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Telecommunication and Network Note01
Telecommunication and Network Note01
What is Telecommunications?
Telecommunications as a word has its origins in Greek. It's a combination of tele which means 'Far Off' and Communications which is an 'exchange of information'. In its simplest terms "a far off exchange of information". Telecommunication enables people to communicate over long distances. (Telecommunications involves the assisted transmission of data) When you telephone your grandmother, you are using a form of telecommunication. Most people think of electronics when it comes to telecommunications. While it is true that the radio, Internet, television, and computer networks are all telecommunication devices, there are actually many other methods of telecommunication. In fact, telecommunication dates back almost to the advent of civilization. During this time, people used smoke signals, carrier pigeons and beacons to transmit important data over long distances. Telecommunication can exist on open networks in which anyone can have access or on closed networks in which only certain people can send and receive data. These networks are made up of a collection of transmitters (devices used to send the message) and receivers (devices used to receive the message).
Basics of Telecommunication
Telecommunication begins when a person sends or transmits a signal. While many people think of telecommunication as electronics, this is not always the case. Very early forms of telecommunication may have included the use of snare drums, smoke signals, or even carrier pigeons. All of these were devices that helped people to transmit information over longer distances then they would have been able to without telecommunication. Telecommunication has advanced a great deal since the snare drum
and carrier pigeon. Some of the earliest forms of electronic telecommunication include the telephone, telegraph and radio. Telephones and telegraphs used wired connections and were slow to catch on at first. Radio used analog signals and transmitted information over the airwaves.
Developments in telecommunications:
Signal lights - Ancient times Telegraph 1835 Bells Telephone 1876 Telephone Switchboard 1878 Telephone Switching 1891 Rotary Dial 1896 Touchtone 1963 Nortel SL1 - 1970's
Telecommunication Devices
New inventions and devices have made telecommunication reach new heights. With the advent of television, more information was made available than ever before. Like radio, television signals were originally transmitted in analog format. However, recently (year 2009) brought telecommunication policy mandated that all television signals begin being transmitted in digital. Thus, the method in which this generations old form of telecommunication works is still evolving. The Internet, cellular telephone service, and wireless networks have also changed the way in which telecommunication works. These devices allow many more people to transmit data and make it easier than ever to receive data no matter where you are.
Advances in Telecommunications
Early methods of transmitting data were imprecise and telecommunication was rather limited. However, telecommunications advanced and changed, becoming far more beneficial. For example, telegraphs and Morse code allowed people throughout the country to communicate and even allowed for international dialogue. The telephone and radio broadened the telecommunications industry even more, opening up a host of new forms of telecommunication options. Television changed the landscape again, and the advent of the internet made telecommunications more interactive than ever before.
Advantages of Telecommunication
There are a great many advantages of telecommunication that caused it to spread across almost every field of daily life. Telecommunications have improved people's ability to stay in touch with friends and family. Grandparents can receive pictures, emails, and videos of their grandchildren over the Internet. Families spread across continents can communicate inexpensively via email or with phone cards.
Telecommunications has changed the landscape of entertainment. People can access hundreds of television stations with the push of a button, getting instant access to enjoyable information. The information contained in MP3 files can be transmitted in seconds over the Internet, enabling listeners to enjoy music anytime and anywhere. Telecommunications has also changed the way in which people work. It is now possible to commute from a beach in Florida, from home, or from anyplace where a computer, a phone or Internet service is available. These advances in telecommunications have not only untethered people from desks, but they have also made it possible for people who might traditionally be unable to be in the workforce- such as those who are caring for children, or those who are disabled- to have exciting jobs and contribute to the business community.
Telecommunication Methods
The more reliable a telecommunication method is and the more people who can transmit and receive data via the method of telecommunication, the more valuable that method of telecommunication is. For example, television and the internet are relatively reliable means of telecommunication. As a result, they are valuable tools for disseminating information. If they could not reach a wide network of people or transmit messages reliably, their use would be limited and the advantages of telecommunication would not be fully realized using these methods. In addition, the more people reached by a method of telecommunication, the more valuable the telecommunication is. A network- which consists of transmitters and receivers- should be as wide as possible in many cases in order to be valuable. For example, the more people who own TVs, the more popular advertising on television becomes, since the network can transmit the message to a wider audience. This isn't always the case- for example, business networks need to be closed networks so information can be transmitted only to select people- but it is often true that the advantages of telecommunication increase as a network widens.