Wireless FAQ  -> What is Cellular Communication?

Cellular communication is a form of wireless communication that enables several key concepts to be employed:

• Frequency reuse

• Mobility of the subscriber

• Handoffs

The cellular concept is employed in many different forms. The term cellular communication is typically applied to either the AMPS or TACS technology. The AMPS operating frequency is in the 800 MHz band: 821 to 849 MHz for the base station receiver and 869 to 894 MHz for the base station transmitter. For TACS the frequency range is between 890 MHz and 915 MHz for the base receiver and 935 MHz and 960 MHz for the base station transmitter.

Many other technologies also fall under the guise of cellular communication, including those involving the PCS bands-both the domestic and the international bands. In addition, because the same concept is applied to several technology platforms that are currently used in the SMR band (IS-136 and iDEN), the term cellular communication sometimes is used to describe these as well. However, cellular communication usually refers specifically to the AMPS and TACS bands.