Advantages of Cellular Network | disadvantages of Cellular Network
This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Cellular Network. It mentions Cellular Network advantages or benefits and Cellular Network disadvantages or drawbacks. It also describes Cellular Network basics.
What is Cellular Network?
Introduction:
The currently deployed wireless networks such as GSM, CDMA and LTE are known as
cellular networks. In cellular network, the entire area is divided into
smaller size cells to connect mobile subscribers with RF frequency to
provide voice/data services. Each of these cells house one
base station (i.e. BTS or eNodeB or eNB).
The base stations are interfaced together in different topologies viz. star, mesh etc. They are interfaced with MSCs, PSTN and PSDN in the backbone.
The Macrocell covers upto 20 Km where as Microcell covers upto 1 Km. The multiple subscribers can interface with single base station using multiple access techniques such as TDMA/FDMA/CDMA. Refer Cellular network basics >> and cellular communication tutorial >> for more information.
Benefits or advantages of Cellular Network
Following are the benefits or advantages of Cellular Network:
➨It provides voice/data services even while roaming.
➨It connects both fixed and wireless telephone users.
➨It is used in areas where cables can not be laid out due to its wireless nature.
➨It is easy to maintain.
➨It is easy to upgrade the equipments.
➨The mobile and fixed subscribers are connected immediately with cellular network as soon as mobile phones
are switched on. All the handshake signals between mobile and base station are automatically exchanged.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of Cellular Network
Following are the disadvantages of Cellular Network:
➨It offers less data rate compare to wired networks such as fiber optics, DSL etc.
The data rate varies based on wireless standards such as GSM, CDMA, LTE etc.
➨Macro cells are affected by multipath signal loss.
➨The capacity is lower and depends on channels/multiple access techniques
employed to serve subscribers.
➨As the communication is over the air, it has security vulnerabilities.
➨It requires higher cost in order to setup cellular network infrastructure.
➨The wireless communication is influenced by physical obstructions, climatic conditions and
interference from other wireless devices.
➨The installation of antennas for cellular network require space and foundation tower.
This is very cumbersome and requires both time and effort.
There are different wireless standards used in cellular networks such as GSM, CDMA, LTE etc.
Refer following links to know advantages and disadvantages of these technology based cellular networks.
GSM cellular network
CDMA network
WiMAX network
LTE network
5G network
Cellular network technologies
GSM TD-SCDMA wimax LTE UMTS GPRS CDMA SCADA WLAN 802.11ac 802.11ad GPS Zigbee z-wave Bluetooth UWB IoT T&M satellite Antenna RADAR RFID
Advantages and Disadvantages of other wireless technologies
What is Difference between
difference between OFDM and OFDMA
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
FDMA vs TDMA vs CDMA
FDM vs TDM
CDMA vs GSM