GSM turns 20 on July 1

It was 20 years ago that the first phone call was made over a GSM network and as Global Systems for Mobile Communications (that is what GSM stands for if you don’t already know) celebrates its second decade of existence on July 1, it’s not hard to imagine how far the technology has come since 1991.

The world’s first GSM call was made by Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri on a network that was developed by the world leader at that time, Nokia. 20 years later, GSM networks serve 80% of the world’s mobile markets connecting over 1.5 billion people in 212 countries.

GSM technology introduced to the world the first fully digital cellular system using TDMA allowing for more information to be delivered using less spectrum. GSM also provided better sounding, more reliable calls while using less power. With GSM came the SIM card (or Subscriber Identity Module, if you don’t already know) and for the first time, people could switch mobile phones and still use the same mobile number.

Other major innovations brought about by GSM are international roaming (not so welcomed are the astronomical roaming costs) and SMS. In addition GPRS and EDGE data technologies made internet access practical on mobile devices.

GSM later evolved into WCDMA-based UMTS (3G as we know it in Malaysia) which later gave birth to HSPA and HSPA+ networks. One of the world’s 4G standard — LTE — also has its roots in GSM technology.

Can you imagine a world without mobile networks today? We certainly can’t.

[via]