| Though this term has has been around for some time, | | | | services GSM was able to provide, and in particular its |
| not many people know what GSM actually means, | | | | internet capabilities. The GSM 2G cellular network |
| and the role in plays. Its not difficult to give a definition | | | | which are combined with GPRS are commonly called |
| for this in layman terms that will be quite simple for | | | | 2.5G (since it is a one half upgrade from 2G), whereas |
| most to get. | | | | EDGE is an addition to GSM that is considered to be |
| First: What does the acronym GSM mean? | | | | 3G communication technology (and is oftentimes |
| When first created, GSM stood for Groupe Special | | | | referred to as 2.75G since is combines the older gen |
| Mobile, over time however this acronym was altered | | | | GSM 2G with the more up to date 3G technology). |
| to be known as Global System for Mobile | | | | Sixth: Is 3G going to be operated by the GSM |
| communications. The group who came to the decision | | | | frequencies? |
| to do this, and who also is controlling the promotion of | | | | It was decided that connections to the 3G network |
| the GSM standard, is interestingly enough called the | | | | would have to include GSM frequencies (850, 900, |
| GSM Association. | | | | 1800, and 1900MHz) combined with 2100MHz UMTS. |
| Second: What function is GSM needed for? | | | | That GSM is capable of being used with 3G is quite a |
| It allows mobile phones to make connections with the | | | | smart move as it since it permits reductions in network |
| numerous services that we need (phone calls, | | | | fees due to using GSM's lower frequency bands. |
| messaging, internet, ect.). | | | | Seventh: GSM network's current state? |
| Third: And GSM is able to do that how? | | | | GSM is currently considered the primary choice for |
| The right way to define GSM should be as a cellular | | | | mobile phones throughout the world (with more than 2 |
| network, basically meaning people's phones will try to | | | | billion people in more than 212 countries using it every |
| connect to the network by finding cell signals in the | | | | day). |
| immediate close vicinity. The channels that are in use | | | | Eighth: What is the reasoning behind the widespread |
| for signaling and speech are digital instead of the | | | | adoption of GSM? |
| previously used analog, which helps to explain the tech | | | | Users switched to the GSM frequency due to its |
| nickname of 2G, being as it built the 1st generation | | | | higher digital voice quality that it offered added to it |
| analog into a 2nd generation build. | | | | being capable of offering low cost alternatives to |
| Fourth: What frequencies does GSM connect to? | | | | making calls with a user's phone (most famously SMS |
| The GSM network primarily operates on four different | | | | (Short Message Service)). The network operators |
| bands. These four are 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz. | | | | used the GSM bands due to equipment being easy to |
| The 900 and the 1800MHz bands are in use by many | | | | install. |
| locations worldwide, however the 850MHz and the | | | | Ninth: Why does GSM continue to be the world's 1st |
| 1900MHz bands are usually in use in the United States, | | | | choice? |
| as well as Canada, plus parts of South America. | | | | Usage all over the world for GSM has let network |
| Fifth: What does GPRS and EDGE have to do with | | | | providers give users the ability to roam, basically |
| GSM? | | | | meaning that subscribers can operate the phones |
| Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (also known | | | | from GSM carriers all over the world. No other |
| as EDGE) and General Packet Radio Service (also | | | | frequency can even come close to being able to |
| known as GPRS) are both originally used to beef up | | | | match GSM's widespread coverage. |