Cell phones use the hand-off cellular system and there can be communication across hundreds of miles. Although digital cell phones use the same radio technology as analog phones, they are much more efficient. Analog systems cannot fully utilize the cellular network in a quick and efficient way. The compression allows up to ten cell phones in the same space used by one analog voice call. Digital systems' ability to fully utilize the network also accounts for longer ranges and generally better voice clariy.
Cell phones are one of the most intricate devices used by people on a daily basis.
Digital cell phones today can process millions of calculations per second in order to compress and decompress voice and data. There are several computer chips. Outgoing information is translated into digital. Incoming information is translated into analog. The microprocessor handles keypad and display duties, works with command and control signaling with the cellular base station, and coordinates other functions.