http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/RDM...7E617E96A.html
And the followup:
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/RDM...0976FAB5E.html
"EDGE vs. EVDO
That's because EVDO is not a close competitor to EDGE, but rather a different generation of a different set of radio technologies. EVDO is related to CDMA, the set of radio technologies designed by QUALCOMM and sold by services providers Verizon and Sprint in the US, among others.
In contrast, EDGE is the existing standard for GSM data networks. GSM is a direct rival to CDMA. In the US, Cingular is the largest GSM provider, so Cingular does not--and will not ever--support EVDO, just as Verizon does not support EDGE. They are rival families of mobile data technology."
"EDGE vs HSUPA
EDGE is also widely deployed in the US. Newer generation technologies, including HSUPA and EVDO, are not. If the iPhone supported newer networks at launch, it would offer users less data service coverage at higher service fees. HSUPA does promise a future path for faster data, and will no doubt unlock new applications for future phones."
And the followup:
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/RDM...0976FAB5E.html
"EDGE vs. EVDO
The iPhone will likely never support EVDO. I presented EVDO as an example of a mythical high end feature that would add to the cost of the iPhone. Technically, upgrading to EVDO might not in itself necessitate a much higher price tag for the iPhone, but changing Apple's strategy to include EVDO most certainly would.
That's because EVDO is not a close competitor to EDGE, but rather a different generation of a different set of radio technologies. EVDO is related to CDMA, the set of radio technologies designed by QUALCOMM and sold by services providers Verizon and Sprint in the US, among others.
In contrast, EDGE is the existing standard for GSM data networks. GSM is a direct rival to CDMA. In the US, Cingular is the largest GSM provider, so Cingular does not--and will not ever--support EVDO, just as Verizon does not support EDGE. They are rival families of mobile data technology."
"EDGE vs HSUPA
EDGE is far faster than GPRS or old dialup networks however (both are about .03 Mb/sec), so while EDGE not capable of supporting iChat style video conferencing, it is useful enough to browse web pages, receive HTML emails, and support the other web service features demonstrated on the iPhone such as Google Maps.
EDGE is also widely deployed in the US. Newer generation technologies, including HSUPA and EVDO, are not. If the iPhone supported newer networks at launch, it would offer users less data service coverage at higher service fees. HSUPA does promise a future path for faster data, and will no doubt unlock new applications for future phones."
"EDGE vs WiFi
In addition to the factors of availability and cost, another reason for Apple going with EDGE rather than a faster network is that the iPhone won't have to rely solely on mobile phone networks for data. It's designed to use WiFi wherever it’s available.
For iPhone users in a school, home, or office with existing WiFi service, automatic use of WiFi for data service will not only be far faster, but far cheaper: free in many cases."
"Why Apple Can Force WiFi Adoption
In addition to the factors of availability and cost, another reason for Apple going with EDGE rather than a faster network is that the iPhone won't have to rely solely on mobile phone networks for data. It's designed to use WiFi wherever it’s available.
For iPhone users in a school, home, or office with existing WiFi service, automatic use of WiFi for data service will not only be far faster, but far cheaper: free in many cases."
"Why Apple Can Force WiFi Adoption
Clearly, it is not the most brilliant of analysts who are complaining that Apple isn't offering a EVDO, a rival provider's technology, or is not forcing users to use bleeding edge 3G networks that are currently under-built and overpriced, when iPhone users will be able to use much faster and cheaper WiFi service in many areas.
With the iPhone, Apple is forcing Cingular to support and subsidize a phone that will save users money. That makes the iPhone far more useful to far more people. Remember that Apple wants to sell lots of hardware, not force users into paying high prices for mobile service.
Again, that puts Apple in the position of giving its users a better product. The prospect of high iPhone hardware sales forced Cingular to court iPhone users to get their businesss."
With the iPhone, Apple is forcing Cingular to support and subsidize a phone that will save users money. That makes the iPhone far more useful to far more people. Remember that Apple wants to sell lots of hardware, not force users into paying high prices for mobile service.
Again, that puts Apple in the position of giving its users a better product. The prospect of high iPhone hardware sales forced Cingular to court iPhone users to get their businesss."
