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Titelbild für Blogartikel Smartphone in der Hand haltend vor Mobilfunkmast

Basics 2: The structure of the mobile network

Mobile networks surround us every day. Hardly any place in Germany is without network coverage. But what all belongs to the "network," what the "network" actually is and how it works, usually remains hidden.

What is a mobile network:

The term mobile network refers to the infrastructure responsible for transmitting signals. Roughly speaking, the mobile network consists of the switching network (or core network) and the access network. The switching network is responsible for transmission among stationary elements, while the access network (or air interface) is responsible for connection and transmission from terminal to switching network. The switching network communicates either via optical fiber or directional radio, while the access network makes exclusive use of radio technologies. The signals and frequencies differ fundamentally depending on the standard used.

Mobile communications cell:

A radio cell is an essential part of the air interface. It establishes permanent connections to end devices regardless of their current use. The mobile network operator can determine the current position and speed of the terminal device at any time. This information is important for making decisions about when a terminal device must be connected to a new radio cell. When a change is made, it is referred to as a “handover.”

A handover can be imposed by the mobile network as well as by the end device itself. Reasons for this can be poor reception values, high error rates, fast terminal speeds, high utilization rates or, as in the case of the network tester, the ENQT for measurements.

Base Transceiver Station:

A base transceiver station (BSC), or base transceiver station, is the closest network element required to interconnect multiple radio cells, among other things. A BSC always serves at least one radio cell, but typically three to six, mounted side by side on a radio mast. By means of sector antennas, a radio cell covers a certain radius. For six radio cells on one antenna mast, this is usually 60°.

The core network:

The core network is often referred to as the “backbone” of modern communications technologies. It consists of meshed fiber-optic cables laid across the entire country. The aim is to transmit data quickly over long distances. The access network always represents only the last mile in transmission. Furthermore, the core network provides connections to local networks, the Internet and foreign networks.

If the core network is not constructed redundantly enough, it can lead to the entire West German telecom network failing due to a severed fiber optic cable, as happened on November 5, 2018. High data flows and local failures must also not be neglected in redundancy planning.