A worldwide network architecture standard for mobile communications

The Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) digital cellular communications standard defines the network architecture and the interfaces between the network components as well as the radio interface. It is based on a layered protocol structure to support diverse radio access technologies for different personal communications applications. The author reports on some of the internetworking requirements which would be necessary at the switch/base station system boundary to enable radio access systems in the USA and in Japan to offer a broad set of network services that are available in a GSM network.