| The handphone is an electronic gadget deployed for mobile telecommunications over a cellular network of specially designed base stations known as cell sites. Handphones differ from cordless telephones which merely provide a telephony service. Handphones have grown into the most efficient form of short- and long-distance interaction. In addition to the standard voice function, updated mobile phones may support a great many extra services and accessories, such as SMS for text messaging, e-mail, packet switching for access to the Web, gaming, Bluetooth, camera with video recorder and MMS for sending and receiving photos and video, MP3 player, radio and GPS.
Mobile phones are deployed for a number of purposes, such as to get in touch with friends and family, run a business and have access to a phone in an emergency. Some people have two or more handphones: one is used for business and another for personal use. Multiple handphones and multiple SIM cards are also widely deployed to gain benefit from diverse calling options. For instance, one plan could provide cheap local calls, another can be for low-priced long-distance, and yet another for low-priced international calls or low-cost roaming.
Mobile phones vary from basic phones to updated and upgraded phones, including cameraphones and musicphones. There are also smartphones that function as small-sized portable PCs.
The world's biggest individual mobile operator is China Mobile with over 500 million mobile phone clients. The world's biggest mobile operator group by clients is UK based Vodafone. There are more than 600 mobile operators and providers in commercial production around the world. Over 50 mobile operators have more than 10 million clients each, and over 150 mobile operators have leastwise one mln subscribers by the end of 2008.
The principal mobile phone brands are Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, Apple iPhone, Samsung, Blackberry etc. Because of the ever increasing competition on the telecommunication market, clients can choose from a great selection of tariff plans to suit their budget and purposes. Contract mobile phone deals and Pay-as-you-go are renowned networking solutions offering cost effective tariff options. |
