<Li> Ensure that the overlap area is not too large, to minimize interference problems with other sites . </Li> <P> In practice, cell sites are grouped in areas of high population density, with the most potential users . Cell phone traffic through a single site is limited by the base station's capacity; there is a finite number of calls or data traffic that a base station can handle at once . This capacity limitation is commonly the factor that determines the spacing of cell mast sites . In suburban areas, masts are commonly spaced 1--2 miles (2--3 km) apart and in dense urban areas, masts may be as close as 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 mile (400--800 m) apart . </P> <P> The maximum range of a mast (where it is not limited by interference with other masts nearby) depends on the same considerations.In any case the limiting factor is the ability of a low - powered personal cell phone to transmit back to the mast . As a rough guide, based on a tall mast and flat terrain, it may be possible to get between 50 and 70 km (30--45 miles). When the terrain is hilly, the maximum distance can vary from as little as 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) to 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) due to encroachment of intermediate objects into the wide center fresnel zone of the signal . Depending on terrain and other circumstances, a GSM Tower can replace between 2 and 50 miles (80 km) of cabling for fixed wireless networks . In addition, some technologies, such as GSM, have an additional absolute maximum range of 35 kilometres (22 mi), which is imposed by technical limitations . CDMA and IDEN have no such limit defined by timing . </P> <Ul> <Li> 3G / 4G Mobile base station tower: it is technically possible to cover up to 50 km - 150 km . (Macrocell) </Li> </Ul>

How much distance does a cell phone tower cover