Meaning of circle as data connection icon

[emuyshondt]

I am roaming with my AT&T iPhone in Germany. I sometimes notice a small circle where you normally see the 3G or E symbol of the data connection. I was traveling on the train and the symbol would change between nothing at all, E, 3G and the small circle. Does anybody know what the circle means?

 

[stridemat]

It means that you are using 2G GPRS, or in other words a very slow internet connection.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Packet_Radio_Service

 

[emuyshondt]

Thanks for the information. I'd heard of GPRS, Edge and 3G but didn't realize there was something else available. I've never run across it in the US. PErhaps that technology was used before the US decided to start using GSM.

 

[iFerd]

Once in awhile I find myself somewhere in the US where GPRS is the only available connection and that circle appears. It isn't just international.

 

[-aggie-]

Once in awhile I find myself somewhere in the US where GPRS is the only available connection and that circle appears. It isn't just international.

I hit it everyday on my ride to work.

 

[nateo200]

Thanks for the information. I'd heard of GPRS, Edge and 3G but didn't realize there was something else available. I've never run across it in the US. PErhaps that technology was used before the US decided to start using GSM.

It is GSM...jst REALLY barebone GSM. The EDGE uprgade doesn't require new towers just an active GPRS tower and you can upgrade the tower with a software update. In really mddle of no where places cellphone companys may not even bother with a base station that covers only a few customers.