Pagers, also known as beepers, are wireless communication devices, first patented in 1949 by Alfred J. Gross.
The basic functions of the devices are to receive and display alphanumeric or voice messages via radio frequencies from a base station or a central dispatch. The messages generally aim to alert the users.
These devices were widely used in the 1980s, but thereon a massive decline was witnessed in its use across the world. However, some groups and organisations are still using this device across the world. Hezbollah also relied on these devices for their internal communication because of their less traceable nature as compared to cell phones.
These small-sized devices emit a tone, beep or vibration to notify users about incoming messages which is useful in noisy environments where silence is preferred, like hospitals, explaining why some medical professionals still use them.
How do pagers operate technically?
Pagers work in dedicated radio frequencies designed to send and receive messages over these frequencies. The range of pagers depends on the frequency band used and the coverage area of the paging network.
Unlike mobile phones, pagers have longer battery life and last for several days on a single charge making it a key reason to use them in certain professional settings.
