Coverage (telecommunication)

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For other uses, see Coverage.

In telecommunications, the coverage is the geographic area that the station in question covers. Broadcasters and telecommunications companies frequently produce coverage maps to indicate to users the station's intended service area.

The coverage depends on several factors, such as the technology and frequency of cellular transmission equipment. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while other frequencies penetrate better through obstacles, such as buildings in cities. Given cellular network technologies are also optimized for particular needs, such as in the 3G Third Generation networks, a CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network is more suited for large regional coverage in less developed markets such as the USA, while W-CDMA is more suited for dealing with heavy congestion in markets such as those in Western Europe where mobile phone density is more than 50% greater per capita, and more than 300% greater per square mile than in North America.

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, 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.

[edit] Coverage noticer

A coverage noticer is a device that beeps (or vibrates) when in a zone that lacks coverage. 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.