1

Introduction

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Introduction
Topics

A Brief History of GSM

Worldwide Deployment
The Future of GSM

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Introduction
Why GSM?

Each European Country has its own set of rules governing its telephone
system:
- Physical wiring, voltages, signaling (low-level)
- tones and cadences
- loss/gain plans.
These conditions are generally acceptable since each country can provide
the unique interworking requirements between other countries
(International Gateways)
Differences in wireless networks in each country also stem from different
philosophies, frequency availability and local requirements. These
differences prevent simple roaming of handsets between countries.
The formation of the European Economic Community (EEC) removed
many of the European trade barriers encouraging trade and
consequently business travel between the member states. This
heightened the need for communications without restrictions, especially
for Mobile communications.

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Introduction
The Road to GSM

In 1982 the European Post and Telecommunications Conference (CEPT)

allocated two 25MHz blocks of channels for a future Pan European Cellular
System and established a group called the “Groupe Special Mobile”
( french).
Sept 1987 operators in the UK, France, Germany and Italy compiled a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-ordinate efforts to introduce
Pan-European cellular.
By Feb 1989 the GSM group had produced sufficient specifications and
recommendations to allow the development and manufacturing to begin -
Phase 1 GSM. Moved under the newly formed ETSI body who took over
from CEPT.
By Jan. 1992 Phase 1 GSM had stabilized sufficiently to allow the first
networks on the Air. In the same year Phase 2 GSM was started with new
improved features, plus some items skipped in producing Phase 1.
By 1994 Phase 2 GSM was completed and sent for Voting. Phase 2+ now
began to specify even more advanced features. There will be no further
phases beyond 2.+
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 Introduction
Global Standards/Organizations

U.N. ITU

NAIG CCITT
CCIRR
ANSI MoU
IEC
TIA ETSI* ARIB
MPT
SMG
EIA CDMA TTC
DAMPS UMTS CDMA CDMA
UTRA
next Gen ??
Is136, IS54, IS95 GMM
GSM Austel
ITU
UMTS
* iWC associate member representative, voting delegate for SMG
GSM

committees, WP, recommendations, 0 - 2 mb/s 2 -10 mb/s 10 - 150 mb/s 150 - 622 mb/s
associations, & standards IMT2000 BRAN DAWS Wireless
ATM SDH/Sonet 5
Introduction
Specifications
The intention of the work was to create a complete specification
for a new mobile system. During the time of the work it became
clear, though, that the specification could not be complete.
There was too much to decide on and the continuous
development in the telecommunication area was hard to foresee.
This resulted in a division of the work into different phases;

1990 - Phase 1 Specifications

1994 - Phase 2 Specifications
1995 - Phase 2+ Specifications

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 Introduction
GSM Specifications

1990 - Phase 1 Specifications

This contains the basic services of the GSM network and
was frozen in 1990.
 Support for international roaming
 Good subjective speech quality
 Low terminal and service cost
 Ability to support handheld terminals
 Selection of new services and facilities
 Spectral efficiency
 ISDN compatibility (Interfaces)
Discussions to develop 1800Mhz band called DCS1800,
based on GSM 900
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 Introduction
GSM Specifications
 1994 - Phase 2 Specifications
New functions and features to improve and extend Phase 1
features:
 Half-rate vocoding
 ISDN compatibility based on Q.931
 World-wide roaming with other GSM networks
 Two way messaging
 Data/FAX services
 Extension of frequency bands for GSM900
 ISDN supplementary services
 General improvements (handovers, MS operations, signalling,
etc..)
 Implementation began 95 - 96’ 8
 Introduction
GSM Specifications

1995 - Phase 2+ Specifications

Even more extensions:
 Enhanced full-rate vocoder
 Intelligent network features
 General packet radio system
 High speed circuit switched data
 Enhanced management techniques
 etc..

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 Introduction
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
The MoU work encompasses a large variety of issues in the technical, commercial,
regulatory and legal areas. The main areas of past and present activities can be
summarized as follows:
 Originally signed in 1987 by 13 European signatories from 12 countries
 Harmonization of the introduction of GSM networks and services
 Definition of billing and accounting principles for the international roaming service
 Definition of a standard roaming agreement between GSM operators
 Liaison with regulators and vendors on the type approval procedures and
availability of mobile terminals
 Security and data protection aspects (Encryption Algorithms)
 Strategies for the evolution of the GSM standard
 Promotion of the standard and exchange of GSM know-how
 Open standards and supplier choice with minimal proprietary interfaces
 Anti-fraud measures, Regulatory liaison
 Funding of various activities

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Introduction
GSM Services
 Telecommunication services are divided into 3 categories:
 Teleservices (speech)
 Bearer Services (data fax, computer files, images etc).
 Supplementary Services (SMS, VM, CF, CB, etc..)

teleservices
bearer services

user’s GSM terminating user’s

terminal Network PSTN network terminal

 Service provision to a certain subscriber depends on three items;

 the Subscription must include this service
 the mobile equipment must be able to handle the service, and
 the network must be able to offer the service.

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Introduction
GSM Services
Teleservices
BasicTelephony (Speech) - Full Rate(13Kbps), Half
Rate(6.5kbps)
Mobile originated and terminated
Emergency calls
Cell Broadcast

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Introduction
GSM Services
Bearer Services
 Asynchronous Data (300-9600 bps)
 Synchronous Data (300-9600 bps)
 Fax and videotex
 Two-way short message service
 ISDN bearer services w/ ISDN terminal equipment
 PAD services with Packet switched data network
 Alternate speech/data

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Introduction
GSM Services
Supplementary Services
 Call forwarding(CFU, CFB, CFNRy, CFNRc)
 Call authentication
 Call transfer
 Call wait(CW)
 Call Hold(HOLD)
 Conference call - Multi-party service(MPTY)
 Closed user group(CUG)
 Advice of charge services(AoCI, AoCC)
 Calling / called line identification(CLIP, CLIP, CoLP, CoLR)
 Call barring(BAOC, BOIC, BAIC, BOICexHC, BIC-roam)

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 Introduction
Basic Characteristics of GSM
GSM900

890 - 915 MHz uplink frequency, 935-960 MHz downlink frequency (+10 MHz
for E-GSM, adjacent block)
Europe, Australia, China, Africa, Southeast Asia
DCS1800

Upbanded GSM : 1710-1785 MHz uplink frequency, 1805-1880 MHz downlink

frequency
aimed at reaching higher capacities in urban areas
UK, Malaysia, Thailand
PCS1900

Personal Communication System

1850-1910 MHz uplink frequency, 1930-1990 MHz downlink frequency
adaptation of GSM/DCS and CDMA
North & South America

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Introduction
Basic Characteristics of GSM 900
 TDMA over the Radio carrier
 8-Full Rate or 16-Half Rate Channels per carrier
 Encryption of Voice and Data - three Algorithms provided, up to eight
supported
 Uses techniques to reduce battery consumption in the Mobile Stations
 Compatibility with ISDN services (DTAP based upon Q.931)
 Provision for low speed data (up to 9.6Kbps) - currently being extended
to 56Kbps
 Ability to send and receive FAX transmissions (up to 9.6Kbps)
 Two Way paging functions - Short Message Services (SMS)
 Wide range of Supplementary Services (more than anyone could
usefully want!!)
 Aligned with Intelligent Network principles
 Pan European Roaming, International Roaming
 Features are frozen
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 Introduction
Basic Characteristics of DCS 1800
 Uses the 1800Mhz spectrum (1805 - 1880Mhz Uplink), 1710 - 1785Mhz
(Downlink)
 Similar capabilities to GSM
 Due to higher frequency smaller cells (<25% size of GSM), this leads
to smaller powered handsets - longer battery life.
 UK networks went into operation in Sept. 1993 (M-O-T-O) and April
1994 (Orange). E-Plus now covers Berlin.
 ETSI is now standardizing DCS1800 in line with GSM900 services
 The DCS1800/GSM900 standard has now evolved into the PCS1900
standard in North America. PCS1900 differs in it’s ability to support:
different frequency range, multiple vocoders, IEC support and ANSI SS7
stack

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 Introduction
The GSM System
GSM is a complete System Specification covering:
 Radio Interface
 Signalling Interfaces
 Data Interworking Requirements
 Handset features and functionality
 Services Specification
 Type approval specifications
The GSM building blocks can be individually extended and tuned, to meet the operators
specific requirements, while still maintaining compatibility with the core specifications.
The specifications are packed with options. Most items are market driven, the technology
is secondary. This makes the system “Operator friendly”.
Tight specification allows operators to select different vendors for each piece of the
network puzzle. The radio can be supplied by one vendor, switching by another and
Location Registers by another. This increased competition reduces prices. Also the large
potential market (even within Europe) helps drive down costs.

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Introduction
Worldwide Deployment

• A Brief History of GSM

• Worldwide Deployment

• The Future of GSM

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Introduction
Deployment Statistics
 More than 100 MoU signatories representing Europe, China, Australia,
Hong Kong, Middle East, Africa, South America and the USA. Only
significant absentee is Japan.
 The GSM Association currently has operator members in more than
210 countries and territories.
 More than 1.4 billion subscribers worldwide.
 International Roaming
 GSM is deployed in all continents of the World.
 Dual band GSM900/1800 and GSM900/1900 Market success
 Roaming between GSM and AMPS is available.
 Satellite operators joined the GSM family.
 GSM accounts for 75% of the world’s total digital wireless market.
These Numbers seem to change daily and are very source
dependent!
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Introduction
Current Service Offering
 The list of services offered by Phase 2 GSM is large, VERY LARGE
 Basic Service
 Speech,
 Facsimile Group 3
 Short Message Services
 Cell Broadcast
 Data Services (300bps to 9600bps)
 PAD and Packet Access
 Supplementary Services
 Call Forwarding, four flavors
 Call Barring, for incoming or international calls
 Call waiting
 Multi Party
 Calling line identity services
 Call completion services to Busy Subscribers
 Explicit Call Transfer
 Advice of Charge
 Closed User Group
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Introduction
GSM Benefits
 Component “Mix and Match” makes for an Operator driven
network deployment.
 Standardization is Operator/market driven by the MoU body.
 Large number of vendors and market size, drive down costs.
 Technology is cost effective and presents no major obstacles to
cell planning.
 The core standards are evolving to meet new demands.
 Automatic International Roaming, extremely attractive.
 Data service is available.
 Proven Technology, ready to be deployed!

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Introduction
The Future of GSM

S
VGC
R
EF

CCBS
GPRS
HSCSD

GSM

The Future of GSM

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Introduction
Evolution of Mobile Systems

USA EUROPE 1ST

GENERATION
CT0
NMT450 C-NETZ CT1
AMPS CT2
CT3

Co
NMT900 TACS

rdl
ess
d-AMPS DECT

GSM
CDMA
IRIDIUM
IS-95

DCS1800
PCS
1900 2ND
GENERATION

UMTS IMT2000
3rd
GENERATION

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Introduction
Next Generation
For the long-term perspective, global standardization bodies are working at the so called next
generation of mobile systems: Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) and International
Mobile Telephony (IMT2000) using data rates up to 2Mbs.
In Europe ETSI, GSM MoU, and European Regulators has started specifying UMTS, this standard
for a third generation mobile system is meant for launch between 2000-2005. This concept is a
contender for next generation. The aim is to cover:
 Mobile Multimedia wideband services, including video telephony
 New dimensions of service creation and mobility by the virtual home entertainment
 Seamless Mobility between cellular, paging, cordless, data, pmr, satellite
environments, etc.
 Seamless evolution of GSM (based on GSM MAP protocols)
 Access to Internet
 Separation into core network & Service provider
 Service Creation Environment(SCE) will allow innovators to devise new features &
services without the delays of standardization
 Using Wideband CDMA & TDMA concepts
International Telecommunications Union(ITU) has started specifying IMT2000, where 230Mhz of
Spectrum is reserved for this purpose. Some general principles:
 request bandwidth & quality on demand
 much, much more...
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 Introduction
Conclusions

 Designed for the carriers by the carriers to serve the people

 Flexible architecture, already supports 3 frequency ranges
 Network easily upgraded. Multiple sources for infrastructure
equipment
 Handset size smaller than analog systems
 Very mature technology, well understood
 Feature rich (too rich in some cases)
 Evolving continuously, new codecs, services etc.
 International roaming extremely successful
 Mobile data services now available to the masses
 Internet MS/Organizer

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