The GSM system

The GSM mobile phone system is the system used by more than 82% of the people in the world who use cell phones. The Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) is a mobile phone system that uses digital signaling and speech which is a more technologically advanced system than previous mobile phones.

A cellular network, GSM is easy for other cell phones to connect to by finding cells in the same vicinity. The GSM network has four frequencies on which it works and five cell sizes. The cells which are macro, micro, pico, femto, and umbrella work according to where the base station antenna is located.

The macro works where the antenna is on a level that is above roof top. The micro cells are under roof top level. Pico cells are normally used inside and only cover a small area. Femto cells are used in homes or small businesses and are connected through a broadband internet to the service provider. Umbrella cells take care of the darkened areas of small cells and cover between cells.

GSM compresses data, and then the data is sent down a channel with two more streams of data, each of which has its own time slot. Operating on one or the other of 900 or 1800 MHz, the GSM can be used almost anywhere in the world since roaming agreements are in force with other countries. Two other MHz bands, 850 and 1900 are also used in the U.S. and Canada.

Mobile phones are used worldwide. The U.S., Europe, and the UK all use GSM phones. The only difference is the cell phones used in the U.S. operate on the 1900 Mhz frequency. This was the only one available for the U.S. and Europe until just recently when the 850 Mhz was put into use. These are normally used in more rural areas of the U.S. This service is owned by AT&T, although T-Mobile has a roaming agreement with AT&T so their phones may occasionally pick up 850 Mhz in certain areas.

International travelling will be the big problem. Cell phones made to work on certain networks such as Verizon, which works on the CDMA network is not compatible with GSM. Those supported by T-Mobile and AT&T are compatible. Most people cannot travel without taking their cell phone. The European, African, and Asian mobile phones all use the GSM network. This does not mean if you have a GSM phone in the U.S. that it will work with one in those countries because the frequencies they work on are different.

The GSM service companies provide access in over 140 countries to over 320 GSM networks. The ideal phone would be one that can work on all four frequencies. This is called a quad phone but because not only are they scarce but are quite expensive. This is why most people opt for the tri-band phone. Just know which three band the phone you choose has because some are the ones more used depending upon where you decide to travel when going abroad. The most common are 900/1800/1900 Mhz are great for international traveling and very good in the U.S. 850/1800/1900 work very well in the U.S. but are not very useful internationally.

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