Overview of GSM Cellular

Network and Operations

Ganesh Srinivasan
NTLGSPTN

Network and switching subsystem

NSS is the main component of the public mobile network GSM

switching, mobility management, interconnection to other
networks, system control
Components
Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)
controls all connections via a separated network to/from a mobile
terminal within the domain of the MSC - several BSC can belong
to a MSC
Databases (important: scalability, high capacity, low delay)
Home Location Register (HLR)
central master database containing user data, permanent and
semi-permanent data of all subscribers assigned to the HLR
(one provider can have several HLRs)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
local database for a subset of user data, including data about
all user currently in the domain of the VLR

Operation subsystem
The OSS (Operation Subsystem) enables centralized operation,
management, and maintenance of all GSM subsystems
Components
Authentication Center (AUC)
generates user specific authentication parameters on request of
a VLR
authentication parameters used for authentication of mobile
terminals and encryption of user data on the air interface within
the GSM system
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
registers GSM mobile stations and user rights
stolen or malfunctioning mobile stations can be locked and
sometimes even localized
Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)
different control capabilities for the radio subsystem and the
network subsystem

Mobile Handset
TEMPORARY DATA

PERMANENT DATA

- Temporary Subscriber Identity

Permanent Subscriber Identity

- Current Location

Key/Algorithm for Authentication.

- Ciphering Data

Provides access to the GSM n/w

Consists of
Mobile equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

The GSM Radio Interface

AIR INTERFACE
BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION

MOBILE

The GSM Network Architecture

Time division multiple access-TDMA
124 radio carriers, inter carrier spacing
200khz.
890 to 915mhz mobile to base - UPLINK
935 to 960mhz base to mobile DOWNLINK
8 channels/carrier

GSM uses paired radio channels

INK
L
P
U

INK
L
WN
O
D
890MHz

915MHz

124

935MHz

960MHz

124

Access Mechanism

FDMA, TDMA, CDMA

Frequency multiplex

Separation of the whole spectrum into smaller frequency bands

A channel gets a certain band of the
spectrum for the whole time
k1
k2
k3
k4
Advantages:
c
no dynamic coordination
necessary
works also for analog signals
Disadvantages:
waste of bandwidth
if the traffic is
distributed unevenly
t
inflexible
guard spaces

k5

k6

Time multiplex

A channel gets the whole spectrum for a certain amount of

time
Advantages:
only one carrier in the
medium at any time
throughput high even
for many users

Disadvantages:
precise
synchronization
necessary

k1

k2

k3

k4

k5

k6

c
f

Time and Frequency Multiplex

Combination of both methods
A channel gets a certain frequency band for a certain
amount of time
k
k
k
k
1

k5

k6

c
f

Time and Frequency Multiplex

Example: GSM
Advantages:

Better protection against

tapping
Protection against frequency
selective interference
Higher data rates compared to
code multiplex

But: precise coordination

required
t

k1

k2

k3

k4

k5

k6

c
f

 GSM combines FDM and TDM: bandwidth

is subdivided into channels of 200khz,
shared by up to eight stations, assigning
slots for transmission on demand.

GSM uses paired radio channels

INK
L
P
U

INK
L
WN
O
D
890MHz

915MHz

124

935MHz

960MHz

124

Code Multiplex
k1

k2

Each channel has a unique code

All channels use the same spectrum at the same
time
Advantages:
Bandwidth efficient
No coordination and synchronization
necessary
Good protection against interference and
tapping
Disadvantages:
Lower user data rates
More complex signal regeneration
t
Implemented using spread spectrum technology

k3

k4

k5

k6

Various Access Method

Cells

Capacity & Spectrum Utilization

Solution
The need:
Optimum spectrum usage
More capacity
High quality of service
Low cost

Network capacity at required QoS

with conventional frequency plan
Out of
Capacity!!!
Subscriber
growth
Time

increase capacity
without adding NEW BTS!

I wish I could

What can I do?

Representation of Cells

Ideal cells

Fictitious cells

Cell size and capacity

Cell size determines number of cells
available to cover geographic area and
(with frequency reuse) the total capacity
available to all users
Capacity within cell limited by available
bandwidth and operational requirements
Each network operator has to size cells to
handle expected traffic demand

Cell structure

Implements space division multiplex: base station covers a certain transmission

area (cell)
Mobile stations communicate only via the base station
Advantages of cell structures:
higher capacity, higher number of users
less transmission power needed
more robust, decentralized
base station deals with interference, transmission area etc. locally
Problems:
fixed network needed for the base stations
handover (changing from one cell to another) necessary
interference with other cells
Cell sizes from some 100 m in cities to, e.g., 35 km on the country side (GSM) even less for higher frequencies

Capacity of a Cellular System

Frequency Re-Use Distance
The K factor or the cluster size
Cellular coverage or Signal to interference
ratio
Sectoring

The K factor and Frequency Re-Use

Distance
7

6
K = i + ij + j
2

K = 22 + 2*1 + 12

K=4+2+1
K=7

7
6

2
i

4
D =
Frequency re-use distance is based on the cluster size K

3K * R

D = 4.58R

The cluster size is specified in terms of the offset of the center of a cluster from the center
of the adjacent cluster

The Frequency Re-Use for K = 4

K = i2 + ij + j2
K = 22 + 2*0 + 02
K=4+0+0

K=4
D =

3K * R

D = 3.46R

R
i

The Cell Structure for K = 7

7
6

2
1

5
7
6

3
4

1
5

7
6

2
1

7
6

5
2

1
5

7
6

3
4

4
2

1
5

3
4

Cell Structure for K = 4

1

2
3

1
4

1
4

3
2

1
4

2
3

3
2

Cell Structure for K = 12

9
8

9
10

2
7

6
8
7
1
6
5

10

7
12

2
1
6

11
3
12
4

12
4

11
3

1
6

11
3

12

2
7

10

10

11

1
9

Increasing cellular system

capacity
Cell sectoring
Directional antennas subdivide cell into 3 or 6
sectors
Might also increase cell capacity by factor of 3
or 6

Increasing cellular system

capacity
Cell splitting
Decrease transmission power in base and
mobile
Results in more and smaller cells
Reuse frequencies in non-contiguous cell
groups
Example: cell radius leads 4 fold capacity
increase

Tri-Sector antenna for a cell

Cell Distribution in a Network

Rural
Highway
Suburb

Town

Optimum use of frequency

spectrum
Operator bandwidth of 7.2MHz (36 freq of 200
kHz)
TDMA 8 traffic channels per carrier
K factor = 12
What are the number of traffic channels available
within its area for these three cases
Without cell splitting
With 72 cells
With 246 cells

Re-use of the frequency

One Cell = 288 traffic channels

8 X 36 = 288

72 Cell = 1728 traffic channels

8 X (72/12 X 36) = 1728
246 Cell = 5904 traffic channels

Concept of TDMA Frames and

Channels
c
f

GSM combines FDM and TDM: bandwidth is subdivided

into channels of 200khz, shared by up to eight stations,
assigning slots for transmission on demand.

GSM uses paired radio channels

INK
L
P
U

INK
L
WN
O
D
890MHz

915MHz

124

935MHz

960MHz

124

GSM delays uplink TDMA frames

The start of the uplink
TDMA is delayed of
three time slots

TDMA frame (4.615 ms)

Downlink TDMA
F1MHz

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8

Fixed transmit
Delay of three time-slots

Uplink TDMA
Frame
F1 + 45MHz

GSM - TDMA/FDMA
qu
en
c

935-960 MHz
124 channels (200 kHz)
downlink

fre

890-915 MHz
124 channels (200 kHz)
uplink

higher GSM frame structures

time

GSM TDMA frame

1

8
4.615 ms

GSM time-slot (normal burst)

guard
space

tail

3 bits

user data

S Training S

user data

57 bits

1 26 bits 1

57 bits

guard
tail space

546.5 s
577 s

LOGICAL CHANNELS

TRAFFIC

FULL RATE
Bm 22.8 Kb/S

SIGNALLING

HALF RATE
Lm 11.4 Kb/S
BROADCAST

FCCH

SCH

COMMON CONTROL

DEDICATED CONTROL

BCCH
PCH

FCCH -- FREQUENCY CORRECTION CHANNEL

SCH -- SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL
BCCH -- BROADCAST CONTROL CHANNEL
PCH -- PAGING CHANNEL
RACH -- RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL
AGCH -- ACCESS GRANTED CHANNEL
SDCCH -- STAND ALONE DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL
SACCH -- SLOW ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL
FACCH -- FAST ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL

RACH

AGCH

SDCCH

SACCH

DOWN LINK ONLY

UPLINK ONLY

FACCH

BOTH UP &
DOWNLINKS

Broadcast Channel BCH

Broadcast control channel (BCCH) is a base

to mobile channel which provides general
information about the network, the cell in
which the mobile is currently located and
the adjacent cells
Frequency correction channel (FCCH) is a
base to mobile channel which provides
information for carrier synchronization
Synchronization channel (SCH) is a base to
mobile channel which carries information
for frame synchronization and identification
of the base station transceiver

Common Control
Channel - CCH
Paging channel (PCH) is a base to
mobile channel used to alert a mobile to
a call originating from the network
Random access channel (RACH) is a
mobile to base channel used to request
for dedicated resources
Access grant channel (AGCH) is a base
to mobile which is used to assign
dedicated resources (SDCCH or TCH)

Dedicated Control
Channel - DCCH
Stand-alone dedicated control
channel (SDCCH) is a bidirectional channel allocated to a
specific mobile for exchange of
location update information and
call set up information

Dedicated Control
Channel - DCCH
Slow associated control channel (SACCH) is a bidirectional channel used for exchanging control
information between base and a mobile during the
progress of a call set up procedure. The SACCH is
associated with a particular traffic channel or stand
alone dedicated control channel
Fast associated control channel (FACCH) is a bidirectional channel which is used for exchange of
time critical information between mobile and base
station during the progress of a call. The FACCH
transmits control information by stealing capacity
from the associated TCH

DEFINITION OF TIME SLOT - 156.25 BITS 15/26ms = 0.577ms

NORMAL BURST
- NB

FREQUENCY
CORRECTION
BURST - FB

SYNCHRONISATION
BURST - SB

57

26

142

39

ACCESS
BURST - AB

TAIL BIT

ENCRYPTION BIT

57

39

64

41
GUARD PERIOD

TRAINING BITS

36
FIXED BITS

FLAG BITS

8.25

8.25

8.25

68.25
SYNCHRONISATION BITS

MIXED BITS

HIERARCHY OF FRAMES
1 HYPER FRAME = 2048 SUPERFRAMES = 2 715 648 TDMA FRAMES ( 3 H 28 MIN 53 S 760 MS )
0

2043 2044 2045 2046 2047

1 SUPER FRAME = 1326 TDMA FRAMES ( 6.12 S )

LEFT (OR) RIGHT
1 SUPER FRAME = 51 MULTI FRAMES
TRAFFIC CHANNELS

48

49 50

SIGNALLING CHANNELS
1 SUPER FRAME = 26 MULTI FRAMES

24

25

1 MULTIFRAME = 26 TDMA FRAMES ( 120 ms )

0 1 2

24 25
1 MULTI FRAME = 51 TDMA FRAMES (235 .4 ms )
0 1 2

0 1

4 5

(4.615ms)
0

48 49 50

7 0

TDMA FRAME NO.

1

1 TIME SLOT = 156.25 BITS

( 0.577 ms)
1 2 3 4
155 156
1 bit =36.9 micro sec

0 1

4 5
0

(4.615 ms)
1

7 0

GSM Frame
SACCH is
transmitted
in frame 12

0 to 11 and 13 to 24
Are used for traffic data
0

Full rate
channel is
idle in 25

57

12

26

24

Frame
duration =
120ms

25

57

Frame
duration =
60/13ms

8.25

Frame
duration =
15/26ms

 114 bits are available for data transmission.

The training sequence of 26 bits in the
middle of the burst is used by the receiver
to synchronize and compensate for time
dispersion produced by multipath
propagation.
1 stealing bit for each information block
(used for FACCH)

LOGICAL CHANNELS

TRAFFIC

FULL RATE
Bm 22.8 Kb/S

SIGNALLING

HALF RATE
Lm 11.4 Kb/S
BROADCAST

FCCH

SCH

COMMON CONTROL

DEDICATED CONTROL

BCCH
PCH

FCCH -- FREQUENCY CORRECTION CHANNEL

SCH -- SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL
BCCH -- BROADCAST CONTROL CHANNEL
PCH -- PAGING CHANNEL
RACH -- RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL
AGCH -- ACCESS GRANTED CHANNEL
SDCCH -- STAND ALONE DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL
SACCH -- SLOW ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL
FACCH -- FAST ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL

RACH

AGCH

SDCCH

SACCH

DOWN LINK ONLY

UPLINK ONLY

FACCH

BOTH UP &
DOWNLINKS

Location update from the mobile

Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on
RACH send channel request
AGCH receive SDCCH
SDCCH request for location updating
SDCCH authenticate
SDCCH authenticate response
SDCCH switch to cipher mode
SDCCH cipher mode acknowledge
SDCCH allocate TMSI
SDCCH acknowledge new TMSI
SDCCH switch idle update mode

Call establishment from a mobile

Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on
RACH send channel request
AGCH receive SDCCH
SDCCH send call establishment request
SDCCH do the authentication and TMSI allocation
SDCCH send the setup message and desired number
SDCCH require traffic channel assignment
FACCH switch to traffic channel and send ack (steal bits)
FACCH receive alert signal ringing sound
FACCH receive connect message
FACCH acknowledge connect message and use TCH
TCH conversation continues

Call establishment to a mobile

Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on
Mobile receives paging message on PCH
Generate Channel Request on RACH
Receive signaling channel SDCCH on AGCH
Answer paging message on SDCCH
Receive authentication request on SDCCH
Authenticate on SDCCH
Receive setup message on SDCCH
Receive traffic channel assignment on SDCCH
FACCH switch to traffic channel and send ack (steal bits)
Receive alert signal and generate ringing on FACCH
Receive connect message on FACCH
FACCH acknowledge connect message and switch to TCH

GSM speech coding

AIR INTERFACE
BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION

MOBILE

Transmit Path
BS Side
8 bit A-Law
to
13 bit Uniform

8 K sps
RPE/LTP speech Encoder

To Channel Coder 13Kbps

RPE/LTP speech Encoder

To Channel Coder 13Kbps

MS Side

LPF

A/D

8 K sps,

Sampling Rate - 8K
Encoding - 13 bit Encoding (104 Kbps)
RPE/LTP - Regular Pulse Excitation/Long Term Prediction
RPE/LTP converts the 104 Kbps stream to 13 Kbps

GSM Speech Coding

GSM is a digital system, so speech which is

inherently analog, has to be digitized.
The method employed by current telephone
systems for multiplexing voice lines over
high speed trunks and is pulse coded
modulation (PCM). The output stream from
PCM is 64 kbps, too high a rate to be
feasible over a radio link.

GSM Frame
SACCH is
transmitted
in frame 12

0 to 11 and 13 to 24
Are used for traffic data
0

Full rate
channel is
idle in 25

57

12

26

24

Frame
duration =
120ms

25

57

Frame
duration =
60/13ms

8.25

Frame
duration =
15/26ms

GSM Speech Coding

Speech is divided into 20 millisecond
samples, each of which is encoded as 260
bits, giving a total bit rate of 13 kbps.
Regular pulse excited -- linear predictive
coder (RPE--LPC) with a long term
predictor loop is the speech coding
algorithm.

The 260 bits are divided into three classes:

Class Ia 50 bits - most sensitive to bit errors.
Class Ib 132 bits - moderately sensitive to bit errors.
Class II 78 bits - least sensitive to bit errors.

Class Ia bits have a 3 bit cyclic redundancy code added for error
detection = 50+3 bits.
132 class Ib bits with 4 bit tail sequence = 132 + 4 = 136.
Class Ia + class Ib = 53+136=189, input into a 1/2 rate convolution
encoder of constraint length 4. Each input bit is encoded as two output
bits, based on a combination of the previous 4 input bits. The
convolution encoder thus outputs 378 bits, to which are added the 78
remaining class II bits.
Thus every 20 ms speech sample is encoded as 456 bits, giving a bit
rate of 22.8 kbps.

 To further protect against the burst errors common to the

radio interface, each sample is interleaved. The 456 bits
output by the convolution encoder are divided into 8
blocks of 57 bits, and these blocks are transmitted in eight
consecutive time-slot bursts. Since each time-slot burst can
carry two 57 bit blocks, each burst carries traffic from two
different speech samples.
3

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

57 bits

1 26

57 bits

GSM Protocol Suite

SS
HLR

MM + CM

MSC
VLR

RR
BSC

BTS
Radio interface

Link Layer
LAPDm is used between MS and BTS
LAPD is used between BTS-BSC
MTP2 is used between BSCMSC/VLR/HLR

Network Layer
To distinguish between CC, SS, MM and RR
protocol discriminator (PD) is used as network
address.
CC call control management MS-MSC.
SS supplementary services management MS-MSC/HLR.
MM mobility management(location management,
security management) MS-MSC/VLR.
RR radio resource management MS-BSC.

Messages pertaining to different transaction are

distinguished by a transaction identifier (TI).

Application Layer protocols

BSSMAP between BSC and MSC
DTAP messages between MS and MSC.
All messages on the A interface bear a discrimination
flag, indicating whether the message is a BSSMAP or
a DTAP.
DTAP messages carry DLCI(information on type of
link on the radio interface) to distinguish what is
related to CC or SMS.
MAP protocol is the one between neighbor MSCs.
MAP is also used between MSC and HLR.

GSM Functional Architecture and Principal Interfaces

Mobile Application Part

A Interface

MAP

Q931 BSSAP

TCAP
CCS7
SCCP
CCS7 MTP

SCCP
CCS7 MTP

Um

Base Station System

Q.921
Radio Interface

Q.931
Q.921

A-Bis Interface

GSM protocol layers for

signaling
Um

Abis

MS

BTS

BSC

MSC

CM

CM

MM

MM
BSSAP

RR

BTSM

RR
BTSM

LAPDm

RR
LAPDm

LAPD

LAPD

radio

radio

PCM

PCM

16/64 kbit/s

BSSAP

SS7

SS7

PCM

PCM

64 kbit/s /
2.048 Mbit/s

Protocols involved in the radio

interface

Level 1-Physical
TDMA frame
Logical channels multiplexing
Level 2-LAPDm(modified from LAPD)
No flag
No error retransmission mechanism due to real time constraints
Level 3-Radio Interface Layer (RIL3) involves three sub layers
RR: paging, power control, ciphering execution, handover
MM: security, location IMSI attach/detach
CM: Call Control(CC), Supplementary Services(SS), Short
Message Services(SMS),

LAPDm on radio interface

In LAPDm the use of flags is avoided.
LAPDm maximum length is 21 octets of
information. It makes use of more bit to
distinguish last frame of a message.
No frame check sequence for LAPDm, it
uses the error detecting performance of the
transmission coding scheme offered by the
physical layer

LAPDm Message structure

ADDRESS

CONTROL

INFORMATION 0-21 OCTETS

SAPI
N(S)

N(R)

LAPDm on radio interface

The acknowledgement for the next expected frame in the
indicator N(R ).
On radio interface two independent flows(one for signaling, and
one for SMS) can exist simultaneously.
These two flows are distinguished by a link identifier called the
SAPI(service access point identifier).
LAPDm SAPI=0 for signaling and SAPI=3 for SMS.
SAP1=0 for radio signaling, SAPI=62 for OAM and SAPI=63
for layer 2 management on the Abis interface.
There is no need of a TEI, because there is no need to
distinguish the different mobile stations, which is done by
distinguishing the different radio channels.

Protocols involved in the A-bis

interface
Level 1-PCM transmission (E1 or T1)
Speech encoded at 16kbit/s and sub multiplexed in
64kbit/s time slots.
Data which rate is adapted and synchronized.

Level 2-LAPD protocol, standard HDLC

Radio Signaling Link (RSL)
Operation and Maintenance Link (OML).

Level 3-Application Protocol

Radio Subsystem Management (RSM)
Operation and Maintenance procedure (OAM)

Presentation of A-bis Interface

Messages exchanges between the BTS and BSC.
Traffic exchanges
Signaling exchanges

Physical access between BTS and BSC is PCM

digital links of E1(32) or T1(24) TS at 64kbit/s.
Speech:
Conveyed in timeslots at 4X16 kbit/s

Data:
Conveyed in timeslots of 4X16 kbit/s. The initial user rate,
which may be 300, 1200, is adjusted to 16 kbit/s

LAPD message structure

FLAG

SAPI

ADRESS

CONTROL

INFORMATION 0 260 OCT

FCS

TEI

N(S)

N(R)

FLAG

LAPD
The length is limited to 260 octets of information.
LAPD has the address of the destination terminal,
to identify the TRX, since this is a point to
multipoint interface.
Each TRX in a BTS corresponds to one or several
signaling links. These links are distinguished by
TEI (Terminal Equipment Identities).
SAPI=0, SAPI=3, SAPI=62 for OAM.

Presentation of the A-ter interface

TRAU
BSC
LAPD TS1

OAM

Speech TS
Transcoding
CCS7 TS

X.25 TS2

PCM
LINK

Speech TS
CCS7 TS

X.25 TS2

PCM
LINK

MSC

OMC

Presentation on the A-ter

interface

Signaling messages are carried on specific timeslots (TS)

LAPD signaling TS between the BSC and the TCU
SS7 TS between the BSC and the MSC, dedicated for BSSAP
messages transportation.
X25 TS2 is reserved for OAM.
Speech and data channels (16kbit/s)
Ater interface links carry up to:
120 communications(E1), 4*30
92 communications(T1).
The 64 kbit/s speech rate adjustment and the 64 kbit/s data rate
adaptation are performed at the TCU.

Presentation of the A interface

Signaling Protocol Model

Presentation on the A-Interface

BSSMAP - deals with procedures that take place logically between the BSS and
MSC, examples:
Trunk Maintenance, Ciphering, Handover, Voice/Data Trunk
Assignment
DTAP - deals with procedures that take place logically between the MS and
MSC. The BSS does not interpret the DTAP information, it simply repackages it
and sends it to the MS over the Um Interface. examples:
Location Update, MS originated and terminated Calls, Short Message
Service, User Supplementary Service registration, activation, deactivation
and erasure

Inter MSC presentation

MS

NSS
CM

CM
MM

BTS
O
A
M

R
R

BSSAP

O
A
M

L
A
P
D

Um
Interface

MM

BSC
R
R
L
A
P
D

A bis
Interface

D
T
A
P

B
S
S
M
A
P

BSSAP
DTAP/
BSSMAP

SCCP
MTP3
MTP2

SCCP
MTP3
MTP2

A
Interface

M
A
P
T
C
A
P
SCCP

MTP3
MTP2
MTP1

MS

BSC

MSC

PD=RR
PD=MM
TI=a
TI=b
Link: SAPI=0

PD=CC
DLCI: SAPI=0

Link: SAPI=3
Channel=C1

TI=A
DLCI: SAPI=3
DTAP

Channel ID = N1

SCCP Ref=R1

Channel=C2

Channel ID = N1

SCCP Ref=R2

TRX:TEI=T1
Radio Interface

Abis Interface

A Interface

PD: protocol discriminator

TI: Transaction Identifier for
RIL3-CC protocol
DLCI: Data Link connection
Identifier
SAPI: Service Access Point
Identifier on the radio
Interface
TEI: Terminal Equipment
Identifier on the Abis I/F

Bearer Services
Telecommunication services to transfer data
between access points
Specification of services up to the terminal
interface (OSI layers 1-3)
Different data rates for voice and data (original
standard)
Data service
Synchronous: 2.4, 4.8 or 9.6 kbit/s
Asynchronous: 300 - 1200 bit/s

Tele Services

Telecommunication services that enable voice communication via

mobile phones.
All these basic services have to obey cellular functions, security
measurements etc.
Offered services.
Mobile telephony
primary goal of GSM was to enable mobile telephony offering the
traditional bandwidth of 3.1 kHz.
Emergency number
common number throughout Europe (112); Mandatory for all
service providers; Free of charge; Connection with the highest
priority (preemption of other connections possible).
Multinumbering
several ISDN phone numbers per user possible.

Performance characteristics of GSM

Communication
mobile, wireless communication; support for voice and data
services
Total mobility
international access, chip-card enables use of access points of
different providers
Worldwide connectivity
one number, the network handles localization
High capacity
better frequency efficiency, smaller cells, more customers per cell
High transmission quality
high audio quality and reliability for wireless, uninterrupted phone
calls at higher speeds (e.g., from cars, trains)
Security functions
access control, authentication via chip-card and PIN

Disadvantages of GSM

No full ISDN bandwidth of 64 kbit/s to the user

Reduced concentration while driving
Electromagnetic radiation
Abuse of private data possible
High complexity of the system
Several incompatibilities within the GSM
standards

Thank You