OUMH2203 ENGLISH FOR WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

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INTRODUCTION

In 2002, the total number of mobile (cellular) phones in use worldwide exceeded the number of landlines. Current projections suggest that the world will continue to add mobile lines faster than fixed lines; indeed, the next billion new phone users will use primaril mobiles (I!" 200#; $an%in 200&). 'oth the de%eloped world and the de%eloping world are participating in this boom, but in different wa s. ( report from the International !elecommunication "nion called )obile o%erta*es +ixed explains, the greatest impact of mobile communications on access to communication services in other words, increasing the number of people who are in reach of a telephone connection of any kind can be seen in developing countries. Furthermore In countries where mobile constitute the primary form of access, increased exchange of information services is contributing to development goals; in countries where people fixed-line and mobile communications, the personali ed traits of the changing social interaction.! (I!" 200#) communications on trade or health commonly use both mobile phone are

(lthough there are now o%er a billion mobile phones in the de%eloping world, these changes in social interactions in the de%eloped world ha%e captured the bul* of the research communit -s attention to date. !hough the number of studies focused on mobiles in the de%eloping world is growing steadil , these studies ha%e appeared in relati%e isolation from each other, separated b regions, and b disciplines. )an research communities are interested in the topic, those impressed b the function of mar*et mechanisms underpinning the stunning spread of a new technolog across the planet; those concerned with economic de%elopment who see the mobile as an enabler of broad.based prosperit ; and those concerned with describing the social, and cultural implications of its use. ' focusing on areas where economic constraint is a pressing concern, and b extending anal sis to a broader range of cultural and social contexts, these researchers are contributing to a broader,

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more %aried understanding of the implications of mobile and personal communication technologies. !his paper re%iews the increase in mobile phone use in recent ears has transformed the wa we li%e, communicate and do business and also be the cause of social or medical problems.

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THE PRESENT SITUATION OF MOBILE PHONES )obile phones ha%e changed e%er one/s life since their launch in 012#. !he are

electronic de%ices used for telecommunications o%er a networ*. (n interesting thing about the mobile phone is the fact that it is just a radio, but a more sophisticated one. !o understand the premises which lie be ond the manufacturing of a mobile phone, it will be compared to the simple radio communication s stem of a wal*ie.tal*ie. !he wal*ie.tal*ie communication s stem has a simplex t pe of communication method whereb two people communicate with each other on the same fre3uenc , but onl one of them at a time. 4n the other hand, the mobile phone is a duplex de%ice that uses two different fre3uencies, a fre3uenc for tal*ing, and a second separate one for listening. ( wal*ie.tal*ie can ha%e do5ens of channels, while mobile phones can communicate through 0667 channels. )obile phones also operate in cells, meaning that the can mo%e from one cell to another. Cells are the basic unit of a cellular s stem 8 the geographic area that co%ers a mobile phone compan . ( wal*ie.tal*ie can communicate o%er a distance ranging from se%eral hundred meters to maximum 00.0& *m, while amobile phone user can mo%e to an location of a cit and et maintain the con%ersation due to these cells. 9hen a mobile phone passes from one cell to another, a computer monitors this transit at the right time and transfers the call to a new cell and a new fre3uenc . !his shift ta*es place so 3uic*l that it is unnoticeable. 'ut how does a cell wor*: !he *e consists in the fact that a cit can be di%ided into small cells which allow the reuse of fre3uencies across a cit . !his operation is what enables millions of people to own mobile phones. Cells are thought to be circles belonging to a large networ*. ;ue to the fact that mobile phones and base stations use low %oltage transmitters, the

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same fre3uencies can be reused b remote cells. <ach cell corresponds to a base station, which, in turn, is composed of a tower and a small building containing the radio e3uipment. 9hen a mobile user tra%els from one countr to another, he=she lea%es their

corresponding mobile networ* operator/s cell s stem. !he cell s stem enables the relocation to another cell s stem of another mobile operator. !his transfer is called roaming. 9ithout a doubt, mobile phones ha%e changed the world. 'eing at first destined onl for con%ersations, nowada s their applicabilit has e%ol%ed dramaticall . >ou can use them to ta*e photos, create %ideos, #? con%ersations, reminders, pla games , ser%e as a ?@A, organi5e our itinerar , and connect to our email from an where. !he world is e%ol%ing fast and so is the technolog of mobile phones (or Amartphones).

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THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF MOBILE PHONES )obile phones ha%e re%olutioni5ed modern communication and empowered consumers

and users. !he ad%ent, acceptance and proliferation of mobile phones has democrati5ed opportunities and a%enues for millions of people. Bural, hinterland and underser%ed areas are now interconnected to urban areas due to cellular communication technologies. Cowe%er, li*e man consumer technolog applications, mobile phones ha%e their own distincti%e disad%antages and ad%antages. 3.1 The ad a!"a#e$ %& '%()*e +h%!e It is hard to imagine a world without cell phones now. +rom merel being a

communication de%ice, mobile handsets ha%e e%ol%ed as a technical tool to handle innumerable ser%ices. )obile phones hardware and software industries are one of the biggest mar*ets in the world. !he telecoms sector has been the biggest beneficiar of the surge in demands of the mobile phones all across the world. (s per ?artner, a reputed anal tic agenc in the field of I!, the total number of mobile connections in the world reached &.6 billion in 2000D !his number is
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increasing at a staggering rate with China and India leading the list of mobile subscribers in the world, particularl because of their huge population. (s mobile phones ha%e penetrated e%er strata of the societ and are a necessit in toda Es world, we need to loo* at what ma*es them so appealing. 9hat are some of the peculiar ad%antages that mobile phones ha%e offered in the current world: "hy #obile $hones are the %iggest &ra e 'oday( "ndoubtedl , there are %arious benefits of mobile phones. Aome of the most fundamental benefits that the human societ has experienced with the growth and ease of access to these phones ha%e been mentioned further. It is essential to remember that this technolog has filled a gap in the field of communication technolog b ma*ing information exchange faster, easier, affordable and a%ailable to all, brea*ing the barriers of international boundaries or econom . CereEs a loo* at some of the basic and ad%anced benefits of mobile phones in the current world. )ase to )xpress *ourself ' allowing instant access to an desired destination across the globe, mobile phones ha%e changed the landscape of communication. Fot onl globall , cell phones are important in da .to.da life. >ou want to tal* to someone at home, a friend or our spouse, just gi%e a callD >ou forget something important at home and now ou need it in our office. ?i%e a call at homeD Ao on and so forth...cell phones are a necessit . (renEt the : #ore than &ommunication, )ntertainment $o%e listening to music: 4r pla ing %ideo games: 4r watching mo%ies: ;o all ou wish, b purchasing some affordable mobile phones. <ntertainment, especiall when ouEre tra%eling or getting bored, was ne%er so eas . Fowada s, ou can e%en browse Internet on our cell phones. Cell phone manufacturers cater to the needs of e%er mobile user, with the up.gradation of latest features and technolog . !here are so man applications and features in mobile phones that people hardl ha%e time to learn all of themD
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#ore +afety (lthough, ha%ing cell phones is not a guarantee for safet , it certainl can be helpful for ou in emergenc situations. Geeping cell phones in our car while tra%eling is one of the topmost personal safet tips. In case of an accidents or unexpected e%ents, ou can inform someone, who can rush to our rescue. Aimilarl , cell phones can be helpful to old and differentl able people. (lthough, lifts in offices and residential buildings come with phone extension and alarm buttons, cell phones are an time better to call for help, in case of ele%ator failure. Aimilarl , there can be man more instances in dail life, where mobile phones are a necessit . Internet &onnectivity IEm not going to sa mobile phones are going to replace laptops an time soon but definitel with the ad%anced i@hones that are being launched in the mar*et fre3uentl , there is hardl an feature that is now una%ailable on these phones. >ou can send emails, chat with friends, browse websites, boo* flight tic*ets, transfer mone in ban*s and what notD Fowada s, it is e%en possible to pa our shopping bills through these phones, if our ban* has a tie.up with the ser%ice pro%ider. Ao, it seems %irtuall e%er ser%ice is now a%ailable on cell phones. Ao, it wonEt be a h perbole if it is said that technolog is toda on our fingertips. 9hile cell phones ha%e e%ol%ed as a necessit , imparting numerous comforts to our li%es, not all is positi%e about them. !here are some demerits of mobile phones and the ha%e gained significant media attention in the past couple of ears. In a report in 2000, 9orld Cealth 4rgani5ation stated that there is a ris* of electromagnetic radiation from cell phones and the can lead to serious health problems, particularl cancer. Fow, 9C4 lists cell phones in the categor of Hcarcinogenic ha5ardH same as lead and engine exhaust. Bigorous studies are being carried out to *now more about the negati%e effects of cell phones and effecti%e measures to counteract the side effects.

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It is ad%ised to *eep cell phones awa from the bod especiall ears while tal*ing, b using wired headphones or b *eeping the phone on spea*ers. Aleep depri%ation, stress and brain problems ha%e also been lin*ed to o%eruse of cell phones, and are considered to be the possible disad%antages of excessi%e cell phone usage. !echnolog has empowered our li%es ma*ing it more comfortable and luxurious.

Cowe%er, as the sa that e%er thing in life comes with some price, so we must not be shoc*ed if we disco%er some se%ere disad%antages of technologies li*e cell phones. Aince we canEt ignore necessities li*e cell phone in the current times, we must religiousl wor* upon finding wa s to minimi5e their threat on us as well as on our en%ironment. In that wa , we can create a sustainable world, fit for the sur%i%al of life on <arth.

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The D)$ad a!"a#e$ %& M%()*e Ph%!e$ 4ne might sa that there are man ad%antages of mobile phones nowada s and there is

no doubt about that. !he main ad%antages is the mobilit factor, ou can bring our phone e%er where without missing a call, especiall the important ones. 9ith ad%antages there are disad%antages as well, some greater outweighs the ob%ious. If ou are s*eptical to latest technolog , ou can weigh our options and ou ma need to *now these disad%antages of mobile phones ourself. Ao the 3uestion remains, whether a mobile phone is essential for e%er da li%ing or it has more disad%antages for ou not to own it. )obile phones ha%e turn out to be an integral part of contemporar life. Aome indi%iduals find it to become a great item, while other people (such as me) possess a much more neutral get on the problem. >ou will find surel a good deal of good reasons to possess a cellular telephone. )an elements of existence in the modern world are made simpler with cellular phones. 'ut ou will find downsides too. >ou will find man disad%antages to owning a cell phone and there are a lot.

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<%en though mobile phones allow it to be easier to obtain a hold of indi%iduals, the also allow it to be simpler for people to obtain a hold of ou. 'efore cellular telephones, if somebod wanted to call ou, the had to call our house. If ou were not in our house, the could lea%e a message. !his helped ou a particular le%el of pri%ac . !his *ind of pri%ac was ruined with mobile phones. Fow, with the ubi3uit of mobile phone, indi%iduals anticipate ou to become a%ailable all the time. !he *now that ou ha%e our telephone with ou all the time, and expect ou to definitel response, no matter how incon%enient it ma be for ou at the time. I ha%e se%eral friends who ha%e become 3uite upset when I did not response from their phone call (for %er great reasons). 'ut I do not see m telephone as a tool for !C<IB comfort; I see it as something to create )> existence easier. !his idea is highl debatable . numerous thin* that ou simpl should alwa s answer our mobilephone, and to not do so is rude. )obile phones present a %ariet of ethical and social problems. <%en if ou wish to respond to the call, there are man occasions when it is inappropriate to do so. !he debate much more than cell telephone use in restaurants rages on . with some people finding it completel o*a to ramble on, and others experiencing that tal*ing about what ou were doing last night on our cell telephone is incredibl rude. Conflicts more than this *ind of conduct is a source of numerous arguments and missing opportunities for the second date. )obile phones are effortlessl lost or bro*en which can be %er expensi%e. !hat is one of the greatest drawbac*s of owning a mobile phone. >ou ha%e to be careful with it. Ahould ou lost it somewhere, ou cannot find it easil . If ou place it about the roof of the car, do not o%erloo* to ta*e it off. If ou forget, ou will ha%e a panca*e instead than a telephone. It is not a prett scene. !he ones mentioned are the biggest disad%antages of owning our personal mobile phone. Fot all the time it is ad%antageous, sometimes ou are more capable without mobile phones. 'ut if ou loo* at it, mobile phones reall did ma*e life more easier and more con%enient. Aometimes this con%enience ma become a disad%antage. )obile phones ma*e ou a target for people who are in need and will probabl rob ou. )ost of the mar*eted mobile phones are 3uiet expensi%e and this ma*es them %er desirable for people with bad intentions and to steal them. )an said that these comes with other technolog nowada s as well, li*e laptops and noteboo*s, but mobile phones are the easiest to snatch and trust me, thie%es would
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lo%e to get them off our hands. If ou as* me, mobile phones are a great in%ention and almost a perfect technological brea*through. Fe%ertheless, do not be fooled b these small and beautiful in%entions because the carr danger within them. Fow that ou *now most of the disad%antages of mobile phones. !he big bul* price tag and losing our pri%ac are just two of the man disad%antages it carries. 'ut still, mobile phones are something we cannot li%e without, and we bet ou do too.

C%!,*-$)%! ;espite being the most per%asi%e social networ*ing tools, mobile phones are currentl e3uipped with software applications that are largel unaware of the user/s social setting. In this paper, we highlight the need for sociall .aware mobile phones and the mechanisms needed to enable such social features. "nderstanding the user and his needs are fundamental to building a sociall .aware phone. !herefore, we conducted a cross.cultural user stud with a speciIc focus on interruption management i.e., how can we better manage interruptions to mobile phone users and their surroundings. !he stud pro%ided useful insights into scenarios and phone features where automation could help. It has also remar*ed the importance of *eeping automated features eas to use. 9e propose to adopt a semantic polic .based approach to express sociall .aware policies that can regulate interruptions on mobile phones. !he use of a semantic model enables us to utili5e the user/s fragmented social data and allows support for intensional polic descriptions. !he design and implementation of the polic model (and framewor*), presented in this paper, are still under de%elopment. Re&e.e!,e$ 0. 9. Campbell and !. Busso. !he social construction of mobile telephon . Communications )onographs, pages #028##7, 200#. 2. F. ;amianou, F. ;ula , <. $upu, and ). Aloman. !he @onder polic speciIcation
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language. In @4$IC> 2000. #. $. Gagal, !. 9. +inin, and (. Joshi. ( polic language for a per%asi%e computing en%ironment. In @4$IC> 200#. 7. (. Gahlil. Context.(ware !elephon and Its "sers, )ethods to Impro%e the (ccurac of )obile Interruptions. @h; thesis, Indiana "ni%ersit , 2006. &. J. <. Gat5 and ). (a*hus. @erpetual Contact, )obile Communication, @ri%ate !al*, @ublic @erformance. Cambridge "ni%ersit @ress, Few >or*, F>, 2002. 6. ). Aloman. @olic dri%en management for distributed s stems. Journal of Fetwor* A stems )anagement, 2(7), 0117. 2. ;. A. !ara 9halen and <. +. Churchill. "ser experiences with sharing and access control. In CCI /06 extended abstracts on Cuman factors in computing s stems. (C) @ress, 2006. K. (. !oninelli, et al. ( semantic context.aware access control framewor* for secure collaborations in per%asi%e computing en%ironments. In IA9C, %olume 722# of $FCA, pages 72#87K6. Apringer, 2006. 1. (. "s5o*, et al. Gaos polic and domain ser%ices, !oward a description.logic approach to polic representation, deconLiction, and enforcement. In @4$IC> 200#.