GSM Brief History

Years	Events
1982	CEPT establishes a GSM group in order to develop the standards for a pan-European cellular mobile system.
1985	A list of recommendations to be generated by the group is accepted.
1986	Field tests are performed to test the different radio techniques proposed for the air interface.
1987	Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is chosen as the access method (with Frequency Division Multiple Access [FDMA]). The initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed by telecommunication operators representing 12 countries.
1988	GSM system is validated.
1989	The responsibility of the GSM specifications is passed to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
1990	Phase 1 of the GSM specifications is delivered.
1991	Commercial launch of the GSM service occurs. The DCS1800 specifications are finalized.
1992	The addition of the countries that signed the GSM Memorandum of Understanding takes place. Coverage spreads to larger cities and airports.
1993	Coverage of main roads' GSM services starts outside Europe.
1994	Data transmission capabilities launched. The number of networks rises to 69 in 43 countries by the end of 1994.
1995	Phase 2 of the GSM specifications occurs. Coverage is extended to rural areas.
1996	June: 133 network in 81 countries operational.
1997	July: 200 network in 109 countries operational, around 44 million subscribers worldwide.
1999	Wireless Application Protocol came into existence and 130 countries operational with 260 million subscribers
2000	General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) came into existence.
2001	As of May 2001, over 550 million people were subscribers to mobile telecommunications