Rapid and widespread growth of wireless technology in the 1990s shaped one of the largest technology markets after the PC revolution in the 1980s. Untethered connectivity, any time anywhere, fueled a major market and technology disruption, which permeated almost every consumer market worldwide. The domino effect of the success of wireless technology resulted in a unique opportunity for innovation and creativity in technology, marketing, and business strategy.

Unceasing innovation in technologies ranging from the semiconductor industry to network design set the stage for the immense success of wireless technology such that, within a few years of its inception, the wireless phone transcended from a luxury gadget or business item to a necessary tool in everyday life. The personalized aspects of mobile phones, along with ease of use in voice-centric applications, helped to make the mobile phone an indispensable part of our life beyond age, gender, or even social class.

The next commonsense step was perceived to be further wireless services in addition to voice. Yet wireless, like any other major technology and market breakthrough, is no exception to the cyclic nature of the high tech economy. Rapid market growth driven by innovation and competition diminished the profit margins of the terminal market and network access rate to a level that compelled the technologists and marketers to search for new applications and markets.