cell–phones-and-plans.com

Roberto Sedycias asked:


Cell phone is a wireless, portable, long-range, electronic telephone, which during travel can seamlessly change antenna connections, from one radio reception cell to another radio reception cell, without dropping or losing the ongoing call.

Besides the standard voice function of a telephone, latest cell phones have features such as SMS for text messages, MMS for multimedia messages, radio, games, internet connectivity for email, browsing, blogging, music (MP3) playback, memo recording, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, personal organizers, Push-to-Talk (PTT), Bluetooth and infrared connectivity, call registers, streaming video, downloading video, video call, and also serve as wireless modems for PCs that can be connected to the Internet.

The power in a cell phone is obtained from rechargeable batteries, which can be recharged from the mains, a USB port or a cigarette lighter port in an automobile. Nickel Metal Hydride were the most common types of batteries, which due to the “memory effect” (the user can recharge only when the entire battery is drained off) were replaced by Lithium-Ion batteries, which did not suffer from any memory effect.

Cell phones came into existence because of the invention of hexagonal cells in 1947, for the base stations by Bell Labs engineers at AT&T. This was further developed during the 1960s by Bell Labs. During a call, the channel frequency could not be changed automatically from one cell (base station coverage area) to another cell (base station coverage area) as the person traveled from the area of one cell to the area of another cell. Amos Joel of Bell Labs invented a breakthrough invention and called it as the `call handoff` by which the channel frequency could be changed automatically from one cell to another cell, during the same call, as the mobile user traveled from one cell to another cell. Due to their heavy construction, these phones were used mainly in automobiles.

The first practical cell phone in a non-vehicle setting, and which could be handheld, was invented by Martin Cooper, the General Manager (Communications Division) of Motorola, who made the world`s first handheld cell phone call on April 3, 1973.

The technology by which the cell phone works depends on the mobile phone operator; however, all of them use electromagnetic radio waves, which are in touch with a cell site (base station). The base station is composed of several antennas which are mounted on a pole, tower, or building. Cell sites are spread at a distance of 5 to 8 miles (approx. 8 to 13 km) from each other. The low power transceiver from the cell phone transmits the voice and data to the nearest cell site. During movement, the cell phone will “handoff” the information to other cell site. Mobile phone operators use many technologies to maintain the smooth stream of digitized data from the cell phone to the cell site and vice versa.

The wireless telephone technologies are grouped under heads known as generations, starting from zero generation or 0G. The current generation going on is 4G; however, there are old cell phones that still operate on 1G, 2G, and 3G technologies. The wireless telephone technologies used in each generation are as given below:

0G: PTT, MTS, IMTS, AMTS, OLT, MTD, Autotel/PALM, ARP

1G: NMT, AMPS/TACS/ETACS, Hicap, CDPD, Mobitex, DataTac

2G: GSM, iDEN, D-AMPS, IS-95/cdmaOne, PDC, CSD, PHS, GPRS, HSCSD, WiDEN, CDMA2000 1xRTT/IS-2000, EDGE (EGPRS)

3G: W-CDMA, UMTS (3GSM), FOMA, TD-CDMA/UMTS-TDD, 1xEV-DO/IS-856, TD-SCDMA, GAN (UMA), HSPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, HSOPA

4G : UMB, UMTS Revision 8 (LTE), WiMAX

Frequency bands: SMR, Cellular, PCS

The impact of cell phone usage on human health has been of considerable worldwide concern. Research studies in Copenhagen, from the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, the National Cancer Institute, and the Institute of Cancer Research, do not establish any link between cancer and cell phone usage. However, an intergovernmental agency IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) forming part of the World Health Organization of the United Nations, undertook a study of 4,500 users and found a statistically significant link between cell phone usage and tumor frequency. Further research is going on.

Cell phone usage and driving is a common worldwide phenomenon. Some jurisdictions have banned usage of hand-held phones during driving, but allowed the hands-free fashion of cell phone usage while driving. However, studies have found out that the distraction is caused by the conversation itself; hence, both hand-held and hands-free cell phones contribute towards road traffic accidents. Further studies on cell phone usage and driving are going on.

Nokia Corporation is currently the world`s largest manufacturer of cell phones. Other notable cell phone manufacturers, in alphabetical order, are 3G, Audiovox (now UT Starcom), Benefon, BenQ-Siemens, Fujitsu, High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), Kyocera, LG Mobile, Motorola, NEC, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pantech Curitel, Philips, Research In Motion, Sagem, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, Siemens, Sierra Wireless, SK Teletech, Sony Ericsson, T&A Alcatel, Toshiba, and Verizon.



Bryant

maria vacarro asked:


Cell phone usage is on the rise. More people are becoming comfortable relying on cell phones and continuing to replace landlines with them. A study conducted among 878 MyOpinionNow.com panelists gives insight on the usage of and the reliance on cell phones in the United States.

 

This research focuses on the use of cell phones, and in specific the use of internet on cell phones. As cell phones are becoming more sophisticated people are able to communicate at their fingertips in a multitude of ways. Cell phones are no longer just for making phone calls. They now serve as a personalized portable device enabling users to better interact with others and the cell phone itself. With a plethora of capabilities, cell phones can be used for the internet, to text, to chat, to take and share photos, to email, to browse the internet, to play games, to navigate directions while driving, to check movie times, as well as stocks, weather, traffic, etc. The possibilities are infinite.

 

This study by MyOpinionNow.com reveals that 87% of people currently own and use a cell phone. That means that just over 1 in 10 people do not own one. One in five people no longer use a traditional landline and rely only on their cell phone. Nearly one third of the under 35 age group use only a cell phone in comparison to the nearly one in five from the 35-49 age group and the nearly one in ten from the 50 and older age group.

 

MyOpinionNow.com reports that approximately half (49%) of cell phone users have access to the internet from their cell phones. Only 33% of them claim to never access the internet from their cell phone. 45% access the internet from their cell phone at least occasionally. Those who use the internet from their cell phones most often tend to be younger. Additionally, more men than women tend to use the internet from their cell phone—52% of men and only 43% of women use the internet from their cell phone at least occasionally, while 57% of women and 48% of men rarely or never access the internet from their cell phone.

 

Across all age and gender demographics, email is the primary reason for using the internet from a cell phone for about 66% of the people interviewed. Next up, about 49% say they use the internet from their cell phones to kill time when bored. The reasons following were to check weather, browse websites, check movie times, check stocks, and other. For all reasons other than email, answers varied across age and gender demographics. Specific percentages can be viewed by downloading the MyOpinionNow.com report.

 

This research indicates that 19% of the people interviewed use only a cell phone. This number has increased significantly from previous years, and continues to grow. The convenience of a cell phone can not be argued. The cell phone has come a long way since it was first introduced. This tiny tool can be used in so many different ways, it would be no surprise if it replaces more than just landlines. 

 

 *To read more about these findings or to download this report please Click Here

Or visit MyOpinionNow.com



Tyrese

Florin J asked:


I am planning to pick up a new Palm Centro. This is my first cell phone and I’m quite excited about owning one. I will use the phone mostly to receive calls. Which cell phone service provider will provide me the best service at the most nominal charge?

Christopher

A55555 asked:


We have a cell phone but its one of those little rinky dink prepaid phones; me and my husband are looking for cell phones w\ affordable plans; we mainly need it for my husband because of his job. I looked at a few websites but they really didn’t help me at all.

Beau

Bill D asked:


I don’t have a landline phone anymore and I only have a cell phone but I realized just now my cell phone died and it cant be charged. Now I dont have a phone number for anyone to contact me or to contact them. So what would I do in a emergency? Whose phone would I use then? How is someone going to contact me if I dont have a phone? Thats why i rather have a backup lanline phone too as a spare incase my cell dies.

Javier

David asked:


Choosing your own cell phone plan

You already have your very own cell phone. Now you need to choose the cell phone plan that is the best for you. Choosing your cell phone plan is like choosing your activity for your cell phone.

The manner of choosing your cell phone plan depends on how you expect to use your cell phone. Whether it’s for business or just for ordinary communication, you must choose the cell phone plan best for you.

Cell phone plan usually has a set of numbers called peak minute and an unlimited number of off-peak minutes. Peak minutes are usually sold in blocks and this is mainly the main feature of cell phone plan options of the different providers.

Most cell phone plans has a free mobile-to-mobile minutes, which means you can avail of free call to others with the same cell phone plan providers with you.

Keep in mind that the exact start and end times for peak minutes varies from provider to provider. If you think your usage falls somewhere in between two cell phone plan blocks, think wisely and pick the plan with more minutes, because overtime minutes are more expensive and can add a large sum to your cell phone bill.

If you’re the type of user that uses cell phone only on evenings and weekends, then you should avail of the cell phone plan called off-peak or also known as “night and weekend” minutes.

Some cell phone service providers have a long-distance free call. So if you have relatives in far places, better avail this cell phone plan so that you’ll not anymore use your landline in calling them. If you want to avail this plan, make sure that it includes enough off-peak minutes for your talk time or else you’ll be paying overcharges, which makes the free long-distance calls useless.

If you’re always on the go and like to travel, you must avail of cell phone plans which offer wide range of roaming areas. Roaming areas are areas outside the cell phone provider’s coverage area.

If you’re outside the provider’s area, it does not mean that your not have the provider’s services. It’s just that other providers in the area will handle your call. Usually, calls made from roaming services are much expensive that ordinary calls. So, try to look for cell phone plans with wide range of roaming service.

A family or shared cell phone plan may be a good option for you. This cell phone plan can cause you less each person in the family. All you have to do is visit the website of the service provider and look for the option for “family plan” or “get 2 phones” that appears on most cell phone offer pages.

For cell phone users who plan to use their phones only in emergencies, or those who don’t want to undergo the cell phone provider’s credit check, a prepaid cellular plan can be a good option as well. However, both the cell phones and the per-minute costs are lower with a service contract of one or more years.

There is a wide range of cell phone plans. All you have to do is choose the right plan for you. It’s better to study first the different cell phone plans of different cell phone providers to have the best cell phone plan or you.



Paris

coamissouri asked:


I need to know an alternate way besides internet to get games to my cell phone. I don’t have internet on my phone. I want to be able to even try by bluetooth. Any suggestions? I have a Motorola V3.

Dakota

dillydadally asked:


I was wondering if cell companies charge so much and have so many fees and such long contracts because they have to to make a fair profit and stay in business, or are they making tons of money off the high demand of cell phones. If they do need to charge so much, is it because of poor business practices or why is it?

If anyone has studied this or worked close enough with cell phone companies to give an educated answer, I’d sure like to know. Please provide sources and facts (not opinions please). Thanks.
I guess I should say I understand that they will charge what the market will bear and as long as we keep paying, they’ll keep charging high rates.

My question is, at their current spot, does anyone know if they are making large profits because they are taking advantage of the market, or if the “invisible hand” of the market has driven their charges as low as they currently can go with today’s technology and still stay in business?

Kristofer

sreejith asked:


For any person of this century, cell phone has become a part of his life without which he feels as if he is a handicap. The cell phone is one of the new inventions that have occurred in the 21st century. Even though some people are still new to the cell phones in many places of the world, there are other places where the cell phones have become history.

People cannot leave from their home without taking the cell phones with them. For majority of the people, cell phones are the most convenient way fro communication. The parents are also gifting the children with cell phones for many reasons. The major reason for these types of gifts is the concern about the safety of the children.

People find some or the other reason to use the cell phone. They are used to the habit of using the cell phone so much that people even make excuses for avoiding certain occasions where the use of cell phone may be restricted.

The major advantages of using cell phones are three:

1. the process of communication has been made faster and easier by the use of cell phones.

2. the accessories or the extra devices which are provided to the users with the cell phone make their life easier.

3. Last but not the least, cell phones act as safety devices also fro those who use it.

The main reason for the popularity that the cell phone has received during the past twenty years or so is due the faster and easier communication it has provided. Now a day, where the people don’t have time for anything, cell phone helps to convey your ideas fast. The organisations are using cell phones as a medium of interviewing the candidates.



Avery

Russell asked:


When I purchased a Net10 cell phone, I was required to provide a land line phone number to activate it through their website. Now I want to change my cell phone number, but I do not have a land line, and Net10 refuses to change the cell phone number because I do not have a land line. I have no use for a land line. Why does Net10 require me to have a land line to activate a cell phone?

Aldo