Why does a cell tower need to be massive to transmit data to a smartphone but the phone’s extremely small antenna can transmit data back over the same distance?

Question

Why does a cell tower need to be massive to transmit data to a smartphone but the phone’s extremely small antenna can transmit data back over the same distance?

In: 52

Answer 1

I know it’s not the WHOLE reason, but the tower is responsible for *thousands* of cell phone signals in the area; your cell phone antenna is only responsible for ONE cell phone’s signal.

Same reason your car isn’t the same size as a bus, basically.