A common question that gets asked is: What is the difference between a pager and beeper? The truth is there is no difference between them.

‘Pager’ was the original name used for these devices as people used them to get the attention (page) of one another. ‘Beeper’ (or ‘bleeper’) is a nickname which came from the noise the device made whenever an incoming signal was being received. These signals notify a person when they need to call or message someone as a form of communication.

Paging devices are small units which vary in size but are usually around 2.5cm wide, 5cm long, and just over 1cm in diameter. On some models incoming numeric or alphanumeric messages are displayed on a narrow read-out screen which can light up when a button is pressed. Most modern units have buttons which allow users to scroll backward and forward to find relevant messages. Small clips attached to the back of the unit casing allows users to attach it to their belt or pocket. Keep in mind that not all beepers beep. Most models can be set to vibrate and/or light up, as well as beep while vibrating, and beep and light up while vibrating.

Beepers were developed for physicians in the New York area to receive emergency calls. Initially, beepers were just numeric receivers which nursing assistants, charge nurses, or doctors would call and dial a number into a messaging service. This would activate the paging device and notify the physician that a message had come through. The physician would then call the number that they saw on the pager or call a messaging service to receive their voicemail. Nowadays paging solutions are able to relay alphanumeric messages, whilst some are even designed to be two-way devices.

In 1980s and 1990s beepers were regarded as the most effective form of personal communication available. The introduction of mobile phones of course changed all of this as it enabled people to call or text with great ease. In saying this, beepers are by no means redundant. They still have a role to play in places where mobile phones cannot receive signal (people in emergency/fire fighters/police or security teams). They most certainly are a vital tool for staff in hospitals as they do not interfere with medical apparatus such as monitoring equipment or defibrillators.