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One of the most important long-term considerations when selecting a real-time GPS vehicle tracking system is the network used to carry the data from the vehicle to the end user. This page will briefly outline the various networks for the systems provided by GPS Fleet Solutions and the networks used by our competitors.
All network maps represent approximate coverage areas. Environmental conditions, network tower placement, vehicle antenna type and antenna placement, all impact a system's ability to transmit GPS data in "real-time" from the vehicle to the end user. Passive GPS systems are not impacted by a coverage footprint associated with a specific network.
GSM / GPRS: (Global System (for) Mobile (communications) / General Packet Radio Service) This network will eventually support consumers wanting data via a cell phone network. GPRS is the data portion of the GSM network that carries data in packets. The GSM network continues to grow but not every market using GSM supports GPRS and not every market on the map provided has GSM coverage (read yellow highlighted areas). Communication channels are used on a shared-use, as-packets-are-needed basis rather than dedicated only to one user at a time. It should also be easier to make applications available to mobile users and Wap or i-mode should far more attractive for the user.
Packet switching means that GPRS radio resources are used only when users are actually sending or receiving data. Rather than dedicating a radio channel to a mobile data user for a fixed period of time, the available radio resource can be concurrently shared between several users.
