Ericsson Inks GPRS Contract, Announces Status of Edge Technology

Stockholm, Sweden-based Ericsson has signed a contract and UK operator One 2 One. Under the pact, the UK operator will employ Ericsson's general packet radio service (GPRS) technology to provide Internet protocol (IP) and other packet-based wireless datacommmunication services at speeds up to 115 kb/s over its networks.

The GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) order is part of a major infrastructure expansion from One 2 One. The order includes a complete GPRS system, which entails an IP-based core network infrastructure, packet switching products, and upgrading of existing radio products.

The new GPRS-based services will be available from One 2 One during 2000.

Edge Status
On the heels of its contract announcement with One 2 One, Ericsson announced that its Edge technology could be commercially available in less than two years.

Ericsson plans to roll out its Edge technology, which is designed to provide multimedia and IP-based services in existing GSM and TDMA networks, in steps. In the first step, the technology will be employed in dense city areas and airports. It will then be expanded as market and user needs increase.