There is a great deal of confusion on which is going to survive - GSM or GPRS. I feel that t's a misunderstanding for some people to think that the GSM network will be replaced after the GPRS network enters into operation. Actually, the GPRS is only a sort of technology in mobile telecom that is to be applied to the current GSM network. As a key link between the GSM and the 3G systems, the GPRS takes into consideration the compatibility of both the 3G-system and that of the second-generation i.e. the GSM and the introduction of the GPRS system will help prolong greatly the lifecycle of the GSM system and upgrade it. GPRS is a totally new technology and, the hardware of the cell phone is quite different from that of a GSM cell phone and the software is more powerful in terms of function and, moreover, the GPRS cell phone can also be used under the GSM system too.
There are some major differences between GSM and GPRS (sometimes called 2.5G mobile phones). Both systems use the same TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) link with the key difference that GSM uses one out of seven time slots. However, the GPRS connection in the t610 can use as many as 4+1 time slots. This gives four times the connection speed and foremost is cheaper if you send small packages of data (as said above) since most service providers charge per sent byte and not per second. This means that using WAP via GRPS is much more efficient since you dont have yo pay for your idle time, whilst in GSM you have to pay for the total duration of your connection.
In other words, The difference between GPRS and GSM is like the difference between having a direct dial up between two pieces of equipment and connecting over the internet.
A direct dial up commits resources to connecting each unit from its remote location to the back office. The resources could be as simple as the copper cable connecting the modem to the exchange, the capacity in the exchanges and then the copper cable back out to the office. These resources are committed to that call for as long as they are required.
With GPRS the remote unit is connected but does not claim any resources until some data is sent. The information that needs to be sent is divided into data packets. Each data packet is given an address then ‘posted’ into the network. Each data packet finds its own route through the network, which could be around the world and back. Once at the end destination the data packets are then reassembled into the original message. This means that no resources are committed making the network much more efficient and capable of handling for more traffic than would be the case in a traditional system.
GSM Data Services
GSM networks handle both voice and data traffic requirements of the mobile communication by providing two modes of operation:
Circuit switched (high-speed circuit switched data)
Packet switched (GPRS)
Circuit switching provides the customer with a dedicated channel all the way to the destination. The customer has exclusive use of the circuit for the duration of the call, and is charged for the duration of the call.
With packet switching, the operator assigns one or more dedicated channels specifically for shared use. These channels are up and running 24 hours a day, and when you need to transfer data, you access a channel and transmit your data. Packet switching is more efficient than circuit switching.
The standard data rate of a GSM channel is 22.8 kbps.
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
The general packet radio system (GPRS) provides packet radio access for mobile Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and time-division multiple access (TDMA) users. In addition to providing new services for today's mobile user, GPRS is important as a migration step toward third-generation (3G) networks. GPRS allows network operators to implement an IP-based core architecture for data applications, which will continue to be used and expanded for 3G services for integrated voice and data applications. The GPRS specifications are written by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI), the European counterpart of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI).
GPRS is the first step toward an end-to-end wireless infrastructure and has the following goals:
• Open architecture
• Consistent IP services
• Same infrastructure for different air interfaces
• Integrated telephony and Internet infrastructure
• Leverage industry investment in IP
• Service innovation independent of infrastructure
Hope this was enough to explain the main differences between GSM and GPRS without becoming too technical.
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