Wireless telecommunications use electromagnetic means, such as radio waves, to transfer digital or analog information. Most work through a base station, but satellite phones can broadcast directly to satellites. The popularity of wireless telecommunications has led to increased government regulation and concerns over reliability in emergency situations. It is recommended to have both landline and wireless systems available.
Wireless telecommunications are any means of electronic data transfer using electromagnetic means, most commonly radio waves. The data transferred is often in the form of digital information, which includes voice transmission. Wireless telecommunications can also include analog signals, although these are being phased out in many industries. Telecommunications are also generally thought of as being bi-directional, with both sides having receive and transmit capabilities.
Most types of wireless telecommunications work through a base station. This station receives information from both landlines and wireless sources, such as radio waves. The base station then takes those signals and converts them from one type of media to another. It is possible for radio waves to be forwarded to a satellite or other type of system and then transferred to another base station before being sent to a landline system.
One major exception to this process is the use of satellite phones, which are still quite expensive and generally not used by the average consumer. These phones can dispense with the use of a base station and broadcast directly to airborne satellites. This capability greatly enhances their functionality to receive and send signals to places traditional cell phones cannot. The disadvantages are the price of such phones and the power required to run them, both of which are substantially greater than cell phones.
Although they have been around for a long time, wireless telecommunications have only recently begun to dominate the market, particularly for personal phone calls. The popularity since the beginning of the 21st century has skyrocketed. The use of systems such as cell phones allows users to carry their phones with them anywhere, which greatly enhances the opportunities for on-demand communication. While this may offer many users greater convenience, there have also been some drawbacks to wireless telecommunications, including increased government regulation and disputes over who is entitled to which airwaves.
The prevalent use of cell phones and other radio transmitting devices has prompted the Federal Communications Commission in the United States and other government bodies around the world to work quickly to improve regulations. As the system becomes increasingly crowded with signals, the FCC has been working to implement changes, such as moving television signals from an analog-based system to a digitized one and allowing certain cellular networks to broadcast only on certain frequencies. This frees up more bandwidth across the spectrum.
The shift from landline telecommunications to wireless telecommunications has worried some. Some consider wireless systems to be less reliable, especially in emergency situations. Others argue that when storms bring down phone lines, cell towers usually make it through and sometimes provide the only means of communication. In general, the safest bet is to have both types of systems available in case of an emergency.
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