GSMstandaard

GSMstandaard, also known as the Global System for Mobile Communications, is a second-generation (2G) digital cellular technology standard. It was first developed in the early 1980s and officially launched in 1991. GSM revolutionized mobile communication by introducing digital transmission, which offered improved voice quality, security, and efficiency compared to earlier analog systems. It is a circuit-switched system, meaning a dedicated connection is established for the duration of a call.

The GSM standard supports a wide range of services, including voice calls, SMS (Short Message Service), and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). It operates on various frequency bands, such as 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in Europe, and 850 MHz and 1900 MHz in North America. A key feature of GSM is its use of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards, which allow users to easily switch between devices and retain their phone number and services.

Over time, GSM has evolved with various upgrades like GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution), offering improved data transfer capabilities. While newer technologies like 3G, 4G, and 5G have largely superseded it for mobile broadband, GSM networks remain operational in many parts of the world, primarily for voice calls and SMS, and are often used as a fallback for devices in areas with limited coverage of newer technologies. Its widespread adoption and the interoperability it enabled made GSM a foundational technology in the global mobile telecommunications landscape.