Nokia 8390
GPRS Mobile Phone

GPRS
A Review of Mobile Systems
From 1G to 4G Mobile Systems.


By Mahdi Boostanpour boostan@tci-khorasan.com


Infenion Samples Multimedia IC for GPRS


Introduction The GPRS References Conclusion


SAGEM
GPRS Mobile Phone
Introduction:

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet data communications system integrated with the GSM cellular telephone system. Standardized by ETSI in December 1997, GPRS products are currently under development by GSM equipment vendors. GPRS is a large, complex system that merges cellular telephone radio transmission technology and Internet information delivery protocols. Initial implementations of GPRS will operate within the framework of present GSM technology. It is also anticipated that GPRS will be adapted for use in North American TDMA cellular systems and enhanced TDMA cellular systems (EDGE).
The GPRS specification admits considerable flexibility in the design of network elements and in network operation. The values assigned to a large set of parameters influence many performance characteristics including the relationship of GPRS data transmissions to GSM telephone traffic, the relationship of uplink data traffic to downlink data traffic, and the proportion of resources devoted to signaling and user data.

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Motorola Timeport T260 GPRS Mobile Phone


The GPRS:

The GPRS is an extension of the GSM network enabling data "packets" to be transmitted at high speed, in the same way as on the Internet. With rates up to eight times higher than GSM, the network offers virtually instantaneous connection.
Thanks to GPRS, SAGEM mobile phones will enable you to surf the WEB as easily as you can today with a modem and PC, but with the added mobility.


The GPRS world premiere was at TELECOM Geneva 99, where it successfully passed its first test with an Internet access from a "monoslot" 1+1 SAGEM GSM. This was confirmed two months later when an MC 850 GPRS "multislot" 3+1* mobile was used at the "Semaine des Télécoms 99" in Paris. During the Cebit 2000 in Hannover, SAGEM demonstrated successful mobile Internet access at a rate of 53.6 kbit/s, using a 4+1* "multislot" GSM/GPRS on-going connection
[3].

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GPRS offers packet-switched connections to data networks via mobile technology. It is designed to allow faster and easier Internet access with continuous connectivity, and enables applications including multimedia messaging, wireless corporate intranet, remote control and maintenance of appliances. It is also considered part of the migration to third generation (3G) mobile networks [4].
The advantages of GPRS technology allows users to stay connected to the Internet by using packet switching technology providing faster downloads as no time is spent attempting to access a dial-up connection. A users favorite information and entertainment sites are always available via GPRS without having to maintain a continuous phone call
[8].
Not only does Vodafone's GPRS service greatly enhance your WAP experience, it also lets you stay permanently connected to the mobile Internet without running up a huge phone bill. This is because with GPRS, you are only charged for the amount of information you send and receive, not the length of time you use your phone. This means that once switch on your GPRS phone in the morning and connect to the mobile Internet, you can stay on all day - you don't need to connect and disconnect to the Net each time you want to access a service. This is known as being "always on" because your GPRS phone is always ready for you to use the mobile Internet, saving you time and hassle.
The "always on" capability of GPRS means that you don't need to worry about your mobile Internet session being interrupted by phone calls either. With Vodafone's GPRS service, you can simply pause your browsing session, take the call, and then carry on reading the page you were on already. It's another handy timesaving function of GPRS that enhances your enjoyment of WAP.
So with Vodafone's new GRPS service and Vizzavi's WAP site, you can access the information you need at lightning speed and have the timesaving convenience of being permanently connected to the mobile Internet
[9].
Anite Telecoms has been monitoring GPRS from a user's perspective with its wireless data performance tool, WAM, which the company launched earlier this month. It has so far only recorded data transfer rates of 8kbit/s ­ much lower than predicted.
Anite's business manager for WAM, Warren Saunders, said he was surprised to see that data transfer rates were lower than those predicted by companies offering the service. "We were amazed that the wireless data revolution, like WAP before it, is less than impressive," he said
[10].
GPRS is a packet-based wireless communication service that, promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users GPRS is based on "regular" GSM (with the same modulation) and will complement existing services such circuit-switched cellular phone connections such as SMS or cell broadcast. Voice over Ip over GPRS is also explored.
In theory, GPRS packet-based service should cost users less than circuit-switched services since communication channels are being used on a shared-use, as-packets-are-needed basis rather than dedicated only to one user at a time. It should also be easier to make applications available to mobile users and Wap or i-mode should far more attractive for the user. In addition to the Internet Protocol GPRS supports X.25, a packet-based protocol that is used mainly in Europe.
Operator should deploy GPRS very fast as most of the interoperability test between the network and the Handset are now finished (September'00) and because GPRS is mainly a software upgrade for the BTS, BSC and servers
[12].
GPRS data speeds are expected to reach 100 Kbps. Another GSM 2.5G packet technology, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), will boost data rates to 384 Kbps if/when deployed.
Beginning in the 2nd half of 2001, Europe will transition to 3G, by uptaking 2.5G GPRS services. The overall growth rate will decline, the migration of users from "Basic GSM" to GPRS, and ultimately to W-CDMA (starting in 2003), will provide a new 'revenue engine'for operators and manufacturers.

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References:

1 - http://devices.internet.com/news/0003/000320gprs.htm
2 - http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20011002/153239.shtml
3 -
http://www.sagem.com/en/produits-en/telephonie-mobile-en/gsm-gprs-en.htm
4 -
http://devices.internet.com/news/9910/991018swiss/991018swiss.html
5 -
http://winwww.rutgers.edu/pub/symposiums/GPRS/GPRS.html
6 -
http://www.infineon.com/news/press/108_110e.htm
7 -
http://www.wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/7370.html
8 -
http://wapsight.com/info/2001/06/28/130711.html
9 -
http://www.vizzavi.co.uk/!baatRqYGflVrpOoaZxgv/mobile/get_GPRS_now/index.jsp
10-
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2087601,00.html
11-
http://
12-
http://www.3g-generation.com/gprs_and_edge.htm

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Conclusion

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Mahdi Boostanpour
12 Nov 2001

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