Free gp(r)s on your mobile?

Question

Question regarding Australian mobiles:

I have heard some phones offer free gprs.

How does that work - is it though seperate satellite service providers and free that way, or through a normal sp like Telstra, Optus or Three. If it is through the SP's do we still have to pay for internet data?

Also how do you tell if a phone will have free net. I have noticed some phones, in their specs, say TomTom Navigation software, or Google Maps. Someone please explain this to me, please.

Answer 1

GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) are two completely different things. I understand that GPRS is basically "the internet on your mobile" using standard mobile phone towers - particularly in areas where 3G coverage is not yet available.

Most telcos will offer free GPRS access with limitations on sites you can access. I'm with Vodafone and any site accessed outside "Vodafone live" I'm charged at $1 per 5 minutes. You will find most telcos will charge the same.

GPS on the other hand, is using the in-built maps on specified GPS handsets to select, find and direct you to a destination. This technology is still quite new to mobile phones and as a result very few still have it. If you want a phone that supports GPS navigation, make sure you check the specs before you buy it because GPRS is not the same thing, and having navigation software doesn't necessarily mean the phone is GPS enabled.