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1900MHz
The frequency band identified for PCS two-way digital wireless services. See also PCS.

800MHz
Refers to the radio frequency or range of frequencies typically associated with wireless services.

900 MHz Cordless Phone
Refers to digital cordless phones that allow users to move untethered from a phone base for about 10 to 1,000 feet. They are different from wireless phones that send and receive transmission signals directly in the handset unit.

AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone Service. The analog wireless transmission standard (technology) deployed in the 1980s in the United States and Canada. AMPS operates at 800 MHz. See also N-AMPS (Narrowband AMPS).

Accessories
A wide variety of additional pieces of equipment to enhance the productivity of wireless phones including extra batteries and rapid, travel or desktop battery chargers, headset kits, car kits, carrying cases and belt clips.

Airtime
The time tracked by wireless service providers to determine billing charges. Usage includes sending or receiving calls and other wireless transmission such as faxes, e-mail or data files. Some service providers may charge for a whole minute if only part of a minute is used.

Alphanumeric
Consisting of letters, numbers and characters, as in an alphanumeric message, that may be received by some wireless phones, as well as sent and received by newer wireless phone models and wireless communicators. See also SMS.

Analog
A transmission method or way of sending voice, video and data-using signals (such as electricity or sound waves) that are continuously variable rather than discreet units as in digital transmissions. In the context of wireless communications, analog refers to transmission networks built in the 1980s and that use analog technology rather than digital. See also Digital.

Antenna
A physical device for sending or receiving radio signals. Antennas come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some wireless phones contain built-in antennas. Many phone owners also use car antennas to boost reception and transmission.

Asynchronous Mode
Not synchronous. A way to send transmissions by starting and stopping transmissions with a code rather than sending transmissions at specific time intervals as in synchronous mode. Asynchronous communication devices do not have to be synchronized with a clocking signal, which is required with synchronous transmission. Also frequently referred to as ATM or Asynchronous Transfer Mode. See also Synchronous Mode.

Authentication
The process a wireless transmission network uses to validate a user's identity to prevent unauthorized use.

Band
In wireless communication, band refers to a frequency or contiguous range of frequencies. Currently, wireless communication service providers use the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and1900 MHz bands for transmission in the United States.

Bandwidth
The width or capacity of a communications channel. Analog bandwidth is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Digital bandwidth is the amount or volume of data that may be sent through a channel, measured in bits per second, without distortion. Bandwidth should not be confused with the term band, such as a wireless phone that operates on the 800 MHz band. Bandwidth is the space it occupies on that band. The relative importance of bandwidth in wireless communications is that the size, or bandwidth, of a channel will impact transmission speed. Lots of data flowing through a narrow channel takes longer than the same amount of data flowing through a broader channel.

Battery
The power source for a wireless phone. Rechargeable batteries such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion are used in wireless phones and communication devices. See also Li-Ion , NiCd , NiMH.

Blue Tooth
Blue Tooth is an exciting new technology that allows devices such as mobile phones, Lap Top computers, digital cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other portable devices to communicate with each other without using cables to connect them. Blue Tooth is a technology that allows these devices to communicate with each other using short-range radio waves.

Broadband PCS
The term the Federal Communications Commission gave to the range of frequencies from 1800 MHz to 1900 MHz in the radio spectrum that are capable of supporting wireless voice and data communications. Also used to refer to PCS voice and data services. See also PCS.

Broadband
The power source for a wireless phone. Rechargeable batteries such as nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride and lithium ion are used in wireless phones and communication devices. See also Bandwidth.

CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is one of several digital wireless transmission methods in which signals are encoded using a pseudo-random sequence - which corresponds to a different communication channel - that the receiver also knows and can use to decode the received signal. CDMA is one of several "spread spectrum" techniques. CDMA offers improvements over analog transmission in the areas of reduced call dropping, battery power conservation, more secure transmission and increased service options.

CDPD
Cellular Digital Packet Data. An open wireless transmission standard allowing two-way 19.2-Kbps packet data transmission over existing cellular telephone channels (AMPS with CDPD capability.) In essence, CDPD technology uses idle network capacity caused by pauses in phone conversations and gaps between calls placed, etc. to transmit data.

CTIA
The membership-based Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), located in Washington, D.C., represents the interests of the wireless telecommunications industry.

Caller ID
A feature that displays the name and/or number of the calling party either on a wireless phone screen or a separate device (as is often the case with a landline phone). Virtually all digital phones — as well as many analog phones — have this capability, which may be activated by a wireless service provider.

Calling Plan
A package of services offered by wireless service providers that outlines the activation charge, monthly charges, per-minute air time charges, roaming charges, local service and area as well as additional service charges (such as caller ID, call waiting or voicemail). See also Coverage Area , Local Service Area , Roaming.

Car Kit
Accessories that allow you to use your phone hands-free in the car. A car kit may contain a few essential items such as a fast battery charger, a hands-free holder (hardware to hold the phone) or may be more robust and include connections to an external antenna, external speaker for better audio quality or a junction box with data port for optional fax/modem connections.

Cell
The geographic area encompassing the signal range from one base station (a site containing a radio transmitter/receiver and network communication equipment). Wireless transmission networks are comprised of many hexagonal, overlapping cell sites to efficiently use radio spectrum for wireless transmissions. Also, the basis for the term "cellular phone" below.

Cellular
In wireless communications, cellular basically refers to the structure of the wireless transmission networks which are comprised of cells or transmission sites. Cellular is also the name of the wireless telephone system originally developed by Bell Laboratories that used low-powered analog radio equipment to transmit within cells. The terms "cellular phone" or "cell phone" are used interchangeably to refer to wireless phones. Within the wireless industry, cellular is also used to refer to non-PCS products and services.

Cordless Phone (vs. Wireless)
A phone that does not have a cord between the handset and the base unit, which is plugged into an electrical outlet and the telephone line. Cordless phones allow users to roam a short distance from the phone's base. Early cordless phones used analog technology; however, many cordless phones manufactured today employ digital transmission technology. Cordless phones are vastly different from wireless phones, which allow phone use wherever there is a compatible transmission network. See also 900 MHz Cordless Phone.

Coverage Area
The geographic area encompassing a wireless network. This is the area your network service provider offers cellular service for your phone.

Data Services
The ability to access services such as e-mail, faxes and SMS messages using a wireless phone or communicator. See also SMS.

Dead Spot
An area within the coverage area of a wireless network in which there is no coverage or transmission falls off. Dead spots are often caused by electronic interference or physical barriers such as hills, tunnels and indoor parking garages.

Digital
Using a binary code (discrete, non-continuous values) to represent information. Analog information can be converted into a digital format.

DualBand
A wireless phone that is capable of operating on two frequency bands such as the 800 MHz digital band and the 1900 MHz digital PCS band. See also Band.

DualMode
An industry term referring to a wireless device that can operate on either an analog or digital transmission network. However, multiple digital transmission systems exist, so dualmode phone users must ensure that their dualmode phone will operate on the digital transmission system used by their selected service provider. See also Tri-Mode.

Duplex/Full Duplex
Simultaneous two-way transmission, such as experienced in a phone conversation. In contrast, many speakerphones are half-duplex and will transmit in only one direction — from the loudest noise — at a time.

ESN
The Electronic Serial Number (ESN) is a unique, unchangeable 32-bit binary number embedded in a wireless communications device (except GSM devices that use an IMEI) by the manufacturer. The ESN number is automatically transmitted to the wireless network each time the phone is used to verify that it has not been reported lost or stolen and that all subscriber bills are current.

FCC
The Federal Communications Commission was established by the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and regulates interstate communications (wire, radio, telephone, telegraph and telecommunications) originating in the United States.

Face Plate
A cover that fits around the pushbuttons of a phone. Many wireless phone models offer changeable, colored faceplates. Some can be changed by the user. Others must be changed at the place of purchase or an authorized service center.

Fast Charging
Refers to a method of fully charging batteries in under four hours.

Frequency
The rate at which an electrical current alternates, usually measured in Hertz (Hz). Also the way to note a general location on the radio frequency spectrum such as 800 MHz, 900 MHz or 1900 MHz. See also HZ (Hertz) , MHz (Megahertz).

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