With mobile telephony having penetrated practically all parts of the globe, mobile phone coverage has assumed a lot of significance. Let us try to understand the basics of mobile phone coverage and its potential impact in expanding broadband connectivity via mobile in the future.
What Is Coverage?
In order to be operable, your phone device must be within an area of coverage. A mobile device works by transmitting and receiving radio waves from base stations. Each mobile network can have different areas of coverage, depending on the mobile towers in use, the terrain, and the technology used. Every service provider should make a map that displays the area of coverage available to you. Mobile companies should offer online facilities, which enable viewing the locations of mobile masts covered by the network, to the public. In simple terms, the signal from a base station needs to be strong enough for your mobile device to work effectively.
Factors That Influence Mobile Coverage
The following factors affect the quality of service on your mobile device:-
- Distance from a base station.
- Proximity to buildings, hills, and trees.
- Weather conditions.
Additionally, when the density of users within the same network is large, the quality suffers. A good bet is to get a feedback from your friends who use the same mobile company. Stiff competition has prompted the mobile companies to improve coverage by adding new base stations and by upgrading equipment.
What Should I Do If I Have To Shift To An Area Of Bad Coverage?
You may most likely have an option to switch to another service provider who offers better coverage at your new location. You can even retain your full mobile number through Mobile Number Portability (MNP). All that you need to do is check on the new costs and other related issues regarding your contractual obligations with your existing service provider.
Mobile Coverage On Aircraft
In March 2008, Emirates was the first to allow in-flight voice calls in commercial flights. This was subsequent to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the United Arab Emirates based General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) granting full approval to the Aeromobile system.
Mobile Phone Coverage In 3G Network
The launching of 3G mobile phones by Apple on July 11, 2008 has created excitement and demand on an unprecedented scale. The third generation telephony has great prospects. According to a news item, widespread deployment of 3G networks has a potential of enabling an additional 300 million people across Asia, Africa and Europe to get mobile broadband by 2012. To achieve mobile phone coverage of this magnitude, GSM Association (GSMA) is urging regulators and mobile equipment vendors to make coordinated efforts to refarm 900/1800 MHz spectrum.
3G mobile telephony with large mobile phone coverage has tremendous capability to revolutionize broadband connectivity.