General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Packet data transmission has already been standardized in GSM phase 2, offering access to the Packet Switched Public Data Network (PSPDN); see Sections 9.5.3 and 9.6.2. However, on the air interface such access occupies a complete circuit switched traf®c channel for the entire call period. In case of bursty traf®c (e.g. Internet traf®c), such access leads to a highly inef®cient resource utilization. It is obvious that in this case, packet switched bearer servi