Objectives of the GSM System

· Common radio spectrum in all countries
As a pan-European standard, GSM required the availability of common radio spectrum in all countries, and the European Commission issued a directive which required member states to reserve frequencies in the 900 MHz band for GSM.

· Integrated European system with international roaming
GSM would allow users to roam between GSM networks in different countries, using the same phone and phone number to make and receive calls wherever they went. This contrasted with the existing situation, where different analog networks, using different standards, were operating in each country.

· Create large single market
The GSM standard had the aim of creating a large single market for mobile telephone networks, and for the phones themselves. This would stimulate the European telecommunications industry, promoting open competition between suppliers, and driving down prices.

· Increase available cellular radio capacity
The digital GSM technology is at least three times more efficient in its use of radio spectrum than analog networks; and so it can accommodate at least three times as many users. As analog cellular networks began to grow beyond all expectations during the late 1980s, the need for the extra
capacity of GSM became all the more urgent.

· Standardization of network components and network interfaces
For the network operators, one important aspect of the GSM standard was that it standardized the components of the network, and the interfaces between them. Most analog networks were completely proprietary systems - all the components, such as switching systems, radio base stations and network management systems - had to be bought from one supplier in order to work properly as a network. GSM would allow operators to shop around for different components in the network, knowing that there would be no compatibility problems.

· Better security functions
Being digital, and making use of advanced encryption techniques, means that GSM is very well protected against eavesdropping - a significant worry for many business users of analog cellular networks.

· Compatibility with evolution of fixed digital networks
A number of supplementary telephone services were included in the GSM standard. Those, which are currently available, or being implemented in most networks include call forwarding, charge advice, call barring and conference calls.

· Accommodate new services
The GSM standard also supports services such as the Short Message Service (SMS), which allows short text messages to be sent to mobile phones. Data and fax transmission, at speeds up to 9.6kb/s, is available, allowing GSM phone users to link their phones to portable computers in
order to send and receive faxes and data files, as with a normal fixed computer and modem.