Often talked about but rarely seen, broadband wireless data services promise to give mobile staff fast access to company networks. However, third-generation (3G) mobile networks, which promise speeds of 2Mbit/s and beyond, are still at least two years away--if they are feasible at all. In the interim, the fastest option may be General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), currently being offered in the UK by both BT Cellnet and Vodafone. While exceeding Global System for Mobile communication's (GSM) 9.6kbit/s, GPRS data rates are unlikely to offer more than 40kbit/s.
This is not to say that GPRS is widely available, rather that both BT Cellnet and Vodafone have a working service they provide to a small number of firms looking to develop applications and services for the technology.
In both cases, GPRS is not expected to become commercially available until later this year at the earliest.
So if the technology is proven, as many of the firms involved in the trials report it to be, why the continuing delay?
A prime reason is that though GPRS services have been developed, the phone handsets and PC Cards that will connect users and their computers to those services are scarce.
