Section 1 - Telecommunications Principles and Overview of Fixed Networks

• The sine wave
• Analogue and digital transmission
• 64kbps Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
• E1 standard
• PDH and SDH
• Public Switched Telephone Network
• Local Loop
• Digital Subscriber Loop
• Integrated Services Digital Network

Section 2 - Radio and Cellular Principles

• The Electromagnetic Wave
• Radio Spectrum
• Propagation
• Cellular principles
• C/I ratio
• Traffic and Grade of Service
• Path Loss and Cell Planning Tools        

Section 3 - GSM Introduction and Network Architecture

• Historical perspective
• Regulatory bodies
• Development and Specifications
• Other Second Generation Technologies
• Mobile station
• SIM
• Base Station Subsystem
• Network Switching Subsystem
• Interconnections
• Operations and Maintenance
• Air Interface
• Radio Spectrum

Section 4 - GSM Air Interface

• Time Division Multiple Access
• Physical channel
• Structure of Air Burst
• Traffic channels - 26 frame multiframe
• Signalling channels - 51 frame multiframe
• Typical cell example
• Introduction to Network Planning
• Example E1 link network planning calculation                                                                             

Section 5 - GSM Procedures, Features and Services

• Idle mode operation
• Dedicated mode operation
• Power measurement report
• Drive Test Equipment
• Handovers
• Mobility management
• Summary of other procedures
• Teleservices, Bearer Services and Supplementary Services
• Voice Services
• Voice coding Principles
• Short Message Service
• Authentication and encryption
• Data over GSM
• Billing options
  

Section 6 - Evolving Mobile Technology

• High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD)
• Packet Switching and Circuit Switching Principles
• General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
• Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE)
• Wireless Access Protocol (WAP)
• Intelligent Networks & CAMEL
• SIM Application Toolkit
• Bluetooth
• Intelligent Networks and CAMEL
• Summary of other relevant technologies

Section 7 - Third Generation

• Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS
• Other 3G technologies
• Code Division Multiple Access CDMA
• Spectrum and Licensing status
• UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access UTRA – key features
• UMTS Radio Spectrum
• GSM Evolution to 3G