General Packet Radio Service

(GPRS)

1
Agenda

 Introduction
 Part I
 GPRS Architecture
 Part II
 Bearer Services and Supplementary
Services
 Mobility Management
 GPRS Limitations
2
Introduction
 Around 1994, the GSM phase 2 standards were
enhanced to include a number of new and improved
services.
 These enhancements became known as GSM Phase 2
Plus.
 One of the new features proposed in 1994 was a new
service, true packet radio service known as GPRS
 The purpose of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
is to provide an efficient system aimed at data
transfer for mobile users.

3
 GPRS allows a user with suitable mobile station to
occupy multiple time slots on a TRX, there by making
it possible to occupy of all 8 timeslots if they are
available.
 The GSM system will be largely reused, though new
hardware needs to be integrated in the existing
network.

4
Introduction
 GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
 Reuse the existing GSM infrastructure (not
standalone)
 Introduce packet-switched routing
functionality

Better data transfer rates due to multi-slot
operation

Low cost and connectivity-oriented
 Migration Path to 3G Networks
5
PACKET AND CIRCUIT-SWITCHED DATA
TRANSFER
 In any kind of network the information can
travel using either packet-switched (PS) or
circuit-switched (CS) mode.
 In general, circuit-switched mode is better for
a connection set up for the purpose of a
constant information flow.
 A dedicated resource for this purpose is
allocated throughout the connection.

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 Packet-switched mode is better for “bursty”
connections in which short amounts of data
are exchanged between the users over long
time periods or for infrequent transmissions
of big data volumes.
 In this case no physical resources are
dedicated for the purpose of the connection.
 In principle, every burst of data will be routed
separately within the network.
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Packet-switched technique
vs. circuit-switched
 In circuit-switching, resources (e.g. a channel) are
allocated to user for duration of connection
 Inefficient use of resources

 User pays for the whole connection

 High QoS: channel maintains real-time connection

 In packet-switching, resources are allocated to user

only for the time it takes to send each packet
 A channel can serve many users

 User pays by the packet

 Ideal for bursty data connections

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Comparison
 Packet-switched
 High bit rates
 Shared bandwidth
 Variable access times
 Friendly bill (based
on volume)
 Robust application
support
 Frequent transmission
of small volumes
 Circuit-switched
 Low bit rates
 Reserved bandwidth
 Fixed access time
 Unfriendly bill (based
on duration)
 Limited application
support
 Large volumes
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GPRS Architecture

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GPRS Architecture - Components

 New components introduced for GPRS services:

 SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node)
 GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node)
 IP-based backbone network
 PCU (Packet control unit) present at BSC
 Old components in GSM upgraded for GPRS services:
 HLR
 MSC/VLR
 Mobile Station

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GPRS Overview

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 To upgrade a GSM system to GPRS system
some new elements are added along with the
necessary up gradation for existing
components.
 There are two new functional elements which
play a major role in how GPRS works.
 The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and
the Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN).

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GSM VS GPRS
 How does the network differentiate between
GSM (circuit) and GPRS (packet)?
 In any GSM network there will be several
BSC’s (Base Station Controllers).
 When implementing GPRS a software and
hardware upgrade of this unit is required.
 The hardware upgrade consists of adding a
Packet Control Unit (PCU).

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 This extra piece of hardware differentiates data
destined for the standard GSM network or Circuit
Switched Data and data destined for the GPRS
network or Packet Switched Data.

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SGSN
 The Serving GPRS Support Node, or SGSN for short,
takes care of some important tasks, including
routing, handover and IP address assignment.
 The SGSN has a logical connection to the GPRS
device.
 As an example, if you where in a car traveling up the
M1 on a long journey and were browsing the Internet
on a GPRS device, you will pass through many
different cells.
 One job of the SGSN is to make sure the connection
is not interrupted as you make your journey passing
from cell to cell.

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 The SGSN works out which BSC to “route” your
connection through.
 If the user moves into a segment of the network that
is managed by a different SGSN it will perform a
handoff of to the new SGSN, this is done extremely
quickly and generally the user will not notice this has
happened.
 Any packets that are lost during this process are
retransmitted.
 The SGSN converts mobile data into IP and is
connected to the GGSN via a tunnelling protocol.

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SGSN – Serving GPRS Support
Node
 The Serving GPRS Support Node can be compared to
a GSM MSC/VLR.
 The SGSN provides:
 Packet routing and transfer towards the MS within
the SGSN Service Area
 Packet routing and transfer towards the GGSN
 Ciphering and Authentication
 Handling of Update Procedures

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SGSN – Serving GPRS Support Node

 Keeps track of the individual MSs’ location

and performs security functions and access
control.
 Takes care of handover and IP address
assignment.
 Detects and registers new GPRS mobile
stations located in its service area
 Participates into routing, as well as mobility
management functions.

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GGSN – Gateway GPRS Support Node

 Provides inter-working between PLMN and external

packet-switched networks.
 Converts the GPRS packets from SGSN into the
appropriate packet data protocol format (e.g., IP or
X.25) and sends out on the corresponding packet
data network.
 Participates into the mobility management.
 Associating subscribers with appropriate SGSN
 Collects charging information for billing purpose.

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Backbone Network
 Tunnels of data and signaling messages between
GPRS support nodes.
 Protocol architecture based on the Internet Protocol
(IP).
 GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) used to tunnel user
data and signaling between GPRS Support Nodes. All
PDP (Packet Data Protocol) PDUs (Packet Data Units)
shall be encapsulated by GTP.

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Why IP?
 Number of systems that use IP.

 Number of applications that use IP

 e.g. the entire Internet, e-mail etc.

 IP becoming the de-facto standard for data

communication.

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 GPRS Architecture
Backbone Network (cont.)
 Two kinds of GPRS backbone Network:
 Intra-PLMN backbone network: The IP network interconnecting

GSNs within the same PLMN.

 Inter-PLMN backbone network: The IP network interconnecting

GSNs and intra-PLMN backbone networks in different PLMNs.

 Two intra-PLMN backbone networks are connected via the Gp
interface using Border Gateways and an inter-PLMN backbone
network.
 Border Gateway handles the packet transfer between GPRS PLMNs.
 Border Gateways perform security functions to prevent
unauthorized access and attacks

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GPRS Architecture
Backbone Network

Packet Data Network

Inter-PLMN Backbone
Gi Gi
Gp
GGSN BG BG GGSN

Intra-PLMN Backbone Intra-PLMN Backbone

SGSN SGSN SGSN

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 IMPACT ON EXISTING GSM NODES
 BSC
 The Packet Control Unit is new software and
hardware placed in the BSC.
 It is responsible for the GPRS packet data radio
resources management in BSS. It provides:
 Multiplexing of GPRS traffic and circuit switched traffic
 Handling of GPRS radio resources: distribution of
paging messages, allocating channels for GPRS
connections.
 Distribution of packet data to MSs
 Handling connections towards SGSN
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 GPRS Architecture
HLR
 The subscriber information in the HLR must
contain GPRS subscription data as well as GSM
subscription data.
 Accessible from the SGSN via the Gr interface and
from the GGSN via the Gc interface.
 The HLR will store for the GPRS system:
 Address of the SGSN currently serving the
subscriber
 Addresses of GGSNs that will be contacted when
activity from MS is detected

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GPRS Architecture
MSC/VLR
 Not needed for routing of GPRS data.
 Needed for the co-operation between GPRS
and the other GSM services. e.g.,
 Paging for circuit-switched calls
 Combining GPRS and non-GPRS location updates
 Receives location information from SGSN or
sends paging requests to SGSN via the Gs
interface.

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GPRS Architecture
Mobile Station

 GPRS MS includes two components:

 MT (Mobile Terminal). Typically a handset
used to access the radio interface.
 TE (Terminal Equipment). Typically a
laptop or a Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA).
 Could be one unit combing the
functionalities of a MT and a TE.
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GPRS Architecture
Mobile Station (cont.)
 Three types of MS:
 Class-A: Could be attached to both GPRS and
other GSM services, and the MS supports
simultaneous operation of GPRS and other GSM
services.
 Class-B: Could be attached to both GPRS and
other GSM services, but the MS can only operate
one set of services at a time.
 Class-C: Could be exclusively attached to one
service type at a given time. The selection is done
manually and there are no simultaneous
operations.
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GPRS services will be accessible via a number of computing platforms.
Here are just a few possible combinations: laptop or palmtop linked to
standard mobiles, laptops using phone cards, module phones, and
smart phones. GPRS mobiles will come with GPRS enabling software
for existing data terminals.

Palmtop Smart phone

GPRS mobile
Laptop

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 A variety of different mobile terminals (MTs) will
be able to take advantage of GPRS.
 To start with, current mobile terminals that use a
modem to connect to ISPs or company networks
will get improved service from GPRS. As well as
the above, the following terminals are also
possible:
 Cell phones employing micro browsers using a Wireless
Application Protocol.
 Handheld PCs.
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 GPRS Architecture
Interfaces
MSC/VLR HLR
D
Gs Gr
A Gc
Gb Gn Gi
TE MT BSS SGSN GGSN PDN TE
Ga
R Um Ga
Gn Gp
Billing
CGF
System
SGSN GGSN Gf
EIR
Other PLMN
• CGF(Charging Gateway)

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Packet transfer
Intra-PLMN backbone

PLMN

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 Packet Transfer
 A laptop connects with a GPRS-capable handset.
 The handset communicates with GSM base
station.
 Base station sends the GPRS packets to SGSN.
 SGSN encapsulates packets
 Handset location information is updated in other
GSM components, such as HLR.
 SGSN sends encaps. packets to GGSN.
 GGSN decapsulates and sends to PDNs.
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 Data Transfer Scenarios
 There are essentially four different data transfer
communication scenarios in GPRS:
 Communication between two users controlled by the
same BSC, (connection a in the diagram above) i.e.
two users in the same location area.
 Communication between two users controlled by
different BSCs, (connection b in the diagram above i.e.
two users in different location areas.
 The user connecting to the Internet/intranet,
(connection c in the diagram above).
 Communication between two users in two different
GPRS networks, (connection d in the diagram above).
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Data Transfer in GPRS
BTS

BTS (a)
BSC

SGSN

Border
SGSN (b) GPRS backbone
Gateway Firewall
Other GPRS
Operators

BSC GGSN

Server
Firewall Router
Data Network
(Internet)

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Data Transfer in GPRS
BTS

BTS

BSC

SGSN
(d)
Border
Gateway Firewall
SGSN GPRS backbone Other GPRS
Operators

BSC GGSN

Firewall
(c) Router
Server
Data Network
(Internet)

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 Agenda

 Introduction
 Part I
 GPRS Architecture
 Part II
 Bearer and Supplementary Services
 Mobility Management
 GPRS Limitations
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Bearer and Supplementary Services of GPRS

 Bearer Services of GPRS offer end-to-end packet

switched data transfer.
 Two different kinds of bearer services :
 PTP (Point-to-point) services
 PTM (Point-to-multipoint) services
 Supplementary Services : Call forwarding
unconditional (CFU), call forwarding on mobile
subscriber not reachable (CFNRc), and closed user
group (CUG) . 39
 GPRS Bearer Services
PTP services

Two types :
Con nection -O rien ted Network Se rvi ce (PTP-CO NS) :

 A logical relation is established between users.

 supports bursty transactional or interactive apps based on X.25.

 Multiple packets are sent between a single source and destination.

 Examples: Credit card validations, Telnet, and Database access.

Con nection less N etw or k Se rv ice (PTP -C LN S) :

 A datagram type service based on the connectionless network protocol

(ex: IP).
 Supports bursty non-interactive applications.

 No logical link required between users.

 Each packet is sent is independent of other packets.

 Examples: Electronic mail, Internet ‘s World Wide Web. 40

 GPRS Bearer Services
PTM Services
Enables the transmission of a single message to multiple
destinations.
 Mult icast se rvic e (P TM -M):

 Using the multicast service PTM-M, data packets are broadcast in

a certain geographical area

 Example : News, Weather and Traffic reports.

 Group c all se rvic e (P TM -G):

 Only a predefined group of subscribers controlled by a server will

receive the message transmitted.

 Group members must join the PTM-G call.

 Real time delivery.

 Example: Conferencing calls.

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 Mob ili ty M anagem en t
Mobility management is the means by which GPRS keeps track of a
mobile subscriber location while connected to the Network.

• Main Concepts:
• GPRS mobility management states
• GPRS network access.
• Attachment.
• Location management
• Packet Data protocol PDP context
• Detachment
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 Mobility Management
Mobility Management States

IDLE
unreachable mobile

GPRS Attach Explicit Detach GPRS Detach

READY
reachable mobile
Timer expiry/ PDU
Force STANDBY/ Transmission
Abnormal RLC condition /Reception

STANDBY 43
 Mobi lity Man ag ement
Mobility Management States (cont.)
ID LE St ate:
 The MS is switched on, but not GPRS attached.
 Data transfer between MS and the GPRS network
is not possible.

READY St ate:
 GPRS Attach was performed recently;
 a packet transfer is ongoing or has recently
ended.
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 Mobility Management states contd.,
 Note that for a packet transfer to be possible,
PDP context activation must take place first.
 A ready timer, set in the SGSN, defines how long
the MS remains in the ready state after the
packet transfer has ended.
 The timer can take values from zero to infinity.
 After the timer expires the mobile switches over
to a standby state.

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 Mobility Management states contd.,
 ST AND BY St at e
 The STANDBY state is reached when the MS

does not send any packets for a long time, and

READY timer expires.

 MS is attached to GPRS MM. - MS and SGSN

have established MM contexts. MS can receive
PTM-M (Multicasting) and PTM-G (Group
Calling) data (i.e. can receive paging message)
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 Access point
 An access point is:
 An IP network to which a mobile can be connected

 A set of settings which are used for that connection

 A particular option in a set of settings in a mobile phone

 When a GPRS mobile phone sets up a PDP context, the access

point is selected. At this point an Access Point Name (APN) is
determined
 Example: flextronics.mnc012.mcc345.gprs.

 This access point is then used in a DNS query to a private DNS

network. This process (called APN resolution) finally gives the IP
address of the GGSN which should serve the access point. At this
point a PDP context can be activated..
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 PDP Context

 The PDP context is a data structure present on both the

SGSN and the GGSN which contains the subscriber's
session information when the subscriber has an active
session.
 When a mobile wants to use GPRS, it must first attach
and then activate a PDP context.
 This allocates a PDP context data structure in the SGSN
that the subscriber is currently visiting and the GGSN
serving the subscribers access point.

48
 PDP Context cont.,
 The tunnel ID (TID) is a number allocated by the GSN
which identifies the tunneled data related to a particular
PDP context.
There are two kinds of PDP contexts...
 Primary PDP Context

 Has a unique IP address associated with it.

 Secondary PDP Context
 Shares an IP address with another PDP context.
 Is created based on an existing PDP context (to share the IP
address).
 Secondary PDP contexts may have different Quality Of Service
settings. 49
 Mobility Management
GPRS network access

• An MS can connect to the GPRS network by requesting a GPRS

attach procedure.
• The outcome is the establishment of a logical link between the
MS and a single SGSN and the creation of a mobility
management context.
context
• The logical link is uniquely defined by the identifier TLLI and is
used subsequently in messages exchanged between the MS and
SGSN.
• This identifier is changed when the MS is served by a new
SGSN.
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 GPRS ATTACH
 GPRS attach is a procedure performed between
the MS and the SGSN.
 The MS informs the SGSN that it enters the GPRS
network.
 This will not be performed automatically when the
MS is switched on.
 In order to perform GPRS attach; the subscriber
will have to request the MS to perform the
procedure.

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GPRS attach procedure

52
 GPRS Attach procedure contd..,
 At GPRS attach the Routing Area the MS is in will
be stored in SGSN.
 The Routing Area (RA) is a group of cells in which
GPRS paging is performed.
 A "routing area" is a subdivision of a "location
area". Routing areas are used by mobiles which
are GPRS-attached.
 If the MS has changed an SGSN Service Area
since the last update procedure the HLR will be
informed by the SGSN.

53
 GPRS Attach procedure contd..,
 Note that information regarding the subscriber
can be fetched from the old SGSN.
 After performing GPRS attach the MS will perform
the update procedures if necessary.
 An GPRS-attached MS is not yet ready for data
transfer.

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 Mobility Management -Attachment
New HLR old
MS BSS New SGSN Old SGSN GGSN EIR MSC/VLR
1.Attach Request MSC/VLR
2. Identification Request
3. Identification Response
3. Identity Request
3. Identity Response
4. Authentication
5. IMEI check
6a. Update Location
6b. Cancel Location
6c. Cancel Location ACK
6d. Insert Subscriber Data
6d. Insert Subscriber Data ACK
6e. Update Location ACK 7c.
7a. Location Update Request Cancel
7b. Update Location
Location
7d.ACK
7e. Insert Subscriber data
7f. Insert Subscriber data ACK
8. Attach Accept 7g. Update Location ACK
7h. Location Update Accept
9. Attach Complete 10. TMSI Reallocation complete 55
 PDP CONTEXT ACTIVATION
 Within GPRS the PDP context activation is a
procedure performed between the MS and the
GGSN.
 The MS must provide the GPRS network with the
Access Point Name (APN) describing the external
network that should be contacted.

56
The PDP context activation
procedure

57
PDP Context Activation contd..,
1. MS sends PDP context activation request to
SGSN
2. Security functions may be executed between
MS and SGSN
3. SGSN validates the request
4. SGSN
 Checks the subscription
 Checks quality of service
 Sends Access Point Name (APN) to GGSN
 Creates a Tunnel Identity (TID) to the GGSN

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PDP Context Activation contd..,
5. GGSN contacts an external network and asks
for an IP address on the behalf of MS
6. The server in the external network sends
response to GGSN
7. GGSN sends response to the MS

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PDP Context contd..,
 As a result of PDP-context activation:
 the subscriber’s user name and password will be
verified by the accessed computer network
 a dynamic IP-address will be allocated to the MS
by the accessed computer network
 a virtual connection (tunnel) identified by a Tunnel
Identity(TID) will be established between the
SGSN and GGSN.

60
PDP Context contd..,
 After PDP-context activation the network accepts the
MS. A packet transfer can take place.
 An MS can have more than one PDP context
activated, as it may have access to different external
computer networks.
 The PDP context is kept until “PDP Context
Deactivation” procedure is performed.
 PDP context deactivation can be initiated by the MS,
SGSN or GGSN.

61
 Mobility Management
Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Session

• Contains the parameters required to transfer packets

between the MS and the PDN via a GGSN.

• At the MS a PDP context is identified by a Network

Service Access Point Identifier (NSPAI), used by the MS
for data transfers.
• Ms can be assigned static or dynamic addresses

• An MS can have more than one PDP context. One MS

can have up to 7 different PDP contexts activated.
62
Mobility Management
Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Context

A PDP (PACKET Data Protocol) context contains:

• The type of network PDP used (X25, IP...).
• PDP Addresses of the terminal
• IP Addresses of the SGSN where the subscriber is localized.
• Address of serving GGSN.
• The access point to the service network used (NSAPI).
• The quality of service.

63
Mobility Management
Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session

An MS with two PDP contexts Active

64
Mobility Management
PDP context Activation
MS SGSN GGSN
Activate PDP Context Request

Create PDP Context Request

MS Activate PDP Context Accept Create PDP Context Response

65
Mobility Management
PDP context Deactivation
MS SGSN
MS DEACTIVATE PDP
GGSNREQUEST
CONTEXT

DELETE PDP CONTEXT

REQUEST

DELETE PDP CONTEXT

MS DEACTIVATE PDP RESPONSE
CONTEXT ACCEPT

66
 Mobility Management
Detachment

Two types of Detachments :

 MS initiated Detachment:

 Network Initiated Detachment:

(Ex : service Termination, Network congestion)

67
Mobility Management
MS Initiated Detachment

68
 Mobility Management
Network Initiated Detachment

69
Security Procedure in GPRS
Aut hen ticat ion:
 Authentication in GPRS is performed in the
same way as in GSM.
 The AUC, through the subscriber’s HLR,
provides the SGSN with triplet(s): RAND,
SRES and GPRS-Kc.
 Algorithms A3 and A8 respectively are used to
calculate the SRES and GPRS-Kc from RAND
and the subscriber’s Ki.

70
 It is possible for a new SGSN to fetch unused triplets
from the old SGSN in case of inter-SGSN routing Area
Update.
 The GPRS authentication procedure take place at
GPRS attach or any Update Procedure performed by
the MS.
Encr yp tio n:
 For encryption GPRS uses a GPRS-Kc and GPRS-A5
(also referred to as GEA – GPRS Encryption
Algorithm).

71
 The GPRS-Kc is a ciphering key that will be
used for the packet-switched connection.
 It is calculated from the subscriber’s Ki using
the standard GSM A8 algorithm.
 This takes place at authentication.
 The calculated GPRS-Kc is stored on the SIM
card.

72
GPRS Access Modes
 The GPRS access modes specify whether or
not the GGSN requests user authentication at
the access point to a PDN (Public Data
Network). The available options are:
 Trans pa rent : No security
authorization/authentication is requested by
the GGSN.
 Non-t ra ns pa rent : In this case, GGSN acts
as a proxy for authenticating
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Transparent Mode
 Transparent access pertains to a GPRS PLMN
that is not involved in subscriber access
authorization and authentication.
 Any user authentication is done within the
GPRS network.
 No RADIUS authentication is performed; only
IMSI-based authentication (from the
subscriber identity module in the handset) is
done
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Non-transparent Mode
 Non-transparent access to an ISP means that
the PLMN plays a role in the ISP
authentication of the MS.
 Non-transparent access uses the Password
Authentication Protocol (PAP) or Challenge
Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP)
message issued by the mobile terminal.
 This message is used to build a RADIUS
request toward the RADIUS server associated
with the ISP.
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76
 Data transfer in GPRS is based on IP. This means
that packet data transmission is carried out on an
end-to-end basis, including the air interface.
 From an end-user point of view, a modem connection
to the Internet is provided using an MS as the
modem to the GPRS system.
 An interface that communicates using the IP protocol
must have an IP address as its identifier.
 Since the GPRS system uses the IP protocol for both
end-user traffic and system traffic, both the mobile
stations and the system components require IP
addresses.

77
 The GPRS IP connectivity provides:
 communication between the different parts of the system, that is the
mobile stations, the SGSN, the GGSN, administrative hosts and hosts
providing Internet services.
 communication with the Internet.
 IP addresses can be public or private, dynamic or static.
 Pu bli c an d p rivat e IP add ress es
 The IP addresses used in the GPRS system, for system and for
end-user communications, can be both public and private.
 Public IP addresses are assigned by official Internet authorities.
 Private IP addresses are addresses that have not been assigned
by official Internet authorities.

78
 Dyn ami c IP add ress
 The dynamic IP address can be allocated either by (or via) the
destination network GGSN or the home network GGSN when
roaming.
 In the case of a destination network dynamic allocation, the
destination GGSN itself or a Remote Authentication Dial In User
Service (RADIUS) server chosen by the visited GGSN can be
used to provide the dynamic IP address.
 In the case of home network IP address allocation, the home
GGSN itself or a RADIUS server chosen by the home network
GGSN can provide the dynamic IP address.

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 Dynamic IP address allocation enables the
operator (or ISP/Corporate Network) to use
and re-use IP addresses from a pool of IP
addresses allocated to the PLMN/Network
which avoids the need to have one IP address
allocated per subscribed PDP context for a
subscriber.
 This significantly reduces the total number of
IP addresses required per PLMN.
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RADIUS
 Rem ote Au then ticat ion Di al In Use r Ser vice
(RAD IU S) is a networking protocol that provides
centralized access, authorization and accounting
management for people or computers to connect and
use a network service.
 When a person or device connects to a network often
"A uth ent icat io n" is required.
 Networks or services not requiring authentication are
said to be anonymous or open.

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RADIUS contd..,
 RADIUS is a protocol used by many common
open source and proprietary systems to
control these processes like
 Who is connected to the network
 After identification operator has to identify what
facilities to allow the user to access
 Collect billing information with respect to time or
capacity consumed

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RADIUS contd..,
 Once authenticated, RADIUS also determines what
rights or privileges the person or computer is
"A uth orized " to perform and makes a record of this
access in the "A cco untin g" feature of the server.
 The support of Authentication, Authorization and
Accounting is referred to as the AAA (said triple A)
process.

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 St ati c IP add ress
 The static IP address can either be defined for the
subscription in the HLR, or the RADIUS server could
be configured to always allocate the same IP address
to a specific subscriber.
 The IP address is fetched from the HLR or the
RADIUS server during GPRS attach.
 Static IP address allocation enables the operator to
offer subscribers the ability to use IP addresses that
have been provided by the subscriber which can
assist their security issues.

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End-User Benefits
 Wide coverage.
 Fast access time.
 Available from many different types of
equipment.
 Facilitates broad range of new applications.
 Easy to use.
 No need for frequent log on/log off.
 Higher speed.
 High level security

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 New and Bett er app licat ions
 Due to its high-speed connection GPRS enables full
Internet applications and services such as video
conferencing straight to your desktop or mobile
device.
 Users are able to explore the Internet or their own
corporate networks more efficiently than they could
when using GSM.
 There is often no need to redevelop existing
applications.

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Applications
 Web browsing
 Email
 Banking Transactions
 Stock Market Updates
 News
 Weather & Traffic reports

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 GPRS Limitations
• Speeds Much Lower in Reality
• Support of GPRS Mobile Terminate by Terminals is Not Ensured
• Packet switching means that data packets can traverse different
routes and then be reassembled in their final destination leading
to potential transit delays affecting the Quality of Service.
• Not much time for invest to be returned due to upcoming 3rd
generation technology

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