Analog Devices (NYSE: ADI) and TTPCom announced today that they have teamed to deliver EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) technology, including Analog Devices' Blackfin SoftFone for EDGE chipsets and TTPCom's protocol stack and application software to Simcom of Shanghai, a manufacturer of cellular handsets for the domestic Chinese market.

According to the GSM Suppliers Association, 111 EDGE networks in 67 countries are either deployed or in testing. China's largest operators, China Mobile and China Unicom, are testing EDGE in several cities. With data rates up to three times those available on GPRS networks, Simcom's EDGE-capable handset design will be able to deploy data-intensive 3G type services, including video downloads and high-speed Internet access, over these networks.