GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) has become the most successful global mobile technology with subscriber numbers reaching over a billion. This success is based on its support for roaming and interoperability spanning different networks and countries, allowing professionals traveling overseas to use their existing phones.

GSM offers circuit-switched data at 9.6 kbps. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) brings packet-based data transmission to existing GSM networks. It involves overlaying a packet-based radio interface on top of the existing circuit-switched GSM network. As such, GPRS has been a popular option for GSM mobile operators to offer packet data, and is considered a stepping stone to 3G technology. To date, operators have deployed GPRS more than any other packet-based wireless technology. As of April 2005, there are more than 270 commercial GPRS networks in 90 countries.

GPRS is fast enough to support web browsing, Instant Messaging, and file transfer. It supports a data rate of 115 kbps (although this rate requires that all 8 radio timeslots be dedicated to GPRS; 40 kbps is a more realistic expectation).

Besides speed, GPRS brings another advantage to GSM. It supports instant, "always on" connections. Users can be permanently connected and do not have to log on each time they want data access. Such immediacy is important for time-critical applications like credit card authorization and enables instant contact. With GPRS, users can enjoy this "always on" connection and still only pay for actual usage.

The GPRS core network is based on IP, making it easy to provide wireless access to other native IP applications like email, web browsing, instant messaging, and file transfers. GPRS allows all field employees, like salespeople, field engineers, and drivers, to be in constant contact with headquarters and other field staff. Users can connect to the GPRS network using a GPRS-enabled end device like a GPRS phone/PDA or a PC card modem. There are over 600 models of GPRS phones and PC cards available today. When the PC notebook doesn't have an integrated GPRS solution of PC card modem, users commonly connect their laptop to a GPRS phone (which acts like a wireless modem).

A few examples of GPRS applications are:

- Connect to your office or personal email account to get important email as it arrives
- Browse the internet on your phone
- Send/receive MMS messages (Multimedia Messaging Service)
- Download key files from the road on your laptop
- Chat with colleagues and friends using IM

Security is a key factor where wireless transmission is concerned. GPRS employs a number of features to ensure a secure environment. Before a session begins, each user is authenticated using a smart card (or SIM card). GPRS also supports additional authentication with protocols like RADIUS before accessing corporate networks. It supports ciphering of user data across the radio interface; this mechanism safely encrypts the signal over the wireless link. Once on the GPRS network, the most secure method is to use a secure "fixed link" to the private network. For example, each client could be provided with an IP VPN which will encrypt the link to the corporate network.

A new technology called EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) uses a new modulation scheme to improve GPRS. As its name implies, EDGE delivers faster data rates; in practice, it triples the transfer speed of GPRS.