Editing Cellular network (section)

{{Short description|Communication network}}
{{About|the infrastructure of cellular networks|the companies that provide services on these networks|Mobile network operator}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
[[File:CellTowerRichmondHill.jpg|thumb|Top of a cellular radio tower]]
[[File:Indoor Sendeanlage Deutsche Telekom.jpg|thumb|Indoor cell site in Germany]]
{{Antennas|systems}}

A '''cellular network''' or '''mobile network''' is a [[telecommunications network]] where the link to and from end nodes is [[wireless network|wireless]] and the network is distributed over land areas called '''''cells''''', each served by at least one fixed-location [[transceiver]] (such as a [[base station]]). These base stations provide the cell with the network coverage which can be used for transmission of voice, data, and other types of content via [[radio wave]]s. Each cell's coverage area is determined by factors such as the power of the transceiver, the terrain, and the frequency band being used. A cell typically uses a different set of frequencies from neighboring cells, to avoid interference and provide guaranteed service quality within each cell.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cellular Networks, Cells, and Base Stations — EITC |url=http://www.eitc.org/research-opportunities/5g-and-beyond-mobile-wireless-technology/5g-and-beyond-technology-roadmap/cellular-cellular-technology-and-ran/cellular-networks-base-stations-and-5g-ran/cellular-networks-1/cellular-networks-cells-and-base-stations-1/cellular-networks-cells-and-base-stations |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=www.eitc.org}}</ref><ref name=Zander>{{cite book|author1=Guowang Miao|author2=Jens Zander|author3=Ki Won Sung|author4=Ben Slimane|title=Fundamentals of Mobile Data Networks|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|isbn=978-1107143210|year=2016|author1-link=Guowang Miao}}</ref>

When joined together, these cells provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area. This enables numerous [[Mobile device|devices]], including [[mobile phone]]s, [[Tablet computer|tablets]], [[laptop]]s equipped with [[mobile broadband modem]]s, and [[Wearable technology|wearable devices]] such as [[smartwatch]]es, to communicate with each other and with fixed transceivers and telephones anywhere in the network, via base stations, even if some of the devices are moving through more than one cell during transmission. The design of cellular networks allows for seamless [[handover]], enabling uninterrupted communication when a device moves from one cell to another.

Modern cellular networks utilize advanced technologies such as [[MIMO|Multiple Input Multiple Output]] (MIMO), [[beamforming]], and small cells to enhance network capacity and efficiency.

Cellular networks offer a number of desirable features:<ref name=Zander/>
* More capacity than a single large transmitter, since the same frequency can be used for multiple links as long as they are in different cells
* Mobile devices use less power than a single transmitter or satellite since the cell towers are closer
* Larger coverage area than a single terrestrial transmitter, since additional cell towers can be added indefinitely and are not limited by the horizon
* Capability of utilizing higher frequency signals (and thus more available bandwidth / faster data rates) that are not able to propagate at long distances
* With data compression and multiplexing, several video (including digital video) and audio channels may travel through a higher frequency signal on a single wideband carrier
Major telecommunications providers have deployed voice and data cellular networks over most of the inhabited land area of [[Earth]]. This allows mobile phones and other devices to be connected to the [[public switched telephone network]] and public [[Internet access]]. In addition to traditional voice and data services, cellular networks now support [[Internet of things|Internet of Things]] (IoT) applications, connecting devices such as [[smart meter]]s, vehicles, and industrial sensors.

The evolution of cellular networks from [[1G]] to [[5G]] has progressively introduced faster speeds, lower latency, and support for a larger number of devices, enabling advanced applications in fields such as healthcare, transportation, and [[Smart city|smart cities]].

Private cellular networks can be used for research<ref>{{cite web |author=Tom Simonite |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/view/510341/googles-private-cell-phone-network/ |title=Google's Private Cell Phone Network Could Be a Threat to Cellular Carriers &#124; MIT Technology Review |publisher=Technologyreview.com |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=23 November 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201118/http://www.technologyreview.com/view/510341/googles-private-cell-phone-network/ |url-status=live }}</ref> or for large organizations and fleets, such as dispatch for local public safety agencies or a taxicab company, as well as for local wireless communications in enterprise and industrial settings such as factories, warehouses, mines, power plants, substations, oil and gas facilities and ports.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Private 5G Networks: 2024 – 2030 |url=https://www.snstelecom.com/private5g |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=www.snstelecom.com |language=en-US}}</ref>