Difference between GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA/HSUPA, and HSPA
Have you ever subscribed to an internet package with a high-speed GSM modem, 3 Mbps or more but feel that the internet connection is still slow? One of the factors that affect our internet speed is the signal we get. (GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA/HSUPA, and HSP). TEach of these technologies has its own speed limit, so even though we subscribe to a high-speed internet package but the signal we get does not support that speed, the maximum speed we get is according to the capabilities of the technology. Let's talk about the differences between these technologies!!!
Global System for Mobile Communication or GSM is a cellular communication technology that is digital. GSM is a replacement for previous technology that is still analog. Analog technology, also called 1G generation, has limitations where the system used is regional so that the system between countries is not compatible with each other and causes user mobility to be limited to a certain technology system area (cannot roam between countries). GSM is used as a global standard for cellular communication as well as the most widely used cellular technology in the world. GSM is capable of delivering low-speed voice and data communications (9.6 - 14.4 kbps) then evolved into GPRS.
General Packet Radio Service or abbreviated GPRS is a development of GSM technology with data communication speeds up to 115 kbps because the GPRS system can be used for data transfer (in the form of data packets) related to e-mail, image data (MMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the World Wide Web (WWW).
Next is Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution or abbreviated EDGE. Previously, GPRS offered a data rate of 115 kbps, and could theoretically reach 160 kbps. While on EDGE the data speed is as large as 384 kbps, and in theory can achieve 473.6 kbps. In general, EDGE speeds are three times greater than GPRS.
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System or UMTS Wideband Code-division Multiple Access or WCDMA is the third generation (3G) technology for GSM. This technology is not compatible with CDMA2000 or often referred to as CDMA only. WCDMA speeds can reach 384 kbps and in the future will increase to perhaps around 10Mbps. This technology utilizes Wideband-AMR (Adaptive Multi-rate) for voice codecs, resulting in better voice quality than previous generations.
High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) or High Speed Upload Packet Access (HSUPA), actually these two technologies are different but they are always packaged together, meaning that where there is HSDPA there is HSUPA. HSDPA is an HSPA standard with capabilities in terms of its downlink transfer speed (from the network to the handset), where HSDPA can achieve downlink speeds of up to 1.5 GHz. 7.2 Mbps and can theoretically be increased to a speed of 14.4 Mbps with maximum uplink 384 kbps. HSDPA can not only be used by mobile phones but can also be used by Notebooks to access data at high speeds. While HSUPA is an HSPA standard with the ability in terms of its uplink transfer speed (from the handset to the network), where HSUPA can reach the speed of uplink theoretically up to speed 5.76 MbpsHowever, HSUPA was not implemented (commercialized) and handsets were not made.
The last one is High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which is the union of HSDPA and HSUPA.
When it comes to speed, HSDPA has more speed than EDGE and GPRS. However, not all areas in Indonesia are covered by HSDPA. Therefore, before we choose a particular operator as our internet subscription, it is better to check first what signals are affordable in our area,
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