Communication Methods : Telephone

A telephone network enables instant voice communication between two people. All countries have a telephone network but the proportion of people who have access to a telephone varies from country to country. In the UK over 95% of people have a telephone at home.

People who use a telephone system are known as subscribers. Each telephone connected to a network is identified by a unique number. To start a conversation with another person on the network you must dial the number of the person's telephone. A modern telephone system relies on a lot of highly sophisticated computer equipment to manage and connect calls.

Subscribers have to pay to use the telephone network. This payment consists of a fixed monthly charge for connection to the network and call charges. The cost of a call depends upon the length of the call, the time of day at which it is made and the distance between the people making and receiving the call.

The telephone network can also be used for transmitting data with a modem or for sending faxes. In the UK more than half of the capacity of the telephone network is now used for sending data.

Advantages
  1. You can communicate instantly with another person, anywhere in the world.
  2. A telephone conversation is interactive. You can listen to what the other person has to say and react to it straight away.
Disadvantages
  1. Some people do not have access to a telephone. This is particularly the case in poorer countries.
  2. You can only send information with a telephone. You can not send packages.
  3. There is no permanent record of what you have said or heard on the telephone, unless it is recorded.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004