A cell is the fundamental coverage unit of a cellular network, representing the specific physical footprint served by a single radio transceiver or base station. Networks are designed by overlapping these areas to provide continuous coverage over a large region. Frequencies can be reused in non-adjacent cells to maximize the total number of simultaneous users the network can support.
We're experiencing high drop rates when users hand off from the highway cell to the downtown microcell.
Related terms
Cellular
Relating to a network architecture that divides a geographic area into multiple radio coverage zones.
Base station subsystem
The section of a cellular network that manages radio links between mobile devices and the core network.
Femtocell
A low-power, short-range cellular base station designed to provide indoor coverage.
Picocell
A small cellular base station designed to provide localized coverage within a building or dense area.