Week 2 - Stina Matthiesen Mobile Communication: Technical Issues ...

Abrahamson

This paper is explains the history of the evolution of the cellular concept, the mobile phone in America, and it?s delayed entrance on the commercial market from a more economic and political perspective. Abrahamson explains several factors that played a larger role in the innovation of mobile technology. ?[I]nnovation is inherently a social process, shaped by the character and structure of institutions, public and private, and the societies in which they operate.? (p.27). To mention one the Government favored for decades the broadcast industry and by regulations they held back radio spectrum making it difficult for wireless telephony to evolve. Furthermore the market competition and internal corporate wars in the radio and tele industry slowed down the pace of the innovation. Abrahamson conclude that even though monopoly could have brought mobile technology to be developed faster - the many regulations and the decision of making the tele communication a competitive industry has benefitted us as consumers in the time after.

Farley

This paper describes rather chronological the history and some of the many facts that influenced and delayed the development of the cellular system and usage of the mobile telephony from the postwar era to early 2000. Like Abrahamson, Farley mention the obstacles along the way; politics, lobbyism, competition, Government bureaucracy, and the radio spectrum regulations in the US. Along the history is mentioned the many conflicting interest from e.g. the FCC, AT&T Bell Systems, Motorola, and RCC. However this paper also describes the parallel evolution of mobile telephony in Europe and Asia. Furthermore it goes a bit more into detail about hardware limitations and specifications, patents and standards which also played a large role in the race towards gaining market shares in this industry.

Ling & Donner

This chapter provides a great overview of the history of mobile communication briefly touching the point from the very first radio waves, to landline telephony, to cellular systems to where we are today. Adding to the storytelling is more subtle stories and information on the data options enabled by the technology (SMS, MMS, high speed services etc.), the handset, and the business model implemented that together describes or dictates a context that influence os socially and culturally around the globe. Interesting thing here is how all factors play a bigger role in the shaping of what mobile communication is today; for instance the SIM-card that besides being a piece of hardware functioned as an artifact in order to separate subscription/operator and handset manufacturer, and also the ?customized? options for subscription in order to reach all social strata.

Goggin

This article takes us back a bit earlier in time, mentioning the the close relationship between the 19th century?s telegraph as a predecessor to the cell phone. Having the telegraph and railways taking the first steps towards a the future technological development and the infrastructure for communication and to be replaced by the telephone later on. This article like Ling & Donner, provides us with an overview of the history of mobile telephony - the cell phone, however bringing more social and cultural perspectives in play. An interesting story told is about the Telefon Hirmondo (est.1893) - which also been described as an early radio. This telephone newpaper, programmed to ?broadcast news and music is interesting in relation and resemblance to later ?broadcasted cable tv and cell phone possibilities besides being a two-way communication device.

Different from the other papers, Goggin spends some time explaining the reception of the cell phone and it?s features (usage, voicemail etc.), going from being used by the business ?man?, to being a yuppie status symbol, to the youth in general and finally accepted by the critical mass as a communication media for social and family contact.

Source: https://blog.itu.dk/DMKO-F2012/2012/02/07/week-2-stina-matthiesen/

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