- Coverage (telecommunication)
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For other uses, see Coverage (disambiguation).
In telecommunications, the coverage of a radio station is the geographic area where the station can communicate. Broadcasters and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage maps to indicate to users the station's intended service area. Coverage depends on several factors, such as orography (i.e. mountains) and buildings, technology and radio frequency. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while other frequencies penetrate better through obstacles, such as buildings in cities.
The ability of a mobile phone to connect to a base station depends on the strength of the signal. That may be boosted by higher power transmissions, better antennae and taller antenna masts. Signals will also need to be boosted to pass through buildings, which is a particular problem designing networks for large metropolitan areas with modern skyscrapers. Signals also do not travel deep underground, so specialized transmission solutions are used to deliver mobile phone coverage into areas such as underground parking garages and subway trains.
Coverage noticer
A coverage noticer is a device that beeps (or vibrates) when in a zone that lacks coverage (white spot). This is fundamental for critical services (security, emergency and so on). When the user goes to a covered area, the noticer ceases beeping.
It can be integrated in a mobile phone also.
See also
- Femtocell
- Footprint (satellite)
- Indoor and outdoor
- Mobile phone
- Mobile computing
- Roaming
- Telecommunications network
- White spot
- Wireless
External links
- Understanding Cell Phone Coverage Areas. FCC Consumer Facts.
- CRC-COVWEB - A free online program that calculates radio wave coverage.
- Wi-Fi coveragePDF (32.9 KiB)
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