This new form of communication grew and developed during the first years of the 20th century. (The Mobile Connection: The Cell Phone's Impact on Society, By Richard Seyler Ling)

The concept for digital wireless and cellular voice and data is rooted in the late 1930’s and 40’s when commercial mobile telephony and military radio systems reached production quality. At that time, the U.S. military began experimenting with radio frequency signal encryption for data, using to send battle plans across enemy lines and naval fleets ship to shore.

Lamarr and Antheil began work on the “secret” CDMA signal guidance systems that would eventually find a true home in wireless phones.

Early Mobile Radio Telephone Systems (MTS) were plagued with cross channel interference, forcing the carrier to restrict usage and the number of channels available for voice calls.

The true wireless revolution for voice and data did not begin until the advent of low-cost microprocessors and digital switching (1980’s).

In Europe and Japan, where governments regulated their state-run telephone companies but permitted rapid building of wireless networks, both analogue and digital mobile telephony came in sooner and less expensively, making the networks attractive to millions of subscribers. (Wireless Data for the Enterprise, By George S. Faigen, Boris Fridman)
 
The popularity of laptop PCs and cellular phones has demonstrated the benefits of mobility to executives and other employees. People who were once tied to their desks have been freed to move around the building, but wired networks mean they must keep returning to the same place to access email. (Essential Guide to Wireless Communications Applications, By Andy Dornan)

Along with technical developments, the number of subscribers to various mobile telephone has been a dramatic growth since the early 1980’s. As 2003 there were approximately 1.162 mobile telephone subscriptions.

Beyond the functional use of the mobile telephone, the device has led to a different understanding of interaction and networking among teens. Teens in Scandinavia, Italy, Japan, Korea and many other countries have adopted the mobile telephone, often to facilitate their social interaction.

“Mobile Telephony” has grown from being a rather ponderous and awkward system to being an easily transported part of everyday life. Its functionality has grown beyond simple communication to a system that allows for the communication of text, access to the internet, the capturing and sending of images, and also the distribution of location-sensitive information.

“Mobile Telephony” is a technology that is quickly finding its niche. The technology has become reliable and easily accessible.( The Mobile Connection: The Cell Phone's Impact on Society, By Richard Seyler Ling).