Advantages & Disadvantages of Mobile Communication Technology

By George N. Root III

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Mobile communication technology includes devices such as cellular phones, Wi-Fi-enabled hand-
held devices and wireless laptops that can connect through Wi-Fi or with a cellular connection.
Consumers envision the benefits of these kinds of devices before purchasing them and sign a
provider carrier contract. But it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of
mobile communication technology before getting involved in a long-term agreement.

Mobile technology offers numerous advantages, but there are some down sides to its use.
Emergencies
A mobile communication device can be helpful in case of an emergency. If emergency authorities
are needed, then the cellular phone can be used to contact them. Communications devices with
built-in digital phones can be used to catalog the events at the scene of an accident to help
determine responsibility and assess damage. Hikers can take mobile communication devices with
them and use the GPS tracking system to find their way, or call for help if needed.

Sharing Information
The Internet has helped broaden communication channels by connecting people all over the world
through a single computer network. But before the development of mobile communication
devices, the information still needed to be transported back to a computer before it could be sent
out over the Internet. With hand-held communications devices, business professionals can
instantly share information with clients and vendors regardless of where they are, and friends can
share photographs and messages instantly without having to wait until they are logged in to a
computer.

Safety Concerns
The use of mobile communication devices can be dangerous. A 2006 Pew Research Center study
published on its website indicated that 32 percent of men and 25 percent of women surveyed
indicated that they do not drive as safely as they could because of hand-held communication
device distractions. Driving a car or safely crossing the street can become difficult when a
communication device is causing a distraction.

Less Down Time

Because many business professionals are connected to clients and business associates through
cellular devices, there is no down time anymore. Business managers, small business owners and
professionals are always on call to clients because of the ability of clients to reach business
professionals through cellular phone calls, texting or emails. The same mobile communication
tools that can make business easier, can also make business a burden when they take away time
off.