4G Impact on EDGE (please answer)

Tissue Paper · Feb 23, 2013, 05:16 AM

Hi.

I understand this might come across as a bit off topic but since I have no where else to ask, someone might be able to provide an answer. I need it for a research

I want to know what's the impact of 4th cellular generation on EDGE. I understand it's an enhancement to provide fast data transmission and services for older generations compatible to GSM and GPRS and with my 3G service, it still pops up every now and then but overall is EDGE going to be compatible to 4G? Or is it unable to cope with how fast 3G and 4G is? Is it still being developed? Enhanced? Or did it just fulfill its purpose and that's it?

lucasfer899 · Feb 23, 2013, 05:22 AM

Think of EDGE as 2G.
EDGE, 3G, and 4G, are NOT compatible with each other, and you mentioned you have a 3G service, why would you being worrying about EDGE when you have 3G?
4G is a faster version of 3G, a 3G phone cannot connect to 4G. The 3G phone, will simply run at 3G speeds, and connect to the existing 3G network.
4G will not affect EDGE or 3G in any way at all.
An EDGE only phone will never connect to a 4G network.

Tissue Paper · Feb 23, 2013, 05:30 AM

Ok that's helpful but I still don't know the end result of EDGE.

My research is supposed to be an overview of EDGE. I did that but now I'm at the conclusion and I need to mention something about what EDGE will become in the future. Most documents date back to 2003. No one says anything about how EDGE will progress beyond 4G.

I understand it functions separately but it's an enhancement so when the higher speed technologies are not covered in the field, then my phone will fall back to EDGE. If EDGE will disappear in the future and there's no 4G or 3G coverage, what will happen?

Sorry my thoughts are all over the place. I am not a tech savvy person and I wanna get this assignment done with :P

matttye · Feb 23, 2013, 06:11 AM

EDGE won't be going anywhere for a long time. There are still so many people not using smartphones, especially ones capable of using 4G networks.

I would say that once 4G reaches the coverage of 3G, and once 3G reaches the coverage of 2G/EDGE, companies will more than likely phase out their 2G networks. No point in supporting three generations when successors are as widely available.

Gav2k · Feb 23, 2013, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucasfer899

Think of EDGE as 2G.
EDGE, 3G, and 4G, are NOT compatible with each other, and you mentioned you have a 3G service, why would you being worrying about EDGE when you have 3G?
4G is a faster version of 3G, a 3G phone cannot connect to 4G. The 3G phone, will simply run at 3G speeds, and connect to the existing 3G network.
4G will not affect EDGE or 3G in any way at all.
An EDGE only phone will never connect to a 4G network.

4g does affect edge/2g as its those transmitters most companies are converting to 4g. After the changeover the transmitter no longer kicks out an edge signal.

Beeplance · Feb 23, 2013, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matttye

EDGE won't be going anywhere for a long time. There are still so many people not using smartphones, especially ones capable of using 4G networks.

I would say that once 4G reaches the coverage of 3G, and once 3G reaches the coverage of 2G/EDGE, companies will more than likely phase out their 2G networks. No point in supporting three generations when successors are as widely available.

I think most likely its this. Only 3G and 4G will remain in most developed countries in the future when a great majority of the user-base has already converted to smartphone usage.

2G will likely continue to exist in LDCs for a longer period of time.

Tissue Paper · Feb 23, 2013, 06:55 AM

Wow thanks guys. I think I can whip up a conclusion now hehe

Ste Nova · Feb 23, 2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beeplance

I think most likely its this. Only 3G and 4G will remain in most developed countries in the future when a great majority of the user-base has already converted to smartphone usage.

2G will likely continue to exist in LDCs for a longer period of time.

how long did it take them to phase out the old 1G ?

Tissue Paper · Feb 23, 2013, 08:20 AM

I don't know when the first generation started but the transition from circuit switching to packet took place roughly around 97 when EDGE was proposed so assuming analog cellular network started let's say late 80s early 90s that's about 7 to 10 years.... (maybe).

Ste Nova · Feb 23, 2013, 08:35 AM

found it...
"The first 1G network launched in the USA was Chicago-based Ameritech in 1983 using the Motorola DynaTAC mobile phone. Several countries then followed in the early-to-mid 1980s including the UK, Mexico and Canada"

in the uk vodafone turned off their 1g in 2001

"Ameican phone company AT&T have announced that they intend to close their 2G network on 1st January 2017"

Tissue Paper · Feb 23, 2013, 08:37 AM

Interesting info, so we have 3 years to get on the 4G wagon. They better expand and fast till then.

bohbot16 · Feb 23, 2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tissue Paper

Interesting info, so we have 3 years to get on the 4G wagon. They better expand and fast till then.

No, we have 3 years to get on the 3G wagon. All of those iPhone OG owners will need to upgrade to at least an iPhone 3G of they want data access in 2017.

scaredpoet · Feb 23, 2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tissue Paper

Interesting info, so we have 3 years to get on the 4G wagon.

Only on AT&T. It's up to each carrier to decide when they sunset EDGE.

Feb 23, 2013, 05:16 AM	#1
Tissue Paper macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	4G Impact on EDGE (please answer) Hi. I understand this might come across as a bit off topic but since I have no where else to ask, someone might be able to provide an answer. I need it for a research I want to know what's the impact of 4th cellular generation on EDGE. I understand it's an enhancement to provide fast data transmission and services for older generations compatible to GSM and GPRS and with my 3G service, it still pops up every now and then but overall is EDGE going to be compatible to 4G? Or is it unable to cope with how fast 3G and 4G is? Is it still being developed? Enhanced? Or did it just fulfill its purpose and that's it?
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 08:35 AM	#10
Ste Nova macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LL22, UK	found it... "The first 1G network launched in the USA was Chicago-based Ameritech in 1983 using the Motorola DynaTAC mobile phone. Several countries then followed in the early-to-mid 1980s including the UK, Mexico and Canada" in the uk vodafone turned off their 1g in 2001 "Ameican phone company AT&T have announced that they intend to close their 2G network on 1st January 2017" __________________ iP5/32 black unlimited tethered data, ip4/32 black, iPad3/32gbwifi black, 2 x iP3gs/32 black, nikon d7000 with eyefi , honda s2000, audi a6 le mans
	0

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Feb 23, 2013, 05:22 AM	#2
lucasfer899 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: London	Think of EDGE as 2G. EDGE, 3G, and 4G, are NOT compatible with each other, and you mentioned you have a 3G service, why would you being worrying about EDGE when you have 3G? 4G is a faster version of 3G, a 3G phone cannot connect to 4G. The 3G phone, will simply run at 3G speeds, and connect to the existing 3G network. 4G will not affect EDGE or 3G in any way at all. An EDGE only phone will never connect to a 4G network.
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 05:30 AM	#3
Tissue Paper Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	Ok that's helpful but I still don't know the end result of EDGE. My research is supposed to be an overview of EDGE. I did that but now I'm at the conclusion and I need to mention something about what EDGE will become in the future. Most documents date back to 2003. No one says anything about how EDGE will progress beyond 4G. I understand it functions separately but it's an enhancement so when the higher speed technologies are not covered in the field, then my phone will fall back to EDGE. If EDGE will disappear in the future and there's no 4G or 3G coverage, what will happen? Sorry my thoughts are all over the place. I am not a tech savvy person and I wanna get this assignment done with :P
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 06:11 AM	#4
matttye In Time-Out Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln, England	EDGE won't be going anywhere for a long time. There are still so many people not using smartphones, especially ones capable of using 4G networks. I would say that once 4G reaches the coverage of 3G, and once 3G reaches the coverage of 2G/EDGE, companies will more than likely phase out their 2G networks. No point in supporting three generations when successors are as widely available.
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 06:55 AM	#7
Tissue Paper Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	Wow thanks guys. I think I can whip up a conclusion now hehe
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 08:20 AM	#9
Tissue Paper Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	I don't know when the first generation started but the transition from circuit switching to packet took place roughly around 97 when EDGE was proposed so assuming analog cellular network started let's say late 80s early 90s that's about 7 to 10 years.... (maybe).
	0

Feb 23, 2013, 08:37 AM	#11
Tissue Paper Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2012	Interesting info, so we have 3 years to get on the 4G wagon. They better expand and fast till then.
	0