Hedy Lamarr and her invention that changed the world and communications. The pros and cons of Wi-Fi calls. Wi-Fi or cellular network?

Hedy Lamarr (Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler) is a Hollywood actress and inventor who made history thanks to her contribution to the development of GSM, GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies. She developed the principles of information encryption for permanent unclosed communication channels. Thanks to Hedi, we have the opportunity to use a wireless network without fear of someone "getting on" our channel.

Who is Hedy Lamarr?

Hedwig Kiesler was born on November 9, 1914 in Vienna in the family of a Lviv banker and a pianist from a wealthy Jewish family in Budapest. Since 1930, Hedwig performed cameo roles in theatrical performances and films in her hometown, but soon moved to the European center of the film industry — Berlin in search of fame.

In 1933, she married Friedrich Mandl, the owner of an ammunition factory. Her husband insisted that Hedwig give up her career as a film actress and devote herself to her family. On the eve of World War II, Friedrich Mandl became one of the main suppliers of weapons to fascist Italy, and subsequently to the Wehrmacht.

Her husband's political views and the ban on participating in filming forced Hedwig to run away from Berlin. In 1937, she moved to London, where she met one of the founders of the Hollywood film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer — producer Louis Mayer. Together with him, she went to New York, where she was destined to become a successful movie star.

Louis Mayer demanded that Hedwig change her name and image to match Hollywood. This is how the pseudonym Hedy Lamarr appeared.

The Origins of Wi-Fi

After Nazi Germany occupied Austria, the Hedi family was classified as political enemies. Being in the United States, she could not help her family in any way.

When America entered World War II in 1941, Hedi decided that she had to contribute to the fight against fascism. In those years, the American government introduced a system of war loan bonds: they provided income to the state and gave people the feeling that they had participated in the approach of victory.

Lamarr personally visited 16 cities and sold several million dollars worth of bonds. But she was unhappy with the result and thought she could do more.

The actress was worried about the battle of the Atlantic. Only in 1939-1941, the Germans were able to destroy 29 British ships with torpedoes. To overcome the submarines of the Third Reich, a new guidance system was needed so that the enemy could not intercept or jam the signal. The solution to this problem was found by Hedy Lamarr.

At that time, the "Mechanical Ballet", written by composer George Antheil for 16 pianos, two grand pianos, bells and a xylophone, was popular in the United States. This work, in which the main theme was performed by several instruments at once, inspired the actress to develop torpedo guidance control.

Lamarr realized that the main drawback of the existing system was that it operated on a single frequency, which was why it could be suppressed by the enemy. It was necessary to transmit signals over a variety of pseudo-random frequencies.

Hedi suggested that Antheil adapt the signals for the torpedo and the sensor by placing in them pianol shafts with the same perforation. Encrypted short signals had to be transmitted on various frequencies. The final version used 88 frequencies, according to the number of piano keys.

In 1942 Lamarr and Antheil received a patent for the development of a "Secret communication System." However, the project was rejected by the American Navy due to the difficulty of implementation.

The invention received limited use only in 1962, and several decades later it was taken as the basis for creating an extended spectrum connection, which is used in Wi-Fi calls, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth technologies.

What are Wi-Fi calls?

These are calls over the Internet, not through regular cellular networks. VoIP technology (IP telephone communication) is based on this principle, which allows you to make calls from one computer to another with the Internet and special software: Viber, Skype, WhatsApp, etc.

The reliability and low cost of VoIP telephony have prompted mobile operators to offer Wi-Fi calls to subscribers. To make calls, you need to connect your smartphone to Wi-Fi and activate the Wi-Fi Calling (or VoWi-Fi) function in its settings.

This technology is useful in places where cellular network coverage is unstable or absent (in basements, concrete buildings, in suburban areas). When Wi-Fi Calling is enabled, calls are automatically redirected over the Internet if it is more stable than cellular communication.

The costs associated with domestic and international Wi-Fi calls depend only on the cost of network access. If Internet charges are not provided (for example, when using public Wi-Fi), then calls will be free.

How are Wi-Fi calls useful for business?

The smartphone user does not need to install an additional application to make calls. Wi-Fi calls are a built-in feature of most modern mobile phones.

Calls over a wireless network have the following advantages for business:

1. High-quality communication. Wi-Fi networks are characterized by a strong signal and higher bandwidth compared to cellular networks. This means that Wi-Fi calls usually have better sound quality and are less likely to be interrupted, which is extremely important in business negotiations.
2. High level of protection. When making calls over Wi-Fi, the Internet service provider protects voice data using reliable encryption protocols. Therefore, VoWi-Fi can be used for work purposes without fear of theft of classified corporate information.
3. The opportunity to save money on calls abroad. Phone calls made via VoWi-Fi are much cheaper, since you only need to pay for Internet traffic. Wi-Fi calls allow you to work remotely with clients or business partners located anywhere in the world.

However, Wi-Fi calls have a disadvantage — dropping calls when leaving the coverage area of the wireless network. Communication is sometimes interrupted if a person leaves the Wi-Fi area and enters the cellular coverage area. Although most mobile operators implement smooth switching, it does not always work.

Decision Telecom is ready to help your business establish inexpensive and uninterrupted voice communication with customers, partners, and foreign subsidiaries via the Internet and Wi-Fi. Our infrastructure minimizes call latency, interference, and call interruption. We keep records by seconds, giving customers the opportunity to pay only for the actual talk time.

For more information and to order a service, please contact our experts by phone or via an electronic form.