What Is GPRS?
We are living in an increasingly wired world. The internet is a useful tool for shopping, information gathering or just having fun. Increasingly, people want to take it with them wherever they go. To this end, many mobile phones include a built-in modem and infrared, or Bluetooth support, enabling you to get online from your laptop computer or personal organiser. However, current digital mobile phone networks are designed for speech not data transfer. As a result, data transfer rates are a lot slower than using a dial-up from a fixed landline or ADSL connection. Typically, transfer rates using a mobile phone are usually around 14,000bps, compared to the 56,000bps speeds typical using a dial-up from a fixed landline.
This is where GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) comes in. This is an upgrade to existing mobile phone networks adding packet-switching protocols. The upshot of this is faster connection times to internet services and a doubling of data transfer rates, to levels nearer 29,000bps – still slower than dial-up, but significantly quicker than existing mobile phone Internet connections.
GPRS also allows mobile phone networks to charge you for the amount of data sent and received, as opposed to simply charging for the amount of time that you spend online. GPRS can also support a permanent internet connection, so you can be online almost anywhere! You can even buy PC cards that slot directly into your laptop computer, so you can take the internet with you wherever you are.
More Resources:
Wikipedia- An online encyclopaedia with pages explaining what GPRS is and what it can be used for.
GPRS in the UK- Information and advice on setting up GPRS on smartphones and mobiles, with a list of UK GPRS settings.
Mobile Phones UK- An online guide to GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE and 2.5G networks.
Click here to compare the latest GPRS mobile phone deals and find the handset for you.