Although more than 42 million Americans subscribe to wireless phone service, the industry is still in its infancy. New technologies are already making phone conversations more secure and the expansion of antenna systems will make transmissions more reliable and of better quality. You will be able to transmit text, surf the Internet, collect your e-mail and turn on your lights at home from any place you find yourself. These new PCS services are already driving down prices, offering more attractive financial arrangements and even changing the traditional pricing structure. For example, cellular calls in most cities cost the user when they place a call and when they receive a call.
Many companies require lengthy contracts, and in return provide the phone without charge.
This last feature is to avoid the customer paying when someone reaches their number by mistake. Wireless phones are leading the way in making the communications industry more and more competitive. We will see lower prices, better quality of service, more features, and more flexible payment plans. With eight or more wireless companies in each community competing for business, the customers will be the winners. Still, in a world of more than 6 billion people, the latest estimates show just over 700 million phones lines and just under 100 million cellular phones.