Social impacts that the telephone and cell phone have had on society
Mobile telephony is undoubtedly one of the most explosive developments that has ever taken place in the telecommunications industry. In the late 1990s, there were only 11 million cellular subscribers worldwide; eight years later, that figure jumped to 320 million and now the ITU forecasts that it will exceed 550 million by the end of next year. Penetration rates in the Nordic countries closed at 60% in September 1999, led by Finland (63%), Norway (58%), Iceland (56%) and Sweden (53%).
Mobile growth around the world has also been staggering. China posted a combined annual subscriber growth rate of 87% between 1995 and 1998, with other major economies such as Brazil (82%) and South Africa (67%) not far behind.
For the world’s poorest countries, cellular telephony and wireless local loop systems represent the best opportunity yet to bring the power of telecommunications to isolated or economically disadvantaged communities. Cambodia, for example, is one of only half a dozen countries in the world where mobile phone subscribers already outnumber fixed-line subscribers.
Without a doubt, mobile telephony offers enormous advantages and greater comfort, greater personal security and the possibility of taking advantage of ‘down’ time to do business on the move. But the picture is not all rosy. Like most young technologies, mobile telephony is experiencing its share of early upheavals, including concerns about environmental impact, health and safety, and of course the social changes brought about by a technology that, by making us permanently reachable , is having a profound effect on our interpersonal interaction.
Many cities around the world are being plagued by a host of ugly mobile antennas, marring once-pleasant views, detracting from the authenticity of historic areas, and exacerbating the often already overwhelming presence of intrusive urban infrastructure. , such as power poles, telephone lines, signaling and traffic management equipment.
Unsurprisingly, environmental complaints have been strongest in developed countries, where zoning laws, property rights, and environmental obligations are often more strictly enforced, and where reliable access to a variety of services of communications, in any case, is largely taken for granted. Communities in developing countries, by contrast, are often so appreciative of modern communications infrastructure that they are happy enough (at least for the time being) to turn a blind eye to environmental aesthetics.
To avoid problems with environmental groups and local communities, which can be costly in terms of legal fees and network rollout delays, many equipment manufacturers and operators are now working on ways to reduce the environmental impact of the technology. mobile. antennas
In the central business districts of large modern cities, the problem is relatively easily solved simply by embedding a large number of small antennas on the facades of tall buildings. In suburban and semi-rural areas, on the other hand, the large steel-gray structures needed to support larger cells are more difficult to conceal; however, some operators have come up with innovative solutions.
In South Africa, for example, at least one operator has decided to camouflage GSM towers in tropical palm trees, with surprisingly successful results. Elsewhere, the tall towers of churches and cathedrals are used to hide antennas, representing a positive solution for both the general public and religious organizations who suddenly find themselves with profitable antenna rentals on their hands.