Migration from GPRS to EDGE

Abstract

Nowadays, communication between people becomes easier than before. Mobile subscribers are increasing in high rates due to the commercial and social entertaining use of the mobile network. GSM or Global System for Mobile Communications (originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile) is the most popular digital cellular communication standard for mobile telephone systems; GSM is considered the second generation (2G) and used by over 1.5 billion people across more than 212 countries. GSM differs from other technologies by its digital speech channels and signaling, as well as the implementation of different services like the Short Message Service (SMS) known as text messaging, and worldwide roaming in other GSM networks. Newer Versions were found after the original GSM standard, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS 2.5G) with added packet data capabilities and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE 2.75G) that introduce higher speed data transmission than GPRS. The advanced development of GSM services due to the huge success and market increase of 2G networks made it a model for future third-generation cellular systems, such as UMTS. This project will give an overview for 2G networks, and propose how to migrate from GPRS to EDGE while giving the advantages and disadvantages for this migration.