Cellular telephony has grown since its inception in the 1980s at a phenomenal rate, with market growth commonly exceeding analysts' predictions. The transition from analogue to the new digital systems has provided further impetus to growth, as has the trend towards smaller, cheaper, personal handsets (replacing earphones as the main product) as well as the increasing regulatory liberalisation of European telecommunications markets. In North America, personal communications services (PCS), based on a range of technologies, are being facilitated, and are seen to represent a major new market over the next few years. It is within such a context that Europe, and the world, are seeking to establish a route towards future so-called third-generation (3G) mobile systems, for introduction early in the 21st Century.

Inspec keywords: cellular radio

Other keywords: cellular telephony; cellular access technology; personal communications services; third generation mobile systems; personal handsets

Subjects: Mobile radio systems