# Nordic Mobile Telephone

> mobile telephone system

**Wikidata**: [Q854862](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q854862)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_Mobile_Telephone)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nordic-mobile-telephone

## Summary
Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) was the first fully automatic international cellular mobile phone network, launched in 1981. It operated across Nordic countries and served as a pioneering standard for mobile communications before being phased out in 2010.

## Key Facts
- Launched in 1981 as the world's first automatic cellular mobile phone network
- Operated as a cellular network with wireless last-link communication
- Served Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden
- Officially dissolved and shut down in 2010 after nearly three decades of service
- Known by multiple names including NMT, Telefonía Movil Nordica, and Nordisk MobilTelefoni
- Supported in multiple Wikipedia languages including English, Spanish, German, and Finnish
- Had 28 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- Featured a dedicated Google Play store ID: NMT
- Documented in Microsoft Academic with ID 95262703

### FAQs

### Q: What was Nordic Mobile Telephone?
A: Nordic Mobile Telephone was the first automatic international cellular mobile phone network, launched in 1981 across Nordic countries. It provided wireless mobile communication services before being replaced by more advanced digital networks.

### Q: When was NMT launched and when did it shut down?
A: NMT was launched in 1981 as the world's first automatic cellular network and operated for nearly three decades before being shut down in 2010.

### Q: What countries used the NMT network?
A: NMT was primarily used across Nordic countries including Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, making it an international cellular standard for the region.

## Why It Matters
Nordic Mobile Telephone represents a landmark achievement in telecommunications history as the world's first fully automatic international cellular network. Launched in 1981, it revolutionized mobile communications by eliminating the need for manual operator assistance, enabling true mobile freedom for users across Nordic countries. NMT established critical technical standards and operational procedures that influenced subsequent mobile network development globally. Its success demonstrated the viability of automatic cellular systems and paved the way for the digital mobile networks that followed. The network's 29-year operational lifespan also shows its durability and the significant role it played in connecting people across Scandinavia before being superseded by more advanced technologies.

## Notable For
- First automatic international cellular mobile phone network in the world
- Pioneered cellular network standards that influenced global mobile communications
- Operated successfully for nearly three decades across multiple Nordic countries
- Eliminated manual operator assistance in mobile calling
- Served as a bridge technology between analog and digital mobile communications

## Body
### Technical Foundation
NMT operated as a cellular network where the last communication link was wireless, establishing the fundamental architecture for modern mobile networks. The system used analog technology and frequency bands allocated specifically for mobile communications in Nordic countries.

### Geographic Coverage
The network initially launched in Sweden and Norway in 1981, with Denmark and Finland joining shortly after. This cross-border compatibility made NMT unique among early mobile networks, as it allowed seamless communication across Nordic national boundaries without requiring different equipment or subscriptions.

### Operational History
NMT's service entry in 1981 marked a significant advancement from previous mobile telephone systems that required manual operator connection. The network gradually expanded coverage throughout Nordic countries and continued operating through multiple technology generations until its dissolution in 2010.

### Legacy Impact
As the first automatic cellular network, NMT established operational procedures, technical standards, and business models that influenced subsequent mobile network development worldwide. The network's success proved the commercial viability of cellular technology and helped accelerate the global transition to mobile communications.

### Documentation and Recognition
NMT is extensively documented across Wikimedia projects with 28 sitelinks and Wikipedia articles in multiple languages. The network's historical significance is recognized through its inclusion in academic databases and its detailed documentation on platforms like Wikidata and Commons.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. YSO-Wikidata mapping project