The tiny electronic devices remain a vital means of communication in some areas - such as health care and emergency services, thanks to their durability and long battery life
I can see maybe businesses that don’t want/need to buy full-blown smartphones for their employees. These things probably cost $50? vs. $700 for a smartphone.
Cellular signals have a hard time penetrating dense concrete buildings and underground structures. That’s why doctors still use them, even in the States.
I was thinking it had more to do with the use of the 900MHz band which has advantages in the penetration of certain materials compared to higher frequencies but I’m not an expert.
So…essentially just because they’re cheap?
I can see maybe businesses that don’t want/need to buy full-blown smartphones for their employees. These things probably cost $50? vs. $700 for a smartphone.
Cellular signals have a hard time penetrating dense concrete buildings and underground structures. That’s why doctors still use them, even in the States.
Doctors that work in hospital bunkers? Do pagers not use cellular signals?
Hospitals are practically faraday cages, it can be hard to get a signal in large hospitals.
But a text message that amounts to just a few bits can usually sneak through without much delay.
I was thinking it had more to do with the use of the 900MHz band which has advantages in the penetration of certain materials compared to higher frequencies but I’m not an expert.
There are definitely cheaper smartphones than that too.
Useful ones?
Of course? They have the same functionality. A cheap one can be under $100 and works just fine.