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Just as with a LAN connection, once a GPRS mobile station registers with the network, it is ready to send and receive packets. A user with a laptop computer could be working on a document without even thinking about being connected, and then automatically receive new e-mail. The user could decide to continue working on their document, then half an hour later read the e-mail message and reply to it. All this time the user has had a network connection and not once had to dial in, as he or she must today with circuit-switched connections.
Furthermore, GPRS allows for simultaneous voice and data communication, so the user can still receive incoming calls or make outgoing calls while in the midst of a data session. Since there is almost no delay before sending data, GPRS is ideally suited for applications such as extended communications sessions, e-mail communications, database queries, dispatch, and stock updates to name just a few.
In addition, the high throughput of GPRS will remove many of the obstacles from the use of multimedia, graphical web-based applications. For example, mobile users will be able to easily use graphically intensive web-based map application to get directions while traveling.
Because GPRS supports standard networking protocols, configuring computers to work with GPRS will be very straightforward. In the case of IP communications, you will be able to use existing TCP/IP protocol stacks, such as the stack that comes with Windows 95 or Windows 98, Windows CE and Windows NT.
TCP/IP stacks are readily available for most other platforms as well. With all the developments in the handheld computer area, you can expect a multitude of hardware platforms to take advantage of GPRS:
Laptops or handheld computers connected to GPRS-capable cellphones or external modems
Laptops or handhelds with GPRS-capable PC Card modems
Smart phones that have full screen capability (e.g. Nokia 9000)
Cellphones employing microbrowsers using the Wireless Application Protocol
Dedicated equipment with integrated GPRS capability, e.g. mobile credit-card swipers
GPRS coincides with another important technology development: the replacement of a cable connection to a cellphone by a short radio link. Intel, Ericsson, Nokia, IBM, Toshiba and others are already working on such wireless connections in an initiative called "Bluetooth".
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