Wireless antennas transmit signals just like your local radio station. And just like your car radio, these radio signals can be obstructed by trees, tall buildings and even weather.
Connecting to the Wireless Network
When you turn on your wireless phone, it searches for a signal to confirm that service is available. Then the phone transmits certain identification numbers, so the network can verify your customer information-such as your wireless provider and phone number.
If you are calling from a wireless phone to a wired phone, your call travels through a nearby wireless antenna and is switched by your wireless carrier to the traditional landline phone system. The call then becomes like any other phone call and is directed over the traditional phone network, and to the person you are calling.
If you are calling another wireless phone, your call may go through the landline network to the recipient's wireless carrier, or it might be routed within the wireless network to the cell site nearest the person you called.
If you're calling someone further away, your call will be routed to a long distance switching center, which relays the call across the country or around the world through fiber-optic cables.
All of this takes place in a few seconds-before you say "hello."
How Your Voice Moves Wirelessly
Most wireless phones use digital technology, which converts your voice into the binary digits 0 and 1-much like a music CD. These small packets of data are relayed through wireless networks to the receiving phone. On the other end, the conversion process is reversed and the person you are calling hears your voice.
But what makes your phone mobile? Say you're talking on your wireless phone while walking down the street. The wireless network senses when your signal is getting weaker and hands off your call to an antenna with a stronger signal. Using smaller cells enables your phone to use less power and keep a clear signal as you move. Even when you're not talking, your wireless phone communicates with the wireless antenna nearest to you. So, it's ready to connect your call at any time.
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