What is GPRS?

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an evolved second generation cellular network protocol.

Sometimes referred to informally as 2.5G, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is an evolved second generation cellular network protocol. For IoT connectivity, GPRS remains very widely used. However, 2G and 3G network sunsetting means that alternative technologies should be adopted for both existing and new IoT projects.

Since its emergence two decades ago, GPRS has become the most widely adopted cellular system for connecting low-data volume devices.

GPRS is essentially an upgraded version of GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), which is the core standard behind the second generation (2G) cellular network.

The big technical difference between GSM and GPRS concerns the technique used for data transfer. GSM uses the Circuit-Switched (CS) method. With this, a dedicated circuit is engaged for the entire duration of a connection between two users. By contrast, GPRS is a packet-switching protocol. Under this technique, packets of data are transferred at different time intervals to make more efficient use of data transfer capacity across the network.

On the 2G and 3G networks, CS and GPRS technologies exist side by side and perform complementary roles. CS is deployed for voice calls and text messages, while GPRS is used to transfer data between devices.

Running Costs

For IoT, one of the big drawbacks of circuit switching concerns cost efficiency. With CS, the user’s running costs are based on how long the connection is made. But let’s say you have an asset tracking system or remote sensor in play. Ideally, you might want to keep these devices in ‘always on’ mode. However, these devices are only required to transmit or receive data relatively infrequently. GPRS is much more suitable for this. It’s because it enables the user’s running costs to be calculated based on the volume of data sent, regardless of connection time.

Speed

GPRS offers a considerably higher rate compared to the basic GSM system. GSM was initially developed to transfer data at rates of up to 14.4kbit/s. By contrast, GPRS offered data rates of up to 86kbit/s in the 2G network. On the consumer side, it opened the door to things like streaming and gaming. For businesses, it enabled uses such as surveillance and videoconferencing.

Capabilities

GPRS is technically suitable for most but not all IoT use cases. If all you need are slow, relatively infrequent data connections, 2G or 3G with GPRS is often a technically viable match. However, for data-heavy applications (e.g. real time video transfer), you will need to look at later generation technologies.

2G and 3G sunsetting

Over the last couple of decades, both the 2G and 3G networks have proved to be very popular for supporting IoT projects, thanks in large part to the GPRS protocol. However, as new networks have arrived, there is increased pressure on the finite radio frequency (RF) spectrum.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an evolved second generation cellular network protocol.

What is GPRS?

What is GPRS?

Since its emergence two decades ago, GPRS has become the most widely adopted cellular system for connecting low-data volume devices.

Benefits of GPRS

Disadvantages of GPRS

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