GPS Vs. GPRS: Know the Difference Between GSM and GPRS
Both of these are systems used in electronic devices (mobile devices), but there is a fundamental difference between GSM and GPRS. In this article, we will discuss the same in a tabular form. But let us first know a bit more about each of these in detail.
What is GSM?
The term GSM is an acronym for Global Systems for Mobile. It is a type of cellular standard for communication over mobile phones. It caters to data delivery and mobile services by making use of digital modulation wherever SMS has an effect on society. GSM is basically the standard-bearer of 2G technology. It is a circuit-switched type of network in which the billing depends a lot on the duration of the established connection.
GSM does not establish a direct connection with the internet. One of the most popular features of GSM is Short Messaging Service (SMS). We can use GSM in almost all countries, and a large set of users get to experience its services.
What is GPRS?
The term GPRS is an acronym for General Packet Radio Service. It is basically an up-gradation of the features of GSM (over the basic features). It allows a user to obtain a much better speed of data and provides them with simple and wireless access to the packet data networks as compared to the standard GSM technology.
GPRS is basically the standard-bearer of 2.5G technology. It is a packet-switched type of network in which the billing depends on the total data transferred (amount of data). It lets its users develop a direct connection over the internet. One of the most popular services of the GPRS system is the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). Not all the countries get the GPRS services because it is only confined to the developed areas that happen to have proper network connections.
Difference Between GSM and GPRS
Here are the differences present between GPS and GPRS:
| Parameters | GSM | GPRS |
| Full-Form | The term GSM is an acronym for Global Systems for Mobile. | The term GPRS is an acronym for General Packet Radio Service. |
| Basics | The GSM is a type of cellular standard for communication over mobile phones. It caters to data delivery and mobile services by making use of digital modulation wherever SMS has an effect on society. | The GPRS is basically an up-gradation of the features of GSM (over the basic features). It allows a user to obtain a much better speed of data and provides them with simple and wireless access to the packet data networks as compared to the standard GSM technology. |
| System Generation | GSM is basically the standard-bearer of 2G technology. | GPRS is basically the standard-bearer of 2.5G technology. |
| Frequency Bands | The GSM system majorly makes use of the 1800 and 900 MHz (Megahertz) frequency bands. | The GPRS system majorly makes use of 1900, 1800, 900, and 750 MHz frequency bands. |
| Type of Connection | The GSM is a circuit-switched type of network. | The GPRS is a packet-switched type of network. |
| Available Data Rates | The GSM technology provides a data rate of about 9.6 kbps (kilobytes per second) for all of its users. | The GPRS technology provides a data rate of about 14.4 kbps to 115.2 (kilobytes per second) for all of its users. |
| Billing | The billing in GSM depends on the total duration of the established connection. | The billing in GPRS depends entirely on the total data amount that we transferred during the connection. |
| Direct Internet Connection | The GSM technology does not allow any direct connection with the internet. | The GPRS technology allows all of its users to establish a direct internet connection. |
| Based System | It works on the basis of the system TDMA (Time-division multiple access). | It works on the basis of the system GSM. |
| Individual Time Slots | The GSM technology allots a single time slot for every single user. | The GPRS technology is capable of allotting multiple time slots to every single user. |
| Time Taken for Connection | The GSM technology takes comparatively much longer to connect. | The GPRS technology provides its users with a comparatively much faster connection. |
| Area Concept | The GSM technology makes use of the location area concept. | The GPRS technology makes use of the routing area concept. |
| Popular Features | One of the most popular features of GSM is Short Messaging Service (SMS). | One of the most popular services of the GPRS system is the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). |
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