But have you ever wondered what’s behind those signal bars that appear on your phone screen? Here are some facts about mobile networks that you might not know.
The first mobile call: A historic milestone
On 3 April 1973, Martin Cooper, a Motorola engineer, made the first call from a mobile phone, marking a before and after in the history of communications. From a street in New York and with a prototype of the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, he called his rival Joel Engel of AT&T and said: ‘You’ll never guess where I’m calling from.’ That call changed the way we communicate forever.
From 1G to 5G… and beyond!
Mobile networks have evolved rapidly: 1G and 2G made mobile telephony possible for commercial purposes, 3G made mobile internet a reality, and 4G improved speed and user experience. Now 5G promises ultra-fast and more reliable connections. What will come next? Perhaps a 6G powered by artificial intelligence?
Honeycomb networks: the key to coverage
A mobile phone base station provides coverage to several specific areas called cells. These cells are arranged in a similar way to a honeycomb, forming a network that allows all mobile devices to connect. The location of each base station is strategic, as obstacles such as trees or buildings can weaken the signal.
Handover: the trick to moving around without losing signal
When you move around, your mobile phone constantly changes cell to maintain the best connection, but have you ever wondered how many times it does this without you realising? As you move, the device automatically connects to different cells to ensure the best possible signal. This process, known as ‘handover’, is key to ensuring you don’t lose your connection, whether you’re walking through the city or travelling by car or train.
The secret behind the frequency bands
Mobile networks stand out not only for their speed and reliability, but also for being designed with different radio frequencies to transmit signals. Each technological generation has used specific bands, optimised to improve both coverage and speed. Some frequencies are perfect for covering long distances, while others are focused on offering greater capacity. This variety guarantees an optimal connection experience in any situation. Each band has its own personality and plays a crucial role in our connection experience!
From 4G to 5G… via NSA
Did you know that the first 5G architecture standardised by 3GPP was 5G Non Stand Alone (NSA)? This configuration was based on 5G radio stations, but controlled by the 4G network core. It was designed to launch the first 5G services, but over time, the growing demand for more capacity and new functionalities allowed the network to evolve to a 5G Stand Alone (SA) architecture, totally independent of 4G. An impressive leap into the future of telecommunications!
The battery and the signal: a curious relationship
Did you know that your mobile consumes more battery power when the signal is weak? This is because the device needs to work harder to maintain the connection, increasing its transmission power. That’s why, in places with poor coverage, your battery can run out faster.
Emergency calls: guaranteed connection
Even if you have no signal, you will always be able to make an emergency call. Mobile phones are designed to connect to any network available in the area to ensure that you can call for help when you need it most.
Mobile networks have revolutionised the way we communicate and will continue to evolve to offer us new possibilities. From the first historic call to today’s 5G, these technologies are an essential part of our daily lives. Knowing a little more about how they work helps us understand the complexity behind every connection.
