Wireless History

If you think about it, personal communications has come a very long way since the days of tribal drums and smoke signals. Once upon a time, out of sight and earshot meant out of touch.

Two critical innovations revolutionized personal communications. When a Frenchman named Claude Chappe invented the telegraph in 1792, it marked the first time messages could travel quickly over long distances. It's no coincidence that the Pony Express discontinued service as soon as Western Union began operating the first transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, considering the very best a horse and rider could do was 250 miles a day. Not much competition for the telegraph, which could send a message cross-country in a matter of seconds.

Renowned Scottish-American scientist Alexander Graham Bell took the next big step when he sent a voice transmission eight miles over telegraph wires in the spring of 1876. By the end of that year, Mr. Bell had placed the first long-distance telephone call in history, transmitting his voice some 143 miles.

Ever since Mr. Bell created virtually instantaneous voice communication over long distances, we've searched for ways to make the telephone both simpler and more powerful.

Enter cellular phones, which have one huge advantage over the traditional telephone: they operate without wires. No more "leash." We can now keep in touch wherever we are, whenever we want. Thanks to wireless technology, personal communications means having flexibility, accessibility and freedom.

The first test of cellular service took place in 1962. By the early 1980s, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had decided how it wanted to structure the industry and announced it was dividing the country into well defined market areas, designated by counties. Eventually, 734 markets were licensed by the FCC to offer cellular service. Under the FCC's plan, one license was granted to a company that was affiliated with an operating telephone company in a given market. The other license was awarded to an independent operator with no telephone company affiliation in that area. Two test systems were constructed in Washington, D.C., and Chicago. At the conclusion of successful testing in 1983, these two cities became the first to offer commercial service.

Today, there are more than 1,500 cellular systems operating across the U.S., and there will be more wireless communications options in the future. During the past few years, the FCC has auctioned off new wireless frequencies which will bring additional wireless services to cities and towns across the United States.

Since arriving on the scene, cellular phones have won public acceptance more quickly than any other consumer electronic product in history, including color and cable TV, fax machines and video cassette recorders. Tens of thousands of new customers sign up every day. By the year 2000 industry analysts are predicting close to 90 million subscribers.

Convenience is the number one reason more and more people are signing up for cellular service. In Cellular One's recent "Look Who's Talking" survey, 71 percent of cellular users said they are more productive because of cellular, and 87 percent said cellular service makes it easier to communicate with family and friends. Ninety-one percent of surveyed cellular users also feel safer with a cellular phone.

Many of America's best-known companies depend on wireless technology to help keep things running smoothly. United Parcel Service, for example, has equipped 70,000 drivers with an electronic "clipboard" that blends wireless and computer technology. Every time the driver puts the clipboard back into its specially designed carrying slot inside the delivery truck, UPS headquarters automatically receives data through a cellular link. Considering the fact that UPS handles more than three billion packages every year, it's easy to understand why up-to-the-minute delivery information is so critical.

Other companies with large sales forces, such as Xerox, IBM and Coldwell Banker, also use wireless technology to enhance their customer service. All agree that cellular service has made for satisfied customers. In addition, a significant number of smaller companies have embraced wireless to help maximize their ability to respond quickly to customers' needs and requests.

To determine whether you would find wireless services useful in your work and in your personal life, ask yourself the following questions: