Apple phones
BlackBerry phones
HTC phones
LG phones
Motorola phones
Nokia phones
Orange phones
Samsung phones
Sony phones
Vodafone phones Popular articles
|
What is GPRS?
Whilst GSM (2G) networks are excellent for voice calls, they are limited when it comes to sending and receiving data. GSM phones use a technology called CSD (Circuit Switched Data) to transfer data. CSD requires the phone to make a special connection to the network before it can transfer data (like making a voice call) which can take up to 30 seconds. Once connected, the data is sent or received and the user is billed for the time spent online. Data transfer is relatively slow: 14.4 kbps (kilobits per second) for GSM 1800 networks (Orange and T-Mobile) and 9.6 kbps for GSM 900 networks (Vodafone and O2). GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a method of enhancing 2G phones to enable them to send and receive data more rapidly. With a GPRS connection, the phone is "always on" and can transfer data immediately, and at higher speeds: typically 32 - 48 kbps. An additional benefit is that data can be transferred at the same time as making a voice call. GPRS is now available on most new phones. GPRS is part of a series of technologies that are designed to move 2G networks closer to the performance of 3G networks. The key characteristic of a 3G network is its ability to transfer large amounts of data at high speed (up to 2 Mbps), enabling applications like video calling, video downloads, web browsing, email, etc. By increasing the speed of a 2G network, some of these applications become possible, e.g. web browsing and sending or receiving emails with large attachments. These technologies are called 2.5G and include enhancements to the CSD technology, such as HSCSD and EDGE. GPRS Class TypesThe class of a GPRS phone determines the speed at which data can be transferred. Technically the class refers to the number of timeslots available for upload (sending data from the phone) or download (receiving data from the network). The timeslots used for data are in addition to the slot that is reserved for voice calls. These timeslots are available simultaneously, so the greater the number of slots, the faster the data transfer speed. Because GPRS transmits data in packets, the timeslots are not in use all the time, but are shared amongst all users of the network. That increases the overall data capacity of the network, and it also means that you are billed for the quantity of data transmitted, not the time that you are online. It may mean that during busy times, data transfer rates slow down, because the network will give priority to voice calls.The most common GPRS classes in use are as follows:
Generally speaking, the higher the GPRS class, the faster the data transfer rates. HSCSDHSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) enables data to be transferred more rapidly than the standard GSM (Circuit Switched Data) system by using multiple channels. The maximum number of timeslots that can be used is four, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 57.6 kbps (or 38.4 kbps on a GSM 900 network). HSCSD is more expensive to use than GPRS, because all four slots are used simultaneously - it does not transmit data in packets. Because of this, HSCSD is not as popular as GPRS and is being replaced by EDGE.EDGEEDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or EGPRS provides data transfer rates significantly faster than GPRS or HSCSD. EDGE increases the speed of each timeslot to 48 kbps and allows the use of up to 8 timeslots, giving a maximum data transfer rate of 384 kbps. In places where an EDGE network is not available, GPRS will automatically be used instead. EDGE offers the best that can be achieved with a 2.5G network, and will eventually be replaced by 3G.
User commentsPlease do not use swear words or offensive language, and please, no advertising! Comment by Lucille from TRinidad & Tobago on 13th
Oct 2012 Comment by Roshan from India on 16th Sep 2012 Comment by Asaha Desmond from Cameroon on 5th
Sep 2012 Comment by John Anderson from Scotland on 24th
Aug 2012 Reply by Mobile Phones UK from UK on
24th Aug 2012 Comment by Harry Whitecross from United States on
14th Jul 2012 Comment by Tao from China on 5th Jul 2012 Reply by Mobile Phones UK from UK on
5th Jul 2012 Comment by JIM from ENGLAND on 6th May 2012 Comment by Www.diolt.com from Pak on 23rd Apr
2012 Reply by Mobile Phones UK from UK on
23rd Apr 2012
Comment by K.Netha from Sri lanka on 17th Apr
2012 Comment by deepakhs from india on 25th Mar 2012 Comment by amin from iran on 3rd Mar 2012 Reply by Mobile Phones UK from UK on
5th Mar 2012 Comment by Srikanth reddy from India on 26th Feb
2012 Reply by akin from United Kingdom on
20th Apr 2012 Comment by lucky from Botswana on 14th Feb 2012 Comment by Sandhya from on 5th Feb 2012 Comment by Aggrey from Uganda on 29th Jan 2012 Comment by edlyn from philippines on 20th Jan
2012 Comment by yogendra from nepal on 15th Jan 2012 Comment by Emily from England on 13th Jan 2012 LinksGSM World Guide to GPRSNokia GPRS Guide Nokia EDGE Guide |
|
  |  |
