GSM Reference Model - 2G

Framework for the base mobile phone network.

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Mobile Station
Base Station Sub-System
Network Switching System Station

GSM (Groupe Special Mobile) is the underlying model and standard for digital cellular communications; the basis of the first 2G digital mobile phone network. This network is a circuit switched network and primarily designed for voice communication It uses narrow band Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to provide the voice component. SMS is also provided, by using one of the control channels to send a short message to another subscriber. In terms of data, the GSM model does not really address the issue and any data connection is achieved using dial-up. Thus Thus the phone will dial into the data network and send the data using the same channel as they would a voice call.

This model was developed in the early 1970's. It provides a circuit switched network dividing each 200khz channel into 8 timeslots. The 2G system works at 900/1800MHz. Even for modern 4G phones use the GSM network to phone as there is no phone provision in the 4G network.

The GSM network comprises 4 sub-systems :

  • Mobile Station - this is the mobile phone that connects to the network to send or receive phone calls.
  • Base Station sub-system
  • Network Switching System
  • Operational Support System provided by the Operational Maintenance Centre. this deals with aspects such as billing and statistics; security management including the provision of access to the authorities where requested; overall network performance and mangement.