Origin, Characteristics, and Consequences of Telephony - Essay Example

The Origin, Characteristics, and Consequences of Technological System: Example of Telephony Introduction: Technology is the combination of tools and instruments, knowledge, and culture made available towards solving human problems, creating new things, and understanding the value of the world. In the modern world, there is too much of dependence on the use of technology that can be seen in every field of work that an individual is involved in. The effects of technology and technological systems can be reflected from the changes taking place globally trying to make the world a better place to live in. Over the years, the increasing development in the field of technology presents the capability of human beings to master over nature (Vergragt 2006, pp.1-3). Telephony represents that form of technology that allows easy and active interactions between different points through the availability of voice equipments. Telephone is the most commonly observed and used instrument of the technology of telephony. It provides interactive facilities to every residential house as well as in businesses. Telephones have also been associated with telephony switching systems and exchanges that are necessary for the processing of the calls occurring between two points. Developments have occurred over the years in telephony reflecting a shift from the initial local point to point connections to highly sophisticated connections in the modern world (What is Telephony 2012). The present study focuses on the origins, characteristics, and consequences of technological system considering the example of telephony. Origin of the Technological System: Telephony: Considering the example of telephony, and the most common use of the telephone, the origin of this technological system can be traced back to the 1870s, when Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell both being independent of each other had invented electronic systems that could allow transmission of speech between two locations or points, the telephone. There had been a legal fight amongst these two inventors for the patent of the invention that Bell had ultimately won over Gray. Bell made efforts in the improvement of the telegraph which was also an electronic system based on the use of wires. Bell used his extensive knowledge on the nature of sound that he applied in determining the possibility of passing multiple messages through at the same time through the same wire (Bellis 2012). The figure on the left presents one of the earliest telephones as invented by Graham Bell. The use of multiple telegraph had been suggested and tried earlier as well. However, with Bell’s application of a harmonic approach, the idea could be actually implemented. It was in the year 1878 that the first Bell telephone company was established. It is now known as the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). In 1878, the first exchange of telephone was established in New Haven. Earlier the connections of the telephones had to be done in pairs. In the year 1889, the system of pay phone came into existence. Thereafter, with the advancements in the technology, the touch-tone phones, cordless phones, and mobile phones were developed (Bellis 2012). Characteristics of Telephony: The Technological System: The service of telephony or telecommunications is provided by an industry that includes different groups of people like the engineers, scientists and craftsmen. Telephone companies are either under the control of the government of a country or they may also be private in nature (Freeman 2004, p.1). Basic Telephony: The simple connection of the telephone as is most commonly known to the world is characterised by a device that is connected to other points across the world through use of pair of wires. The parts of such a telephone include a handset, a cradle, along with the signalling system that contains either dial or push buttons for making the connections. The handset is created with two electroacoustic transducers, the earpiece that acts as the receiver, and a mouthpiece that acts as the transmitter of the speech or the interaction between two points. Acoustic energy is converted into electric energy by the transmitter that uses carbon granules. A diaphragm of magnetic material constitutes the receiver that in most cases may be the soft iron alloy, located in a stable magnetic ?eld provided by a permanent magnet, and an altering magnetic ?eld effected by voice currents ?owing through the voice coils, that are generally altering in nature. Sidetone represents the voice of the speaker that he/she hears himself/herself while talking over the phone. It can be said that “a telephone network can be regarded as a systematic development of interconnecting transmission media arranged so that one telephone user can talk to any other within that network” (Freeman 2004, pp.2-5). Telephony Software: With the development and advancement in the technology of the telephony system, several softwares have also been developed for the better utilization of the product. These include the answering attendants, the multichannel voice recorder, the virtual PBX system, the on-hold messages player, the VoIP softphones, the phone detection systems, the conferencing software, as well as single line call recorder. The answering attendant allows an interactive voice response program connecting to the phone through a professional board, in case where the receiver might be absent in receiving the phone. Voice recording enables recording of the interactions between the two points. The PBX system helps in managing calls in businesses or official centres of work. VoIP software allows making calls through the use of the computer. Conferencing enables the telephone conversations to enter into conferencing between more than two parties at a same time. Through the use of single line recording software, one can record the telephone calls manually as well (Phone Software for your PC n.d.). Digital Telephony: A digital telephone system is characterised by features such as multiple extensions and direct lines; unified voice, fax and email messaging; voice messaging; keypad-entry menus and interactive voice response. These are generally used in businesses and supports specific number of users. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) or Internet phone technology is used in digital telephony. Usually a specific number of phones are used in the system that has the ability to expand up to a capacity that is predetermined. More advanced systems include features that provide with email notifications of missed calls or messages. Many times, the digital telephone system also has the capability to use call centre facilities that allows distribution of calls to different agents. Although the system might prove to be costly, but it increases productivity, efficiency and satisfaction of the customers by mechanically routing calls to the most qualified individuals with the help of the call centre settings (What is a Digital Telephone System? 2012).  Mobile Telephony: Mobile phones are cordless and wireless and can be used at any place and at any point of time. Characteristic features of mobile telephony include the use of radio frequency. A mobile phone broadcasts in two-way, requiring the need for two channels of the radio. The radio spectrum allocated to the mobile phone may be limited. Hence this provides a significant challenge for the technology to provide the users with the services as per their needs. Mobile telephony is also characterised by the implication of the regulatory measures that regulates the mobile operators for the licenses being provided to them, accompanied by other technical limitations. Mobile phones include features such as small screens and lower consumption of power. Their sizes and weights are such that they are portable in nature and their performances depend on the charge of the batteries, which once charged allows the use of the phone for several hours. The generation of the mobile telephony systems have been developed over the years from the first generation (1G) in the 1980s to the second generation (2G) mobile phones in the 1990s, and the first version of the standards of third generation (3G) being completed in 1999 (Technical Features That Characterise Mobile Communications n.d.). Cellular Telephony: A cellular phone has much more capability than the normal phones apart from radio transmitting and receiving. Through the use of cellular telephones, the interactions between the two points may be intercepted as it is broadcasted. Privacy is not provided through in the uses of cell phones. Cellular phones allow special functions to be conducted through the availability of the test mode in the phones. These might include simple functions like modifying the set up of the phone, modifying the SID, the MIN, and listing the ESN. There may be other interesting functions as well that include the use of the cell phone as a scanner. A cell phone may also be used to collect different kinds of information. Monitoring systems can even trace the calls that are made from and to a cell phone. However a negative aspect of the cell phone is that it can easily be cloned by hackers that allow frauds to take place (Cellular Telephones n.d.). Internet Telephony: In the system of internet telephony, the telephone services are integrated through the use of science and technology into networks of the computer. This system of technology converts the analog signals of voice into digital signals transmitting them and again bringing them back. One of the common services of the internet telephony system is the use of VoIP service. Internet telephony uses the computer networks for the transmission of the voice signals. Data packets are used through which all kinds of information are transmitted. The voice signals in the analog systems are converted into digital signals, followed by sending them in discreet data packets to the destination, where they are again assembled and sent back. This system enables long distance calls between two points free of charges, provided both the parties should have the internet telephony software. Over the years the internet telephony system has improved over the use of the VoIP, the quality of which was earlier poor. Voice mail and other services of the telephone may also be provided by the technology of internet telephony, and the process of installation of the VoIP is trouble-free for anyone who wants to use the technology (Internet Telephony 2012). Consequences of the Technological System: The Telephony: Considering the example of the telephony, it can be said that the use of the telephone has a significant influence on the lives of human beings in the modern world. The telephone has turned out to be an integral part of one’s life and activities. Ever since the invention of the telephony, several communication systems have been developed. The technology of the telephone system reflects on the oral culture as against the system of writing. It has led to the powers of speaking and listening, creating strong groups among the individuals. A direct contact is enabled between the sender of a message and the receiver of it through the use of the telephone services. This leads to true communication in most cases. However, there might also be cases of frauds where false communication may be transmitted from the sender to the receiver (Kang n.d.). The telephone has developed to be an instrument that may be used for almost all purposes, be it in the home, for the purpose of business, or for educational reasons. It also contributes academically as it provides with different information to the illiterates. Initially the tool was highly expensive and could be afforded only by the rich. However, with the gradual development, initiatives were taken to reduce the expenses such that telephones may be used by one and all. Today it can be seen that almost every home and office has telephone connections and almost every individual has a mobile phone for use. The promotion of the telephone system was primarily done with intentions to increase wealth, employment and improve the communication facilities between two points (Kang n.d.). The telephony system led to the advancement of city centres, office buildings and the conception of a metropolitan worker culture. While several jobs have been created with the telephony system in place, many job positions have also been destroyed. This is primarily because with the telephones being in hand, the need for messenger boys, telegraphers, and other operators reduced. The world has become faster with the use of the telephones and it has made accessing others much easier and effective that happens within very less time. In many cases of emergency, the telephone has provided security facilities. However, in regard to criminal activities, on one hand, the telephony technology has found out measures to prevent crimes, there are other ways in which the system has promoted crime as well. The maintenance of relationships and the social manners have also been modified by the system of telephony. It also increased the number of people with whom one can keep in touch or reach out with a particular message (Kang n.d.). A significant influence has also been obtained on the reading and writing of individuals with the telephony system being more developed and advanced. Writing is no more considered as the only essential mode of communication. Rather, listening to others and speaking directly over the phone has taken a significant position in the lives of people. It is much simpler to use the telephone for the purpose of business dealings or sharing of ideas. The telephone is more impulsive and a proficient means to use information than writing or reading. Telephone does away with the time that is involved in travelling and provides the immediate satisfaction that one receives from a direct reaction to the message that one communicates.  Experts might be contacted for information instead of reading books that saves time as well (Kang n.d.). For those individuals who are unable to read or write, the telephone proves to be essential tool for communication. The telephony has also proved to be beneficial in the political communications since several conversations might be kept private without being written or recorded into documents. Telephones have proved to be a boon for all professionals who are weak writing skills. Homebound and hospitalized students could also be given lessons through the phone based teaching methods. This has now led to dial up access information retrieval systems on campuses of different educational institutes. Telephone networks enable students to gather different information as per their needs. Since its invention, the telephony system has developed and transformed the society to a great extent providing with huge benefits and also moving the human behaviour towards the old culture of oral conversation. As it can be understood, “the telephone has also changed our mindset to a more complex way of thinking and continues to impact us as we move into the twenty-first century” (Kang n.d.). Conclusion: From the study it can be concluded that ever since the technological system of telephony has been invented, there has been significant developments in the system providing benefits to the human beings and their activities of life. The only concern associated with the system is its misuse towards frauds. Thus it can be said that if the technology can be used to the welfare of the society, instead of fraudulent activities, then the telephony system can be considered as one of the most beneficial and influential technology in the lives of human beings. References 1) Bellis 2012, The History of the Telephone- Alexander Graham Bell, about, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventors/a/telephone.htm 2) Cellular Telephones n.d., DHP, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://users.dhp.com/~bishop/cellular.html 3) Freeman, RL 2004, Basic Telephony, Wiley, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/39/04714513/0471451339.pdf 4) Internet Telephony 2012, wisegeek, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-internet-telephony.htm 5) Kang, D n.d., The Impact of the Telephone on Society, UBC, last accessed 23 May 2012, http://educ.ubc.ca/courses/etec540/Sept04/kangd/Researchproject/inventionoftelephone.htm 6) Phone Software for your PC n.d., NCH, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://www.nch.com.au/phone/index.html 7) Technical Features That Characterise Mobile Communications n.d., telecomvisions, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://www.telecomvisions.com/mobile/technicalquest.php 8) Vergragt, PJ 2006, How Technology Could Contribute to a Sustainable World, gtinitiative, last accessed 21 May 2012, http://www.gtinitiative.org/documents/PDFFINALS/8Technology.pdf 9) What is a Digital Telephone System? 2012, wisegeek, last accessed 22 May 2012, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-digital-telephone-system.htm 10) What is Telephony 2012, wisegeek, last accessed 21 May 2012, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-telephony.htm Read More

 

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