Mobile technology
Mobile telephony devices
Mobile phones are a familiar feature of business life. The traditional telephony features of mobile phones, such as making calls, receiving voicemail, and call diversion, are important to business users. Mobile phones also offer data transmission services such as:
- global system for mobile communications (GSM) - allows mobile phones to send and receive data, eg connecting to the internet at a rate similar to a dial-up modem
- general packet radio service (GPRS) - an 'always-on' data service similar to broadband, but at slower transfer rates
- 'third generation' (3G) cellular data services, also offering always-on connection at rates comparable to broadband from as little as £10 per month
Many mobile handsets are capable of accessing these data services, and include functions such as email and web access, and simplified office applications. These handsets are often known as smart phones.
Uses
- A mobile handset can provide network connection for other devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and laptops. The handset could connect to the laptop using Bluetooth, a wireless technology. It could then provide data connection to the laptop using GSM, 3G or GPRS. However, most new laptops and PDAs have wireless capability built in making this method redundant.
- 'Smart phones' such as BlackBerry phones can combine phone and PDA into a single device. This is a versatile business tool - handling email, offering diary functions, providing data connection for a laptop along with conventional mobile phone use.
- Near-universal availability of cellular networks and the established billing systems between operators, which allow you to use your device outside your service provider's network, make these services very useful for keeping in contact while travelling.
Drawbacks
- The new data services can be expensive, so it is important to get the right tariff.
- Although improving rapidly, data transmission rates are not as good as wireless local area networks using wireless fidelity (WiFi). See our guide on wireless technology.
- 'Smart phones' can have disadvantages - the keyboard may be small and therefore difficult to use, and their size also makes them easier to lose or damage.
Subjects covered in this guide
- What is mobile technology and what are the benefits?
- Laptops and PDAs
- Mobile telephony devices
- Mobile networking devices
- Managing the use of mobile devices
- Here's how I run my business while out on the road
