Mobile telecommunications encompass various services.
Mobile telephony is a service that makes it possible to telephone by means of a portable device, no matter whether the called person has a fixed or mobile device. The only restriction on use is the range of the mobile network in the country, that is, the number and location of the antennas that combine to form the network.
Radio-paging: a pager is a receiver making it possible to be reached throughout the country. Depending on the degree of perfection, a radio-pager can give a sound signal (‘tone only’ model), a coded message or display a telephone number (digital model) or a more detailed message (alphanumeric model). A few years ago radio-paging was very popular in Belgium, but it now has competition from the GSM telephone. The market has not been opened up to competition due to the lack of interested operators. But the radio-paging service does have some aces up its sleeve: the range in the country and its use in buildings still outstrips GSM telephones.
PAMR services (trunking) are communications services via radio waves. They offer voice and data applications and are oriented to closed user groups. Liberalisation of such a service in Belgium requires compliance with specifications drawn up by BIPT.
PMR services (Private Mobile Radio): this category includes services that are used by emergency services, taxi firms or breakdown services. They are mobile networks established for safety purposes or for public benefit (the word ‘private in the name does not refer to the form of ownership, but to the fact that use is restricted to certain users). A distinction can be made between classic PMR and Trunked PMR (TPMR), depending on whether the network offers one link at a time or several links at the same time. Classic PMR has only one base station and one radio frequency.
Maritime telecommunications services and air-to-ground communication services: for safety considerations GSM devices must not be used on board aircraft. The TFTS system (Terrestrial Flight Telecommunication System) has been developed to allow passengers to communicate with people on the ground during short and medium-duration flights. Such services are currently not offered in Belgium.
Location and positioning services: these services make it possible to establish the location and movement of vehicles or fixed installations.
Mobile satellite services: technical advances have made it possible to develop communications systems based on satellite links. Voice telephony, radio-paging and data transmission are available to the public and private sectors, as well as private individuals.