Among all the technologies that have progressed in the last couple of decades, advancements in cellular telecommunications have had the greatest impact. Mobile telephony has now become a part and parcel of our everyday life.
Although the term mobile indicates a network always on the move, it is only the handsets of the subscribers that are truly mobile. A large part of the network is firmly rooted on the ground, with mobility defined till as far as the signals of this network reach. Today's cellular network mainly consists of stationary cell sites mounted firmly on towers and high rises across cityscapes, wherever coverage is needed.
Cell on Wheels - Telecom Network on the Move
Cell on wheels or COW is an already existing technology that uses a portable arrangement of cellular transmission equipment. In simpler words, it is a cell site on wheels. The arrangement consists of a mini telecom tower that is folded with the antenna and mounted behind a truck. Sometimes, the truck also houses a generator set to provide power to the equipment.
Cell on wheels today are used for very specific reasons in a mobile network. They are mainly deployed on a temporary basis across areas that either do not have any network coverage, or have very weak signals. COWs are also used to provide increased signal strength in areas where there is maintenance work being done on the main network.
The Future of Cell on Wheels
Cell on wheels or COW has a great application in the future, apart from the stopgap device that it is today. Coupled with satellite uplink and downlink antennas, COWs can be made to provide network coverage on virtually any spot on our planet. Cell on wheels would find extensive application across places, which require network connectivity.
For example, in a remote forest that is affected by raging bush fires, a COW coupled with satellite communication can serve as an excellent utility to ensure uninterrupted communication with those affected by the disaster.
Remote arrangements like these will ensure that the network itself turns truly mobile with the ability to provide network coverage anywhere, and at any time in the world.
Telecom engineering is scouting for solutions every day to find viable options for making communication truly wireless, with connectivity being possible in any corner of the world. One of the solutions put forth is to make the base network mobile.
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