[Editor's Note: The author works for Cingular Wireless. This article includes descriptions of Cingular's networks and technologies.]
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the worlds most popular wireless phone technology. It is used by more than 1 billion peopleone in six of the worlds populationin over 200 countries around the world. Not only is world coverage unmatched, GSM offers the broadest coverage in the U.S. through a number of carriers. Cingular Wireless GSM footprint offers the largest digital voice and data network in the U.S., including service in the top 100 metropolitan areas.
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and CDMA (Code Divison Multiple Access) are the two most prevalent wireless technologies in the United States. These technologies each deliver a host of voice and data services using a variety of devices. While there may never be one standard technology worldwide, GSM is used by more than 600 carriers in 200 countries. Roaming agreements among these carriers allow GSM customers to use their phone when traveling in most countries around the world.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is the first level of data service on GSM. This packet-based service utilizes the GSM Radio Access Network combined with a core network dedicated to data. With average speeds of about 35 kbps, GPRS allows nation-wide text and e-mail service and basic WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) Internet browsing. GPRS is the service of choice for many very popular text messaging PDAs like Blackberry, Treo and others.
Further enhancements in data capability over the GSM network are provided with EDGE service (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution). With typical speeds of 75 to 135 kbps, advanced mobile services like video and music clips, full multimedia messaging, high-speed color Internet access and e-mail on the move are possible. EDGE is especially important to business users since it permits mobile access to corporate applications at speeds far in excess of dial up. True wireless broadband service is being deployed in both GSM and CDMA worlds, but Cingular's existing nationwide offering of EDGE/Wi-Fi service makes corporate users truly mobile using either a wireless-enabled Windows Mobile device, or any of a host of other new devices coming to market.
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Service) is the next level of high-speed GSM Internet service. It is the leading 3G-technology choice today, offering potential worldwide coverage and enabling economies of scale. Typical speeds of 220 to 320 kbps permit workgroup collaboration, vertical-specific devices (an x-ray viewer, for example), video and music on demand, digital TV and radio, and services like home or business security video monitoring.
Enhancement of UMTS with High Speed Downlink Packet Access, as Cingular is doing, moves GSM into the range of true broadband service. With typical speeds in the range of 400 to 700 kbps, and a burst mode of up to several megabits per second, it is the fastest available cellular broadband technology. This brings a mobile data experience to customers that is essentially the same experience they have with their wired network in their home or office.
Additionally, unlike other wireless technologies, UMTS and HSDPA offer customers the ability to make simultaneous voice and data calls. This flexibility gives customers the ability to use the same phone to speak with someone while also accessing Internet information. And, by using a single UMTS network for voice and data, the carrier benefits from increased efficiency and lower costs.
A comparison of the GSM Data Services
Each service provides a different speed and is categorized by the International Telecommunications Union as varying generations (Gs) of wireless services. To illustrate the effectiveness of each GSM service, let's assume we are downloading a one megabyte file.
