How: The Technology & Process <br />The Technology <br />Wireless communication is achieved by using radio waves to transmit data between devices. As a user moves around the <br />network, the mobile Device will "handoff" to various cell sites during calls- If there is insufficient capacity or coverage <br />provided L-/ these cell sites. then the quality of the phone call or data is decreased <br />P <br />Wireless Devices <br />0 <br />Spectrum <br />(~d>) <br />Fiber Optics <br />0 <br />Central Office <br />etc] <br />o - <br />Network <br />. . . . . . . • <br />6. Network <br />Wireless devices need a <br />network to operate. The <br />network is part <br />radio-based (wireless) <br />and part wired. <br />Spectrum is the available <br />airwaves that allow <br />wireless data (calls, texts, <br />email, Internet traffic, etc) <br />to travel from wireless <br />devices to sites. <br />Cell sites connect wireless <br />devices to the network <br />using copper and fiber <br />optic wires. <br />Once transmitted from <br />the cell tower to the <br />network, the data of a <br />'wireless' call is virtually <br />indistinguishable from <br />other data traveling <br />across the network - e.g. <br />traditional landline calls, <br />texts, emails and <br />Internet data. <br />Cell sites are connected in <br />a pattern of overlapping <br />cells that allow users to <br />remain connected while <br />on the move. <br />Fiber optic lines are the <br />modern equivalent of <br />copper wire, but instead of <br />using electricity to transmit <br />information, fiber uses <br />pulses of light to transport <br />Internet-based data. This <br />can support much more <br />data and transmit it faster <br />than ever. <br />5. Central Office <br />(Wireless Switch Building) <br />At the central office, home <br />and business lines connect <br />to the network. <br />The central office has <br />equipment that routs calls <br />locally or to long-distance <br />carrier phone offices. <br />The network consists of <br />all the facilities (wires, <br />antennas, equipment, <br />etc.), devices (phones, <br />computers, tablets, <br />SmartGrid, etc.) and <br />spectrum that we use to <br />deliver data and content <br />(voice, Internet, and <br />video) to customers. <br />That is why deployment of mobile infrastructure is so important. Consumers are demanding- and relying - more than ever <br />on their wireless devices, and getting new cell sites in place is essential to making sure that clernand is met. Hcv,vever, in <br />order to effectively provide wireless services, mobile providers must navigate multiple technical and physical issues, f OM <br />cleciding ~/~/here to place a cell site so that service area is maximized awhile interference is mrnirnl7ed to obtaining zoning and <br />permitting aporoval from local off-icials. <br />