The GSM Family

GSM - The Wireless Evolution

The Wireless Evolution is achieved through the GSM family of wireless technology platforms - today's GSM, GPRS, EDGE & 3GSM.

Welcome to the wireless evolution where you will find a wealth of information on the GSM family of wireless communications. GSM is a living, evolving standard - growing and adapting to meet changing customer needs.

It is the basis of a powerful family of platforms for the future - providing a direct link into next generation solutions including GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) and 3GSM.

GSM's unrivalled success can be attributed to many factors, including the unparalleled co-operation and support between all those supplying, running and exploiting the platform. It is based upon a true end-to-end solution, from infrastructure and services to handsets and billing systems.

GSM is a standard that embraces all areas of technology, resulting in global, seamless wireless services for all its customers. It's all part of the Wireless Evolution.

Use the links on the left to find more information about the entire GSM family of technologies (GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 3GSM) that make up the Wireless Evolution, as well as mobile services and applications such as SMS and WAP. Many sections also contain links to other websites on these topics.

For more general queries about GSM and its family of technologies, read our FAQs.

IN FOCUS The GSMA Brochure 2008 [Feb 08] The mission of the GSM Association as a unique global trade association is to preserve, enhance and promote the interests of GSM mobile operators, taking a leadership role in representing its Members with one voice on a wide variety of national, regional and global issues. On 17 September 1987, network operators from thirteen countries signed a memorandum of understanding that committed them to... (PDF 1.66mb) Download...	IN FOCUS Emerging Market Handset Programme The GSMA's Emerging Market Handset initiative (EMH) was launched at the 3GSM World Congress in February 2005. It is part of the Association's strategic programme that was created with a view to "bridging the digital divide", a GSMA goal being to give 80% of the world's population access to mobile communications by 2010... More on this...	IN FOCUS Personal Instant Messaging Technology advances are allowing mobile operators to bring the immediacy and convenience of mobility to popular Internet services, such as email and instant messaging. Thanks to advances in technology and leveraging the proven strengths of 3GSM's global interoperability and trusted environment, users experiences will be taken to a new level of service delivery, quality and enjoyment... More on this...