Article re-printed with kind permission from GSM Q, October 1999 Issue 15

An important milestone was achieved in early September when we broke the barrier of 200 million GSM customers worldwide. GSM's growth continues to outperform all other technologies combined by a convincing margin. This massive achievement involves a global effort by tens of thousands of people, who deserve to be congratulated wholeheartedly.

The growth in GSM is now approaching four new customers every second, and the rate is continuing to accelerate. GSM's status as the de facto world mobile technology is assured. In addition, GSM is the only mobile service offering international roaming services worldwide.

GSM offers a clear evolution towards 3G wireless voice and multimedia services delivery. The Internet is becoming mobile and the higher rates and capabilities delivered by HSCSD, GPRS and EDGE will raise expectations and generate important new revenues and competitive opportunities for existing and new players.

I already mentioned the global effort that is GSM as a key success factor. Continuing co-operation is an essential pre-requisite for attractive and efficient wireless service delivery to competitive markets on a global scale. It also ensures that duplication of work can be avoided. GSA co-operates with a number of key industry organisations to deliver on jointly agreed targets, focusing on areas including:

-		market entry;
-		expanding the market;
-		building new markets for non-voice services; and
-		preparing for the future and 3G wireless multimedia services delivery.

Practical activities include workshops and joint support of key events. GSA's partner organisations include:

-		GSM (MoU) Association: representing GSM operators worldwide
-		ETSI: responsible for the standardisation of GSM
-		UMTS Forum: promoting the successful introduction and development of 3G wireless services
-		3GPP: preparing globally applicable technical specifications for the 3G mobile system through collaboration between the world's standards bodies. GSA is a Market Representation Partner, bringing consolidated market-related inputs into the 3GPP standardisation process

We are extending the dialogue between interested players even further. Practical examples include GSA-initiated round-table discussions with GSM operators, which help to identify and clarify issues and concerns from operators' and suppliers' perspectives. The GSA has also launched the Global Mobile Dialogue™ to bring our membership into contact with our business partners, customers, suppliers, key opinion-formers and influencers.

It must be remembered that, while any co-operation should include clear agreed joint targets and activities, it is the results that follow that are important. GSA is proactively playing its part through co-operation and dialogue to take the GSM success story to new heights.

Alan Hadden, president GSA

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