cellular technology

Tower-based phone networks

Cellular technology is the system of wireless communication that divides geographic areas into cells, each served by a transmitter.

As a phone moves between cells, the signal hands off seamlessly.

The term covers the infrastructure and standards—from early analog networks through 4G and 5G—that enable mobile phones to connect: The rollout of cellular technology transformed how people communicate.

cell phonePortable wireless communicator
voice callLive spoken telecommunication
base stationFixed wireless communication point
smartphoneHandheld connected computer
callContact by phone

dropped call · cell tower · handoff · modulation · backhaul · multiplexing · SMS · antenna · wireless network · mobile data · data plan · roaming charges · tablet · 2G · text · carrier wave · modem · radio frequency

Opposites

communication infrastructure type

cellular technologylandline

Stationary wired telephone

PSTN · satellite communication · satellite phones · satellite technology · cable internet

mobility vs. fixed location

cellular technologylandline

Stationary wired telephone

desk phone · rotary phone · corded phone · payphone · telegraph

technological era

cellular technologytelegraph

Electrical message system

Morse code · carrier pigeon · tin can telephone · semaphore · smoke signals

Family

celled, cellular, cellulose, celluloid, unicellular, multicellular, technology, technologies, technological

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G