Mobile Messaging Technologies and Services: SMS, EMS and MMS, 2nd Edition

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Basic Concepts

This chapter outlines the basic concepts of mobile communications systems and presents the required background information necessary for a clear understanding of this book. First, an overview of the evolution of mobile communications systems is provided. This encompasses the introduction of first generation analog systems supporting only voice communications to the recent deployment of third generation systems supporting voice and multimedia services. The Global System for Mobile Communication, commonly known as GSM, has been a major breakthrough in the domain of mobile communications. Elements composing a typical GSM network are presented. Another important milestone is the introduction of the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) allowing the support of packet-based communications in evolved GSM networks. The architecture of a GPRS network is presented. Recently deployed are Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS). These systems support advanced multimedia services requiring high data rates. UMTS services and supporting technologies are also introduced in this chapter. Additionally, the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is described. WAP is an enabling technology for developing services such as browsing and multimedia messaging. An overview of latest digital rights management methods is also provided. The last section of this chapter provides pointers to books and reference articles for anybody wishing to further explore the topics covered in this ...