General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

General Packet Radio Service, or GPRS, is a method of enhancing 2G mobile phones to enable them to send and recieve data more rapidly. With a GPRS connection, the phone is "always on" and can transfer data immediately, and at higher speeds (32-48 kb/s). An additional benefit is that data can be transferred at the same time as making a voice call. GPRS is available in most new phones.

GPRS is part of a series of technologies that are designed to move 2G networks closer to the performance of 3G networks. The key characteristic of a 3G network is its ability to transfer large amounts of data at high speed (up to 2 Mb/s), enabling applications such as video calling, video downloads, web browsing, email etc. By increasing the speed of a 2G network, some of these applications become possible, e.g. web browsing and sending or recieving emails with large attachments. These technologies are now called 2.5G.

GPRS is measured in classes which determine the speed at which data can be transferred. The GPRS' class usually refers to the number of timeslots available for uploading or downloading data. Timeslots are available simultaneously, so the more slots you have, the faster you can send or recieve data. The most common GPRS classes available are Classes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. Generally speaking, the higher the GPRS class, the faster the data transfer rates.