WIRELESS SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES - AN OVERVIEW

The wondrous inventions of Marconi brought about the first wireless revolution, which dramatically transformed the ways people worked and played. The telecommunications industry is now in the midst of a second wireless revolution, which is projected to have an impact as large as that of the original. The current revolution began with the invention of cellular communications technology. As new discoveries were made and cellular technology advanced, another generation of wireless applications has emerged during the past decade. Recent developments, including AT&T's proposed $12.6 billion merger with McCaw Cellular Communications Inc., whose network now spans nearly one-third of the United States, provide overwhelming proof of the tremendous potential of these technologies. Future applications will make it easier than ever for people to avail themselves of anywhere, anytime voice, data, and messaging services through the telecommunications network. This paper discusses the development of current cellular applications and technologies, and also explores the expanding wireless telecommunications network of the future.