What is the PLMN Area?
In LTE, the term “PLMN” stands for Public Land Mobile Network. It refers to the cellular network infrastructure that is operated by a mobile network provider to offer mobile services to its users. The PLMN area is essentially the geographical region covered by a specific PLMN, allowing mobile devices to connect to the network within that coverage area.
Now, let me explain the concept of the PLMN area in more detail. The PLMN area is determined based on the network’s coverage, which is usually defined by cell towers and base stations strategically placed throughout the region. When you’re using your mobile device, it connects to the nearest base station, which is part of the PLMN, to establish communication. This connection ensures that you can make calls, send messages, and use mobile data services within the PLMN’s coverage area.
To make it more relatable, think of the PLMN area as the “territory” in which your mobile service provider can deliver connectivity. If you’re in an area covered by your provider’s network, you can access their services. If you’re outside this coverage area, you won’t be able to connect to their network, and you might need to roam onto a different network.
It’s important to note that the PLMN area isn’t just about coverage for voice calls and data services. It also plays a key role in aspects like security and network management. For instance, when your device connects to a PLMN area, it goes through security checks like authentication and encryption to ensure that the connection is secure and that only authorized users can access the network.
The PLMN area can vary in size depending on the provider’s infrastructure and geographical location. In urban areas, where there is dense population and high demand for services, the PLMN area might consist of smaller coverage cells, while in rural areas, the PLMN area could cover a much larger geographical area with fewer cells.
In LTE, the PLMN area is also used in the context of cell selection and handover procedures. When your device moves from one PLMN area to another, the network handles the handover process to ensure that your service is not interrupted. This can occur when you’re traveling, for example, and the device needs to switch from one cell tower to another as you move through different areas.
So, to summarize, the PLMN area defines the region within which a particular mobile network provider can offer its services. It plays a crucial role in network connectivity, security, and user experience. As we learned earlier in our discussion of LTE, the ability to manage and maintain robust coverage in different PLMN areas is essential for ensuring smooth mobile operations.