1 Introduction
1.1 GPRS, the first Step towards unlimited Communication?
“46.8 percent of Europeans owned a mobile phone in 2000” (Hobley, 2001, p. 6). Since this high penetration was achieved in a relatively short time period, nearly all telecommunication companies showed huge growth rates. This applied for mobile operators, telecommunication network suppliers as well as for mobile phone producers and went in line with skyrocketing share prices. Since mobile phone penetration was already very high, telecom companies’ growth rates shrank dramatically over the last year and share prices fell according to that. Consequently, telecom companies had to invent new gadgets to encourage people to buy new mobile phones and sign new contracts with mobile operators. Therefore, research concentrated on greater bandwidth in order to widen the functionality of mobile phones and to increase usage time. Telecom companies have the vision that sooner or later everybody will use a mobile phone not only to call other people, but also to access the Internet from everywhere and at any time. These “multimedia entertainment and information terminals” (Berton, 2001, p. 18) would lead to increased data traffic and, therefore, higher revenues for mobile operators. Furthermore, constant improvements of infrastructure and mobile devices would ensure further sales for network suppliers and mobile phone manufacturers. General Packed Radio Service (GPRS) is considered to be the first step in that direction, which will be followed by Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 GPRS, the first Step towards unlimited Communication?
1.2 Procedure and Analysis Objectives
2 What is General Packed Radio Service?
3 Positive and Negative Impacts of GPRS
3.1 Potential Impacts on End Users
3.1.1 Positive Impacts
3.1.2 Negative Impacts
3.2 Potential Impacts on Mobile Operators
3.2.1 Positive Impacts
3.2.2 Negative Impacts
3.3 Potential Impacts on Handset Producers and Network Suppliers
3.3.1 Positive Impacts
3.3.2 Negative Impacts
4 Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses of GPRS
4.1 Strengths of GPRS
4.2 Weaknesses of GPRS
5 Possible Solutions to Overcome the Shortcomings of GPRS
5.1 Inconvenient Mobile Devices for Wireless Applications
5.2 Fixed Networks Superiority and Threat of WLANs
5.3 Lack of Interest in GPRS Compared to UMTS
5.4 Outdated WAP Standard
6 Conclusion
6.1 Summary
6.2 Outlook
Objectives and Core Themes
This report examines the potential impacts of General Packed Radio Service (GPRS) on the European telecommunications industry, focusing specifically on mobile operators, handset producers, network suppliers, and end users. The research aims to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of GPRS in the context of emerging mobile data technologies and the transition toward UMTS, while exploring potential solutions to existing market and technical challenges.
- The technological transition from GSM to GPRS.
- Comparative analysis of positive and negative impacts on market stakeholders.
- Strategic evaluation of GPRS as a bridge technology to 3G/UMTS.
- Technological limitations and usability hurdles regarding mobile handsets.
- Competitive threats from fixed networks and alternative wireless standards like WLANs.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 Positive Impacts
GPRS offers much more bandwidth than ordinary GSM systems. The theoretical maximum speed of GPRS systems is 170 kbps compared to GSM’s maximum speed of 9.6 kbps. Therefore, GPRS provides new possibilities to users. They are now able to take advantage of faster download times for Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) pages and to receive coloured WAP pages with graphics and animation. Surfing the wireless Internet with a normal GSM phone is quite frustrating because “if the phone loses its connection to the network for any reason, the user has to dial up a new connection and start all over again”, which can take a lot of time (Berton, 2001, p. 19). However, “with GPRS, surfers can pick up immediately where they left off the last session” (Berton, 2001, p. 19). Furthermore, billing will be fairer because users will be charged for the amount of downloaded data instead of calling time. Therefore, wireless Internet services like checking news and weather forecasts, banking, checking share prices, and playing online games, will become cheaper, more useful, and more convenient with GPRS.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of the European mobile market status in 2001 and sets the objectives for analyzing GPRS impacts.
2 What is General Packed Radio Service?: Explains the technical fundamentals of GPRS as an enhancement to GSM, highlighting its packet-switched nature.
3 Positive and Negative Impacts of GPRS: Analyzes the effects of the technology on end users, mobile operators, and hardware manufacturers.
4 Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses of GPRS: Discusses the performance advantages of GPRS alongside its technical and market-related limitations.
5 Possible Solutions to Overcome the Shortcomings of GPRS: Proposes strategic and technical remedies, such as smart phone adoption and revised business models, to improve GPRS viability.
6 Conclusion: Summarizes the study findings and provides an outlook on the future role of GPRS in the shadow of upcoming 3G/UMTS networks.
Keywords
GPRS, GSM, UMTS, Wireless Internet, Mobile Operators, Handset Producers, WAP, Data Packets, Bandwidth, Location-based Services, Mobile Commerce, Wireless Technology, Telecommunications, Network Infrastructure, Smart Phones
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the technological and market-based impacts of General Packed Radio Service (GPRS) on the European telecommunications sector, specifically assessing how it affects various stakeholders like operators, manufacturers, and customers.
Which primary groups are analyzed in this report?
The analysis focuses on four key groups: end users, mobile operators, mobile phone producers, and network suppliers within the European market.
What is the main objective of the author?
The primary goal is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of GPRS and determine whether it serves as a viable interim solution or a significant technological breakthrough before the widespread adoption of UMTS.
What methodology does the report utilize?
The report employs a descriptive and analytical review of the technology, synthesizing industry reports, academic sources, and market forecasts as of late 2001 to assess performance and strategic implications.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The body covers the technical definition of GPRS, its positive and negative impacts on stakeholders, an evaluation of its competitive strengths and weaknesses compared to other standards, and potential solutions to overcome its shortcomings.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include GPRS, GSM, UMTS, Wireless Internet, Mobile Operators, WAP, Bandwidth, and Telecommunications.
Why does the author consider GPRS a "bridge" technology?
The author argues that GPRS functions as a testing ground for 3G services, allowing operators to gain experience with packet data while filling coverage gaps in upcoming UMTS networks.
How does the author view the threat of WLANs?
The report identifies WLANs as a serious competitive threat because they offer much higher data speeds and lower costs compared to GPRS and UMTS in specific public and business locations.
- Quote paper
- Andreas Thiel (Author), 2001, Potential Impacts of General Packed Radio Service on European Telecommunication Companies and their Customers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/9184
