September 10, 2004

By: Wendy Whittaker
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Digital Cellular Phone Not So Effective Rural Areas

Your new digital cellular phone may have come feature packed and more secure than its analog counterpart, but in rural areas that don’t have widespread cellular coverage, a digital cellular phone may not be the best choice.

A recent article in the Alaska Journal of Commerce outlined some of the drawbacks to digital cell phones. Almost all cell phones manufactured today use digital technology. That’s great unless you happen to live in an area not covered by digital service.

People want the security and features that digital cell phones offer, but they also want their phones to work wherever they go, an Alaska Digitel sales associate said. All of the really cool features, cameras, video streaming, Internet access, are based on digital technology. In Alaska and other rural areas, digital coverage has not extended to all areas. A new digital phone without analog is only going to work in limited areas, usually close to urban centers. Service providers are slower to expand digital networks in rural areas where there is a smaller customer base.

The popularity of digital cell phones started with security. Digital technology can be decrypted making it far more secure than analog. Radios and other electronic devices can pick up analog phone conversations.

If you live in a rural area, check the coverage available before you purchase a digital phone. If you want your cell phone to work anywhere you go, make sure it has an analog backup. Manufactures are not required to include analog backups on their digital cell phones.

Also See: free cell phone offers.

About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.