Cellular Radio Telephony

Development from 1981 – 1992

The first generation of cell phones which is called 1G starts with the introduction of cellular networks. In 1981, the Nordic Mobile Telephone System (NMT) was the first cellular system to be introduced. This was followed in 1983 by the Advanced Mobile Telephone Network (AMPS) and finally in 1985 by the C-Net, which is described in more detail here as an example.

The cellular network was only made possible by the availability of new technologies such as

Centralized, computerized, automatic switching center that could manage the networks
Introduction of complex digital signaling
Complex automatic processing of signals on mobile and fixed side

The number of participants in the networks increased from 20,000 to nearly one million.

First, the principle of a cellular network is explained. How do increase the capacity of the networks by reusing the frequencies in the cells? Why is it necessary to have a cellular network with centralized management? How to manage the transition from one cell to the next?
Cellular Network

A detailed description of a first cellular network is given by the German C-Netz.

In addition, the American AMPS system is briefly presented with its UK version of TACS. Another 1G Standard, similar to AMPS was NMT. AMPS, TACS and NMT