Cheap beeps: across nation, electronic pagers proliferate

Article Abstract:

Radio pagers, commonly called beepers, are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as falling prices, functional and cosmetic improvements and wider distribution attract new customers from such groups as parents of day-care children to the existing user base of plumbers, doctors and drug dealers. Paging service providers are signing up 53,000 new customers a day at prices as low as $7 a month, down from up to $50 a month in the 1970s. Pagers themselves cost as little as $60, down from $300 in the 1970s, and are as easy to use as ever. While low-cost pagers respond to incoming telephone calls by beeping and displaying the caller's telephone number, costlier models merely vibrate and can carry brief text messages. Some are credit-card size and come in transparent day-glow colors that attract teenagers. Two-way messaging and fax pagers are also on the horizon. Industry analysts expect the number of pagers in use to grow from 19.2 million at the end of 1993 to 33 million by 1997. Paging services revenues were $2.2 billion in 1992.

Radiotelephone communications, Radio & TV communications equipment, Telecommunications industry, Supply and demand, Telecommunications equipment industry, Communications industry, Radio pagers, Pagers (Communication devices), Cost control, Market Analysis, Demand, Cost Reduction, User-Friendliness, Pager Systems

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The digital-cellular-video revolution is running late

Article Abstract:

The development of a wireless, intelligent and portable device that combines the functionality of a telephone, television and computer, is slowed by some big obstacles. One problem involves the varying throw weights that each device emits on radio waves. Engineers are attempting to solve this problem by using digital signals. However, current digital technology are not equally applicable to telephones, tv sets and computers. For example, digital signal compression will make 500-channel cable television a reality but will spell disaster on data transmission. Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology that is expected to be useful within five to ten years is being hindered by the fight over technical standards. The development of multimedia devices is being slowed by inadequate screen technology. The current liquid crystal displays have considerable drawbacks.

Telecommunications equipment, High technology, Product introduction, Digital communications, Communications equipment, New Technique, Digital Communication

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