GSM ( Global System for Mobile Communications ) is a worldwide standard for digital mobile networks. It was developed in the 1980s and forms the basis for 2G mobile networks.

 

Main features of GSM:

• Voice and data communication: Enables telephony, SMS and mobile data transmission (up to 9.6 kbit/s in the original GSM, later expanded by GPRS and EDGE).
• SIM cards: User identification is done via a SIM card that can be inserted into various devices.
• Frequency ranges: GSM uses different frequency bands (e.g. 900 MHz, 1800 MHz in Europe; 850 MHz, 1900 MHz in the USA).
• Cell structure: The network consists of radio cells that are supplied by base stations – hence the term “mobile communications”.

 

GSM developments:

GPRS (2.5G) → Increased data transfer rate (up to 115 kbit/s)
EDGE (2.75G) → Even faster data transfer (up to 384 kbit/s)

Although GSM is now outdated, it is still active in some regions. Modern mobile communications standards such as 3G (UMTS), 4G (LTE), and 5G have largely replaced it. Some mobile providers are already shutting down GSM networks to free up frequencies for new technologies.