that can be
achieved within a given channel can be increased, but at the cost of lower resilience
to noise an interference.
Click on the link for a PSK tutorial

The 8PSK modulation method is a linear method in which three consecutive bits are
mapped onto one symbol in the I/Q plane as shown below

8PSK Modulation Constellation

Using 8-PSK, the rate at which symbols are sent remains the same. However each
symbol now represents three bits instead of one. This means that the actual data
rate is increased by a factor of three.
The "distance" between the different positions on the constellation diagram is shorter
using 8PSK modulation than when using GMSK. This means that there is an
increased risk of any of the symbols being misinterpreted, especially in the presence
of interference or noise. This occurs because it is more difficult for the radio receiver
to detect which symbol it has received. To overcome this, additional error coding

may be required to protect against the possibility of errors. However increased levels
of error protection require additional data to be sent and this reduces the data
throughput of the required data.
In view of this, it is found that when the signal is poor GMSK can be more effective
than 8PSK, and as a result, the overall EDGE modulation scheme is a mixture of
GMSK and 8PSK.

GSM EDGE time slots

EDGE, GPRS and GSM have to all operate along side each other in a network. It is
a primary requirement that the evolutionary technologies are able to all operate on
the same network. This ensures the service offered to existing customers using older
phones along with those paying additional rates for the premium EDGE services.
This means that the network has to support both services operating simultaneously.
Accordingly different slots within the traffic frames will need to be able to support
different structures and different types of modulation dependent upon the phones
being used, the calls being made and the prevailing conditions. It is quite possible
that one slot may be supporting a GSM call, the next a GPRS data connection, and
the third an EDGE connection using GMSK or 8PSK.
EDGE MCS Coding Schemes
- a summary, overview or tutorial about the basics of the GSM EDGE data coding
and error correction and MCS classes.
Most of the data being sent over an EDGE link will consist of TCP/IP packets. These
packets are longer than a single EDGE packet payload and therefore it is necessary
to split the TCP/IP packets into smaller section and these are known as "chunks".
These chunks have defined sizes and may consist of one of 22, 28, 34, or 37 bytes
or "octets". The 37 octet chunk may be made directly of data to be transmitted, or it
may be a 34 octet chunk which is then padded by adding three dummy octets.
There are nine different Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) that can be used
with EDGE. Each one is designated a number in the region 1 to 9. These allow
different degrees of error protection (and coding rate) and this results in a change in
the net data throughput. The system detects the number of bit errors and adjusts the
coding scheme accordingly. It naturally endeavours to adopt the scheme that will
result in the highest throughput, but will adjust itself according to the prevailing
conditions, changing as required.
The different coding schemes are grouped into three classes or families which are
referred to by letters, as classes A, B and C. The coding schemes within a class are
used together and complement each other. Family A consists of MCS-3, MCS-6,
MCS-8, and MCS-9. Family B consists of MCS-2, MCS-5, and MCS-7. Finally family
C consists of MCS-1, and MCS- 4. The advantage of grouping the families together
in this way is that if a block transmitted in one of the coding schemes is not
acknowledged, then it can be sent as two blocks, for example with a coding scheme
in the same family. For example if a block transmitted using MCS-7 is corrupted then
it can be re-sent as two blocks using MCS-5 or four using MCS-2.

MCS
SCHEME
NAME

EFFECTIVE
CODING RATE

MODULATION
FORMAT

DATA RATE
FOR ONE
SLOT
(KBPS)

MCS-1

0.53

GMSK

8.8

MCS-2

0.66

GMSK

11.2

MCS-3

0.8

GMSK

14.8

MCS-4

1.0

GMSK

17.6

MCS-5

0.37

8PSK

22.4

MCS-6

0.49

8PSK

29.6

MCS-7

0.76

8PSK

44.8

MCS-8

0.92

8PSK

54.4

8PSK

59.2

MCS-9
1
Evolved EDGE

- summary, overview or tutorial about the basics of Evolved EDGE, the upgrade to
EDGE to provide further improvements.
Evolved EDGE or E-EDGE is an upgrade that has been developed to enable GSM
EDGE networks to be upgraded to provide similar performance levels to those
provided by the more traditional 3G technologies including UMTS and CDMA20001x
EVDO.
In view of the performance of Evolved EDGE, it has been seen as a route for
operators not wanting the additional investment needed for 3G, while still needing
the higher levels of performance offered by new technology.
As far as the user is concerned, the vanilla form of EDGE provides a speed increase
of around three times over GPRS and it is usually possible to achieve speeds of up
to 220 kbps. Using Evolved EDGE, speeds of around 1 Mbps are anticipated.
Despite the advantages of deploying Evolved EDGE, the take-up has been small.
Operators have sent he majority of the market moving to 3G and beyond and with
factors such as availability of handsets, and roaming mobility, the operator
enthusiasm has not reached sufficient critical mass to for it to take off.

Evolved EDGE, E-EDGE basics

There are a number of new elements that are incorporated onto the original form of
EDGE. A number of ideas have been introduced to provide the upgrades required.
These include the following:

Higher Order Modulation: In order to be able to provide its increase in

speed over GPRS, the vanilla version of EDGE uses 8PSK modulation to
enable a speed increase. This works by enabling 3 bits to be encoded per
symbol. Evolved EDGE, E-EDGE uses higher orders of Quadrature Amplitude
Modulation in the forms of 16QAM, which encodes 4 bits per symbol and
32QAM which encodes 5 bits per symbol. That said, 32QAM is only able to be

used under ideal conditions because there is a trade-off using higher

modulation orders. While they are able to provide higher data rates, they
require a greater signal to noise ratio to provide error-free reception.

Receiver diversity: The Evolved EDGE system provides for a scheme

known as receiver diversity where a second receiver is used to decode the
incoming signal a way that can receive it with different characteristics, e.g.
position or polarisation. In this way, if the signal on one receiver is poor, there
is a chance the signal on the second one is better and can be received with
fewer errors.

Simultaneous channels: The Evolved EDGE standard allows for the use of
two channels, thereby providing the possibility of doubling the throughput.

Simultaneous transmission and reception: One key element within GSM,

and then GPRS and EDGE, was that to save costs, the Time Division
Multiplexing scheme would ensure that the transmitter and receiver in a
mobile handset were never active at the same time. This was achieved by
using one slot for transmission, and a different time slot for reception. Even
when multiple slots are used, one either side of the reception slot(s) was kept
clear
to
allow
for
transmit
/
receive
settling.
Evolved EDGE allows for simultaneous transmission and reception as the
cost of more effective filtering between the transmitter and receiver. Most
EDGE mobiles on the market are restricted to four timeslots per carrier due to
this phenomenon, having independent transmission and reception chains
could allow mobiles to use all eight timeslots of a carrier.

Evolved EDGE take-up

While Evolved EDGE seems to tick many of the boxes for operators and users alike,
take-up has been very poor. While the scheme can offer data rates of around 1
Mbps, many of the more up to date technologies such as HSPA and further on LTE
offer much higher data rates. Operators are unlikely to want to invest in Evolved
EDGE if they will ultimately need to introduce the newer technologies that offer far
greater levels of performance. In addition to this, another major factor affecting the
deployment of Evolved EDGE is the availability of handsets. With a lack of handsets
it is not possible for the system to gain any headway. Despite this, the orginal form of
EDGE is still in widespread use.

Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"EDGE" redirects here. For other uses, see Edge.

EDGE sign shown in notification bar on an Android-based smartphone.

Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) (also known
as Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC), or Enhanced Data
rates for Global Evolution) is a digital mobile phone technology that allows
improved data transmission rates as a backward-compatible extension of GSM.
EDGE is considered a pre-3G radio technology and is part
of ITU's 3G definition.[1] EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003
initially by Cingular (now AT&T) in the United States.[2]
EDGE is standardized also by 3GPP as part of the GSM family. A variant, so called
Compact-EDGE, was developed for use in a portion of Digital AMPS network
spectrum.[3]
Through the introduction of sophisticated methods of coding and transmitting data,
EDGE delivers higher bit-rates per radio channel, resulting in a threefold increase in
capacity and performance compared with an ordinary GSM/GPRS connection.
EDGE can be used for any packet switched application, such as
an Internet connection.
Evolved EDGE continues in Release 7 of the 3GPP standard providing reduced
latency and more than doubled performance e.g. to complement High-Speed Packet
Access (HSPA). Peak bit-rates of up to 1 Mbit/s and typical bit-rates of 400 kbit/s can
be expected.
Contents
[hide]

1Technology
o 1.1Transmission techniques
o 1.2EDGE modulation and coding scheme (MCS)
o 1.3Evolved EDGE
2Networks
3See also
4References
5External links
Technology[edit]
EDGE/EGPRS is implemented as a bolt-on enhancement for 2.5G GSM/GPRS
networks, making it easier for existing GSM carriers to upgrade to it. EDGE is a
superset to GPRS and can function on any network with GPRS deployed on it,
provided the carrier implements the necessary upgrade. EDGE requires no hardware
or software changes to be made in GSM core networks. EDGE-compatible
transceiver units must be installed and the base station subsystem needs to be
upgraded to support EDGE. If the operator already has this in place, which is often
the case today, the network can be upgraded to EDGE by activating an optional

software feature. Today EDGE is supported by all major chip vendors for both GSM
and WCDMA/HSPA.
Transmission techniques[edit]
In addition to Gaussian minimum-shift keying (GMSK), EDGE uses higher-order
PSK/8 phase shift keying (8PSK) for the upper five of its nine modulation and coding
schemes. EDGE produces a 3-bit word for every change in carrier phase. This
effectively triples the gross data rate offered by GSM. EDGE, like GPRS, uses a rate
adaptation algorithm that adapts the modulation and coding scheme (MCS)
according to the quality of the radio channel, and thus the bit rate and robustness of
data transmission. It introduces a new technology not found in GPRS, Incremental
Redundancy, which, instead of retransmitting disturbed packets, sends more
redundancy information to be combined in the receiver. This increases the
probability of correct decoding.
EDGE can carry a bandwidth up to 500 kbit/s (with end-to-end latency of less than
150 ms) for 4 timeslots (theoretical maximum is 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots) in packet
mode. This means it can handle four times as much traffic as standard GPRS.
EDGE meets theInternational Telecommunications Union's requirement for
a 3G network, and has been accepted by the ITU as part of the IMT-2000family of
3G standards.[1] It also enhances the circuit data mode called HSCSD, increasing the
data rate of this service.
EDGE modulation and coding scheme (MCS)[edit]
The channel encoding process in GPRS as well as EGPRS/EDGE consists of two
steps: first, a cyclic code is used to add parity bits, which are also referred to as the
Block Check Sequence, followed by coding with a possibly punctured convolutional
code.[4] In GPRS, the Coding Schemes CS-1 to CS-4 specify the number of parity
bits generated by the cyclic code and the puncturing rate of the convolutional
code.[4] In GPRS Coding Schemes CS-1 through CS-3, the convolutional code is of
rate 1/2, i.e. each input bit is converted into two coded bits.[4] In Coding Schemes
CS-2 and CS-3, the output of the convolutional code is punctured to achieve the
desired code rate.[4] In GPRS Coding Scheme CS-4, no convolutional coding is
applied.[4]
In EGPRS/EDGE, the Modulation and Coding Schemes MCS-1 to MCS-9 take the
place of the Coding Schemes of GPRS, and additionally specify which modulation
scheme is used, GMSK or 8PSK.[4] MCS-1 through MCS-4 use GMSK and have
performance similar (but not equal) to GPRS, while MCS-5 through MCS-9 use
8PSK.[4] In all EGPRS Modulation and Coding Schemes, a convolutional code of rate
1/3 is used, and puncturing is used to achieve the desired code rate.[4] In contrast to
GRPS, the Radio Link Control (RLC) and Media Access Control (MAC) headers and
the payload data are coded separately in EGPRS.[4] The headers are coded more
robustly than the data.[4]
GPRS
Coding
scheme

Bitrate including RLC/MAC

overhead[a][b]
(kbit/s/slot)

Bitrate excluding
RLC/MAC overhead[c]
(kbit/s/slot)

Modulation

Code
rate

CS-1

9.20

8.00

GMSK

1/2

CS-2

13.55

12.00

GMSK

2/3

CS-3

15.75

14.40

GMSK

3/4

CS-4

21.55

20.00

GMSK

EDGE
Modulation and
Coding
Scheme (MCS)

Bitrate including
RLC/MAC
overhead[a]
(kbit/s/slot)

Bitrate excluding
RLC/MAC
overhead[c]
(kbit/s/slot)

MCS-1

9.20

MCS-2

Modulation

Data
code
rate

Header
code
rate

8.00

GMSK

0.53

0.53

11.60

10.40

GMSK

0.66

0.53

MCS-3

15.20

14.80

GMSK

0.85

0.53

MCS-4

18.00

16.80

GMSK

0.53

MCS-5

22.80

21.60

8PSK

0.37

1/3

MCS-6

30.00

28.80

8PSK

0.49

1/3

MCS-7

45.20

44.00

8PSK

0.76

0.39

MCS-8

54.80

53.60

8PSK

0.92

0.39

MCS-9

59.60

58.40

8PSK

0.39

1. ^ Jump up to:a b This is rate at which the RLC/MAC layer protocol data
unit (PDU) (called a radio block) is transmitted. As shown in TS 44.060
section 10.0a.1,[5] a radio block consists of MAC header, RLC header, RLC
data unit and spare bits. The RLC data unit represents the payload, the rest
is overhead. The radio block is coded by the convolutional code specified for
a particular Coding Scheme, which yields the same PHY layer data rate for all
Coding Schemes.
2. Jump up^ Cited in various sources, e.g. in TS 45.001 table 1.[4] is the bitrate
including the the RLC/MAC headers, but excluding the uplink state flag
(USF), which is part of the MAC header,[6] yielding a bitrate that is 0.15 kbit/s
lower.
3. ^ Jump up to:a b The net bitrate here is the rate at which the RLC/MAC layer
payload (the RLC data unit) is transmitted. As such, this bit rate excludes the
header overhead from the RLC/MAC layers.
Evolved EDGE[edit]
Evolved EDGE improves on EDGE in a number of ways. Latencies are reduced by
lowering the Transmission Time Interval by half (from 20 ms to 10 ms). Bit rates are

increased up to 1 Mbit/s peak bandwidth and latencies down to 80 ms using dual

carrier, higher symbol rate and higher-order modulation (32QAM and 16QAM instead
of 8PSK), and turbo codes to improve error correction. And finally signal quality is
improved using dual antennas improving average bit-rates and spectrum efficiency.
EDGE Evolution can be gradually introduced as software upgrades, taking
advantage of the installed base. With EDGE Evolution, end-users will be able to
experience mobile internet connections corresponding to a 500 kbit/s ADSL
service.[7]
Networks[edit]
See also: List of EDGE networks
The Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) states that,[8] as of May 2013, there
were 604 GSM/EDGE networks in 213 countries, from a total of 606 mobile network
operator commitments in 213 countries.

EDGE
The business of wireless data is expected to grow in the region of 100-200 per cent
per annum and the mobile communications industry agrees that wireless data
services will form the foundation for future business. The enormous success of short
messaging in many countries proves that people accept the benefits of non-voice
services.
We are now facing the introduction of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) as well
as the higher transmission speeds of High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD),
soon to be joined by the convenience of "always on-line" direct internet connections
with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). These standards will enable greater
sophistication as end-user services move towards personal multimedia. A new
technology, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) will be introduced to
boost network capacity and data rates of both circuit switching (HSCSD) and packet
switching (GPRS), to meet the demands of wireless multimedia applications and
mass market deployment.
Many wireless data applications today can be implemented with 9.6kbit/s data.
However, bandwidth-hungry fixed line data applications - web browsing, access to
corporate data bases, and so on - would benefit from higher transmission speeds
when used over the mobile network. HSCSD will significantly improve performance,
especially for time-critical applications. GPRS will enable cost-effective wireless
access to applications that rely upon data bursts, adding packet switching to GSM
with a packet-based air interface on top of the current circuit switched mode of
operation. GPRS will provide the connectivity needed in packet-switched data
networks such as the Internet.

EDGE, a new radio interface technology with enhanced modulation, increases the
HSCSD and GPRS data rates by up to three fold. EDGE modulation will increase the
data throughput provided by the packet switched service even over 400kbit/s per
carrier. Similarly, the data rates of circuit switched data can be increased, or existing
data rates can be achieved using fewer timeslots, saving capacity. Accordingly,
these higher speed data services are referred to as EGPRS (Enhanced GPRS) and
ECSD (Enhanced Circuit Switched Data).
EDGE, expected to be deployed in 2000-2001, is a major improvement in GSM
phase 2+. As a modification to existing GSM networks, EDGE does not require new
network elements. EDGE is especially attractive to GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM
1900 operators that do not have a licence for UMTS, but still wish to offer
competitive personal multimedia applications utilising the existing band allocation.
Also, EDGE can co-exist with UMTS, for instance to provide high-speed services for
wide-area coverage while UMTS is deployed in urban hot spots.
In the US, EDGE is part of the IS-136 high-speed concept which is one of the third
generation RTT (Radio Transmission Technology) proposals from TR45. EDGE will
be also standardised in the US which makes it possible to achieve a global mobile
radio system with many services characteristic to third generation systems.
Nokia is dedicated to supporting GSM operators with wireless data solutions that
help them create value in the market place, both now and in the future. Wireless data
is steady evolution, not revolution. With Nokia's experience, the operator starting
today with wireless data can accumulate the skills and know-how to build a strong
market position, all the way to third generation systems and the personal multimedia
era. This White Paper describes Nokia's understanding of the role and benefits of
EDGE as wireless data evolves towards personal multimedia.
EDGE
The GSM standard is being developed to support mobile services with radio
interface data rates even over 400kbit/s. This work is being performed under the
ETSI work item EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution).
The major change in the GSM standard to support higher data rates is the new
modulation system, known as 8PSK (Phase Shift Keying). This will not replace but
rather co-exist with the existing GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) modulation.
With 8PSK, it is possible to provide higher data rates with a somewhat reduced
coverage, whereas GMSK will be used as a robust mode for a wide area coverage.
EDGE brings more speed and capacity when needed
In mature GSM markets, cellular data penetration is forecast to increase
exponentially during the early 2000s. New wireless data applications and innovative
terminal types will generate completely new markets: aggressive GSM operators can
expect to obtain up to 30 per cent of their airtime and revenue from wireless data by
year 2000.
HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) and GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service), introduced to GSM in 1998 and 1999 respectively, will enable cellular
operators to offer higher than 9.6kbit/s data rates to their subscribers for new data
applications.
Cellular operators that have invested in HSCSD and GPRS expect to be able to offer
higher data rates without building too many new sites. The ECSD (Enhanced Circuit
Switched Data) and EGPRS (Enhanced General Packet Radio System) solutions
offer data services comparable to 3rd generation levels with considerably fewer radio
resources than in standard GSM. This means that EDGE TRXs (transceivers) carry
more data per time slot, decreasing the need for new TRXs/frequencies. In addition,

end user response times decrease, ensuring good service levels as data usage
increases.
It could be possible for EDGE Phase 2 to provide a voice service using AMR
(Adaptive Multirate Codec) type of solution. EDGE TRXs would then be capable of
carrying multiple speech calls per time slot, increasing voice capacity. Also, high
quality codecs, e.g 32kbit/s would be feasible. EDGE as a voice solution looks
especially interesting for indoor systems because of its scalable capacity.
EDGE boosts data rates
The Phase 1 EDGE standard, scheduled to be complete in the third quarter of 1999,
will contain both EGPRS and ECSD services. EGPRS will be based on the footprint
of GPRS, whereas ECSD will enhance the data rates of HSCSD. It is expected that
packet data will dominate circuit switched data in future GSM data networks, calling
for EGPRS solutions with high flexibility and spectral efficiency. Also, the high data
rate real time services provided with ECSD are seen as important for applications
such as video retrieval and video telephony.
EDGE will provide significantly higher data rates on the current 200kHz GSM carrier.
The data rates being specified by ETSI would bring ECSD rates up to
38.4kbit/s/timeslot and EGPRS rates up to 60kbit/s/ timeslot. The data throughput
per carrier increases even over 400kbit/s. For ECSD, it is possible to support a
64kbit/s real time service with a low bit error ratio (BER) by allocating two time slots
of 32 kbit/s each. The enhanced modulation will adapt to radio circumstances and
hence offer the highest data rates in good propagation conditions, whilst ensuring
wider area coverage at lower data speeds per timeslot.
EDGE complements UMTS
EDGE will allow operators without a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System)
licence stay competitive in wireless data markets. However, UMTS operators can
also use EDGE for gradual rollout of high-speed data services and for wide area
coverage where UMTS would be used for urban areas.
EDGE builds on existing GSM network
Due to the new air interface modulation and the greatly increased data rates, some
software and hardware changes will be required to make a network EDGE capable
and new mobile terminals are required for enhanced services. However, EDGE will
not require any new network elements and will be able to support older mobile
terminals with GMSK modulation.
EDGE data applications
With EDGE, GSM goes personal multimedia. EDGE will boost all existing circuit and
packet-switched services and enable completely new high-speed data applications.
Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGPRS)
The dominant data networking protocol, on which most data network applications are
running, is TCP/IP, the Internet Protocol. All web applications are run on some form
of TCP/IP, which is by nature a protocol family for packet switched networks. This
means that (E)GPRS is an ideal bearer for any packet switched application such as
an Internet connection. From the end user's point of view, the (E)GPRS network is
an Internet sub-network that has wireless access. Internet addressing is used and
Internet services can be accessed. A new number, the IP address number, is
introduced with the telephone number. From the Internet's point of view, the
(E)GPRS network is just one sub-network among many others.
Typical EGPRS applications are:
Online Email
Web

Enhanced short messages

Wireless imaging with instant pictures
Video services
Document and information sharing
Surveillance
Voice over Internet
Broadcasting
Enhanced Circuit Switched Data (ECSD)
Some applications, such as fax and video, require a transparent service (constant bit
rates), while other applications (the web, e-mail) can work well with non-transparent
services. Typical ECSD applications are:
E-mail download and upload
Bandwidth-secure mobile high speed LAN access
File transfer
Vertical applications such as batch-type field sales information or document transfer
Real-time applications demanding a constant bit rate and transmission delay
Time-critical wireless imaging
Mobile videophony
Video on demand
Live video streaming
Market potential
Gradually, non-voice services will account for one third or more of GSM traffic and
revenues. This will not happen overnight, however, as wireless data is an evolution,
not a revolution. Thus a step-by-step approach to educating the market and
introducing more sophisticated services is vital. EDGE provides a boost to data
speeds using the existing GSM network, allowing the operator to offer personal
multimedia applications before the introduction of UMTS. The time between EDGE
and UMTS introduction clearly improves the business case for UMTS and may prove
to be instrumental in gaining a long-term advantage over competitors.
As wireless data becomes available to all subscribers and they demand a full set of
high-speed services and shorter response times, EDGE will provide an operator with
a competitive advantage. EDGE also enables data capacity to be deployed when
and where demand dictates, minimising the investment required.
Added benefits with EDGE
For the operator
Migration to wireless multimedia services
The operator can increase data revenues by offering attractive new types
applications to end users.
Improved customer satisfaction
Increased data capacity and higher data throughput will decrease response times for
all data services, thus keeping end users satisfied and connected.
Possibility of early market deployment of third generation type applications
EDGE networks are expected to emerge in year 2001, when mature markets are
likely to start demanding multimedia applications.
Quick network implementation
EDGE will not require new network elements and EDGE capability can be introduced
gradually to the network.
Optimised network investment as GSM enhancement
Flexible data capacity deployment where the demand is.
For the end user

Improved quality of service

Increased data capacity and higher data throughput will decrease response times for
all data services, thus keeping end users satisfied and connected.
Personal multimedia services
Attractive new types of applications and terminals will become available.
Potentially lower price per bit
Lower cost of data capacity for high-speed data applications gives the operator
flexibility in pricing.
Conclusions
EDGE will provide the solution for operators wanting to offer personal multimedia
services early and who need to increase the data capacity in their GSM network prior
to UMTS deployment. EDGE is especially valuable for operators that do not deploy
UMTS.
EDGE will not replace existing investments or services but will upgrade them to a
highly competitive level through gradual investment.
EDGE rollout can satisfy increased data demand and produce increased revenues
by first launching EDGE service in urban and office environments for business users
and then providing wider area coverage as private usage takes off.