Mobile Glossary

Mobile Phone Glossary

• 2G- Describes the Second Generation of cellular networks (analogue was the first generation) A generic term that includes GSM, CMDA & TDMA standards.
  
• 2.5G- Enhancement to a 2G network to allow packet data services in addition to voice - eg GPRS
  
• 3G- A set of standards developed globally for new cellular networks offering much greater data throughput and efficiencies than standard 2G networks. Comes in several flavours - eg WCDMA and cdma2000
  
• AAC- A type of music file format which offers better sound quality and takes less memory space than a MP3 file.
  
• Airtime- The time taken in making and receiving calls, texts, retrieving voice mail, e-mail and downloads which is tracked by your network provider to determine your billing cost.
  
• Analog- The Analog cell phone technology was the first one to appear, in the 1980's. Analog service does not provide advanced services such as Short Messages or downloadable ringtones. Additionally, during a conversation on an analog network, users may hear scratches and &static& noises that are not usually heard on digital phones.
  
• Band- Not all phones use the same frequency bands. For instance, GSM cell phones used in Europe work either on the 900 or 1800 megahertz (Mhz) frequency band while American GSM phones use the 1900 Mhz band. Thus, they can't be used in Europe. But most phones today are triband, which means they have all three frequencies and can be used worldwide.
  
• Bandwidth- The capacity of a communication media to transfer data. The higher the network's bandwidth, the greater the volume of data that can be transmitted.
  
• Base Station- Often called a cell tower or a cell site, a base station is a transmitter/receiver location that establishes radio links between the wireless system and the wireless device. The base station includes an antenna tower, transmission radios and radio controllers. Each geographic area in a cellular network requires a base station.
  
• Bluetooth- Bluetooth is useful in connecting a device wire-lessly within a 30 foot area and is used to transfer images, songs and other mobile content.
  
• Broadband- A broadband connection offers you high-speed Internet access on your mobile phone while allowing you to receive calls at the same time.
  
• CDMA- Short for Code-Division Multiple Access, a digital cellular technology that uses spread-spectrum techniques. Unlike competing systems, such as GSM, that use TDMA, CDMA does not assign a specific frequency to each user. Instead, every channel uses the full available spectrum. Individual conversations are encoded with a pseudo-random digital sequence. CDMA consistently provides better capacity for voice and data communications than other commercial mobile technologies, allowing more subscribers to connect at any given time, and it is the common platform on which 3G technologies are built.
  
  CDMA is a military technology first used during World War II by English allies to foil German attempts at jamming transmissions. The allies decided to transmit over several frequencies, instead of one, making it difficult for the Germans to pick up the complete signal. Because Qualcomm created communications chips for CDMA technology, it was privy to the classified information. Once the information became public, Qualcomm claimed patents on the technology and became the first to commercialize it.
  
• Coverage- The geographic area in which a network's service is accessible to users.
  
• Conference call-A conference call connects many people simultaneously and help them discuss on a single line.
  
• CSTN- Short for color super-twist nematic, an LCD technology developed by Sharp Electronics Corporation. Unlike TFT, CSTN is based on a passive matrix, which is less expensive to produce. The original CSTN displays developed in the early 90's suffered from slow response times and ghosting. Recent advances in the technology, however, have made CSTN a viable alternative to active-matrix displays. New CSTN displays offer 100ms response times, a 140 degree viewing angle, and high-quality color rivaling TFT displays - all at about half the cost.
  
• Data services- Services in the text formats like e-mail, fax and SMS messages which can be accessed with your device.
  
• DECT- DECT is a special type of wireless phone technology created in 1988 by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It is aimed mostly at private networks rather than public networks, typically in companies where employees tend to walk around large buildings or campuses. Using a DECT phone, they can access telephony and data services through their Local Area Network. Some DECT phones even include a dual band GSM/DECT technology for seamless use on public networks as well.
  
• EDGE- EDGE offers mobile phone users to access to increased bandwidth and various multimedia services such as video clips.
  
• EV-DO- Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) is a high-speed wireless data connection on a CDMA network. The technology allows users to access high-speed Internet through portable devices, such as cell phones, laptops and PDAs.
  
• Flash Memory - An Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory used to store data in devices like mobile phones, notebook computers etc. It is called 'flash' because numerous memory locations can be erased or written with a single action.
  
• GPRS- GPRS delivers wireless packet data services to GSM customers. GPRS offers Internet connection to mobile users. It allows a mobile user to take part in video conferences and surf multimedia web sites.
  
• GSM-GSM technology allows a user to insert SIM into any SIM Free GSM phone with compatible frequency and make and receive calls on his mobile.
  
• GSM900- A network which operates in the 900MHz GSM band.
  
• GSM1800- A network which operates in the 1800MHz GSM band.
  
• GSM1900- A network that operates in the 1900MHz GSM band. Some networks in the USA, South America, Asia and Africa use this band.
  
• HTML Browser- A HTML browser is program which allows you to view HTML pages.
  
• iDEN- Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) uses TMDA technology to provide cell phone voice communication, messaging, digital two-way radio and data transfers.
  
• IMEI number- A 15-digit number which is found in the back of the phone and uniquely identifies the mobile phone.
  
• Latency- In a wireless (or wired) connection or network, latency refers to the delay between a signal or information originating at the transmitting end, and when it is received at the other end.
  
• Lithium Ion- Refers to the Lithium-Ion type of battery, often used to power wireless communication devices. Li-Ion batteries are lighter weight than earlier battery types, and have a relatively longer life cycle.
  
• MMS- Multimedia Messaging Service. A further extension of SMS and EMS. MMS is designed to make use of newer and quicker mobile transmission methods such as GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE and UMTS, involving the attachment of multimedia extensions to messages, such as video and sound.
  
• Number Portability- The ability to switch to a different carrier (service provider) and keep the same phone number.
  
• Roaming- The ability for a mobile phone network customer to make voice calls, send and receive data or access other services when travelling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, using a visited network. Usage abroad depends upon the number of roaming agreements held by the network and the specification of the phone.
  
• SAR- Specific Absorption Rate. Indicates the amount of radio-frequency energy absorbed into human tissue by a radio transmitter. The permissible amount varies by country. In the EU the standard is currently 2 watts per kilogram averaged over 10 grams of tissue for the General Population for the head and trunk.
  
• SIM- Subscriber Identity Module. This is a Smart Card installed in every GSM handset. Within the GSM application the three primary roles of the SIM are access control to the network (authentication & ciphering), service personalisation (SMS, advice of charge, etc.), network branding and advertising (graphics printed on SIM card). The new generation of Phase 2+ SIMs will enable services such as virtual cash, mobile banking, ticket reservations etc.
  
• TDMA- Time Division Multiple Access. Allows a number of users to access a single radio frequency channel without interference by allocating unique time slots to each user within each channel. This enables multiple handsets to share the same frequency in the same area.
  
• TFT- Thin Film Transistor. A type of LCD display technology. Compared to other types of LCD technology, TFT features excellent image quality and response time, but uses more power, and is more expensive.
  
• WML- Wireless Mark-up Language. A mark-up language based on XML intended for use in specifying content and user interfaces. Originally designed for narrowband mobile devices, it has now evolved to become part of WAP 2.0.