Limitations
IMTS technology severely limited the total number of subscribers. In the 70s and the early 80s, before the introduction of cellular phones, there were "waiting lists" of up to 3 years for those wishing to have mobile telephone service. These potential subscribers were literally waiting for other subscribers to disconnect their subscription in order to obtain a mobile telephone number and mobile phone service.
These limitations resulted in low quantity sales and production of IMTS phones and the mobile units were therefore very expensive ($2000 to $4000). Prior to the divestiture of AT&T in 1982, Bell System IMTS subscribers usually leased the equipment at a monthly rate of up to $ 120. Availability of the channels was scarce hence airtime was also quite expensive at $0.70–1.20 per minute. Following the divestiture, customer owned equipment was required by Bell companies and monthly rates then typically ran $ 25 plus air time. Also since there were so few channels it was common for the phones to "queue up" to use a channel and IMTS manufactures competed for the speed with which the units would seize an available channel.
The limit of customer numbers on MTS and IMTS was the driver for investment in cellular networks. In remote regions, this is not the case; in remote regions, obsolescence is the driver, but the lack of a suitable and affordable alternative has resulted in regulatory obstacles: customers do not want the MTS/IMTS service to be withdrawn. Increasing affordability of satellite service, and government investment in cellular expansion is slowly allowing MTS and IMTS to be removed.
A particularly complete overview of the Bell System MTS/IMTS technology is available at http://www.wb6nvh.com/Carphone.htm
Read more about this topic: Improved Mobile Telephone Service
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