29 Oct 2024        13:54:43 pm

Biology

Pagers

Tags : Pagers

Topic: Technology

Why in the news?

• Nine persons were killed and several thousands injured, including Iran’s envoy to Beirut, when pagers used by the armed group Hezbollah detonated simultaneously across Lebanon. 
• A day after the pager blasts, walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah also blew up, killing nearly two dozen and injuring over 450 people. 

Source: The Hindu 

About Pagers:

• These are also known as beepers, are wireless devices that receive and display messages.  
• They were widely used in the 1980s but are still relied upon by specific groups like healthcare and emergency services due to their reliability in low-signal areas. 
• Pagers operate using radio signals transmitted by towers that can penetrate areas where cellular signals may be weak.  
• Types of Pager: 
  • One-way pagers: Receive messages from a central transmitter but cannot reply. They alert users through beeps or vibrations. 
  • Two-way pagers: Allow users to send and receive messages, though they are still less functional than smartphones. 
• Pagers Application in Covert Operations: 
  • Low Susceptibility to Surveillance: Their lack of Global Positioning System(GPS) and internet connectivity reduces the risk of location tracking. 
  • Difficult to Intercept: The use of radio frequencies makes them harder to monitor than cellular or internet-based devices. 
  • Modifiable for Covert Use: Pagers can be modified to trigger signals for remote detonation or alerts without drawing attention. 

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