What is a Pager? A small device that claimed lives in Lebanon

Update: 2024-09-19 11:32 GMT
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Tuesday saw a wave of synchronized pager explosions around Lebanon that left eight people dead and about 2,750 injured. In a statement, Hezbollah claimed that pagers used by the people working in the organization's institutions started to "mysteriously explode" at about 3:30 p.m. (1230 GMT).

This is a thorough rundown of pagers, covering their varieties, functions, and historical background:
Pager:
A pager is also known as a beeper. It is a small portable device designated for receiving and, in some cases, for sending short messages or alerts.

Usage:
The primary function of the device is sending and receiving messages. Most pagers get messages from central dispatch or base stations via radio frequencies. These messages can be alphabetic (text) or numeric (phone number, for example). The message is then shown on the device to alert the user.

Two-way pagers are used while sending a message, which are less popular, and allow users to transmit and receive messages. They function similarly to basic text messaging. Users have the option to respond to messages or exchange quick text messages with senders.

Pagers typically alert users of incoming messages by beeping, vibrating, or emitting a tone. This capability is very helpful in loud settings or in settings like hospitals where silence is preferred.

The pagers were mostly used in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were especially popular in occupations where prompt, dependable communication was necessary. Doctors, nurses, and emergency services personnel used pagers a lot since they were dependable and didn't rely on cellular networks, which could be faulty or unavailable at times.

Before the widespread adoption of cell phones, pagers were commonly used. It was an essential instrument for communication, particularly for professionals such as managers, journalists, doctors, and technicians. they were able to get crucial messages and sound alerts due to it, even in far-off places.

Function:

Pagers operate on dedicated radio frequencies, that are intended to receive messages over these frequencies. A pager's range is determined by the frequency band it uses and the paging network's coverage area.

Compared to mobile phones, pagers typically have longer battery lives, sometimes they last several days on a single charge. The one reason, that they are still helpful in some professional settings is their durability.

Speaking to the Associated Press under the condition of anonymity, a Hezbollah official revealed that the explosions were caused by a "security operation targeting the devices."

The official declared that "the enemy (Israel) is behind this security incident" without offering any more information. He added that the explosions were probably caused by the lithium batteries that were in the pagers that Hezbollah members were using.

Because of their propensity to overheat, lithium batteries can melt, create smoke, and even catch fire. They can burn at temperatures as high as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (590 degrees Celsius), and they are frequently found in consumer gadgets like computers, telephones, and electric cars.
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