Until the 1995 FCC airwave auctions, PCS (Personal Communication Systems) and PCN (Personal Communication Network) systems were mostly futureware, and were seen as possible competitors to cellular systems. Nowadays, they are virtually synonymous and most end-users don't know the difference. PCS is the term given to wireless phone services that provide extended mobility (cellular concentrates more on highways) and additional services such as text messaging, fax capability, video display, etc. Like cellular, PCS relies on a number of fixed antennas to blanket an area of coverage. PCS operates in the 1850-1990 MHz bands.

Several technologies are used for PCS in the United States, including Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication. GSM is more commonly used in Europe and elsewhere.

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