GSM (Global System for Telecommunications)

Short for Global System for Mobile Communications, one of the leading digital cellular systems. GSM uses narrow band TDMA, which allows eight simultaneous calls on the same radio frequency. GSM was built based on the TDMA protocol and is very popular in Europe and Asia.

GSM was first introduced in 1991. As of the end of 1997, GSM service was available in more than 100 countries and has become the standard in Europe and Asia.

GSM phones usually don't offer an analog capacity which would enable them to be used to make calls when the user is out of a digital cellular area. CDMA and TDMA cell phones usually do include analog capability, however GSM phones provide other advantages over CDMA and TDMA such as Tri-Band phones (operate on the 900, 1800 and 1900 frequency bands). Also see the dual band section.

Second generation GSM provides a short messaging service, SMS, that enables text messages up to 160 characters in length to be sent to and from a GSM phone. This will eventually be superseded by MMS as part of the new third generation GSM technology known as 3G.

Some GSM phones are locked when purchased in an attempt to avoid the customer moving to a different network. This has given rise to GSM 'Unlocking' software. Also see the SIM Card section.

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