---
title: "Marconi transmitter, mobile vs nomadic, Telecom Act"
subject: "Telecommunications"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_8/telecommunications:marconi-mobile-nomadic-act"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/marconi-mobile-nomadic-act
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Marconi transmitter, mobile vs nomadic, Telecom Act

Telecommunications · Chapter 1: Telecommunication Networks

- Asked in: 2072 Kartik, 4+2+4 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/marconi-mobile-nomadic-act
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/telecommunications/chapter-1

## Question

How Marconi's induction coil radio transmitters function as wireless technology? Differentiate between Mobile vs. Nomadic. Highlight the important features of Nepal Telecommunication Act 2053.

## Short answer

Marconi's spark-gap transmitter sends Morse code as damped electromagnetic waves using an induction coil and spark gap with aerial and earth. Mobile means communicating while moving with handover; nomadic means moving between places but stationary during communication. Nepal Telecom Act 2053 establishes NTA, licensing, frequency management, tariff/interconnection regulation, rural fund, quality standards, and penalties.

## Answer

#### Marconi's induction-coil radio transmitter
Marconi's transmitter (1895–1901) was a **spark-gap transmitter** that sent Morse code as bursts of electromagnetic waves – the first practical wireless telegraphy.
```text
 Battery ─ Morse key ─> Induction ─> spark gap ─┬─ Aerial
                        coil (HV)               └─ Earth
```
1. Pressing the **Morse key** connects the battery to the primary of an **induction (Ruhmkorff) coil**; an interrupter breaks the current many times a second.
2. The secondary produces a very **high voltage** across a **spark gap** connected between an elevated **aerial** and **earth**.
3. Each spark discharges the aerial capacitance, setting up **damped high-frequency oscillations** that radiate as electromagnetic waves.
4. Short and long key presses give dots and dashes. At the receiver a **coherer** detects the waves and operates a relay/inker.
5. The tall grounded aerial gave long range – transatlantic in 1901.

#### Mobile vs nomadic
| Mobile | Nomadic |
|---|---|
| User communicates **while moving** (car, walking) | User moves between places but is **stationary while communicating** |
| Needs handover and location tracking | No handover during a session |
| Example: GSM/LTE phone in a moving bus | Laptop using Wi-Fi in different cafes; nomadic WiMAX |

#### Important features of Nepal Telecommunication Act 2053 (1997)
- Establishes the **Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)** as an autonomous regulator to make telecom services reliable, affordable and competitive.
- **Licensing:** no one may operate telecom service without a licence from NTA; NTA sets licence conditions, fees and renewal.
- **Frequency management:** radio frequency allocation through the government's **Radio Frequency Policy Determination Committee**; use of frequencies needs a licence.
- **Tariff and interconnection:** NTA approves tariffs and interconnection terms and settles disputes between operators.
- **Rural Telecommunication Development Fund** to extend service to rural and remote areas (universal service).
- **Quality and consumer protection:** standards for service quality, type approval of equipment.
- **Government powers:** in emergencies or for national security the government may control or suspend services; provision for lawful interception.
- **Offences and penalties:** fines/imprisonment for operating without licence, damaging telecom equipment, illegal interception, etc.; appeal against NTA decisions to the Appellate (now High) Court.
- Allows **private sector participation** and competition, ending the government monopoly.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is the role of the interrupter in Marconi's transmitter?
   A. Detects the waves at the receiver
   B. Breaks the primary current many times a second so the coil induces a high secondary voltage
   C. Tunes the aerial
   D. Resets the coherer
   Answer: B. The interrupter repeatedly breaks the primary current, inducing very high voltage across the spark gap. (Key point: Role of interrupter and key)

2. Which is a nomadic use?
   A. GSM phone call in a moving bus
   B. Laptop using Wi-Fi in different cafes, stationary while communicating
   C. LTE handover while driving
   D. Walkie-talkie while walking
   Answer: B. Nomadic users move between places but are stationary during communication, so no handover is needed. (Key point: Mobile vs nomadic)

3. Under the Telecommunication Act 2053, who may operate a telecom service?
   A. Anyone
   B. Only government
   C. Only someone holding a licence from the NTA
   D. Only NTC
   Answer: C. The Act requires a licence from the NTA, which sets conditions, fees and renewal. (Key point: Regulator under the Act)

## Related in Telecommunications

- [Switching hierarchy and Marconi's transmitter](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aswitching-hierarchy-marconi) — Telecommunications, chapter 1
- [Telecommunication definition and Nepal's history since 1913](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Atelecom-nepal-history-1913) — Telecommunications, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Role of NTA in Nepal's telecom sector](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Arole-of-nta) — Telecommunications, chapter 7, asked 3×
- [Short note: Telecom development in Nepal since 1913](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Ashort-note-nepal-telecom-development) — Telecommunications, chapter 1
- [Wired vs wireless media; four-wire and hybrid](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Awired-wireless-four-wire-hybrid) — Telecommunications, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Definitions per Electronic Communication Act, Norway](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aelectronic-communication-act-norway) — Telecommunications, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Case study: Nepal Electricity Authority / Telecom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Acase-study-nea-nt) — Organization and Management, chapter 9
- [Differentiate wired and wireless systems](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_2%2Fbasic_electronics_engineering%3Awired-vs-wireless-diff) — Basic Electronics Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Self induction and inductance of a coil](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_1%2Fengineering_physics%3Aself-induction-inductance-permeability) — Engineering Physics, chapter 8
- [Combining two identical radar transmitters](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Frf_and_microwave_engineering%3Atwo-radar-transmitters-combining) — RF and Microwave Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×