General Packet Radio System (GPRS) - always-on data connection for mobile phones

GPRS is an extension of existing mobile networks, and is sometimes referred to as 2.5G. It uses the existing mobile phone networks. It provides a data connection that is not connected by a phone call, but runs in the background, rather like a sort of "mobile broadband". GPRS can give connection speeds approaching to thse of a fixed-line modem, but slows down when spare channels are scarce.

It gets this speed by combining several channels, each of which can give between 9.6k and 14.4k throughput. Most GPRS phones are "class 6" or "class 8"and can combine three or four channels (respectively) on the downlink side to get up to a theoretical 56k, though in practice a maximum of 30k to 40k is more typical.

In theory, twice this speed is possible, but the technical improvements needed to make this happen seem more likely to focus on UMTS instead.

Because GPRS does not use a dialled call connection, it is not charged by the minute, but instead is charged by the volume of data transferred. The costs seem fairly high, but you can buy "bundles" that give you cheaper GPRS on many mobile phone tariffs.

If you have a GPRS-capable handset, you can use a GPRS connection to browse the web, send or receive email, for text messaging and for WAP services.

The networks are keen to sell information and entertainment services that are delivered by GPRS, but these are optional.

GPRS settings

The detail of the settings you use for each network vary slightly. Contact your network or service provider for the details for your phone and network. This example is how to set up a WAP connection to use GPRS on T-mobile. For details of WAP APN settings for each of the networks, see the WAP Settings page

Data Bearer: GPRS
Access point/APN: general.t-mobile.uk
IP: 149.254.1.10
User: user
Password: wap
Session Mode: permanent
GPRS conn: Always online

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