OREANDA-NEWS. March 09, 2010. EMT was the first in Estonia to launch GPRS data transmission service on March 1st, 2001. GPRS raised the speed of mobile internet from 9kbps to 53kbps, reported the press-centre of EMT.

„On February 25th, 2010 EMT opened a 4G test network which enables data transmission speeds up to 100Mbps and this means that data transmission speed has grown 10,000 times in 10 years“, said Tonu Grunberg, Director of Development and Technology at EMT. „This is a remarkable leap. In 2001, no one could have predicted such a drastic growth in speed and number of users. Currently, the most sold item at EMT representations is not a mobile phone, but a data transmission model. This fact clearly shows the success if mobile internet“.

In October 2005, EMT launched 3.5G service. The speed of 3.5G has reached 21Mbps in EMT network.  This is up to three times faster than in other Estonian mobile networks. EMT has the largest 3.5G network in Estonia – EMT 3.5G covers 75 largest cities and towns and also smaller settlements. For example, in the county of Parnu, EMT 3.5G covers the city of Parnu and its surrounding areas and also towns and surrounding areas of Audru, Haademeeste, Kilingi-Nomme, Raekula, Sauga, Parnu-Jaagupi, Sindi and Vandra.

„Mobile internet has become a ’real’ internet. Mobile internet has grown from temporary alternative to one of the main internet connection types in homes or offices“, noted Grunberg. „Everyday internet usage requires packages which provide higher capacities. In order to meet the growing needs, EMT has added a 9GB internet package to its range of services“.

EMT was the first in Estonia to launch EDGE data transmission service on July 28th, 2004. EDGE (2.5G) is an extension on top of GSM which enables speeds up to four times faster than GPRS. By the end of 2007, EDGE was available throughout EMT network.