Wireless Communications
The first radiotelephone service was introduced in the United States in the late 1940s and the system was meant to connect wireless users in vehicles to the public fixed network.
In the 1960s, a new wireless system was launched by Bell Systems and it was called Improved Mobile Telephone Service” (IMTS). Improved Mobile Telephone Service brought many improvements like direct dialing and higher bandwidth.
The first analog cellular systems were based on IMTS and were developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The systems were called “cellular” because coverage areas were split into smaller areas or “cells” each of which was served by a low power transmitter and receiver.
This first generation (1G) analog system for wireless communications was enhanced by key developments during the 1970s that included the invention of the microprocessor and the digitization of the control link between the wireless phone and the cell site.
Second generation (2G) digital cellular systems were first developed in the late 1980s. These wireless systems digitized not only the control link but also the voice signal. 2G systems provided better quality and higher capacity at lower cost to end users.
In the mid-1980s the concept for IMT-2000 “International Mobile Telecommunications” was born at the International Telecommunications Union as the third generation system for wireless communications. A historic decision was taken in the year 2000 with the unanimous approval of the technical specifications for third generation systems.
The entire telecommunications industry, including both industry and national/regional standards-setting bodies gave a concerted effort to avoiding the fragmentation that had thus far characterized the wireless market. This approval meant that for the first time, full interoperability and interworking of wireless systems could be achieved.
Third generation (3G) systems were also designed to provide faster communications services, including voice, fax and Internet, anytime and anywhere with seamless global roaming. The first 3G networks were deployed in Korea and Japan in 2000 and 2001.
In 2001, a number of industry leaders announced a commitment to create a global and open wireless software and services market.
The initiative, launched
among others by AT&T Wireless,
Cingular Wireless, MM02,
NTT DoCoMo, Telefonica Moviles
and Vodafone marked a key
milestone as industry stakeholders
came together to boost the
introduction of new, interoperable
wireless Internet access
and visual contents downloading
services worldwide.
Further reading:
Broadband - Broadband and home phone