Taking a better look at mobile phones

The handphone is an electronic device used for mobile telephony and data transmission over a cellular network of specially designed base stations called cell sites. Handphones differ from cordless phones that merely offer a telephony service. Handphones have grown into the most powerful form of distant communication. In addition to the standard voice function, modern handphones can support plenty of added services and accessories, such as SMS for text messaging, e-mail, packet switching for access to the WWW, gaming, Bluetooth, camera with video recorder and MMS for sending and receiving pictures and video, MP3 player, radio and GPS. Mobile phones are used for a variety of purposes, such as to be in contact with family and friends, run a business and have access to a telephone in an emergency.

Some people own two or more handphones: one is deployed for business matters and another for personal use. Multiple handphones and multiple SIM cards are also generally used to gain benefit from diverse calling options. For example, one plan could offer low-cost short-distance telephone calls, another can be for low-priced long-distance, and yet another for low-priced international telephone calls or inexpensive roaming. Handphones vary from basic phones to updated phones, including musicphones and cameraphones. There are also smartphones that operate as small portable computers. The world's biggest individual mobile operator is China Mobile with over 500 million mobile phone subscribers.

The world's biggest mobile operator group by clients is UK based Vodafone. There are more than 600 mobile operators and providers worldwide. Over 50 mobile operators have more than 10 mln subscribers each, and over 150 mobile operators have at least one mln clients by the end of 2008. The principal mobile phone brands are Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, Apple iPhone, Samsung, Blackberry etc. Due to the quickly increasing competition on the telecom market, buyers can choose from a wide selection of tariff options to suit their budget and purposes. Contract mobile phone deals and Pay-as-you-go are well-known networking options that offer cost effective tariff plans.