Networks

International

GSM World have an good list of international networks and their status.

Ross Barkman provides a comprehensive list of connection parameters for GPRS networks around the world - including APN, username, password, DNS address etc.

UK

You currently have a choice of three GPRS networks in the UK - O2, Vodafone or Orange with a fourth soon-to-be launched from One2One.

All provide WAP access, Internet Access and leased line connectivity to your company network.

	o2
	Vodafone
	Orange
	T-Mobile

How much will it cost?

(Updated 1 Aug 2002)

This will depend very much how you will use the service, as data volumes (and hence cost)  may be kept to a minimum by reconfiguring your system and by careful work practices.  If you use GPRS purely for WAP access then data volumes may be kept very low - which is why it is usually charged at £18-£20/Mbyte. With each WAP page only comprising 1-2 Kbyte of data at a cost of 2-4 pence.

Email will be one of the most popular applications and again data volumes will vary widely. Your application may be configured to minimise data flow or speed access (see Email Optimisation)

My typical work will involve around 40Mbyte per month data transmission, using both Email and WEB browsing. The larger business tariffs (not detailed below as they are not published on the operators web sites) drop to around £1 per Mbyte, making home working using GPRS more affordable. This would cost approximately £73 on Cellnet standard plan and £156 on Vodafone's GPRS 15 tariff. Call Cellnet and Vodafone for details of their larger tariffs as being on the wrong one will be expensive.

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o2

Prices as per web site including VAT www.o2.co.uk. (10/11/2003)

GPRS Roaming

Note:There is a minimum daily charge (24 hours ending midnight UK time), per Access Point Node (APN) and per foreign network operator of £1.38 (RRP, inc VAT) for a Tier A operator and £4.13 (RRP, inc VAT) for a Tier B operator. This equates to data usage of 200kb.

O2 Business Plans

O2 off large data bundles shared across multiple handsets in addition to a tariff of £5/month + £1MB per user, for groups of 5 or more users. These plans offer far better value than the individual tariffs.

See O2 website for more details

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Orange

Mobile Office card - This is a GPRS PC data card charged at £120 for the card + £25/month unlimited use (subject to Orange fair use restrictions - approx. 100MB).

Prices updated 10/11/2003

Excluding VAT unless otherwise stated.

GPRS bundle name		charge per month Ex-VAT		inclusive mb in bundle		per month out of bundle charge per mb Ex-VAT
Pay as you use.		£0		0		£2.55 (£3.00 inc VAT)
GPRS bundle 3		£3.40		3Mb		£2.55
GPRS bundle 7		£6.81		7Mb		£1.70
GPRS bundle 15		£11.91		15Mb		£1.28
GPRS bundle 30		£23.83		30Mb		£1.00
All you can eat (AYCE)		£52.88		up to 100MB		N/A

As per www.orange.co.uk Nov 2003:

Product	charge per month
Orange Office Freedom (wirefree access to Microsoft Outlook)	£30/user
Microsoft Mobile information serve	£25/user
GPRS Business Internet (wirefree access to Internet or intranet)	£45/user

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T-Mobile

Introductory offer of £10/month up to 100Mb data until 31 Dec 2003.

Bundle price starting 1 Jan 2004 in addition to a voice contract.

GPRS bundle name		charge per month Ex-VAT		inclusive mb in bundle		per month out of bundle charge per mb Ex-VAT
Pay as you use.		£0		0		£2.55 (£3.00 inc VAT)
GPRS bundle 3		£5		3Mb		£3.00
GPRS bundle 6		£10.00		6Mb		£3.00
GPRS bundle 10		£15.00		10Mb		£3.00
GPRS bundle 20		£25.00		20Mb		£1.50
GPRS bundle 55		£50.00		55Mb		£1.50

See web site for further details.

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