What is the role of electromagnetism in wireless communication?

Wireless communication relies entirely on the principles of electromagnetism. Devices like radios, cell phones, and Wi-Fi routers use electromagnetic waves—typically radio or microwave frequencies—to send and receive signals. Information is encoded into these waves through changes in frequency, amplitude, or phase. Antennas transmit and detect these signals. Because electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light and can pass through air and space, they enable fast and efficient communication over vast distances, including satellite communication. Electromagnetism makes modern wireless connectivity possible.