Definition
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a packet-switched data service built on top of the GSM (2G) network, representing what is often called the 2.5G generation. In Norwegian and Nordic energy sectors, GPRS has been the dominant communication channel for AMR and AMIAdvanced Metering Infrastructure - comprehensive system for two-way communication between smart meters and power suppliers' systems. systems since the early 2000s. Electricity meters transmit hourly data and alarms via GPRS modems to data concentrators or directly to MDMMeter Data Management - system for collection, storage, quality assurance and distribution of metering data from the electricity grid. systems. Although NB-IoTLPWAN communication standard optimised for low power consumption and good indoor coverage - replacing GPRS in new AMS infrastructure. and LTE-M are gradually replacing GPRS for new installations, millions of existing meters in the Nordics are still GPRS-based and will remain in operation for many years. Key field challenges with GPRS include coverage gaps in basement installations, high power consumption compared to LPWAN technologies, and dependency on network operators' 2G infrastructure, which is being phased out.