How many customers can a cellular system serve?

A. In each area, the number of customers is determined by a variety of factors. The most important factor is probably how many cells have been deployed. Cellular companies reuse their radio frequencies over and over, typically several cells away from the current cell. The standard cell in use today operates on 57 channels (or 57 simultaneous voice calls). Each cell is also typically subdivided into three sectors, each serving 19 voice calls. Sectoring and the use of directional antennas enables the cellular service provider to reuse the radio channels at a closer distance than if the cell operated all 57 channels using non-directional antennas. Each cell varies considerably in size depending on topography and the number of customers in the coverage area. Along busy freeways, cells may be constructed at a low elevation so that they serve only a 1 mile diameter service area - this enables more cells and more frequency reuse to occur to serve the busy area. In rural areas, cells will ...  more