Learn in the textbookInfrastructure Foundations of Mobile Communications
DefinitionA base station (基地局) is radio equipment that exchanges signals with mobile devices and relays them to the carrier's network.
ExplanationIt has antennas and radio gear and looks after the devices within its radio range, called a cell. One station's cell only goes so far, so the cells of many base stations are laid side by side to cover a whole region.
AnalogyThink of the post office in each town. The nearest branch takes your letter, and the delivery network between branches gets it to the other person's town.
Memory hookThe character 局 in 基地局 also appears in the Japanese words for broadcaster and post office, marking a site in charge of a service.