Lifehack Literacy: The History of GSM

You’re probably already familiar with GSM technology. This digital communication technology is commonly used in mobile communications, particularly in phones. 

Despite its familiar name, many people may still not realize how GSM became as popular as it is today. This is certainly tied to the history of GSM, which began 50 years ago.

This technology has become dominant today because of a breakthrough in the early 2000s that significantly enhanced mobile phone functionality and coverage. Let’s delve deeper into the history of GSM to improve our technological literacy and understand the story behind the technology we use.

What is GSM?

Before delving further into the history of GSM, it’s a good idea to first understand its definition. In short, GSM—short for Global System for Mobile Communications—is a digital cellular communication technology.

This technology utilizes microwaves and time-division multiple access (TDMA). The system is divided into small time slots to prevent interference when many users are active.

As an international standard, GSM is used in most telephone networks. Essentially, GSM technology operates across three frequency bands, depending on the region: GSM-900, GSM-1800, and GSM-1900.

GSM-900 operates on an uplink frequency of 890–915 MHz and a downlink frequency of 935–960 MHz. GSM-1800 operates on an uplink frequency of 1710–1785 MHz and a downlink frequency of 1805–1880 MHz. Meanwhile, GSM-1900 operates on an uplink frequency of 1850–1910 MHz and a downlink frequency of 1930–1990 MHz.

History of GSM

The history of GSM is inextricably linked to Europe’s golden age in the mid-1990s. During this era, early cellular communication networks were developed, eventually leading to the discovery and adoption of wireless technology. It was from there that this technology began to be implemented in various aspects of life.

1. Formation of a standards development body

After World War II, communication technology began to be adopted and developed for commercial use. Consequently, the Conférence Européenne des Administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications (CEPT) was established in 1959.

This conference was initiated by France and Germany, eventually bringing together 19 European countries. They collaborated to agree on standards for digital cellular communication in Europe.

From there, countries in Europe began developing various forms of broadcasting technology. Seeing this, the United States did not want to be left behind and began doing the same.

2. Selected frequency 

Various forms of broadcasting technology must be supported by the frequencies on which they operate. Therefore, in 1979, Europe allocated the 900 MHz frequency band for cellular communications.

At this frequency, the uplink uses the 890–915 MHz band, while the downlink uses the 935–960 MHz band. The bandwidth used is 25 MHz.

3. The development of GSM

The allocation of the 900 MHz frequency did not immediately lead Europe to agree on a common technological standard. Although many technologies had been developed, their coverage remained national and relied on analog systems.

On the other hand, the countries within CEPT were still divided. Some used C-Netz, NMT 450, NMT 900, TACS, and the French system to establish communication standards in Europe.

In 1982, finally, CEPT formed a special group called the Group Special Mobile (GSM). This marked the first use of the name GSM. The group was established to ensure the creation of a new, more efficient standard.

4. The first GSM technical standards 

The GSM project brought together many European countries. Thirteen countries worked to establish a European standard for digital communication systems. 

1987 marked a historic meeting. European telecommunications ministers convened on the island of Madeira, Portugal. This meeting resulted in an agreement to establish a standard for cellular communication networks in Europe. That standard was GSM.

5. GSM officially became the telecommunications network standard

With many European countries joining to develop this standard, the CEPT ultimately decided to dissolve the group. GSM was dissolved, and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) was formed.

In 1991, the GSM project was finally realized. ETSI officially adopted GSM as the telecommunications network standard throughout Europe. However, GSM operations did not begin until 1992, following a thorough review of the standard’s implementation.

6. GSM spreads worldwide

Since 1992, GSM has spread worldwide, including to Asia and the Americas. The number of users grew rapidly. Due to its widespread adoption outside Europe, the name—previously derived from “Group Special Mobile”—was changed to “Global System for Mobile Communications.”

This led to the Digital Cellular System (DCS) being allocated the 1800 MHz band. At this frequency, the uplink uses the 1710–1785 MHz band, while the downlink uses the 805–1880 MHz band.

7. The peak of GSM’s success

As a standard, GSM began to be applied to 3G technology in the 1990s. This was further driven by Japan, which released the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard in 2021.

The UMTS standard was based on the GSM standard. This largely led to the older Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard—previously used in 2G technology—being phased out. Currently, 22 million users have migrated from CDMA to GSM.

2005 marked the peak of mobile network operator usage with GSM technology. It is estimated that around 1.5 billion people are using this technology. This became a peak in the history of GSM’s success.

8. GSM today

Today, the history of GSM has evolved with the emergence of 4G LTE and 5G NR technologies. This has signaled the decline of GSM.

In reality, GSM is no longer used for communication systems. Today, its primary use is for the Internet of Things (IoT), and its application standards are also inseparable from the applicable International Type Approval standards.

That is the history of GSM, which can enhance your technological literacy. In this way, you will understand that the process of establishing digital communication standards has a long history.

This understanding of GSM will be helpful as this technology continues to evolve in the future. When would you like to discuss the history of other technologies?