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| 1973 || Technology || 10 years before a cell phone is first released onto the market, [[w:Martin Cooper (inventor)|Martin Cooper]], a {{w|Motorola}} researcher and executive, makes the first analog mobile phone call using a heavy prototype model. The communication is carried out between Cooper and {{w|Joel S. Engel}} of {{w|Bell Labs}}.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shiels |first=Maggie |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2963619.stm |title=BBC interview with Martin Cooper | work=BBC News | date=April 21, 2003}}</ref><ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time"/><ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/>|| {{w|United States}}
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| 1973 || Handset release || {{w|Motorola}} becomes the first company to mass produce the the first handheld mobile phone.<ref name="History of mobile phones and the first mobile phone">{{cite web |title=History of mobile phones and the first mobile phone |url=https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/history-of-mobile-phones/ |website=uswitch.com |accessdate=25 June 2019}}</ref> ||
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| 1973 || || A cellular telephone switching plan is described by Fluhr and Nussbaum.<ref>"Switching Plan for a Cellular Mobile Telephone System":, Z. Fluhr and E. Nussbaum, IEEE Transactions on Communications volume 21, #11 p. 1281 (1973)</ref> ||
| 1983 || Network technology || The {{w|Advanced Mobile Phone System}} (AMPS) is officially introduced in {{w|North America}}.<ref name="Testing the First Cell Phone Network">{{cite web|author=AT&T Tech Channel |url=http://techchannel.att.com/play-video.cfm/2011/6/13/AT&T-Archives-AMPS:-coming-of-age |title=AT&T Archives : Testing the First Public Cell Phone Network |publisher=Techchannel.att.com |date=2011-06-13 |accessdate=2013-09-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194138/http://techchannel.att.com/play-video.cfm/2011/6/13/AT%26T-Archives-AMPS%3A-coming-of-age |archivedate=2013-10-29 }}</ref><ref name="Evolution and Standardization of Mobile Communications Technology"/><ref name = "MilestonesPast">[http://www.milestonespast.com/exbringing.htm MilestonesPast].</ref> The system would further expand into {{w|Canada}} in 1985, later in {{w|Mexico}}, {{w|Colombia}}, {{w|Korea}}, {{w|Australia}}, {{w|China}}, {{w|Hong Kong}}, {{w|Indonesia}}, {{w|Laos}}, {{w|Malaysia}}, {{w|New Zealand}}, {{w|Pakistan}}, the {{w|Philippines}}, {{w|Singapore}}, {{w|Taiwan}}, {{w|Thailand}}, {{w|Vietnam}} and finally all {{w|Latin America}}n countries.<ref name="The Worldwide History of Telecommunications">{{cite book|last1=Huurdeman|first1=Anton A.|title=The Worldwide History of Telecommunications|url=https://books.google.com.ar/books?id=SnjGRDVIUL4C&pg=PA524&lpg=PA524&dq=total+access+communication+system+(TACS)+%221983%22+united+kingdom&source=bl&ots=qK9OeKa6Sb&sig=WvNgVd75Yw8B8llImI-gwLpE5vU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiChO3noafVAhVGj5AKHX0MDlYQ6AEITDAJ#v=onepage&q=total%20access%20communication%20system%20(TACS)%20%221983%22%20united%20kingdom&f=false|accessdate=28 July 2017}}</ref> ||
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| 1983 (March 6) || Handset release || The [[w:Motorola DynaTAC|Motorola DynaTAC 8000X]] becomes the first mobile for sale in the United States. It costs US$ 4000 (equivalent to $9,894.75 in 2017). {{w|1G}} network launches in the country, with Chicago-based {{w|Ameritech}} using the {{w|Motorola DynaTAC}} mobile phone.<ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/><ref name="Mobile telephone britannica"/><ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time">{{cite web|title=History of Mobile Cell Phones, The First Cell Phone To Present Time|url=https://bebusinessed.com/history/history-cell-phones/|website=bebusinessed.com|accessdate=26 July 2017}}</ref> American engineer [[w:Martin Cooper (inventor)|Martin Cooper]] is credited with developing the device.<ref name="A Photographic History of the Cell Phone"/> || {{w|United States}}
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| 1983 || Network technology || The {{w|Total Access Communication System}} (TACS) ({{w|1G}}) is released in the {{w|United Kingdom}} as a variant of the {{w|Advanced Mobile Phone System}} (AMPS).<ref name="The Worldwide History of Telecommunications">{{cite book|last1=Huurdeman|first1=Anton A.|title=The Worldwide History of Telecommunications|url=https://books.google.com.ar/books?id=SnjGRDVIUL4C&pg=PA524&lpg=PA524&dq=total+access+communication+system+(TACS)+%221983%22+united+kingdom&source=bl&ots=qK9OeKa6Sb&sig=WvNgVd75Yw8B8llImI-gwLpE5vU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiChO3noafVAhVGj5AKHX0MDlYQ6AEITDAJ#v=onepage&q=total%20access%20communication%20system%20(TACS)%20%221983%22%20united%20kingdom&f=false|accessdate=28 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="Mobile telephone britannica"/><ref name="Introduction to the History of Computing: A Computing History Primer">{{cite book|last1=O'Regan|first1=Gerard|title=Introduction to the History of Computing: A Computing History Primer|url=https://books.google.com.ar/books?id=6u16DAAAQBAJ&pg=PA156&lpg=PA156&dq=total+access+communication+system+(TACS)+%221983%22+united+kingdom&source=bl&ots=jhOz9a9bEO&sig=nCxQ9zSMVhYT1S2heKDRmdcCdeM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiChO3noafVAhVGj5AKHX0MDlYQ6AEIQTAG#v=onepage&q=total%20access%20communication%20system%20(TACS)%20%221983%22%20united%20kingdom&f=false|accessdate=26 July 2017}}</ref> || {{w|United Kingdom}}
| 1988 || Program launch || A group of government-owned public telephone bodies within the European Community announce the creation of a digital [[w:GSM|Global System for Mobile Communications]] (originally Groupe Spécial Mobile), referred to as GSM, the first such system that would permit any cellular user in one European country to operate in another European country with the same equipment. GSM would soon become ubiquitous throughout the continent.<ref name="Mobile telephone britannica"/> ||
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| 1989 || Handset release || [[w:Motorola MicroTAC|Motorola MicroTAC 9800X]] is released. It becomes the first phone to feature a flip–down, and also the smallest and lightest phone available at the time.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1989-04-26/business/fi-1843_1_cellular-service-tac-personal-telephone-pocket-size-cellular-phone Motorola Has a Pocket-Size Cellular Phone] Los Angeles, April 26, 1989</ref><ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/> ||
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| 1990 || Network technology || The old [[w:Advanced Mobile Phone System|AMPS]] networks are replaced by {{w|Digital AMPS}} (D-AMPS).<ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time"/> ||
| 1991 || Network technology || Second-generation ({{w|2G}}) cellular telecom networks are commercially launched on the {{w|GSM}} standard in {{w|Finland}} by {{w|Radiolinja}} (now part of {{w|Elisa Oyj}}).<ref name="Radiolinja's History">{{cite web|url=http://www.elisa.com/english/index.cfm?t=6&o=6532.50 |title=Radiolinja's History |date=20 April 2004 |accessdate=23 December 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023212724/http://www.elisa.com/english/index.cfm?t=6 |archivedate=23 October 2006 }}</ref> The first wireless Internet access becomes available as part of this generation.<ref name="Tunable RF Components and Circuits: Applications in Mobile Handsets"/>. Developed to serve voice communication, {{w|2G}} is first digital transmission system in mobile communication in history.<ref name="Wireless communications first-to-second-generation-1g-to-2g"/> Also, the first GSM call is made by the Finnish prime minister in the country.<ref name="Introduction to the History of Computing: A Computing History Primer"/> || {{w|Finland}}
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| 1992 || Handset release || The {{w|Nokia 1011}} launches. It is the world’s first mass produced phone using the new GSM digital standard. It includes a monochrome {{w|LCD}} screen, extendable antenna and a memory capable of storing 99 phone numbers.<ref name="physicslover"/>||
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| 1992 (December 3) || Technology milestone || Software architect {{w|Neil Papworth}} sends the first text message saying "Merry Christmas" to Richard Jarvis, a director at {{w|Vodafone}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=The First Text Message Ever Was Sent 21 Years Ago Today|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/the-first-text-message-ever-2013-12|website=businessinsider.com|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/><ref name="Week 3- Timeline of the cell-phone"/> || {{w|United Kingdom}}
| 1993 || Digital mobile telephony introduction || Digital mobile telephony is commercially introduced in {{w|Australia}}, {{w|Austria}}, {{w|Greece}}. {{w|Ireland}}, {{w|Italy}}, {{w|Japan}}, {{w|Luxembourg}}, {{w|New Zealand}}, {{w|Norway}}, {{w|Singapore}}, {{w|Switzerland}}, {{w|United States}} and {{w|Nicaragua}}.<ref name="Diffusion of Digital Mobile Telephony: Are Developing Countries Different?"/> || {{w|Australia}}, {{w|Austria}}, {{w|Greece}}. {{w|Ireland}}, {{w|Italy}}, {{w|Japan}}, {{w|Luxembourg}}, {{w|New Zealand}}, {{w|Norway}}, {{w|Singapore}}, {{w|Switzerland}}, {{w|United States}}, {{w|Nicaragua}}
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| 1994 (August 16) || Handset release || The {{w|IBM Simon}} is released, featuring a {{w|touchscreen}} and is the first phone to feature [[w:mobile app|apps]]. It costs US$ 899.<ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/> The IBM Simon is considered by many to be the world’s first smartphone.<ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time"/>|| {{w|United States}}
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| 1994 || Digital mobile telephony introduction || Digital mobile telephony is commercially introduced in {{w|Belgium}}, the {{w|Channel Islands}}, {{w|Hungary}}, {{w|Iceland}}, {{w|Israel}}, {{w|Kuwait}}, {{w|Malaysia}}, {{w|Netherlands}}, {{w|Qatar}}, {{w|South Africa}}, {{w|Turkey}}, {{w|United Arab Emirates}}, {{w|Cameroon}}, {{w|China}}, {{w|Fiji}}, {{w|Indonesia}}, {{w|Iran}}, {{w|Madagascar}}, {{w|Morocco}}, {{w|Pakistan}}, {{w|Philippines}}, {{w|Russia}}, {{w|Taiwan}}, {{w|Thailand}} and {{w|Vietnam}}.<ref name="Diffusion of Digital Mobile Telephony: Are Developing Countries Different?"/> || {{w|Belgium}}, the {{w|Channel Islands}}, {{w|Hungary}}, {{w|Iceland}}, {{w|Israel}}, {{w|Kuwait}}, {{w|Malaysia}}, {{w|Netherlands}}, {{w|Qatar}}, {{w|South Africa}}, {{w|Turkey}}, {{w|United Arab Emirates}}, {{w|Cameroon}}, {{w|China}}, {{w|Fiji}}, {{w|Indonesia}}, {{w|Iran}}, {{w|Madagascar}}, {{w|Morocco}}, {{w|Pakistan}}, {{w|Philippines}}, {{w|Russia}}, {{w|Taiwan}}, {{w|Thailand}}, {{w|Vietnam}}
| 1995–1999 || Network technology || Europe and Asia become the first regions to deploy mobile connectivity in their underground assets.<ref name="Internet connectivity in underground rail systems">{{cite web |title=Internet connectivity in underground rail systems |url=https://www.uitp.org/sites/default/files/documents/Publications/internet_in_metros_2014.pdf |website=uitp.org |accessdate=29 July 2019}}</ref> || {{w|Europe}}, {{w|Asia}}
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| 1996 || Handset release || The {{w|Nokia Communicator}}is released. It is the first mobile phone to enable [[w:internet access|internet connectivity]] and wireless {{w|email}} creating a new category of multi-use devices called {{w|smartphone}}s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nokia 9000 Communicator|url=http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/5779/Nokia-9000-Communicator/|website=computinghistory.org.uk|accessdate=30 July 2017}}</ref> ||
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| 1996 || Handset release || {{w|Palm OS}} is launched as a discontinued {{w|mobile operating system}}, designed for ease of use with a {{w|touchscreen}}-based {{w|graphical user interface}}. ||
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| 1996 (January) || Handset release || The {{w|Motorola StarTAC}} is released as a [[w:Flip (form)|clamshell]] {{w|mobile phone}}. Manufactured by {{w|Motorola}} is the first ever clamshell/flip mobile phone.<ref name = "fifty">{{cite news | last = Tynan | first = Dan | title = The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years | work = [[w:PC World (magazine)|PC World]] | page = 2 | date = 2005-12-24 | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,123950-page,2/article.html | accessdate = 25 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/><ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time"/> || United States
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| 1996 || Handset release || The {{w|Nokia 8110}} is launched. Its distinctive styling is the first example of a 'slider' [[w:Mobile_phone_form_factors|form factor]].<ref name="1876 to 2015 – the History of the Mobile Phone"/> ||
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| 1996 || Digital mobile telephony introduction || Digital mobile telephony is commercially introduced in {{w|Argentina}}, {{w|Brazil}}, {{w|Brunei}}, {{w|Czechia}}, {{w|Dominica}}, {{w|Guam}}, {{w|South Korea}}, {{w|Libya}}, {{w|Mauritius}}, {{w|Oman}}, {{w|Panama}}, {{w|Poland}}, {{w|Saudi Arabia}}, {{w|Slovenia}}, {{w|Venezuela}}, {{w|Albania}}, {{w|Armenia}}, {{w|Azerbaijan}}, {{w|Bosnia Herzegovina}}, {{w|Burkina Faso}}, {{w|Cambodia}}, {{w|Cote D'Ivoire}}, {{w|Ecuador}}, {{w|Egypt}}, {{w|Ghana}}, {{w|Guadalupe}}, {{w|Guernsey}}, {{w|Kenya}}, {{w|Lesotho}}, {{w|Macedonia}}, {{w|Mongolia}}, {{w|Senegal}}, {{w|Sudan}}, {{w|Ukraine}}, {{w|Yugoslavia}}, and {{w|Zimbabwe}}.<ref name="Diffusion of Digital Mobile Telephony: Are Developing Countries Different?"/> || {{w|Argentina}}, {{w|Brazil}}, {{w|Brunei}}, {{w|Czechia}}, {{w|Dominica}}, {{w|Guam}}, {{w|South Korea}}, {{w|Libya}}, {{w|Mauritius}}, {{w|Oman}}, {{w|Panama}}, {{w|Poland}}, {{w|Saudi Arabia}}, {{w|Slovenia}}, {{w|Venezuela}}, {{w|Albania}}, {{w|Armenia}}, {{w|Azerbaijan}}, {{w|Bosnia Herzegovina}}, {{w|Burkina Faso}}, {{w|Cambodia}}, {{w|Cote D'Ivoire}}, {{w|Ecuador}}, {{w|Egypt}}, {{w|Ghana}}, {{w|Guadalupe}}, {{w|Guernsey}}, {{w|Kenya}}, {{w|Lesotho}}, {{w|Macedonia}}, {{w|Mongolia}}, {{w|Senegal}}, {{w|Sudan}}, {{w|Ukraine}}, {{w|Yugoslavia}}, {{w|Zimbabwe}},
| 1996 || Mobile phone service || [[w:MTN Group|MTN]] becomes the first mobile operator to introduce a Prepaid cellular service in Africa, popularizing “pay as you go” in emerging markets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtn-investor.com/mtn_ar08/book1/ocv_chair.html|title=MTN Group - Annual Report 2008 - Chairman’s statement|website=www.mtn-investor.com|access-date=6 November 2018}}</ref> || {{w|Africa}}
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| 1997 || Handset release || Dutch technology company {{w|Philips}} introduces "The Synergy", an early attempt at a digital {{w|smartphone}}. The unit provides wireless access to {{w|e-mail}}, {{w|internet}} and {{w|fax}}es.<ref name="A Photographic History of the Cell Phone"/><ref name="Week 3- Timeline of the cell-phone">{{cite web|title=Week 3- Timeline of the cell-phone|url=https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/week-3-timeline-of-the-cell-phone|website=timetoast.com|accessdate=27 July 2017}}</ref> ||
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| 1997 || Handset release || Little known German-made {{w|Hagenuk GlobalHandy}} becomes the first phone that has no visible external antenna.<ref name="physicslover"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hagenuk GlobalHandy |url=https://www.mobilephonehistory.co.uk/other/hagenuk_globalhandy.php |website=mobilephonehistory.co.uk |accessdate=29 July 2019}}</ref> || {{w|Germany}}
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| 1997 || Mobile payment || {{w|Coca Cola}} first introduces mobile purchasing, setting up vending machines that allow their customers to purchase drinks via text message.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Martins |first1=Flavio |title=The History of the Mobile Payment Experience |url=http://winthecustomer.com/technology-changing-the-mobile-payment-customer-experience/ |website=winthecustomer.com |accessdate=24 July 2019}}</ref> || {{w|United States}}
| 1997 (October) || Mobile phone service || {{w|Vodafone UK}} launches 'Pay as you Talk', packaging a {{w|GSM}} phone with a prepay tariff. || {{w|United Kingdom}}
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| 1997 (December) || Handset release || {{w|Nokia 6110}} is launched. Hugely popular, It is the first phone from Nokia to have the popular [[w:Snake (video game)|Snake]] game pre-installed. <ref name="History of Mobile Cell Phones | The First Cell Phone To Present Time"/> ||
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| 1997 || Digital mobile telephony introduction || Digital mobile telephony is commercially introduced in {{w|Barbados}}, {{w|Bermuda}}, {{w|Chile}}, {{w|Malta}}, {{w|Slovakia}}, {{w|Uruguay}}, {{w|Virgin Islands}}, {{w|Bangladesh}}, {{w|Bolivia}}, {{w|Cape Verde}}, {{w|Guinea}}, {{w|Martinique}}, {{w|Mozambique}}, {{w|Romania}}, {{w|Togo}} and {{w|Zambia}}.<ref name="Diffusion of Digital Mobile Telephony: Are Developing Countries Different?"/> || {{w|Barbados}}, {{w|Bermuda}}, {{w|Chile}}, {{w|Malta}}, {{w|Slovakia}}, {{w|Uruguay}}, {{w|Virgin Islands}}, {{w|Bangladesh}}, {{w|Bolivia}}, {{w|Cape Verde}}, {{w|Guinea}}, {{w|Martinique}}, {{w|Mozambique}}, {{w|Romania}}, {{w|Togo}}, {{w|Zambia}}
