GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

GPRS, or General Packet Radio Service, is a packet-oriented mobile data standard on the 2G and 3G cellular communication network's global system for mobile communications (GSM). As an enhancement over previous cellular communication standards, GPRS facilitated the wireless access to data networks like the Internet and opened up new possibilities for mobile devices by allowing them to send and receive data more efficiently than with earlier technologies.

One of the key features of GPRS is its efficient use of limited bandwidth. It supports a wide range of bandwidths, which is particularly effective for applications requiring intermittent and low volumes of data transmission, such as email checking, instant messaging, and web browsing. This efficiency is achieved through the packet-switched technology that allows multiple users to share the same transmission channel, only transmitting data when needed, rather than maintaining a continuous stream.

GPRS is often referred to as a '2.5G' service since it provides a moderate speed improvement over 2G systems by enabling data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps. This capability significantly improved the experience of mobile Internet applications by providing faster response times and supporting more complex graphical content than was previously possible with GSM technologies alone.

The introduction of GPRS was a fundamental step in the evolution of mobile communications, leading to the development of faster data transmission technologies like 3G and 4G, and ultimately laying the groundwork for modern mobile Internet use.