Home>
Technology> FAQs> GPRS FAQs
GPRS
FAQs
What is GPRS?
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an extension of the GSM
network that enables data packets to be transmitted at high speed.
This is in the same way as on the Internet. The network offers
virtually instantaneous connection.
At what data speed can data be transmitted?
The maximum theoretical raw data rate per user is 171.2 kbits/sec,
net that will be up to 115 kbits/sec.
What is CS1-CS4?
These are four different coding schemes supported in GPRS. In
order of ascending efficiency, CS1-CS4. CS1 has the most redundancy.
What is SMG31bis?
ETSI SMG (Special Mobile Group). SMG29-SMG31bis are different
versions of the protocol stack. A higher number means a newer
version.
What is Class A, Class B and Class C?
Class A; simultaneous operation of GPRS (Packet-Switched) and
other GSM services (Circuit-Switched). Class B; the terminal can
only operate one set of services at a time but can be registered
to both. Class C; the terminal can only be registered to one of
the services.
What is Class 1, Class2, …, Class 12?
These are multislot classes. Different classes use different number
of timeslots in the frame. Class 12 is the one that today is the
fastest, i.e. occupies most time slots.
What does "using 4+1 multislot" mean?
This means that the Class supported by the product uses 4 time
slots in downlink and one time slot in uplink.
To what extension are the GPRS-systems
deployed?
Today GPRS have about the same coverage as GSM.
Is GPRS used for speech?
No, GPRS is a dataservice that is based on data package technique,
i.e. the same technique that is used for communication on the
Internet. Speech is provided by GSM.
What is it called when one uses GPRS?
When GPRS is used, you don't say that you make a datacall. Instead
you say that you connect to a GPRS-session or a data-session.
What is required for using GPRS?
To be able to use GPRS, you need a phone or a terminal that supports
GPRS and also a subscription from an operator that provides a
GPRS service network.
What GPRS-phones are available in the
market?
Examples of cellular phones that support GPRS are Motorola Timeport
GPRS and Ericsson R520 GPRS.
How is it working when you first want
to run GPRS and then want to change, and run data via GSM data
connection?
Before you connect, you have to choose which data carrier (GPRS/GSM)
is to be used. If you wish to change the data carrier, you have
to interrupt the present data session, choose the other data carrier
and then re-connect.
What is PDP-context?
PDP-context is the technical term for a GPRS-session (data session)
compared with today's data call.
Is it possible to get a specified invoice
on the GPRS-usage?
Yes, it is possible to get a specified invoice even for GPRS (typically
operator dependent).
Will the charge for GPRS be the same,
regardless of where in the world we are?
It's not likely that it's going to be the same rate. Each and
every operator will set their own prices. In other words, GPRS
will be charged in the same way as today's GSM.
Will all GPRS-subscribers get IP-addresses?
No, each time you connect, you will get a temporary IP-address,
that you will keep as long as your GPRS-session is connected.
What happens if a GPRS-session is running,
and I receive an ordinary GSM-call?
The subscriber has the possibility to receive and answer a GSM-call
and park the GPRS-session during the conversation. When the GSM-conversation
is over, the subscriber can re-establish the GPRS-session. However,
this depends on what the terminal is capable of, and also what
the network can handle. (see above "classes A B C")
What happens to my GPRS-session if I
leave the coverage area?
The GPRS-session doesn't disconnect. If you get outside the coverage
area the data session will be put on hold until you get back into
the coverage area.
Is it possible to travel between different
GPRS networks?
The customers of the operators that have so called roaming agreements
with each other, will be able to use the GPRS service when visiting
the other operator's network.
What happens with the GSM-network when
the UMTS-network is deployed?
The GSM-network will always be active, even when the UMTS-network
has been rolled out.
