What Is EDGE Cellphone Technology

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is a faster version of the more popular GSM technology

By
Adam Fendelman
Adam Fendelman
Writer
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
Adam Fendelman is a syndicated technology writer and senior web designer whose focus was on web analytics and web design among other things.
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Updated on February 3, 2023

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is a speed and latency advancement in GSM technology. GSM, which stands for Global System for Mobile communications, reigns as the world’s most widely used cellphone technology. It is used by AT&T and T-Mobile.

The competing mobile phone technology, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is used by Sprint, Verizon, and US Cellular. This is why many AT&T phones do not work with Verizon service and vice versa.

Don't confuse this EDGE technology with the Edge browsers from Microsoft. Read up on Microsoft Edge and Chromium Edge if you're looking for information on browsers instead of phones.

The EDGE Advancement

EDGE is a faster version of GSM—a high-speed 3G technology that was built to the GSM standard. 

EDGE networks were designed to deliver multimedia applications such as streaming television, audio, and video to mobile phones at speeds of up to 384 Kbps. Although EDGE is three times as fast as GSM, its speed still pales in comparison to standard DSL and high-speed cable internet.

The EDGE standard was first launched in the United States in 2003 by Cingular, which is now AT&T, and meant to expand upon the GSM standard. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers Wireless in Canada all use EDGE networks.

Other names for EDGE technology include IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC), Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), and Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution.

EDGE Usage and Evolution

The original iPhone, which launched in 2007, is an example of an EDGE-compatible phone. Since that release, an enhanced version of EDGE has been developed. Evolved EDGE is more than twice as fast as original EDGE technology. 

FAQ
  • Is EDGE a cellular network?

    No. EDGE is a technology similar to 4G or 5G, but it's not a cellular network like Verizon or AT&T. EDGE is also a GSM technology, so not all cellular providers support EDGE technology.

  • Can you turn off EDGE?

    Yes. To turn off EDGE, you'll need to enable Airplane Mode on your device. When you enable Airplane mode, cellular connectivity is disabled, which means that technologies like EDGE, 4G, and 5G are temporarily turned off. 

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