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A technological revolution in the development of mobile phones has begun to hit the high street. But most consumers remain unaware of the effect GPRS (general packet radio service) will have on future mobile phone users.
According to research by NOP World, only one-fifth of the population has heard of the term and even fewer understand the benefits the system will bring.
In real terms GPRS means users are "always connected, always online", eradicating the need to dial up each time they want to access mobile Internet services available through WAP (wireless application protocol) or to check their e-mail. Initially, GPRS handsets will deliver data two to three times faster than the GSM system through which WAP is currently accessed.
Last month, BT Cellnet and Vodafone launched GPRS services aimed at the high end of the pay-monthly consumer market - although low- end pre-pay products are likely to become available before Christmas. Eventually all handsets on sale will have GPRS capability.
The industry is banking on mobile phone users, already struck by a wave of WAPathy, upgrading their handsets to GPRS and eventually to third generation mobile phones operating on UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system), once the system reaches critical mass some time between 2003 and 2005.
But the industry is cautious about over-playing the benefits of GPRS having been stung by hype surrounding WAP - as epitomised by BT Cellnet's Silver Surfer campaign, which was criticised for giving the impression that users could surf the Internet as they do on their PC.
However, the industry is also aware that in order to recoup the money it is paying for 3G - pound 22.5bn for the UK licences - it has...