Communication Technology Update, 10/e, 10th Edition

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WIRELESS TELEPHONY

Ran Wei, Ph.D.*

The ubiquitous cell phone is a way of life in modern society. The number of users worldwide will exceed two billion in 2006. The United States (62.11 users per 100 people) is second only to Europe (76.61 users per 100 people) in nationwide penetration (ITU, 2005). CTIA—The Wireless Association (formerly known as the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association) estimates that one billion calls are made via the cell phone per day in the United States, with a total of 203 million active phone numbers in 2006 (CTIA, 2005). As the double-digit growth rate of wireless telephony continues, there will be more cellular telephony than land-based telephony. In addition, the trend of having more than one cell ...