The evolution of mobile telephony is a process of gradual development. The first generation technology started 'with commercial deployment of mobile phone service through cellular networks'. Then came the second generation technology which enabled voice and SMS to be sent through control channels. Another technology was adopted in between the second generation and third generation technologies which is known as 2.5G. A new value added service, General packet Radio Service (GPRS) was used in combination with 2G cellular system during the period of transition between 2nd and 3rd generation technologies. GPRS provided mobile data service to the 2G system. To be precise, it adds support to the existing circuit switched data and Short Messaging Services. As for consumers the most substantial change was that they can pay the service charges on the basis of volume of data instead of pulse rates. GPRS facilitated surfing the net and emailing through the mobile phone. It also helped to make the transmission of text documents much faster. Another advantage was the capability to achieve instant internet connections even the mobile phone user is on the move. GPRS is also capable to achieve speed of 171.2 kilobits/sec (kbps).
The most remarkable feature of GPRS is that the device facilitates new applications which were not available in the Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) networks, as the speed was not adequate (9.6kbps). Further there was limitation for the length of messages. In order to enhance the speed of data transmission another technique is employed which is known as Evolution or Enhanced GPRS. In the technical parlance it is popularly known as Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE). The international telecommunication union (ITU) has recognized this as 3G Radio technology. The GSM networks are compatible with EDGE and facilitate to enhance the speed when accessing internet or when downloading data. In fact EDGE boosts the speed of GPRS data network by about 4 times. But the GPRS is used in services and EDGE is utilized while browsing internet. The 2.5G technology is adopted as a transitional mode. Consumers who opt for GPRS and EDGE are able to receive data services but with limitations in the speeds. But it will be possible to shift to 3G for enhanced access speeds. The 3G technology involves the application of 5MHz multi carrier system in which voice and data are accommodated in the same channel.
It can be seen that evolving mobile phone technology has undergone several changes before the introduction of third generation technology (3G). The systems are still evolving and the mobile phone regime is now looking forward for the 4th generation technology to crystallize. As for now the consumers should confirm that the handsets and networks are compatible with GPRS. To be precise, they should also subscribe to GPRS supported mobile networks. The most important benefit for the subscribers is that they can send SMS to the Internet address instead of another mobile phone as done now. Further the consumers will be provided with smooth transition from the 2G to 3G without complicated and costly procedures.
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