GPRS

Introduction

GPRS is an acronym for General Packet Radio Service. This technology allows information to be sent back and forth across a mobile network. It is an addition to today's circuit switched data and Short message services. 

Features of GPRS

• Speed : The maximum theoretical speed that can be achieved is up to 171.2 kilobytes per second (kbps) using all the eight timeslots at the same time. 
• Instantaneous : GPRS lets you stay connected as Information can be sent or received immediately as the need arises, depending on the strength and coverage. 
• Application Development: GPRS lets mobile application developers develop newer, faster and better mobile applications that haven't been available due to previous technology speed limitations. Applications that have been developed for a GPRS enabled mobile phone range from the basic browser for surfing the internet to online chat applications, file transfer applications and so on. 

Requirements to Use GPRS

To use GPRS, there are some pre-requisites that you need to satisfy.

• Primarily, you should have a GPRS enabled phone. Phones such as the Nokia 7610 and the Motorola A80 have a GPRS functionality. There are many other available from different vendors.
• Ensure that your service provider also provides GPRS service. 
• You should also take care of the data charges levied by the service as data is downloaded on to your phone when you browse the internet. Another factor is knowing how to access and use the GPRS functionality in your phone.

Limitations

No new technology is foolproof and there are downsides. Even in all the new and exciting features that go into making GPRS one of the most accessible technologies for the common person, there are some large limitations.

• Overloading : GPRS as a technology means a newer and faster way for transferring data and as with all networks, data transfer consumes bandwidth and clogs the networks, data transfer consumes bandwidth and clogs the network. voice and GPRS data transfer are bound to affect network performance. Similar to the "Network Not Available" Message that you may sometimes receive when trying to make a call at peak hours, data transfer speeds are also affected during peak hours. While GPRS and voice channels use the same network resources, the GPRS technology is intelligent to manage or allocate the channels dynamically allowing a reduction in peak tome signaling channel loading by sending short messages over GPRS channels instead.
• Lower Speeds : The theoretical speed of the GPRS data transmission speed is 172.2 kbps but this is only possible in a scenario when one single user without any error protection is hogging all the timeslots. Any service provider will obviously not allow this and in all probability you will be able to access only one or two time slots that will be able to access only one or two time slots that will limit the amount of bandwidth available to you. This translates into lower data transmission speeds.
• No Store and Forward Mechanism : The main advantage of SMS is the store and Forward mechanism. What this essentially means is that any SMS that you send using your mobile first goes to cenral server and is then forwarded to the destination phone number. In case that number is switched off or unavilable, the message is stored on the server for some amount of time. This is absent in the GPRS standard.
• Data Transit Speeds : GPRS data transfer takes place using a simple principle. Data sent from the sender is transmitted to the recipient using different paths. The probability of the data being lost or corrupted during transit is high and hence the GPRS standard includes data integrity and retransmission strategies. Nevertheless, due to this, potential transit delays can occur and hence a better, faster standard needs to be implemented.

Courtesy digit August 2005