Ari T. Manninen Elaboration of NMT and GSM Standards

337 Pages·2002·1.46 MB·English

Copyright © , by University of Jyväskylä
ABSTRACT

Manninen, Ari. T.
Elaboration of NMT and GSM Standards. From Idea to Market
Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, 2002, 335 p.
(Studia Historica Jyväskyläensia,
ISSN 0081-6523; 60)
ISBN 951-39-1786-X
Finnish Summary
Diss.

The focus of this study is on elaboration of NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone)
and GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) standards. It seeks to
understand the standard-making process from a system’s philosophy to market
entry.
The specific objectives of the study are 1) to reconstruct the original ideas
of innovation, 2) to reconstruct standardization processes of NMT and GSM
systems, 3) to reconstruct interplay and impact of key players during
standardization process, and 4) to explain success of NMT and GSM standards.
Analyzing processes of two successful mobile communication standard-making
aims to reveal what were the specific Nordic standardization practices and
principles, and what were the most important issues that were adopted to
standardization of following generations. The role of Nordic countries is not
just focused on direct impact on standardization process, but also to indirect
outcomes of practices of other countries.
The basic shortcomings of existing studies relates to national study
approach or supremacy of theory over empirical facts. In order to avoid these
weaknesses, this study implies methodology of history and original sources.
Standardization process is not seen as a deterministic process, but as interplay
with standardization environment (key players) and circumstances.
The major findings of this study relates to the importance of basic view
(philosophy), to necessity of flexibility, balanced cooperation and certain
purposefulness and independency in crisis situations for the committee
responsible in standard-setting. Historically the most important observation is,
that Nordic countries were unique in understanding the relationship between
technology and society; that technology is socially shaped and it had to serve
needs of society. This basic starting-point gave tremendous lead to Nordic
countries.

Keywords: cooperation, cellular mobile telephony, standardization, standards,
history of NMT and GSM
Author’s address Ari T. Manninen
Anttoninkatu 26 A 2
FIN-40250 Jyväskylä, Finland
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Supervisors Professor Kalle Lyytinen
Department of Information Systems
The Weatherhead School of Management
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA

Professor Toivo Nygård
Department of History
University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

Reviewers Docent Martti Häikiö
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Doctor Oiva Turpeinen
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Opponent Professor Reino Kero
University of Turku, Turku, Finland
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was a part of STAMINA (STANDARDIZATION AND THE
MAKING OF INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE: The case of Mobile
Telephone Standards) research project at the Department of Computer Science
and Information Systems at the University of Jyväskylä, funded by the
Academy of Finland.
The aim of this study was to serve objectives of the STAMINA project. It
was not always easy for a historian to understand mentality of computer
scientists, but multi-cultural and multidisciplinary project turned out be
challenging and rewarding opportunity. I learnt a lot of new skills while acting
as a “Master sergeant” of STAMINA group. Sometimes requirements and
wishes I had to solve seemed nearly impossible to fulfill. Afterwards I am
pleased that professor Kalle Lyytinen was such a demanding leader, because
behind one mountain peak there was always even bigger one. I am also grateful
to my colleagues Vladislav Fomin, Juha Knuuttila, Anri Kivimäki and Ping Gao.
To work with you guys was unforgettable. I can still nearly hear the crackle and
whining of three scanners we operated in a tiny working room at Uppsala
Provincial Archive. I am also thankful for the affiliate of STAMINA Group in
the USA: Professor John Leslie King and Joel West..
I always got help from persons who were involved in standardization of
NMT and GSM systems. Those modest pioneers did not want to take credit for
what they had done, even when they started a revolution in mobile
communication. They surely changed my idea of an engineer. Particularly I
want to thank Hans Myhre and Thomas Haug for their ever-lasting willingness
to introduce me into the secrets of NMT and GSM.
Several persons in various archives gave tremendous input to satisfy our
requirements. Without them, my life could have been quite miserable.
Particularly I remember helpfulness of staff of Sonera archive and Uppsala
Provincial Archive.
I also want to thank Department of History for allocating resources to
language corrections and Agora Department for grant to finalize this thesis.
When I was writing the “NMT Report”my bother Esa Manninen helped
me with language issues. I am very thankful, that he was able to organize his
own schedule in such a short notice.
Finally I want to thank my wife and children for patience. I guess that
quite often they might have thought, who on earth is living in the workroom
behind the closed door!

Ari T. Manninen

Jyväskylä, March 2002
CONTENTS

ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................11
1.1 Frame of reference........................................................................................11
1.1.1 Technology and standards: from concepts to practice...................11
1.1.2 Previous studies...................................................................................14
1.1.2.1 Mobile telephony.....................................................................14
1.1.2.2 Standardization of mobile telephony...................................17
1.1.3 Research objectives and approach....................................................18
1.1.4 Sources and methodology..................................................................20
1.1.4.1 Sources......................................................................................20
1.1.4.2 Methodology and realization of study.................................21
1.1.5 Special terms used...............................................................................23
1.2 Dawn of mobile telephony..........................................................................24
1.2.1 Adopting mobile telephony...............................................................24
1.2.2 Socio-Technical restraints of cellular telephony.............................30
2 STANDARDIZATION OF THE NORDIC MOBILE TELEPHONE (NMT)
SYSTEM...............................................................................................................36
2.1 The Situation in the Nordic countries........................................................36
2.1.1 Societal reasons behind cooperation in telecommunications........36
2.1.1.1 Economic integration..............................................................36
2.1.1.2 Nordic cooperation in telecommunications ........................39
2.1.2 Market...................................................................................................41
2.1.2.1 Operators..................................................................................41
2.1.2.2 Pre-cellular networks..............................................................43
2.1.2.3 Market potential.......................................................................45
2.1.2.4 Manufacturers..........................................................................48
2.1.2.5 The relationship between operators and manufacturers...53
2.2 Development of the NMT system..............................................................55
2.2.1 Preparatory phase................................................................................55
2.2.1.1 The establishing of the NMT Group and its objectives......55
2.2.1.2 Prerequisites for Pan-Nordic use..........................................59
2.2.1.2.1 The solution of the frequency issue.......................59
2.2.1.2.2 Other administrative questions..............................62
2.2.1.2.3 Signaling....................................................................64
2.2.1.3 The implementation of the system........................................65
2.2.1.3.1 Basic operational requirements..............................65
2.2.1.3.2 Approach in implementation of requirements.....67
2.2.2 Development phase.............................................................................70
2.2.3 Ensuring implementation...................................................................70
2.2.3.1 Rationale for the development of a new system.................70
2.2.3.1.1 Rationale for executing a system tests...................72
2.2.3.1.2 Time schedule............................................................73
2.2.3.2 Defining of system to enable purchase.................................75
2.2.3.2.1 Frequency planning and capacity estimates.........75
2.2.3.2.2 System tests................................................................77
2.2.3.2.3 MTX specifications and procurement....................79
2.2.3.2.4 MS specifications and type approval.....................84
2.2.3.2.5 BS specifications........................................................87
2.2.4 Implementation and further development......................................89
2.2.4.1 Construction of networks.......................................................89
2.2.4.2 Services and development of utilization openings.............96
2.2.4.3 Hardware..................................................................................98
2.2.4.4 Development strategy.............................................................99
2.2.4.5 Reasons for the development of the NMT-900 system.....100
2.2.4.6 Developing NMT-900............................................................105
2.3 The Nordic model......................................................................................107
2.3.1 Working principles............................................................................107
2.3.2 Cooperation between the NMT Group and the manufacturers.110
2.3.3 The significance of the NMT standard to the leading
equipment manufacturers................................................................114
2.3.3.1 The general importance of the NMT standard..................114
2.3.3.2 The specific importance of NMT for Ericsson
and Nokia...............................................................................116
2.3.3.3 The intervention of the National Telecom
Administrations in the plans of equipment
manufacturers........................................................................125
2.4 The success of NMT revised.....................................................................131
3 ELABORATION OF THE GSM STANDARD..............................................140
3.1 Background.................................................................................................140
3.1.1 Political context..................................................................................140
3.1.1.1 Economic integration.............................................................140
3.1.1.2 Origins of the European Community's
Telecommunications policy.................................................142
3.1.2 Adapting the idea of the pan-European mobile
communications system...................................................................147
3.2 The GSM Development process...............................................................150
3.2.1 Feasibility phase................................................................................151
3.2.1.1 Setting the task.......................................................................151
3.2.1.1.1 Action Plan...............................................................151
3.2.1.1.2 Basic requirements..................................................153
3.2.1.1.3 Organizing the work...............................................156
3.2.1.2 Securing prerequisites...........................................................158
3.2.1.2.1 Frequency issue.......................................................158
3.2.1.2.2 Defining services.....................................................160
3.2.1.2.3 Market studies.........................................................161
3.2.1.2.4 True 2nd generation system: Digital speech
transmission............................................................165
3.2.2 Standard production phase..............................................................166
3.2.2.1 Flexibility of the GSM organization....................................166
3.2.2.2 Preparing specifications........................................................170
3.2.2.2.1 Pruning timetable....................................................170
3.2.2.2.2 Preparing the Recommendations..........................171
3.2.2.2.2.1 Strategy of defining the
Recommendations...................................171
3.2.2.2.2.2 Defining Recommendations...................172
3.2.2.2.3 The Evolutionary Path of Standard......................174
3.2.2.3 Choice of major technologies...............................................180
3.2.2.3.1 Risk assessment.......................................................182
3.2.2.3.2 Radio sub-system....................................................183
3.2.2.3.3 Speech Codec...........................................................190
3.2.2.3.4 Non-proprietary technology..................................191
3.2.2.3.5 Flexible technology.................................................195
3.2.2.4 Ensuring implementing of GSM..........................................197
3.2.2.4.1 Political framework.................................................197
3.2.2.4.2 MoU activities..........................................................199
3.2.3 Implementation..................................................................................201
3.2.3.1 Market: shift to digital...........................................................201
3.2.3.1.1 Opening of networks..............................................202
3.2.3.1.2 Subscriber growth...................................................207
3.2.3.2 Manufacturers........................................................................208
3.2.3.2.1 Market strategies.....................................................209
3.2.3.2.2 Infrastructure supply..............................................211
3.2.3.2.3 Terminal manufacturers.........................................216
3.2.4 Key players.........................................................................................221
3.2.4.1 Motivations and Roles of the Key Players..........................222
3.2.4.1.1 The European Community....................................222
3.2.4.1.1.1 Motivations................................................222
3.2.4.1.1.2 Feasibility phase.......................................223
3.2.4.1.1.3 Standard production phase.....................225
3.2.4.1.1.4 Implementation........................................227
3.2.4.1.1.5 Conclusions...............................................228
3.2.4.1.2 CEPT and ETSI........................................................228
3.2.4.1.2.1 Motivations................................................228
3.2.4.1.2.2 Feasibility phase.......................................229
3.2.4.1.2.3 Standard production phase.....................230
3.2.4.1.2.4 Implementation........................................231
3.2.4.1.2.5 Conclusions...............................................232
3.2.4.1.3 Governments............................................................232
3.2.4.1.3.1 Motivations................................................232
3.2.4.1.3.2 Feasibility phase.......................................233
3.2.4.1.3.3 Standard production phase.....................235
3.2.4.1.3.4 Implementation........................................236