From Circuit Switched to Packet Switch Data: Architecture Evolution and Impact of GPRS and Edge on Mobile Internet

This topic traces the crucial shift in mobile network architecture from inefficient, dedicated circuit-switched data to flexible, shared packet-switched data, highlighting how GPRS and EDGE technologies were pivotal in enabling the mobile internet. GPRS first introduced packet-switched services over the existing GSM network, providing an "always-on" connection for internet access, while EDGE further enhanced these speeds, making mobile data a practical reality before the full deployment of 3G and leading into the modern era of mobile internet services.  The evolution of mobile communication networks has been driven by the growing demand for efficient, reliable, and high-speed data services. Initially, networks were based on circuit-switched architecture, which was well-suited for voice communication but highly inefficient for data transmission due to dedicated channel allocation. With the advent of the internet and data-driven applications, a shift towards packet-switched architecture became inevitable, as it allowed dynamic bandwidth utilization, higher efficiency, and support for bursty data traffic. Frequently known as 2.5G, the introduction of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) accelerated this change drastically by enabling continuous connection and marked a major departure. arrival of mobile internet connectivity. Improved Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) improved spectral efficiency and data rates over GPRS, therefore bridging the gap between 2G and 3G networks. Together, GPRS and EDGE transformed how people utilized early multimedia services, visited the web, and sent emails using mobile devices, hence creating the foundation for foundation for contemporary high-speed mobile internet infrastructure. Early mobile telecommunication systems were based on circuit switching, which allocated a fixed path to every call. Although effective for voice, the approach was inappropriate for bursty data traffic. The advent of packet switching allowed data to be transmitted in small packets, enhancing bandwidth usage and paving the way for IP-based mobile communications. The GSM network architecture, initially intended for circuit-switched voice, was extended to accommodate packet data with the advent of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). GPRS added new network components—SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) and GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node)—to handle IP-based traffic and offer "always-on" connection.  Research indicates that GPRS provided data rates of up to 115 kbps, revolutionizing users' experience and facilitating early mobile Internet connectivity. GPRS, meanwhile, battled high latency, low throughput, and best-effort quality of service. To solve these, EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) was created as an air-interface improvement employing higher-order modulation (8-PSK) and adaptive coding systems. EDGE Maintained backward compatibility with GSM infrastructure while up to three times greater spectral efficiency was achieved. Comparative studies point out how GPRS and EDGE signaled the critical change from circuit-switched to packet-switched networks. While falling short for multimedia and real-time applications, they allowed for more effective usage of radio resources and IP-based services, therefore driving 3G and 4G all-IP architectures' development. Modern studies expand this development to mobile edge computing (MEC), where computing and storage are located near to users to lower latency and improve QoS. MEC follows the trend toward distributed, packet-based systems started with GPRS, even if theoretically different from GSM EDGE. In summary, the literature confirms that the move from circuit-switched to packet-switched data in GPRS and EDGE fundamentally reshaped mobile networks, enabling scalable Internet access and forming the basis for future mobile broadband systems.

2. Circuit Switching

A circuit-switched network creates a dedicated physical channel between two ends for the entire course of a communication session, maintaining a steady connection and guaranteed bandwidth. It operates in three steps: Connection Establishment, where a dedicated channel is established; Data Transfer, where data is carried over the reserved circuit; and Disconnection, where the channel is released to be reused. Although it offers dependable, uninterrupted data transfer for uses such as conventional voice calls, it is inefficient because it has long setup times and spends wasted bandwidth while idle, particularly for busty data traffic. Early analogue telephone systems are the quintessential circuit-switched network. Switches inside the telephone exchanges produce a continuous wire circuit between two phones for as long as the call continues. In circuit switching, the bit delay is consistent over a connection (in contrast to packet switching, when packet queues might produce fluctuating and perhaps endlessly long packet transfer delays). Because it is protected from usage by other callers until the circuit is released and a new connection is established, no circuit may be harmed by opposing consumers. The channel is still reserved and protected from competing users even if no real conversation is happening.  Though circuit switching is usually used to link voice circuits, the idea of a dedicated path continuing between two communicating nodes or parties can be spread to denote material apart from voice. The benefit of employing circuit switching is that it enables continuous transfer without the overhead related with packets, therefore maximizing available bandwidth for that communication. One downside is that it can be rather ineffective since other links on the same network cannot utilize unused capacity guaranteed to one connection. Furthermore, if the circuit is broken, calls either cannot be made or will be lost.

Fig1: scientific circuit-Switched diagram

2.2 Working of Circuit Switching                            

1. Establishment Phase:

A user initiates a connection by sending a request to the network. The network then sets up a dedicated, end-to-end path using a series of intermediate switches. A connection request is sent, and an acknowledgment is received, confirming the path's availability. 

2. Data Transfer Phase:

A special circuit is set aside between the source and destination nodes once the link has been created. Resources (such as bandwidth) are strictly assigned for the duration of the connection; data and voice both traverse this fixed path.

3. Disconnection Phase:

The circuit is unplugged and the reserved resources are released when the communication ceases, hence making them accessible for other connections.

Fig 2: Circuit switching working diagram

2.3 Advantages of circuit switching

The advantages of switching circuits

• Maintains a clear path for constant data transfer and uniform quality. Dependable and Steady.

• No Congestion: Because resources are distributed ahead of time, the link is congestion-free. One path reduces data loss during transmission.

2.4 Technologies for Circuit Switching

1. Conventional analog voice network PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) directs every call along a different line.

2. Transmits audio, data, and video over a digital circuit-switched network using Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)

3. Basic analog phone service via landlines: Regular Old Telephone Service.

4. TDM, or Time Division Multiplexing, distributes the time slots of a channel across many users.

5. Backbone communication for high-speed optical circuit-switched networks is SONET/SDH.

6. The PBX, or Private Branch Exchange, sends the company's calls via an internal circuit-switched mechanism.

2. Five Places Open for Research on Circuit Switching

1. poor usage of the bandwidth:

There is not much information accessible on the most efficient methods to utilize excess channel capacity when calls are not being made.

2. Integration with Modern Networks:

There has been relatively little investigation into the ideal interplay of circuit-switched systems, packet-switched (IP-based) networks, and IP-based solutions.

3.Changing QoS:

Few investigations address dynamic improvement of QoS in aging circuit-switched networks.

4. Conserving energy:

Little research has been done on reducing energy consumption in conventional circuit-switched communications.

5.Enhanced Safety:

Inadequate research on how outmoded security techniques like present encryption and authentication methods are applied on circuit-switched networks:

6.Upgrades based on cost:

No studies have been done on how to improve circuit-switched systems for underprivileged communities without fully moving to IP.

3. Packet Switching

A packet network splits data into little packets that it sends separately through shared network channels to the target, then reassembles them. In connectionless operation, routers route every packet based on its header, hence enabling effective resource sharing and network redundancy across many routes. better network congestion problems as well as reliability. Variable delays, the likelihood of out-of-order packet arrival, and the absence of a pledged, ongoing link are the distinctive traits. The routing and switching of information in the transmission of addressed packets guarantees that a channel is used only when the packet is sent. Once the transmission is over, the channel is then opened for additional traffic flow. Over a computer network, variable bit rate data streams—packets—sequences of tiny messages in a defined form—can be sent. Through packet switching, which dynamically allocates or statistically multiplexes bandwidth to real-time allocation of transmission resources depending on need. Packets are received, buffered, queued, and retransmitted (saved and forwarded) as they pass across network hardware like switches and routers, hence causing erratic behavior. Link capacity and the traffic load on the network will define latency and throughput. Although packets may be sent asynchronously in accordance with some scheduling discipline for fair queuing, intermediate network nodes often use first-in, first-out buffering. Because it offers different or guaranteed service quality, traffic shaping is occasionally known as leaky bucket or weighted fair queuing. There might or not be intermediary forwarding nodes. Switches and routers could be used to enable packet-based communication. If shared physical media, such radio or 10BASE5, is used, the packets can be sent using a multiple access method. A unique primary networking technique, circuit switching pre-allocates certain dedicated network bandwidth for every communication session, each of which has a fixed bit rate and latency between nodes. The price for billable services like circuit switching, a component of cellular communication services, is determined per unit of connection. Time—whether there is actual use or not— Data is passed using packet switching, which may be defined by a cost per unit of information sent—characters, packets, or messages, for instance.

Fig 3: Packet Switching and delay computer network

3.1 Working of packet switching

1. Data Segmentation:

A file or message is broken into short, variable-length packets.

2. Packet Structure:

Every packet has two primary components:

• Header: Carries source and destination addresses, sequence number, and other routing control information.

• Payload: The data itself being transferred.

3. Independent Routing:

Every packet is independently routed by network devices (such as routers) based on the information in its header.

4. Shared Network Channels:

Packets coexist in network channels with other users' information, optimizing resource usage.

5. Reassembly:

Packets are reassembled at the receiving end in the proper order to recreate the original message.

Fig 4: Packet Switching working

3.2 Advantages of Packet Switching

1. Effective bandwidth use:

Users pool network resources; unused bandwidth is not lost as in circuit switching.

2. Affordable Communications:

Because many users have the same network routes, the overall cost of transmission is decreased.

3. Reliable Reliability:

Packets can be redirected through other channels to guarantee data delivery should one route fail.

4. Scalability

Easy to add new users and devices without significant modifications to the network backbone.

5. Supports burst traffic:

Perfect for web browsing, emails, or mobile data transmitted irregularly.

6. Effective use of network resources:

Maximizes network capacity by allowing multiplexing and dynamic routing.

7. Incorporation of Several Services:

Permits voice, video, and data transfer over the same converged network.

3.3 Future Trends

1.All-IP Networks:

Next-generation mobile systems (5G and beyond) are transitioning completely to IP-based, packet-switched infrastructure for effortless connectivity.

2.Mobile Edge Computing (MEC):

Computation and storage are being offloaded near users to decrease latency and enhance real-time performance.

3.Network Virtualization (NFV & SDN):

Software-defined networking and virtualization will provide flexible, programmable, and efficient network management.

4.5G and 6G Evolution:

Evolving packet-switched networks will offer ultra-low latency, high data rates, and massive IoT connectivity.

5.AI-Driven Network Optimization:

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will be applied to traffic prediction, fault detection, and resource allocation.

6. Enhanced Security and QoS:

Future packet-switched systems will be more oriented towards secure data transfer and quality of service adaptation for mission-critical applications.

4. Comparison between packet switching and circuit switching

Circuit switching offers dependable latency and reliability by using a dedicated route for the whole communication; but, it wastes bandwidth when not in use. Offering effective bandwidth usage, scalability, and support for bursty data like Internet and mobile services, packet switching breaks data into packets transmitted over shared networks. Although latency can differ, packet switching is more adaptable and cost-efficient, therefore perfectly fitting for contemporary communication systems.

4.1. Basic Principle

• Circuit Switching (CS):

Aims to create a guaranteed physical or logical communication path between two points prior to commencing data transfer. Resources (bandwidth, timeslot, frequency) are dedicated solely for the call/session, irrespective of whether the data is sent continuously or in bursts. Applied in conventional telephony (PSTN) and initial mobile voice systems (GSM voice).

• Packet Switching (PS):

No reserved path; data is segmented into packets that are separately addressed and routed over common network paths. Resources are allocated dynamically according to demand.

4.2. Resource Utilization                                          

• CS:

o Not good for erratic data (such web browsing) since the channel is kept reserved during quiet times.

o Sure resources: expected but wasteful if traffic is sporadic.

• PS:

o Packets from several users share the same channels statistically in efficient multiplexing.

o Uses data session maximization particularly for sporadic and brief events.

4.3 Properties for Delay and Latency

• CS:

o Data transfer exhibits steady delay once the circuit is established (low jitter).

o Setting up call time is somewhat high since first one must construct the circuit.

• PS:

Variable delay (jitter) results from the possible paths, traffic, or queuing of packets.

o Packets can be sent immediately; no setup delay.

4.4. Reliability and QoS (Quality of Service)

• CS:

No High reliability and predictable QoS since the reserved circuit is not impacted by other users. No Suitable for real-time voice/video in early networks.

• PS:

No Reliability relies on congestion control, retransmission (TCP), and error correction mechanisms. no    QoS is more difficult to ensure but can be controlled with priority queues, traffic classes, and resource reservation (e.g., DiffServ, MPLS, LTE QoS bearers).

4.5. Bandwidth and Scalability

• CS:

o Fixed allocation constrains scalability — every call/session takes a dedicated path.

o Limited capacity to handle enormous amounts of simultaneous low-bandwidth sessions.

• PS:

o Scales better since bandwidth is dynamically shared.

o Good for current large-scale user bases and IoT traffic where many devices are sending small bursts of data.

4.6. Error Handling

o Circuits stabilize once they are installed, hence mistakes are uncommon. Path quality is constant; hence error correction is very little.

• P.S.:

o Packets can be postponed, duplicated, or dropped.

o Need for strong error detection, TCP retransmissions, or forward error correction.

4.7. Charging and Billing Approach

• CS:

o Traditionally time-based billing (per minute), since the circuit remains dedicated for the call duration.

o Good for lengthy voice sessions; useless for intermittent data like dial-up or GSM-CSD.

• PS:

o flat-rate plans or volume-based charging (per MB or GB).

o More in line with Internet services with bursty traffic and variable session lengths.

4.8. Application Suitability

• CS Best Used For:

No Real-time, constant bit-rate services: early video conferencing, voice calls. No Where guaranteed bandwidth and low jitter are essential.

• PS Best Used For:

No Data-intensive, bursty applications: streaming, emails, web browsing, cloud services, IoT. No New Internet services that need scalability and performance.

4.9. Example in Mobile Networks

• Circuit Switching (GSM Voice, CSD):

No GSM voice calls utilize circuit-switched channels. No Circuit Switched Data (CSD) enabled Internet access but at just ~9.6 kbps, with poor resource utilization.

• Packet Switching (GPRS, EDGE, LTE, 5G):
• GPRS brought packet-switched data overlay.
• EDGE enhanced bandwidth efficiency with superior modulation.
• LTE/5G dropped circuit switching completely → everything is run over packet-switched IP cores with VoIP (IMS/VoLTE).

Fig 5

5. Comparison between packet switching and circuit switching

5.1. GPRS

Introduced as an adjunct to the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet-switched mobile data service. Created in the late 1990s, it is seen as a 2.5G technology bridging traditional 2G GSM networks and 3G high-speed data networks. Unlike GPRS divides data into packets that may be sent over shared network resources, hence enhancing bandwidth, circuit-switched GSM allocates a constant channel for each call. using and enabling many people to communicate simultaneously.

5.2. Important Characteristics of GPRS

• Packet-switched transmission is efficient for bursty traffic like emails, web surfing, and messaging since data is sent in little packets instead of a continuous stream.
• Always-On Connectivity: Users can keep a connection without using a specific channel, therefore enabling instant messaging and push email.

• On demand, dynamic allocation of time slots in the radio interface increases network efficiency.
GPRS is backward compatible with GSM networks, therefore enabling operators to gradually update their infrastructure without having to replace the whole network.

5.3. GPRS Network Design Three main parts define GPRS architecture:

a) Mobile Station (MS):

The mobile phone, modem, or IoT device the user device starts and receives packet data sessions. It manages mobility and session with a packet data protocol stack and a GPRS-compatible SIM.

b) RAN:

The Base Station System (BSS) is improved to handle packet data in addition to conventional voice. Important components are: Manages radio contact with mobile stations, BTS (Base Transceiver Station).

• Links to the GPRS core network, supervises packet scheduling, and controls several BTS using the BSC (Base Station Controller).

c) GPRS Core Network:

Handling mobility management, session control, and packet routing between mobile stations and external networks, SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node).

• GGSN—Gateway GPRS Support Node functions as a portal to outside IP networks and converts mobile network protocols into conventional Internet protocols. MS packets travel to the BSS, are forwarded to the SGSN, then to outside networks via the GGSN. Responses travel back along the opposite path. This packet-switched design lets several people utilize the same radio.

Fig 6. GPRS Network Architecture

5.4. Data Rates and Performance

• Theoretical maximum speeds up to 115 kbps supported by GPRS, though actual rates are generally 30–50 kbps per user.

• Employ multislot operation, which enables a mobile station to access multiple time slots concurrently.

• Supports asymmetric data rates, frequently in favor of downlink for improved Internet browsing performance.

5.5. Services Enabled by GPRS

• Mobile Internet Browsing: Browsing web pages on mobile devices.

• Email and Messaging: Push and pull e-mail services.

• Multimedia Messaging (MMS): Transmission of images, audio, or video clips.

• Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication: Telemetry, IoT devices, and remote monitoring.

• Mobile Banking and Location-Based Services: Earlier mobile applications requiring packet data.

5.6. Effect on Mobile Networks

• Optimized Use of Spectrum: One time slot can be shared by many users, compared to circuit-switched networks.

• Cost-Efficient: Operators are able to provide data services without assigning full circuits to each user.

• Future Networks Foundation: EDGE, 3G, 4G, and 5G were preceded by GPRS, which provided IP-based packet data principles to mobile networks.

• Always-On Service Support: Altered user expectations so that the mobile Internet became widespread.

5.7. Constraints

• Increased latency compared to subsequent 3G/4G systems, constraining real-time applications such as video telephony or gaming.

• Mean data rates are modest by today's standards.

• QoS is typically best-effort, no guaranteed bandwidth per user.

5.8 Evolution of Mobile Networks towards GPRS

1.1 G – First Generation (Analog Voice)

O Appeared in the 1980s.

O employed analog transmission and circuit switching.

O Supported just voice telephony; no data services.

O Examples: AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System) in the USA, NMT in Europe.

2G – Second Generation (Digital Voice)
Launched in early 1990s.

o Replaced analog with digital transmission for improved voice quality and security.

o Introduced GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) with circuit-switched networks.

o Limited data services were offered through CSD (Circuit Switched Data) at low speeds (~9.6 kbps).

2.5G – Introduction of GPRS (Packet-Switched Data)

o Emerged in late 1990s as an upgrade to GSM.

o GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) brought packet switching to mobile data.

o Allowed constant Internet access and better bandwidth use.

O Data rates: 30–50 kbps per user (up to 115 kbps theoretical).

O Services included email, web browsing, MMS, and first mobile applications.

4.2.75 G – EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) Upgrade of GPRS, also referred to as 2.75G. More modulation scheme (8-PSK) and coding for increased data rates. Reached three times as high data throughputs as GPRS. Was used as a bridge to 3G networks. 5.3G – Mobile Broadband

o Introduced multimedia support and high-speed mobile data.

o Core completely packet-switched for data, although voice was initially still circuit-switched.

o Data rates: few hundreds kbps to some Mbps.

4G – All-IP Networks

o Voice and data both via packet-switched IP networks.
o High-speed mobile broadband for video, streaming, and gaming.

o Data rates: tens to hundreds of Mbps.

5G and Beyond

o Ultra-low latency, large IoT support, and increased throughput.
O Packet-switched completely with network slicing for resource-efficient use.

Fig 7: GPRS evolution

3. Architectural Enhancements and EDGE

GSM Evolution (EDGE) with improved data rates, sometimes known as 2.75G, debuted naturally from GPRS. For operators to dramatically boost data bandwidth while reusing much of the current GSM/GPRS infrastructure, it provided a cost-effective means.

6.1. Evolution from GPRS

• Designed as an overlay above GPRS architecture, EDGE
• Rather than add new core network components (SGSN, GGSN, etc.), it improved the radio interface to enable faster data rates. EDGE built on the packet-switched platform of GPRS by improving the air interface performance.

6.2. Enhanced Modulation – 8-PSK

• Along with the current Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) utilized in GSM/GPRS, 8-Phase Shift Keying (8-PSK) modulation was adopted as the main improvement in EDGE.

• Tripling the data rate per timeslot, 8-PSK allows each symbol to carry three bits (compared to one in GMSK). To adjust dynamically to radio conditions, EDGE brought Modulations and Coding Schemes (MCS-1 to MCS-9) to strike a balance between throughput and fault resilience.

6.3. Greater Throughput

Theoretical peak data rate per timeslot is 59.2 kbps, as against 21.4 kbps in GPRS.

- With 8 timeslots gathered, EDGE could reach peak throughput of roughly 384 kbps.

• Early mobile multimedia applications depended on practical user data rates usually in the range of 100–200 kbps.

6.4. Retro Compatibility

GSM and GPRS were completely backward compatible with EDGE.

• Based on coverage and capacity, devices could seamlessly toggle between GSM voice, GPRS packet data, and EDGE-enhanced data.

• This guaranteed that users and operators would migrate path without problem.

6.5. Path of gradual upgrades

Unlike the change from 2G to 3G, which necessitated fresh spectrum and fundamental improvements, EDGE was an incremental update.

• At base stations, operators simply needed to install software updates and EDGE-capable transceiver units (TRXs).

• Extending GSM/GPRS network life, this reduced capital expenditure (CAPEX).

6.6. Key Features and Improvements

• Higher Spectrum Efficiency: Improved use of scarce GSM spectrum.

• Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM): Facilitated the network to adjust itself dynamically based on changing radio channel quality.

• Better QoS: Reduced latency and greater dependability for IP-based applications.

•Application Enablement: Enpowered more advanced services including MMS, mobile internet browsing, streaming audio/video, and push email.

7. Comparative Analysis: GPRS vs EDGE.

8. Radio Specifications & Channels                     in GPRS and EDGE

8.1. GPRS Radio Specifications

• Spectrum & Access:
• Operates in the same GSM spectrum bands (900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz).
• Uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) with 8 timeslots per carrier.
• Dynamic Slot Allocation:
  • GSM voice and GPRS data share the same timeslots.
  • Slots are dynamically assigned based on demand — a timeslot can serve voice or data users.
• Data Transmission:
  • Multiple timeslots (up to 8) can be aggregated per user.
  • Each timeslot delivers up to 21.4 kbps (with CS-4 coding).
• Logical Channels in GPRS:
  • PDCH (Packet Data Channel): Used for user data transfer.
  • PCCCH (Packet Common Control Channel): Random access, paging, signalling.
  • PACCH (Packet Associated Control Channel): Carries acknowledgments, resource assignments.
  • PDTCH (Packet Data Traffic Channel): Dedicated for packet-switched traffic.

8.2. EDGE Radio Specifications

1. Spectrum Reuse:

• Operates in the same GSM spectrum and carrier structure as GPRS.
• No additional frequency allocations required.

2. Higher-Order Modulation (8-PSK):

• Introduced 8-Phase Shift Keying (8-PSK) alongside GMSK.
• Triples the number of bits per symbol (3 bits vs 1 bit in GMSK).
• Adaptive Coding and Modulation (MCS-1 to MCS-9) used depending on channel quality.
• Throughput:
• Each timeslot can deliver up to 59.2 kbps.
• Aggregation of 8 timeslots → ~384 kbps peak.
• Channel Usage:
• EDGE reused the same logical channels as GPRS (PDCH, PCCCH, PACCH, PDTCH).
• Enhancement was only at the modulation/coding level, making it highly spectrum-efficient.

8.3. Dedicated vs Shared Channels

• Dedicated Channels (Circuit-Switched GSM):
• In GSM voice or CSD, each user occupied a dedicated timeslot for the entire session.
• This led to inefficiency for bursty IP traffic.
• Shared Channels (Packet-Switched GPRS/EDGE):
• GPRS and EDGE allocated timeslots only when data was transmitted.
• Users shared common control and data channels, optimizing radio resource usage.
• This made the system scalable, efficient, and better suited for IP-based traffic.

Fig 8: Radio channel structure

9.Impact of GPRS/EDGE on Mobile Internet Access (In Depth)

9.1. First Practical Mobile Internet Experience

• Before GPRS, mobile data was largely limited to circuit-switched connections, which were slow and disconnected (dial-up style).

• GPRS introduced packet-switched data, allowing users to access email, WAP pages, and simple web browsing on their mobile phones.

• EDGE, with enhanced modulation (8-PSK), significantly increased data rates, making web browsing smoother and enabling small multimedia content (images, ringtones) to be accessed on mobile devices.

• This marked the transition from “mobile voice only” to “mobile data capable” phones.

9.2. Always-On Connectivity

• GPRS enabled users to stay connected continuously without the need to dial in every time they wanted data.

• This “always-on” experience allowed real-time notifications, instant messaging, and continuous email synchronization, which was revolutionary for personal and business users.

• EDGE improved speed and reliability, reducing latency, which made mobile internet use more practical and less frustrating.

9.2. Foundation for 3G and 4G Technologies

• GPRS and EDGE acted as a bridge between 2G GSM networks and 3G UMTS networks.

• Operators could experiment with mobile data services, charging models, and service ecosystems before investing in 3G infrastructure.

• The experience with packet-switched data and mobile applications during the GPRS/EDGE era influenced the design and adoption of higher-speed 3G and 4G networks.

9.3. Catalyst for Mobile Application Ecosystem

• Early mobile apps, such as email clients, news apps, and simple games, were designed to operate over GPRS and EDGE networks.

• Businesses started leveraging mobile data for services like banking alerts, SMS-based promotions, and mobile ticketing.

• This period sparked the idea of “data-driven services” on mobile phones, which later evolved into the rich app ecosystems we see on smartphones today.

9.3. Socio-Economic Impact

• Enabled rural and semi-urban areas to access mobile internet before broadband penetration became widespread.

• Helped small businesses and entrepreneurs adopt mobile-based solutions for communication, marketing, and transactions.

• Provided a platform for mobile innovation, setting the stage for smartphones and mobile internet-dependent industries.

Fig 9: Impact of GPRS/EDGE on Mobile Internet Access (In Depth)

10.Performance, QoS, and Limitations (GPRS/EDGE Era)

The performance of GPRS and EDGE networks marked a significant improvement over traditional circuit-switched GSM data services, primarily due to their packet-switched architecture and more efficient use of radio and core network resources. However, despite these advancements, both systems faced several performance and quality-of-service (QoS) limitations. GPRS offered typical data rates of 30–50 kbps (up to 115 kbps theoretical), while EDGE, using higher-order modulation (8-PSK), achieved speeds up to 384 kbps under ideal conditions. These rates were sufficient for basic Internet access, email, and multimedia messaging but fell short of the demands for real-time or bandwidth-intensive applications. Latency remained high (300–600 ms in GPRS and around 150–400 ms in EDGE), making interactive applications sluggish. QoS mechanisms were best-effort, with limited differentiation between traffic types. Congestion in core elements such as the SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) and GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) often led to performance bottlenecks, particularly during peak usage. Additionally, packetization introduced new security vulnerabilities, requiring modifications to GSM’s original encryption and authentication schemes. Overall, while GPRS and EDGE enabled the first wave of mobile Internet access, they highlighted the need for more robust QoS, lower latency, and enhanced security, driving the evolution toward 3G and beyond.

Fig 10: QoS performance analysis in traffic engineering model

11. The shift to 3G networks.

1. The Necessity of Transformation:

• When utilizing GPRS and EDGE to boost mobile data, data rates were poor, latency was great, and QoS was at its highest.

•The demand for multimedia, video, and fast Internet access drove 3G's development.

2. Introducing 3G:

•The IMT-2000 structure of the ITU provides standards.

• Meant to provide broadband data capabilities, greater mobility, and worldwide interoperability.

3. Architectural Development:

• A hybrid packet-switched and circuit-switched setting for simultaneous data and voice.

• Presented a fresh core network and radio access technology (W-CDMA/CDMA2000).

4. Rates of data and performance

• Offered several Mbps at 384 kbps, which is substantially more than GPRS/EDGE.

• Support for real-time multimedia and broadband internet access.

5.Quality of Service (QoS):

• Separate integrated quality of service for data, video, and voice applications.

• Improved network reliability and lower latency.

6. Enhanced characteristics:

Multimedia messaging, mobile television, and video calling were among the options.

Better security measures and IP-based service support.

7.Technological Progress:

• Used W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) to boost spectral efficiency.

• Provided the foundation for the creation of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and eventually 4G LTE.

8. Overall Effect:

• showed the change from basic mobile Internet access to actual broadband communication.

• Enhancing the user experience opened the path for modern smartphone apps.

Fig 11: 3G network analysis and simulation