We can still ping through, but the control channels don't respond.

The phone then identifies itself to the network through the control channel.

This is done by assigning one or more radio channels as the "control channel".

A control channel coordinates all the activity of the radios in the system.

It is talking to its cell phone tower over a pathway called a control channel.

Your phone also uses the control channel for call setup.

You are paying for the use of the common control channel to do all of that.

Even now, sometimes- you see, the control channels are very effective, but they are not perfect.

Reference data can also be transferred via the control channel.

It is possible to send data over the control channel.