T-Mobile Upgrades German Network to Support EDGE

T-Mobile Germany has completed a nationwide upgrade of its network to support EDGE services - which required a system hardware replacement in over 20,000 base stations. The frequency and field strength of the systems remain unchanged. New locations are not required.

Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson supplied the system technology. "Replacing the system hardware of a cellular network during live operation is not unlike open-heart surgery," explained Günther Ottendorfer, CEO Technology of T-Mobile Deutschland.

The final modernization measures were realized in the federal state of Saxony: the latest T-Mobile technology is now also available in the Bautzen, Kamenz, Löbau-Zittau and Oberlausitz rural districts and the city of Hoyerswerda.

The upgrade will predominantly be beneficial for users of Apple's iPhone, and to a lesser degree 3G users outside 3G coverage - although there could be some concern about the ROI if Apple do launch a 3G model as is widely expected as there could be limited use of the EDGE "backup" network in urban areas.

Posted to the site on 11th May 2008