Unlike most other
technology, cellular phones are a more
common sight outside of the United States than inside. This is because we Americans already have
extensive, cheap
land lines that go everywhere, and
greedy cell phone
service providers like MCI and AT&T. Even the best American cell phone deal is worse than what you'd get in, say,
Finland or
Israel, where the cost per minute is comprable to
POTS. In countries with really poor
telephone infastructures, such as
Brazil, the
cell phone is the most reliable way to communicate.
Also, the data on cancer is still inconclusive. There are some studies that show it occurs, and other that show it doesn't. One way to avoid it is to wear the cell phone clipped to your belt, and use a connected headset to hold your conversations. When you do it in public, this has the added bonus of making you look like a schizophrenic having an imaginary conversation.
It is also a very good idea, when you want to talk on the phone in the car, to use a hands-free device that essentially turns your cell phone into a speakerphone. In many countries, this is mandatory.