ABSTRACT
Mobile telephones are the fastest growing consumer product with the telecommunications industry experiencing rapid growth on a global scale. Mobile telephones have become an essential part of life for many millions of people. This is a direct consequence of rapid technological development which in turn has facilitated the application of new technologies. There are a number of other advantages to be derived from the application of this technology. Mobile or wireless telecommunications play an increasingly important role in general commercial activity and thereby make an indirect contribution to any national economy. Currently Finland is the world leader in the percentage of the population owning mobile telephones (in excess of 80%). Throughout the world it can be seen that people are anxious to keep in touch whilst on the move. As we will see later in this chapter it is not just people who wish to keep in touch with each other but appliances/machines to appliances/machines and people to appliances/machines. It is projected that within the next five years we will have our refrigerators, central heating systems, security systems all communicating with each other and us via the central home/office computer and our mobile communication device.
