GSM

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Dupuis Haug GSM around 1990

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GSM-Telefone-1991

Gsm structures

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Kathrein antenna

Nano Sim

Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets. It was first deployed in Finland in December 1991. Since then, it has become the global standard for mobile communications – with over 90% of all global mobile connections using the GSM standard as of the early 21st century.

History

The development of GSM dates back to 1982 when the Groupe Spécial Mobile (GSM) was created by the Conference of European Posts and Telegraphs (CEPT) with the aim of designing a pan-European mobile technology. The name GSM was later changed to Global System for Mobile Communications while retaining its original acronym. The standard was intended to facilitate roaming agreements among European operators, enabling mobile phone users to use their devices across different countries.

Technical Details

GSM is a cellular network, which means that mobile phones connect to it by searching for cells in the immediate vicinity. GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges (separated into GSM-850, GSM-900, GSM-1800, and GSM-1900) with most 2G GSM networks operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands. Voice and data services are delivered via this network using a combination of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA).

SIM Cards

A key feature of the GSM standard is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, which is used to store the user's information such as their network identity, personal security keys, and personal data. The SIM card allows users to switch phones by simply moving the SIM card from one mobile device to another.

Services

GSM supports a wide range of services in addition to the standard voice service. These include SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), and data services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), and 3G data services.

Security

GSM incorporates various security features, including authentication, encryption, and temporary identity numbers to protect users' privacy and prevent eavesdropping. However, it has been subject to various security vulnerabilities over the years, leading to the development of more secure standards like 3G and 4G.

Evolution

The evolution of GSM led to the development of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), which provided higher data rates, and eventually to the 3G standard known as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), which was based on a different technology. The introduction of LTE (Long Term Evolution) marked the beginning of the 4G era, offering even higher data rates and lower latency.

Global Impact

GSM has had a profound impact on the global telecommunications landscape, enabling the widespread adoption of mobile phones and the development of new mobile services. It has facilitated international travel and commerce by allowing people to stay connected across different countries and regions.