Cell: The basic geographic unit of a cellular system. Also, the basis for the generic industry term: cellular. A city or county is divided into smaller cells, each of which is equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter-receiver. The cells can vary in size depending upon terrain, capacity demands, etc. By controlling the transmission power, the radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell. When a wireless phone moves from one cell toward another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the movement and at the proper time, transfers or hands off the phone call to the new cell and another radio frequency. The handoff is performed so quickly that it is not noticeable to the callers.

 

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Cell: The basic geographic unit of a cellular system. Also, the basis for the generic industry term: cellular. A city or county is divided into smaller cells, each of which is equipped with a low- . . . View Full Definition

North American Cellular Network (NACN): An organization of cellular providers that facilitates cellular calls across the country to be linked for seamless roaming.

Personal Digital Cellular (PDC): The Japanese cellular standard.

Violoncello: Bowed-string instrument with a middle-to-low range and dark, rich sonority: lower than a viola. See cello.