GPRS MEANS: General Packet Radio Service is a packet oriented mobile data standard on the 2G and 3G cellular communication network’s global system for mobile communications. GPRS was established by European Telecommunications Standards Institute in response to the earlier CDPD and i-mode packet-switched cellular technologies

GPRS TYPES

In order to take advantage of the new GPRS services, we need new GPRS enabled handsets. There are three different classes of GPRS terminal equipments:

Class A

Class A terminals can manage both packet data and voice simultaneously. Which means, one needs two transceivers, as the handset has to send or receive data and voice at the same time.This is the main reason why class A terminals are high-priced to manufacture than class B and C terminals.

Class B

Class B terminals do not play the same role like Class A. These terminals can manage either packet data or voice at a time. One can use a single transceiver for both, resulting in the low cost of terminals.

For example, If a user is using the GPRS session (like WAP browsing, file transfer, etc.) then this session is halted if he or she receives a call. This terminal does not allow both the sessions active in one go. This backlog needs rectification thereby giving the user a facility of both receiving a call and maintaining the data session.

Class C

Class C terminals can manage either only packet data or only voice. Examples of class C terminals are GPRS PCM/CIA cards, embedded modules in vending machines, and so on.

Due to the high cost of class A handsets, most handset manufacturers have announced that their first handsets will be class B. Currently, work is going on in 3GPP to standardize a lightweight class A in order to make handsets with simultaneous voice and data available at a reasonable cost.

Why do we use GPRS?

The technology of GPRS is based on unused segments of GSM bandwidth to transfer and accept the data packets. The difference between GPRS and the conventional connection is based on the quality level. It can be implemented in many ways, where the higher data rate can be accessed in minimum times.

In the general GSM mobile, the configuration is lengthy methods, and data permission is limited to 9.6kbits per second. When offered in practice, the establishment of session time is decreased by one second, and the data rate of the ISDN-line is limited to many 10kbits per second. The packet transmission of GPRS makes the system simple and user-friendly that is provided by circuit-switched devices. The services offered by circuits is dependent on the connection duration.

It is not applicable for congested traffic, and the user should make payment for the entire connection time, even for the idle situation where no packet is transmitted. But with packet-switched devices, the billing is dependent on several data transmitted. The user gets beneficiaries like even though he is online for a prolonged time, but the billing will be based on data volume transferred.

General Packet Radio Service is a packet-switching technology that enables data transfers through cellular networks. It is used for mobile internet, MMS and other data communications. In theory the speed limit of GPRS is 115 kbps, but in most networks it is around 35 kbps.

Features of GPRS

Given below are the features of GPRS:

1. The maximum theoretical speed can be attained until 171.2kbps by utilizing all eight-time slots simultaneously.

2. Instantaneous services can be offered by GPRS, and information can be exchanged immediately as per the requirement and relied on coverage and strength.

3. The application development for GPRS can be allowed for mobile phone range from web browser access, surfing on cyberspace, chat, transfer of attachments.

4. It also enables mobile application created to achieve faster and better application which is not available in prior generations.

5. The extension of GPRS to the GSM packet circuit enables many following possible services.

• Broadcasting the messages by option ‘SMS.
• It enables Always-on internet access.
• Allows messaging services on multimedia images.
• Enables PoC, which is Push to Talk over cellular services.
• Implementation of wireless villages with instant messaging services and presence.
• The wireless application protocol is established as an internet connection for smart devices.
• Internet is spread within inter-networking with a point to point services.
• Point to multipoint is provided with multicast options and group calls connecting multiple nodes.
• SMS transmission speed is about 30 SMS messages per minute, which is much faster than standard SMS, where its speed of transmission is about six to ten SMS messages per minute.

What is the difference between GPS and GPRS?

GPS is used for the satellite based navigation systems, mapping as well as GIS etc. Whereas GPRS is used for video calling, Email accessing, multimedia messaging etc. The distinction between GPS and GPRS is that, GPS is satellite based navigation system. … On the other hand, GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Given below are the advantages and disadvantages of GPRS:

Advantages

• GPRS brought mobile users out of the usual society and into the WAP world, and the internet finally comes inside the mobile to rule the world.
• An enormous amount of information can be exchanged from and to the mobile over the internet by applying GPRS.
• It enabled mobile phones with compact and portable internet links for laptops.
• In a few cases, access to the internet is not available instantly, but the GPRS acts as a lifesaver in mobile networks.
• Most mobile can be implemented as a modem when once connected to a laptop; the GPRS will be a great backup option.
• The factor of portability is minimized with the dawn of faster data cards by connecting directly to the laptop.
• GPRS access is possible in remote locations; the interaction through GPRS is cheap by using the standard GSM network.
• The instantaneous messaging services and mail services support the user to send messages for low-cost rates through GPRS connection in substitute to short message services.
• The clients pay only for transported data and not at the time of the internet connection.
• It offers wireless services to the internet irrespective of any location at the time of available network signal.
• It enables the user to browse data using the internet on a laptop or mobile, even accessing a remote location.
• Using GPRS, the user can connect to the internet constantly.

Disadvantages

• The technology of GPRS utilizes the GSM of the cellular network to send the data even though when the connection is inactive.
• The network-related functions cannot be utilized, but the data session operates as usual.
• It belongs to the B-class GPRS device. When any two radios integrated into the device, it enables both features to execute simultaneously.
• It belongs to class-A, which is less popular, extensive and expensive.
• The mobile phones come under the category class-B.
• The connection of GPRS operates slowly than 56K connections on the laptop. It is due to some restrictions on GPRS.
• Few enhancements are available, which supports increasing the speed, but a wired network’s operation wins the mobile internet connection.
• The connection of GPRS is faster than another network due to the voice of the traffic load on the base station that is used for the internet connection.
• It has many problems when associated with a GPRS connection if many users interact on the phone at the same time in a specified location.

Conclusively

It is available only at the time of GSM coverage, and so it enables the user to connect to the internet when HSDPA or 3G is not available. If the user accesses the internet connection via GPRS, it doesn’t block the incoming calls via the GSM network. It allows the user to receive or make an audio call at the time of surfing the data or if the user is downloading any data from cyberspace.

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