What Does The "Cell" In Cell Phone Mean?

Cell phone towers emit signals in a "flower petal" pattern around the tower. This occurs in a 360-degree radius around the tower. This 360-degree pattern is called a "cell" and this is what the term "cell" in cell phone means. When your phone is in a "cell" you get good reception. When the phone isn't in a "cell" you get poor reception. So, in order for a cell phone company to provide complete coverage cell phone towers and antenna towers must be positioned all across the landscape so that the "cells" overlap. Obviously, creating an infrastructure to accommodate this overlapping effect all across the country is a huge undertaking. This is precisely why cell phone towers and antennas are so prevalent.