Prodding along on the history trail for a moment here, I've got two super interesting links for you today if you care to read up on how GSM and later UMTS where created.
The first link leads to Ericsson History and the beginning of the 1980's. Rather than just plain facts, the subsequent pages also name the key players, their thoughts and the strategy behind it all from an Ericsson point of view.
And the second link leads to Stephen Temple's GSM history page which describes the things that happened from his point of view, working in the UK's department of trade and industry (DTI) who was one of the main drivers behind the creation of the GSM Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in 1987.
Lots of things to discover on both pages, enjoy!