Vodafone transportable mobile phone with accessories, 1985

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user. They could be lifted out and carried round, although it only offered a few minutes of call time before the battery went flat.

Battery technology has moved on since then and network cells are smaller, so less power is needed to communicate with a base station.

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user.

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user.

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user.

Small car aerial for transportable mobile telephone, made by Vodafone Limited, England, 1985

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user.

Small car aerial for transportable mobile telephone, made by Vodafone Limited, England, 1985

The Mobira Transportable, was launched by Vodafone in 1985, the year that the first UK mobile networks, Vodafone and Cellnet, were launched. Early mobile phones like these were normally installed in cars, rather than carried by the user.