What is a pager? How can they explode?
At least 8 people were killed and 2,750 others injured
when pagers used by people working for the Hezbollah's
institutions began exploding. Here's a detailed overview of
a pager and its functionalities.
By: Express Web Desk
Updated: September 17, 2024 22:30 IST
Pagers were widely used before the proliferation of mobile phones
in the late 1990s and early 2000s. (Wikimedia Commons/Kevster)
A spree of simultaneous detonations of pagers across Lebanon killed eight people and injured
around 2,750 on Tuesday. The Hezbollah said in a statement that at 3:30 pm (1230 GMT)
pagers used by people working for the group’s institutions began exploding “mysteriously.”
Here’s a detailed overview of pagers, including their functionality, types, and historical
context:
What is a pager and why is it used?
A pager, also known as a beeper, is a small, portable electronic device designed for receiving
and, in some cases, sending short messages or alerts.
The basic operation of the device includes receiving and sending messages. Most pagers
receive messages via radio frequencies from a base station or a central dispatch. These
messages can be numeric (e.g., a phone number) or alphanumeric (text). The device then
displays the message to alert the user.
While sending a message, two-way pagers are used, which are less common, allow users to
send and receive messages, similar to a rudimentary form of text messaging. Users can reply
to messages or send brief text communications back to the sender.
Pagers often emit a tone, beep, or vibration to notify the user of an incoming message. This
feature is particularly useful in noisy environments or situations where silence is preferred,
such as in hospitals.
When were pagers used?
Pagers were widely used in pre-mobile era in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were
particularly popular in professions that required quick, reliable communication. Pagers were
commonly used by doctors, nurses, and emergency services personnel due to their reliability
and the fact that they did not rely on cellular networks, which could be unreliable or
unavailable in certain situations.
What are the various types of pagers?
Numeric pagers can only display numbers, typically used to alert the recipient to call a
specific phone number or respond to a page. They are the simplest and most basic type of
pager.
Alphanumeric pagers can display both letters and numbers, allowing for more detailed
messages, including short text communications.
Use case pagers are used often for quick alerts and contact information, especially in
professions where immediate communication is necessary. These are suitable for more
complex messaging needs, providing additional information beyond just a phone number.
What are the advantages of using a pager?
Pagers generally have a larger coverage area compared to early mobile phones, especially in
remote areas where cellular signals might be weak and hence they are reliable. They are
simple electronic straightforward devices with minimal features, making them easy to use
and less prone to technical issues.
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One-way pagers are generally untraceable because there is no signal transmission to the base
station that sends the signal in the first place.
What caused decline in its use?
With the rise of mobile phones and their extensive features, the use of pagers has declined
significantly over time. Mobile phones offer more advanced communication options,
including voice calls, text messages, and internet access.
Despite their decline, pagers are still used in some specific industries, such as healthcare and
emergency services, due to their reliability, long battery life, and ability to function in areas
with poor cellular coverage.
How do pagers operate technically?
Pagers operate on dedicated radio frequencies and are designed to receive messages over
these frequencies. The range of a pager depends on the frequency band used and the coverage
area of the paging network.
Pagers generally have a long battery life compared to mobile phones, often lasting several
days on a single charge. This longevity is one reason they remain useful in certain
professional settings.
What could be the probable cause of Lebanon pager
explosion?
An anonymous Hezbollah official, speaking to news agency Associated Press under the
condition of confidentiality, stated that the explosions were the result of a “security operation
targeting the devices.”
The official claimed, without providing further details, that “the enemy (Israel) is behind this
security incident.” He also mentioned that the pagers used by Hezbollah members were
equipped with lithium batteries, which were likely responsible for the explosions.
Lithium batteries, known for their potential to overheat, can produce smoke, melt, and even
catch fire. These batteries, commonly found in consumer electronics such as cellphones,
laptops, and electric vehicles, can burn at temperatures reaching up to 1,100 degrees
Fahrenheit (590 degrees Celsius).
