Ghana’s Buzz GSM to go GPRS?

I dare speculate on the fact that Buzz GSM (Ghana) could soon upgrade its current GSM network to General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

GPRS is a technology that allows the transmission of voice and data traffic, over a GSM cellular network. Many networks around the world have been GPRS-enabled, whilst their African counterparts are now playing catch-up.

GPRS allows the cellular companies (cellcos) to offer Internet access, multimedia messaging, as well as other advanced applications that were hitherto not possible on the tplain old GSM network.

This week, Buzz GSM has been going on an ad campaign on radio, TV and newspapers here in Ghana and the only message is: “Get Ready For The New Cellular Experience”

I am thinking this “new cellular experience” is GPRS (or EDGE / UMTS 🙂 at best).

Why? Mobitel Ghana (operators of Buzz GSM) might want to play catch-up
with Areeba Ghana, which has GPRS and EDGE “over-the-air” since December 2004, though not launched commercially.

Also, I don’t see what technology or new thing that could make Mobitel so excited if not an upgrade of their mobile phone network.

I’m eagerly waiting to see what this “new cellular experience” is, and would blog about it.

See also: Mobile Communications in Ghana