← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

Mobile (cellular) networks

A network that sends data by radio between a device and a nearby phone tower (cell), so it works over wide areas without Wi-Fi.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Wired and Wireless Networks — Module 18

Understanding Mobile (cellular) networks in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8

What it does: Each cell has a tower, and a phone sends its data by radio to the closest one instead of using a Wi-Fi router. Mobile data plans set an allowance for data sent over the mobile network, such as 20 GB a month. A mobile network uses radio signals between your device and a nearby tower, so no cable is needed. Towers cover large areas, so your phone can get data on the road or in the park without Wi-Fi. 4G and 5G are generations of mobile network technology. 5G generally offers higher speeds. The G stands for generation. 4G and 5G are mobile network types, not Wi-Fi.

Common mistakes: A phone connects by radio to the nearest tower, which gives the strongest signal. It should be nearest_tower(device). A mobile network uses radio to a phone tower, so it does not need Wi-Fi. needs_wifi should be false.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 54–68) and word search (Modules 13–68).

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Learning
Duo
How does a mobile (cellular) network send data between your phone and the network?
Through a cable plugged into your phoneBy radio signals to a nearby phone tower (cell)
Matches
phone -> Wi-Fi router -> mobile network
↓
A mobile network does not need a Wi-Fi router. The phone sends data by radio straight to a nearby tower (cell).
Applying
Meanings
Term
mobile network
Meaning
A network that sends data by radio between a device and a nearby phone tower (cell), so it works over wide areas without Wi-Fi.
Practice
network ← "5G"
Testing
Gaps
connect(phone, )
Check Answer
Spots
1device ← phone
2tower ← farthest_tower(device)

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Quick Questions

1. How does a mobile (cellular) network send data between your phone and the network?
A. By radio signals to a nearby phone tower (cell) ✓
B. Through a cable plugged into your phone
A mobile network uses radio signals between your device and a nearby tower, so no cable is needed.
2. Which statement about mobile networks is correct?
A. They only work inside a home with a router
B. They can work over wide areas without Wi-Fi ✓
Towers cover large areas, so your phone can get data on the road or in the park without Wi-Fi.
3. What is a 'cell' in a mobile network?
A. The area covered by one phone tower ✓
B. A tiny battery inside your phone
The network is split into many cells. Each cell is the area served by a tower.
4. You drive from one cell to the next while on a video call. What happens?
A. Your phone connects to the next tower's signal ✓
B. Your phone must stay linked to the first tower forever
As you move, your phone switches to the tower of the new cell so you stay connected.
5. Which is true about 5G compared with 4G?
A. 5G is always slower than 4G
B. 5G is generally faster than 4G ✓
4G and 5G are generations of mobile network technology. 5G generally offers higher speeds.

Match the Pairs

cell tower → A tall mast with radio equipment that sends and receives data to phones nearby
5G → A newer mobile network generation that sends data by radio faster than 4G
A phone connects to the nearest tower in its cell, so it can get online without Wi-Fi → connect(phone, nearestTower)
A mobile data plan limits how much data a device can use over the mobile network each month → dataPlan = 20 GB per month
phone -> Wi-Fi router -> mobile network → A mobile network does not need a Wi-Fi router. The phone sends data by radio straight to a nearby tower (cell).
One tower covers the whole country → The area is split into many cells, each with its own tower. One tower only covers a limited area nearby.

Key Term

mobile network
A network that sends data by radio between a device and a nearby phone tower (cell), so it works over wide areas without Wi-Fi.

Fill in the Blanks

1. connect(phone, tower)
Hint: Type the structure a phone links to by radio to join a mobile network.
2. tower.covers(cell)
Hint: Type the name for the area of coverage that one phone tower serves.
3. generation = 5G # faster and newer than 4G
Hint: Type the newer mobile network generation that the comment describes.
4. dataLeft = planLimit - dataUsed
Hint: Type the operator that works out how much of a mobile data plan is left.
5. if wifi == "off": use("mobile network")
Hint: Type the keyword that starts a condition, so the phone falls back to mobile data when Wi-Fi is off.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A device ← phone
B tower ← farthest_tower(device)
C connect(device, tower)
Line B — A phone connects by radio to the nearest tower, which gives the strongest signal. It should be nearest_tower(device).
Question 2
A network ← mobile
B link ← radio
C needs_wifi ← true
Line C — A mobile network uses radio to a phone tower, so it does not need Wi-Fi. needs_wifi should be false.
Question 3
A cell ← area_around(tower)
B IF device OUTSIDE cell THEN
C connect(device, tower)
D ENDIF
Line B — A device can only connect to a tower when it is inside that tower's cell (its coverage area). The condition should be IF device IN cell THEN.
Question 4
A speed_5G ← 10
B speed_4G ← 100
C IF speed_5G > speed_4G THEN
D OUTPUT '5G is faster'
Line A — 5G is much faster than 4G, so its speed value should be bigger than the 4G value. speed_5G should be 1000, not 10.
Question 5
A plan_GB ← 10
B used_GB ← 4
C left_GB ← plan_GB - used_GB
D OUTPUT 'Left: ', used_GB
Line D — The message says how much data is left, so it must output left_GB. It should not output used_GB.

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