Mobile phones have become essential communication tools globally due to their ability to stay connected with others. Early mobile phones were bulky and expensive with poor reception, but technological advances have made phones smaller, more affordable, and with improved reception. Mobile telephony has evolved through generations from 0G to 4G, offering greater capabilities like texting, internet access, and multimedia services. While mobile phones provide many benefits, they also present challenges like unsolicited texts and lack of regulation of mobile spam.

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1. Introduction and Background
Nowadays mobile phones have become a must for almost all people from all over the world. An
opportunity to stay in touch with friends and family members, access to email and business
associates are just a few of reasons for the boosting importance of cell phones. Modern
technically advanced cell phones are able not just receive and make mobile phone calls,
however as well you could take pictures, store data, transfer money. As well, there are a lot of
various options that are available for users.
When mobile phones were introduced, they were expensive, bulky and some of them are even
required a base unit to be transported along with the mobile phone. That time the major
problem was quality reception and in fact early cell phones could just be used in certain
locations where the cell phone signal was quite strong. With the advances in mobile phone
technology, the difficult in utilizing them became easier. These days, cell phone reception has
improved because of the use of satellites and wireless services. Because mobile phones are
improved and became quite simple to use, the importance of mobile phones boosted as well.
Today, the use of Mobile Phones has revolutionized how organization and individuals
communicate and share information. Mobile telephony is now the most important technology
for individuals.
The last few years have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the wireless industry, both in terms
of mobile technology and its subscribers. There has been a clear shift from fixed to mobile
telephony, especially since the turn of the century. By the end of 2010, there were over four
times more mobile cellular subscriptions than fixed telephone lines. Both the mobile network
operators and vendors have felt the importance of efficient networks with equally efficient
design. This resulted in Network Planning and optimization related services coming in to sharp
focus (ITU 2009, 2010).
With all the technological advances, and the simultaneous existence of the 2G, 2.5G and 3G
networks, the impact of services on network efficiency have become even more critical. Many
more designing scenarios have developed with not only 2G networks but also with the
evolution of 2G to 2.5G or even to 3G networks. Along with this, inter-operability of the
networks has to be considered (Mishra, Ajay K. 2004).
Therefore, this paper aims to conduct a holistic survey on mobile telephony. This is a multi-
phase plan, in which all aspects of the existing reality will be assessed. The technology will also
include referring to already conducted assessments in the areas, which will help us understand
the effects, pros and cons as well as success and failure of interventions so far(if any).

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2. Literature Review
Definition
Mobile telephony is the provision of telephone services to phones which may move around
freely rather than stay fixed in one location. Mobile phones connect to a terrestrial cellular
network of base stations (cell sites), whereas satellite phones connect to orbiting satellites.
Both networks are interconnected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to allow
any phone in the world to be dialed. (Wikipedia)
History of Mobile Telephony
The development of wireless communication systems started in the 1930s with the use of
'Walkie-talkies' during the Second World War to enable foot soldiers to stay in contact with the
headquarters (Elliott and Philips, 2004). In 1946, AT&T Bell introduced the first commercial
radiotelephone service in the US, which allowed communication between mobile users in cars
and the public fixed network. In the 1960s, Bell Systems launched the Improved Mobile
Telephone Service (IMTS), which laid the basis for commercial-sector mobile communications.
Developments in microprocessor technologies in the late 1970s and early 1980s enabled the
introduction of the reliable wireless communications system, the so-called first generation
The concept of cellular telephony was invented in AT&T in the early 1970’s. the first commercial
cellular network was the Nordic Mobile Telephone network. The advanced mobile phone
service cellular system was deployed in the United States in 1983 and was followed by other
analog deployments across the world.
Global System for Mobile (GSM) is a second generation cellular standard developed to provide
voice services and data delivery using digital modulation. GSM communication is a globally
accepted standard for digital cellular communication.
GSM communication gives three services’ which is Tele, Bearer/Data and Supplementary
services. Telecommunication services that enable voice communication via mobile phones.
Bearer Services include various data services for information transfer between GSM and other
networks like PSTN, ISDN etc at rates from 300 to 9600 bps and also Short Message Service
(SMS) up to 160 character alphanumeric data transmission to/from the mobile terminal.
Electronic mail, voice mail box are also services among bearer or data.
Supplementary Services Call related services like call waiting, holding, forwarding, barring etc
are services given in supplementary.

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3G is the next generation of wireless network technology that provides high speed bandwidth
(high data transfer rates) to handheld devices. The high data transfer rates will allow 3G
networks to offer multimedia services combining voice and data. Specifically, 3G wireless
networks support the following maximum data transfer rates:
Today, 3G network is giving multi uses for users by carrying voice and also data unlike 2G. The
next generation is a 4G network which is successor of 2G and 3G.
4G is being developed to accommodate the QoS and rate requirements set by forthcoming
applications like wireless broadband access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), video chat,
mobile TV, HDTV content, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), minimal services like voice and
data, and other services that utilize bandwidth.
Technologies of Mobile Telephony
There are different technologies that mobile telephony has been going through. Some of the
technologies that mobile phone evolve are as follows.
Zero Generation (0G-0.5G)
0G refers to pre-cell phone mobile telephony technology, such as radio telephones that
some had in cars before the advent of cell phones. Mobile radio telephone systems
preceded modern cellular mobile telephony technology. Since they were the predecessors
of the first generation of cellular telephones, these systems are called 0G (zero
generation) systems.
First Generation (1G)
1G stands for "first generation," refers to the first generation of wireless
telecommunication technology, more popularly known as cell phones. A set of wireless
standards developed in the 1980's, 1G technology replaced 0G technology, which featured
mobile radio telephones and such technologies as Mobile Telephone System (MTS),
Advanced Mobile Telephone System (AMTS), Improved Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS),
and Push to Talk (PTT)
2.5G (General Packet Radio Service)
2.5G, which stands for "second and a half generation," is a cellular wireless technology
developed in between its predecessor, 2G, and its successor, 3G. The term "second and
a half generation" is used to describe 2G-systems that have implemented a packet

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switched domain in addition to the circuit switched domain. "2.5G” is an informal term,
invented solely for marketing purposes, unlike "2G" or "3G" which are officially defined
standards based on those defined by the International Telecommunication (ITU).
Third Generation (3G)
3G technologies enable network operators to offer users a wider range of more
advanced services while achieving greater network capacity through improved spectral
efficiency. Services include wide area wireless voice telephony, video calls, and broadband
wireless data, all in a mobile environment. Additional features also include HSPA data
transmission capabilities able to deliver speeds up to 14.4Mbit/s on the downlink and
5.8Mbit/s on the uplink. Spectral efficiency or spectrum efficiency refers to the amount
of information that can be transmitted over a given bandwidth in a specific digital
communication system. High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is a collection of mobile telephony
protocols that extend and improve the performance of existing UMTS protocols.
Fourth Generation (4G)
It is basically the extension in the 3G technology with more bandwidth and services offers in the
3G. The expectation for the 4G technology is basically the high quality audio/video streaming
over end to end Internet Protocol. If the Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia sub-system
movement achieves what it going to do, nothing of this possibly will matter. WiMAX or
mobile structural design will become progressively more translucent, and therefore the
acceptance of several architectures by a particular network operator ever more common
(Mobile Broadband Explosion 2012).
NGN (Next Generation)
The next-generation network (NGN) enables the deployment of access independent services
over converged fixed and mobile networks. The NGN is packet based and uses IP to transport
the various types of traffic (voice, video, data and signaling). Next-Generation Network (NGN) is
the term given to describe a telecommunications packet-based network that handles multiple
types of traffic.
Uses of Mobile Telephony
Today mobile phones are the best way to stay connected with others as well as provide the
user with a sense of security. In the case of emergency, having a cell phone could allow help to
reach you much faster and probably save lives. It is not the only importance of mobile. Today’s
cell phones are able to access the Internet, receive and send various files and photos and some

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of the mobile phones have inbuilt GPS technology and thus such mobile phones could be used
in the most locations across the world.
Mobile Telephony Services
Text Messaging
Text Messaging is the ability to send and receive short message on a mobile terminal. (Ariel
Pashtan 2006) these messages are also referred to as Short Message Service (SMS) message
since the length of a message is limited. Text messages can be sent to any wirless phone
number. The user types in the receiver’s mobile terminal number and the message will be
delivered across mobile operators and also internationally.
Instant Messaging
Instant messages (IM) are short text message exchanged between users that want to chat in
real time. After a user signs on to IM from a mobile device, a list of friends appears on the
mobile subscriber’s screen using familiar screen names or IDs. IM messages can be sent only to
users that are online.
Multimedia Messaging
Multimedia Messaging (MMS) allows sending pictures, video, and voice messages to another
mobile terminal or e-mail address. Mobile subscribers can take a photo or video using their
mobile terminal’s embedded camera and send it to a wireless number or e-mail address.
E-mail
Mobile e-mail allows users to check wire line e-mail on their mobile. Services that allow mobile
access to e-mail include Yahoo!, Hotmail and AOL’s mail. The mobile subscriber would typically
download on the mobile a dedicated application that can connect to the mobile subscriber’s
mail inbox.
Emergency Calls
In the US and Europe, government mandates required cellular operators to provide the location
of subscribers that dial emergency calls.
Wireless Internet
Access to the wiles Internet is provided through a micro browser on the mobile. The contents
like sports, News, Finance, Entertainment Weather and Travel.
Video Service

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Video on demand is a service available in 3G networks. It allows mobile subscriber to get TV
clips from the favorite program, music videos, breaking news stories, weather information and
sports.
Mobile TV
Mobile TV is a relatively recent live broadcasting service that is also offered in 3G network.
Mobile users can subscribe to live broadcasting packages from TV networks such as Sky News,
Sky Sports News and CNN.
Challenges in Mobile Telephony
Even though mobile technology often simplifies the completion of everyday tasks, cell phone
owners can also encounter unwanted intrusions on their phones. In the case of unsolicited
texts, commercial parties cannot send spam to cell owners who have placed their mobile device
on the National Do Not Call registry. For those who have not chosen to go on that registry,
governmental regulations bar text messages sent from internet domain names. Any mobile-to-
mobile spam messages are permissible to reach consumers on their cell phones, so long as the
text contacts were not generated through an automatic dialing system.
3. Findings and Analysis
Now a day, mobile phones are being used for different sectors like health and governance.
Because of
 Access Penetration rate is ever increasing and even morehave access through shared
usage and ownership. Related to access is that mobile phones add the dimension
'anywhere and anytime': due to their mobility and that mobile phones are switched on
most of the time, which opens up for new possibilities.
 Reach Again, due to its mobility and network infrastructure, mobiles can reach areas
where there is no other ICT infrastructure (like internet, fixed lines).
 Adoption As mobile phones more and more become an integralpart of people's lives, m
commerce, m-government and m-x will be the the normal way of doing things. Further,
there is an increasing public demand for mobility and easy access to services.
 Interaction Mobile phones make it possible for real-time, two-way dialogue as opposed
to radio, brochures, posters, public speeches etc
 Costs The relatively lower cost of mobile phone technology versus internet technology
has lowered the entry barriers for poor people. Affordability is still a concern though
somebody needs to pay for the infrastructure, communication and services.

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 Efficiency Due to high access, its reach, good adoption and real-time interaction mobile
phones offer efficient solutions to governments communication challenges.
The Impact of Digital Convergence
The rise of digital communication in the late 20th century has made it possible for media
organizations (or individuals) to deliver text, audio, and video material over the same wired,
wireless, or fiber-optic connections. At the same time, it inspired some media organizations to
explore multimedia delivery of information. This digital convergence of news media, in
particular, was called "Mediamorphosis" by researcher Roger Fidler (Jenkins, Henry 2006), in his
1997 book by that name. Today, we are surrounded by a multi-level convergent media world
where all modes of communication and information are continually reforming to adapt to the
enduring demands of technologies, "changing the way we create, consume, learn and interact
with each other"
Digital convergence is the major issue in mobile telephony. It is digital convergence that makes
today’s mobile telephony better.
The Impacts of Mobile Telephony on Economic Growth
Mobile telephony has brought new possibilities to the continent. Across urban-rural and rich-
poor divides, mobile phones connect individuals to individuals, information, markets, and
services. In Mali, residents of Timbuktu are able to call relatives living in the capital city of
Bamako --or relatives in France. In Ghana, farmers in Tamale are able to send a text message to
learn corn and tomato prices in Accra, over 1,000 kilometers away. In Niger, day laborers are
able to call acquaintances in Benin to find out about job opportunities without making the
US$40 trip. In Malawi, those affected by HIV and AIDS can receive text messages daily,
reminding them to take their medicines on schedule. Citizens in countries as diverse as Kenya,
Nigeria and Mozambique are able to report violent confrontations via text message to a
centralized server that is viewable, in real time, by the entire world. (Jenny C. Aker and Isaac M.
Mbiti 2012)
These effects can be particularly dramatic in rural Africa, where in many places mobile phones
have represented the first modern telecommunications infrastructure of any kind. Mobile
phones have greatly reduced communication costs, thereby allowing individuals and firms to
send 3 and to obtain information quickly and cheaply on a variety of economic, social and
political topics. An emerging body of research shows that the reduction in communication costs

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associated with mobile phones has tangible economic benefits, improving agricultural and labor
market efficiency and producer and consumer welfare in specific circumstances and countries
(Jensen, 2007; Aker, 2008; Aker, 2010; Klonner and Nolen, 2008). As telecommunication
markets mature, mobile phones in Africa are evolving from simple communication tools into
service delivery platforms. This has shifted the development paradigm surrounding mobile
phones from one that simply reduces communication and coordination costs to one that could
transform lives through innovative applications and services.
4. Conclusion
The last few years have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the wireless industry. The ever
increasing demands of users have triggered researchers and industries to come up with a
comprehensive manifestation of the up-coming fourth generation (4G) mobile communication
system. As the history of mobile communications shows, attempts have been made to reduce a
number of Technologies to a single global standard. The first generation (1G) has fulfilled the
basic mobile voice, while the second generation (2G) has introduced capacity and coverage.
This is followed by the third generation (3G), which has quest for data at higher speeds to open
the gates for truly “mobile broadband” experience, which will be further realized by the fourth
generation (4G).
Today mobile phone reception has become quite reliable as well as of high quality because of
the advances in wireless technology. In fact, wireless service providers offer great packages and
promotions for the mobile phone users. Choosing a dependable service provider is no longer an
issue for mobile phone users. In addition, the dilatation of the wireless service provider industry
offers cell phone users a choice and the boosted competition have caused lower prices for
wireless cell phone service. Today the importance of mobile phone goes far beyond the ability
only to receive and make calls. Using modern mobile phones you are able to send data to the
office or home use it as calendar, check for emails as well as store different pictures which
could be transferred to your laptop.
Mobile broadband has become the leading edge in innovation and development for
computing, networking, and application development. There are now more smartphones
shipped than personal computers. As smartphones and other mobile platforms, such as
tablets, increase their penetration levels, they will continue driving explosive growth in data
usage, application availability, 3G/4G deployment, and revenue. In one of the most
significant industry developments of 2012, LTE service has become broadly available in
the U.S. reaching a large percentage of the population. Coupled with advances in HSPA, mobile
broadband is now being used by huge segments of the population.

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Mobiles have become very essential part of our everyday life. Their current development is the
outcome of various generations. In this paper we review the various generations of mobile
wireless technology, their portals, performance, advantages and disadvantages of one
generation over other.

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