Technology evolution for mobile and personal communications

Today we are witnessing a true revolution in wireless communications. The history and technology behind mobile communications is fascinating, and Bell Labs has had a major role in launching this multi‐billion dollar industry. In this paper, we take a brief look at the history of mobile communications—including many Bell Labs milestones and contributions to wireless technology—and provide a glimpse into the future. We also summarize the development of the industry and the path leading to today's imminent launch of third‐generation (3G) systems. Finally, we identify and present in detail several selected enabling technologies, along with breakthrough Bell Labs research in these areas.