Wireless Telephony

In 1983, the first experimental cellular telephone system was tested in Chicago, Illinois. This took place after several different advances in the late 19th to mid 20th centuries, including Guglielmo Marconi’s invention of Morse code and Martin Cooper’s portable phone headset. These advances led to The Commercial Mobil Radio Service (CMRS) classification system in 1993 by Congress, which allowed for only one set of regulations to be applied to the use of all cell phones.
I believe the creation of a set of nationwide regulations was a good move by Congress; thus eliminating the possibility of having regulations that would vary between each of the different service providers. Without these regulations, users would not be able to call other people with a different carrier. The CMRS was instrumental in creating a market for the different service providers; who then were forced to compete with one another to provide better service and create calling options for customers (for example: In-calling, My Circle, free calls at night and on weekends). The CMRS classification system eventually led to global standards which were established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). This system is now being used with 3rd Generation (3G) cell phones throughout the world.
Service providers are now beginning to encounter their share of a global market that has led to the development of more user-centered cell phones. We now have phones that flip into keyboards for text messaging; phones that have big numbers and simplified functions for consumers that make-up the older market; and computers that can also be used as a phone. These advances are the result of the research that has been done by the cell phone companies after surveying and analyzing their market. The positive effect that this has had on consumers may soon change.
M-advertising may soon become a reality. I realize that this kind of advertising already takes place when someone is ‘surfing the web,’ but I would be irritated if my cell phone provider sold my location to different companies who would like to market to me. For example, I am on vacation in New York I begin getting advertising for sales that are taking place that day at Macy’s. To me this is an invasion of privacy, but I would not be surprised if this started happening. I am sure I would have no say in weather or not my service provider starts doing this. It is already being done with the internet and I have no control over that either, even with web filtration such as pop-up blocker.























Tyler, James M. (2008). In the eyes of others: Monitoring for relational value cues. Human Communication Research, Vol 34 (4), 521-549.