"However, we have not decided in which of these circles we will launch GPRS services," he added. Since, according to industry experts, commercial deployment take a good six months after trials start, Escotel will be able to launch its GPRS services commercially only by the end of 2001, they predict.

Meanwhile Mr Kohli is hopeful that GPRS should do well, even as he admits that the glitch in setting up GPRS networks is the issue of handset availability worldwide. Currently, prices of GPRS terminals hovers at Rs 20,000 plus levels and handsets are not widely available.

He also feels that lack of applications could also impact usage but is confident that if you go about it carefully, you will get returns on investments. "We are developing some of the applications ourselves, and will procure the rest from others," he added. Meanwhile, industry experts say that an investment of nearly $4 million is required to set up a GPRS network. While Escotel is yet to decide on the company which will set up its GPRS network, Lucent which has set up the existing GSM network of Escotel will have an edge over the other equipment manufacturers.

GPRS is the 2.5 generation (2.5 G) Internet technology, that beefs up data transmission rates on Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) on GSM mobile from 9.6 kbps to at least 64 kbps. It also ensures an "always-on" mobile Internet connection, since it works on the packet data technology, where the users are charged only for the upload and download time, even as they remain connected to the Internet at all times.