At the end of the day they are both used to describe one way tele telecommunication units which enable users to receive and read short alpha numeric messages.

The reason why the word ‘Pager’ was originally used was since it was a way that people used to gain the attention (page) of one another. A ‘beeper’ (or sometimes confusingly  ‘bleeper’) is simply a name which developed from the actual noise the devices made whenever incoming signals were received. These signals would notify a person that they needed to call someone. Alternatively they perhaps had a message waiting to be heard on a voicemail system for example.

Most paging units actually look pretty much the same regardless of what they are actually called. They are for the main part small units which can easily be held in palm of one’s hand.  Incoming numeric or alphanumeric messages are displayed on a typically narrow and small LCD screen which can often even illuminate when a button is pressed (on some models).

It’s also worth mentioning that not all pagers make a noise (‘beep’!)  Options often include the ability to  vibrate too. This is a very helpful feature since sometimes workers may not hear the pager so the vibration helps draw attention to the call. Sometimes too they will light up and sometimes they will make a noise, illuminate and vibrate all at the same time. Nurse call system suppliers are often lost without this kind of technology.

Of course, things have moved on considerably since their introduction. Paging solutions these days are able to relay alphanumeric messages and some are even designed to be two-way devices –a tremendous advantage to users for example for alerting when nurse call systems maintenance is needed.