GSM: The Global Standard for Wireless Digital Technology
What is GSM?
VoiceStream's Wireless network uses GSM technology. "GSM" stands for Global System for Mobile communications,
the international digital radio standard. Developed to allow users to roam freely among markets,
it has become the globally accepted standard since the first systems began commercial operation in 1991.
In the United States, Canada, Chile and Peru use the 1900 MHz frequency, while most other countries
use either the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz frequencies. For more information on GSM and International Roaming,
please check out WorldClass Roaming.
National and International Coverage
VoiceStream is a member of the North American GSM Alliance LLC, a group of U.S. and Canadian digital
wireless carriers. The GSM Alliance helps provide seamless GSM wireless communications for their
customers in the U.S., Canada and around the world. Worldwide,
the association's members provide digital GSM wireless services to over 500 million customers across
five continents. The GSM system accounts for more than 70% of the worldwide digital wireless
telephone market.
VoiceStream has international roaming agreements with more than 185 of the major operators worldwide,
providing service in over 85 countries including: Australia, China, Chile, France, Germany, Greece,
Hong Kong, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
VoiceStream will continue to formalize roaming agreements with additional countries to increase
global coverage and convenience for customers.
Features Unique to GSM
GSM's proven feature-rich, dominant digital technology and use of "smart cards" (also known as SIM cards)
provides customers with integrated voice, high speed data, fax, paging and short message service
capabilities. With full digitally encrypted wireless communications, voice and data, calls are kept
private and confidential.
GSM technology offers excellent sound quality. Independent laboratory and field test reports validate
near wireline parity. The larger number of vendors making GSM handsets and infrastructure worldwide,
offers competitive, economical ways to keep costs down and gives consumers more choices.
