INTRODUCTION OF DIGITAL CELLULAR-SYSTEMS IN NORTH-AMERICA

Mobile telephones are becoming increasingly popular and analysts predict that by the end of the century half the world's telephones will be mobile. For this to happen, the telephones must be made smaller and cheaper, the cost of a call must be reduced and the network capacity must be increased. One necessary step in this direction will be to introduce digital radio technology. The authors describe the standardization in the United States and the key properties of the radio part, and look ahead to future developments.