There are billions of mobile phones all communicating with each other sending wireless signals across the globe. How does each signal know where to go exactly, and how are they not intercepted by other signals?
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So, the signal from a phone or a broadcast tower will not send a signal in a specific direct but in a wave that goes out in ALL directions. Like throwing a rock into water. The thing that happens to make sense of it all is that all of the signals sent are encoded to send as much info as possible. When decoded, it’ll send various bits of info like when the signal was sent and how it was sent and what type of device. The receiving device will decode that, determine the closest part of the network that can send and receive all the data between the two devices and will try to work with the device more specifically until the device is moved. All of this happens very quickly and automatically without any input from the users.
Also, interference can and will happen, especially with older devices that use parts of the electromagnetic wave spectrum that that are no longer used or become too crowded. For example, using my wifi on my phone will interfere with the signal from my mouse to my PC, so I have to keep telling my phone to swap wi-fi signals or I have to download updates for when I’m not using my PC. Also, if you’re in a crowded space like a stadium with thousands of people, issues CAN crop up with everyone’s phones interfering with any data getting out. It’s less and less likely nowadays with more and more of the spectrum getting opened up.
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