telecom dictionary
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TELECOM DICTONARY
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
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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
TELECOM DICTONARY
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".
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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.
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
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
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.
The connecting of one network with another, e.g. a cellular
TELECOM DICTONARY
Interconnection 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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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)
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.
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
TELECOM DICTONARY
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.
O
Off-Peak Periods of time during which carriers offer discounted airtime
charges. Each carrier designates its own off-peak hours, usually
after normal business hours during the week, and weekends.
Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993
(OBRA 93)
The first legislation authorizing the FCC to auction spectrum.
Operators Harmonization
Group (OHG)
A worldwide organization of operators and manufacturers
dedicated to achieving a uniform standard for third-generation
wireless systems.
Over-The-Air Service
Provisioning (OTASP)
The ability of carriers to add new types of services to a customer's
handset by using the wireless network instead of requiring the
customer to bring the phone to a carrier's location for
reprogramming.
Overlay Area Code A solution to the scarcity of new phone numbers, overlays involve
issuance of new 10-digit phone numbers for use alongside an
area's existing seven-digit numbers, which have a different area
code.
TELECOM DICTONARY
P
Partitioning Dividing a spectrum license into two or more geographic areas.
PCS Phone A wireless telephone that uses radiofrequency signals in the 1850-
1990 megahertz (MHz) portion of the radiofrequency (RF)
spectrum. PCS stands for portable communication system.
Peak Highest-usage period of the business day when a cellular system
carries the most calling traffic.
Penetration The total number of subscribers for a carrier divided by the
population that it serves expressed as a percentage.
Personal Communications
Industry Association (PCIA)
A trade group representing PCS, SMR, private radio and other
wireless users and carriers.
Personal Communications
Service (PCS)
A second-generation digital voice, messaging and data cell phone
system in the 2GHz range. PCS is supported mostly by GSM. PCS
systems use a different radio frequency (1.9 GHz band) than
cellular phones and generally use all digital technology for
transmission and reception. "Digital PCS" is a redundancy, as all
PCS are digital, but the phrase is used in marketing to distinguish
PCS from cellular.
Personal Digital Cellular
(PDC)
The Japanese cellular standard.
Personal Identification
Number (PIN)
A code used by a mobile telephone number in conjunction with an
SIM card to complete a call.
PIN Unblocking Key (PUK) If a GSM or GAIT subscriber enters the wrong PIN three times in a
row, then the wireless mobile phone is locked until the PUK is
entered.
Project 25 A joint government/industry standard setting effort to develop
technical standards for the next generation of two-way
communications equipment.
Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN)
Traditional landline network that mobile wireless systems connect
with to complete calls.
Public Utility Commission
(PUC)
The state regulatory body charged with regulating utilities,
including telecommunications.
Public-Safety Answering
Point (PSAP)
The dispatch office that receives 911 calls from the public. A PSAP
may be local fire or police department, an ambulance service or a
regional office covering all services.
Pull SMS The ability to request services (e.g. ringtones or games) from a
wireless handset via Wireless Internet. The service requested is
TELECOM DICTONARY
sent back to the handset via SMS.
Push SMS The ability to request services (e.g. ringtones or games) from a
wireless handset via sending a preset SMS code to a
predetermined number. The service requested is sent back to the
handset via SMS.
R
Radiation The emission and transmission of energy through space or
through a material medium.
Radio Frequency (RF) The spectrum of electromagnetic energy between audio and light:
500 KHz to 300 GHz.
Radio Waves Electromagnetic energy with frequencies in the 3000 hertz (3
kHz) to 300 billion Hertz (300 GHz) portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Radio-Frequency
Fingerprinting
A process that identifies a cellular phone by the unique
"fingerprint" that characterizes its signal transmission. RF
fingerprinting is one process used to prevent cloning fraud,
because a cloned phone will not have the same fingerprint as the
legal phone with the same electronic identification numbers.
Rate Center The geographic area used by local exchange carriers to set rate
boundaries for billing and for issuing phone numbers.
Repeater Device that receives a radio signal, amplifies it and retransmits it
in a new direction. Used in wireless networks to extend the range
of base station signals, expanding coverage more economically
than building additional base stations. Repeaters typically are
used for buildings, tunnels or difficult terrain.
Roaming The ability to use your cellular phone outside your usual service
area – when traveling outside of the "home" service area defined
by a service provider. Higher per-minute rates are usually
charged for calls made or received while roaming. Long distance
rates and a daily access fee may also apply.
Roaming Agreement An agreement between two or more wireless telephone companies
outlining the terms and conditions under which the participating
companies will provide wireless service to each others
subscribers. Roaming agreements commonly are used where no
one company can offer complete national and international
coverage.
TELECOM DICTONARY
Round-Up Calls/Billing
When calls are billed by the minute, any call that uses a portion of
a minute is rounded up and billed for the whole minute. For
example, if you make a call that lasts 3 minutes and 2 seconds,
you are billed for a 4-minute call.
S-Band The frequency spectrum near 2 GHz used for land based
microwave and some mobile satellite communications.
Service Charge The amount customers pay each month to receive wireless service.
This amount is fixed, and to be paid monthly regardless of how
much or how little customers use their wireless phones.
Service Plan The rate plan you select when choosing a wireless phone service. A
service plan typically consists of a monthly base rate for access to
the system and a fixed amount of minutes per month. Service
plans are designed to provide the most cost-effective rates for
different types and amounts of usage by the cellular subscriber.
Short Message Service
(SMS)
The transmission of short alphanumeric text-messages to and from
a mobile phone, fax machine and/or IP address. Messages must be
no longer than 160 alphanumeric characters and contain no images
or graphics. Once a message is sent, it is received by a Short
Message Service Center (SMSC), which must then get it to the
appropriate mobile device.
Short Message Service
Center (SMSC)
The hardware device submitting the messages. Currently, SMSC
devices support binary formats.
SIM Card A small printed circuit board that must be inserted in any GSM-
based mobile phone when signing on as a subscriber. It contains
subscriber details, security information and memory for a personal
directory of numbers. The card can be a small plug-in type or sized
as a credit-card but has the same functionality. The SIM card also
stores data that identifies the caller to the network service
provider.
Simple Network Paging
Protocol (SNPP)
A sequence of commands and replies where pages are delivered to
individual paging terminals. The most obvious benefit is the
elimination of the need for modems and phone lines to produce
alphanumeric pages, and the ease of delivery of pages to terminals
in other cities or countries.
Simulcast A signaling technique that broadcasts the same signal over
multiple sites in a network.
TELECOM DICTONARY
Sleep Mode Designed to conserve battery life, this mode automatically turns off
a terminal after it has been unused for a specified period of time.
The unit is reactivated when the keypad is touched.
Smart Antenna An antenna system that focuses its beam on a desired signal to
reduce interference. A wireless network employs smart antennas at
its base stations in an effort to reduce the number of dropped calls,
improve call quality and improve channel capacity.
Smart Card A plastic card containing important data about a person's identity
to allow access to a network or premises. Also, a card containing
subscriber information, often inserted into GSM phones for roaming
in different countries.
Smart Phone A class of wireless phone handsets with many features, and often a
keyboard. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to handle
data, not only voice calls.
Soft Handoff When two base stations -- one in the cell site where the phone is
located and the other in the cell site to which the conversation is
being passed - both hold onto the call until the handoff is
completed. The first cell site does not cut off the conversation until
it receives information that the second is maintaining the call.
Soft Key A key below the phone's main display panel that performs special
functions.
Space Division Multiple
Access (SDMA)
A variation of TDMA and CDMA that potentially will be used in high-
bandwidth, third-generation wireless products.
Specialized Mobile Radio
(SMR)
Dispatch service ("walkie-talkie-type" service used by taxis,
delivery trucks, etc.). SMR providers in the United States operate
in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz frequency bands.
Specific Absorption Rate
(SAR)
A measure of the rate at which RF energy is absorbed by the body.
Spectrum The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the
transmission of sound, data and television.
Spectrum Allocation Federal government assignment of a range of frequencies for a
category of use or uses. For example, the FCC allocated the 1900
MHz band for personal communications services. Allocation,
accomplished in FCC proceedings, tracks new technology
development. However, the FCC can shift existing allocations to
respond to changes in spectrum demand.
Spectrum Assignment Federal government authorization for use of specific frequencies or
frequency pairs within a given allocation, at specific geographic
locations.
Spectrum Cap A limit to the allocated spectrum designated for a specific service.
TELECOM DICTONARY
Spread Spectrum Initially devised for military use, this radio transmission technology
"spreads" information over greater bandwidth than necessary to
resist jamming and other interference.
Standby Time The amount of time you can leave your fully charged cellular
portable or transportable phone turned on before the phone will
completely discharge the batteries. See Talk Time.
Stratospheric Platform Blimp-like platform for wireless telephone service in urban areas.
Strongest Signal The concept that a wireless 911 call should be routed to the cell
site with the strongest link to the phone, regardless of which
carrier holds the caller as a customer. A shortcoming is that
strength of the call's setup link isn't always equal to that of the link
the cell assigns for voice traffic because the latter can be weaker.
Subscriber Fraud Securing wireless service with intent to avoid payment. This is
different from bad debt, which occurs when a known person or
company has a payment obligation overdue and the debt cannot be
collected.
Subscriber Identity Module
(SIM)
A card inserted into a GSM/TDMA or GSM-only handset containing
subscriber-related data. The card contains 18 digits for GSM
markets and 20 digits for TDMA markets.
Subscriber Profiling Compiling subscriber usage information (such as frequency of calls,
locations called to or from and monthly airtime usage), to identify
potentially fraudulent use or to identify customers likely to
terminate service. This information can also be used to target
customers when marketing a carrier's product and service
offerings.
Switch A mechanical, electrical or electronic device that opens or closes
circuits, completes or breaks an electrical path, or selects paths or
circuits.
T
Talk Time The length of time you can talk on your portable or transportable
cellular phone without recharging the battery. The battery capacity
of a cellular portable or transportable is usually expressed in terms
of so many minutes of talk time or so many hours of standby time.
When you're talking, the phone draws additional power from the
battery. See Standby Time.
TD-CDMA A 3G proposal combining elements of TDMA and CDMA.
Telecommunications The transmission of words, sounds, or images, usually over great
TELECOM DICTONARY
distances, in the form of electromagnetic energy, for example by
telegraph, telephone, radio, or television.
Telecommunications
Industry Association (TIA)
The United States' telecommunications standards making body.
Telematics The integration of wireless communications, vehicle monitoring
systems and location devices.
Telematics Control Unit
(TCU)
The embedded vehicle control unit that communicates with the
automobile controls, GPS satellite and customer service center to
provide Telematics features to a driver.
Telephone Network The system of wires, fiber-optic cables, satellites, and transmission
towers that transmit telephone messages from caller to receiver.
Telephone Transmission
Tower
A telephone base station located on top of a tall, free-standing
structure.
Telephony Originally meaning voice (analog) communication by telephone
(land line), this term has come to encompass virtually all
telecommunications, because virtually all telecommunications can
be done over or while connected to a telephone line.
Termination Charges Fees that wireless telephone companies pay to complete calls on
wireline phone networks or vice versa.
Third Generation (3G) A new wireless standard promising increased capacity and high-
speed data applications up to two megabits. Third generation
wireless employ wideband frequency carriers and a CDMA air
interface. Networks must be able to transmit wireless data at 144
kilobits per second at mobile user speeds. Implemented in Europe
as UMTS and CDMA2000 in North America, its goals are high-
quality multimedia and advanced global roaming (in house,
cellular, satellite, etc.).
Time Division Multiple
Access (TDMA)
A method of digital wireless communications transmission allowing
a large number of users to access a single radio-frequency channel
without interference. Each user is given a unique time slot within
each channel. SMS Mobile Originate has now gone live on several
TDMA networks around the world including Telecom New Zealand,
Midwest Wireless USA, Algar Telecom Brazil and Cellcom Israel.
Other TDMA network operators such as AT&T Wireless in the U.S.
have launched SMS nationally.
Total Access Communication
System (TACS)
European analog cellular.
TELECOM DICTONARY
Transceiver Equipment to handle the broadcast and reception of radio signals
with network or subscriber equipment.
Tri-Band A network infrastructure or wireless phone designed to operate in
three frequency bands: 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800MHz.
Tri-Mode Phones that work on three modes GSM, TDMA and analog.
Triangulation The process of pinning down a caller's location using three or more
radio receivers, a compass and a map.
Trunking Spectrum-efficient technology that establishes a queue to handle
demand for voice or data channels.
U
Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System
(UMTS)
The goal of UMTS is to enable networks that offer true global
roaming and can support a wide range of voice, data and
multimedia services. A new-generation technology for rapidly
moving data and multimedia over wireless devices. The European
implementation of the 3G wireless phone system, UMTS provides
service in the 2GHz band and offers global roaming and
personalized features; designed as an evolutionary system for
GSM network operators, multimedia data rates offered by UMTS
are: vehicular - 144 kbit/s; pedestrian 384 kbit/s; in-building
2Mb/s.
Universal Wireless
Communications
Consortium (UWCC)
An industry group supporting TDMA and WIN technology.
Uplink The portion of a telecommunications path from the ground to the
satellite, also referred to as the forward link.
UWC-136 A third-generation wireless standard proposal based on TDMA
technology that was developed by the Universal Wireless
Communications Consortium and is one of the 3G candidates
submitted to the International Telecommunication Union by the
United States. UWC-136 represents an evolutionary path for both
the old analog Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) and the
second-generation TIA/EIA-136 technologies, which were
designed specifically for compatibility with AMPS. UWC-136 radio
transmission technology proposes a low-cost incremental,
evolutionary deployment path for both AMPS and TIA/EIA
operators. The technology is tolerant of the frequency band in
which it is deployed: 500 MHz to 2.5 GHz.
TELECOM DICTONARY
V
Visitor Location Register
(VLR)
A network database that holds information about roaming wireless
customers.
Voice Activation A convenient safety feature that allows a subscriber to dial a
phone by voice instead of physically punching in the numbers.
Voice Recognition The capability for cellular phones, PCs and other communications
devices to be activated or controlled by voice commands.
W
Wavelength The distance covered by one cycle of a wave.
Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) A 3G mobile services platform, based on modern, layered
network-protocol structure, similar to the protocol structure used
in GSM networks. WCDMA has been designed for high-speed data
services and more particularly, internet-based packet-data
offering up to 2Mbps in stationary or office environments, and up
to 384Kbps in wide area or mobile environments. The third
generation radio standard that will offer voice, data, motion-video
and other multimedia capabilities, and increases data
transmission rates in GSM systems by using CDMA instead of
TDMA. WCDMA has become the Direct Sequence (DS) mode in the
ITU's 3G specification, which includes the 1X Multi-Carrier mode
(1X MC) and 3X Multi-Carrier mode (3X MC). 1X MC (formerly
known as cdma2000) and 3X MC comprise the 3G upgrade path
for carriers already using CDMA (cdmaOne).
Wideband Packet CDMA
(WPCDMA)
A technical proposal from Golden Bridge Technology that wraps
WCDMA and cdma2000 into one standard.
Wireless Application
Protocol (WAP)
An open standard for communication between handsets and the
Internet. WAP is a wireless communications environment for
delivering web data to wireless terminals with minimal screen
display. An initiative started by Unwired Planet, Motorola, Nokia
and Ericsson to develop a standard for wireless content delivery
on the next generation of mobile communicators. WAP strips all
but graphics for display on small screens, such as mobile phones.
A mini-browser is an integral part of WAP enabled phones. WAP
enabled phones first appeared in Europe at the end of 1999.
Wireless Communications The variety of services available using frequencies in the 2.3 GHz
TELECOM DICTONARY
Services (WCS) band for general fixed wireless use.
Wireless Instant Messaging
(WIM)
Bridges the gap between wired and wireless networks. WIM
seamlessly allows a desktop user to instantly send a message to a
handset.
Wireless Intelligent
Network (WIN)
The architecture needed to match the capabilities of the wireline
intelligent network. In addition to transparent roaming, selective
call screening, short message service and pre-paid billing are
features that a WIN can provide.
Wireless Markup
Language/Script
(WML/WMLScript)
The languages used to create WAP pages. WML is similar to the
way HTML is used to create web pages and WMLScript is based on
JavaScript. Both are adapted and optimized for a wireless
environment (compression to save bandwidth).
Wireless Telephone Base
Station
The combination of antennas and electronic equipment used to
receive and transmit wireless telephone signals. Sometimes called
a base station.
Wireless Transport Layer
Security (WTLS)
The security layer of the WAP which provides privacy, data
integrity and authentication for WAP services. WTLS, designed
specifically for the wireless environment, is needed for the client
and server to be authenticated in order for wireless transactions
to remain secure and also because the connection needs to be
encrypted. For example, a user making a transaction with a bank
over a wireless device needs to know that the connection is
secure and private and not subject to a security breach during
transfer. WTLS is needed because mobile networks do not provide
complete end-to-end security.
Wireline Traditional telephone technology that relies upon wires. Also
called land line.