NETWORK : SOMETHING ELSE, SOMETHING NEW

Mobile phones are a hight-profile consumer electronics product – colourful, feature-packed fashion accessories with a lifetime measured in months. Cellular infrastructure is available in one style and colour-19” grey cabinets that must provide reliable services for decades hidden in a dark backroom. But this seemingly unglamorous world is not without its challenges as it looks to serve a growing array of demands.

It’s easy and existing to speculate about the future. It costs nothing and few, if anyone, are ever held to account for this future gazing. Rarely, however, does anyone from within the cellular industry look over their shoulder to see how previous technology might have a valid role in today’s brave new world.

Bring back to the stage that almost forgotten and sidetracked wireless technology EDGE (enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution). Almost lost under the weight of 3G hype, EDGE lacked appeal and sat uncomfortably on the presentation slides of the marketing professionals responsible for mapping the future evolution of mobile technology. This ignored technology is now undergoing a rebirth as infrastructure and handset vendors release products to satisfy demand from both mature developing countries.