Personal communications network

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Personal communications network (PCN) is the European digital cellular mobile telephone network, developed in accordance with GSM standards.

GSM standard to describe protocols for second generation digital cellular networks used by mobile phones

The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets. It was first deployed in Finland in December 1991.By the mid-2010s, it became a global standard for mobile communications achieving over 90% market share, and operating in over 193 countries and territories.

The PCN system was first initiated by Lord Young, UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in 1988. The main characteristics of PCN are as follows:

David Young, Baron Young of Graffham British Baron

David Ivor Young, Baron Young of Graffham, is a British Conservative politician and businessman.

  1. Operating frequency – 1.7–1.88 GHz (1710–1785 MHz and 1805–1880 MHz).
  2. Uses 30 GHz or up for microwave back bone system.
  3. Covers both small cells and large cells.
  4. Coverage inside and outside buildings.
  5. Hand over.
  6. Cell delivery.
  7. Portable hand set.
  8. User intelligent network.

PCN uses the DCS-1800 systems, which is similar to GSM, but up converts the frequency to 1.7–1.88 GHz, therefore the network structure, the signal structure and the transmission characteristics are similar between PCN and GSM, but operational frequencies are different.

The UK government's Department for Enterprise produced 'Phones on the Move: Personal Communications in the 1990s - a discussion document [ permanent dead link ]' in January 1989. The document presented a vision for how mobile communications might develop which outlined ideas for both the PCNs and the CT2 standards.

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