maximum speeds of up to 171.2 kilobits per second (kbps)are achievable with GPRS using all eight time slots at the same time. This is about three times as fast as the data transmission speeds possible over today's fixed telecommunications networks and ten times as fast as current Circuit Switched Data services on GSM networks.
facilitates instant connections whereby information can be sent or received immediately as the need arises, subject to radio coverage. No dial up modem connection is necessary. This is why GPRS users are sometimes referred to as being "always connected". Immediacy is one of the advantages of GPRS (and SMS) when compared to Circuit Switched Data. High immediacy is a very important feature for time critical applications.
