Book excerpt: GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is global mobile data technology. More important it is a step en route to next-generation wireless, or 3G, for many networks in the US and most networks in Europe and Asia. Questions like "when can we expect European take-up of GPRS?", "what kind of roaming will the standards bodies adopt?", "what functionality will first-generation terminals provide?", or "how will GPRS change the basic business practices of GSM operators?" all need to be answered before implementations proceed. This book helps the wireless industry gets its arms around the issues with contributions from many of the pioneering companies in the mobile data industry. It equips professionals with plain English explanations of technology, markets, billing systems, terminals and management challenges.