What does the term ‘signal degradation’ refer to in telecommunications?

The term ‘signal degradation’ in telecommunications specifically refers to a reduction in signal quality or strength as it travels through various mediums such as cables, air, or other transmission media. This degradation can occur due to several factors, including distance, interference from other signals, obstructions, and environmental conditions. As the quality of the signal diminishes, the effectiveness of the communication also decreases, which can lead to issues such as dropped calls, poor audio or video quality, and slower data transfer rates. Understanding signal degradation is crucial for telecommunications technicians, as it informs them on how to improve signal integrity and overall system performance.