The second edition contains updated and expanded chapters and many new illustrations. It places increased emphasis on digital technology and provides a new chapter on services.

Provides information on Asterisk, an open source telephony application.

"Introduction to Telephones and Telephone Systems" provides a non-technical, easy-to-understand explanation of every major aspect of today's telecommunications systems perfect for telephone system managers, telecommunications sales professionals, and students. The book gives readers a comprehensive coverage of the four major areas of telephone systems--station apparatus, transmission, switching, signaling--plus fiber optics, PCS systems, regulatory issues and more.

The mobile information society has revolutionised the way we work, communicate and socialise. Mobile phones, wireless free communication and associated technologies such as WANs, LANs, and PANs, cellular networks, SMS, 3G, Bluetooth, Blackberry and WiFi are seen as the driving force of the advanced society. The roots of today's explosion in wireless technology can be traced back to the deregulation of AT&T in the US and the Post Office and British Telecom in the UK, as well as Nokia's groundbreaking approach to the design and marketing of the mobile phone. Providing a succinct introduction to the field of mobile and wireless communications, this book: Begins with the basics of radio technology and offers an overview of key scientific terms and concepts for the student reader Addresses the social and economic implications of mobile and wireless technologies, such as the effects of the deregulation of telephone systems Uses a range of case studies and examples of mobile and wireless communication, legislation and practices from the UK, US, Canada, mainland Europe, the Far East and Australia Contains illustrations and tables to help explain technical concepts and show the growth and change in mobile technologies Features a glossary of technical terms, annotated further reading at the end of each chapter and web links for further study and research Mobile and Wireless Communicationsis a key resource for students on a range of social scientific courses, including media and communications, sociology, public policy, and management studies, as well as a useful introduction to the field for researchers and general readers.

The first comprehensive history of the Information Age... how we got there and where we are going The exchange of information is essential for both the organization of nature and the social life of mankind. Until recently, communication between people was more or less limited by geographic proximity. Today, thanks to ongoing innovations in telecommunications, we live in an Information Age where distance has ceased to be an obstacle to the sharing of ideas. The Worldwide History of Telecommunications is the first comprehensive history ever written on the subject, covering every aspect of telecommunications from a global perspective. In clear, easy-to-understand language, the author presents telecommunications as a uniquely human achievement, dependent on the contributions of many ingenious inventors, discoverers, physicists, and engineers over a period spanning more than two centuries. From the crude signaling methods employed in antiquity all the way to today’s digital era, The Worldwide History of Telecommunications features complete and fascinating coverage of the groundbreaking innovations that have served to make telecommunications the largest industry on earth, including: Optical telegraphy Electrical telegraphy via wires and cables Telephony and telephone switching Radio transmission technologies Cryptography Coaxial and optical fiber networks Telex and telefax Multimedia applications Broad in scope, yet clear and logical in its presentation, this groundbreaking book will serve as an invaluable resource for anyone involved or merely curious about the ever evolving field of telecommunications. AAP-PSP 2003 Award Winner for excellence in the discipline of the "History of Science"

"A system administrator's guide to VoIP technologies"--Cover.