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How Does a Mobile Network Work?
A mobile network is a complex web of connected cellphone tower zones
By Priya Viswanathan Priya Viswanathan Writer University of Mumbai Former Lifewire writer Priya Viswanathan has more tan 10+ years experience writing about technology. She is an expert on tablets and mobile devices and apps. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 24, 2021 Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Frequencies 3G 4G and 5G Networks Leading Mobile Network Providers Types of Mobile Networks GSM vs CDMA Mobile Networks Mobile networks are also known as cellular networks. They're made up of "cells," which are areas of land that are typically hexagonal, have at least one transceiver cell tower within their area, and use various radio frequencies. These cells connect to one another and to telephone switches or exchanges. Cell towers connect to each other to hand off packets of signals—data, voice, and text messaging—ultimately bringing these signals to mobile devices such as phones and tablets that act as receivers. Providers use each others' towers in many areas, creating a complex web that offers the widest possible network coverage to subscribers. Corbis / Getty Images Frequencies
Many network subscribers use mobile networks' frequencies at the same time. Cell tower sites and mobile devices manipulate the frequencies so that they can use low-power transmitters to supply their services with the least possible interference. 3G 4G and 5G Networks
Mobile networks have evolved through a series of generations, each representing significant technological improvements over the previous generations. The first two generations of mobile networks first introduced analog voice (1G) and then digital voice (2G). 1G GPRS and 2G EDGE on GSM networks as well as 2G CDMA networks allowed for data connections although they were very slow. Subsequent generations supported the proliferation of smartphones by introducing data connections (3G) and allowing access to the internet. 4G service networks improved data connections, making them faster and better able to provide greater bandwidth for uses such as streaming. The latest technology is the 5G network, which promises even faster speeds and greater bandwidth compared with 4G while reducing interference with other nearby wireless devices. Where 4G uses frequencies below 6 GHz, newer 5G networks use shorter wavelength signals with much higher frequencies, in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz. These frequencies provide higher bandwidth and allow signals to be more directional, thus reducing interference. The promise of very high 5G wireless speeds opens the possibility of replacing traditional wired connections to your home, such as cable, with a wireless one, thus greatly expanding the availability of high-speed internet access. Leading Mobile Network Providers
Cellular service providers in the U.S. range in size from small, regional companies to large, well-known corporations in the telecommunications field, such as Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Sprint. Types of Mobile Networks
The mobile technologies that large mobile service providers use varies, and mobile devices are built to use the technology of the intended carrier and region. The two main mobile technologies in use are Global System for Mobile communications, which is an international standard, and Code Division Multiple Access, owned by Qualcomm. GSM phones don't work on CDMA networks, and vice versa. Long-Term Evolution is based on GSM and offers greater network capacity and speed. Verizon, Sprint, and US Cellular use CDMA technology, while AT&T, T-Mobile, and most other providers around the world use GSM. GSM is the world's most widely used mobile network technology. GSM vs CDMA Mobile Networks
Signal reception, call quality, and speed all depend on many factors. The user's location, service provider, and equipment all play a role. GSM and CDMA don't differ much on quality, but the way they work does. From a consumer standpoint, GSM is more convenient because a GSM phone carries all the customer's data on a removable SIM card; to change phones, the customer simply swaps the SIM card into the new GSM phone, and it connects to the provider's GSM network. A GSM network must accept any GSM-compliant phone, leaving consumers quite a bit of freedom over their choices in equipment. CDMA phones, on the other hand, aren't as easily transferred between carriers. CDMA carriers identify subscribers based on safelists, not SIM cards, and only approved phones are allowed on their networks. Some CDMA phones use SIM cards, but these are for the purpose of connecting to LTE networks or for flexibility when the phone is used outside of the U.S. GSM wasn't available in the mid-1990s when some networks switched from analog to digital, so they locked into CDMA—at the time, the most advanced mobile network technology. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire 5G: Everything You Need to Know 6G: What It Is & When to Expect It What is CDMA and How Does it Work? 5G Internet: The High-Speed Replacement for Cable? How Are 4G and 5G Different? What Is TDMA and What Does It Do? How to Fix It When Mobile Data Is Not Working What is a SIM Card? 5G Cell Towers: Why You See Them and How They Work 5G Speed: How to Understand the Numbers Where Is 5G Available in the US? (Updated for 2022) T-Mobile 5G: When & Where You Can Get It 5G Availability Around the World The 7 Best Cheap Cell Phone Plans of 2022 The 7 Best Senior Cell Phone Plans of 2022 5G: The Latest News & Updates (October 2022) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies