| Global
System for Mobile Communication (GSM) |
Global
system for mobile communication (GSM) is a globally accepted standard for digital
cellular communication. GSM is the name of a standardization group established
in 1982 to create a common European mobile telephone standard that would formulate
specifications for a pan-European mobile cellular radio system operating at 900
MHz. It is estimated that many countries outside of Europe will join the GSM partnership. Throughout
the evolution of cellular telecommunications, various systems have been developed
without the benefit of standardized specifications. This presented many problems
directly related to compatibility, especially with the development of digital
radio technology. The GSM standard is intended to address these problems.
GSM
provides recommendations, not requirements. The GSM specifications define the
functions and interface requirements in detail but do not address the hardware.
The reason for this is to limit the designers as little as possible but still
to make it possible for the operators to buy equipment from different suppliers.
The GSM network is divided into three major systems: the switching system (SS),
the base station system (BSS), and the operation and support system (OSS).
The
operations and maintenance center (OMC) is connected to all equipment in the switching
system and to the BSC. The implementation of OMC is called the operation and support
system (OSS). The OSS is the functional entity from which the network operator
monitors and controls the system. The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer
cost-effective support for centralized, regional, and local operational and maintenance
activities that are required for a GSM network. An important function of OSS is
to provide a network overview and support the maintenance activities of different
operation and maintenance organizations.
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