What Is a PCS Cell Phone?
Chances are you have heard of Metro PCS, which offers mobile phone service throughout the United States. You may have wondered what "PCS" stands for (hint: it has nothing to do with "personal computers").
Cell Phone Basics
Cell phones use cell towers to communicate and transfer calls. These towers operate in certain frequency ranges, just like a radio. These ranges are called "bands."
The Cell Phone Band
In the mid-1990s the cell phone band 800-894 MHz was heavily used by corporate cell users and auto makers, who at the time offered built-in "car phones" operating in this cell band.
PCS Arrives
The popularity of this band caused problems with communication, and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) decided to allot the 1900 MHz band to mobile phones, to create more room for more people and services.
PCS Technology
This band is referred to as the PCS (Personal Communications Service) band. Phones must have PCS technology to use a PCS network. This network is designed to be more densely populated with towers than the older cell network. More towers means better coverage.
Multi-Band Phones
Many phones are designed to use whatever band is available in an area. These are referred to as dual-, tri-, and quad-band phones. "Dual-mode" phones use both PCS and cell phone bands.
Tags: Cell Phone, What Cell, What Cell Phone
