Digifone to start GPRS service in January

Digifone has announced plans for the provision of its GPRS service to corporate and consumer customers in January, 2002.

This GPRS, or 2.5 G service will provide faster speed and an "always on" connectivity, along the lines of the Japanese i-mode, for a range of non-voice based applications and services.

GPRS should enhance the performance of Digifone's WAP service and users with handheld devices will be also be able to connect to the service to access web and office based information.

Digifone also previewed its optimisation software, GPRS Remote Access Service, which will allow customers with laptops PC's to connect to the internet or to corporate based services.

It should facilitate the ability to work while out of the office allowing access to html pages for e-mail, messaging, audio and video streaming and downloading of files.

Digifone has not announced the commercial details of its new service and it will release its pricing structure in the New Year.

Digifone says that it has approved three types of handsets for its new service, all Motorola phones, though it is currently testing other makes.

A GPRS service has already been launched in a number of European countries, including the UK, Germany and France. Eircell is also to launch its GPRS service in January.