Name Meaning: Cell Phone

(CELLular telePHONE) The first ubiquitous wireless telephone. Originally analog, all new cellular systems are digital, which has enabled the cellphone to turn into a smartphone that has access to the Internet. Digital cellphone systems are also offered in the PCS band, which is radio spectrum that was auctioned off by the U.S. government in the mid-1990s. Introduced in the mid-1980s, cellphone sales exploded worldwide in the 1990s. Outside the U.S., cellphones are also called "mobile phones" or "mobiles."

Major Carriers

In the U.S., the major cellular carriers are AT&T (formerly Cingular), Verizon Wireless (formerly Bell Atlantic Mobile), Sprint Nextel (merger of Sprint and Nextel), T-Mobile, Alltel and Virgin Mobile USA. The largest cellular company in the world is UK-based Vodafone, which includes substantial ownership in Verizon Wireless.

Cell Technology

Geographic areas are divided into a number of slightly overlapping circular "cells." Each cell contains a base station, which is identifiable by its transmitting and receiving antenna located on a tower at the top of a hill or building. The base stations connect to the landline telephone system of the country.

Name Meaning: Cell Phone

(CELLular telePHONE) The first ubiquitous wireless telephone. Originally analog, all new cellular systems are digital, which has enabled the cellphone to turn into a smartphone that has access to the Internet. Digital cellphone systems are also offered in the PCS band, which is radio spectrum that was auctioned off by the U.S. government in the mid-1990s. Introduced in the mid-1980s, cellphone sales exploded worldwide in the 1990s. Outside the U.S., cellphones are also called "mobile phones" or "mobiles."

Major Carriers

In the U.S., the major cellular carriers are AT&T (formerly Cingular), Verizon Wireless (formerly Bell Atlantic Mobile), Sprint Nextel (merger of Sprint and Nextel), T-Mobile, Alltel and Virgin Mobile USA. The largest cellular company in the world is UK-based Vodafone, which includes substantial ownership in Verizon Wireless.

Cell Technology

Geographic areas are divided into a number of slightly overlapping circular "cells." Each cell contains a base station, which is identifiable by its transmitting and receiving antenna located on a tower at the top of a hill or building. The base stations connect to the landline telephone system of the country.