Introduction…………………………………………………………………3

Present State of Nature……………………………………………………...3

History………………………………………………………………………7

Shortcomings………………………………………………………………..8

Proposed Solution…………………….……………………………………10

User Features……………………………………………………………….10

Network Features…………………………………………………………...12

Industry Participation……………………………………………………….14

GPRS Phones……………………………………………………………….16

Method of Operation………………………………………………………..17

Applications…………………………………………………………………18

Methodology………………………………………………………………..19

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..19

References…………………………………………………………………..20

Appendix…………………………………………………………………….22

The introduction of wireless communication has allowed many people around the world to live their lives and conduct business in ways that were never before possible.Millions of cellular subscribers have become accustomed to always having a telephone with them wherever they go.Now, businesses are wanting to be able to connect to the office when they are out of the office so they can check their email, search on the Internet, access company files, send faxes and data whenever and wherever it is needed.Currently, there are numerous wireless data services available, but a new technology, General Packet Radio Service, offers much excitement to consumers.

 General Packet Radio Service, more commonly known as GPRS, is a new non-voice, value added, high-speed, packet-switching technology, for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks. It makes sending and receiving small bursts of data, such as email and web browsing, as well as large volumes of data over a mobile telephone network possible. A simple way to understand packet switching is to relate it to a jigsaw puzzle. Image how you buy a complete image or picture that has been divided up into many pieces and then placed in a box. You purchase the puzzle and reassemble it to form the original image. Before the information is sent, it is split up into separate packets and it is then reassembled at the receivers end. 

GPRS is expected to provide a significant boost to mobile data usage and usefulness. It is expected to greatly alter and improve the end-user experience of mobile data computing, by making it possible and cost-effective to remain constantly connected, as well as to send and receive data at much higher speeds than today.Its main innovations are that it is packet based, that it will increase data transmission speeds, and that it will extend the Internet connection all the way to the mobile PC – the user will no longer need to dial up to a separate ISP. [11]

It will complement rather than replace the current data services available through today’s GSM digital cellular networks, such as Circuit Switched Data and Short Message Service.It will also provide the type of data capabilities planned for “third generation” cellular networks, but years ahead of them. [11] Figure 1 below is a timeframe of GSM data services and their availability.

Figure 1: Road Map of Data Services for GSM

According to the specifications provided by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the highest speed for a single user session (or time slot) is the coding scheme CS4, which allows 21.4 kbps per time slot.Thus, theoretically, a GPRS connection can provide a data transmission speed of up to 171.2 Kbps (approximately three times that of a fixed-line 56K dial-up) if all eight slots are used.GPRS’s rival, HSCSD, can achieve up to 57.6 kbps. However, it is unlikely that network operators will let a single user use up all the time slots.Even Nokia admitted that realistically GPRS could achieve only about 43 Kbps while Ericsson thinks 56 Kbps is achievable. [9] Currently, GSM systems are running at 9.6 kilobits.A comparison of Data Transfer Speeds (in kbps) follows in Figure 2.

Figure 2: A Comparison of Data Transfer Speeds (in Kbps)

 

56 K Dial-Up	GSM	HSCSD  (maximum speed)	GPRS  (maximum speed)	GPRS  (realistic speed)
56	9.6	57.6	171.2	43 to 56
Source: A CNET tutorial, July 2001. [9]

GPRS could possibly be the technology that will allow consumers to really begin to sue the mobile Internet.GPRS is considered one step ahead of HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) and a step towards 3G (Third-generation) networks. [9] It is the step to 2.5G for GSM and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) service providers.Cingular and AT&T are both currently the standard.

GPRS is ideal for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) services because of the cost saving WAP over GPRS bring to mobile operators and cellular consumers.Costs are reduced because GPRS radio resources are only needed while the message is being transferred.For the end user, that means you only pay for the time it takes to download the data and information that you need.For the GSM operator, that means that you will be able to provide high speed Internet access to consumers at a reasonable cost, because you will bill mobile phone users for only the amount of data that they transfer rather than billing them for the length of them that they are connected to the network.

With GPRS-enabled mobile phones, services are received faster than with traditional GSM phones.GPRS offers an increase in data throughput rates, so information retrieval and database access is faster, more usable and more convenient.At its best, GPRS is transparent, allowing the user to concentrate on the task in hand rather than on the technology. [15]

Like the GSM standard itself, GPRS will be introduced in phases.Phase 1 became available commercially in the year 2000/2001.Point to Point GPRS, which is sending information to a single GPRS user, was supported, but not Point to Multipoint which is sending the same information to several GPRS users at the same time.GPRS Phase 2 is not yet fully defined, but is expected to support higher data rates through the possible incorporation of techniques such as EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), in addition to Point-to-Multipoint support. [7] See Figure 3 below for a timeline history of GPRS.

Figure 3: GPRS History

DATEMILESTONE
 

Throughout  1999-2000	Network operators place trial and commercial contracts for GPRS infrastructure. Incorporation of GPRS infrastructure into GSM networks.
Summer of 2000	First trial GPRS services become available. Typical single user throughput is likely to be 28 kbps. For example, T-Mobil is planning a GPRS trial at Expo2000 in Hanover in the Summer of 2000.
Start of 2001	Basic GPRS capable terminals begin to be available in commercial quantities.
Throughout 2001	Network operators launch GPRS services commercially an roll out GPRS. Vertical market and executive GPRS early adopters begin using it regularly for nonvoice mobile communications.
2001/2002	Typical single user throughput is likely to be 56 kbps.  New GPRS specific applications, higher bitrates, greater network capacity solutions, more capable terminals become available, fueling GPRS usage.
2002	Typical single user throughput is likely to be 112 kbps. GPRS Phase 2/EDGE begins to emerge in practice.
2002	GPRS is routinely incorporated into GSM mobile phones and has reached critical mass in terms of usage. (This is the equivalent to the status of SMS in 1999)
2002/2003	3GSM arrives commercially.
Source: An Introduction to the General Packet Radio Service, January 2000 [7]

LIMITED RADIO RESOURCES

There are only limited radio resources that can be deployed for different uses – use for one purpose precludes simultaneous use for another.For example, voice and GPRS calls both use the same network resources. [7]

SPEEDS MUCH LOWER IN REALITY

Attaining the highest GPRS data transmission speed of 171.2 kbps would require a single user taking over all eight timeslots; therefore, maximum GPRS speeds should be compared against constraints in the GPRS terminals and networks.It is highly unlikely that a GSM network operator would allow all timeslots to be used by a single GPRS user.The initial GPRS terminals are expected to only support one to three timeslots, which will be severely limiting to users.The reality is that mobile networks are always likely to have lower data transmission speeds than fixed networks. [7] Mobile cellular subscribers often like to jump on the fact that a certain technology has high data transmission speeds, when the figure in all reality could be a theoretical number that is based on the perfect situation.Consumers should, therefore, compare all available mobile services and use the one that bests suits their needs.

NO SUPPORT OF MOBILE TERMINATED CALLS

There has been no confirmation by any mobile phone provider that initial GPRS terminals will support mobile terminated GPRS calls (receipt of GPRS calls on the mobile phone).When a mobile phone user initiates a GPRS session, they are agreeing to pay for the content to be delivered by the GPRS service.Internet sources originating unsolicited content may not be chargeable.A worse case scenario would be that a mobile user would then be made responsible for paying for the unsolicited junk content that they received.This is one main reason why mobile vendors are not willing to support mobile terminated GPRS calls in their terminals.

SUBOPTIMAL MODULATION

GPRS is based on a modulation technique known as Gaussian minimum-shift keying (GMSK).EDGE is based on a new modulation scheme that allows a much higher bit rate across the air interface – that is called eight-phase-shift keying (8 PSK) modulation.Since 8 PSK will also be used for 3GSM, network operators will need to incorporate it at some stage to make the transition to third generation mobile phone systems. [7]

TRANSIT DELAYS

GPRS packets are sent in many different directions to reach the same destination.This makes room for the possibility for some of the packets to get lost or damaged during the transmission over the radio link.The GPRS standards are aware of this issue regarding wireless packet technologies and have worked to integrate data integrity and retransmission approaches to solving these problems.The result of this leads to possible transit delays.

NO STORE AND FORWARD

Currently, there is not a storage mechanism integrated into the GPRS standard.

General Packet Radio Service will be coming to the market after High-speed circuit-switched data service (HSCSD) is already in use as an update to the services that it already offers.GPRS is a step in front of HSCSD and a step closer to 3G.Not only will it increase data transmission speeds, but GPRS will also offer the following user features and network features.

3 TO 10 TIMES THE SPEED

INSTANT CONNECTIONS – IMMEDIATE TRANSFER OF DATA

GPRS will allow for instant, continuous connections that will allow information and data to be sent whenever and wherever it is needed.GPRS users are considered to be always connected, with no dial-up needed.Immediacy is one of the advantages of GPRS (and SMS) when compared to Circuit Switched Data.High immediacy is a very important feature for time critical applications such as remote credit card authorization where it would be unacceptable to keep the customer waiting for even thirty extra seconds. [23]

NEW AND BETTER APPLICATIONS

General Packet Radio Service offers many new applications that were never before available to users because of the restrictions in speed and messaged length.Some of the new applications that GPRS offers is the ability to perform web browsing and to transfer files from the office or home and home automation, which is the ability to use and control in-home appliances.

SERVICE ACCESS

To use GPRS, the user will need:

·A mobile phone or terminal that supports GPRS (existing GSM phones do not support GPRS)

·A subscription to a mobile telephone network that supports GPRS – use of GPRS must be enabled for that user.Automatic access to the GPRS may be allowed by some mobile network operators, others will require a specific opt-in

·Knowledge of how to send and/or receive GPRS information using their specific model of mobile phone, including software and hardware configuration (this creates a customer service requirement)

·A destination to send or receive information through GPRS.(Whereas with SMS this was often another mobile phone, in the case of GPRS, it is likely to be an Internet address, since GPRS is designed to make the Internet fully available to mobile users for the first time.

Tremendously widening the limits and uses of mobile connections, GPRS users can access any web page or other Internet applications. [23]

GPRS offers many new network features to mobile service operators.These include packet switching, spectrum efficiency, Internet aware, and the support of TDMA and GSM.

PACKET SWITCHING

SPECTRUM EFFICIENCY

Packet switching means that GPRS radio resources are used only when users are actually sending or receiving data.Rather than dedicating a radio channel to a mobile data user for a fixed period of time, the available radio resource can be concurrently shared between several users.This efficient use of scarce radio resources means that large number of GPRS users can potentially share the same bandwidth and be served from a single cell. [23]

The actual number of users supported depends on the application being used and how much data is being transferred.Because of the spectrum efficiency of GPRS, there is less need to build in idle capacity that is only used in peak hours.GPRS therefore lets network operators maximize the use of their network resources in a dynamic and flexible way, along with user access to resources and revenues. [23]

GPRS should improve the peak time capacity of a GSM network since it simultaneously:

·Allocates scarce radio resources more efficiently by supporting virtual connectivity

·Migrates traffic that was previously sent using Circuit Switch Data to GPRS instead

·Reduces SMS Center and signaling channel loading by migrating some traffic that previously was sent using SMS to GPRS instead using the GPRS/SMS interconnect that is supported by the GPRS standards. [23]

INTERNET AWARE

For the first time, GPRS fully enables Mobile Internet functionality by allowing interworking between the existing Internet and the new GPRS network. [23]

Any service that is used over the fixed Internet today – File Transfer Protocol (FTP), web browsing, chat, email, telnet – will be as available over the mobile network because of GPRS.In fact, many network operators are considering the opportunity to use GPRS to help become wireless Internet Service Providers in their own right. [23]

The World Wide Web is becoming the primary communications interface – people access the Internet for entertainment and information collection, the intranet for accessing company information and connecting with colleagues and the extranet for accessing customers and suppliers.Web browsing is a very important application for GPRS. [23]

Because it uses the same protocols, the GPRS network can be viewed as a sub-network of the Internet with GPRS capable mobile phones being viewed as mobile hosts.This means that each GPRS terminal can potentially have its own IP address and will be addressable as such. [23]

SUPPORTS TDMA AND GSM

It should be noted that the General Packet Radio Service is not only a service designed to be deployed on mobile networks that are based on the GSM digital phone standard. [23]

The IS-136 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) standard, popular in North and South America, will also support GPRS.This follows an agreement to follow the same evolution path towards third generation mobile phone networks concluded in early 1999 by the industry associations that support these two network types. [23]

The first version of the GPRS standard is complete.The next version of the standard, which is expected to add advanced features, such as point-to-multipoint communications is in development. Many GSM vendors, such as Alcatel, Ericsson, Lucent, Motorola, Nokia, Nortel, and Siemens have played an active part in the standards process.Recently, Lucent has announced a deal to bring Verizon to 3G.Cellular service providers currently cover almost 90 percent of the population in the United States. [4] Figure 4 shows GPRS contracts, which currently have been awarded to carriers in Europe, Asia and the United States.

Figure 4: GPRS Contracts Awarded

The GPRS standard supports both X.25 and IP, the two top Internet protocols, but it is more likely that GPRS vendors and operators will put emphasis on the IP service.It is also likely that GPRS will first roll out in European countries.All new GSM phones will support GPRS.

Phone manufacturers, not to be outdone, have launched a number of GPRS-enabled models for early adopters.The catch is that the GPRS network is currently still not commercially available.Even when all of this is available, the actual data transfer rate will depend on the phone as well as the network operators.And when it comes to pricing, the charging model could be by time, by packets transferred, or a combination of both. [9] Figure 5 below shows current mobile phone vendors GPRS models and the launch dates for these products to reach the market.

Figure 5: GPRS Phone Models and Availability to Consumers

GPRS gives GSM subscribers access to data communication applications such as e-mail, corporate networks, and the Internet using their mobile phones.The GPRS service uses the existing GSM network and adds new packet-switching network equipment. [2] GPRS employs packet switching, which means that the GPRS mobile phone has no dedicated circuit assigned to it.Only when data is transferred is a physical channel created.After the data has been sent, it can be assigned to other users.This allows for the most efficient use of the network.

When packet-switched data leaves the GPRS/GSM network, it is transferred to TCP-IP networks such as the Internet or X.25.Thus, GPRS includes new transmission and signaling procedures as well as new protocols for interworking with the IP world and other standard packet networks. [2] Mobile phones currently available do not work with the new GPRS technology.The industry’s mobile phone vendors are working on new phones that will support both GSM and packet switching.There is also a possibility in the future, that laptops and PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants) will have GPRS phone integrated in them.Figure 6 is a diagram of the GPRS Network Architecture.

Figure 6: GPRS Network Architecture

For this research project, I chose to use the Internet as a means of finding a topic for to use as an emerging technology.After several keywords searches in various search engines and after checking out technology sites such as http://www.cnet.com

and http://www.zdnet.com, I chose my current topic, General Packet Radio Service.My next step after picking a topic to research was to actually search the Internet and find out if there would be enough information out there for me to conduct a research project.The initial search I did on Google™ using the keywords “General Packet Radio Service” brought back 184,000 results.I began searching these and came up with about twenty-four Internet articles that were pertinent to what I was needing for my research project.I figured the easiest way of going through all of this information was to just print everything out and then read through it.

In my opinion, I feel that Nokia has the safest approach to GPRS.Instead of trying to perform so much at once, they offer consumers such things as web access.Once GPRS is made available, I think that it will really add to the reliability and mobility of cellular phones.Until then, consumers will have to wait until Verizon or Pacific Bell announce a deal on GPRS.The GPRS-enabled phones are not going to be great on their own; it is going to take service providers and operators to make them great.So, until then, even the most hopeful company won’t put a GPRS phone out on the market.

REFERENCES

[1] Agilent Technologies “Agilent Understanding General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)”, downloaded 9/28/01.

[2] Choi, Hahn, TechTV “The High-Speed Wireless World”, http://www.techtv.com/products/consumerelectronics/story/0,23008,3317919,00.html, March 21, 2001, downloaded 11/1/01.

[3] Ericsson “Third Generation Mobile Systems”, http://www.ericsson.com/3g/how/gprs.shtml, August 21, 2001, downloaded 9/28/01.

[4] “General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.utdallas.edu/~kim97/GPRS.htm, downloaded 11/1/01.

[5] “GPRS – General Packet Radio operator Service”, http://translate.google.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl+fr&u=http://mircolease.com/fr/helpd, downloaded 11/1/01.

[6] GPRS, http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213689,00.html, downloaded 9/19/01.

[7] GSM World “An Introduction to the General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/yes2gprs.html, August 1, 2001, downloaded 9/19/01.

[8] GSM World “An Overview of GPRS”, http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/gprs.html, August 18, 2000, downloaded 9/19/01.

[9] Khoo, Ernest. “A CNET tutorial: What is GPRS?” http://www.singapore.cnet.com/handphones/wirelesscenter/story/0,2000027283,20097934,00.htm, July 19, 2001, downloaded 11/1/01.

[10] Merritt, Tom, TechTV “GPRS Phones”, http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/comdexfall2000/story/0,23008,3011391,00.html, November 13, 2000, downloaded 11/1/01.

[11] Mobile and Wireless Overview “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), http://www.wheatstone.net/whatwedo/Portal/Standards/gprs.htm, downloaded 11/1/01.

[12] Mobile GPRS “About the General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.mobilegprs.com/, downloaded 9/29/01.

[13] Motorola “BT Cellnet Showcases World’s First Commercial GPRS High Speed Mobile Data Service At Networks 2000”, http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=MOT&script=411&layout=-6&item_id…, June 27, 2000, downloaded 9/28/01.

[14] Motorola “GPRS Solutions”, http://www.motorola.com/aspira/GPRS.htm, downloaded 9/28/01.

[15] Nokia “GPRS Mobile On-line”, http://www.nokia.com/gprs/, 2001, downloaded 9/28/01.

[16] Nokia 3G Solutions “Mobility Core”, http://www.nokia.com/3g/solutions_mobility_gprs.html, 2001, downloaded 9/19/01.

[17] PsychoSpy and The Clone “A Guide to General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.nettwerked.net/gprs.txt, September 2, 2000, downloaded 11/1/01.

[18] Rysavy, Peter.Network Magazine “Emerging Technology: Clear Signals for General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.networkmagazine.com/article/NMG20001129S0002/3, December 5, 2000, downloaded 9/19/01.

[19] Rysavy, Peter.Network Magazine “Emerging Technology: Clear Signals for General Packet Radio Service”, http://www.rysavy.com/Articles/GPRS2/gprs2.html, December 2000, downloaded 9/13/01.

[20] Rysavy, Peter, “Paper: General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)”, http://www.gsmdata.com/es53060/paprysavy.htm, September 30, 1998, downloaded 9/29/01.

[21] “USA: Simplify GPRS – new GPRS high-speed wireless modem”, http://www.mobileapplicationsinitiative.com/lopsedel/dokument.asp?ID=News7064&Fran=Si, downloaded 9/28/01.

[22] Webopedia “GPRS”, http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/G/GPRS.html, August 6, 1999, downloaded 9/19/01.

[23] “What is GPRS?”,http://www.mobiletelecoms.net/what_is_gprs.html, downloaded 11/1/01.

[24] White Paper “Cisco - GPRS White Paper”, http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/so/neso/gprs/gprs_wp.htm, July 6, 2000, downloaded 9/19/01.

[25] Wireless Communications Solutions “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)”, http://www.nuntius.com/solutions22.html, downloaded 9/28/01.