Edge vs 3g

A

abuusamah

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Hi.

Can someone please tell me the difference between Edge and 3G - I mean practical difference in speed etc.

I use a 6230i to connect to the internet via my pc, laptop and phone browser .according to the nokia website it has the ffg features:

Data Transfer
EDGE Class 10 (4+1, 3+2): speed up to 236.8 kbps
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) class 10 (4+1, 3+2)
HSCSD (High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data) transfer up to 43.2 kbps in HSCSD networks
TCP/IP


Question : Will it be worthwhile to change this for a 3g phone (like a 6630 or 6680)
 
EDGE vs 3G vs HSDPA

Current network and handset technology allows the following

EDGE
Max DL = 236 Kbps
Max UL = approx 100 Kbps

3G
Max DL = 384 Kbps
Max UL - 64 Kbps

HSDPA
Max DL = 1.8 Mbps
Max UL = 384 Kbps

Typically actual maximum speeds will be in the order of approx 80% of the maximum, whilst average speeds will be in the order of 50% to 60% of the maximum. Factors affecting speeds will be termminal (handset) capability, radio capability (the network), signal strength (how far you are from the tower), and how many concurrent users are on the cell.

Also, don't forget that network and handset technology is constantly improving and higher speeds can/will become available over time.
 
if you are just using the connection for browsing/email and it is fast enough for you, stick with what you have.

that said, 3g prices should be coming down now soon (because hsdpa has been realeased), so it might be worth it. also make sure you have 3g coverage in your area.
 
thanks for the replies. i seem to agree with andres101 that if the connection i have is good enough for me i should stick with it.

further from what mtn data dude wrote it seems that the difference between edge and 3g is not that great and the factors mentioned are significant.

i'm actually connected now in stanger (a small town 70km north of durban) and finding my connection faster here than in durban itself.
 
Edge outweigh 3G

Hi Guys.


I personally would rather use Edge.

1. Coverage is far greater than 3G.
2. Upload speed is far better than 3G, why I don’t know but it is.
3. I'm only due for an upgrade in 18 months, by then the 3G coverage
should be way better.

Like I said it's a personal choice. I'd rather connect @ 230kb/s 80% of the time, then to connect @ 384kb/s 10% of the time...

Ponder on that.

Pitbull
"The Pitbull is a small creature with a small hart, however if provoked will pounce without warning and cause hideous damage."
 
Yeah - it's about mobility... about being able to use it in East London, Johannesburg and Knysna... not ... uhhhh.... where's the nearest 3G tower?
 
Question : Will it be worthwhile to change this for a 3g phone (like a 6630 or 6680)
Click to expand...

Last i checked those phones are 3G AND EDGE capable (at least the 6680 is) ..so who cares about the coverage? Although if i had EDGE now and wanted something better i would at minimum get a phone with HSDPA . I don't think the hop from Edge to 3G is significant enough to warrant buying a new phone versus waiting for an HSDPA phone later.
 
My 6230i is supposedly EDGE-worthy but I dont notice any great speeds. I dont know if I am picking up EDGE or not?

On the Nokia website under Data Transfer features for both the 6230i and 6680 EDGE is listed but not 3G for either.

Please, if anybody could shed some light.

I am doing some practical tests and should be able to get a real idea of the difference. '

I was in Stanger yesterday where there was no 3G on MTN but a bit on Vodacom.

The 6230 i download speed (i.e. the transfer rate displayed on the download dialog) on one machine connected via infrared was less than 1kbps and on another machine about 7kbps. That was on MTN.

On Vodacom we tried a 6630 via bluetooth and 3G the download speed was 35kbps.

All those figures are far from the maximum.

Anyway, today I will try to test 3G and GPRS (or EDGE?) in Durban on the MTN network.
 
ok. i tried the 6630 as well as the 6230i both connected to the internet via the usb cable. both speeds were the same transfer rate when downloading of about 5kbps!!

looks like i will have to try vodacom and then switch if i have 2 - i'm flexible as i dont use this number for calls
 
from the nokia website for the 6680 (the bold is the 3g speed)
WCDMA 2100 with simultaneous voice and packet data (PS max speed UL/DL= 128/384kbps, CS max speed 64kpbs)
EDGE: Mobile broadband access with upload up to 118.4 kbps and download up to 236.8 kbps
Click to expand...
abuusamah, do you see the 'yello broadband' cell info display when you're on mtn?
that is usually a good indicator that you are in an edge coverage area
 
i was referred to the mtn website by mtn-data-dude to check the coverage.
and guess what? i dont have 3g nor EDGE in my street!!!
no i dont see "'yello broadband' displayed.


maybe i should switch to vodacom - they have 3G coverage in my area.

thanks for all the help.
 
is MTN planning on expanding 3G coverage?

i mean, i know they are upgrading to HSDPA etc.
but it's a whole other issue if only a few can actually use it.
the coverage in Durban is... bad
 
Hi Guys

The 3G roll-out is still going ahead as planned.
HSDPA is only being rolled-out in the High usage areas for now. MTN strives for a more stable and reliable connection other than just speed. Don't get me wrong speed is what we all want but i'd rather have a bigger coverage on 3G
and then Selected spots for HSDPA than having both in selected areas only.

Also bear in mind that one Base station tower is around R1.3M
 
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