GPRS
 

Could we get a list of cellular providers offering GPRS service going?

Ideally:
- country
- date of introduction
- max. speed
- rates

Or a link to the relevant webpage.

Here in Switzerland Swisscom claims to have fully implemented the hardware but to be waiting for more terminals. Since most new 'business-class' and above cellphones feature GPRS, I am hoping critical mass will soon be reached.

HSCSD sounds way too expensive IMHO (4 times the regular rate...), especially for us travellers using their cellphones for data communications while roaming, while GPRS could offer near-dialup speeds at reasonable rates for casual web-surfing.


[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 10-10-2001).]

monahos, IMHO this is not an issue yet as the telco's STILL have to implement GPRS roaming. After waiting 3 years to finally get GPRS we probably have to wait another year befor GPRS roaming is operational http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/frown.gif

Anyway, here is the link to KPN (netherlands) GPRS info:

http://www.mobiel.net/ht-docs/abonne...nten_gprs.html

Sorry, no english version yet but if you have any questions just email me.

Sorry for not answering earlier but, as you mentioned, GPRS roaming still seems some ways away.

Here in Switzerland the two smaller carriers, Orange and Sunrise, have started offering GPRS, with Swisscom waiting for Q1/02. I have tried Orange's service on a T39m via Bluetooth, and it works very nicely, at about 40kbps. It feels similar to analog V90 service for both throughput and latencies, with a perhaps more reliable connection. Sunrise tops out at 28kbps for now.

However, the rates are still not exactly competitive: 5CHF per megabyte on top of the monthly 20CHF http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/frown.gif

Orange claims the main impediment to roaming is that roaming prices are calculated based on time, not data quantity. I would think that if an operator knows how much to bill its own customers, it could apply a similar model for roaming guests.

Today's (12/17) Int'l Herald Tribune has an article on GPRS in Europe.

Of note are the highly variable GPRS rates in Europe, with such great deals as unlimited use for about $15 a month in Finland, or free use up to 100MB on Vodaphone Italia, versus the more common and unattractive charge per KB/MB in most other countries.

Unrelated note: the Siemens ME45/S45 phones have an easily accessible GPRS data volume (MB) counter, a very nice feature IMO. No triband or Bluetooth however http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/frown.gif

Here in Canada, GPRS has been available for months. I work for the company and have yet to see a demo or hear of anyone who has subscribed to it (don't get me wrong, as a parttimer, I'm just not in the loop. It's probably popular in other markets in the country).

A few months ago a company memo came out that we are only to refer to GPRS as "The fastest internet connection" and not as GPRS? I don't know why! Interesting though. I figure it's somehow not GPRS or else we'd be able to call it that. ?????

bump to hear any recent reports.
Rich

I've talked to people in the last three weeks who report that T-Mobile US SIMs are working with the US APNs while roaming on other T-Mobile networks. Specifically, UK, Germany, and NL.

They (T-Mobile) still claim to be charging $10/MB while roaming. I was on Cingular's pre-T-Mobile network in NV a few months ago and was not charged for any data while I was there.

-alan in seattle

Currently Vodafone also support GPRS roaming between all their own european networks.

Here is the latest on T-Mobile roaming. It looks like it should work anywhere on the T-Mobile network, and cost about €6.00/MB.

http://www.t-mobile-international.co...en&news_id=457

-alan in seattle

Terrific, but they've still priced it too darn expensive. Fido (Microcell) in Canada has unlimited GPRS for $CAD50/month.

Siemens keeps a PDF/Acrobat file of most common APN settings for GPRS... If your provider has a roaming agreement with the network you are using, but you CANNOT access your standard APN you can refer to the info in this link to setup a data account or GPRS settings to access a valid APN:

http://www.my-siemens.com/com.aperto...ers_050402.pdf