Why is called a cell phone in America and mobile phone in Australia?

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Just because

Phones in America are called cell phones because of the way that the phone calls are transfered from one antenna to another, or from one cell to another. Mobile phones were named for earlier systems that used mostly in automobiles and needed powerful transmitters to reach a few antennas in an area. I would guess that the earlier form of phone wasn't as popular in Australia so they did not need to be identified as a different system.

I call 'em cellies.

You may be interested in discussing terminology at the Wordexchange website of Harper Collins.


Or consider Steve "Languagehat" The Linguists' website.