Mobile Telephony
A modern mobile telephone, also called a "cell-phone" and, latterly, a "smart-phone" is a sophisticated radio transceiver that interfaces to the telephone network/internet. It is a direct descendant of the mobile two-way radio (the world's first substantiated example developed in Australia in the 1920s). In its simplest form, a cell-phone behaves like a typical "landline" telephone except using radio waves instead of cable pairs. Over the last couple of decades, developments in micro-electronics and digital technology have seen the rise of the "smartphone" where the instrument has effectively become a hand-held computer with an associated telephony option. The smartphone can connect to the internet via the digital mobile telephone network (or local wi-fi networks, if available) and behave like a computer. Alternatively, it can be used as a straightforward mobile telephone.
In 2015 there were approximately 10 million landlines in Australia but around 32 million mobile services. Australia had far more mobile phone connections than people! Since then, "landline" telephony has almost disappeared with the imminent completion of the NBN, as these phones are now merely internet peripherals off the NBN modem.
Mobiles/Smart-phones now dominate our network.
A modern mobile telephone, also called a "cell-phone" and, latterly, a "smart-phone" is a sophisticated radio transceiver that interfaces to the telephone network/internet. It is a direct descendant of the mobile two-way radio (the world's first substantiated example developed in Australia in the 1920s). In its simplest form, a cell-phone behaves like a typical "landline" telephone except using radio waves instead of cable pairs. Over the last couple of decades, developments in micro-electronics and digital technology have seen the rise of the "smartphone" where the instrument has effectively become a hand-held computer with an associated telephony option. The smartphone can connect to the internet via the digital mobile telephone network (or local wi-fi networks, if available) and behave like a computer. Alternatively, it can be used as a straightforward mobile telephone.
In 2015 there were approximately 10 million landlines in Australia but around 32 million mobile services. Australia had far more mobile phone connections than people! Since then, "landline" telephony has almost disappeared with the imminent completion of the NBN, as these phones are now merely internet peripherals off the NBN modem.
Mobiles/Smart-phones now dominate our network.
Contents
History
Two-way radio
The ideas of radio-telephony blossomed after WW1. An amusing article about the first "carphone" of 1920 can be found at the Smithsonian site:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-worlds-first-carphone-24664499/
The facts in the article are very limited and, apart from one newspaper report, apparently unsubstantiated, but it appeared to be a telephone instrument interfaced to some kind of early radio transmitter and receiver, albeit with very limited range of a few hundred metres. It was, in effect, an early, voice, two-way radio.
The world's first substantiated evidence of a mobile two-way radio was in Australia.
Senior Constable Frederick William ("Pop") Downie of the Victorian Police is credited with developing the world's first mobile two-way radios in 1923 (although wireless operator Fred Canning is also mentioned as contributing to the design). They employed Morse code and required a dedicated operator capable of working in a moving car. By 1926 these radios were fitted to selected vehicles, making Victorian police cars the first in the world to be equipped with two-way wireless communication.
Two-way radio
The ideas of radio-telephony blossomed after WW1. An amusing article about the first "carphone" of 1920 can be found at the Smithsonian site:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-worlds-first-carphone-24664499/
The facts in the article are very limited and, apart from one newspaper report, apparently unsubstantiated, but it appeared to be a telephone instrument interfaced to some kind of early radio transmitter and receiver, albeit with very limited range of a few hundred metres. It was, in effect, an early, voice, two-way radio.
The world's first substantiated evidence of a mobile two-way radio was in Australia.
Senior Constable Frederick William ("Pop") Downie of the Victorian Police is credited with developing the world's first mobile two-way radios in 1923 (although wireless operator Fred Canning is also mentioned as contributing to the design). They employed Morse code and required a dedicated operator capable of working in a moving car. By 1926 these radios were fitted to selected vehicles, making Victorian police cars the first in the world to be equipped with two-way wireless communication.
Frederick Downie and his radio ca 1926. Morse key visible middle left of image. Image source: https://cv.vic.gov.au/
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L-R: F Canning, F Downie and C Murray, Wireless Patrol ca 1926.
Image source: http://www.inthelineofduty.com.au/timeline.asp?iID=182
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1923
These early mobile two-way systems evolved and by WW2, allied and axis forces had a range of portable systems. The most recognised is the iconic USA "Walkie Talkie" handheld transceiver. It does not take much imagination to see it "morphing" into the early mobile telephones.
WW2 "Walkie Talkie" Image: Unknown author - Wikipedia
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U.S. engineer Martin Cooper compares his invention, the Motorola DynaTAC phone of 1973 to a 2009 model. Image source: https://www.thehindu.com/
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Early mobile Telephony in Australia
From around 1947 in the USA and a little later in Europe, various mobile radio-telephone systems, that interfaced into telephone networks, were developed and implemented. They preceded our modern cellular mobile telephony systems. As such, are sometimes retrospectively nicknamed "pre-cellular" or "zero generation" (0G).
A Youtube video of a 1948 USA movie describing an early system appears here
The Australia PMG had its own "Mobile Telephone Service" from 1950. Permanently installed in vehicles, it used valve radio transceivers employing phase modulation and operated in the VHF band in the range 156-170MHz. Each unit was connected back to a base station and then to a manual switchboard. At the time, this service was very exclusive, being limited to 100 for each capital city and a maximum of 12 calls at any one time!
Various forms of these manual operator "carphones" persisted until the 1980s. A detailed technical description of the original system can be read in the Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Feb 1950. Accessible at this site: http://www.coxhill.com/trlhistory/history/australian_publications.htm
Some clear images of this equipment can be seen at:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/amalgamate_carphone.html#
From around 1947 in the USA and a little later in Europe, various mobile radio-telephone systems, that interfaced into telephone networks, were developed and implemented. They preceded our modern cellular mobile telephony systems. As such, are sometimes retrospectively nicknamed "pre-cellular" or "zero generation" (0G).
A Youtube video of a 1948 USA movie describing an early system appears here
The Australia PMG had its own "Mobile Telephone Service" from 1950. Permanently installed in vehicles, it used valve radio transceivers employing phase modulation and operated in the VHF band in the range 156-170MHz. Each unit was connected back to a base station and then to a manual switchboard. At the time, this service was very exclusive, being limited to 100 for each capital city and a maximum of 12 calls at any one time!
Various forms of these manual operator "carphones" persisted until the 1980s. A detailed technical description of the original system can be read in the Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Feb 1950. Accessible at this site: http://www.coxhill.com/trlhistory/history/australian_publications.htm
Some clear images of this equipment can be seen at:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/amalgamate_carphone.html#
1950s Car Phone. Used by NASA staff in WA 1960s. Handset unit and transceiver shown. Power supply and ext speaker not shown. Image j. Paskulich 2022.
Automatic Mobile Telephony
The world's first automatic mobile telephone call was made by Martin Cooper, Engineer with Motorola in the USA in 1973. See: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Cooper
Automatic mobile telephony arrived in Australia with the first call made on the 9th August 1981. It was in the form of the "Carphone". An analogue mobile system built into a vehicle, the Public Automatic Mobile Telephone System (PAMTS) enabled users to dial directly into the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for the first time.
Supplied by NEC, PAMTS was not a cellular system. It operated in the UHF 500MHz band and used the number range 007. Portable models also existed but, by modern standards, they were huge. Made obsolete by its successor, the AMPS cellular network, PAMTS was shut down by Telecom Australia in 1993.
1981 video of Australia's first automatic mobile service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMdSIyUXt4s
The world's first automatic mobile telephone call was made by Martin Cooper, Engineer with Motorola in the USA in 1973. See: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Cooper
Automatic mobile telephony arrived in Australia with the first call made on the 9th August 1981. It was in the form of the "Carphone". An analogue mobile system built into a vehicle, the Public Automatic Mobile Telephone System (PAMTS) enabled users to dial directly into the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for the first time.
Supplied by NEC, PAMTS was not a cellular system. It operated in the UHF 500MHz band and used the number range 007. Portable models also existed but, by modern standards, they were huge. Made obsolete by its successor, the AMPS cellular network, PAMTS was shut down by Telecom Australia in 1993.
1981 video of Australia's first automatic mobile service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMdSIyUXt4s
1981: The 007 PAMTS "Carphone". The electronics filled the boot. image source: https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company/past
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Telecom Australia advert from 1981 showing the first automatic carphone. The tranceiver/logic unit (top right) weighed about 14kg and its dimensions were approx. 100 x 450 x 550 mm. Image source 1981 Telecom advert.
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1G
The first Hand-held Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), instruments appeared in 1987. Operating in the 850 MHz band, they were first generation cellular mobiles but still employing analogue radio technology. Initially very expensive (nearly $5000) and disparagingly known as "bricks" due to their large size and weight, within a few years the instruments had shrunk to a much more manageable size and cost, along with improvements in battery life and transmission performance. In modern times this system has retrospectively been labelled 1G.
Privacy and security were issues with these analogue systems. For example, the speech signals could easily be picked up by radio scanners. This analogue mobile network was phased out progressively and completely replaced by digital encryption technology by 2000.
1987 Youtube video on the introduction of the first hand-held mobiles in Australia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Qkp5dhDKg
The first Hand-held Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), instruments appeared in 1987. Operating in the 850 MHz band, they were first generation cellular mobiles but still employing analogue radio technology. Initially very expensive (nearly $5000) and disparagingly known as "bricks" due to their large size and weight, within a few years the instruments had shrunk to a much more manageable size and cost, along with improvements in battery life and transmission performance. In modern times this system has retrospectively been labelled 1G.
Privacy and security were issues with these analogue systems. For example, the speech signals could easily be picked up by radio scanners. This analogue mobile network was phased out progressively and completely replaced by digital encryption technology by 2000.
1987 Youtube video on the introduction of the first hand-held mobiles in Australia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_Qkp5dhDKg
1987 AMPS mobile telephone. Siource 1987 Telecom Australia advert.
Digital mobile systems
Technical changes were rapid and are ongoing. The following is a simplistic summary of digital mobile systems employed in Australia by the three carriers. Variations and intermediate versions existed within these systems.
2G, first introduced in 1992, was the second-generation of cellular telephone technology and the first to use digital encryption of speech. It was the first to offer data services and SMS text messaging. Operating in the UHF 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, two versions existed in Australia:
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code-division multiple access).
A major difference between GSM and CDMA is that GSM was SIM specific. The mobile phone was identified in the network by its removable SIM (subscriber identification module) inserted in that phone but, in CDMA, the network identified a handset by the information stored in its internal memory, thus it was handset specific (which also implies locked to a particular carrier).
Telstra supported both technologies from the outset and CDMA was particularly employed in rural areas. Telstra shut down CDMA in 2008 and GSM in 2016 (with the exception of the external territories of Christmas Island and Norfolk Island). The other carriers had closed their 2G GSM networks by mid - 2018.
3G networks succeeded 2G, offering faster data speeds and were the first to enable video calls. A demonstration system was installed in Adelaide in 2002 and Hutchison Telecommunications’ first commercial network in Australia was commissioned in June 2003. 3G is suitable for use in modern smart-phones, which need high-speed internet for many of their applications. Employing a system known as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System networks) they operate in Australia in the UHF 850MHz, 900MHz and 2100MHz bands. Telstra started closing early 3G versions after 2012 and is reported that it plans to close its 3G network fully by 2024.
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone communications standards. Rollout in Australia commenced around the end of 2011. It provides high speed broadband internet access for mobile devices. The high data transfer rates make this technology suitable for use in USB wireless modems, laptops and home internet access. Also referred to as LTE (Long Term Evolution) Australia’s three carriers are currently using these LTE UHF bands: 2100MHz (B1) 1800MHz (B3) 850MHz (B5) 2600MHz (B7) 900MHz (B8) 700MHz (B28) and 2300MHz (B40).
5G started to appear in Australia in 2019. Mostly operating in the SHF 3500MHz band, 5G has the potential to change the face of mobile communications in Australia. Claimed data speeds are prodigious compared to anything seen so far. There are technical hurdles and, as recently reported, geo-political hurdles as well.
Time will tell.
Technical changes were rapid and are ongoing. The following is a simplistic summary of digital mobile systems employed in Australia by the three carriers. Variations and intermediate versions existed within these systems.
2G, first introduced in 1992, was the second-generation of cellular telephone technology and the first to use digital encryption of speech. It was the first to offer data services and SMS text messaging. Operating in the UHF 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, two versions existed in Australia:
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code-division multiple access).
A major difference between GSM and CDMA is that GSM was SIM specific. The mobile phone was identified in the network by its removable SIM (subscriber identification module) inserted in that phone but, in CDMA, the network identified a handset by the information stored in its internal memory, thus it was handset specific (which also implies locked to a particular carrier).
Telstra supported both technologies from the outset and CDMA was particularly employed in rural areas. Telstra shut down CDMA in 2008 and GSM in 2016 (with the exception of the external territories of Christmas Island and Norfolk Island). The other carriers had closed their 2G GSM networks by mid - 2018.
3G networks succeeded 2G, offering faster data speeds and were the first to enable video calls. A demonstration system was installed in Adelaide in 2002 and Hutchison Telecommunications’ first commercial network in Australia was commissioned in June 2003. 3G is suitable for use in modern smart-phones, which need high-speed internet for many of their applications. Employing a system known as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System networks) they operate in Australia in the UHF 850MHz, 900MHz and 2100MHz bands. Telstra started closing early 3G versions after 2012 and is reported that it plans to close its 3G network fully by 2024.
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone communications standards. Rollout in Australia commenced around the end of 2011. It provides high speed broadband internet access for mobile devices. The high data transfer rates make this technology suitable for use in USB wireless modems, laptops and home internet access. Also referred to as LTE (Long Term Evolution) Australia’s three carriers are currently using these LTE UHF bands: 2100MHz (B1) 1800MHz (B3) 850MHz (B5) 2600MHz (B7) 900MHz (B8) 700MHz (B28) and 2300MHz (B40).
5G started to appear in Australia in 2019. Mostly operating in the SHF 3500MHz band, 5G has the potential to change the face of mobile communications in Australia. Claimed data speeds are prodigious compared to anything seen so far. There are technical hurdles and, as recently reported, geo-political hurdles as well.
Time will tell.
Mobile Cells
Australian, as with most of the world's, mobile ‘phone networks are made up of many signal areas called "cells". These cells join or overlap each other to form wide coverage areas. Within each cell is a base station (and associated aerials, usually mounted on a tower) which sends and receives the mobile transmissions.
Characteristics include defined radio frequencies and frequency re-use which enable service to a large number of subscribers while reducing the number of channels required. The mobile phone automatically connects to the nearest, available base station. The base stations are connected, in turn, to dedicated digital centres where the communications are linked to the telephone or, nowadays, data networks. If a user moves between cells, the connection should transfer to the next cell without breaking transmission.
Australian, as with most of the world's, mobile ‘phone networks are made up of many signal areas called "cells". These cells join or overlap each other to form wide coverage areas. Within each cell is a base station (and associated aerials, usually mounted on a tower) which sends and receives the mobile transmissions.
Characteristics include defined radio frequencies and frequency re-use which enable service to a large number of subscribers while reducing the number of channels required. The mobile phone automatically connects to the nearest, available base station. The base stations are connected, in turn, to dedicated digital centres where the communications are linked to the telephone or, nowadays, data networks. If a user moves between cells, the connection should transfer to the next cell without breaking transmission.
Concept of cells. Image source: https://www.tnuda.org.il/
Progression of mobile phones over the decades
Image J. Paskulich
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21st Century network
Telcos
PMG/Telecom Australia controlled national telecommunications until deregulation started in 1991. Australia now has three main mobile telecommunications network providers (called "carriers"). They are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra is the largest. Each operates its own mobile network. These networks differ in coverage and accessibility, so mobile transmission performance can vary significantly in a specific location depending on the network used. The dozens of other Australian mobile services providers buy capacity from these three carriers' networks.
NBN Co owns and manages Australia's underlying optical fibre network infrastructure. It is not a retail provider but provides the main optic fibre transmission network (and local networks) for the service providers.
The main telecommunications providers in Australia are Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom (which includes Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, AAPT, Internode, Lebara and Felix), and Vocus (which includes Dodo and iPrimus). Telstra has the largest market share, followed by TPG Telecom and Optus. Vocus is a smaller player, but is known for business and optic fibre services.
Some information at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_mobile_virtual_network_operators
PMG/Telecom Australia controlled national telecommunications until deregulation started in 1991. Australia now has three main mobile telecommunications network providers (called "carriers"). They are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telstra is the largest. Each operates its own mobile network. These networks differ in coverage and accessibility, so mobile transmission performance can vary significantly in a specific location depending on the network used. The dozens of other Australian mobile services providers buy capacity from these three carriers' networks.
NBN Co owns and manages Australia's underlying optical fibre network infrastructure. It is not a retail provider but provides the main optic fibre transmission network (and local networks) for the service providers.
The main telecommunications providers in Australia are Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom (which includes Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, AAPT, Internode, Lebara and Felix), and Vocus (which includes Dodo and iPrimus). Telstra has the largest market share, followed by TPG Telecom and Optus. Vocus is a smaller player, but is known for business and optic fibre services.
Some information at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Australian_mobile_virtual_network_operators
Technology
An introduction to the history and technology of mobile phones can be viewed at:
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/cellphones.html
Another article outlining the history and development of mobile technologies can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mobile_phones
A simple overview of network principles can be seen at: https://www.vodafone.com.au/red-wire/demystifying-mobile-networks
An introduction to the history and technology of mobile phones can be viewed at:
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/cellphones.html
Another article outlining the history and development of mobile technologies can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mobile_phones
A simple overview of network principles can be seen at: https://www.vodafone.com.au/red-wire/demystifying-mobile-networks
Conclusion
At the time of writing (2020), some form of mobile telephony has existed in Australia for 70 years and automatic mobile telephony for nearly 40 years of that. In many ways, mobile telephony initially followed a parallel and, ultimately, a converging path to “landline” technology.
Both developed out of earlier communications systems. The traditional telephone’s roots are in telegraphy, mobiles in two-way radio. Manual operator systems were the initial switching methods for decades for both systems until automatic switching arrived. In more recent times, digital switching and transmission methods arose and today both technologies have merged into the global digital network.
As with many other technologies, mobile telephony started as a cumbersome, expensive and exclusive service but is now a worldwide communications phenomenon.
At the time of writing (2020), some form of mobile telephony has existed in Australia for 70 years and automatic mobile telephony for nearly 40 years of that. In many ways, mobile telephony initially followed a parallel and, ultimately, a converging path to “landline” technology.
Both developed out of earlier communications systems. The traditional telephone’s roots are in telegraphy, mobiles in two-way radio. Manual operator systems were the initial switching methods for decades for both systems until automatic switching arrived. In more recent times, digital switching and transmission methods arose and today both technologies have merged into the global digital network.
As with many other technologies, mobile telephony started as a cumbersome, expensive and exclusive service but is now a worldwide communications phenomenon.
2017: Allegedly the world"s smallest mobile at the time. 0.49-inch OLED display, weight 13g, Zanco T1 46.7mm x 21mm x 12mm. https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/zanco-tiny-t1-world-smallest-mobile-phone-3357808
References
Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Feb 1950
http://3gwiz.com.au/ozmobilenet/?page_id=24
https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies
https://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=AUSTRALIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mobile_phones
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/cellphones.html
https://www.mobilenetworkguide.com.au/mobile_phone_networks.html
https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company/past
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-worlds-first-carphone-24664499/
http://www.inthelineofduty.com.au/timeline.asp?iID=182
https://www.tnuda.org.il/en/physics-radiation/radio-frequency-rf-radiation/cellular-communication-network-technologies
https://www.asxshareprice.com/top-10-listed-telecom-companies-in-australia/
Telecommunications Journal of Australia, Feb 1950
http://3gwiz.com.au/ozmobilenet/?page_id=24
https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies
https://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3?sCountry=AUSTRALIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_mobile_phones
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/cellphones.html
https://www.mobilenetworkguide.com.au/mobile_phone_networks.html
https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company/past
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-worlds-first-carphone-24664499/
http://www.inthelineofduty.com.au/timeline.asp?iID=182
https://www.tnuda.org.il/en/physics-radiation/radio-frequency-rf-radiation/cellular-communication-network-technologies
https://www.asxshareprice.com/top-10-listed-telecom-companies-in-australia/
