Unit I: Introduction to GSM

GSM in Wireless Communication

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025


GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. It is a digital
mobile network commonly utilized by mobile phone users around the world. It
is the most popular of the three digital wireless telephony systems (TDMA,
GSM, and CDMA) and uses the combination of FDMA and TDMA. It uses 4
different frequency bands 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz.
GSM converts and compresses data before sending it along a channel with
two other streams of user data, each with its time slot.
GSM have 4 different sizes of cells:
 Macro: In this size of the cell, a Base Station antenna is installed.
 Micro: In this size of cell, antenna height is less than the average roof
level.
 Pico: Small cells' diameter of a few meters.
 Umbrella: It covers the shadowed (Fills the gaps between cells) regions.
Features of GSM
 Supports international roaming
 Clear voice clarity
 Ability to support multiple handheld devices.
 Spectral / frequency efficiency
 Low powered handheld devices.
 Ease of accessing network
 International ISDN compatibility.
 Low service cost.
 New features and services.
The Architecture of GSM
A GSM network comprises of many functional units which can be broadly
divided into:
 The Mobile Station (MS)
 The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
 The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
 The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)
Mobile Station (MS):
MS comprises user equipment and software needed for communication with a
mobile network. Mobile Station (MS) = Mobile Equipment(ME) + Subscriber
Identity Module (SIM). Now, these mobile stations are connected to tower and
that tower connected with BTS through TRX. TRX is a transceiver which
comprises transmitter and receiver. Transceiver has two performance of
sending and receiving.
Base Station Subsystem (BSS) :
Base Station Subsystem handles traffic and signaling between a mobile
phone and the network switching subsystem. BSS having two components :
 BTS stands for Base Transceiver Station which facilitates wireless
communication between user equipment and a network. Every tower has
BTS.
 BSC stands for Base Station Controller. BSC has multiple BTS. You can
consider the BSC as a local exchange of your area which has multiple
towers and multiple towers have BTS.
Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) :
NSS is the core network of GSM that carried out call and mobility
management functions for mobile phone present in network. NSS have
different components like:
 MSC stands for Mobile Switching Center. MSC is associated with
communication switching functions such as call setup, call release and
routing. Call tracing, call forwarding all functions are performed at the MSC
level. MSC is having further components like VLR, HLR, AUC, EIR and
PSTN.
 VLR stands for Visitor Location Register. VLR is a database which
contains the exact location of all mobile subscribers currently present in the
service area of MSC. If you are going from one state to another state then
your entry is marked into the database of VLR.
 HLR stands for Home Location Register. HLR is a database containing
pertinent data regarding subscribers authorized to use a GSM network. If
you purchase SIM card from in the HLR. HLR is like a home which
contains all data like your ID proof, which plan you are taking, which caller
tune you are using etc.
 AUC stands for Authentication Center. AUC authenticates the mobile
subscriber that wants to connect in the network.
 EIR stands for Equipment Identity Register. EIR is a database that keeps
the record of all allowed or banned in the network. If you are banned in the
network then you can't enter the network, and you can't make the calls.
 PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. PSTN connects with
MSC. PSTN originally a network of fixed line analog telephone systems.
Now almost entirely digital in its core network and includes mobile and
 other networks as well as fixed telephones. The earlier landline phones
which places at our home is nothing but PSTN.
Operation Support Subsystem (OSS):
OSS is a functional entity which the network operator monitor and control the
system. Purpose of OSS is to offer the customer cost-effective support for all
GSM related maintenance services.
 OMC stands for Operation Maintenance Center. It is the part of OSS.
OMC monitor and maintain the performance of each MS, BSC and MSC
within a GSM system.

Suppose there are 3 Mobile stations which are connected with the tower and
that tower is connected to BTS through TRX, then further connected to BSC
and MSC.
Three subsystem BSS, NSS and OSS are connected with each other via
some interfaces. Total three interfaces are there:
 Air Interface is also known as UM interface. Interface between MS and
BTS is called as UM interface because it is mobile analog to the U
interface of ISDN.
 Abis Interface is a BSS internal interface linking with BTS and BSC.
 A interface provides communication between BSS and MSC.
How Does GSM Work
GSM describe the procedures for second-generation digital mobile networks,
such as those used by mobile phones. It is a broad-area communications
technology program that uses digital radio channeling to provide audio,
information, and multimedia communication systems. Every GSM radio
channel is 200 kHz broad and is further divided into frames of eight time slots.
The GSM system consists of mobile stations, base stations, and interweaving
switching systems.
The GSM program allows 8 to 16 audio users to share a single radio channel,
and each radio transmission station can have numerous radio channels.
Because of its simplicity, cost, and accessibility, GSM is now the most often
utilised network technology in the Internet of Things (IoT).

GSM
Read more about Working of GSM.
Services of GSM
1. Bearer services/ data services: GSM specifies different mechanism for
data transmission, The original GSM allowing for data rates of up to 9600
bits/s. Bearer services permit transparent or non transparent data
transmission.
 Transparent bearer services: Transparent bearer services only use the
physical layer to transmit data. Data transmission has a constant delay at
throughput if no transmission error occurs.
 Non-transparent bearer services: Non-transparent bearer services use
protocols of layer two and three two three to implement error correction
and flow control.(data link layer and network layer).
2. Tele services such as:
 Video calls and face emoji.
 Short text message(SMS).
3. Supplementary services are advanced services such as:
 Conference calls.
 Call waiting.
 Call forwarding.
4. GSM security: GSM offers security using confidential information stored in
the AUC and in the individual SIM. The SIM stores personal secret data and is
protected with a pin against unauthorized use.
Applications of GSM
 Mobile Telephony
 VoIP Integration
 SMS (Short Message Service)
 Mobile Banking
 Smart Home Systems
 Surveillance Systems
 Alarm System
 Cell Broadcasting
Advantages of GSM
 Compatibility: GSM is widely used around the world, so it is compatible
with many different networks and devices.
 Security: GSM offers enhanced security features such as authentication,
encryption and confidentiality which helps to protect the user's privacy and
data.
 Efficient use of bandwidth: GSM uses a time-division multiplexing
(TDM) technique which enables many users to share the same frequency
channel at different times, making it an efficient use of the available
bandwidth.
 Roaming: GSM allows users to roam internationally and use their mobile
phones in other countries that use the same GSM standard.
 Wide range of features: GSM supports a wide range of features, including
call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, conference calling, and more.
Disadvantages of GSM
 Limited coverage: GSM networks may have limited coverage in some
remote areas, which can make it difficult for users to make calls or access
the internet.
 Network congestion: GSM networks may become congested during peak
hours, which can lead to dropped calls or poor call quality.
 Security vulnerabilities: Although GSM offers enhanced security
features, it is still vulnerable to certain types of attacks, such
as eavesdropping and spoofing.
 Data transfer speed: GSM networks offer relatively slow data transfer
speeds compared to newer technologies such as 3G and 4G.
 Limited capacity: GSM networks have a limited capacity for handling
large volumes of data, which can be a disadvantage for users who require
high-speed internet access or other data-intensive applications.
GSM vs Other Wireless Technologies(CDMA,LTE)
GSM, CDMA and LTE cellular-wireless communications are very different in
terms of technology and business objectives. GSM is the oldest of the three.
GSM encoded and decoded data using processor/chip technology available at
the time.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is basically a channel access method
and is also an example of multiple access. Multiple access basically means
that information by several transmitters can be sent simultaneously onto a
single communication channel.
LTE (long-term evolution) provides fast peak data transmission, with initial
speeds of up to 100 Mbps downstream and 30 Mbps upstream. Due to its
high speeds, low latency, and improved capabilities, LTE enables users to
enjoy faster data transfer rates, seamless browsing, and enhanced user
experience.
Is GSM Still Relevant Today
Many telecom providers worldwide are decommissioning GSM networks to
free up spectrum for more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G. Countries
like the USA, Australia, and parts of Europe have already shut down or
announced plans to shut down GSM services because modern networks offer
high-speed internet and multimedia services. They also provide better
spectrum efficiency which allows more users and faster data speeds. GSM
networks are shut down in favor of 4G and 5G but some industries continue to
rely on 2G GSM technology for specific applications:
 Many IoT devices, such as smart meters, vehicle tracking systems, and
industrial sensors, still use GSM networks due to their low power
consumption and wide coverage.
 GSM remains a viable option in remote areas where 3G and 4G
infrastructure is lacking. It is still widely used for voice calls and SMS in
such locations.
 Certain emergency and mission-critical systems maintain GSM
connectivity as a backup option in case of primary network failures.

 GSM Architecture:
o Mobile Station (MS): This is the user’s mobile phone or
device that communicates with the network.
o Base Station Subsystem (BSS): This includes the Base
Transceiver Station (BTS), which manages radio
communication with the MS, and the Base Station Controller
(BSC), which controls the BTS.
o Network Subsystem (NSS): The NSS is responsible for call
processing, switching, and subscriber management. It
includes:
 Mobile Switching Center (MSC): Responsible for
switching calls and managing connections between
MSs.
 Home Location Register (HLR): A database that
stores information about subscribers, such as their
services and location.
 Visitor Location Register (VLR): A temporary
database that stores information about subscribers
currently located in the area managed by a particular
MSC.
 Authentication Center (AuC): Ensures the security of
the network by authenticating users.
 Equipment Identity Register (EIR): Keeps track of
the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) of
all mobile equipment.
 GSM Frequency Spectrum: GSM operates in different frequency
bands, generally 900 MHz and 1800 MHz for Europe and Asia,
 while 850 MHz and 1900 MHz are used in North America. These
frequencies are divided into channels for communication.
 GSM Radio Aspects:
o GSM uses FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)
and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) for radio
resource management, where different users share the same
frequency by being assigned different time slots.
 GSM Supplementary Services:
o Call Forwarding: Forwarding calls to another number.
o Call Waiting: Alerts the user if there is an incoming call
during an active call.
o Caller ID: Displays the phone number of the caller.
o Conference Calls: Allows more than two people to talk
simultaneously.
 GSM Channel Types:
o Traffic Channels (TCH): Used for the actual voice or data
communication.
o Control Channels (CCH): Used for control signaling and
management of connections.

1.2 Call Processing in GSM

 Registration/Location Update:
o When a mobile device is powered on or moves between
locations, it updates its location with the network. This
update allows the network to know where the mobile device
is in order to route calls correctly.
o Location Area (LA): A geographical area managed by an
MSC, which can track the mobile phone.
 Mobile-Terminated Call:
o When a call is initiated to a mobile device, it is routed
through the network to the appropriate location, where the
mobile phone is registered.
  Mobile-Originated Call:
o When a mobile device makes a call, the process involves the
mobile station communicating with the MSC, which then
determines the destination and routes the call accordingly.

1.3 Mobility Management

 Location Update Procedure:

o Inter Location Area (LA) Movement: If the mobile moves
to a different location area, the location update procedure
ensures that the network is aware of the new location.
o Inter MSC Movement: If the mobile moves to a new MSC
area, the system will update the subscriber’s location in the
new MSC's VLR.
o Inter VLR Movement: If a mobile moves between areas
managed by different VLRs, the VLR databases must be
updated to reflect the new location.

1.4 Concept of Roaming

 Roaming: This allows users to use their mobile devices while

traveling outside their home network's coverage area. The roaming
process allows the user's device to connect to a different operator's
network. Roaming agreements are made between operators in
different regions or countries to facilitate this.

1.5 Types of Areas

 Location Area (LA): A geographical area within which the
mobile device is tracked by the network, managed by an MSC.
  Routing Area (RA): Used in the context of GPRS (General Packet
Radio Service) to manage packet-switched services.
 Tracking Area (TA): This is a newer concept used in LTE/4G
networks for managing mobility and location tracking of users.

1.6 Network Signaling: GSM Protocol Model

 GSM Protocol Stack: GSM utilizes several layers of protocols for
communication between devices, the mobile station, and the
network. These layers include:
1. Physical Layer (Layer 1): Handles the transmission of raw
data over the radio interface.
2. Data Link Layer (Layer 2): Ensures reliable
communication between mobile stations and the base station,
handling error detection and correction.
3. Network Layer (Layer 3): Manages signaling and control
information related to call setup, mobility management, and
authentication.
4. Application Layer (Layer 4): Defines the protocols for
higher-level services such as SMS, call forwarding, etc.

The signaling protocols used in GSM are:

o Radio Resource Control (RRC): Handles the radio resource

allocation.
o Session Management (SM): Manages data sessions.
o Mobility Management (MM): Deals with location updates,
handovers, and authentication.

This structure gives a foundational understanding of how GSM works

and the different processes involved in communication, mobility, and
roaming management within the network. Each section is crucial for
understanding the operation of GSM and its components, such as the
signaling, call processing, and mobility aspects.