How does the mobile phone network operate?

  1. When a call is made from a mobile phone, RF signals are transmitted between its antenna and the antenna at a nearby base station. 
  2. The phone call is then routed through the phone network to the destination phone. 
  3. Base station antennas must be elevated and located clear of physical obstruction to ensure wide coverage.
  4. In an area of increasing mobile phone use the number of additional base stations needed to maintain service quality increases, even in areas where mobile network coverage already exists. 
  5. If this is not done the mobile network will not operate properly and, as a result, mobile phone users may not be able to connect to their network.