GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) provides a service to more than 500 million users throughout 168 countries worldwide. It is the world market leader serving 69 % of all mobile digital users and is currently evolving into UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System).

By describing the critical decisions and the phases of the development this key text explains how the GSM initiative became a success in Europe and how it evolved to the global mobile communication system. Initially the strategy and technical specifications were agreed for Europe and the subsequent...