How do APRS stations relay data?

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) relies on a decentralized network of stations that receive a packet and retransmit it on the same frequency. These stations are called 'digipeaters' (digital repeaters). Because APRS uses unnumbered information (UI) frames in the AX.25 protocol, it operates in a connectionless broadcast mode. This means it does not require a direct connection or acknowledgment (ACK/NAK) between stations to function over a wide area. Distractors like C4FM or DMR are incorrect because they refer to digital voice modes, not the AX.25 packet digipeater network used for standard APRS telemetry and position relay.