What is a cellular network and why is it called 'cellular'?

A cellular network is a wireless communication network distributed over land areas called cells, each served by a base station (cell tower). It's called 'cellular' because the coverage area is divided into hexagonal cells, like a honeycomb pattern. Each cell uses a specific set of frequencies that can be reused in non-adjacent cells, enabling frequency reuse and supporting many users. As users move between cells, handoff/handover occurs to maintain connectivity. This architecture enables efficient spectrum utilization and scalable network capacity.