I. Introduction
The global subscriber numbers are growing and this has resulted into a fierce competition among the manufacturers of different types of handsets. The advancement of the cell phone technology is very necessary as the population is increasing rapidly, the level of Information technology is also increasing day by day. In order to cope up with this dynamic nature of the world, cell phone technology has to advance so as to accommodate the increasing technology and handle the traffic efficiently. During the developments, almost all sectors of the economy are affected. The consumers are affected directly and indirectly. The advancements in the cell phone industry helps in improving the economy at the same time making life easier for the citizens in a country. The developments in the cell phone industry have helped improve the services which are offered by different cellular providers. Whenever a new technology is introduced, its main aim is to improve the capabilities of the network. The developments ensure that more traffic can be handled and that more services are provided. Broadband technology for instance in South Korea is very advanced. It even surpasses that it the United States of America. In South Korea, more that 75% of the households have broadband internet connections. Lewis Peter (2004) “Reports on how broadband technology in South Korea is more advanced than in the U.S. How 75% of South Korean households have broadband Internet connections; Growth in the number of South Koreans with cellular phones; Influence broadband technology has on the government of South Korea.”(Lewis, 2004, p 191). Compared to other developing and developed countries, this advancement has been a success in South Korea. The cell phone technology is advancing at a rate faster than initially expected. Even though the advancements in the cell phone technology are very necessary, it has not been easy to meet all the stated objectives and guidelines. Some of the advancements are opposed by the cellular providers whereas some hindrances are caused by lack of infrastructure to accommodate the new technologies.
I. Body
The wireless networks which are used for running the world’s cellular telephones are facing some danger of collapsing. The dangers are caused by overloading of the networks which can result into the networks collapsing in the near future. Smart-phones for instance request for web pages, video streaming, image uploading and other internet capabilities which strains the network a lot. Such smart-phones like the blackberry, apple iPhone and the Google Android impacts the network and if their use is increased over the cellular network, then the entire networks can literally collapse sooner than later. The mobile industry in the United States for instance has been advancing in the recent past at a very fast rate. It is likely to become the leader of the mobile industry in the near future. When the phone industry was deregulated, two standards emerged; the code division multiple access (CDMA) and the global Systems for mobile communication (GSM). The Apple iPhone emerged as a result of companies trying to improve connectivity in the US and increased data traffic in the networks. The problem of power consumption has been a major hindrance in the development of the cell phone industry. The fourth generation networks cannot be easily deployed due to the problems which are brought about by power consumption in the network. The fourth generation (4G) networks will require more electrical as compared to the current 3G networks which are in operation. The LTE where the 4G networks fall under supports 23 frequencies and each frequency must have a power amplifier for boosting radio signals. Each power amplifier consumes power. This implies that the 4G networks will have very high power consumption as compared to the current 3G networks which only have 4 frequencies.
There is a power amplifier which has been developed by Cambridge start-up Nujira. The power amplifier is very efficient than the existing designs of power amplifiers. A base station version and a miniature version for the handset have been developed. This power amplifier halves power consumption. In the report, Mobile World Congress 2010, “Cambridge startup Nujira has developed power amplifier technology which it claims is far more efficient than existing designs. There is a version for the basestation, and a miniature power amplifier for the handset.” Many mobile operators oppose the recent advancements in the telephony industry which includes incorporating data calls into their networks. With this technology, calls are digitized and then routed over the internet instead of using the switched networks. This approach helps consumers to attain low cost calls especially for long distance calls. This technology uses the network’s data channels and not the voice channels of the operators. Wimax Technology is also coming into place and some operators try to block it. However, this is a technology that will result into improved data transfers across the networks. The operators opposed to it feel that the users will not be paying enough for the amount of services that will be going through their systems.
There are three companies (Google, Microsoft and Apple) which are involved in a tag of war in terms of market dominance. However the companies have different specialties. Preston (2010) ascertains “Apple will continue to thrive, but only as long as Steve Jobs remains CEO. That won't be forever, and there's no heir apparent.” (Preston, 2010, p. 60) Google for instance dominates the internet search engine; Microsoft dominates the computer operating system whereas Apple dominates the high end hardware and entertainment and media devices. Of the three groups, Apple is the most vulnerable. This is because of their reliance on one person who is the CEO. Apparently his term may come to an end sooner than later and the company is likely to be ditched. The company that has the great potentiality of doing well in future is the Google. Google enjoys a monopoly in the internet search engine. Google has also introduced the Android phones which is likely to compete actively with the other brands of smart phones like the Apple and other iPhones.
II. Conclusion
The cell phone technologies have been evolving steadily over the last two decades. The pace is likely to continue as each technology transforms into a new one. According to Louis (2007) “Cell-phone technologies have evolved at a steady pace over the last two decades. That pace is sure to continue as each technology morphs into something new, while support for previously implemented technologies remains strong.” (Louis, 2007, p. 49) The previously existing technologies also have to remain intact during the transformation so as to ensure that there is a smooth transition. The 3G networks still dominate the market but the 4G networks are also looming. The 4G networks have better capabilities and functionalities but they cannot be fully implemented due to power issues. Most of the infrastructure which are in place also cannot accommodate the 4G networks as they are likely to cause overloading in the networks. The pace of advancements in the cell phone industry has been rapid in the recent past but the technologies have not changed much. It is the existing technology which has been modified over the years in order to have more capabilities. Most of the advancements have been triggered by competition among the market players.
REFERENCES
Juan Pablo (2007) Business Mobile: Off the Hook Engineering & Technology P. 31 – 33
Louis E. Frenzel (2007) 3G Takes Charge But 4G Looms Large: Technology Report. P48-50
Preston Gralla (2010) Google, Microsoft, and Apple: Who will thrive? Computer World p.46
Cliff Saran (2010) Mobile World Congress: Nujira lowers LTE power barrier
Lewis, Peter (2004) Broadband Wonderland. Fortune, Vol. 150 Issue 6, p191-198,
Saparito, Bill (2011) Leaving Cell Hell: Vol. 177 Issue 8, p71
Giles, Jim (2010) Jammed! Vol. 208 Issue 2784, p02
