Published by Australian Academy of Science
Useful sites | Mobile phones – communications on the go

Telstra Learning Centre (Australia)

Six topics on telecommunications are available:

• Mobile communication
• From dots to data: The story of digital transmission and data communication
• The busy ray: The story of communication by light beam
• The switching place: The story of telephone exchanges
• Linking a nation: The story of long distance communications
• The information superhighway: The story of interactive telecommunications

How Stuff Works (USA)

• How cell phones work
  A clear description (with diagrams) of how mobile phones work.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone.htm

• How cell-phone radiation works
  Explains how mobile phones generate radiation, and how they are tested for radiation levels. Also covers potential health risks.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-radiation.htm

• How VoIP Works
  Provides background information about VoIP and its potential applications.
  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm

• What is the difference between analog and digital cell phones?
  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/question31.htm

• How cell-phone jammers work
  Looks at how cell-phone jammers work and the legality of their use.
  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-jammer.htm

• How cell-phone viruses work
  Describes how cell-phone viruses spread, what they can do and how to protect your phone.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-virus.htm

• How SMS works
  Explores the uses of text messages and why it can take a while for them to reach the recipient.
  http://www.howstuffworks.com/sms.htm

Billions and billions of dollars in orbit: Global links for mobile phones (Australian Parliamentary Library)

Explains the difference between high geostationary Earth orbit satellites (GEOs) and low Earth orbit satellites (LEOs). Lists many of the proposed systems.
http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/rn/1996-97/97rn38.htm

The impact of the mobile telephone in Australia (Academy of Social Sciences in Australia)

A 2004 report on the impact of the mobile phone in Australia.
http://www.assa.edu.au/Publications/mobilephone.pdf

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

• Over information (The Lab,17 March 2005)
  Describes how mobile phones, iPods and PDAs are used to store and access increasing amounts of information.
  http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/overinformation/default.htm

• Hands free mobile no safer when driving (News in Science, 12 July 2005)
  Research suggests that holding a mobile phone or using a hands-free phone when driving increase the risk of an accident.
  http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1412283.htm

• The future of the phone (The Buzz, 20 November 2004)
  Describes future uses of phones to: track friends or children; provide bullet-proof ID; act as a credit card; download films and books; even replace our front door keys.
  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/buzz/stories/s1247362.htm

Mobile phones: Frequently asked questions (WorkSafe Western Australia)

Briefly outlines possible health risks from mobile phone use and suggests ways to reduce exposure to the radio waves of mobile phones.
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/Content/Safety_Topics/Mobile_phones/Questions.html

Australian Radiation and Nuclear Protection Agency

• Mobile telephones and health effects
  Discusses the basis of health concerns and the uncertainty of evidence about microwaves causing cancer.
  http://www.arpansa.gov.au/is_phone.htm

• The controversy over electromagnetic fields and possible adverse health effects
  Includes study results and Australian exposure guidelines.
  http://www.arpansa.gov.au/is_emf.htm

• The committee on electromagnetic radiation and public health issues – publications
  A series of articles (in PDF format) that help explain the current thinking of mobile phone communication and health.
  http://www.arpansa.gov.au/eme_pubs.htm

International EMF project (World Health Organization)

A number of news releases and fact sheets relating to health effects of electromagnetic fields. Of particular interest is Electromagnetic fields and public health: Mobile telephones and their base stations.
http://www.who.int/docstore/peh-emf/publications/facts_press/fact_english.htm