- Origins and Development
- GSM was developed by ETSI for second-generation digital cellular networks
- First implemented in Finland in December 1991
- Became global standard with over 90% market share by mid-2010s
- First GSM call was actually made by Pekka Lonka in 2021
- Technical Features
- Uses TDMA spectrum-sharing for voice communication
- Operates in 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 850 MHz, and 1900 MHz bands
- Supports up to 35 kilometers cell coverage
- Uses SIM cards for subscriber identification and network switching
- Evolution and Security
- Evolved into 3G UMTS, 4G LTE, and 5G standards
- Uses A5/1, A5/2, and A5/3 stream ciphers for voice privacy
- GPRS encryption algorithms were publicly broken in 2011
- Faces security vulnerabilities from script kiddies and unauthorized access
- Network Structure
- Includes base station, network switching, and GPRS core networks
- Supports five different cell sizes: macro, micro, pico, femto, umbrella
- Operates in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands
- Allows roaming between GSM networks worldwide