how do cell phones work

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CDMA2000 is a hybrid 2.5G / 3G technology of mobile telecommunications standards that use CDMA, a multiple access scheme for digital radio, to send voice, data, and signalling data (such as a dialed telephone number) between mobile phones and cell sites. CDMA2000 is considered a 2.5G technology in 1xRTT and a 3G technology in EVDO.

CDMA (code division multiple access) is a mobile digital radio technology where channels are defined with codes (PN sequences). CDMA permits many simultaneous transmitters on the same frequency channel, unlike TDMA (time division multiple access), used in GSM and D-AMPS, and FDMA, used in AMPS ("analog" cellular). Since more phones can be served by fewer cell sites, CDMA-based standards have a significant economic advantage over TDMA- or FDMA-based standards.

CDMA2000 has a relatively long technical history, and remains compatible with the older CDMA telephony methods (such as cdmaOne) first developed by Qualcomm, a commercial company, and holder of several key international patents on the technology.

The CDMA2000 standards CDMA2000 1xRTT , CDMA2000 EV-DO , and CDMA2000 EV-DV are approved radio interfaces for the ITU's IMT-2000 standard and a direct successor to 2G CDMA, IS-95 (cdmaOne). CDMA2000 is standardized by 3GPP2.

CDMA2000 is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA) in the United States, not a generic term like CDMA. (This is similar to how TIA has branded their 2G CDMA standard, IS-95, as cdmaOne.)

CDMA2000 is an incompatible competitor of the other major 3G standard UMTS. It is defined to operate at 450 MHz, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 2100 MHz.

Below are the different types of CDMA2000, in order of increasing complexity:


We’ve heard about podcast downloads being added to iPhone OS 2.2 before, but now Macrumors (via Shimanke.com — check out their screenshots) has more details how the process will work. In response to Chad’s fears of overwhelming AT&T’s fragile 3G network (aka “rabbit ears”), it looks like cell downloads will be limited to podcasts under 10MB, the sa


Thank you Eve for this article. The most important work that can be done in these changing times is to draw up fresh plans of how we can help each other extend our individual scope to include the global community. I won't look at my cell phone in the same way. I will remember the world's connection to the Congo, and pray for peace.


If you are like me, you probably have a bunch electronic gizmos that you use daily. Some of these have a ton of accessories on the market to help them look cool and keep them safe - others really are left to defend themselves. Well, I have a Verizon Smartphone that I use for work, and I am always touching the screen and putting it in my pockets, an


Two people in other states maintain a relationship via cell phone.They give tips on how to be closer through emotions even though there is physical distance between the couple.In my humble opinion it may work for a while but in the long run folks want a more hands on relationship. One to one in person is better than long distance...


Have you ever signed up for a cell phone contract and then later figured out that it just wasn't going to work for you? It's a pretty common scenario which usually ends with the customer paying a huge fee for the "privilege" of breaking the contract. However, there are ways to get out of your contract without losing a pile of money!



yodasminion asks: "I know it's radio waves. But how do towers talk to land lines which talk to international towers and land lines??"
arcticcatjoe13 replies: 'They call people'
63nova replies: 'satelites they put in the sky'
hound9_4 replies: 'I think the towers are just on the regular phone network, and therefore are connected by land lines, or microwave links into the regular pone network. To make transoceanic calls, the network uses transoceanic cables, or telecommunications satellites. What makes cell phones unique is that each tower only covers a small area, and as you move along from area to area (called cells), the towers pass the customer and his call off to the next tower.'
ld_osorio replies: 'When somebody is calling you, the network send the message to all Base Station, and your phone answer "I am here". The network assign a channel between your phone and the Switch, and complete the channel with the calling phone.When you start moving, the phone measures the power and check which Base Station is near to change. The network orders the Handover from one Base station to the other.The Cell Phone "talks to" Base Transceiver Station (BTS); the BTS is linked to Base Station Controller (BSC) and the BSC is linked to MSC or Switch. Switches are interconnected to other National, Cellular and International Switches.(A Switch is a Phone switching central).THe interconnection between BTS-BSC, BSC-MSC and MSC-MSC is by Fibre Optics, Microwaves, Satellites, twisted cupper pairs...Hope it helps.'
ani replies: 'cell phone works based on CDMA collision detection multiple access if u want to know abt the cell phone working u have to study abt cellular telephony which is a one sem course in engineering u can't learn in few lines'
yp_paul_collinsville asks: "without a cell phone booster! Prior to 2004 there were no boosters. I need the electronic details as I cannot make a call within a mobile home with aluminum siding, so how is this done in an airplane that is fully enclosed metallic substance."
upthcrek replies: 'Get a better phone I have little or no problems with metal siding in warehouse with a good quality phone'
John S replies: 'you are not allowed to use cell phones on a plane, they interfear with the electronics'
information_police replies: 'Cell phones work in airplanes on the ground. No problem with aluminum shielding. On 9/11, the plane where cell phones were being used was flying at a very low altitude. The cell phones could pick up normal cell towers. At 34,000 ft you usually cannot do this.'
Tin-Foil Hat Girl asks: "I have received reports that cell phones did not work from aircraft in 2001 and still don't work on aircraft that don't have a cell base?"
Petey replies: 'planes have phones on them...you need a CC to use them.'
Serpico7 replies: 'They worked, just not very well. Popular mechanics proved this, widen the sources you use to do your "research" about 9/11. Loose change again drew an illogical conclusion from the fact that the aircraft companies greatly improved their cell service a few years after, saying that the only reason this was done is because cell phones didn't work before. Hello? Since when did a company improving its resources to widen the clientele base become the basis for a conspiracy!!!!'
buttercup replies: 'People use phones and cell phones from planes inflight all the time. Are you looking for another excuseto blame those brave men that took over the flightfrom terrorists, that were headed for The Capitol andthe White House? I can't get over you guys who wouldrather believe some crazy, outlandish tale about aconspiracy.'
some_yank replies: 'Uh, do the math. A plane approaching an 80 story building is NOT AT 30,000ft. This would be well within the range of a cell tower.'
jeremy replies: 'there is no way. I tried to use my cell phone last week at that altitude on a continental flight, and i had NO SIGNAL the whole flight.Popular Mechanics did not prove anything. They are published by Hearst Publishing, the name that is synonymous with Yellow Journalism. They did a sloppy report, did not footnote or cite their sources....there are many other sites that DO cite their sources and are much more credible than popular mechanics. Don't let them fool you. Seek the truth.buttercup, please. Who is blaming the citizens in the flight? that is ridiculous and you are reaching... just reaching for a way to shut us up. Petey - They were using cell phones, not the CC phones. look it up.In fact there have been studies that proved there was no way those cell phone calls happened.The fact is that many things that supposedly happened that day just don't add up.'
Ted S replies: 'Totally agree, this research was done in Canada using several phones made during the time of '01. To the one saying about them approaching 80(they're 110 story buildings)story buildings, they weren't flying that low the whole time. Second, why would anyone address their mother with their full name, "Hello mom, this is Mark Bingham. You believe me, right?" My ex girlfriend couldn't use her cell when flying w/ her uncle on a slow 2passenger private plane. Maximum altitude being only a few thousand feet. No service. Average cruising altitude of a commercial jetliner, 32000ft. This is not disgracing the victims of the event, that's why I support a truely independant investigation of 9/11. This is honoring them, since 75% of their questions were never touched by the (ommission) Commission report.Why don't you people research the owners of Popular Mechanics. That would be Herst Publishing, who were the pioneers in Yellow Journalism. Then understand what that means.'
mike b replies: 'yes they do work'
LadyZania replies: 'Great question! It is my understanding that they could not have worked, and according to a couple of excellent answers that you have to this question, they still don't work...at least on some planes! *sm*'
pr0ph3t1cl1v1ty replies: 'They didn't. That is one of the many, many lies told about 9/11.You still can't use cellphones on most planes.To the "private pilot" who says phones work on planes: Yes, they might work for you in your Cessna, flying at 3500 ft at only 90 MPH, but I guarantee you they don't work at 30,000 ft going 400+ MPH.'
BarB replies: 'Romulans!'
Pop ARF replies: 'How come us 9/11 Truth Seekers always have a a dozen or more sources for our findings & facts and the Pancake Conspiracy Theorist ' only ever site their brand loyal Popular Mechanics magazine??????Seek the truth and you will find it!Oh and yes, Hearst Publishing, is a name that is synonymous with Yellow Journalism!!'
jdkilp replies: 'Keep in mind that the planes were much lower than 30,000 ft. The terrorists dropped altitude quickly.'
The real Ed-Mike replies: 'they didn't'
Julia Jones asks: "List the site, PLEASE!!!"
counter attack replies: 'find a phone you like and look at the brand. Every brand has a site to work phones. Some are like or or or othets like that. Good luck!'

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