GSM or GPRS

[Ally G]

Questions i would like answers to:

1) What is the real diffrence between them?

2) On the TT when it says 'IR to GSM phone':
a) does it mean it can connect to any IR GSM phone, so you can send SMS from the TT, for an example,
b) does it mean it can connect to any IR GPRS phone?

3) If the above is true, or doesn't work, is there anyway to set-up the TT so you can send SMS from it?

[Jorgen]

GPRS is faster (GSM is 9600 max, I think) but you need a special account. You should probably get a GPRS monitor as some people complain that GPRS is overpriced. If you just want to fetch a little email, GSM is fine. Some people claim that GPRS is overprices and will become a flop like WAP. Your phone and your priceplan must support GPRS. I don't use it myself.

Try executing the Phone Link application from your CD. It will tell you all about the setup.

Jorgen

[imported_Will]

GSM is like a really slow phone line, you dial up and get access at 9.6k

GPRS is a data layer they built on top of GSM. It'll suck in any spare phone channels in your "cell" network to transmit data. I think it tops out at 6 channels which is faster than your average dialup. Once you have "connected" you're always online and it's charged per bandwidth and NOT time. The connection is persistent, it's very cool.

Regarding SMS - if you configure your phone correctly you'll be able to send SMS via the TT. For best results, install the correct driver for your phone. There's an SMS app that comes on the TT CD.

-W

[biglig]

GSM first: this is a standard for mobile phones, popular in Europe but also found elsewhere. Many GSM phones can do data transmission in various forms, depending on the right hardware being in the phone and the phone network allowing you to use these features. The most common is CSD, which allows you to make a data call at 9600. Apart from the slow speed, this is just like dialing an ISP from your PC with it's modem. You get charged by the call duration, and it takes a while to get connected. Other standards, such as HSCSD, bundle multiple calls together to try and get a faster speed.

GPRS is a new data standard being fitted to modern phones and networks. Unlike CSD you do not make a call to an ISP; the phone is always connected to the internet via the phone network. Since there are no calls, there are no call charges; instead you get charged by the ammount you transfer over the internet. Most networks offer a range of plans where you pay monthly for a set ammount of free data and then any extra you pay more for. The speeds are variable, depending on the phone network, but usually faster than CSD.

On the whole, GPRS is better (always on, faster speed) but tends to be costlier, especially since it is hard to predict how much data you will want and so get the right price plan.


When your TT says "IR to GSM" it refers to a generic driver that should work on most GSM mobile phones. You may be able to download a specific driver for your phone from the manufacturer or http://www.palm.com/support/accessories/sms.html, in which case it will say e.g. IR to Nokia 8210,as mine does.

The generic is usually fine for data, and particularly for SMS messages as these are simple.

[Ally G]

one final question

Even though it says 'IR to GSM' can the phone be GPRS?

I'm hopeing to get a GPRS phone but it isn't listed in the Palm Phone Updater. All i want to be able to do is get and send SMS from my TT.

[imported_Will]

Yes... Just like you can make a GSM call with a GPRS phone.

You can send SMS with your TT.

-W

[Ally G]

so in your opinion the 'IR to GSM' setting will allow me to use the SMS program on the TT.

Even though the phone is not listed at all in the Palm Phone Updater, and is a normal GPRS phone with an IR port?

If this is true I thank you all in advance for your help

[biglig]

Yes, basically the phone is GSM, and then on top of that you have some way of handling data; either CSD or HSCSD or GPRS.

So if all you want is to send an SMS using the Palm, it doesn't matter about what data transfer method the phone uses. They are all GSM phones.

I found that SMS worked instantly with my 505 and 8210; later I had to do some configuring to make connecting to the internet work, but the SMS just worked.

[Ally G]

IT DIDN'T WORK!!

[Ally G]

connecting to the mobile didn't work. i can send or read SMS on my TT.
Can anyone help?