10 Questions
What is the reason behind calling mobile phones 'cell phones'?
Because they use a cellular network
Which network was a big part of the early cellular network and had about 90% market share worldwide?
GSM
What type of networks were the original 2G cellular networks?
Circuit switched networks
What technology was used to allow phone configurations to be stored on a SIM card?
GSM
What is the main difference between GSM and CDMA?
GSM uses time division multiplexing, while CDMA uses unique codes for each call
Which technology was developed to converge GSM and CDMA networks into one standard for data transmission?
LTE
When were 3G technologies introduced?
1998
Which cellular network provider mainly used CDMA in the US?
Verizon
What does OTA stand for in the context of mobile communication?
Over-the-Air
What feature allows phones to share cellular network connectivity with other devices using Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi hotspot capability
Study Notes
- GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) are two different mobile communication standards.
- GSM, using multiplexing, allows multiple users to communicate over the same frequencies by dividing time slots among users.
- CDMA uses unique codes for each call to filter out irrelevant information and focus on the specific conversation.
- In the US, CDMA was mainly used by Verizon and Sprint, while GSM was popular elsewhere and with other providers.
- 3G technologies were introduced in 1998, providing enhanced capabilities and increased speeds for data communication.
- LTE (Long Term Evolution), a 4G technology, was developed to converge GSM and CDMA networks into one standard for data transmission, allowing for higher throughput (up to 150 Mbps).
- 5G (fifth generation cellular networking) was introduced in 2020, offering greatly enhanced speeds (up to 10 Gbps) and increased connectivity possibilities for Internet of Things devices.
- OTA (Over-the-Air) updates include PRL (Preferred Roaming List) updates, allowing phones to adapt to changing network conditions.
- Phones can act as Wi-Fi hotspots, sharing cellular network connectivity with other devices using Wi-Fi.
- Providers may limit or charge extra for Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities and data usage.
Test your knowledge of cellular networks by understanding the fundamentals of how cell phones operate within a cellular network, from the concept of cells and antennas to the evolution of generations like 2G networks.
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