| What is GPRS? |
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is rapidly becoming a global standard for sending and receiving high-speed data across the GSM network. GPRS differs from GSM by being a packet based technology which is always on and available on demand to subscribers. It's a radio technology for GSM networks that adds packet-switching protocols, shorter set-up time for ISP connections, and is billed by the amount of data sent and received, rather than conventional Circuit Switched Data services on GSM networks, which are billed by the connection time.
Why GPRS?
As GSM is already the most broadly deployed digital wireless standard in the world, with over 850 million users in over 195 countries and with service provided by over 400 operators, GSM represents over 70% of today's digital wireless market. The infrastructure and technology for connecting mobile devices, for global deployment and the billing arrangements and tariff already exist making it an ideal platform for Machine to Machine applications (M2M).
GPRS now makes it possible to deploy several new devices that have previously not been suitable over traditional GSM networks due to the limitations in speed (9600bps), message length of the Short Message Service (160 characters), dial up time and costs. These applications include Point Of Sale Terminals, Vehicle tracking systems, and monitoring equipment. It's even possible to remotely access and control in-house appliances and machines.
GPRS achieves faster connection speeds thanks to two cutting-edge technologies. The first is the General Packet. Rather than sending information in a steady stream through a single channel as current phones do, a GPRS enabled device breaks the information down into "packets" and sends them over multiple channels (up to eight). Each packet travels by the quickest available route to the recipient, where it is reassembled into the original message. Sending packets by several different channels increases the speed of transmission and cuts down on signal errors.
The second big advantage with GPRS is the fact that it is a Radio Service. Like a radio, a GPRS enabled device is "always on", so as long your equipment in switched on, you have an open channel for sending and receiving data. Once you have logged on you won’t have to log on again thus speeding up the process of communicating and exchanging data with your host server.
Fixed Wireless
The term Fixed wireless is commonly used in GPRS applications and is used when referring to wireless equipment or devices that are situated in fixed locations, such as an office, a shop or at home; as opposed to devices that are mobile, such as portable computers, mobile phones and PDA's. Fixed wireless devices are normally mains powered as opposed to portable wireless devices that are normally powered from batteries.
The advantages of fixed wireless include the ability to connect with users in remote areas without the need for laying new cables. For example some developing Countries have a poor infrastructure for conventional wired PSTN telephone lines, but have excellent GSM networks. As the point-to-point signal transmissions occur through the air over the GSM network rather than through copper or fiber cables, fixed wireless devices such as Point of Sale terminals (POS) and monitoring equipment can be deployed wherever there is GSM/GPRS Network coverage.
Advantages
Ø What GPRS does is it transmits the data in short bursts and can send and receive data at much higher speeds, from 9.6Kbps up to 114Kbps, which is a tenfold increase in data throughput rates (current GSM rate is 9.6kbps).
Ø One of the benefits of GPRS is that you are constantly connected, you can have a continuous connection to the Internet allowing you to always be online. This is a much better procedure, rather than the dial-up connection one used at the moment.
Ø Another advantage of GPRS is that customers may be charged only for the amount of data that is transported, i.e. only for usage. It costs less than circuit-switched data as well, because of its shared use of channels. Lower costs should also entail greater penetration into the market for GPRS.
Ø It also leverages the radio spectrum over multiple users simultaneously, and voice calls may be made simultaneously while a data connection is operating.
Ø It brings opportunities to capture more corporate business, for companies who take advantage of its services. It also enables new and previously inaccessible markets to be addressed. It’ll allow access to e-mail, fax and voice mail, all protected through firewalls. And of course it brings new revenue to the network providers!
Ø And devices you buy now will work in the future.
Disadvantages
Ø GPRS packet loss phenomena occur. As the packet switching connection is worse than the number of circuit-switched connection, therefore, use the GPRS packet loss phenomena will occur. Moreover, since the voice and GPRS services can not both use the same network resources, therefore, for the time slot dedicated to the number of GPRS use more voice communications can be provided to the less network resources. Limited capacity of the users of its GPRS network does affect the existing cell capacity, for different purposes in terms of limited radio resources available. For example, voice and GPRS calls both use the same network resources, which is bound to produce some interference with each other. The extent of its impact on the business depends on the number of slots. Of course, GPRS can take dynamic management of the channel, and able to send text messages in the GPRS channel to reduce the peak number of the signaling channel.
Ø the actual rate lower than the theoretical value, GPRS data transfer rate to achieve the theoretical maximum 172.2kbps, must be only one user occupy all eight time slots, and no protection against mistakes. Operators gave all the eight time slots a user is obviously not possible. In addition, the initial GPRS terminals are expected to be only support one, two or three time slots, the bandwidth of a GPRS user will therefore be severely restricted, so the theoretical maximum rate of GPRS networks and terminals will be the reality conditions constraints.
Ø termination of the Terminal does not support wireless functions, the absence of any declared a major handset manufacturer to support its GPRS wireless terminal to receive calls termination functions, this would be whether the market can successfully GPRS from other non-voice services market, grab the user's core problem. GPRS service is enabled, users will pay for traffic services, GPRS terminal will load the WAP browser. However, unauthorized content will be sent to the end user, even worse, users pay for the spam.
Ø modulation is not optimal, GPRS-based GMSK (Gaussian Minimum-Shift Keying) modulation technique, compared to, EDGE modulation method based on a new 8PSK (eight-phase-shift keying), which allows wireless interface to support higher rates. 8PSK is also used for UMTS. If you want to transition to network operators, third-generation, must at some stage to switch to a new modulation.
Ø there is switching delay, GPRS packet data sent by different directions and eventually reach the same destination, then the data is
Ø transmitted via wireless link may occur during one or several packet loss or error situation.
Useful Acronyms & Buzz Words
FCC: Federal Communications Commission.
The government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications in the
GPRS: General Packet Radio Service:
A GSM data transmission technique that sends and receives data in packets. It makes very efficient use of available radio spectrum, and users pay only for the volume of data sent and received.
GPS: Global Positioning System:
A series of 24 geosynchronous satellites that continuously transmit their position. Used in personal tracking, navigation and automatic vehicle location technologies
GSM: Global System for
A digital cellular or PCS network used throughout the world.
Interoperability: The ability of a network to operate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.
IP: Internet Protocol
PCS: Personal Communications Services:
A two-way, 1900 MHz digital voice, messaging and data service.
POS: Point-of-Sale Terminal:
A type of computer terminal used to collect and store retail sales data. Wireless POS terminals are used for remote or temporary locations.
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network
A formal name for the world-wide telephone network.
SMS: Short Messaging Service:
Two-way electronic messages of up 160 characters.
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol:
The standard used for transferring information and data between computers, mobile phones and other devices across the Internet.
Telematics:
The integration of wireless communications, vehicle monitoring systems and location devices.
Tri-Band:
Phones or devices that work on three frequencies, typically using 800Mhz, 1800Mhz and 1900Mhz on the digital GSM network.
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System:
Note:
GPRS could provide data rates from 56 kbit/s up to 115 kbit/s. It can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access. GPRS data transfer is typically charged per megabyte of traffic transferred, while data communication via traditional circuit switching is billed per minute of connection time, independent of whether the user actually is utilizing the capacity or is in an idle state.
