New Delhi: A tragic incident involving pagers associated with the Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injuries to around 3,000 others on September 17, 2024. Experts suggest that the supply chain was compromised to modify these devices with explosives, which were detonated remotely. Hezbollah utilized pagers as a means to evade detection by Israeli intelligence, which had reportedly been monitoring their operatives through cellphones. Despite being viewed as outdated technology, pagers continue to serve various important functions across the globe.What are pagersPagers are compact, portable devices designed to receive and display messages. They emerged before the advent of smartphones and operate on radio frequencies, making them particularly effective in areas with poor mobile network coverage. One of their significant advantages is their long battery life, which is especially useful in emergencies.Introduction of pagers in IndiaPagers briefly gained popularity in India during the economic liberalization of 1991. While in the West, they were predominantly used by courier services, in India, pagers became symbols of affluence and status. They represented a transitional communication tool as the country moved from landline telephones to mobile devices. However, as mobile phones became more accessible, pagers quickly fell out of favor.Despite this decline, several countries continue to utilize pagers for various purposes.Countries where pagers are still used:1. JapanIn Japan, pagers, also known as pocket bells, are commonly used in hospitals and areas with limited cell reception. In emergencies, they are considered more reliable than smartphones. They are also utilized in various industrial sectors, particularly in manufacturing and construction.2. New ZealandPagers have a long-standing presence in New Zealand, particularly among nursing staff and medical professionals. According to the National Library of Medicine, they remain a key communication tool in healthcare settings, ensuring timely updates and responses.3. United StatesIn the United States, pagers were a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s, often depicted in popular television shows like Gilmore Girls and FRIENDS. Today, they are still widely used in hospitals for staff communication and in the hospitality sector to enhance customer service. Pagers allow restaurants to notify guests when their table is ready without causing overcrowding in waiting areas, as reported by QSR Magazine.Pagers are also valuable for elderly individuals, enabling caregivers to monitor their well-being and reduce the risk of accidents, according to Healthcare Pro. Additionally, fire departments utilize pagers to send immediate alerts, ensuring quick responses from all personnel, as noted by Firehouse.4. GermanyIn Germany, pagers are employed by logistics companies for effective communication in areas where mobile signals are unreliable. This application highlights their continued relevance in specific industries, as reported by Deutsche Welle.5. BrazilIn Brazil, first responders favor pagers for their reliable connectivity in all regions. The simplicity and urgency offered by pagers make them a preferred choice for critical communication needs. Advantages of pagersPagers provide several benefits that contribute to their ongoing use. As highlighted by Pagers Direct, As simple as pagers are, they rarely suffer from congestion as cellphone networks. This reliability is especially crucial during natural disasters when cellphone networks may become overloaded. Pagers also feature group messaging capabilities, allowing simultaneous alerts to multiple devices.Moreover, pagers avoid the issues of robo calls and AI-generated spam that frustrate many cellphone users today. While recent studies have questioned the relevance of pagers in modern communication, their efficiency ensures they remain indispensable in critical sectors.
