GPRS technology — new horizons of cellular communication in Azerbaijan

Baku, May 03, 2004

• Azercell Telecom is one step away from 3G technologies introduction
• GPRS — already in Azerbaijan
• Azercell Telecom: GPRS introduction in Azerbaijan — new level of cellular communication development

Leading cellular communication operator of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom JV is a real leader as in implementing advanced technologies, as in rendering most modern services in the Azerbaijan market.

Almost all services, which are already usual for all of us were introduced namely by Azercell Telecom for the first time. Operator easily deals with the most complex projects and constantly achieves success in their implementation, maximally expanding its subscribers’ capabilities.

Mobile communication in Azerbaijan is one of the most fast developing sectors of economy of the republic. By penetration (penetration degree of cellular communication services among population) our country has been securing one of leading places among the CIS states for a long time. Total number of cellular communication users in Azerbaijan today is closing to 1.2mln.

One should agree that prospects of further development of cellular communication are actual for each of us. Each day about a thousand people in the country become cellular networks subscribers, and mobile phone has already ceased to be a luxury attribute. Consumers pay more and more attention to carrier’s services and their handsets’ functions in order to use their capabilities as much as possible.

Last time we often hear of multimedia information transfer through GPRS. Cellular communication carriers give us the chance to work wherever we want to, for example, in summer — not in a hot office, but near the river in the shadow of trees. How much one does instead of being stuck in traffic? And all this is GPRS. So what is GPRS?

GPRS means General Packet Radio Services. This is the wireless package data transfer technology for mobile communication networks. Everything goes like that: when using GPRS, system information is gathered in packages and sent in air, packages load currently unused voice channels, and usage of several channels at once provide high rates of data transfer.

In essence, GPRS operates by the same principles 3G networks; it gives big chances to cellular communication users, which are supported by many telephones sold today.

Taking this fact into consideration, Azerbaijan’s cellular market leader Azercell Telecom JV, implementing most advanced services for its subscribers, in the closest time will start implementing new GPRS system in the local market (first time in Azerbaijan!).

Using GPRS, one may get an access to Internet resources at satisfying rate (even faster than that through wired lines and faster than that for data transfer in usual GSM network, depending on subscriber’s location and networks’ loading) and with very profitable tariffing system (not time online but volume of received-sent information is paid). Thus, using GPRS system, one get a chance to study the content as much as necessary while browsing WEB-pages in the Internet, as he pays only for information received, not for time in the Internet (not transferring data, we don’t reserve network channels).

GPRS provides an immediate access to services, without calling Internet-provider.

GPRS technology enables fast transferring and receiving big volumes of data, video images, receiving and transferring digital photos, email, musical files in MP3 format and other multimedia information. Thus, GPRS provides an immediate success to one more new world-recognized technology — multimedia messages technology (MMS).

For those subscribers who already estimated convenience of usage of handsets with WAP-browser, GPRS technology implementation implies instant loading of WAP-pages on handset screen and more profitable tariffing system. Moreover, GPRS system may serve a nice tool for provision of safe and fast access of employees to enterprise networks, information servers, remote databases.

GPRS technology may be also applied in telemetric systems: device may be always connected without reserving separate channel. Communication continuity — one of the most important features of GPRS technology. Each handset supporting GPRS and being within the range of appropriate cellular network is constantly online (just like one using leased line). Such service may be demanded by security services, banks for cash dispensers connection, as well as in other spheres, including industry.

GPRS systems implementation will, undoubtedly, expand the range of handsets with GPRS support. In this connection, one should mention the huge work of Azercell Telecom JV in the sphere of maximal expansion of range of up-to-date handsets in Azeri market. Much due to Azercell Telecom, from nearly 250 models of handsets sold in the local market today over 100 support GPRS, and their price is in average $150 and so.

“GPRS is one of the steps of transformation of networks basic infrastructure into 3G communication tools. In the future, using already existing capacities and steadily developing GPRS hardware and software, we will get able to build 3G-networks”, — said Serdar Djanogullary, General Manager, Azercell Telecom.

Most used non-voice service in Azerbaijan today is, undoubtedly, SMS; moreover, interest in phone information services is growing fast, and instant Internet-access from any place at affordable prices becomes a necessity in business world. Here one should note that GPRS is widely used by companies, whose activities are connected to mobility (transport, mail, etc.). Experts say that using GPRS system to be implemented by Azercell Telecom, foreign transport and mail companies may get a chance to implement their own ICT systems, thus significantly increasing level of provided services and building their infrastructure across Azerbaijan. According to available information Azercell Telecom plans to invest $3.7 mln in GPRS systems development in Azerbaijan. GPRS implementation will enable making existing networking services more efficient and functional, as well as leading to principally new. Good world practice will be taken into consideration while drafting the tariff policy, said Mr Djanogullary.

Upon implementation of new service, Azerbaijan will become the next state of the CIS (after Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan) using new generation standard GPRS in its cellular networks.