Ian Johnson Senior producer, CBC.ca Technology, Science, Health, Consumer Life, Money

Hear that ringing cellphone? It's the future calling. The question is whether Canada will pick up.

We're on the brink of a personal computing revolution that has nothing to do with desktops, word processors and spreadsheets. Incredible changes are happening around mobile technology and services, and the cellphone is quickly evolving into the most personal computer.

Besides delivering plain old calls and messages, cellphones are primed to become your personal entertainment centre, mobile office, social network link and instant news source. They'll be able to monitor the health of both your financial portfolio and your body, and they'll be your wallet, your personal shopping assistant and your ticket to get into the big show — as well the navigator to help you get there. Cellphones will help you record your daily experiences and keep track of the comings and goings of the important people in your life. And others will be able to use them to keep an eye on you.

Incredible changes are happening around mobile technology and services, and the cellphone is quickly evolving into the most personal computer.

All of this, in a gadget that slides easily into a pocket, is with you always and is always connected — anywhere, anytime.

OK, our handsets are going to sport some neat new bells and whistles. So what? Why should Canadians sit up and take notice?

Because these innocuous little gadgets are going to trigger a shakeup of our day-to-day routines, whether we like it or not. Decisions will be made in the coming months in this country about issues such as who gets their hands on newly allocated wireless spectrum, and this will have a huge bearing on whether Canada takes a position as a leading player in the mobile game or is left languishing on the sidelines as a digital have-not in an increasingly wireless world.

Keep in mind it wasn't all that long ago that the web was a novelty; now it's a staple of daily life. Always-on broadband to the home was a rarity until recently; today most people in this country take it for granted. If you doubt the draw of wireless, think of the generation of young people brought up on text messaging who are horrified at the thought of going out in public without a phone. It's not uncommon to see youngsters toting cellphones so parents can get in touch with them at a moment's notice. They expect a wireless world with better and better services, so there's little question that the internet is going mobile.

The tidal wave of change that washed over society when we wired up all our office desktops and home PCs to the web was profound, but it will likely be trivialized by what's going to happen as we network people themselves through handsets and advanced wireless services.

We're just seeing the tiniest tip of the iceberg with what's available to the average cellphone customer today. Powerful new smartphones and advanced high-speed wireless networks have the potential to give us instant access to services that people wouldn't have imagined in their wildest dreams just a decade ago — and the potential to affect our privacy in ways that spawn the darkest nightmares.

To highlight some of the changes that could hit Canadians hardest — as well as what we could miss out on if we're asleep at the switch — CBCnews.ca's staff has dialed into the topic of wireless from a number of angles. Over five days starting Nov. 19, an in-depth feature series looks at cellphone technology, mobile lifestyles and the wireless economy, and what it all means to you.

Motorola's Martin Cooper (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)

On Day 1, award-winning telecom journalist Peter Nowak looks at how cellphone companies are benefiting from complex rate plans, bewildering service contracts and uninformed customer service agents (if you're mad as hell and not willing to take it any more, it's recommended reading). We interview Martin Cooper, the man who invented the portable phone, who says that more competition in the cellphone market is the key to finally achieving his vision of modern communications. We map out how Canada's cellphone rates stack up against those in other countries, while columnists Patricia Pearson and Georgie Binks look at the impact cellphones are having on our culture and social behaviour.

Quebecor's Pierre Karl Péladeau (Peter McCabe/Canadian Press)

In an exclusive interview on Day 2, Quebecor Inc. CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau outlines why his company is eager to become a serious cellphone player, and how more wireless competition in Canada could improve service and reduce costs. Peter Nowak examines the impact of Canada's current wireless systems and regulatory policy on our economy. CBCnews.ca's Paul Jay looks at projects around the world that could turn your phone into a replacement for debit and credit cards. We'll also dig into the issue of unlocking phones from a specific carrier's network, and staying connected if you travel the world.

Research In Motion co-founder and president Mike Lazaridis (Koji Sasahara/Associated Press)

On Day 3, Research In Motion co-founder and president Mike Lazaridis offers his views on the evolution of the wireless phone and what he expects mobile devices to be capable of within the next five years. We cast a critical eye on how the iPhone and Google's foray into the cellphone market could reshape the wireless industry. We'll also look at how young people view cellphones, at the concept of social networking on the go, and at how to get your hands on Apple's iPhone in Canada even though it hasn't been officially released here.

Virgin's Sir Richard Branson (Lewis Whyld/Associated Press)

On Day 4, Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson outlines how the cellphone of the future is going to play a crucial role in everything from meeting your future spouse to staying healthy, and he talks about why mobile phones are becoming so important in developing nations. Guest columnist Mark Leger provides a first-hand look at what cellphones mean to people in places like Ghana, while an international panel of students gives insight into their use of wireless technology. We'll also offer a roundup of some of the latest research into how wireless technology affects the human body.

Writer Nicole Tomlinson gauges the future of the landline phone in the face of wireless competition on Day 5 of the series. We speak with Canadian professor Steve Mann, described as the world's first cyborg, about what it's like to be connected to the internet 24/7 through wearable wireless gear. Columnist Jesse Hirsh looks at how spiritual groups are embracing cellphone technology. And our writers delve into how the rise of TV on mobile devices could affect entertainment, as they examine some of the intriguing new services that will be arriving on your humble handset in the coming months.

The world's going mobile - read the series starting Nov. 19 and get ready for it. If you think the latest phone in your pocket is pretty cool, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

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