In North America we call them cell phones, in other countries they are referred to as mobile phones but whatever they’re called the technology is the fastest growing in the world. There is now a mobile phone for everyone, whether you just want to make a call or if you need a mini-computer that can do just about anything that a PC or laptop can do.

With some many different mobile phone companies having their hands in the pie, a few giants have been fighting over control of this multi-billion dollar business. Recently AT&T’s proposed $39 billion purchase of T-Mobile USA was given the thumbs down by the federal government despite having 93 different lobbyists influencing and twisting arms in Washington and campaign contributions to both sides of the house totaling a staggering $46 million to date.

This is good news for the consumer who will continue to get competitive cell phone rates.

Basic cell phones are still the most widely used worldwide, these are devices that have basic calling capabilities and may be locked or unlocked. If a mobile phone is locked it only works with a specific carrier, for example AT&T, Sprint or T-Mobile. After 90 days many companies are allowing phones to be unlocked or an unlock code can be purchased.

Smartphones and pocket pcs are more complex devices with the convenience of sending and receiving text messages, emails and allowing storage of documents and files. Each brand has its own operating system such as Windows Mobile, IOS or Blackberry.

Pocket PCs are simply smart phones that have touch screen capability. If a phone contains a SIM card then that card can be swapped out between devices, if those devices are unlocked.

The latest pocket PCs and smart phone were one of the most common requests as a Christmas gift this year and millions were wrapped and sitting under Christmas trees.

Careless and improper disposal of all those millions of old cell phones poses an enormous threat to the environment. Mobile phones thrown into the trash end up in landfills, where heavy metals leach from the phones over time and can pollute drinking water.

The solution is to either send your old phone to your carrier for disposal, take it to one of the many electronics stores that provide for recycling of small electronic gadgets, or if the unwanted cell phone is in good condition it can be sold on one of many online sites that purchase old phones or donated to a charity.

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