White Paper T290i/T290c
General Packet Radio Services
The introduction of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) is one of the key steps in the evolution of today’s GSM networks for enhancing the capabili- ties of data communication. Data traffic is increas- ing enormously (over both wired and wireless networks), with the growth in demand for Internet access and services paralleling that for mobile communications. Users want access to the Internet while they are away from their offices and homes, and surveys have found that the vast majority of business professionals want the ability to send and receive email, browse the Web and transmit text and graphics on a portable device. That is why the main applications driving Mobile Internet develop- ment are email clients and Web browsers.
The demand for
GPRS applications can be developed as both hori- zontal and vertical applications. Vertical applica- tions are specific, including those for operations such as reaching police and emergency, taxi, deliv- ery or automated services (vending machines, supervision, vehicle tracking). Horizontal applica- tions are more generic and include those for Inter- net access, email, messaging,
GPRS is able to take advantage of the global cov- erage of existing GSM networks. Applications developed for GPRS can be deployed on a large scale and can reap the associated benefits. GPRS also provides a secure medium for connections to private networks, banking and financial services.
With GPRS, the T290i/T290c sends data in “pack- ets” at a very high speed. The T290i/T290c remains connected to the network at all times, using trans- mission capacity only when data are sent or received. For details, see “GPRS technical data” on page 59.
24 | October 2004 |
