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What are mobile communications?

How do mobile communications work? What is meant by the mobile communications standards GSM, UMTS and LTE? How high is the exposure to high frequency electromagnetic fields from mobile communications base stations and mobile terminals, the mobile phones, smartphones and tablet computers? Here you get information on the basic aspects of mobile communications.

high-frequency electromagnetic field

High-frequency electromagnetic fields

In mobile communications, high-frequency electromagnetic fields are used for wireless transmission of voice and data. In free space they propagate as waves at the speed of light while being able to transmit energy and information over long distances.

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5G

5G

The next generation (5G) of mobile communications is available since 2020. Self-driving cars, voice-activated assistants, and intelligent refrigerators are just a few examples of how the higher data transmission rates of the new mobile phone technology could be used. However, there are also some concerns.

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UMTS

UMTS

Third generation (3G) mobile networks were in operation in Germany from 2004 to 2021. They were based on the digital transmission standard UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). The frequency range allocated to the networks was between 1920 and 2170 MHz. Other mobile radio frequencies could be used as well.

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two young women using mobile phone and smart phone

Mobile terminals

Mobile terminals include classic mobile phones and smartphones in particular. Routers and tablet computers also belong to this group of devices if they are able to establish and use mobile radio connections. The devices generate high-frequency electromagnetic fields in order to communicate with a mobile phone base station. In devices used today, the transmitter and receiver antennas are often incorporated into the devices and not visible from the outside.

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LTE symbol

LTE

LTE is a digital mobile communications technology and is considered the successor to UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Like UMTS and its extensions HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) and HSPA+, also LTE is still allocated to the third generation of mobile communications (3G). That is why the designation 3.9G is sometimes used for LTE. Only its advancement, LTE-Advanced, meets all requirements imposed on mobile communications technologies of the fourth generation (4G) by standardisation bodies. In Germany, LTE has been available since the end of 2010 and LTE-Advanced was introduced in late 2014.

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GSM symbol

GSM standard

Between 1992 and 1995, the first completely digital mobile telephone networks went into operation in Germany. These networks, which are still used today, operate according to the GSM standard (Global System for Mobile Communications). They employ radio frequencies in the range of 900 MHz and 1800 MHz

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