HELLO!!! PICK UP THE PHONE.

21st century life has put us on the go at all times. Thankfully, it has still made it possible for us to go anywhere and yet be in touch with everywhere and everyone at all times.

Until the coming of GSM to Nigeria in 2001, telephone communication was only an accessory of the rich. Moreso, the device was rooted only at home or in the office. Yet within this limit, its importance was still immense. Mobile phones exploded this immense importance. It literally made talk cheap. It completely collapsed every bridge in communication. It brought people closer, spread news faster, fostered business relations, and so much more.

This was good for business. It still is. Of every handset in an end-consumer's palm, was a successful sale at every chain in the production and distribution. From the enterpreneur who initiated the business plan and the Engineer who designed the prototype. To the workers at the manufacturing plant and the middle men who buy and sell. Even after-sale services of maintenance and repair. Roadside self-acclaimed phone experts who the average customer turns to in the event of a malfunction. And the street hustlers who sell all sorts of phone accessories, such as phone chargers, batteries, back covers, fancy stickers, screen-guard, etc.

The advent of mobile phones opened up a chain of commerce that is knit like the web of a spider. The strength of its workforce runs into millions ;including direct and indirect engagements. It offers business opportunity to anyone willing to engage in it and has put food on the table of many.

Mobile phones have evolved beyond necessity. We have made luxury of it(once again). The latest does not remain the latest for too long. Premium prices, marketing strategies, etc turns a communication device into an object of show of status. Phone companies continue to cash in on this. As they keep chunking out newer models at upward reviewed prices.

Mobile phones not only allowed us to talk, it collapsed many different others devices into itself. It gave us camera, Internet, games, GPRS, newspapers, dictionary, social media, library, and endless applications.

In the early days, Nokia(3310) was "the phone". It seemed it was all we had. Bird made it into the market but did not soar high. Samsung made its mark. Blackberry swayed us. Android charmed us before Apple showed us light like we had never seen before. With each new design making a mockery of the former that wooed us. More would come tomorrow, I am already in awe of the modification it would contain.

Given that the end of the GSM era is far from sight, that is how vibrant the chains of businesses linked to telecommunication would remain.