Cell Phone Evolution: Good And Bad

Cell Phone Evolution: Good and Bad

Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the world has become a smaller and faster place. The time used to travel to far distances has decreased. The growth of new technologies, traveling and communicating has become simple daily tasks for many people. Through the growth of global communication, people have become closer to others across the globe, and business has gone world wide. One invention that came along with the technological revolution is the Cell Phone. Cell phones allow us to be reachable anywhere at anytime, letting us communicate even while traveling. As time becomes more valuable for people, the importance of accessibility to communication also increases. As with many things, new technology brings some bad consequences. This paper will briefly discuss the development of cell phone and its uses along with the negative impact it can have on our health.

The idea of cellular phone goes back to the 1940s. The vacuum tube and the transistor made possible the early telephone network, but wireless revolution began only after the low cost micro processors and digital switching became available (Farley 1). Dr. Martin Cooper, a former general manager for the systems division at Motorola, is considered the inventor of the first modern portable handset. Cooper made the first call on a portable cell phone in April 1973. He made the call to his rival, Joel Engel, Bell Labs head of research. Bell Laboratories introduced the idea of cellular communications in 1947 with the police car technology. However, Motorola was the first to incorporate the technology into portable device that was designed for outside of an automobile use. The cell phone got its cellular name because the system uses many based stations to divide a service area into multiple cells. Cellular calls are transferred from base station to base station as the user travels from cell to cell.

Have you ever wonder why other countries are further advanced in their telephone technology. Have you noticed that Japan is always coming out with smaller and better phones? The reason for this is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC governs the airwaves of the United States. When concept of cell phones started, AT&T recognized the need for more radio spectrum frequencies. They proposed the FCC allocated more airwaves so that widespread cellular service would be feasible (Corr 121). This would give AT&T the drive to research the new technology. The FCC in its infinite wisdom decided to limit the amount of frequencies to the public in 1947. This only allowed twenty-three phone conversations possible at the same time in the same service area. These limitations made the incentive for research not marketable. While the US was dragging their feet in 1979 Tokyo Japan started the first telephone system. Finally in 1982 the FCC authorized commercial cellular service. In 1987 the FCC loosened up and allowed companies to develop new technologies in the 800MHz band. Due to the slow government process, it took 37 years for cellular phone service to become available commercially.

The United States is now trying to play catch up with the rest of world on cell technology. South Korea has a mobile commerce payment plan in place that will let people punch keys on their cell phone so that can purchase items. Japan now has that beat. They have developed the world's first phone with an embedded computer chip you can fill up with electronic cash. To spend your money all you have to do is simply wave your cell phone a few inches of a special display found in stores, restaurants and vending machines (Lilley 1). The computer then sends a message to your phone company and deducts the money from your account. The United State has made progress in technology. A company in North Carolina purchased cell phones for its workers. Little did the workers know that the phones allowed the company to track them (Lane 196). The company knew how many times employees had smoke breaks or if they reported to work on time. Oklahoma Medical Center uses cell phones with their nurses. When I report to work I get issued a cell phone and my patient assignment. We still have a little ways to go to catch up with the other countries but we are closing ground fast.

All the new phones and headsets have brought all concern about possible medical problems. New reports continue to come in and are displayed all over the internet of the possibility of cell phones being linked to brain tumors. It is true that cell phones have electromagnetic radiation. A major study carried by scientists in Finland discovered that radiation that comes from cell phones cause activity in human cells in a laboratory