IP traffic over GPRS-an Internet service oriented analysis

In this paper, we discuss the traffic-handling capabilities of the general packet radio service (GPRS) with respect to supporting IP-based Internet services. We begin with an overview of GPRS. We then present an analytical model through which to assess throughput of the reverse link for a scenario in which users are continuously backlogged. Next, we present a realistic scenario for user sessions operating under the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and we assess the transaction-handling capabilities, again using the analytical model. We conclude with a discussion of some open issues in the design of GPRS-based Internet access.