Cingular Wireless was the first one to launch first consumer GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) solution. The introduction of 'Cingular Wireless Internet Express' in Seattle provided consumers, as well as business users, with an improved wireless Internet experience with "always on" access to information and speeds up to 10 times faster than current technologies on other domestic wireless networks.
http://att.centralcast.net/cingularnewsarchive/Release.aspx?ID=2993
The new GPRS service, which introduced packet data transmission technology into its existing GSM network, was an extension of Cingular's expertise leveraging its extensive and seamless nationwide Mobitex network.
Through these services, Cingular's Wireless Internet Express gives Seattle consumers the flexibility to toggle between an Internet session and a phone call or text message without having to abandon their Internet connection. This means that Cingular mobile phone users can have convenient access to e-mail, Internet, messaging, games and other services. The introduction of this new technology to Seattle consumers laid the foundation for Cingular's roll-out of "2.5G" technology nationwide and its gradual evolution to "3G" or third generation wireless technology.