Thread: EVDO GSM CDMA & EDGE Explained

This is to address all of the inquirys of late concerning wireless data.

To enable v3 on AT&T or T-Mobile, instructions and links in the following post's below.


GSM

Global System for Mobile Communication.

GSM is the dominant 2G digital mobile phone standard for most of the world. It determines the way in which mobile phones communicate with the land-based network of towers.

GSM is one of two major mobile phone technologies in the U.S. The other is CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. Sprint and Verizon use CDMA.

GSM is more prevalent in most other parts of the world, and especially in Europe.

Although GSM and CDMA provide similar basic features and services to end-users, (such as voice calling, text messaging, and data services,) they operate very differently at many technical levels.

The most visible feature of GSM are SIM cards. SIM cards are removable, thumbnail-sized smart cards which identify the user on the network, and can also store information such as phone book entries.
SIM cards allows users to switch phones by simply moving their SIM card from one phone to the other


EDGE

Enhanced Data for Global Evolution.


An upgrade for GSM/GPRS networks that triples data rates (speed) over standard GPRS. GPRS EDGE is used automatically when both the phone and network support it.

EDGE phones will automatically revert to the slower GPRS standard when EDGE service is not available.

Although many EDGE phones and devices are theoretically capable of up to 236 Kbps, most EDGE networks are only configured to allow up to 135 Kbps, to conserve spectrum resources. Real-world data rates are usually lower than the maximum.

Because it is based on existing GSM and GPRS technology, EDGE is a smooth upgrade for GSM network operators. Although EDGE works at a low level within the GSM standard that includes voice, the main benefit is to increase GPRS data rates.

GPRS operating over EDGE is called EGPRS. Although EDGE is faster than GPRS, it is not as fast as 3G technologies such as HSDPA and EVDO


CDMA

Code-Division Multiple Access.

CDMA is a digital wireless technology. It is a general type of technology, implemented in many specific technologies. But the term "CDMA" is also commonly used to refer to one specific family of technologies that competes with technologies such as GSM.

CDMA is a "spread spectrum" technology, which means that it spreads the information contained in a particular signal of interest over a much greater bandwidth than the original signal.

Unlike many competing technologies, CDMA has no hard limit for the number of users who may share one base station (tower). Instead, with CDMA, additional users can connect until the base station determines that call quality would suffer beyond a set limit.

CDMA systems have been in commercial operation since 1995. CDMA networks operate in the 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands with primary markets in the Americas and Asia.. The next evolutionary step for CDMA to 3G services is cdma2000.



1x

CDMA2000

cdma2000 is a third-generation (3G) wireless technology that is evolved from existing CDMA 2G technology. Its main features are faster data rates, always-on data service, and improved voice network capacity (more people can use each tower at the same time).


1xRTT, supports up to 144 Kbps packet data speeds. It also doubles voice capacity over previous CDMA networks.

1xEV-DO, will supports data rates up to 2.4 Mbps. It can only be deployed separately from voice networks - in its own spectrum - although devices can be made to access both networks.

1xEV-DV, supports circuit and packet data rates up to 3-5 Mbps. It fully integrates with 1xRTT voice networks.

The fourth phase (4G) is cdma2000 3x, although it uses three times as much spectrum.

3G

3G Stands for 3rd-generation. Analog cellular phones were the first generation. Digital phones marked the second generation (2G).

3G is loosely defined, but generally includes high data speeds, always-on data access, and greater voice

The high data speeds are possibly the most prominent feature, and certainly the most hyped. They enable such advanced features as live, streaming video.


4G is an acronym for Fourth-Generation Communications System.

A 4G system is able to provide a comprehensive IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be given to users on an Anytime, Anywhere basis, and at higher data rates than previous generations. Find all the latest 4G news at 4Gnetwork.com


1xEV-DO

(EV-DO)

Part of a family of CDMA2000 1x digital wireless standards. 1xEV-DO is a "3G" CDMA standard. EV-DO originally stood for "EVolution, Data-Only", but recently is also referred to as "EVolution, Data-Optimized".

EV-DO provides data rates over 10 times faster than 1xRTT, the previous data technology for CDMA networks.

Unlike other "1x" standards, EV-DO only addresses data - not voice. It requires a dedicated slice of spectrum, separate from voice networks using standards such as 1xRTT.

There are currently two main versions of 1xEV-DO: "Release 0" and "Revision A".

Release 0 is the original version, and was the first to be widely deployed. Rel. 0 offers data rates up to 2.4 mbps, averaging 300-600 kbps in the real world. This is much faster than the 50-80 kbps typically offered by 1xRTT technology.

Rel. 0 data rates are identical to 1xEV-DV Revision C.
Revision A integrates most of the faster data technology from 1xEV-DV Revision D, and improves latency. These enhancements allow features such as VoIP and video calling.

Although EV-DO does not include voice capability natively, Rev. A is fast enough to support VoIP technology at service levels equal or better to 1xRTT voice technology. This may be a future upgrade path for CDMA carriers if EV-DV development remains stalled. In terms of data speed and general technology evolution, the closest equivalent to EVDO for GSM/WCDMA networks would be HSDPA.

1xEV-DO is based on a technology initially known as "HDR" (High Data Rate) or "HRPD" (High Rate Packet Data), developed by Qualcomm. The international standard is known as IS-856.

(Rev. A)
An upgrade to CDMA EV-DO Release 0, that improves data rates (speeds,) especially in the uplink (upload) direction.


GPRS
General Packet Radio Service.

A packet-switched technology that enables data communications.

GPRS is used for various data applications on phones, including wireless Internet (WAP), MMS, and software that connects to the Internet. Basically, any network connection that is not voice or text messaging uses a data connection like GPRS.

GPRS offers a tenfold increase in data speed over previous (circuit-switched) technologies, up to 115kbit/s (in theory). Typical real-world speeds are around 30-40 Kbps. Newer technologies like EDGE and 3G are much faster.

Using a packet switching, subscribers are always connected and always on-line, so services will be easy and quick to access.

GPRS is considered a "2.5G" technology, meaning it is more advanced than standard 2G digital technology, but does not meet the requirements of a full-feldged 3G technology.

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol.

A technology designed to allow efficient transmission of optimized Internet content to cell phones. In practical terms, special scaled-down web sites designed specifically to be used on phones.

WAP version 1 relied on the WML markup language and special protocols designed for ultra-efficient transmission of content to limited devices over slow wireless data connections.

WAP version 2 relies on a new set of standards (chiefly, HTTP and XHTML) that have much more in common with Internet standards used on the "regular" web. Although not as efficient as WAP 1.x, more powerful devices and faster wireless data technologies make this change possible.

WAP is still common and relatively popular, although even faster data connections and more powerful devices with larger displays have made "full" web browsers capable of viewing "full" web sites increasingly popular.

The following companies have EDGE networks in operation the United States.

AT&T Mobility

Centennial Wireless

Cincinnati Bell

Corr Wireless

Edge Wireless

i wireless

Mid-Tex Cellular

Petrocom United

Plateau Wireless

PSC Wireless

Rogers Canada

Suncom United

T-Mobile United

Unicel United

Verizon (USA) CDMA EVDO Rev A: 600Kbps-1,400Kbps Download (bursts to 2.0Mbps), 500Kbps-800Kbps Upload (bursts to 1.8Mbps)

Viaero United

Westlink United

Cruz in light of the problem some have been having with GSM and the hybrids you might want to amend this to recommend that any OS after .90 will not hold a steady EDGE connection. What do you think?

Originally Posted by cruznthru

Do you think it will be an ongoing problem, that may be corrected by future upgrades, or carrier specfic ? I can paraphrase inside the document no problem. The factor is going to be radio code and carrier. bbcrakman shoot me a pm with relevent data? I belive it will only apply for people do not use Verizon as their carrier.

So far the complaints have been limited to those using the Storm on T-mobile and AT&T. I am not sure about the canadian carriers or european ones. Maybe Bmerd can shed light on those in Canada. Any radio code above .90 has resulted in reboots, bad connections and lack of a solid EDGE connection. Will future updates correct this, I do not know. But it is an ongoing problem and have troubleshooted enough cases that I think something should be added. But those are just my thoughts.

Cruz I just found this solution after searching to see if anyone was able to get v3 working on AT&T or T-Mobile. The answer is yes but you need to use the .90 radio code. This was posted by Debra and here are the instructions:


To get it to work on ATT is not very difficult, though there are a number of steps you have to follow

1: Get the phone unlocked. I used http://www.uniquephones.com/

2: Download and follow the direction for the hybrid OS found here

http://forums.crackberry.com/f132/bb...storms-194216/

I know the thread says it is for the a storm on tmobile, but it works fine on ATT. By using this version you have the radio file form .90 is substituted into the .114 OS. It seems any OS over .90 will not hold EDGE well. It will go from edge to EDGE and back, most annoying.

3: Follow the direction here

http://forums.crackberry.com/f135/ho...m-95xx-107154/

This will add the service books that you need for the web browser and other things. I used method #1

To get your email to work make sure after you do the above to go to the ATT BIS site and change you device PIN number to the storms PIN and then resend the service books.

Originally Posted by cruznthru

Rogers uses Edge, I ammended the info up top.

Sorry I just found something useful. Check the post above this.

cruznthru...I see Verizon is not on the list...what do they use?

verizon uses cdma, which uses the EVDO

Originally Posted by jlevy73

So far the complaints have been limited to those using the Storm on T-mobile and AT&T. I am not sure about the canadian carriers or european ones. Maybe Bmerd can shed light on those in Canada. Any radio code above .90 has resulted in reboots, bad connections and lack of a solid EDGE connection. Will future updates correct this, I do not know. But it is an ongoing problem and have troubleshooted enough cases that I think something should be added. But those are just my thoughts.

My girl has an unlocked storm, she is running it on the Rogers network. I loaded .114v2 on it and the device had no EDGE connection it was always on edge..She is away for a week, when she gets back I will load an OS with .90 radio and will report back!

Originally Posted by burridge007

My girl has an unlocked storm, she is running it on the Rogers network. I loaded .114v2 on it and the device had no EDGE connection it was always on edge..She is away for a week, when she gets back I will load an OS with .90 radio and will report back!

burridge007, you could leave the .114v2 and just overwrite the CDMA folder with the .90 sfi file. This will give you the hyridv2 with the .90 radio code. When your ready to do it, just ask one of us.