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A mobile phone (also known as a wireless phone or cell phone ) is a short-range, electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialised base stations known as cell sites. In addition to the standard voice function of a mobile phone, telephone, current mobile phones may support many additional services, and accessories, such as SMS for text messaging, email, packet switching for access to the Internet, gaming, bluetooth, infrared, camera with video recorder and MMS for sending and receiving photos and video. Most current mobile phones connect to a cellular network of base stations (cell sites), which is in turn interconnected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) (the exception is satellite phones).

Overview

According to internal memos, American Telephone & Telegraph discussed developing a wireless phone in 1915, but were afraid deployment of the technology could undermine its monopoly on wired service in the U.S.

The first commercial mobile phone service was launched in Japan by NTT in 1978. By November 2007, the total number of mobile phone subscriptions in the world had reached 3.3 billion, or half of the human population (although some users have multiple subscriptions, or inactive subscriptions), which also makes the mobile phone the most widely spread technology and the most common electronic device in the world.

The first mobile phone to enable internet connectivity and wireless email, the Nokia Communicator, was released in 1996, creating a new category of multi-use devices called smartphones. In 1999 the first mobile internet service was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan under the i-Mode service. By 2007 over 798 million people around the world accessed the internet or equivalent mobile internet services such as WAP and i-Mode at least occasionally using a mobile phone rather than a personal computer.

Cellular systems

Mobile phones send and receive radio signals with any number of cell site base stations fitted with microwave antennas. These sites are usually mounted on a tower, pole or building, located throughout populated areas, then connected to a cabled communication network and switching system. The phones have a low-power transceiver that transmits voice and data to the nearest cell sites, normally not more than 8 to 13 km (approximately 5 to 8 miles) away.

When the mobile phone or data device is turned on, it registers with the mobile telephone exchange, or switch, with its unique identifiers, and can then be alerted by the mobile switch when there is an incoming telephone call. The handset constantly listens for the strongest signal being received from the surrounding base stations, and is able to switch seamlessly between sites. As the user moves around the network, the "handoffs" are performed to allow the device to switch sites without interrupting the call.

Cell sites have relatively low-power (often only one or two watts) radio transmitters which broadcast their presence and relay communications between the mobile handsets and the switch. The switch in turn connects the call to another subscriber of the same wireless service provider or to the public telephone network, which includes the networks of other wireless carriers. Many of these sites are camouflaged to blend with existing environments, particularly in scenic areas.

The dialogue between the handset and the cell site is a stream of digital data that includes digitised audio (except for the first generation analog networks). The technology that achieves this depends on the system which the mobile phone operator has adopted. The technologies are grouped by generation. The first-generation systems started in 1979 with Japan, are all analog and include AMPS and NMT. Second-generation systems, started in 1991 in Finland, are all digital and include GSM, CDMA and TDMA.

The nature of cellular technology renders many phones vulnerable to 'cloning': anytime a cell phone moves out of coverage (for example, in a road tunnel), when the signal is re-established, the phone sends out a 're-connect' signal to the nearest cell-tower, identifying itself and signalling that it is again ready to transmit. With the proper equipment, it's possible to intercept the re-connect signal and encode the data it contains into a 'blank' phone -- in all respects, the 'blank' is then an exact duplicate of the real phone and any calls made on the 'clone' will be charged to the original account.

Third-generation (3G) networks, which are still being deployed, began in Japan in 2001. They are all digital, and offer high-speed data access in addition to voice services and include W-CDMA (known also as UMTS), and CDMA2000 EV-DO. China will launch a third generation technology on the TD-SCDMA standard. Operators use a mix of predesignated frequency bands determined by the network requirements and local regulations.

In an effort to limit the potential harm from having a transmitter close to the user's body, the first fixed/mobile cellular phones that had a separate transmitter, vehicle-mounted antenna, and handset (known as car phones and bag phones ) were limited to a maximum 3 watts Effective Radiated Power. Modern handheld cellphones which must have the transmission antenna held inches from the user's skull are limited to a maximum transmission power of 0.6 watts ERP. Regardless of the potential biological effects, the reduced transmission range of modern handheld phones limits their usefulness in rural locations as compared to car/bag phones, and handhelds require that cell towers be spaced much closer together to compensate for their lack of transmission power.

Some handhelds include an optional auxiliary antenna port on the back of the phone, which allows it to be connected to a large external antenna and a 3 watt cellular booster. Alternately in fringe-reception areas, a cellular repeater may be used, which uses a long distance high-gain dish antenna or yagi antenna to communicate with a cell tower far outside of normal range, and a repeater to rebroadcast on a small short-range local antenna that allows any cellphone within a few meters to function properly.

Handsets

Nokia is currently the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, with a global device market share of approximately 40% in 2008. Other major mobile phone manufacturers (in order of market share) include Samsung (14%), Motorola (14%), Sony Ericsson (9%) and LG (7%). These manufacturers account for over 80% of all mobile phones sold and produce phones for sale in most countries.

Other manufacturers include Apple Inc., Audiovox (now UTStarcom), Benefon, BenQ-Siemens, CECT, High Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), Fujitsu, Kyocera, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, Neonode, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Pantech Curitel, Philips, Research In Motion, Sagem, Sanyo, Sharp, Siemens, Sendo, Sierra Wireless, SK Teletech, Sonim Technologies, T&A Alcatel, Huawei, Trium and Toshiba. There are also specialist communication systems related to (but distinct from) mobile phones.

There are several categories of mobile phones, from basic phones to feature phones such as musicphones and cameraphones, to smartphones. The first smartphone was the Nokia 9000 Communicator in 1996 which incorporated PDA functionality to the basic mobile phone at the time. As miniaturisation and increased processing power of microchips has enabled ever more features to be added to phones, the concept of the smartphone has evolved, and what was a high-end smartphone five years ago, is a standard phone today. Several phone series have been introduced to address a given market segment, such as the RIM Blackberry focusing on enterprise/corporate customer email needs; the SonyEricsson Walkman series of musicphones and Cybershot series of cameraphones; the Nokia N-Series of multimedia phones; and the Apple iPhone which provides full-featured web access and multimedia capabilities.

Features

Mobile phones often have features beyond sending text messages and making voice calls, including Internet browsing, music (MP3) playback, memo recording, personal organiser functions, e-mail, instant messaging, built-in cameras and camcorders, ringtones, games, radio, Push-to-Talk (PTT), infrared and Bluetooth connectivity, call registers, ability to watch streaming video or download video for later viewing, video calling and serve as a wireless modem for a PC, and soon will also serve as a console of sorts to online games and other high quality games. The total value of mobile data services exceeds the value of paid services on the Internet, and was worth 31 billion dollars in 2006 (source Informa). The largest categories of mobile services are music, picture downloads, videogaming, adult entertainment, gambling, video/TV.

Nokia and the University of Cambridge are showing off a bendable cell phone called Morph .

Applications

The most commonly used data application on mobile phones is SMS text messaging, with 74% of all mobile phone users as active users (over 2.4 billion out of 3.3 billion total subscriber

As my daughter has will go off to middle school next year where my husband can no longer easily check on her (he teaches at her elementary school), I’m rapidly reconsidering the error of my "no-cell-phone" ways and wondering if I have research on my side.


New Orleans police arrested a popular L.E. Rabouin High School choir teacher this week at the school after a student allegedly received an obscene cell phone photo sent from the teacher's phone, according to a police report filed in Criminal District Court.


During the school day, students need to be focused on classroom instruction without the distractions of cell phones. While cell phones are very convenient and a common part of everyday life, cell phones, for the most part, are a distraction everywhere. Have you ever been on a bus or plane and somebody is carrying on a loud personal conversation? At


Officials have suspended about 10 students for receiving a photograph of a 14-year-old girl showing her genitals. This is gay, how can a child be convicted of child pornography? The police should but out and let the school handle it. Maybe just maybe they could solve some real crimes.


Just high school teens abusing their cell phones again.



Aswane asks: "I'm Doing a debate project for a tech class, and my topic is cell phones in school. I've racked my brain and completely raided google. Does anynone have any subjects to seuggest?...to suggest- sorry"
Nomez replies: 'You could ask what if ppl got stuck in a sudden storm and power went out and there was no way to know if your family was even alive...Thats where cellphones come in...Did that help any???'
sun_shinevt replies: 'Why they shouldn't be allowed in school - i.e. because of cheating, talking on phone in class, etc. If it is an emergency the parent call the office and have the student pulled from class, etc.'
BluRey replies: 'traditionally we see cheating as a bad thing, but with our new technologies we have to look at it as an advantage, if we allow cell phones at school inadvertently students will cheat but essentially they are learning how to rapidly share information. when these students graduate they will already have the knowledge of how to efficiently process & access information via any technology. humans are now thinking collectively instead of individially, this could be the next step in human evolution.-blurey'
s_tracy619 replies: 'I think cell phones should be allowed, but they should be allowed to be taken away if the privilege is abused. I loved having a cell phone for stupid reasons, so I can find my friends during passing period faster or just to talk during class at free time, but I liked it because if I needed a ride home or if there was any sort of emergency, I didn't have to use the office phones where the ladies were bitches to me every time I asked to use them. However, I think it's disrespectful for kids to be texting all the time while class is in session, especially because you know they're not texting about anything important. It's disrespectful to the teachers and they are humans trying to do their jobs and teach you. I wouldn't blame them for taking them away. If you want to chat about dumb stuff, just do it when it's necessary, not when it's rude. Very simple.It's funny that kids use them to cheat. I never used them to cheat...it was too much trouble. I just memorized answers or we would flash 1 finger, 2 fingers, 3 fingers, 4 fingers for A, B, C, or D across the classroom. Haha.'
amy b asks: "how many students use their cell phones for school related events? Are there consequencese for using them? Is cell phone use in schools increasing?"
a-man replies: 'I use mine. Yeah if you get caught using it and its during school hours you get it taken away at my school. Absolutly, as prices go down, the use increases'
v_tec_racer54 replies: 'well im in 8th grade and about 90% of kids in my school (grade 6-8th) have cell phones. They all bring them to school even thouh you are not allowed to have them in school unless you play a sport after school which is about 50% of the kids. and yes the cell phone use in schools is increasing'
william W replies: '95% in my university.the number is definitely increasing.I don't see any bad consequences.(maybe Radiation??)'
Dwight D J replies: 'the number is large (over 50% of high schoolers and about 25% of middle schoolers), it's increasing, and there are consequences for using them in class'
lisette_9_2 replies: 'At my school EVERYONE uses them.. and people at lunch even call people but your not suppose too ; they say they'll take them away but they never do they always just tell u to put it away but as you get older in grades higher and higher you see more kids with them just about everyone because parents realize that their kids go out and they need a cell phone, thats how i first got one.'
A.M.Y Leyh asks: "I need reasons why cell phones should be allowed in school."
cubsfreak2001 replies: 'It was once discussed that cell phones should be turned off, and they could be used in emergency when students were displaced, such as the school shootings, where cell phones have played key roles in letting parents find students and also students to call 911 with information on location of suspects and details of injured students.'
 replies: 'I can't give you any. As a rule the world isn't any less of a safe place for kids than 5-10 years ago.'
cinta16_hugsnkisses replies: 'in my school, almost every kid in school owns a cell phone [some are VERY high-tech!] they're allowed in school coz they can easily help you contact your parents or drivers.. we sometimes use them for our cameras for some school activity.. but all phones must be kept in silent mode or switched off during class hours.. cell phones may be used during free periods [like recess]in my other school, the advisers would collect your cell phones before actual class started. if ever you needed to call or text, you go to the teacher & ask permission.. but that was only allowed during recess..cell phones can really help you out in communicating others.. some phones have features that can help you in school.. :)'
Clever-Girl asks: "i mean what do you think about, students have cell phones in school. My english isn't so good..."
Mensan replies: 'Most schools allow cell phones provided they are turned off during school hours. The reasoning behind this it that when the Columbine HS shooting occurred, a student called police using a cell phone, so for your protection they allow them.'
dontkno replies: 'of course what if theres an emergency ?'
feelinliketanto replies: 'Cell phones are okay as long as they are not used during class. many school districts do not allow cell phone usage while on campus except in emergency situations.I allow my daughter to use her phone while at school, I trust her to be responsible and also told her that if she was caught using it irresponsibly by staff that I would take her phone away permanently.'
Josh H replies: 'I'm 13. I think cell phones should be allowed in school, but to a certain extent. I think while the teacher is teaching the lesson cell phones need to be put away and on vibrate. But when the teacher allows time to do homework in class, they should be allowed. And how will we cheat on homework? its not like we cant go home and text answers there either. So Cell phones should be allowed:While finishing homework in classBathroomLocker RoomHallwaysLunch RoomBus.Restricted:While the teacher is teachingTests, quizzesAssesment tests (MEAP, ACT, PSAT, SAT ect.)DetentionI also think that we should be allowed to text while the teacher is teaching, because its our choice if we want to listen or not. So its our fault if we dont listen, and the teacher should use the NO REPEATS policy.'
MNL_1221 asks: "In New York City, schoolkids are protesting over the right to keep their cell phones, blackberries, etc., in their possession in school, and some parents and teachers agree. Kids believe they need them for emergencies or for organizing themselves. Some people say these electronics are a distraction and don't belong in school. What do you say: personal electronics inside the school, or not? When you give your answer, tell us if you're a student, parent, teacher, or something else."
goldwing110083 replies: 'Parent....no, I do not think that students need to be 'connected' all the time, especially at school. It only takes one person forgetting to turn the thing off in class to disrupt the entire room. Inconsiderate, unneccessary, ...'
fawnrin replies: 'Yup. I'm a kid in Englnd though, but everyone brings ipods and phones anyway, they say just to switch it off and keep it in your bad. I mean, most of thee time the teachers get called in the lesson. It's pratical, well ipods aren't but we aren't really aloud them, but they kinda miss out that rule to avoid arguements. he he'
sweetcandytoffee replies: 'Teacher - mobile phones are a real problem in the classroom as they text each other constantly. They cause lack of concentration for the pupil using it and it distracts others round them.Many schools in the UK have banned the use of them and have (or are supposed to be) turned off during school time and they can be confiscated temporarily if they break this rule.They can also be used a media for bullying and kids can get the phones stolen. They really aren't a necessity for school life.'

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