Glossary of Mobile Phone Terms and Definitions.
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ACCESS FEE
A fee that local telephone companies charge all telephone customers for the right to connect with a local phone network. Cellular phone users pay this fee along with a 3% federal telephone excise tax.
ACTIVATION FEE
The initial set up fee or cost to turn on a cell phone so that it can operate within the selected carrier network. Many cell phone have activation or set up fees up front, which they could refund to the customer in a form of a rebate later.
AIRTIME
The time spent talking on a cellular telephone. The total airtime usage is both the outgoing and incoming calls you receive.
ANALOG
Built in the 1980's, analog technology allows a cell phone to transmit by sending voice, video, and data signals that are continually changing, and are the network systems. Analog is a method of modulating radio signals so that they can transmit voice or data information. The newer versions of cellular phones are digital.
ANTENNA
A device used for transmitting, sending and receiving radio signals. Antenna boosters can also be used to increase transmissions.
AUTOMATIC CALL DELIVERY
A feature that permits a cellular phone to receive incoming calls, even when roaming.
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BAND
Is a Range of radio frequencies between two defined limits which are used in wireless communications. 800 to 1900 MHz is the band used for CDMA.
BATTERIES
All cellular phones need a battery to operate. Most cell phone handset units will accept a "standard" or "extended" battery, with additional output of the extended adding to the length of time the battery will power the handset.
BELT CLIP
An attachment for a cell phone to 'hook'. Many incorporate a cover for the protection of the cell phone, and some of these covers provide intended protection from Radio Frequency or RF type radiation.
BLUETOOTH
A radio technology making transmission of signals over short distances between telephones, computers and other devices possible without the use of wires. It is possible to link household appliances to a controlling device, like your 3g cell phone.
BROADBAND
Communications medium that uses a wide-bandwidth channels for sending and receiving large amounts of data, video or voice information.
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CALLER ID
A calling feature which displays the originating phone number of an incoming call.
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.
CARRIER
A Company providing wireless telecommunications services, using equipment to transmit the frequencies upon which the cell phone calls, signals and data are carried.
CASES
Cases are available for all popular cell phones. Cases protect the cell phone, and make carrying your phone easier. Cell phone cases are usually either cowhide leather, vinyl, or R.F. reflective material to protect your melon.
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. CDMA technology was originally developed for military use in the late 1960's, and is a multiple access technique, using sequenced code to divide traffic channels within the same radio channels.
CELL
The basic geographic unit of a cellular system and the basis for the generic industry term "cellular." A city or county is divided into small "cells," each of which is equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The cells can vary in size depending on terrain and capacity demands. By controlling the transmission power and the radio frequencies assigned from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the movement and transfers (or hands off) the phone call to another cell and another radio frequency as needed.
CHARGERS
Please use the correct charger for your cell phone battery. All cell phones we give or sell come with a free desktop charger, unless otherwise stated. Chargers are often referred to as "overnight" or "rapid", with overnight chargers fully charging in eight to ten hours from beginning of cycle. They fill at a low charge rate, and sometimes lack the safety features of preventing overcharge because batteries can better withstand low charging current. Rapid chargers recharge the battery or batteries more quickly. The charge isn't continuous; rather, it's reduced as the battery reaches full charge. Sub types of battery chargers include vehicle cigarette lighter plug-ins, desktop chargers intended for indoor use on a flat surface, and small travel chargers that simply plug into an electrical outlet. There are also solar type cell phone battery chargers on the market.
COVER or FACEPLATE
Protective cell phone covers protect your phone and also gives your cell phone a unique appearance, or fashion statement. Face plates come in many different colors. Designs with your favorite music group, flags, even lights that flash when the mobile phone rings are available.
COVERAGE AREA
The area which a wireless network company offers service for their cell phone subscribers.
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DIGITAL
Information represented by non-continuous values or signals sent between cell phones. It is binary, or consists of 0 and 1.
DUAL BAND
A wireless phone which is capable of operating on two different frequencies.
DUAL MODE
A wireless device that can be operated on analog or digital transmission networks.
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ENCRYPTION
A method of encoding data for security.
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FCC
Federal Communications Commission. The Government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications in the United States, located in Washington, D.C.
FOLLOW ME ROAMING
Though not available in all cities, this system allows you to roam in other calling areas, cells, or area codes, and be found automatically. Your calls will automatically be forwarded to you when or IF you have follow me roaming.
FREQUENCY
The number of times a wave-like radio signal changes from the very positive to the very negative charge per second.
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GHZ
GigaHertz - One GigaHertz is equal to a billion hertz.
GSM or GLOBAL STANDARD FOR MOBILE
A digital communications standard for cell phones used in over 60 countries.
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HANDSET
A wireless or cellular phone, cell phone, digital, PCS, or analog mobile phone.
HANDS-FREE KIT
With Hands-Free Kits, you can use your cell phone in your car without taking your hands from the wheel, or your eyes from the road. A mounted speaker and microphone provide you with a speakerphone in your vehicle, which can also be set to automatically pick up. The portable hands free uses a cigarette lighter male plug, while mounted hands free cell phone kits connect permanently to the vehicle's power supply. Wireless hands-free kits allow the use of your cellular phone without interfering with driving.
HERTZ
The unit which expresses cycle frequency.
HOME COVERAGE AREA
The area in which one may make cellular calls without incurring long distance or roaming charges. Some cell phones are activated with nationwide long distance coverage, but still have a local coverage area which is called home. We have calling plans which don't charge for roaming outside of your home coverage area.
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INCOMING CALL
The call that someone else places into your cell phone.
INTERCONNECTION FEE
A wireless call must sometimes be routed through a landline in which a connection fee is charged.
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LANDLINE
Non wireless telephone lines. These are the network of fiber optic and metallic or copper phone lines you see up on the poles crossing the road.
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MOBILE PHONE
The term that can be inter-changed with cellular phone or wireless phone.
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OFF-PEAK HOURS
The hours after the business day and during weekends when the wireless networks have less transmission. During these hours the rates are usually cheaper.
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PEAK HOURS
The hours during the business day when wireless networks have the most transmission. During these hours the rates are the most expensive.
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, or PIN
Used together with SIM card technology to place calls using prepaid cell phones.
PORTABLE
A one-piece, self-contained cellular telephone. The newest portable model phones are so small - weighing as little as 3.1 ounces - that they can be folded up and carried in a suit pocket or purse. Portables normally have built-in antennas and a rechargeable battery. See also Mobile and Transportable.
PREPAID CELLULAR
A payment method often used by folks with a specified budget, allowing one to pay for cellular service minutes in advance. Cell phone calling minutes on prepaid are often much more expensive than those bought under contract.
PROTOCOL
The special set of rules for communicating that the transmitting receivers use in a telecommunication connection when they send signals back and forth.
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ROAMING
The ability to use a cellular phone outside of your cellular or PCS company's service area.
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SATELLITE
These satellites orbit above the earth and send and receive signals sent by the antennas.
STANDBY TIME
The length of time that a cell phone is completely ready to send or receive calls, but is not being used in a call. This is one way of evaluating the battery, as well as the efficiency of the cell phone.
SUBSCRIBER
A user of wireless service bought from a service provider.
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TALK TIME
The length of time a person can talk on the cell phone without recharging the battery. Usually expressed in minutes.
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access is a digital transmission format used for D-AMPS and GSM format.
TERMINATION CHARGES
Charges incurred by the carrier for having a cell phone call completed by a different carrier network.
TRANSPORTABLE
The transportable cellular phone is a standard mobile phone that can be removed from the vehicle and used by itself with an attached battery pack. The entire unit is generally mounted or built into a custom carrying case to make it easy to carry. Although technically "portable," the transportable should not be confused with smaller, one-piece cellular phones.
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UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
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VOICE ACTIVATED DIALING
A feature that allows the user to dial a telephone number by speaking.
VOICE MAIL
(Also called voice messaging) A computerized answering service that automatically answers your call, plays a greeting in your own voice and records a message. After you retrieve your messages, you can delete, save, reply to or forward the messages to someone else on your voice mail system.
VOICE RECOGNITION
A feature allowing cell phones to be operated by spoken words.
VIBRATING ALERT
A cell phone feature telling the user of an incoming call by means of a vibration mechanism.
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WAP
Wireless Application Protocol. Wireless Application Protocol is an open, global specification that empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and interact with information and services instantly.
WATT
Basic unit of power. The formula is voltage multiplied by the current, or V X Amps.
WCDMA
Wideband CDMA: Technology for wideband wireless access supporting 3G cell phone services, and allows very high-speed multimedia services like internet access and videoconferencing.
WIRELESS DATA
The service that allows you to send digital information on a cellular phone.
WIRELESS INTERNET
A service granting access to the World Wide Web or internet e-mail via wireless networks.
WIRELESS PROVIDER
A company providing communication services to cell phones, PDA's or wireless web modems via a wireless network.
WMF
Wireless Message Format Sends data through wireless means to mobile computers.
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