GSM Key Players

( Part of Henrik Kaare Poulsen's GSM pages )

Many different companies and people are involved to make a cellular phone work. Before explaining how a cellular phone works, let us have a look at these key players:

• User
• Operator
• Distributor
• handset supplier
• network supplier

The handset supplier produces the handset, also called the cellular phone, the cellular terminal, or the handset. Examples are NOKIA, Ericsson, and Motorola. The handset brand is normally displayed on the handset.

The network supplier produces the network infrastructure: radio stations, telephone exchanges – also called switches – tranmsission links etc. Examples are NOKIA, Ericsson, and Nortel. Normally the user will not know what network supplier has build the network he is using.

The operator is the company who is asking the network supplier to build a network, and then sells the services to the user. Examples are Sonofon, SFR, and diAx. The operator is deciding on the type of network to build, and the servies to offer to the user. The user will open a subscription with the given operator. In some cases, the operator sells handsets and subscriptions directly to the user.

Often, the handsets and subscriptions are not sold by the operator, but by using a distributor. Often the distributor is a vendor of Hi-Fi or other electronic equipment. The distrubutor either buys the handsets from the operator, or directly from a handset supplier.

Finally, there is of course the user: the person who is buying the phone and subscription, and subsequently is using the phone.

Want to read about GSM in a book? Check out selected readings here.

[ Back to: GSM overview ]	[ home ]	[ Continue to: GSM Key Entities ]

Related GSM subjects:
[   Home | GSM Index | GSM Players | GSM Entities | GSM Phone as radio | Digital speech coding | GSM Call Control | GSM sites | GSM Radio Network | GSM Coverage | GSM Network System | Buy GSM books | Buy GSM equipment | GSM Links  ]

Check this out:

[  Books, Music, Videos | Best of Pokemon | MP3 uncovered  ]

[ Make cheap phonecalls using the internet ]

Page created by Henrik Kaare Poulsen. You can drop me a mail or sign my guestbook Page hosted by Yahoo! GeoCities