Glossary

2.5G

Second and a half generation wireless service, which is the intermediate step in mobile communications, between second (2G) and third (3G) generation networks. It provides some of the benefits of 3G and can use some of the existing 2G infrastructure in GSM and CDMA networks. It extends 2G systems to provide additional features such as packet-switched connection (GPRS) and enhanced data rates (HSCSD, EDGE). GPRS is a 2.5G technology used by GSM operators. Although EDGE for GSM and CDMA2000 1x-RTT for CDMA can qualify as 3G services, because they have a data rate of above 144 kbps, they are considered by most to be 2.5G services. 2.5G networks offer much faster data speeds than 2G, raging from 40 kbps (115kbps in theory) for GPRS through 60-80 kbps (144 kbps in theory) for 1xRTT to 135 kbps (236 kbps in theory) for EDGE.