Activation
Configuration of a wireless phone so that it is ready to be used to transmit and receive calls on the wireless network.

AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service)
The standard operating standard for analog cellular phone services.

Analog
A method of modulating radio signals so that they can transmit voice or data information.

Antenna
A physical device that enhances or facilitates the transmission and reception of radio signals.

APC (Adaptive Power Control)
A feature that increases the battery's talk and standby times by decreasing the power consumption.

Area Code
A three-digit number assigned to an area to distinguish it from other areas.

Authentication
A feature that decreases fraud by creating a unique set of variables to identify the phone's identity.

Automatic Call Delivery
A feature that still permits a cellular/ wireless phones to receive incoming calls when roaming.

Bandwidth
The range of frequencies a signal can be transmitted without distortion over a transmission medium.

Broadband
A communications medium that uses a wide-bandwidth channel for transmitting large amounts of voice, data, or video information.

Call Forwarding
A calling feature that enables one to forward an incoming call to another telephone number.

Call Setup
The process that occurs to establish a call connection between the wireless phone and the wireless system.

Call Waiting
A calling feature that allows one to answer a second call while putting the first call on hold.

Caller ID
A calling feature that displays the telephone number of the incoming call.

Carrier
- A Company that provides wireless telecommunications services.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
A digital communications standard that allows carriers to provide PCS services. A competing technology to TDMA and GSM.

Cell
The geographic area in which an individual cell station handles a particular call.

Cellular
The most familiar type of wireless communication. Originally called "cellular" because each service area was divided into cells.

CLIP (Callling Line Identification Presentation)
Caller Line ID Presentation. A code that is sent over the phone lines in some areas when a person makes a phone call. This code includes the phone number of the person making the call. Some modems are able to understand this signal, and let you know who is calling you before you answer the phone.

CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction)
Caller Line ID Restriction. The ability to block someone who you're calling from seeing your number.

Clone (Cloning)
A fraudulent method of duplicating electronic serial and mobile identification numbers.

Coverage Area
The area in which a wireless system operates.

Cross-talk
The leaking of a signal from one channel to another. Frequently causing noise.
Decibel
A measure of the intensity of sound. Logarithmic. i.e. 5 is 10 times louder than 4.

DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecomunication

Digital
An encoding method using the binary code of 1's and 0's.

Dual Band
A feature that allows one to operate on either cellular or PCS frequencies.

Dual mode
A feature that allows one to utilize either analog or digital mode.

Duplex
- The ability to receive and send a signal at the same time.

Encryption
A method of encoding plain text for security purposes.

ESN (Electronic Serial Number)
The 32 bit binary number assigned by the manufacturer that uniquely identifies a cell phone.

E-Tacs
Extended Total Access Communications System

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
A US governing agency that regulates the communications industry.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
GSM originally stood for Groupe Speciale Mobile but has been anglicised to Global System for Mobile Communications, an international digital cellular standard. A digital communications standard used in over 60 countries.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
GPRS was introduced in mid-2001. It allows a handset to be permanently connected for data usage without being charged for the time of the connection. Charges are only incurred when actual data is sent or received. The other main advantage of GPRS is that it is capable of receiving data up to 3 times faster than a normal handset. This make GPRS ideal for connection to corporate servers and for use with WAP.

Handoff
Transferring a call from one site to another without losing the connection.

Handset
A wireless phone, cellular phone, mobile phone, or PCS phone.

Hands-Free
A wireless phone feature that allows one to operate the phone without touching the holding the handset.

Hands-Free Speakerphone
A feature that allows one to speak on a wireless phone without holding the handset to one's head.

Interactive Manual
A Windows-based modem control and diagnostic program bundled free with each Option 2-in-1 modem. Here you can alter all Hayes AT commands using icons! Just click on the appropriate icon, and the Interactive Manual will instantly alter the modem's settings. You can also change the modem's settings to conform to the PTT specifications of different countries.

ISO
The International Standards Organisation, the body responsible for setting world technical standards. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
A digital display that utilizes liquid crystal cells.

LED (Light Emitting Diode)
An indicator light on a handset.

Monthly Access
A monthly charge for the ability to connect to a wireless network. This fee is assessed monthly whether the phone is actually used or not.

NAM (Number Assignment Module)
The electronic components in a wireless system that stores the telephone number and ESN of a phone.

Paging
A wireless device feature that allows one to receive an alphanumeric message.

PCS (Personal Communication Services)
A wireless communications technology that operates at 1900 MHz.

PCMCIA
A credit card sized card that generally plugs into a notebook computer. It conforms to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association spec. Now known as PC Cards.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)
Combined with the SIM card to complete a call.

Roaming
Using your wireless phone in an area outside its home coverage area. There is usually an additional charge for roaming.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)
See smart card.

Sleep Mode
A feature designed to extend battery life by turning off a terminal (backlight for example) and that is reactivated by touching any key.

Smart Card
A card that contains subscriber identifying data about a user that can be used to all access to a network. Frequently used in GSM phones.

Smart Phone
A phone designed to handle both data and voice calls. Frequently has a keyboard.

SMS (Short Messaging Service)
A PCS phone feature that permits users to receive and transmit short text messages.

Soft Key
A key immediately below the phone's display that performs whatever operation is currently listed on the display.

Standby Time
- The time that a phone is on but not being utilized for a call. Varies by battery type.

Talk Time
The length of time a phone can be actively on without needing to recharge the battery.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
A competing technology to CDMA and GSM for delivering PCS service.

Tri-mode Handset
A wireless phone that is designed to operate at 1900MHz, 800 MHz digital or analog.

UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (a 3G initiative).

Voice Mail
An automated answering system that plays a greeting and records incoming messages.

Voice Activated Dialing
A feature that allows the user to dial a telephone number by speaking.

Voice Recognition
A feature that allows communication devices to be operated by spoken words.

Vibrating alert / Vibracall
- A feature that signals the user of an incoming call by a vibrating mechanism. It is usually the battery that vibrates.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
A global protocol used in many newer wireless devices that allows the user to view and interact with data services. Generally used as a means to view Internet web pages using the limited transmission capacity and small display screens of portable wireless devices.