History of the Mobira Cityman 900: A Mobile Revolution

Mobira Cityman 900 (1987)

The Mobira Cityman 900 (marketed under Nokia-Mobira, a Nokia subsidiary) is a landmark first-generation handheld analog mobile phone, released in 1987. It was among the earliest compact portable phones for consumer use, designed for the NMT 900 (Nordic Mobile Telephone) network—Europe’s first international cellular system. The device earned global recognition after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev used it to call Moscow from Helsinki in October 1989, earning it the Finnish nickname “Gorba” (or “Gorby” in English). It played a pivotal role in establishing Nokia’s reputation as a mobile communications innovator, laying groundwork for its future dominance in the mobile phone industry.

Core Specifications

Category	Details
Manufacturer	Nokia-Mobira Company (Nokia’s mobile subsidiary)
Launch Year	1987
Network	NMT 900 (analog, 900 MHz)
Dimensions	183 × 43 × 79 mm (7.2 × 1.7 × 3.1 in)
Weight	760 g (27 oz) (including battery)
Battery	UL61 NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium), 9.6 V, 1000 mAh
Talk Time	Up to 50 minutes
Standby Time	Up to 14 hours
Display	8-digit monochrome LED segment display (no graphics)
Antenna	Fixed external telescopic antenna (critical for signal reception)
Keypad	Physical numeric keypad with basic call control buttons (call, end, volume)
Memory	Limited to storing last dialed number; no contacts list or SMS support
Charging	Dedicated external charger (4+ hours for full charge)

Design & Hardware

1. Form Factor & Build

“Brick” Design: The Cityman 900 featured the iconic 1980s “brick” form factor—thick, heavy, and built for durability with a rigid plastic casing and metal internal frame.
Telescopic Antenna: A fixed external antenna extended for calls and retracted for portability; essential for analog signal strength in early cellular networks.
Display: A minimal 8-digit LED display showed only call duration, signal strength, battery level, and dialed numbers—no text or graphics.
Controls: Basic keypad with numeric keys, call/end buttons, and a function button to toggle settings (e.g., ringer volume, keypad backlight).

2. Battery & Power

NiCd Battery: The 1000 mAh nickel-cadmium battery was bulky but necessary for 1980s power demands; it required full discharge cycles to avoid “memory effect”.
Charging: A proprietary external charger was used—no USB or wireless charging existed at the time.

Core Features & User Experience

As an analog first-generation (1G) device, the Cityman 900 focused solely on voice calls—no messaging, internet, or multimedia features were available. Key user functions included:

Basic Calling: Dial, receive, and end calls; redial the last number.
Status Indicators: LED display for signal strength, battery level, and call duration.
Ringer Control: Adjustable volume for incoming calls (no vibration mode).
Portability: While heavy by modern standards, it was far more compact than earlier car-mounted cellular phones, enabling on-the-go use.

Historical Significance & Legacy

1. Market Impact

Consumer Accessibility: It made mobile telephony accessible to business users and early adopters, moving beyond car phones to handheld portability.
Nokia’s Foundation: The Cityman 900 established Nokia-Mobira as a leader in European mobile tech, setting the stage for Nokia’s 1990s–2000s dominance with GSM phones like the Nokia 1011.
Network Expansion: It supported NMT 900, which grew to cover much of Europe and parts of Asia, proving the viability of cross-border cellular networks.

2. Cultural Icon

Gorbachev Call: The 1989 “Gorba” incident demonstrated mobile telephony’s global reach, turning the device into a symbol of tech diplomacy and Cold War-era communication openness.
Pop Culture: Featured in the 1987 film Lethal Weapon, cementing its status as a symbol of 1980s high-tech luxury.

3. Limitations by Modern Standards

No Data Features: No SMS, internet, or storage for contacts (only last dialed number).
Short Battery Life: 50 minutes of talk time and 14 hours of standby required frequent charging.
Bulky & Heavy: 760 g weight made it impractical for all-day carry by today’s standards.
Analog Network Dependency: Limited to NMT 900; obsolete after the shift to digital GSM networks in the 1990s.

Advantages & Limitations

Advantages	Limitations
Early handheld portability (vs. car-mounted predecessors)	Extremely heavy (760 g) and bulky by modern standards
Durable build for 1980s mobile use cases	No SMS, contacts, or data services (voice-only)
Iconic design that shaped public perception of mobile phones	Short battery life (50 mins talk / 14 hrs standby)
Global recognition from the “Gorbachev call” boosted brand visibility	Limited to NMT 900 analog network (obsolete by the 1990s)
Paved the way for Nokia’s future mobile innovations	No expandable storage or advanced features

Collector’s Value

Today, the Mobira Cityman 900 is a rare collector’s item, sought after by tech historians and Nokia enthusiasts. Well-preserved units (with original packaging and charger) can fetch high prices at auctions, reflecting its status as a milestone in mobile communication history.