What is the use of microwaves in cellphones?

The microwave technology used in cellphones hasn't got the same application as in the kitchen appliance (thank goodness)

Microwaves used by phones are pulsated electromagnetic waves which carry data between two transeiver nodes.

They make sure that you can make voice, video and data calls on your service provider. Cellphones use microwave technology because of its penetration capabilities. These waves can pass through building, and biological material of considerable depth. They are also considerably resistant to attenuation, making them very suitable for large volumes of dispersed data traffic.

Inside the mobile/ cellphone (same thing really) , a small antenna is linked to a transeiver (transmitter/ receiver) which decodes signals captured from the service provider's repeater/ base station. Using complex algorithms, each set of binary coded messages is decoded into pieces of either the voice/ data stream (when you are calling/ browsing the web), or the final text/ mms.

The technology has recently come under the spotlight though, because of its apparent danger to children under 7 years. Researchers state that the radiation produced by a mobile phone may be harmful to children' s brain matter, and so its not advised to allow small children to have or use mobile phone for prolonged periods of time.

Some researchers even claim that it may affect male fertility, but that' s another cookie altogether.