Have you ever been puzzled by all the techy specifications that your phone boasts of but you cannot understand? Yes, we are talking about those four or five letter acronyms that ring in your ears while you try to find out what they stand for and how (and in they work. One such term is GPRS.

INTERNET ON THE GO
An acronym for general packet radio services, GPRS is a wireless service that allows mobile phones to surf the Internet. This service is the successor of HSCSD (high speed circuit switched data), the original data transmission mechanism of GSM phones.

Simply put, it's a way to access the Internet on your mobile phones. GPRS enables you to have an 'always on' connection to the Internet. You can not only browse the Internet but also check your e-mail, download content, transfer documents, stream music or video, chat or send MMS. Yes, you do need GPRS settings to send MMS (a revelation, eh!). You can also connect your phone to your laptop and access the Internet anytime; all you need is a compatible handset and a GPRS-enabled SIM card.

GPRS-compatible handsets are becoming more affordable by the day. However, the performance in terms of speed might vary. Theoretically, a GPRS connection can provide data transmission up to 171.2 kbps (kilo bits per second) but realistic estimates range from 43 to 56 kbps, as the speed also depends on network congestion. There are many classes of GPRS, starting from GPRS 2 and moving up to GPRS 12 in an ascending order of speed. A class 8-10 GPRS phone is good enough unless you need really high speed Internet connection.

SIM POWER
Apart from a GPRS-compatible phone, you need a GPRS-enabled SIM. This can be done by sending a request to your operator to activate GPRS on your SIM. Once you place a request with your service provider they will send you the settings both for GPRS and MMS, which you need to save on your phone. Some handsets automatically accept settings provided your SIM is GPRS enabled but in some the settings need to be requested or put in manually.

Although this sounds easy, getting the GPRS settings from the service provider can sometimes be quite an uphill task. An option is to get the settings from the website of the service provider. Or alter¬natively, just look up the table given below where we have gathered the GPRS settings of the national GSM operators. Enter these settings in your phones after activating GPRS and you are all set to go. There are three types of GPRS service. One is the MMS service, the other allows you to access only operator's sites and limited WAP sites while the complete GPRS package allows you to surf the net freely. Usually the WAP sites and MMS service is free and only the downloads and sendings are charged but one has first to subscribe to GPRS services.

COST FACTOR
While opting for a GPRS connection, it is very important to understand the packages available with your operator, so ask clearly for all the details to avoid any kind of undesirable cost implications. GPRS is available on subscription basis where you can opt for different packages with fixed monthly rentals Apart from that, you will have to pay for what you download - GPRS tariffs are usually charged at per 10 Kb and the charges are as low as 10 paisa/10 KB. The average size of a website on your phone is around 20 KB so the cost comes to 20 paisa per page. Different types of content attract different charges: A ring tone may cost you Rs 10 per download and a game might cost you Rs 50 in addition to the usage charges of 1 Op/1 OKB. Once you have chosen a subscription plan and have entered the GPRS in your device, you are ready to experience the magic of GPRS.

A good GPRS phone needs

At least 10MB memory.
Large colour screen .
Office apps such as document reader and PDF reader ( if you want to open attachments).
A web browsing software (such as Opera Mini) in addition to existing software.