Comments on GPRS.
Firstly the article is not 100% accurate, I know one of the guys who wrote it and they do not know much about mobile telephony. The site, although sanctioned by the ITU is run and published by a US publishing house. The magazine that that particular article has been run is about to close...it amazed me to hear that...you may know Data Communications in the US, we get the international edition over here. The reason why I made the above comments is that most US oriented publishers are way off the mark, not just IMHO but unfortunately true.
Now as for GPRS speeds, it is true that it is unlikely you get the full bandwidth all the time, just like with 3G services where people have over hyped 2Mbps (which you are unlikely to see). Motorola have just demonstrated GPRS at over 170kbps, but in reality who cares.
One thing the article mentioned was that GPRS is always 'on', now that is true, however it doesn't mean a signal is produced constantly...nonsense. It does follow a similar "I am here" approach of straight GSM.
Also correct is the availability of said phones. The biggest problem is minaturisation and that has held up development, so don't expect GPRS handsets until next summer earliest, but then I also reckon it wont be until even after that.
Personally, I don't mind waiting (like I have a choice anyway!)..it's just a question that I am about to buy a new phone and next year I'll have to do it again..but then I buy a phone around every 18 months at present and that may start to come down to every 12 months (as per market average).
Oh well, maybe I switch to Orange and get the HSCSD service early next year or the video phone they have developed.
M |
