GSM Technology Center

3G Americas supports mobile operators in North, South and Central America, and the Caribbean in the evolution to third-generation (3G) technologies via the GSM family of technologies. Working in cooperation with other global standards organizations such as 3GPP and ETSI, regulatory agencies such as ANATEL and CITEL, as well as regional organizations like ASETA, 3G Americas helps to ensure a successful transition for operators and their customers to high-speed wireless data services.

This Technology Center provides technical and statistical information on the GSM family of technologies, which includes GPRS, EDGE, UMTS/HSPA and LTE. The GSM technologies are expected to account for up to 86% of next-generation customers. That market share has two key benefits: high volumes of devices and network infrastructure, which translates into lower overhead for operators and affordable devices for customers; and international roaming, allowing GSM customers to enjoy voice and next-generation services throughout the Americas and worldwide.

The GSM community offers the world's most extensive wireless footprint with over 3 billion subscriptions, more than 88% of the world's digital wireless market, and growing. In the Americas, GSM is the fastest growing wireless technology. Each step in the migration to 3G gives customers access to a wider range of advanced IP-based data services, including fast Internet access, messaging and streaming multimedia. For operators, each step is a cost-effective way to expand services while making more efficient use of spectrum and infrastructure.

Learn more about 3G services »

Glossary of Wireless Acronyms

Learn more about the GSM family of technologies used in each step of the migration to 3G:

Additional Technologies: