Bridging 3G, EDGE, GPRS, and WiFi

Rob writes to tell us CBR is reporting that T-Mobile is expanding their core network to provide seamless integration of 3G, EDGE, GPRS, and WiFi networks. From the article: "Nortel said it was able to provide T-Mobile with the new service thanks to integration of Nortel's existing Gateway GPRS Support Node with Azaire Networks' IP Converged Network Platform. Azaire's IP-CNP provides an integrated hybrid network by extending the services from the existing 3G and GSM core network investments over new access technologies like WiFi and WiMax, Nortel said."

Comments

Only In Europe...

[nano_assembler]

As an American, I read about these nifty phone network upgrades and know that I will not see them for at least 3 years. Why is this? Is it the geographical size of the market? The size of the customer bases that subscribe to the networks? Regulatory restrictions? User demand/knowledge/acceptance of these features?

I am inviting anyone in the know to please beat me with the clue stick!

Re:Only In Europe...

[garcia]

As an American, I read about these nifty phone network upgrades and know that I will not see them for at least 3 years.

EDGE has already been rolled out in the Minneapolis metro. I know it has already been launched elsewhere as well. I guess it's not "three years" for everyone.

Re:Only In Europe...

[The Mad Debugger]

Cingular is in the process of rolling out UMTS with HSDPA, it's already available in a bunch of markets, and Verizon and Sprint already have EVDO all over the place. I even see two UMTS handsets on the Cingular website for my market. Unless you're living somewhere pretty rural, we've already *got* all the good stuff.

My guess, BTW, is that T-Mobile is interested in this wi-fi stuff because they're farthest back in the pack to deploy 3G data. They're mostly stuck with EDGE, and they won't be able to compete without tying in all their Wi-Fi hotspots.. and I'm not even sure they have the spectrum they'd need for a UMTS rollout.

Re:Only In Europe...

[RevMike]

Actually, it is you who is missing the point. Go look at some prices. Vodaphone, for instance charges 90 Euro - $107 - for 500 minutes. Verizon, by comparison, will sell you 2000 peak minutes for $100, which more than makes up for the incoming charges. European carriers can't provide the services that Sprint and Verizon can provide in the US.

Europe standardized on a bad standard. In their rush to standardize, they didn't let the technology develop sufficiently. Now they are in the position of abandoning their infrastructure and building a new one at huge expense.

The US allowed the carriers to do their own thing, and because of it there was mass chaos at the beginning. But after several rounds of consolidation, standardization has come without the intervention of bureaucrats. And winners are using the superior technology.

Better service for less money. Europe has become the backwater.

As a side note, keep in mind that the legacy environment in Europe and the Unites States was far different. In Europe, the phone systems were generally incredibly bad. Just getting service would frequently take months, and the charges were exhorbitant. For all its faults, the traditional telephone system in the United States was exceptionally well run and efficient. The charges were low, especially for local calling. If one decided they needed a new line on Monday, it would generally be installed and working on Wednesday or Thursady. In Europe, mobile phones were a way to sidestep the train wreck of a wired phone system; there was pent up demand. In the US, mobile phones were luxury items for a long time.

screw 3G...etc

[atarione]

why couldn't we just bypass the cellular guys altogether (skipping 3G, GPRS and Edge). and instead focus on creating a new VoIP based service in conjunction w/ WiMAX?)