3G: more than just speed: third-generation (3G) wireless technology promises a host of new services and applications.

BY 2010, analysts predict there will be more than 600 million cellular subscribers worldwide. In fact, by 2004, some countries may have more mobile phones than fixed phones. This makes cellular a powerful and important technology to watch.

Focus on GSM

Throughout the evolution of cellular telecommunications, various radio systems have been developed without the benefit of standardization, resulting in compatibility problems. The Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) standard is intended to help mobile phone carriers, handset manufacturers, and users avoid these problems. In 1982, the GSM standardization group was founded to create a common European mobile telephone standard and formulate specifications for a pan-European mobile cellular radio system. As a result, GSM is now the de facto wire less telephone standard in Europe. Many countries outside Europe have also adopted GSM; GSM is now available in a total of 120 countries. Because it's common for GSM carriers to have roaming agreements with each other, their customers can often use their service when they travel to other countries.

GSM is interesting because, for hardware, it provides recommendations, not requirements. GSM specifications define the functions and interface requirements in detail, but they don't address the hardware. The goal is to limit device designers as little as feasible, but still make it possible for the operators to buy equipment from different suppliers.

So, GSM is a standard that avoids compatibility problems and is widely used. Even more exciting are its capabilities. In this article, I'll discuss some of the basic concepts of GSM and introduce you to some advanced GSM networks, applications, concepts, specifications, and services.

Into the network

Without going into too much detail, here's how a GSM network operates. GSM networks are divided into three major systems: the switching system, the base station system, and the operation and support system. The switching system performs all call processing and features used by subscribers. The base station system handles all radio-related functions. The operation and support system let the carrier efficiently monitor, control, and maintain the system.

GSM networks offer some important functions:

Message center (MXE): The MXE provides integrated voice, fax, and data messaging. Specifically, it handles short message service, cell broadcast, voice mail, fax mail, e-mail, and notification.

Mobile service node (MSN): The MSN handles the mobile intelligent network (IN) services. GSM is the first system to make extensive use of IN, which takes intelligence out of the switch and places it in mobile service nodes distributed throughout the network. The MSN provides all the functionality to handle a mobile phone user; for example, registration, authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing to a roaming subscriber.

Gateway mobile services switching center (GMSC): Gateways connect networks. The Home Location Register (HLR) contains all the administrative information for each user registered on the corresponding GSM network, along with the current location of the mobile device. The GMSC queries the user's HLR to obtain routing information. This is what lets a GSM user roam nationally and even internationally.

GSM inter-networking unit (GIWU): The GIWU is made up of hardware and software that interface to various networks for data communications. For example, through the GIWU, users can alternate between speech and data during the same call.

3G GSM

Next, I'll take a look at the GSM applications themselves and discuss when they might be generally available and adopted on a reasonable scale by users worldwide--especially in the U.S. But first, I'll discuss how third generation (3G) wireless technology can enhance access to existing GSM applications.

The term 3G gets thrown around a lot, but is rarely well defined. Most people think of 3G simply as faster cellular networks. Some insight into how 3G evolved helps reveal that it offers more than just speed.

1G networks started to appear in the 1970s and used analog technology. 2G networks came about in the 1990s and are still in use today. CDMA, TDMA, and GSM are all examples of 2G networks. 2G, with the addition of more bandwidth, packet routing, and multi-media support has evolved into 2.5G. 3G will improve on 2.5G in bandwidth as well as the addition of enhanced multi-media capabilities and the ability to route through satellites and LANs. 3G, with its ability to process real time multi media applications and its large bandwidth, is greatly enhancing the GSM multi-media and application environments.

3G in action

One of the most successful 3G implementations to date is Freedom Of Multimedia Access (FOMA), which is NTT DoCoMo's brand name for its 3G service. Since its launch in Tokyo and parts of Yokohama and Kawasaki, FOMA has steadily expanded across Japan and is used by more than 39 million subscribers. With a maximum downlink speed of 384kbps--about 40 times faster than conventional wireless data communications--FOMA provides fast, smooth video, as well as unprecedented voice clarity.

During the introductory phase, NTT DoCoMo rolled out a variety of FOMA services, such as video phone, i-Mode, simultaneous voice/i-Mode, and video streaming. In the near future, other new services will include music delivery and video clips via i-Mode.

i-Mode is a mobile phone service that offers continuous Internet access. It's similar to Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). DoCoMo chose i-Mode instead of waiting for WAP to be ready for primetime. With i-Mode, DoCoMo created a network of partners offering Web sites formatted to fit on the small screens found on mobile handsets.

The much-anticipated launch of the FOMA service in the spring of 2001 marked the first commercial implementation of W-CDMA. W-CDMA is the 3G technology used in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), an evolution in terms of services and data speeds from 2G mobile networks. UMTS is a natural evolutionary goal for GSM operators. To get there, W-CDMA is the chosen upgrade path for GSM operators. But, many other operators are also adopting W-CDMA; and, in that operation, possibly moving to GSM simultaneously.

The world's leading equipment manufacturers are now presenting their first W-CDMA/UMTS combo handset models. Most models in this first wave of UMTS terminal designs are multi-band and multi-mode, letting users seamlessly switch among UMTS, GPRS, and GSM services in different frequency bands as they travel around the world.

Potential business models

Today's mobile customers have already demonstrated a taste for new "non-voice" services. Mobile phone users are sending more than 35 billion text messages every month. They are also starting to embrace multi media messaging (MMS), an evolution of text messaging that adds audio and visual to messages.

NTT DoCoMo's FOMA 3G mobile service provides a full set of services ranging from video streaming, video conferencing, easy and efficient Internet access, MMS, and enhanced voice quality. In this respect, FOMA extends the successful business model introduced with NTT DoCoMo's i-Mode. The application offering and development environments depend on a subtle balance: It's a controlled, open-market, demand-driven system relying on a high-quality pipe and intelligent billing system.

The technology, and the investment it will require, means GSM operators will have to be active not only in network ownership and operation, but also be aggressive about fostering a business model that encourages the creation of content and services. Again, i-Mode is a successful model GSM operators might emulate--a high-quality infrastructure featuring flexible billing.

3G GSM applications are the focal point of NTT DoCoMo's business model. Careful network design minimizes signal distortion, interference, and quality loss or bit errors. Handsets are specifically designed to suit the applications they'll run. This is key, and is a radically different approach than trying to launch applications for devices that are already on the market.

Because i-Mode and 3G GSM information services are based on existing Internet standards, it's easy for a small company or an individual to apply to set up a Web site. Initially, the mobile phone carrier simply verifies that the candidate site complies with a set of elementary rules. This open approach has fostered rapid growth in the number of i-Mode sites.

When there are a sufficient number of successful sites, the carrier can propose that these sites become Alliance Partner sites. These sites can participate in benefit-sharing schemes and are actively promoted by the mobile phone carrier as part of its official offering. From the carrier's perspective, the portfolio of services grows, attracting new customers and stimulating airtime demand (at zero R&D cost), while users get a wide variety of services.

By taking advantage of 3G GSM technologies and the i-Mode model, NTT DoCoMo has structured its offering around the following services (in addition to high-quality voice): FOMA i-Mode, videophone service, i-Motion, high-speed data communication and i-Appli.

i-Appli

i-Appli is a Java-based extension of i-Mode that lets users of Java-compatible i-Mode devices download Java applets and content from more than a hundred Web sites. Customers can use the downloaded applications and content without having to re-connect to the Internet.

Video-conferencing: multiple participants

In March 2002, NTT DoCoMo announced a mobile video-conferencing platform that accepts multiple participants. This system lets a group of people participate in a mobile video-conference; a split screen shows up to four participants simultaneously.

GSM subscriber services

The two most common types of services offered through GSM are telephony and data. In addition to normal telephony and emergency calling, the following subscriber services are currently supported by GSM:

Dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF): DTMF is a tone-signaling scheme often used for various control purposes via the telephone network, such as remote control of an answering machine. GSM supports full-originating DTMF.

Facsimile group: Because fax machines are designed to be connected to a telephone using analog signals, a special fax converter lets a GSM-connected fax machine communicate with any analog fax machine on the network.

Short message service: A message of a maximum of 160 alphanumeric characters can be sent to or from a mobile device. Think of this as an advanced form of alpha-numeric paging, with a number of advantages. If the subscriber's mobile unit is powered off or has left the coverage area, the message is stored and offered back to the subscriber when the mobile device powers on or re-enters the coverage area.

Cell broadcast: The cell broadcast facility is a variation of the short message service. A message of a maximum of 93 characters can be broadcast to all mobile subscribers in a geographic area. Typical applications include traffic congestion warnings and emergency weather reports.

Voice mail: This service is actually an answering machine within the network, which is controlled by the subscriber. Calls can be forwarded to the subscriber's voice-mail box and the subscribers can check for messages via a personal security code.

Fax mail: With this service, the subscriber can receive fax messages at any fax machine. The subscriber can use a personal security code to retrieve stored messages from a service center.

GSM supplementary services

GSM also supports a comprehensive set of supplementary services that complement and support both telephony and data services, for example:

* Call forwarding

* Barring of outgoing calls.

* Barring of incoming calls

* Call hold

* Call waiting

* Multi-party service

GSM also offers services with which you might be less familiar:

Advice of charge (AoC): AoC gives the mobile subscriber an estimate of the current call charges.

Calling line identification presentation/restriction: These services give the called party the integrated services digital network (ISDN) number of the calling party. A restriction setting lets the caller block the broadcast of the number.

Closed user groups (CUGs): CUGs are generally comparable to a PBX. It's a group of subscribers who can only call each other and certain other numbers.

Generation gap

Although there will be early adopters who jump on 3G as soon as it's available, there are others who will prefer to stick with proven 2G or 2.5G GSM or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) services and not pay higher prices for 3G GSM. For example, they might only require simple text messaging, or they might not want to swap out their handheld device for the larger screen models necessary to take advantage of multimedia applications.

Nevertheless, there's good news: 2G, 2.5G, and 3G net works are expected to coexist for quite some time. As with any new technology, it will take a while for 3G GSM networks to prevail. As demand for applications requiring 3G increases, a consumer shift to 3G GSM will occur in the U.S. Mobile phone carriers, therefore, will have to support both GSM and UMTS. It will be more efficient and cost-effective to provide these two services over a single network infrastructure.

Key elements

The advent of third-generation communication systems, with their ability to process real-time 3G GSM multi-media applications and their large bandwidths, is bringing genuine benefits to mobile users. There are three main factors key to the overall success of this evolution:

* High-quality infrastructure allied to flexible billing schemes

* An open application creation environment (under the mobile phone carrier's control)

* Flexible environment for creating services

GSM multi-media capabilities are pushing the convergence of the IT and telecom worlds. So, welcome to the GSM multi media world!

MOBILE BUSINESS BENEFITS

GSM's ability to help carriers avoid compatibility problems and let users roam among carrier networks has made it a popular cellular network technology in Europe and many other countries. Now, as GSM gains popularity is the U.S. what can GSM do for you--especially as it gains 3G capabilities and speed?

John Vacca is an information technology consultant and internationally known author based in Pomeroy, Ohio. Since 1982, John has authored 40 books and more than 450 articles in the areas of advanced storage, computer security, and aerospace technology. John was also a configuration management specialist, computer specialist, and the computer security official for NASA's space station program (Freedom) and the International Space Station Program from 1988 until his early retirement from NASA in 1995. John was also one of the security consultants for the MGM movie AntiTrust, released in 2001. [e-mail].