The GPS Anywhere! Network

Glossary of Wireless Phone Terms

ACCESS FEE - monthly fee charged to the customer by the local landline telephone companies for access to the local telephone network. Cellphone customers pay an additional 3 percent federal excise tax.

ACTIVATION FEE - Typically in the $35 range. This is a one time fee that appears on the first cell phone bill.

AIRTIME - The time spent on an active cell phone connection whether on a incoming, or outgoing cell phone call.

ALPHABETIC DIRECTORY - Typically called the phonebook it contains the names and phone numbers in alphabetic order stored in the cell phone memory.

ANALOG - Analog is a method of modulating radio signals so that they can transmit voice or data information. This technology has for the most part been replaced by digital transmission. Most cell phones in production today are 100% digital.

ANTENNA - A device used for transmitting, sending and receiving radio signals. Typical cell phone antennaes are either internal or external. Some are retractable.

AUTOMATIC CALL DELIVERY - A feature that permits a cell phone to receive incoming calls, even when roaming. In times past one would have to inform callers of certain codes when the receiver would be in roaming mode.

BAND - Range of radio frequencies between two defined limits which are used in wireless communications. 800 to 1900 MHz is the band used for CDMA. Whereas 900-1800 and 1900 are used for GSM.

BANDWIDTH - The capacity of a transmission channel. Bandwidth is dependent on the frequency ranges available. The 'bandwidth' or the width of a frequency band determines maximum transmission speed available to subscribers. Each radio channel has a center frequency and additional frequencies above and below this carrier frequency which is used to carry the transmitted information.

BATTERIES - Types of batteries for wireless or cellular phones listed below illustrate some of their advantages and disadvantages. Most cellphone 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. Battery types NiCad or NiCd means Nickel Cadmium. Nimh refers to Nickel Metal Hydride. Li is for Lithium. Most cell phones manufactured today are equipped with lithium batteries. Thers are far superior to the older and less expensive ni cad batteries.

Here are their distinguishing characteristics:

NiCd or Nickel Cadmium
NiCd cellphone batteries are known for their "memory effect". NiCd's develop the less than nicad batteries develop a memory effect if repeatedly charged without being fully discharged. They perform best if used regularly, because they self-discharge if left unused, losing as much as 10 percent of their energy the first day, then 1 or 2 percent per 24 hours thereafter. Nickel Cadmium battery chargers should have preventative circuitry protecting from overcharge. These batteries are highly toxic and harmful and should be disposed of as toxic waste.

NiMH or Nickel Metal Hydride
These cellphone batteries can have 30% more capacity than a same sized NiCad battery. These batteries are also relatively non toxic. However, unlike NiCad, deep cycling or discharging of the battery contributes to a decline in it's life, and so does constant over-charging. In general, Nickel Metal Hydride technology is more sensitive to overcharge, but the recommended charging process is a constant charge. They should always be rapid charged.

Li-Ion or Lithium Ion
Lithium cell phone batteries are more efficient and lighter in weight than other batteries listed here. Though more expensive, they develop no memory effect, and are the least toxic of current cell phone battery technologies. Charging requires a constant voltage, but the life of a Lithium Ion battery can be reduced by over 50 percent if overcharged. Use only chargers that are recommended or designed for Li-Ion batteries. Chargers made only for the nickel-based batteries should never be used to charge lithium batteries, because the levels of monitored voltage sent to the cell phone battery is different.

Lead Acid or SLA
SLA batteries have higher power output, but also weigh much more. They are used most with older bag type cell phones, SLA batteries should be stored fully charged; otherwise, the chemicals of Lead and Acid will quickly neutralize each other. Slow constant charging is best. These batteries have the shortest life of any type cell phone battery.

BLUETOOTH - A radio technology making transmission of signals over short distances (3 feet) 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 digital cell phone.

BROADBAND - Communications medium that uses a wide-bandwidth channels for sending and receiving large amounts of data, video or voice information. ie. cable tv.

CALLER ID - A calling feature which displays the originating phone number of an incoming call. This of course is very handy for screening calls that you may not want to accept at that time.

CARRIER - A Company providing wireless telecommunications services such as Cingular, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Alltel, Suncom, etc.

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. Verizon uses this technology in the USA.

CELL - The basic geographic unit of a cellular system and the root term of cellular. An overlapping network of cells make up a city coverage, and each of them are equipped with a radio transmitter and receiver or a base station.

CELLULAR - The most familiar type of wireless communication. It is called "cellular" because each service area was divided into cells or cell stations.

CHARGERS FOR VEHICLE - Plug-in charger for car, truck, or other D.C. voltage. Microprocessors may monitor and control voltage. 3-stage LED (rapid, slow, trickle) housing, stainless steel tip, extra long, high quality cord with heavy-duty strain relief, reverse polarity protection.

CHARGERS FOR DESKTOP - This type has a housing into which the battery is inserted; slots often offer options of inserting the cellphone battery or batteries, or the complete phone unit itself. Visual status displays are provided to indicate when the battery is completely charged. Desktop rapid chargers are also used as a battery "conditioner", because they have the ability to completely discharge a battery before the charging process begins.

CHARGERS FOR TRAVEL - Cell phone travel chargers are often lightweight and have few displays, indicators, or frills. These are AC wall chargers.

COVER or FACEPLATE - Protective cell phone covers protect your phone and also gives your cell phone a unique appearance, or fashion statement.

COVERAGE AREA - The area which a wireless network company offers service for their cell phone subscribers. This area is usually depicted on an area map.

CROSS TALK - The leakage of a signal from one cellular channel to another.

DIGITAL - Information represented by non-continuous values or signals sent between cell phones. It is binary.

DECIBEL - A measure of the sound volume intensity. The measurement is logarithmic, and 7 is 10 times louder than 6.

DUAL BAND - A wireless phone which is capable of operating on two different frequencies, for example 1800-1900.

DUAL MODE - A wireless device that can be operated on analog or digital transmission networks. This is different than dual band.

DUPLEX - The ability to send and receive signals at the same time. Cell phones are duplex, so you can talk and hear together. Two-way radios are simplex and only one person can talk at a time.

EDGE - Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution.

ENCRYPTION - A method of encoding data for security. Blackberry devices are triple encrypted.

ESN or ELECTRONIC SERIAL NUMBER - The 32 bit binary number assigned by cell phone manufacturers that uniquely identifies a cell phone.

FCC - Federal Communications Commission - The FCC regulates all systems capable of interstate communications in the United States.

FINGERPRINTING - A system allowing a cell phone to be uniquely identified by its radio transmission" fingerprint", thereby reducing fraud.

FLASH MEMORY - A memory feature or component which allows your cellular phone to save information without power even if you remove the battery your phonebook numbers are saved.

GPRS - General Packet Radio Service. This is the technology that allows cell phones to access the internet wirelessly. You are not using your cellular bucket of minutes when transmitting on GPRS.

GSM or GLOBAL STANDARD FOR MOBILE - A digital communications standard for cellphones used in over 60 countries.

GSM 900 - GSM 900, called GSM, is the most widely used digital network and now operating in more than 100 countries around the world

GSM 1800 - is the digital GSM network used in Europe and Asia using the 1800 MHz frequency.

GSM 1900 - or PCS 1900 uses the 1900 MHz frequency in North America and Africa.

HANDOFF - Transfers calls from one cell system to the next with no loss of cellular or PCS call.

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 handsfree cellphone kits connect permanently to the vehicle's power supply. Wireless hands-free kits allow the use of your cellular phone without interfering with driving.

HOME COVERAGE AREA - The area in which one may make cellular calls without incurring long distance or roaming charges. Some cellphones are activated with nationwide long distance coverage, but still have a local coverage area which is called home.

iDen or INTEGRATED DIGITAL ENHANCED NETWORK - A radio system allowing integrated voice and data services, so you can cruise the web, send e-mail, and talk on the cell phone all using the same transmitters. This is what Nextel uses.

INCOMING CALL -a call that you are receiving on your handset.

INTERCONNECTION FEE - A wireless call must sometimes be routed through a landline in which a connection fee is charged.

ISDN - Integrated Service Digital Network, A technology offering high speed transmission of data, voice, and video transmitted through existing fixed lines.

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.

MILLIAMPRE HOURS or mAh - The measurement standard for the energy storage capacity of cell phone batteries.

MOBILE PHONE - The term that can be inter-changed with cellular phone or wireless phone.

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. This is usually between 9pm and 7am.

PCS or PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, or SERVICE - This is used to describe the many different two-way digital services running at 1900 mHtz.

PEAK HOURS - The hours during the business day when wireless networks have the most transmission. During these hours the rates are the most expensive. This is usually between 7am and 9pm.

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, or PIN - Used together with SIM card technology to place calls using prepaid cell phones.

PREPAID CELLULAR - Pay in advace for cellular service. An alternative to postpaid or contract cellular.

R.F. or RADIO FREQUENCY - In the news a lot for its potential danger to human health, cell phones emit a very tiny amount of microwave non ionizing type radiation.

ROAMING - The ability to use a cellular phone outside of your cellular or PCS company's service area.

SMS or SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE - A cell phone feature that allows PCS users to send and transceive short text messages. These messages are sent from cell phone to cell phone. This is not the same as email.

SIM or SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE - A "SMART CARD" containing subscriber identification data unique to a user, and can be used to access cell phone service minutes on the network.

SOFT KEY - A key immediately beneath the cellular phone display window performing the function currently listed on the cellphone display screen.

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 or other service(s) bought from a service provider.

TALK TIME - The length of time a person can talk on the cell phone without recharging the battery. Usually expressed in minutes. Typically 2-4 hours.

TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access is a digital transmission format used for D-AMPS and GSM format.

VOICE ACTIVATED DIALING - A feature that allows the user to dial a telephone number by speaking the name or number into the cell phone.

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.

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol. Wireless Application Protocol is an open, global specification that empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access the internet. This is not the same as HTML internet browsing. There are certain websites that have been enabled to be viewed by cell phones.

WIFI or Wi-Fi - is Wireless Fidelity or 802.11b. It is a wireless standard capable of far exceeding the data transmission expectations of 3G or third generation. T-Mobile is incorporating in research, and may release a commercial version.

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 cellphones, PDA's or wireless web modems via a wireless network.