What does 'cell border' refer to in cellular networks?

In the context of cellular networks, 'cell border' specifically refers to the boundary where the coverage area of one cell meets that of another. This is an important concept because the cell border is where the signals from two adjacent cells may overlap, and it is critical for managing handovers as a mobile user moves from one cell to another. At this boundary, the signal strength can vary, and efficient management of these transitions ensures that calls or data sessions are maintained without interruption.

Understanding the cell border is essential for the design and operation of cellular networks, as it helps determine the layout of cell towers and the frequency reuse pattern, ultimately affecting the overall quality and capacity of the network.