In the late 1970s and 1980s, the car phone was more popular than the regular mobile phone. However, since the mobile phone boom in the 1990s, when mobile phones became much more affordable, the car phone has suffered.

The original car phone service might now be called a 0G (zero-generation) service, where 1G (first-generation) is thought of as the beginning of modern cellular telephone service.

Since a traditional car phone uses a high-power transmitter and external antenna, it is ideal for rural or undeveloped areas where mobile handsets may not work well or at all.

Some automobiles feature integrated, 'hands-free' systems to utilise a consumer's cellular phone, via a Bluetooth wireless link. The systems use an internally mounted microphone, and the car's audio system, and may feature voice activation and control.

Prices of car phones can vary from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,0000.

Image: In the late 1970s and 1980s, the car phone was more popular than the regular mobile phone. However, since the mobile phone boom in the 1990s, ever since mobile phones became much more affordable, the car phone has suffered.