Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution

Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution or EDGE is a digital mobile phone technology. It might be considered as "2.75G", more advanced than the second generation 2G and more advanced than GPRS which has been labelled 2.5G. This technology is compatible with TDMA and GSM networks. EDGE uses the same spectrum allocated for GSM900, GSM1800 and GSM1900 operation.

Instead of employing GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) EDGE uses 8PSK (8 Phase Shift Keying) producing a 3bit word for every change in carrier phase. This effectively triples the data rate offered by GSM.

It can carry data speeds up to 384Kbps in packet mode and will therefore meet the International Telecommunications Union's requirement for a 3G network. It also enhances the circuit data mode called HSCSD, increasing the data rate of this service also. EDGE is being introduced into GSM networks around the world in 2003, initially in North America.