Through the years, your mobile phone has played a central role in your daily life. You rely on it to keep you in touch with what is going on around you, whether it is scheduling an important business meeting, planning that Saturday river lime or simply saying hello to a loved one who lives abroad. Whatever the reason, your mobile phone has become a welcome addition to how you communicate.
In this article, we will answer some of your questions surrounding the technology of mobile communication.
What really is a mobile phone?
It may surprise you to know that your mobile phone is actually a sophisticated radio which shares an electronic spectrum with AM and FM radios, baby monitors and microwave ovens. It is a low powered radio device that is capable of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves at frequencies between 900 and 1800 megahertz (MHz). Surprised?
How does my mobile phone work?
Cellular radio systems involve communication between mobile telephones and fixed base stations. This technology is operated in regions of coverage called "cells" that handle communication within their various areas. Each base station provides coverage of a given area, within each cell. In fact, cell phones got their name from the many cell towers which populate the landscape.
Base stations are both radio transmitters and receivers. They have antennas that are mounted either on free-standing masts or on existing structures and buildings similar to those used in television and radio broadcasting. Depending on the location of the base station and mobile phone traffic to be handled, the distance between the base stations may range from only a few hundred metres in urban areas to several kilometres in rural areas.
If you were to move out of one cell into another, the controlling network "hands over" communications to the nearest base station which in turn picks up the call thereby providing you with seamless coverage.
Tell me about seamless coverage?
Cells usually cover an area with a radius of several kilometres. However, more base stations are needed where mobile phone usage is high. So, in most rural areas, a cell site may have a radius of ten (10) kilometres, while in towns its radius may be less than a few hundred metres. Without sufficient base stations in the right locations, your mobile phone will not work seamlessly that is, without a break or disruption in service or reception.
It is worth remembering that your mobile phone will work best when it us used outdoors although mobile service may be affected by geographical and atmospheric conditions. Indoor coverage is usually provided in high-traffic areas like central business districts, malls and other commercial centres. However, in some cases, you may not be able to use the service when inside a building. If this occurs, simply move outdoors for a better reception.
TSTT's goal is to provide you with seamless mobile communication, so that you will receive the best possible reception at all times wherever your travels lead you: whether it is from Maraval to Manzanilla, Woodbrook to Waterloo, Carenage to Caroni, Siparia to Scarborough and all the other places, which make up our twin-island republic.
Look out in subsequent articles of "You and Your Mobile" as we continue to explore the exciting world of mobile communications.
For further information, please visit our website at
tstt.co.tt
A twice-monthly feature that seeks to inform, educate and enhance your knowledge about this interesting and fascinating technology.
Back to the You and Your Mobile Series
Products & Services