What is Mobile Technology?

is the technology used for cellular communication. Mobile code-division multiple access
(CDMA) technology has evolved rapidly over the past few years. ... Mobile computing by way of
tablet computers are becoming more popular. Tablets are available on the 3G and 4G networks.

GSM is a globally accepted standard for digital cellular communications.

GSM uses narrowband Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) for providing voice and text
based services over mobile phone networks.

What is GSM?

If you are in Europe or Asia and using a mobile phone, then most probably you are using GSM
technology in your mobile phone.

 GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. It is a digital cellular
technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.
 The concept of GSM emerged from a cell-based mobile radio system at Bell Laboratories
in the early 1970s.
 GSM is the name of a standardization group established in 1982 to create a common
European mobile telephone standard.
 GSM is the most widely accepted standard in telecommunications and it is implemented
globally.
 GSM is a circuit-switched system that divides each 200 kHz channel into eight 25 kHz
time-slots. GSM operates on the mobile communication bands 900 MHz and 1800 MHz
in most parts of the world. In the US, GSM operates in the bands 850 MHz and 1900
MHz.
 GSM owns a market share of more than 70 percent of the world's digital cellular
subscribers.
 GSM makes use of narrowband Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique for
transmitting signals.
 GSM was developed using digital technology. It has an ability to carry 64 kbps to 120
Mbps of data rates.
 Presently GSM supports more than one billion mobile subscribers in more than 210
countries throughout the world.
 GSM provides basic to advanced voice and data services including roaming service.
Roaming is the ability to use your GSM phone number in another GSM network.

GSM digitizes and compresses data, then sends it down through a channel with two other
streams of user data, each in its own timeslot.

Why GSM?

Listed below are the features of GSM that account for its popularity and wide acceptance.
  Improved spectrum efficiency
 International roaming
 Low-cost mobile sets and base stations (BSs)
 High-quality speech
 Compatibility with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and other telephone
company services
 Support for new services

A GSM network comprises of many functional units. These functions and interfaces are
explained in this chapter. The GSM network can be broadly divided into:

GSM Network Architecture

The GSM network architecture as defined in the GSM specifications can be grouped into four
main areas:

 Mobile station (MS)

 Base-Station Subsystem (BSS)
 Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)
 Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)
GSM provides recommendations, not requirements. The GSM specifications
define the functions and interface requirements in detail but do not address the hardware. The
reason for this is to limit the designers as little as possible but still to make it possible for the
operators to buy equipment from different suppliers. The GSM network is divided into three
major systems: the switching system (SS), the base station system (BSS), and the operation and
support system (OSS). The basic GSM network elements are shown in Figure

Mobile station

Mobile stations (MS), mobile equipment (ME) or as they are most widely known, cell or mobile
phones are the section of a GSM cellular network that the user sees and operates. In recent years
their size has fallen dramatically while the level of functionality has greatly increased. A further
advantage is that the time between charges has significantly increased.

There are a number of elements to the cell phone, although the two main elements are the main
hardware and the SIM.

The Switching System

The switching system (SS) is responsible for performing call processing and
subscriber-related functions. The switching system includes the following
functional units:
•home location register (HLR)
—The HLR is a database used forstorage and management of subscriptions. The HLR is
considered the most important database, as it stores permanent data about subscribers, including
a subscriber's service profile, location
information, and activity status. When an individual buys a subscription from one of the PCS
operators, he or she is registered in the HLR of that operator.
•mobile services switching center (MSC)
—The MSC performs the telephony switching functions of the system. It controls calls to and
from other telephone and data systems. It also performs such functions as toll ticketing, network
interfacing, common channel signaling, and others.
• visitor location register (VLR)
—The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about subscribers that is needed by
the MSC in order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated with the MSC.
When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to that MSC will request
data about the mobile station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile station makes a call,
the VLR will have the information needed for call setup without having to interrogate the HLR
each time.
• authentication center (AUC)
—A unit called the AUC provides authentication and encryption parameters that verify the user's
identity and ensure the confidentiality of each call. The AUC protects network operators from
different types of fraud found in today's cellular world.
• equipment identity register (EIR)
—The EIR is a database that contains information about the identity of mobile equipment that
prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized, or defective mobile stations. The AUC and EIR are
implemented as stand-alone nodes or as a combined AUC/EIR node.

The Base Station System (BSS)

All radio-related functions are performed in the BSS, which consists of base
station controllers (BSCs) and the base transceiver stations (BTSs).
• BSC
—The BSC provides all the control functions and physical links between the MSC and BTS. It is
a high-capacity switch that provides functions such as handover, cell configuration data, and
control of radio frequency (RF) power levels in base transceiver stations. A number of BSCs are
served by an MSC.
• BTS
—The BTS handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The BTS is the radio equipment
(transceivers and antennas) needed to service each cell in the network. A group of BTSs are
controlled by a BSC.

The Operation and Support System

The operations and maintenance center (OMC) is connected to all equipment in the switching
system and to the BSC. The implementation of OMC is called the operation and support system
(OSS). The OSS is the functional entity from which the network operator monitors and controls
the system. The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer cost-effective support for centralized,
regional, and local operational and maintenance activities that are required for a GSM network.
An important function of OSS is to provide a network overview and support the maintenance
activities of different operation and maintenance organizations.

Additional Functional Elements Other functional elements are as follows:

• message center (MXE)
—The MXE is a node that provides integrated voice, fax, and data messaging. Specifically, the
MXE handles short message service, cell broadcast, voice mail, fax mail, e- mail, and
notification.
•mobile service node (MSN)
—The MSN is the node that handles the mobile intelligent network (IN) services.
•gateway mobile services switching center (GMSC)
—A gateway is a node used to interconnect two networks. The gateway is often implemented in
an MSC. The MSC is then referred to as the GMSC.
• GSM interworking unit (GIWU)
—The GIWU consists of both hardware and software that provides an interface to various
networks for data communications. Through the GIWU, users can alternate between speech and
data during the same call. The GIWU hardware equipment is physically located at the
MSC/VLR.
Advantages of GSM

Following are the advantages of GSM:

➨GSM techology has been matured since long and hence GSM mobile mobile phones and
modems are widely available across the world.
➨It provides very cost effective products and solutions.
➨The GSM based networks (i.e. base stations) are deployed across the world and hence same
mobile phone works across the globe. This leverages cost benefits as well as provides seamless
wireless connectivity. This will help users avail data and voice services without any disruption.
Hence international roaming is not a concern.
➨Advanced versions of GSM with higher number of antennas will provide high speed download
and upload of data.
➨SAIC and DAIC techniques provide very high transmission quality. SAIC stands for Single
Antenna Interference Cancellation technique while DAIC stands for Dual antenna interference
cancellation.
➨It is easy to maintain GSM networks due to availability of large number of network engineers
at affordable cost. This will help in revenue increase by the telecom operators.
➨The phone works based on SIM card and hence it is easy to change the different varieties of
phones by users.
➨The GSM signal does not have any deterioration inside the office and home premises.
➨It is easy to integrate GSM with other wireless technology based devices such as CDMA, LTE
etc.

Disadvantages of GSM

Following are the disadvantages of GSM:

➨Many of the GSM technologies are patented by Qualcomm and hence licenses need to be
obtained from them.
➨In order to increase the coverage repeaters are required to be installed.
➨GSM provides limited data rate capability, for higher data rate GSM advanced version devices
are used.
➨GSM uses FTDMA access scheme. Here multiple users share same bandwidth and hence will
lead to interference when more number of users are using the GSM service. In order to avoid this
situation, robust frequency correction algorithms are used in mobile phones and base stations.
➨GSM uses pulse based burst transmission technology and hence it interferes with certain
electronics. Due to this fact airplanes, petrol bunks and hospitals prevent use of GSM based
mobile or other gadgets.
GSM Based Real Time Applications:

 GSM Based Flash Flood Intimation System

 ECG Data Transferring System Implemented With GSM Network
 GSM Based Forest Fire and Rain Fall Detection System
 Vehicle Tracking System Using GSM and GPS System
 Speed Control of Induction Motor Using GSM Modem
 Temperature Measurement for Industries through GSM Network
 Health Monitoring System over GSM
 Weather Monitoring By SMS Using GSM Modem
 GSM Based Electronic Notice Board
 Implementation of Student Enquiry System through SMS Using GSM Technology
 Home Automation System Using GSM Technology
 Automatic Irrigation System for Farmers Using GSM
 GSM and Zigbee Based Remote Patient Monitoring System
 GSM/GPS Based Vehicle Theft Intimation System
 GSM Controlled Railway Level Crossing Gate by User SMS
 Integrated Energy Meter for Energy Billing Based On GSM Technology
 Wireless Electronic Board with User Programmable Features Using GSM
 GSM Based Industrial Automation System for Automatic Control
 Closed Loop Control System for Precise Motor Control Implemented Through GSM
 DTMF Controlled Military Robot Vehicle System Using GSM

GPRS

Definition : GPRS (General Packet Radio Services)

General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a packet-based wireless communication service that
promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile
phone and computer users. The higher data rates allow users to take part in video conferences
and interact with multimedia Web sites and similar applications using mobile handheld devices
as well as notebook computers. GPRS is based on Global System for Mobile (GSM)
communication and complements existing services such circuit-switched cellular phone
connections and the Short Message Service (SMS).

In theory, GPRS packet-based services cost users less than circuit-switched services since
communication channels are being used on a shared-use, as-packets-are-needed basis rather than
dedicated to only one user at a time. It is also easier to make applications available to mobile
users because the faster data rate means that middleware currently needed to adapt applications
to the slower speed of wireless systems are no longer be needed. As GPRS has become more
widely available, along with other 2.5G and 3G services, mobile users of virtual private networks
(VPNs) have been able to access the private network continuously over wireless rather than
through a rooted dial-up connection.

GPRS also complements Bluetooth, a standard for replacing wired connections between devices
with wireless radio connections. In addition to the Internet Protocol (IP), GPRS supports X.25, a
packet-based protocol that is used mainly in Europe. GPRS is an evolutionary step toward
Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS).

The GPRS technology provides the following benefits:

Higher Data Rate

GPRS benefits the users in many ways, one of which is higher data rates in turn of shorter access
times. In the typical GSM mobile, setup alone is a lengthy process, and equally rates for data
permission are restrained to 9.6 kbps. The session establishment time offered while GPRS is in
practice is lower than one second and ISDN-line data rates are up to many 10 kbps.
Easy Billing
GPRS packet transmission offers a more user-friendly billing than that of circuit switched
services. In circuit switched services, billing is based on the duration of the connection. This is
unsuitable for applications with bursty traffic. The user must pay for the entire airtime, even for
the idle periods when no packet has been sent (e.g., when the user reads a Web page).
In contrast to this, with packet switched services, billing can be based on the amount of
transmitted data. The advantage for the user is that he or she can be "online" over a long period
of time but will be billed based on the transmitted data volume only.

•Enables the use of a packet-based air interface over the existing circuit-switched GSM network,
which allows greater efficiency in the radio spectrum because the radio bandwidth is used only
when packets are sent or received.
• Supports minimal upgrades to the existing GSM network infrastructure for those network
service providers who want to add GPRS services on top of GSM, which is currently widely
deployed.
•Supports data rates of about 115 Kbps, which is greater than the traditional 9.6 Kbps rate
available in a circuit-switched connection.
•Supports larger message lengths than Short Message Services (SMS).
•Supports virtual private network (VPN)/Internet service provider (ISP) corporate site access.

GPRS architecture

GPRS architecture works on the same procedure like GSM network, but, has additional entities
that allow packet data transmission. This data network overlaps a second-generation GSM
network providing packet data transport at the rates from 9.6 to 171 kbps. Along with the packet
data transport the GSM network accommodates multiple users to share the same air interface
resources concurrently.
GPRS attempts to reuse the existing GSM network elements as much as possible, but to
effectively build a packet-based mobile cellular network, some new network elements,
interfaces, and protocols for handling packet traffic are required. The architecture diagram of
GPRS is as follows:

GPRS Mobile Stations

New Mobile Stations (MS) are required to use GPRS services because existing GSM phones do
not handle the enhanced air interface or packet data. A variety of MS can exist, including a high-
speed version of current phones to support high-speed data access, a new PDA device with an
embedded GSM phone, and PC cards for laptop computers. These mobile stations are backward
compatible for making voice calls using GSM.

GPRS Base Station Subsystem

Each BSC requires the installation of one or more Packet Control Units (PCUs) and a software
upgrade. The PCU provides a physical and logical data interface to the Base Station Subsystem
(BSS) for packet data traffic. The BTS can also require a software upgrade but typically does not
require hardware enhancements.

When either voice or data traffic is originated at the subscriber mobile, it is transported over the
air interface to the BTS, and from the BTS to the BSC in the same way as a standard GSM call.
However, at the output of the BSC, the traffic is separated; voice is sent to the Mobile Switching
Center (MSC) per standard GSM, and data is sent to a new device called the SGSN via the PCU
over a Frame Relay interface.

GPRS Support Nodes

Following two new components, called Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) and, Serving
GPRS Support Node (SGSN) are added:

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

The Gateway GPRS Support Node acts as an interface and a router to external networks. It
contains routing information for GPRS mobiles, which is used to tunnel packets through the IP
based internal backbone to the correct Serving GPRS Support Node. The GGSN also collects
charging information connected to the use of the external data networks and can act as a packet
filter for incoming traffic.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

The Serving GPRS Support Node is responsible for authentication of GPRS mobiles, registration
of mobiles in the network, mobility management, and collecting information on charging for the
use of the air interface.

Internal Backbone

The internal backbone is an IP based network used to carry packets between different GSNs.
Tunnelling is used between SGSNs and GGSNs, so the internal backbone does not need any
information about domains outside the GPRS network. Signalling from a GSN to a MSC, HLR
or EIR is done using SS7.

Routing Area

GPRS introduces the concept of a Routing Area. This concept is similar to Location Area in
GSM, except that it generally contains fewer cells. Because routing areas are smaller than
location areas, less radio resources are used While broadcasting a page message.

The flow of GPRS protocol stack and end-to-end message from MS to the GGSN is displayed in
the below diagram. GTP is the protocol used between the SGSN and GGSN using the Gn
interface. This is a Layer 3 tunneling protocol.

GPRS - Protocol Stack

The process that takes place in the application looks like a normal IP sub-network for the users
both inside and outside the network. The vital thing that needs attention is, the application
communicates via standard IP, that is carried through the GPRS network and out through the
gateway GPRS. The packets that are mobile between the GGSN and the SGSN use the GPRS
tunneling protocol, this way the IP addresses located on the external side of the GPRS network
do not have deal with the internal backbone. UDP and IP are run by GTP.
SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol (SNDCP) and Logical Link Control (LLC)
combination used in between the SGSN and the MS. The SNDCP flattens data to reduce the load
on the radio channel. A safe logical link by encrypting packets is provided by LLC and the same
LLC link is used as long as a mobile is under a single SGSN.

In case, the mobile moves to a new routing area that lies under a different SGSN; then, the old
LLC link is removed and a new link is established with the new Serving GSN X.25. Services are
provided by running X.25 on top of TCP/IP in the internal backbone.

GPRS Quality of Service (QoS)

Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of conventional mobile packet data applications are in
assorted forms. The QoS is a vital feature of GPRS services as there are different QoS support
requirements for assorted GPRS applications like realtime multimedia, web browsing, and e-mail
transfer.

GPRS allows defining QoS profiles using the following parameters :

 Service Precedence
 Reliability
 Delay and
 Throughput

These parameters are described below:

Service Precedence-The preference given to a service when compared to another service is

known as Service Precedence.This level of priority is classified into three levels called:

 high
 normal
 low
When there is network congestion, the packets of low priority are discarded as compared to high
or normal priority packets.

Reliability-This parameter signifies the transmission characteristics required by an

application.The reliability classes are defined which guarantee certain maximum values for the
probability of loss, duplication, mis-sequencing, and corruption of packets.

Delay-The delay is defined as the end-to-end transfer time between two communicating mobile
stations or between a mobile station and the GI interface to an external packet data network.

This includes all delays within the GPRS network, e.g., the delay for request and assignment of
radio resources and the transit delay in the GPRS backbone network. Transfer delays outside the
GPRS network, e.g., in external transit networks, are not taken into account.

Throughput-The throughput specifies the maximum/peak bit rate and the mean bit rate.

Using these QoS classes, QoS profiles can be negotiated between the mobile user and the
network for each session, depending on the QoS demand and the available resources.

The billing of the service is then based on the transmitted data volume, the type of service, and
the chosen QoS profile.

GPRS - Mobile Station Classes

Mobile Station Classes talk about the globally-known equipment handset which is also known as
Mobile Station (MS) and its three different classes. This equipment, more popular as handset, is
used to make phone calls and access data services. The MS comprises of Terminal Equipment
(TE) and Mobile Terminal (MT).

TE is the equipment that accommodates the applications and the user interaction, while the MT
is the part that connects to the network.In the following example, Palm Pilot is TE and Mobile
phone is MT.

In order to take advantage of the new GPRS services, we need new GPRS enabled handsets.
There are three different classes of GPRS terminal equipments:
Class A

Class A terminals can manage both packet data and voice simultaneously. Which means, one
needs two transceivers, as the handset has to send or receive data and voice at the same time.This
is the main reason why class A terminals are high-priced to manufacture than class B and C
terminals.

Class B

Class B terminals do not play the same role like Class A. These terminals can manage either
packet data or voice at a time. One can use a single transceiver for both, resulting in the low cost
of terminals.

For example, If a user is using the GPRS session (like WAP browsing, file transfer, etc.) then
this session is halted if he or she receives a call. This terminal does not allow both the sessions
active in one go. This backlog needs rectification thereby giving the user a facility of both
receiving a call and maintaining the data session.

Class C

Class C terminals can manage either only packet data or only voice. Examples of class C
terminals are GPRS PCM/CIA cards, embedded modules in vending machines, and so on.

Due to the high cost of class A handsets, most handset manufacturers have announced that their
first handsets will be class B. Currently, work is going on in 3GPP to standardize a lightweight
class A in order to make handsets with simultaneous voice and data available at a reasonable
cost.

GPRS - PDP Context

PDP stands for Packet Data Protocol. The PDP addresses are network layer addresses (Open
Standards Interconnect [OSI] model Layer 3). GPRS systems support both X.25 and IP network
layer protocols. Therefore, PDP addresses can be X.25, IP, or both.

Each PDP address is anchored at a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), as shown in figure
below. All packet data traffic sent from the public packet data network for the PDP address goes
through the gateway (GGSN).

The public packet data network is only concerned that the address belongs to a specific GGSN.
The GGSN hides the mobility of the station from the rest of the packet data network and from
computers connected to the public packet data network.
Statically assigned PDP addresses are usually anchored at a GGSN in the subscriber's home
network. Conversely, dynamically assigned PDP addresses can be anchored either in the
subscriber's home network or the network that the user is visiting.

When a MS is already attached to a SGSN and it is about to transfer data, it must activate a PDP
address. Activating a PDP address establishes an association between the current SGSN of
mobile device and the GGSN that anchors the PDP address.

The record kept by the SGSN and the GGSN regarding this association is called the PDP
context.

It is important to understand the difference between a MS attaching to a SGSN and a MS

activating a PDP address. A single MS attaches to only one SGSN, however, it may have
multiple PDP addresses that are all active at the same time.

Each of the addresses may be anchored to a different GGSN. If packets arrive from the public
packet data network at a GGSN for a specific PDP address and the GGSN does not have an
active PDP context corresponding to that address, it may simply discard the packets. Conversely,
the GGSN may attempt to activate a PDP context with a MS if the address is statically assigned
to a particular mobile device.

GPRS - Data Routing

Data routing or routing of data packets to and fro from a mobile user, is one of the pivot
requisites in the GPRS network. The requirement can be divided into two areas:
  Data packet routing
 Mobility management.

Data Packet Routing

The important roles of GGSN involve synergy with the external data network. The GGSN
updates the location directory using routing information supplied by the SGSNs about the
location of an MS. It routes the external data network protocol packet encapsulated over the
GPRS backbone to the SGSN currently serving the MS. It also decapsulates and forwards
external data network packets to the appropriate data network and collects charging data that is
forwarded to a charging gateway (CG).

There are three important routing schemes:

 Mobile-originated message - This path begins at the GPRS mobile device and ends at
the host.
 Network-initiated message when the MS is in its home network - This path begins at
the host and ends at the GPRS mobile device.
 Network-initiated message when the MS roams to another GPRS network - This
path begins at the host of visited network and ends at the GPRS mobile device.

The GPRS network encapsulates all data network protocols into its own encapsulation protocol
called the GPRS tunnelling protocol (GTP). The GTP ensures security in the backbone network
and simplifies the routing mechanism and the delivery of data over the GPRS network.

Mobility Management

The operation of the GPRS is partly independent of the GSM network. However, some
procedures share the network elements with current GSM functions to increase efficiency and to
make optimum use of free GSM resources (such as unallocated time slots).

An MS can be in any of the following three states in the GPRS system. The three-state model is
unique to packet radio. GSM uses a two-state model either idle or active.

Active State

Data is transmitted between an MS and the GPRS network only when the MS is in the active
state. In the active state, the SGSN knows the cell location of the MS.

Packet transmission to an active MS is initiated by packet paging to notify the MS of an

incoming data packet. The data transmission proceeds immediately after packet paging through
the channel indicated by the paging message. The purpose of the paging message is to simplify
the process of receiving packets. The MS listens to only the paging messages instead of to all the
data packets in the downlink channels. This reduces battery usage significantly.
When an MS has a packet to transmit, it must access the uplink channel (i.e., the channel to the
packet data network where services reside). The uplink channel is shared by a number of MSs,
and its use is allocated by a BSS. The MS requests use of the channel in a random access
message. The BSS allocates an unused channel to the MS and sends an access grant message in
reply to the random access message.

Standby State

In the standby state, only the routing area of the MS is known. (The routing area can consist of
one or more cells within a GSM location area).

When the SGSN sends a packet to an MS that is in the standby state, the MS must be paged.
Because the SGSN knows the routing area of the MS, a packet paging message is sent to the
routing area. On receiving the packet paging message, the MS relays its cell location to the
SGSN to establish the active state.

Idle State

In the idle state, the MS does not have a logical GPRS context activated or any Packet-Switched
Public Data Network (PSPDN) addresses allocated. In this state, the MS can receive only those
multicast messages that can be received by any GPRS MS. Because the GPRS network
infrastructure does not know the location of the MS, it is not possible to send messages to the
MS from external data networks.

Routing Updates

When an MS that is in an active or a standby state moves from one routing area to another within
the service area of one SGSN, it must perform a routing update. The routing area information in
the SGSN is updated, and the success of the procedure is indicated in the response message.

A cell-based routing update procedure is invoked when an active MS enters a new cell. The MS
sends a short message containing the identity of the MS and its new location through GPRS
channels to its current SGSN. This procedure is used only when the MS is in the active state.

The inter-SGSN routing update is the most complicated routing update. The MS changes from
one SGSN area to another, and it must establish a new connection to a new SGSN. This means
creating a new logical link context between the MS and the new SGSN and informing the GGSN
about the new location of the MS.

GPRS - Access Modes & Access Point Names

The GPRS access modes specify whether or not the GGSN requests user authentication at the
access point to a Public Data Network (PDN). The available options are:

 Transparent - No security authorization/authentication is requested by the GGSN.

 Non-transparent - In this case, GGSN acts as a proxy for authenticating.

The GPRS transparent and non-transparent modes relate only to PDP type IPv4.

Transpatent Mode

Transparent access pertains to a GPRS PLMN that is not involved in subscriber access
authorization and authentication. Access to PDN-related security procedures are transparent to
GSNs.

In transparent access mode, the MS is given an address belonging to the operator or any other
addressing space of domain. The address is given either at subscription as a static address or at
PDP context activation, as a dynamic address. The dynamic address is allocated from a Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server in the GPRS network. Any user authentication is
done within the GPRS network. No RADIUS authentication is performed; only IMSI-based
authentication (from the subscriber identity module in the handset) is done.

Non Transpatent Mode

Non-transparent access to an intranet/ISP means that the PLMN plays a role in the intranet/ISP
authentication of the MS. Non-transparent access uses the Password Authentication Protocol
(PAP) or Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) message issued by the mobile
terminal and piggybacked in the GTP PDP context activation message. This message is used to
build a RADIUS request toward the RADIUS server associated with the access point name
(APN).

GPRS Access Point Name

The GPRS standards define a network identity called an Access Point Name (APN). An APN
identifies a PDN that is accessible from a GGSN node in a GPRS network. In GPRS, only the
APN is used to select the target network. To configure an APN, the operator configures three
elements on the GSN node:

 Access point - Defines an APN and its associated access characteristics, including
security (RADIUS), dynamic address allocation (DHCP), and DNS services.
 Access point list - Defines a logical interface that is associated with the virtual template.
 Access group - Defines whether access is permitted between the PDN and the MS.

GPRS - Network Processes

This chapter gives a brief description of the basic processes used in GPRS networks:
  Attach process - Process by which the MS attaches (i.e., connects) to the SGSN in a
GPRS network.
 Authentication process - Process by which the SGSN authenticates the mobile
subscriber.
 PDP activation process - Process by which a user session is established between the MS
and the destination network.
 Detach process - Process by which the MS detaches (i.e., disconnects) from the SGSN in
the GPRS network.
 Network-initiated PDP request for static IP address - Process by which a call from the
packet data network reaches the MS using a static IP address.
 Network-initiated PDP request for dynamic IP address - Process by which a call from
the packet data network reaches the MS using a dynamic IP address.

GPRS Billing Techniques

As packet data is introduced into mobile systems, the question of how to bill for the services
arises. Always online and paying by the minute does not sound all that appealing. Here, we
describe the possibilities but it totally depends on different service providers, how they want to
charge their customers.

The SGSN and GGSN register all possible aspects of a GPRS user's behavior and generate
billing information accordingly. This information is gathered in so-called Charging Data Records
(CDR) and is delivered to a billing gateway.

The GPRS service charging can be based on the following parameters:

 Volume - The amount of bytes transferred, i.e., downloaded and uploaded.

 Duration - The duration of a PDP context session.
 Time - Date, time of day, and day of the week (enabling lower tariffs at offpeak hours).
 Final destination - A subscriber could be charged for access to the specific network,
such as through a proxy server.
 Location - The current location of the subscriber.
 Quality of Service - Pay more for higher network priority.
 SMS - The SGSN will produce specific CDRs for SMS.
 Served IMSI/subscriber - Different subscriber classes (different tariffs for frequent
users, businesses, or private users).
 Reverse charging - The receiving subscriber is not charged for the received data;
instead, the sending party is charged.
 Free of charge - Specified data to be free of charge.
 Flat rate - A fixed monthly fee.
 Bearer service - Charging based on different bearer services (for an operator who has
several networks, such as GSM900 and GSM1800, and who wants to promote usage of
one of the networks). Or, perhaps the bearer service would be good for areas where it
would be cheaper for the operator to offer services from a wireless LAN rather than from
the GSM network.
GPRS - Mobile Phones

GPRS has almost become a default or a mandatory feature of the latest GSM phones. In case you
have plans to buy a GPRS enabled mobile phone, then; GSM mobile phone should be opted than
going for CDMA technology.

GSMArena.com is a website that has become a one-stop shop for all the latest GSM Mobile
Phones. The page below displays a list of latest GSM mobile phones subscribers is a courtesy of
GSM Arena. As a staunch follower of this site, I suggest you to go through all the reviews posted
on the site, and pick the best suitable mobile phone.

At present, numerous noted mobile device manufacturers provide state–of-the-art mobile

handsets:

Alcatel Amoi

Apple Asus Samsung Sendo

Benefon BenQ Sewon Sharp

BenQ-Siemens Bird Siemens Sony

BlackBerry Bosch

Chea Ericsson

Fujitsu
Eten
Siemens

Gigabyte Haier

HP HTC

i-mate Innostream

Kyocera LG

Maxon Mitac

Mitsubishi Motorola

NEC Neonode

Nokia O2
Palm Panasonic

Pantech Philips

Qtek Sagem