Connection Speed - Sierra Wireless AirCard 710 User Manual

Rev D Jan.02
Chapter 1: Introducing the AirCard 710/750 Network Card
protocol called General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Like
Internet connections over cable modems, digital subscriber
lines (DSL), or high-bandwidth corporate connections,
GPRS connections do not consume an entire data circuit—
they break up their data into small chunks called packets,
which share data circuits with other packets from other
users, and find their way across the network to be
reassembled at their destination. Such connections are
known as packet-switched data. The Internet is a packet-
switched network.
To connect to the Internet or your corporate network in
packet mode, you simply insert the AirCard 710/750 PC
Card, click a few buttons, and launch your network soft-
ware—such as a web browser, e-mail client, file transfer
application, or other program. A packet mode connection
behaves as an "always on" connection—you do not need to
dial up each time you connect. Since GPRS efficiently
shares radio and network resources with other GSM users,
wireless service providers typically charge for packet
mode data by the amount of information transmitted, not
by connection time, so you can remain connected indefi-
nitely.
In general, packet mode service is more economical, faster, and
more convenient for most users than dial-up service. However,
since it requires service providers to install GPRS technology
at each cellular radio tower, it is not available everywhere that
GSM coverage is.

Connection Speed

The speed of your wireless network connection depends on a
number of factors, including:
•
How your service provider has configured its data
network.
•
How many people are using data services in your current
area.
GPRS packet mode data connections
Connection" on page 31) are generally much faster than dial-
up connections, but the speed can vary considerably
depending on network configuration and congestion. The
theoretical maximum for GPRS packet mode connections is
171.2 kbps, while in real-world situations, the actual maximum
throughput is about 115 kbps, which is comparable to high-
speed Internet connections such as cable modems and digital
subscriber lines.
(see "Initiating a
3