GPRS / GSM

For long-range inland wireless communication the most appropriate technology is GPRS, as long as there is a GSM network coverage in the area.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a standard from the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) defined to transfer packet data over the air through the GSM system. The GPRS functionality gives access to external packet switched networks such as the Internet, and offers an air-interface rate up to 115kbit/s.

Remote equipment communicates with the back office server through GSM/GPRS network services offered by mobile operators.

GPRS is offered by most GSM mobile operators. Normally the charging of the GPRS service is a combination of a monthly subscription fee and a charge based on the amount of transferred data - instead of connection time as is the case for the normal GSM service.