Mobile technology

Mobile phones and smartphones are familiar features of business life. The ability to make, receive and divert calls, and receive voicemail is important to business users.

What are the mobile services?

As well as telephony on the go, mobile devices also offer data transmission services through:

• global system for mobile communications (GSM) - the first global standard for mobile communication that allows mobile devices to exchange digitised and compressed data
• general packet radio service (GPRS) - an 'always-on' data service similar to broadband, but at slower transfer rates sometimes known as 2G
• 'third generation' (3G) and 'fourth generation' (4G) cellular data services, also offering always-on connection at rates comparable to broadband
• 'fifth generation' (5G) cellular networks - gradually being rolled out across the UK, 5G denotes the latest major phase of telecommunications standards

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 smartphones.

Importance of mobile phones in business communication

Mobile phones are vital in modern businesses for many reasons. For example:

• A mobile handset can provide a network connection for other devices, such as tablet computers and laptops using Bluetooth. However, most new laptops and tablets have wireless capability built in making this method virtually redundant.
• Smartphones such as the iPhone, Android, Windows phones etc can combine phone and a pocket-sized computing into a single device. They are a versatile business tool - handling email, offering diary functions, providing data connection for laptops 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.

Disadvantages of mobile telephony services in business

Potential pitfalls can include:

• Costs of new data services - these can be expensive, so it is important to get the right tariff for your business.
• Data transmission rates - although improving rapidly, mobile data transmission rates are not as good as wireless local area networks using wireless technology.
• Depending on the device, size can be an issue - eg smartphone keyboards may be small and therefore difficult to use, and their size also makes them easier to lose or damage.

Read more about choosing business phone systems.