What is a cellular base station?

A cell site, cell phone tower, cell base tower, or cellular base station is a cellular -enabled mobile device site where antennas and electronic communications equipment are placed (typically on a radio mast, tower, or other raised structure) to create a cell, or adjacent cells, in a cellular network.

Does a cellular base station emit RF energy?

The tower itself doesn’t emit any RF energy; in fact the area directly surrounding a cellular base station is exposed to less RF energy than areas further out, as the antenna radiates in a fan or wedge shape outward from the source.

How much power does a base station radiate?

The base station can radiate as little as under 1 watt (for micro cells) or hundreds of watts (for the usual cells) on average. Some special base stations go well into kilowatt-range radio power.

How does a radio base station work?

The radio base station is installed at a mobile operator’s site, also known as a “cell site”. The electricity powers it, and this power determines how far the radio signal can travel. The higher the power, the longer the signal can travel.

Is a cellular base station safe?

Like other radio towers, such as those used in broadcast radio and television, the use and construction of a cellular base station is regulated by the FCC, and the RF energy levels it can produce fall well below levels considered to pose a threat to health. The antennas themselves must be kept inaccessible to the public, and at a safe range.

What is a base station in a mobile network?

The base stations represent the radio part of the mobile network, and one base station typically contains multiple cells which operate on specific radio frequencies. The radio network is what connects a mobile phone to the mobile network.