Heigh Ho, High Speed!

While most of the domestic mobile-phone world remains mired in second-generation technology--slow speeds, dropped calls, and few features--a whole new universe of robust high-speed data transmission networking is beginning to take shape across the U.S. landscape.

There are so many technology players in this alphabet-soup market that it's impossible to follow them without a scorecard: cdma2000, GSM, EDGE, EV-DO, GPRS, FLASH, and WCDMA, to name the most prominent. They all have one common trait in that their promoters all sound like Muhammad Ali in his prime: "I am the greatest!"

But which one really is the greatest?

The jury won't be in for some time, but one of the main events is already underway in the end-user marketplace between Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless.

Verizon got into the marketplace first last September with its BroadbandAccess high-speed data network, introduced in San Diego and Washington, D.C. Two months later, AT&T Wireless unveiled its version with its Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) for the entire North American market.Verizon's BroadbandAccess is underpinned by Qualcomm's cdma2000 1xEV-DO technology, while AT&T Wireless's EDGE is a spin-off from GSM, the European cell-phone standard, which in turn is supported by a host of manufacturers led by Nokia and Hewlett-Packard.

Cingular Wireless is in the process of integrating AT&T Wireless--and its EDGE high-speed data net--into its markets. The remaining major cell-phone providers are likely to follow the two pacesetters, with T-Mobile able to offer EDGE and Sprint offering EV-DO. Not to be left out, Nextel Communications Inc. is currently testing its own high-speed data-networking scheme.

What's interesting about the new high-speed data networks is that they could threaten some existing landline-based broadband offerings, like cable modems and DSL. Nextel says its FLASH-based service from Flarion Technologies has downlink speeds of up to 1.5 megabits per second and bursts up to 3.0 Mbps. BroadbandAccess claims speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps in bursts, with 300 to 600 kbps in typical usage. EDGE claims speeds of 100 to 130 kbps with higher bursts.

The EDGE--and GSM--approach has the advantage of being there first: GSM claims some 80 percent of the cell-phone market worldwide, and that is a significant base. Most GSM users, like most mobile-phone subscribers, have long-term contracts.

One thing that's certain about the dawning high-speed wireless networks: they will grow in demand in the coming years. Qualcomm, which had agonizing problems bringing its CDMA technology to market, predicts mobile wireless data demand per user per month will exceed 200 megabytes by 2006. Based on that assumption, Qualcomm says a cell-phone subscriber consuming 200 megabytes monthly would spend $4 a month on cdma2000 (Verizon Wireless's technology) compared with $14 a month for WCDMA (from some GSM providers). Subscribers using still another technology, GPRS, would spend a whopping $83 a month for 200 megabytes, according to Qualcomm's calculations. Qualcomm's calculations, do doubt, would be disputed by its competitors.It's not clear how quickly Nextel will complete the trial of its FLASH high-speed data net. The company is making a serious and aggressive foray into the field with partners that include IBM, Cisco Systems, and Nortel Networks. Nextel is offering the service to some selected large corporate users in the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., region. But with the fight for high-speed cell customers only beginning, everyone's still a contender.

Verizon Set To Debut Faster Wireless Service
Faster wireless data service starts in San Diego and Washington D.C.

AT&T Pushes Mobile Data EDGE
AT&T Wireless has made a dramatic move to keep users in its fold -- it has unveiled the fastest nationwide wireless data service.

Verizon Wireless To Launch National 3G Data Net
Verizon Wireless announced plans to expand its wireless high-speed data service across the country.

Nextel Tests Mobile High-Speed Wireless Technology
Nextel says the service has downlink speeds of up to 1.5 megabits per second with bursts up to 3.0 mbps.AT&T Wireless Jumps Into Data Arms Race
It debuted a national upgrade to its mobile data network that will enable laptop connections at twice the speed of dial-up access.

GSM-CDMA Battle Shaping Up Over Data
The ongoing battle between GSM and CDMA over the rollout of 3G is heating up.

DEEP BACKGROUND

Techweb Features

As The Wireless World Turns
AT&T Wireless' very public decision to let itself be acquired has become a business soap opera.Whither The Wireless World?
While the analysts claim some consolidation is necessary to ensure a healthy wireless industry, fewer operators will naturally result in less competition.

Wireless Vendors Are Growing Up
One piece that must fall into place before adoption dramatically increases is for vendors to fine-tune how they deal with their customers.

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