Cingular has launched the world’s first EDGE network, oddly enough in Indianapolis Indiana. EDGE stands for Enhanced Datarate for Global Evolution and is a software tweak to GPRS . Data speeds peak out at 170 kilobits per second and average at 75-135 Kbps.

The big advantage of EDGE is that the devices work on normal GSM/GPRS networks as well (you’re not locked into just using your phone in Indy).

As for why Indianapolis was picked, it seems to be a sad attempt at corporate humor… In a news release Bob Puglielli (VP and general manager of Cingular Wireless Indiana) is quoted as saying, “Indianapolis is world-renowned for speed.”

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