DCS1800-the standard for PCN

The new standard known as Digital Cellular System at 1800 MHz (DCS 1800) was developed within ETSI GSM and Phase I was approved in February 1991. Subsequently work has continued on a combined DCS/GSM work programme in order to provide improved features and techniques based on a merged set of recommendations. The authors describe enhancements incorporated into the new standard to support PCN (personal communication network) operation, as well as design techniques to provide a high quality, economic service. In particular, they explore a new design approach conceived by two of the UK operators, Unitel and Mercury. Known as parallel network architecture (PNA), it makes possible a capital and cost sharing arrangement between competing service operators and draws on advances in technology, network design and standards