GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a means of high-speed data exchange for GSM subscribers. Today, the technology is considered an interim link for the migration to the 3G system, which, according to the experts, will arrive on the European market in about 2 or 3 years  after the year 2003, as was planned. This development increases the significance of GPRS for GSM operators, for whom the high-speed data transfer systems will become vitally important during the transitional stage.

MagtiCom has made a great step forward in the introduction of new technologies: it became one of the first GSM operators in the post-Soviet region which introduced the GPRS technology in its network.

The joint announcement of MagtiCom and Motorola concerning the introduction of the new systems, which seeks to launch the first GPRS in Georgia, was made within the framework of the World GSM Congress held in France in February, 2001. The contract was a result of long and laborious work done by MagtiCom and Motorola specialists, which ended in this significant decision.

"We are proud to be the first operator in Georgia to announce GPRS services for our customers. Motorola is a proven leader in this 2.5G technology", says Gia Jokhtaberidze, MagtiCom founder.

The announcement, made by Motorola on February 19, 2001, immediately attracted specialists’ attention: "Motorola, through its alliance with Cisco Systems Inc (Nasdaq: CSC), is the leading supplier worldwide with complete end-to-end GPRS network solutions in commercial service. MagtiCom which has more than 124,000 mobile subscribers, is the first operator in  Georgia to announce GPRS technology". The press-release was rapidly spread by world news agencies and published in leading papers and magazines (Business Week, Chicago Tribune), which is one more proof of the importance of the finalized document.

Motorola, together with Cisco, is a world leader in GPRS systems. On the other hand, MagtiCom and Motorola have years of experience in collaboration: the MagtiCom  network is fully equipped with Motorola base stations, Motorola gave MagtiCom assistance in the launching of the WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) service for the first time in Georgia in the early 2001, which allowed MagtiCom subscribers to use the Mobile Internet.

"MagtiCom is making a purposeful migration plan to the 3G network technology, and Motorola is pleased to provide the infrastructure, applications, services and system solutions needed to support the needs of MagtiCom’s  customers", says Chris Gilbert, corporate vice-president and general manager of Motorola’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

The impossibility of a full-scale commercial commission of the new technology immediately upon its introduction is only natural (according to available data, few operators function in the commercial mode worldwide), but the fact that MagtiCom has migrated to the new technology is an evidence of the Company’s desire to rapidly implement modern technologies and a proof of the high level of professional qualifications of the specialists working for MagtiCom.

We hope MagtiCom will soon join the list of European operators having successfully commissioned GPRS.

Many European operators find surprising that a small country like Georgia has rapidly implemented modern technologies (WAP, GPRS, Prepaid card system, the Company’s own satellite gateway). MagtiCom managed to offer the advanced technologies simultaneously with European operators.

According to the experts’ forecast, many new services will emerge on the basis of the GPRS, which will, once again, prove the role of GSM operators in voice and data transfer.

LEVAN BUCHUKURI
Director of Marketing,
Customer Care and
Strategic Planning
MagtiCom