title: Why GPRS modem provides embedded TCP/IP stack
body: <p>My colleague and I are mining the GPRS MODEM market for a module suitable for use with embedded Linux. During the market scan, we see that several vendors highlight that their MODEMs include an embedded TCP/IP stack. </p>
  
  <p>This makes me wonder: when we are using embedded Linux which already contains a TCP/IP stack and connects using PPP, will it make use of the stack included in the GPRS MODEM at all? </p>
  
  <p>My current assumption is that the stack is included for use with tiny microcontroller OS that do not supply their own stack. Also some of the MODEMs allow for running small applications IN the MODEM baseband processor which could explain the embedded stack...</p>
  
  <p>So: is the TCP/IP stack supplied by the GPRS MODEM superfluous when using it with an HL OS or did I overlook something?</p>