China laid claim to the first postal service in 900 B.C. Alexander Graham Bell patented the electric telephone in 1876. The first cellular service appeared in Japan in 1979. And when the U.S. government gave up its claim over the Internet in 1994, another new form of global communication was unleashed. The history of communication is a fascinating one, and with new technologies from VoIP to wireless Internet access, it's a story that continues to evolve.
The latest chapter in that history involves wireless communications, which are undergoing a significant transformation. Companies such as Verizon (NYSE:VZ) have led the way in getting Third Generation (3G) wireless broadband service operational, and now, Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick SBC (NYSE:SBC), with its Cingular Wireless entity, has 3G up and running in select markets. SBC is now looking to expand its reach into the wireless broadband market by bringing Cingular's 3G technology to the Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) notebook computer.
This deal should have a far-reaching impact. Cingular, after all, is the largest cellular provider (with nearly 52 million customers in the U.S.), and Dell is the largest manufacturer of business notebooks. The even bigger impact will eventually come in the form of access -- essentially, the technology will allow a mobile customer to get online anywhere, anytime.
For now, though, the wireless broadband infrastructure that Cingular uses is still in its infancy -- around 15 to 20 U.S. markets are expected to have the service by year's end. But it predicts that by the end of 2006, it will have the service available nationwide.
eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) is banking on VoIP to usher in the next stage of the communications revolution. But as wireless broadband continues to get faster and become more accessible, this Fool believes that wireless will continue to play the leading role. Rather than risking your cash on a new speculative VoIP IPO, investing in big telcos like SBC and Verizon may still be the best way to play in this ever-evolving market.
SBC, Dell, and eBay are Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations.
Fool contributor Jeremy MacNealy does not own shares of any companies mentioned.
