Personal communications network (PCN) is the European digital cellular mobile telephone network, developed in accordance with
GSM
The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation ( 2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such ...
standards.
The PCN system was first initiated by
Lord Young,
UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
The secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom, with responsibility for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The incumbent is a memb ...
, in 1988. The main characteristics of PCN are as follows:
# Operating frequency – 1.7–1.88 GHz (1710–1785 MHz and 1805–1880 MHz).
# Uses 30 GHz or up for microwave back bone system.
# Covers both small cells and large cells.
# Coverage inside and outside buildings.
# Hand over.
# Cell delivery.
# Portable hand set.
# User intelligent network.
PCN uses the
DCS-1800 systems, which is similar to
GSM
The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for second-generation ( 2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such ...
, but up converts the frequency to 1.7–1.88 GHz, therefore the network structure, the signal structure and the transmission characteristics are similar between PCN and GSM, but operational frequencies are different.
The UK government's Department for Enterprise produced
Phones on the Move: Personal Communications in the 1990s - a discussion document in January 1989. The document presented a vision for how mobile communications might develop which outlined ideas for both the PCNs and the CT2 standards.
External links
Press Notice: LORD YOUNG CALLS FOR APPLICATIONS TO RUN "PHONES ON THE MOVE"
Telephony
Wireless networking
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