General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a mobile data technology added to GSM cellular networks to carry digital data such as web pages and email. It was introduced as an enhancement to the original GSM system, which had been designed mainly for voice calls. GPRS is often described as a 2.5G technology because it sits between the second-generation GSM voice networks and the later third-generation systems built specifically for high-speed data.

The defining feature of GPRS is packet switching. Where a voice call reserves a dedicated channel for its whole duration, GPRS breaks data into small packets and sends them only when there is something to transmit. The radio capacity is shared among many users and allocated as needed, which uses the network more efficiently for the bursty traffic typical of internet use. This packet-based approach also allowed an “always-on” connection, so a device could remain attached to the data network without holding a channel open, and billing could be based on the volume of data rather than connection time.

GPRS made practical the early mobile internet services, including web browsing through cut-down protocols, multimedia messaging and email on handheld devices. Its data rates were modest by later standards and varied with how many time slots the network assigned and with signal conditions, but it represented a significant step beyond the slow circuit-switched data of plain GSM. GPRS was later extended by EDGE, which improved data rates over the same network, before third-generation systems took over the role of carrying mobile data.

Frequently asked questions

What is GPRS?

It is a packet-switched data service added to GSM networks that let mobile phones carry data such as web pages and email more efficiently than the original GSM voice system.

Why is packet switching important in GPRS?

It sends data in packets only when needed and shares radio capacity among users, which suits bursty internet traffic and allows an always-on connection billed by data volume.

How does GPRS relate to 2G and 3G?

It is often called a 2.5G technology, enhancing second-generation GSM with better data handling while predating the third-generation systems designed for high-speed data.