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GPRS and 3G in Zimbabwe

Our nation is on a verge of Telecommunications expansion and diversification, as the two major mobile operators Net*One and Econet transform into the GPRS and 3G platforms. Apart from offering more lines to consumers, these technologies have more benefits to be realized as they are platforms for more than just communication. There are four things that Information and Communication Technology, especially telecommunications, addresses in our time, that are vital to the progress of any economy – Media, Entertainment, Commerce, and Communication.

WHAT IS GPRS?

GPRS is a non-voice, value-added service that allows information to be sent and received across a regular GSM network. To understand the speed and versatility of GPRS, imagine having the connectivity of three Dial-up Internet Accounts, above the normal Voice connectivity, with both not suffering congestion. One benefit of GPRS is that it will allow customers to answer voice calls while in the middle of sending e-mails or viewing a WAP enabled website. The data call is halted then picked up after the voice call with no extra charge being incurred. Many industry analysts world over believe that it is not the speed that is the main advantage of GPRS, but rather its 'always on' capability with a tariff that relates purely to the amount of data transferred.

GPRS enables faster, more efficient data transfer than current cellular networks, and therefore broadens the scope for offering mobile access to e-mail and business applications, as well as enabling games, messaging and information services to be enhanced with graphics.

WHAT IS 3G?

Third generation (3G) is the generic term used for the next generation of mobile communications systems. These have been created to support the effective delivery of a range of multimedia services. It is “Enhanced GPRS” in simple words. TV and video on demand, high-speed multimedia data services and mobile Internet access are just a few of the offerings available to users. 3GSM expands the potential for content-rich information and communication services, as well as providing enhanced capacity for traditional voice services.

GPRS is 2G, in that it is does not go beyond the GSM network in terms of telecommunications. It does interact with other technologies, but is mainly GSM. 3G however, interconnects with all telecommunications technologies, from UTMS, GSM, Fibre Optic, to Internet Technologies. 3GSM bridges the gap between the wireless world and the computing/Internet world, creating the possibility of seamless inter-operation between the two.

GPRS & 3G BUSINESS CAPABILITIES

To understand the potential of GPRS or 3G, we need to know what mCommerce and Mobile Entertainment are. Mobile Entertainment refers to entertainment related activities performed by end users over a mobile network and using mobile equipment such as handsets. This can include things like mobile games, media content consumption such as icons, ringtones, music, images or movie clips, chat and information services on relevant entertainment events. Examples of mCommerce in Zimbabwe are eTranzact’s Banking Services, and Kingdom/CABS’ Banking Services.

Mobile data communication services over the mobile network such as mobile games playing, wireless music downloading, mobile phone TV playing, Mobile 2 Phone Novel reading, and so on, these services are impacting the traditional entertainment industry and attracting telecommunication operators’ clients. Mobile Entertainment is bring a new challenge to both telecommunication industry and entertainment industry, that is, in the near future, telecommunication operators must enable themselves to hold more mobile network users and more entertainment customers on a large scale.
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