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Cell Phone Glossary and Wireless Terms Explained
We have complied
a list of wireless terms for your reference.
This cellular phone glossary has been put
together to the best of our knowledge and we try to update it as frequently
as possible. If you spot a mistake or would like to suggest a term,
kindly email us at » admin at 4-cell-phones.com. Thank You! Please
use the letters to navigate the glossary. Visit our Cell
Phone Features page to find phones by feature.
0-9 | A | B
| C | D | E | F
| G | H | I | J
| K | L | M | N
O | P | Q | R
| S | T | U | V
| W | X | Y | Z
|
0-9 |
1.5-Way Paging |
Refers to guaranteed
message receipt or advanced messaging, ensuring subscribers receive
messages sent when they're out of range, but users cannot send
text pages. Two-way paging allows users to send and receive. |
1.7-Way Paging |
A paging service
that offers more than guaranteed messaging but not as much as
full two-way paging. The subscriber has limited response messaging,
such as canned messages, rather than the ability to create responses. |
1G |
First generation
of mobile wireless that utilizes analog air interface technology. |
2.5G |
Interim step building
up to 3G involving overlay of higher-capacity data transmission
capability to existing 2G digital wireless networks. |
2G |
Second generation
of mobile wireless, which utilizes various digital protocols,
including GSM, CDMA, TDMA, iDEN, and PDC. |
711 |
The nationwide number
to reach the telecommunications relay service (TRS). TRS enables
telephone conversations between people with speech or hearing
disabilities and people without speech or hearing disabilities. |
802.11 |
IEEE standards for
wireless LANs with specs for 1mbps, 2mbps, 11mbps, and 24mbps. |
A |
|
A and B PCS Blocks |
The first two PCS
licenses that were auctioned by the FCC in March 1995. Each contains
30 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band and is based on MTA geographic
partitions. |
A Block |
In early 1981, the
FCC announced that it would approve two licenses in each wireless
market: a non-wireline company (which became known as the "A"
side carrier), and a wireline company (the "B" side carrier). |
A-Key |
A secret number issued
to a cellular phone that is used in conjunction with a subscriber's
shared secret data information for authentication. |
A/B Switch |
A feature found on
cellular telephones permitting the user (when roaming away from
home) to select either the "A" (non-wireline) carrier or the "B"
(wireline) carrier. |
Access Fee |
A special fee that
local telephone companies are allowed to charge all telephone
customers for the right to connect with the local phone network.
Cellular subscribers pay this fee along with a 3 percent federal
telephone excise tax. |
Access Line |
A telephone line
reaching from the telephone company central office to a point
on a private premise. Usually equates to one customer line. |
Adjacent Channel
Interference |
Signal impairment
to one frequency due to presence of another signal on a nearby
frequency. |
Advanced Intelligent
Network (AIN) |
A system that allows
a wireless user to make and receive phone calls while roaming
in areas outside the user's "home" network. AINs enable service
providers to define, test and introduce new multimedia messaging,
PCS and cell routing. |
Advanced Mobile
Phone Service (AMPS) |
An analog cellular
radio standard that serves as the foundation for the U.S. cellular
industry. AMPS represents the first generation of wireless networks. |
Affiliate |
Companies that assist
carriers with building a wireless network. The affiliate may use
the primary carrier's brand name, network operations, customer
service or other facilities. see Affiliate
Program |
AGPS (GPS Phones) |
AGPS Phones / aGPS (Assisted
GPS) A type of handset-based position location technology. To
determine location, the phone takes readings from both GPS satellites
and nearby cellular base stations (towers), with the help of a
location server on the network. GPS- GPS (Global Positioning System)
is a global satellite-based system for determining precise location
on Earth. Most phones with "GPS" in fact use A-GPS technology.
The "A" stands for assisted, and means that the phone
relies on the network for help in determining location. Although
the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites,
it can't determine actual location without help from the cell
network. see AGPS
Phones |
Air Interface |
The standard operating system of a
wireless network. Technologies include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA and GSM. |
Airtime |
Actual time spent talking on the cellular
telephone. Most carriers bill customers based on how many minutes
of airtime they use each month. Airtime charges during peak periods
of the day vary from about 20 cents to more than 40 cents per
minute, depending on the service plan selected. Most carriers
offer reduced rates for off-peak usage. |
Alphanumeric |
A message or other type of readout
containing both letters ("alphas") and numbers ("numerics"). In
cellular, "alphanumeric memory dial" is a special type of dial-from-memory
option that displays both the name of the individual and that
individual's phone number on the cellular phone handset. The name
also can be recalled by using the letters on the phone keypad.
By contrast, standard memory dial recalls numbers from number-only
locations. |
American Mobile Telecommunications
Association (AMTA) |
A Washington, D.C.-based trade group
representing specialized mobile radio operators. |
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) |
A private, non-profit organization
that oversees the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity
assessment system. The Institute's mission is to enhance both
the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality
of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards
and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. |
Analog |
A signaling method that uses continuous
changes in the amplitude or frequency of a radio transmission
to convey information. It relies on a continuous (rather than
pulsed as in digital) electrical signal that varies in amplitude
or frequency in response to changes of sound, light, position,
etc., impressed on a transducer in the sending device; opposite
of digital. |
Antenna |
A wire or set of wires used to send
and receive radio waves. |
Application-Specific Integrated
Circuit (ASIC) |
An integrated circuit tailored for
a particular piece of electronic equipment. |
Association of Public-Safety Communications
Officials-International (APCO) |
Trade group headquartered in South
Daytona, Fla., representing law enforcement, fire, emergency services
and other public-safety agency dispatchers and communications
employees. |
Attenuation |
The loss of signal energy due to absorption,
reflection, or diffusion during transmission. |
Authentication |
The verification process to assure
that a wireless device and its user are compatible with and authorized
to access a wireless network. This process is accomplished through
transmission of identifying data at the time of connection. Used
for fraud prevention. |
Automatic Vehicle
Location (AVL) |
Combining a location-sensing
device (such as a GPS receiver) with a wireless communications
link to provide a home office or dispatcher with the location
of a vehicle or mobile asset (such as a trailer or heavy machinery). |
Average Revenue Per Unit (ARPU) |
Measures the average monthly revenue
generated for each customer unit, such as a cellular phone or
pager, that a carrier has in operation. |
B |
|
B Block |
In early 1981, the
FCC announced that it would approve two licenses in each market-
a non-wireline company (which became known as the "A" side carrier),
and a wireline company (the "B" side carrier). |
B Carrier |
Most areas of the
US have two cellular carriers, each of which operates on a different
frequency band. One is designated the "A" carrier and the other
is designated the "B" carrier. In some markets there may be only
one carrier which may be "A" or "B". |
Bandwidth |
The capacity of a
telecom line to carry signals. A greater bandwidth indicates the
ability to transmit a greater amount of data over a given period
of time. |
Base Station |
The central radio
transmitter/receiver that maintains communications with mobile
radiotelephone sets within a given range (typically a cell site). |
Base Station
Controller (BSC) |
The part of the wireless
system's infrastructure that controls one or multiple cell sites'
radio signals, thus reducing the load on the switch. Performs
radio signal management functions for base transceiver stations,
managing functions such as frequency assignment and handoff. |
Base Transceiver
Station (BTS) |
The name for the
antenna and radio equipment necessary to provide wireless service
in an area. Also called a base station or cell site. |
Basic Trading
Area (BTA) |
A geographic region
defined by a group of counties that surround a city, which is
the area's basic trading center. The boundaries of each BTA were
formulated by Rand McNally & Co. and are used by the FCC determine
service areas for PCS wireless licenses. The entire US and some
of its territories is divided into 493 non-overlapping BTAs. |
Bent Pipe Technology |
Satellite technology
to transmit calls from one point on Earth to a satellite and back
down to another point. |
Big LEO |
Low-earth orbit satellite
systems that will offer voice and data services, including Iridium
and Globalstar. |
Bluetooth |
Wireless personal
area network (PAN) standard that enables data connections between
electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones,
electronic organizers and printers in the 2.4 GHz range at 720kbps
within a 30-foot range. Bluetooth depends on mobile devices equipped
with a chip for sending and receiving information. |
Broadband |
Describes a communications
medium capable of transmitting a relatively large amount of data
over a given period of time. A descriptive term for evolving digital
technologies that offers integrated access to voice, high-speed
data service, video-demand services, and interactive delivery
services. |
Broadband PCS |
Personal communications
services created in the A- through F-Block auctions and used for
voice and data. Broadband PCS is allocated 140 MHz of spectrum
with 20 MHz currently unassigned. Frequency blocks A, B, and C
were each assigned 30 MHz of spectrum, while frequency blocks
D, E, and F were each assigned 10 MHz of spectrum. |
Bundling |
Grouping various
telecommunications services -- wireline and/or wireless -- as
a package to increase the appeal to potential customers and reduce
advertising, marketing and other expenses associated with delivering
multiple services. For example, a bundled package could include
long distance, cellular, Internet and paging services. |
|
C |
|
C Block |
The third PCS license
that was auctioned by the FCC in May 1996. Each contains 30 MHz
of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band and is based on BTA geographic
partitions. The licenses were reserved for small businesses and
entrepreneurs. |
Call Barring |
Enables you to restrict
or bar certain or all types of calls to and from your mobile phone,
i.e. outgoing calls, outgoing international calls, incoming calls.
Barring is activated with a personal code. |
Call Divert |
Enables you to divert
incoming calls to another phone or answering service. |
Call Hold |
Enables you to put
a caller on hold while a second call is answered or made. |
Call Restriction |
Enables you to restrict
or bar certain or all types of calls to and from your mobile phone,
i.e. outgoing calls, outgoing international calls, incoming calls. |
Call Transfer |
Enables you to transfer
a caller to another number. |
Call Waiting |
If your line is busy,
callers are asked to wait while you are alerted to their incoming
call. |
Caller ID |
An enhanced feature
that displays a caller's phone number on the wireless handset
receiving the call. Many systems are adding the caller's name
to the caller ID. see Picture
Caller-ID Phones |
Calling Plan |
A rate plan selected
by subscribers when they start up cellular service, usually consisting
of a base rate for system access and a per-minute rate for usage.
Service plans are designed to provide the most cost-effective
rates for different types and amounts of usage by the cellular
subscriber. |
Cap Code |
A pager's unique
electronic identification number. |
cdma2000 |
A 3G technology that
is an evolutionary outgrowth of cdmaOne. It offers operators who
have deployed a 2G cdmaOne system a seamless migration path to
3G. cdma2000 supports the 2G network aspect of all existing operators
regardless of technology (cdmaOne IS-136 TDMA, or GSM). This standard
is also known by its ITU name IMT-CDMA Multi-Carrier (1X/3X).
cdma2000 has been divided into 2 phases. The first phase capabilities
are defined in a standard known as 1X, which introduces 144 kbps
packet data in a mobile environment and speeds beyond this in
a fixed environment. cdma2000 phase two, known as 3X, incorporates
the capabilities of 1X. It also supports all channel sizes (5
MHz, 10 MHz, etc.), provides circuit and packet data rates up
to 2 Mbps, incorporates advance multimedia capabilities, and includes
a framework for advanced 3G voice services and vocoders, including
voice over packet and circuit data. |
cdmaOne |
The name used by
the CDMA Development Group (CDG) for CDMA networks (IS-95) using
2nd-generation digital technology. |
Cell |
The basic geographic
unit of a cellular system. Also, the basis for the generic industry
term: "cellular." A city or county is divided into smaller "cells,"
each of which is equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver.
The cells can vary in size depending upon terrain, capacity demands,
etc. By controlling the transmission power, the radio frequencies
assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that
cell. When a wireless phone moves from one cell toward another,
a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors
the movement and at the proper time, transfers or hands off the
phone call to the new cell and another radio frequency. The handoff
is performed so quickly that it is not noticeable to the callers. |
Cell Phone |
A wireless telephone
that sends and receives messages using radiofrequency energy in
the 800-900 megahertz portion of the radiofrequency (RF) spectrum. |
Cell Site |
The location where
the wireless antenna and network communications equipment is placed.
A cell site consists of a transmitter/receiver, antenna tower,
transmission radios and radio controllers. A cell site is operated
by a Wireless Service Provider (WSP). |
Cell Splitting |
The process of creating
more coverage and capacity in a wireless system by having more
than one cell site cover a particular amount of geography. Each
cell site covers a smaller area, with lower power MHz and thus
offers the ability to reuse frequencies more times in a larger
geographic coverage area, such as a city or MTA. |
Cellular |
A wireless telephone
network that connects radio frequencies from a mobile phone to
a system of multiple cell sites, each consisting of an antenna
and a base station, to a mobile telephone switching office, and
ultimately to the public wireline telephone system. Called 'cellular'
because the system uses many base stations to divide a service
area into multiple 'cells'. Cellular calls are transferred from
base station to base station as a user travels from cell to cell. |
Cellular Base
Station |
The transmission
and reception equipment, including the base station antenna, which
connects a cellular phone to the network. Also called a cell site. |
Cellular Digital
Packet Data (CDPD) |
An enhanced packet
overlay on analog cell phone networks used to transmit and receive
data. This technology allows data files to be broken into a number
of packets and sent along idle channels of existing cellular voice
networks. CDPD provides 19.2 Kbps and is deployed by AT&T among
several other carriers. |
Cellular Telecommunications
and Internet Association (CTIA) |
A trade group representing
cellular, PCS and enhanced specialized mobile radio carriers.
Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI): The carrier's
data about a specific customer's service and usage. The FCC governs
the usage of CPNI. Generally, information about a customer's account
is considered proprietary until the customer authorizes its use. |
Channel |
An electrical, electromagnetic,
or optical path for communication between two points. |
Churn |
In any industry,
a measure of the number of customers who leave or switch to another
service provider, usually stated as a percentage. |
Circuit Switch
Data (CSD) |
Allows a user to
use their wireless handset as a modem for laptops, PDAs and other
electronic devices via infrared ports or designated data cables.
CSD also allows a user to access Wireless Internet via their wireless
handset (handset must be WAP compatible). |
ClassLink |
A program of the
CTIA Foundation providing wireless phones to schools for teacher
use and student Internet access. |
Clone/Cloning |
A wireless phone
programmed with stolen or duplicated electronic serial and mobile
identification numbers. The Wireless Telephone Protection Act
of 1998 outlawed cloning. The Act prohibits knowingly using, producing,
trafficking in, having control or custody of, or possessing hardware
or software knowing that it has been configured to insert or modify
telecommunication identifying information associated with or contained
in a telecommunications instrument so that such instrument may
be used to obtain telecommunications service without authorization. |
Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) |
An air interface
technology that was developed by the U.S. military and commercialized
by the U.S. company Qualcomm. CDMA assigns a code to all speech
bits, sends a scrambled transmission of the encoded speech over
the air and reassembles the speech to its original form at the
other end. CDMA supports SMS with a message length of 120 characters.
With CDMA, each conversation is digitized and then tagged with
a code. The mobile phone receives a signal to locate that particular
code and it then deciphers the conversation off the airwaves.
It codes each conversation expanding it 128 times, making it easy
to decipher at the receiving end. |
Collocation |
Placement of multiple
antennas at a common physical site to reduce environmental impact
and real estate costs and speed zoning approvals and network deployment. |
Commercial Mobile
Radio Service (CMRS) |
An FCC designation
for any carrier or licensee whose wireless network is connected
to the public switched telephone network and/or is operated for
profit. |
Communications
Assistance to Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) |
A 1994 law granting
law enforcement agencies the ability to wiretap new digital networks
and requiring wireless and wireline carriers to enable surveillance
equipment use in digital networks. |
Competitive Local
Exchange Carrier (CLEC) |
Any telephone company
that offers service in a specific area. Now that the industry
has been deregulated, several companies may offer service in a
single area. New ones entering a market are Competitive Local
Exchange Carriers. The original telephone company at the time
of deregulation is known as the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier
(See also "ILEC"). |
Content Services |
Paging service, beyond
telephone number alerts, that include news and sports headlines,
personalized stock quotes, driving directions, restaurant reviews
and information contained on Internet sites. |
Control Channel |
A logic channel carrying
network information rather than the actual voice or data messages
transmitted over the network. |
Coverage |
Refers to the region
within which a paging receiver can reliably receive the transmission
of the paging signals. |
Crosstalk |
Interference in a
wireless communications system from other conversations in nearby
cells using the same channel. |
Customer Acquisition
Cost |
The average cost
to a carrier of signing up an individual subscriber. Some of the
factors included in the cost are handset subsidies, marketing,
advertising and promotions. |
D |
|
D and E PCS Blocks |
The fourth and fifth
PCS licenses that were auctioned by the FCC in January 1997. Each
contains MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band and is based on
BTA geographical partitions. The licenses were reserved for smaller
businesses and entrepreneurs. |
Decibel (dB) |
A unit of measure
used to express relative difference in power or intensity of sound. |
Digital |
A method of encoding
information using a binary code of 0s and 1s from electrical pulses.
Because digital signals are made up only of binary streams, less
information is needed to transmit a message. Digital encoding
therefore increases the capacity of a given radio frequency. Furthermore,
only digitized information can be transported through a noisy
channel without degradation. Digital technology reproduces sound
exactly, and can even filter out background and electronic "noise."
Even if corruption occurs, as long as the one zero patterns are
recognizable, the original information content can be perfectly
replicated at the receiving end. Most new wireless phones and
networks use digital technology. |
Digital Cellular
System (DCS 1800) |
A global system for
mobile communications-based PCS network used outside of the U.S. |
Digital Signal
Processor (DSP) |
A microprocessor
that digitizes analog signals. |
Disaggregation |
The splitting of
a spectrum license into two or more licenses of fewer frequencies. |
Downlink |
The portion of a
telecommunications path from a satellite to the ground. Also referred
to as the reverse link. |
Drive Test |
A method of taking
signal strength measurements in a cellular coverage area. |
Dual Band |
A feature on some
wireless phones that allows the handset to operate using either
the 800 MHz cellular or the 1900 MHz PCS frequencies. |
Dual Mode |
A feature on some
wireless phones that allows the handset to operate on both analog
and digital networks. |
|
E |
|
Electromagnetic
Energy |
Waves of electrical
and magnetic energy moving together through space. Also called
electromagnetic radiation. |
Electromagnetic
Field |
An area containing
electromagnetic energy (electromagnetic radiation). |
Electromagnetic
Radiation |
Waves of electrical
and magnetic energy moving together through space. Also called
electromagnetic energy. |
Electromagnetic
Spectrum |
The collection of
all electromagnetic energy arranged according to frequency and
wavelength. |
Electronic Serial
Number (ESN) |
The unique identification
number embedded in a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each
time a call is placed, the ESN is automatically transmitted to
the base station so the wireless carrier's mobile switching office
can check the call's validity. The ESN cannot easily be altered
in the field. The ESN differs from the mobile identification number,
which is the wireless carrier's identifier for a phone in the
network. MINs and ESNs can be electronically checked to help prevent
fraud. |
Encryption |
The process of encoding
a message such as a digital phone signal to prevent it from being
read by unauthorized parties. |
Enhanced 911
(E911) |
911 service becomes
E911 when automatic number identification and automatic location
information from a wireless phone is provided to the 911 operator.
Reimbursement, or cost recovery, is due to commercial providers
of both recurring and nonrecurring costs associated with any services,
operation, administration or maintenance of wireless E911 service.
Costs include, but are not limited to, the costs of design, development,
upgrades, equipment, software and other expenses associated with
the implementation of wireless E911 service. |
Enhanced Data
for GSM Evolution (EDGE) |
The final evolution
of data communications within the GSM standard. Based on 8PSK
modulation, EDGE provides 3G packet data throughput on GSM networks,
and uses a new modulation scheme to enable data throughput speeds
of up to 384kbit/s using existing GSM infrastructure. |
Enhanced Specialized
Mobile Radio (ESMR) |
Digital SMR networks
that provide dispatch, voice, and messaging and data services. |
European Telecommunications
Standards Institute (ETSI) |
A standards-setting
body in Europe. Also the standards body responsible for GSM. |
F |
|
F PCS Block |
The final PCS license
that was auctioned by the FCC in January 1997. Each contains 10
MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz band and is based on BTA geographic
partitions. The licenses were reserved for small businesses and
entrepreneurs. |
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) |
The federal government
agency located in Washington, D.C. responsible for regulating
telecommunications in the United States, including commercial
and private wireless spectrum management. |
Fiber Optic |
Using fine, transparent
lines for the transmission of data, digitally encoded into pulses
of light. In terms of telephone conversations, a 1/2" copper cable
can transmit about 25 conversations analog, whereas a 1/2" fiber
optic line can transmit 193,536 conversations digitally. |
FireWire |
Originally developed
by Apple, this is an increasingly popular and very fast external
bus for transferring data between devices; also known as IEEE
1394 for the name of the standard it engendered. |
Flash Memory |
A component used
for memory that can retain information without power. see Phones
that Support Flash Memory |
Foliage Attenuation |
Reductions in signal
strength or quality due to signal absorption by trees or foliage
obstructions in the signal's line-of-sight path. For example,
800 MHz systems are seldom deployed in forested areas. Pine needles
-- nearly the same length as 800 MHz antennas -- can negatively
affect signal reception in that band. |
Frame Relay |
Wideband, packet-based
interface used to transmit bursts of data over a wide-area network.
Seldom used for voice. |
Frequency |
The number of oscillations,
or vibrations, of radio waves per unit of time, usually expressed
in either cycles-per-second or Hertz (Hz). |
Frequency Modulation
(FM) |
A signaling method
that varies the carrier frequency in proportion to the amplitude
of the modulating signal. |
Frequency Reuse |
The ability to use
the same frequencies repeatedly across a cellular system, made
possible by the basic design approach for cellular. Since each
cell is designed to use radio frequencies only within its boundaries,
the same frequencies can be reused in other cells not far away
with little potential for interference. The reuse of frequencies
is what enables a cellular system to handle a huge number of calls
with a limited number of channels. |
G |
|
Gateway |
Node that connect
two different networks. |
Gateway GPRS
Support Node (GGSN) |
Interface between
the GPRS wireless data network and other networks such as the
Internet or private networks. |
General Packet
Radio Service (GPRS) |
A GSM data transmission
technique that does not set up a continuous channel from a portable
terminal for the transmission and reception of data, but transmits
and receives data in packets. GPRS is used to boost wireless data
transmission over GSM networks. GPRS can achieve 171.2 kilobits
per second (kbps), which is about three times as fast as the data
transmission speeds possible over today's fixed telecommunications
networks and ten times as fast as current GSM networks. Unlike
existing digital wireless Net connections, no dial-up modem is
necessary. |
Global Positioning
System (GPS) |
A system of 24 satellites
for identifying earth locations, launched by the U.S. By triangulation
of signals from three of the satellites, a receiving unit can
pinpoint its current location anywhere on earth to within a few
meters. Lets those on the ground, on the water or in the air determines
their position with extreme accuracy using GPS receivers. see
GPS
Phones |
Global System
for Mobile Communications (GSM) |
GSM is a digital
cellular phone technology based on TDMA that is the predominant
system Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and in parts of America
and Canada. First introduced in 1991, the GSM standard has been
deployed at three different frequency bands: 900 MHz, 1800 MHz
and 1900 MHz. GSM 1900 is primarily deployed in North America.
Named after its frequency band around 900 MHz, GSM-900 has provided
the basis for several other networks using GSM technology. GSM
uses narrowband TDMA which allows eight simultaneous calls on
the same radio frequency. Along with CDMA and TDMA it represents
the second generation of wireless networks. see International
/ GSM Phones |
Globalstar |
Second major LEO-based
global communications system; initially created for voice, it
was launched in late 1999. |
GSM 1800 |
Also known as DCS
1800 or PCN, GSM 1800 is a digital network working on a frequency
of 1800 MHz. It is used in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia. |
GSM 1900 |
Also known as PCS
1900, GSM 1900 is a digital network working on a frequency of
1900 MHz. It is used in the US and Canada and is scheduled for
parts of Latin America and Africa. |
GSM 900 |
The world's most
widely used digital network and now operating in over 100 countries
around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific. |
GSM Hosted SMS
Teleservice (GHOST) |
A tunneling protocol
that allows a GSM SMS to be embedded in a teleservice that can
be transmitted over the air interface of a TDMA based network. |
|
H |
|
Half-Rate |
A variant of GSM,
Half-Rate doubles system capacity by more efficient speech coding. |
Handheld Device
Markup Language (HDML) |
A specialized version
of HTML designed to enable wireless pagers, cell phones and other
handheld devices to obtain information from Web pages. HDML was
developed by Phone.com (formerly Unwired Planet) before the WAP
specification was standardized. It is a subset of WAP with some
features, not included in WAP. AT&T Wireless launched the first
HDML-based service in 1996. |
Handoff |
The process by which
the Mobile Telephone Switching Office passes a cellular phone
conversation from one radio frequency in one cell to another radio
frequency in another. The handoff is performed so quickly that
users usually never notice. |
Hands-Free |
An important safety
feature that's included with most of today's mobile phones. It
permits drivers to use their cellular phone without lifting or
holding the hand-set to their ear. see Speakerphones |
Handset Subsidy |
Frequently, a wireless
company will sell a phone (handset) below cost, with the hope
of making up the loss later on customer usage fees. The amount
of loss per handset is called the handset subsidy. |
Hertz (Hz) |
A unit of measurement
of one cycle per second when one radio wave passes one point in
one second of time. Named in honor of Heinrich Hertz, the physicist
who developed the theory of radio waves. |
High-Speed Circuit
Switched Data (HSCSD) |
The final evolution
of circuit switched data within the GSM environment. HSCSD enables
the transmission of data over a GSM link at speeds of up to 57.6kbit/s.
This is achieved by concatenating consecutive GSM timeslots, each
of, which is capable of supporting 14.4kbit/s. Up to four GSM
timeslots are needed for the transmission of HSCSD. |
Home Location
Register (HLR) |
A database residing
in a local wireless network that contains service profiles and
checks the identity of a local subscriber. |
I |
|
I-Mode |
NTT DoCoMo's mobile
Internet access, launched in February 1999. I-mode is an alternative
to WAP, though it is only implemented in Japan. It offers Internet
access and email service. While WAP uses HDML, I-mode relies on
Compact HTML (C-HTML). Both languages are a simple version of
HTML, for use on mobile phones. Today more than 7000 sites are
I-mode compatible and offer a wide range of services over mobile
phones: mobile banking, ticket reservation, cartoons downloading,
etc. |
Incumbent Local
Exchange Carrier (ILEC) |
The historic local
phone service provider in a market, often a former Bell company.
Distinct from competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), new
market entrants. |
Independent Telephone
Network (ITN) |
Companies not affiliated
with the local telephone companies. |
Industrial Telecommunications
Association (ITA) |
A Washington, D.C.
trade group serving private wireless licensees such as airlines
and oil companies. |
Infrared Data
Association (IrDA) |
A membership organization
founded in 1993 and dedicated to developing standards for wireless,
infrared transmission systems between computers. With IrDA ports,
a laptop or PDA can exchange data with a desktop computer or use
a printer without a cable connection. Like a TV remote control,
IrDA requires line-of-sight transmission. IrDA products began
to appear in 1995. |
Integrated Circuit
Card ID (ICCID) |
19 or 20-digit serial
number of the SIM card. |
Integrated Digital
Enhanced Network (iDEN) |
A wireless communications
technology from Motorola that provides support for voice, data,
short messages (SMS) and dispatch radio (two-way radio) in one
phone. Operating in the 800MHz and 1.5GHz bands and based on TDMA,
iDEN uses Motorola's VSELP (Vector Sum Excited Linear Predictors)
vocoder for voice compression and QAM modulation to deliver 64
Kbps over a 25KHz channel. Each 25KHz channel can be divided six
times to transmit any mix of voice, data, dispatch or text message.
Used by various carriers around the globe, Nextel Communications
provides nationwide coverage in the U.S. see iDen
(Nextel) Phones |
Intelligent Roaming
Database (IRDB) |
A list of acceptable
and unacceptable networks for a phone to roam with stored either
on a SIM card or in the phone. |
Interactive Messaging |
Short Message Service
that allows users to send alphanumeric messages from their wireless
handset to other wireless handsets or to email addresses. Interactive
Messaging also allows the user to receive emails and web messages
from the internet. see Multimedia
Messaging Phones |
Interconnection |
The connecting of
one network with another, e.g. a cellular carrier's wireless network
with the local exchange. |
Interim Standard
(IS) |
A designation of
the Telecommunications Industry Association --usually followed
by a number--that refers to an accepted industry protocol; e.g.,
IS-95, IS-136, IS-54. |
International
Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) |
A unique 15-digit
number that serves as the serial number of the GSM handset. The
IMEI appears on the label located on the back of the phone. The
IMEI is automatically transmitted by the phone when the network
asks for it. A network operator might request the IMEI to determine
if a device is in disrepair, stolen or to gather statistics on
fraud or faults. |
International
Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI) |
A unique 15-digit
number which designates the subscriber. This number is used for
provisioning in network elements. |
International
Mobile Telecommunications Association (IMTA) |
A trade group serving
specialized mobile radio and public access mobile radio carriers
around the world. |
International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
An agency of the
United Nations, headquartered in Geneva that furthers the development
of telecommunications services worldwide and oversees global allocation
of spectrum for future uses. |
Interoperability |
The ability of a
network to operate with other networks, such as two systems based
on different protocols or technologies. |
Ionizing Radiation |
Very high energy
electromagnetic radiation that strips electrons away from their
normal locations in atoms and molecules. |
Iridium |
First LEO-based global
communications system backed by Motorola. Built primarily for
voice transmissions, it was launched in 1998 and went into Chapter
11 in 1999. |
IS-136 |
The latest generation
of the digital standard TDMA technology. |
IS-41 |
The network standard
that allows all switches to exchange information about subscribers. |
IS-54 |
The first generation
of the digital standard TDMA technology. |
IS-661 |
North American standard
for 1.9 GHz wireless spread spectrum radio-frequency access technology
based on a composite of CDMA and TDMA technologies To reduce infrastructure
costs and allow higher data speeds than mainstream GSM or TDMA
platforms. |
IS-95 |
The standard for
CDMA. |
J |
|
Japanese Total
Access Communication (JTAC) |
Like the European
TACS, JTAC is the Japanese analog cellular system. |
|
L |
Land Line |
Traditional wired
phone service. Voice, video and data transmission technology that
relies on wires. Also called wireline. |
Lithium-Ion Battery
(Li-Ion) |
Lighter weight battery
than earlier types, having relatively longer cycle life and generally
do not suffer from memory effect. |
Local Calling
Area |
The geographical
area that a customer may call without incurring toll charges. |
Local Mulitpoint
Distribution Service (LMDS) |
Located in the 28
GHz and 31 GHz bands, LMDS is a broadband radio service designed
to provide two-way transmission of voice, high-speed data and
video (wireless cable TV). |
Local Number
Portability (LNP and WLNP) |
The ability of subscribers
to switch local or wireless carriers and still retain the same
phone number, as they can now with long-distance carriers. Wireless
carriers do not have to offer LNP until March 2002 and seek further
postponement of this deadline. see Wireless
Local Number Portability (WLNP) |
Local Service
Footprint |
The geographical
area that a customer may call without incurring toll charges,
also known as "local service area," or "local calling area." |
Local-State Governmental
Advisory Committee (LSGAC) |
An FCC-established
group that is working on an antenna-siting solution. The LSGAC
will advise carriers and communities on antenna siting. |
Low Earth Orbit |
A term used to describe
the orbital altitude range (500 to 2000 km above the surface of
the Earth) of certain communications satellites. |
M |
|
Major Trading
Area (MTA) |
Usually composed
of several contiguous basic trading areas. A service area designed
by Rand McNally and adopted by the FCC. There are 51 MTAs in the
United States. |
Memory Effect |
The life of a battery
may be gradually shortened if it is recharged before it is completely
discharged. Memory effect most commonly occurs with Nickel Cadmium
batteries are less of a problem with Nickel Hydride batteries
and even less with Lithium Ion batteries. |
Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) |
One of 306 geographic
regions, primarily urban areas, in the United States that are
used as license areas in the cellular frequency band. Originally,
two wireless operators were licensed in each MSA. |
Microcell |
A cell having a very
small coverage area, which could be as small as one floor of an
office building, one part of an airline terminal, or one corner
of a busy intersection. These cells are typically used when coverage
and/or capacity is strained and the use of a normal sized cell
would cause interference or would be impractical to install. These
cells transmit with extremely low power outputs. |
Microwaves |
A subset of radio
waves that have frequencies ranging from around 300 million waves
per second (300 MHz) to three billion waves per second (3 GHz). |
Middleware |
The "mix-and-match"
communications software that acts as a universal translator between
diverse radio frequency technologies and protocols. Middleware
resides on a remote client and a communications server, located
between the client and the applications server. The software eases
computing and communicating with corporate information and encourages
applications development, making wireless data more attractive
to corporate customers. |
Mobile Identification
Number (MIN) |
Uniquely identifies
a mobile unit within a wireless carrier's network. The MIN often
can be dialed from other wireless or wireline networks. The number
differs from the electronic serial number (ESN), which is the
unit number assigned by a phone manufacturer. MINs and ESNs can
be checked electronically to help prevent fraud. |
Mobile Satellite
Service |
Powerful communications
transmission service provided by satellites. A single satellite
can provide coverage to the whole United States. |
Mobile Telephone
Switching Office (MTSO) |
The central switch
that controls the entire operation of a cellular system. It is
a sophisticated computer that monitors all cellular calls, tracks
the location of all cellular-equipped vehicles traveling in the
system, arranges handoffs, keeps track of billing information,
etc. |
Modem Pools |
Racks of modems used
to deliver reliable cellular data communications. |
Multipath Propagation |
Signal distortion
when a signal is reflected from nearby surfaces on its way to
a receiver. |
Multiplexing |
When multiple phone
calls are carried in the same frequency band at the same time.
In wireless, major multiplexing methods include TDMA and CDMA. |
Mutual Compensation |
The concept that
carriers must pay when they terminate traffic on the networks
of carriers with which they are interconnected. |
Mutually Exclusive
Applications |
Two or more applications
for the same spectrum use rights. |
N |
|
Narrowband Advanced
Mobile Phone System (NAMPS) |
Combines cellular
voice processing with digital signaling, increasing the capacity
of AMPS systems and adding functionality. |
Narrowband PCS |
The next generation
of paging networks, including two-way, acknowledgment and "wireless
answering machine" paging. |
National Emergency
Numbering Association (NENA) |
NENA's mission is
to foster the technological advancement, availability and implementation
of a universal emergency telephone number system. |
National Telecommunications
and Information Administration (NTIA) |
The federal government's
executive branch advisory committee for telecommunications. |
Network |
Any system that was
designed to provide one or more access paths for communication
between users at different geographic locations. Communication
networks may be designed for voice, text, data, fax and video.
They may feature limited access (private networks) or open access
(public networks), and will rely upon whatever analog or digital
switching and transmission technologies are appropriate. |
Nickel Cadmium
Battery (NiCd) |
A rechargeable battery
that typically lasts for 700 charge and discharge cycles. If not
completely discharged before recharging, the NiCd battery can
suffer from memory effect that may reduce the life of the battery.
Non-Ionizing Radiation: Levels of electromagnetic radiation that
is too low to strip electrons away from their normal locations
in atoms and molecules. |
Nickel Metal
Hydride Battery (NiMH) |
A rechargeable battery
that is capable of holding more power that a NiCd battery and
suffers much less from memory effect. It is also typically more
expensive than a NiCd battery. |
Nordic Mobile
Telephone (NMT) |
An older analog cellular
protocol used in Europe and elsewhere. |
North American
Cellular Network (NACN) |
An organization of
cellular providers that facilitates cellular calls across the
country to be linked for seamless roaming. |
North American
Numbering Council (NANC) |
The FCC advisory
group formerly responsible for administering the North American
Numbering Plan that oversees assignment of area codes, central
office codes and other numbering issues in the United States,
Canada, Bermuda and part of the Caribbean. NANC administration
responsibility was transferred to Lockheed Martin. |
Number Assignment
Module (NAM) |
The NAM is the electronic
memory in the cellular phone that stores the telephone number
and an electronic serial number. Phones with dual- or multi-NAM
features offer users the option of registering the phone with
a local number in more than one market. |
Number Pooling |
Increasingly popular
tactic for conserving phone numbers. Numbers are returned by all
carriers to a central authority, which puts them in a pool, from
which carriers receive numbers in lots of 1,000, not 10,000 as
was originally done. Smaller lots of numbers reduce their cost
and maximize the availability of new numbers to meet public demand. |
Number Portability |
A term used to describe
the capability of individuals, businesses and organizations to
retain their existing telephone number(s) –– and the same quality
of service –– when switching to a new local service provider.
see Wireless
Local Number Portability (WLNP) |
|
O |
Off-Peak |
Periods of time during
which carriers offer discounted airtime charges. Each carrier
designates its own off-peak hours, usually after normal b | | |
