The GSM Recommendation The early 1980s were marked by the development of a number of national and incompatible radio networks in Europe; see Table 1.2 and Figure 1.3. The seven different mobile radio networks made the prospect of the mobile telephone unattractive to many potential customers because of high tariffs and equipment costs. For this reason, at its general meeting in Vienna in June 1982, CEPT (see Appendix B.2.2) decided to develop and standardize a Pan-European cellular mobile radio net