T 4.41 Non-availability of the mobile communication network

The availability of mobile communication networks is significantly lower than that of landline networks. Like all systems which cannot guarantee 100% availability, mobile communication networks are often not available in the places and at the times when they are needed the most urgently. Again, not all mobile communication networks are designed to ensure blanket coverage.

The most frequent cause of inadequate availability of mobile communication networks is where there are gaps in radio coverage, i.e. areas which do not fall within the catchment area of any network provider. However, if demand is very high, it is also possible for parts of the network to be overloaded. This can mean that the reception or transmission of messages is prevented.

Another possibility is that noise pulse generators could cause radio interference in a geographically defined area so that reception of mobile radio signals is not possible there. There are also devices which can be purchased precisely for this purpose. However, in Germany use of such devices is illegal.

Example:

The call handling capacity of a transmitting station is not sufficient when after a major accident a huge number of people simultaneously all try to notify the emergency services or inform their staff by mobile phone.