Final answer:
Technological advancements have increased consumer choice in telephone technologies, leading to more affordable and higher quality phone services but also introducing the challenge of selecting the best plan due to varied reliability among providers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Factors that influence the telephone technologies a service desk selects include the advancements in technology that have markedly changed how phone services are delivered and utilized. Traditionally, telephone companies like AT&T held a monopoly over local and long distance service, which were provided over physical wires. This changed with the advent of microwave and satellite transmission that allowed multiple firms to use the same infrastructure, sparking significant competition and reducing overall costs. Consequently, there has been a growth in consumer choice, leading to cheaper calls and better-quality phone services, including the advent of free Internet-based and video calling, as well as the expansion of cellular phone systems.
However, this increase in choices can lead to difficulty in decision-making for consumers, who may struggle to discern the best plan for their specific needs. Service reliability can also vary, with some providers not offering the same dependability that was once a staple of monopolistic providers like AT&T.