Global - Mobile Data - GPRS, Push to Talk, EDGE, HSCSD & i-Mode

Synopsis

This report discusses the technologies that are being used to bridge the gap between the well established 2G and the much vaunted 3G, the so-called 2½G. Interest was rekindled in the technologies of GPRS, EDGE, HSCSD and i-mode following the poor showing by WAP. EDGE is proving to be a very popular way to upgrade GPRS networks to 3G, with deployments rapidly occurring around the world, particularly in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Introduction
  
• 3. General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)
  
  • 3.1 Introduction
    
  • 3.2 Push-to-Talk (PTT)
    
    • 3.2.1 Introduction
      
    • 3.2.2 Standards finalised
      
    • 3.2.3 PTT introduced in the US
      
    • 3.2.4 US security concerns
      
• 4. High-Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD)
  
  • 4.1 Introduction
    
• 5. Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE)
  
  • 5.1 Introduction
    
  • 5.2 EDGE technology
    
  • 5.3 Growth of EDGE – 2004 - 2008
    
• 6. i-mode
  
  • 6.1 Introduction
    
  • 6.2 i-mode services
    
    • 6.2.1 i-mode’s limitations
      
• 7. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Estimated Push to Talk subscribers worldwide – 2006; 2008; 2012
• Table 2 – Number of GSM/EDGE networks in commercial service – 2007 - 2008
• Table 3 – i-mode subscribers and annual change – Japan – 2000 - 2006
• Table 4 – Mobile Internet services, standards and subscribers by providers – Japan – May 2007

• Exhibit 1 – Theoretical and realistic speeds GPRS, EDGE and UMTS (kb/s)
• Exhibit 2 – Examples of major WCDMA/EDGE operators