GPRS handsets are capable of using more than one timeslot for sending and receiving data, and the most likely configuration will be three or four timeslots for receiving data and one timeslot for sending data. This is about three times faster than speeds possible over today's fixed-line telecommunications, but this speed is unlikely to be reached in reality, where currently the achievable data-rate is about 40 to 50kbps. The theoretical maximum speed for GPRS is up to 171.3kbps, when all eight timeslots are used. GPRS achieves faster transmission rates by using several timeslots in parallel for the data transmission.

Speed is certainly a driving force behind the advancement of technology, as users require more wireless data more quickly.