Drive testing or RF (Radio Frequency) drive testing is one of the most traditional ways of measuring the quality and performance of a mobile radio network. The radio network is the air interface that includes the cell towers that our mobile phones connect with to establish a cellular connection. RF drive testing is a test […]
RF drive tests for mobile radio network performance Read More »
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution, and it is a cellular technology that enables the fourth generation of mobile networks. Fourth-generation mobile networks, also known as 4G, are currently the most widely deployed mobile networks today. While the fifth generation of mobile networks (5G) has already been introduced, it hasn’t yet achieved the same penetration
Long Term Evolution: What is 4G LTE and how does it work? Read More »
SGSN and GGSN are two terminologies that started their journey in the late 1990s when General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) was introduced. SGSN and GGSN are two core network nodes that have been part of mobile communications since then. GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) and SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) are two core network nodes
What is the difference between GGSN and SGSN? Read More »
We use our mobile phones every day, and as a result, we frequently connect to mobile cellular networks for voice calls, text messages and mobile data. While the network coverage and quality depend on which mobile operator we choose, the connectivity is generally available irrespective of our location and mobility. This is because mobile operators
Cell sites and cell towers in a mobile cellular network Read More »
As a mobile phone user, you may occasionally come across situations where you, for whatever reason, need to know the difference between digital and analogue (or analogue) mobile networks. This situation can be a more frequent occurrence if you are an electrical, electronics, or telecommunications engineering student. While you may find tens if not hundreds
What are digital and analog mobile networks? Read More »
Frequency bands are the most fundamental part of the radio network for any cellular technology. When second-generation (2G) GSM networks started, they were initially limited to the 900 MHz frequency band, but they have expanded and can operate in various frequency bands. GSM networks use multiple frequency bands, including 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 850 MHz
GSM frequency bands: What frequencies do GSM networks use? Read More »
Circuit-switching and packet-switching techniques have been part of the telecommunication industry for a very long time. The concept of packet-switched telecom networks had been developed even before the first generation (1G) of mobile networks was introduced. However, mobile networks started with circuit-switched techniques in the early 1990s and gradually moved towards packet-switching. Circuit-Switching is used
Circuit-Switching and Packet-Switching in mobile networks Read More »
We see mobile operators engaged in discussions around the frequency spectrum every few years. But, do you sometimes wonder what they are talking about and, more importantly, why they are talking about it? Regulatory authorities such as Ofcom in the UK are also involved in these discussions. If you follow UK technology news, you may
What is a frequency spectrum in mobile communications? Read More »
The IS-95 mobile networks, also known as cdmaOne systems, introduced the first CDMA based mobile networks in the mid-1990s. IS-95 stands for Interim Standard 1995, and it was a second-generation mobile network technology. Interim Standard 95 (IS-95 or cdmaOne) uses two frequency bands: 824 to 894 MHz and 1850 to 1990 MHz. In the first
Frequencies used by Interim Standard 95 (IS-95 or cdmaOne) Read More »
In 2022, it may not be as common to frequently come across the E symbol on your mobile phone screen, but it can happen if you live in the countryside or in an area secluded from large population centres. You may also encounter the E sign on your phone if you are in a room
The “E” symbol: What does the E on your mobile phone mean? Read More »
