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.

Advanced Mobile Phone System – an analog mobile phone network that is used mainly in the US and also Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Russia and Asia-Pacific

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.

Android is the name of the software that an increasing number of today’s phones run on. It’s developed by Google and comes with a range of Google features, most notably Search and Maps, installed as standard. This means you can easily search for information on the web and for directions from your phone, as you would on your computer. This is handy for checking up on things like train times and getting directions when out and about. You can also access other Google services, like Gmail, Google Earth, YouTube and Google Calendar on an Android phone.
What can an Android phone do?
Android phones are highly customisable and as such can be altered to suit your tastes and needs. You can check your Facebook and Twitter profiles through a variety of apps making it ideal for social networking. Through the calendar you can set reminders from your desktop or your phone and on the latest version of Android you can send links to and from your computer and vice versa.

Also called mobile apps, it is a term used to describe Internet applications that run on smartphones and other mobile devices. Mobile applications usually help users by connecting them to Internet services more commonly accessed on desktop or notebook computers, or help them by making it easier to use the Internet on their portable devices. A mobile app may be a mobile Web site bookmarking utility, a mobile-based instant messaging client, Gmail for mobile, and many other applications. Caution when dowloading APPS from questionable vendors, since they can figure out access to your personal private information.

The process that enables mobile phones and service providers to confirm the identity of any phone placing and receiving a call, allowing route of call, accurate billing and inhibiting unauthorized usage of the system.

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.

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.

BlackBerry is a line of mobile e-mail and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion (RIM) since 1999.
BlackBerry functions as a personal digital assistant with address book, calendar, memopad, and task list capabilities. It also functions as a portable media player with support for music and video playback and camera and video capabilities.
BlackBerry is a powerful messaging phone with a large array of messaging features in a smartphone today, including auto-text, auto-correct, text prediction, support for many languages, keyboard shortcuts, text emoticons, push email, push Facebook, Twitter and Myspace notifications, push Ebay notifications, push instant messaging with BlackBerry Messenger, Google Talk, ICQ, Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant Messanger and Yahoo Messenger; threaded text messaging and a customizable indicator light near the top right of all BlackBerry devices. All notifications and conversations from applications are shown in a unified messaging application which third party applications can access. BlackBerry's push gives BlackBerry devices a long battery life. All data on the phone is compressed through BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). BlackBerry commands a 14.8% share of worldwide smartphone sales, making it the fifth most popular device manufacturer after Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Apple The consumer BlackBerry Internet Service is available in 91 countries worldwide on over 500 mobile service operators using various mobile technologies.

A SIM card is a small printed circuit board that must be inserted in any GSM-based mobile phone when signing on as a subscriber. Entering your PIN code incorrectly three times will block your SIM card as a security measure, preventing unauthorized use of your phone. To unlock your card, you will need to enter a PUK code.

A term used to compare frequency bandwidth relative to 3 MHz narrowband frequencies. Broadband frequencies can transmit more data and at a higher speed than narrowband frequencies. In general, typical paging services utilize narrowband frequencies. Wireless phones and communication devices use broadband.

Bounce e-mail (sometimes referred to as bounce mail) is electronic mail that is returned to the sender because it cannot be delivered for some reason.

Broadband signifies a ‘broaderband’ from which Internet data is sent. It is much faster than a phone line. There are basically two types of broadband. The biggest and fastest is via cable but this isn’t available everywhere so the second best is what they call ADSL or DSL which uses your existing phone line but is faster than a ‘dial –up’.

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. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Enables you to divert incoming calls to another phone or answering service. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Enables you to put a caller on hold while a second call is answered or made. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

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. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Enables you to transfer a caller to another number. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

If your line is busy, callers are asked to wait while you are alerted to their incoming call. This is extremely useful if you are waiting for an important call, yet still wish to use your phone. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Shows the number of the person calling you in your mobile phone’s display. You can then make an informed choice as to whether or not to take the call. Bear in mind that not all numbers can be displayed. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Shows the number of the person calling you in your mobile phone’s display. You can then make an informed choice as to whether or not to take the call. Bear in mind that not all numbers can be displayed. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

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.”

In wireless communications, cellular refers most basically 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 analogue radio equipment to transmit within cells. The term “cellular phone” is used interchangeably to refer to wireless phones. Within the wireless industry, cellular is also used to refer to non-PCS products and services.

Has been renamed TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). TDMA is a digital mobile phone network that operates in the US, Latin America, New Zealand, parts of Russia and Asia Pacific. Ericsson’s TDMA mobile phones also work on AMPS networks.

Your mobile phone can be used to send and receive fax and data files, access the Internet and send e-mail when connected to mobile office equipment. To use this service, it must be supported by your network and by your phone. You may also have to add this service to your subscription.

Digital Communications System based on GSM, working on a radio frequency of 1800 MHz. Also known as GSM1800 or PCN, this digital network operates in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Using a binary code – discrete, non-continuous values – to represent information. Analogue information can be converted into a digital format.

Droid, brand name of a number of Android-based smartphones from multiple manufacturers: * Motorola Droid (marketed as the Motorola Milestone outside the U.S.)

Dual band technology enables a network operator with spectrum at both 900MHz and 1800MHz to support the seamless use of dual band handsets across both frequencies. By supporting seamless handovers between 900MHz and 1800MHz, dual band networks can provide major benefits in terms of capacity enhancement and revenue optimisation through the introduction of new services.

Dual mode mobile phones work on more than one network (for example, digital and analog) – this is extremely useful if you want the advantages of a digital phone, but regularly visit areas where analog is the only service available.

The little funny characters you see typed that are supposed to indicate mood. When you see this ;-) it signifies a smiley face. When you turn your head sideways so the parenthesis is on the bottom, it become the smile, and the semi-colon becomes the eyes (one winking). There are tons of them, see more here.

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.

GSM is the pan-European standard for digital cellular telephone service. GSM networks will be built as an alternative to current AMPS systems and in the future and will support enhanced data applications. GSM was designed for European markets to provide the advantage of automatic, international roaming in multiple countries. The SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card is a vital component in GSM operation. The user can store all relevant data for the phone on a removable plastic card. The card can be plugged into any GSM compatible phone and the phone is instantly personalized to the user.

GSM 900, or just GSM, is the world’s most widely used digital network and now operating in over 100 countries around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia Pacific.

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.

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 anda Africa.

The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a 15-digit number (composed of four parts) that uniquely identifies an individual wireless phone or communicator. 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.

A call placed by another party to your wireless phone. In virtually all current wireless phone service plans, the owner of the wireless phone pays for all calls, both incoming (calls from others) and outgoing (placed by you).

iPhone 4, latest version is a GSM cell phone with a high-resolution display, FaceTime video calling, HD video recording, a 5-megapixel camera, and more.

The keypad lock feature provided on some mobile phones allows the user to disable the keys so that a number will not accidentally be dialed while the phone is in your pocket or purse.

Refers to a type of battery, a Lithium-Ion battery, used to power wireless communication devices. Li-Ion batteries are lighter weight than earlier battery types, have a relatively long cycle life and generally do not suffer from memory effect.

The geographic area that telephones may call without incurring roaming or long distance charges.

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, is less of a problem with Nickel Hydride batteries and even less with Lithium Ion batteries.

Using various products, services and technologies to transfer messages from one person to another, or from one device to another such as traditional numeric or alphanumeric paging, e-mail or short messages (SMS) delivered to wireless devices.

Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone Service. Combines the AMPS transmission standard with digital signalling information to effectively triple the capacity of AMPS while adding basic messaging functionality.

Mobile and portable radio (including paging) services such as two-way paging, acknowledgement paging, voice paging and data services. These services are transmitted over a set of frequencies set aside by the FCC in 1994.

In the wireless industry, a network refers to the infrastructure enabling the transmission of wireless signals. A network ties things together and enables resource sharing.

In the wireless industry, a network refers to the infrastructure enabling the transmission of wireless signals. A network ties things together and enables resource sharing.

A Nickel Metal Hydride Battery, also referred to as a Ni-MH or NiMH battery, is 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.

Typically hours after the business day (usually after 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. local time) and on weekends when wireless networks have less demand for transmission. Service providers often offer lower per-minute rates to calls placed and received during off-peak hours.

personal digital assistant: a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.

Personal Communications Network – also known as the DCS 1800 standard or GSM 1800. It is used in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Personal Communications Service working on a radio frequency of 1900 MHz. PCS 1900, also known as GSM 1900, is a digital system used in parts of the US and Canada and is scheduled for parts of America and Africa.

Typically during the business day when the demand for access to wireless networks is high. Service providers typically charge full-service per-minute rates during peak hours.

Using a wireless phone outside of your service provider’s local coverage area or home calling area is referred to as roaming. Roaming arrangements between service providers expand the potential area for phone use. Service providers typically charge a higher per-minute fee for calls placed outside their home calling or coverage area. Roaming within your home network, this means that your mobile phone automatically sets up communication procedures with different radio base stations when on the move. International roaming means that you can use networks other than your own when traveling abroad.

Using a wireless phone outside of your service provider’s local coverage area or home calling area is referred to as roaming. Roaming arrangements between service providers expand the potential area for phone use. Service providers typically charge a higher per-minute fee for calls placed outside their home calling or coverage area. Roaming within your home network, this means that your mobile phone automatically sets up communication procedures with different radio base stations when on the move. International roaming means that you can use networks other than your own when traveling abroad.

A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. Smartphones and feature phones may be thought of as handheld computers integrated with a mobile telephone, but while most feature phones are able to run applications based on platforms such as Java ME,a smartphone usually allows the user to install and run more advanced applications. Smartphones run complete operating system software providing a platform for application developers.Thus, they combine the functions of a camera phone and a Personal digital assistant (PDA). Some smartphones, sometimes called NirvanaPhones, have a docking station with an external display and keyboard to create a desktop or laptop environment. Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting powerful processors, abundant memory, larger screens, and open operating systems has outpaced the rest of the mobile phone market for several years. According to a study by ComScore, over 45.5 million people in the United States owned smartphones in 2010 out of 234 million total subscribers. Despite the large increase in smartphone sales in the last few years, smartphone shipments only make up 20% of total handset shipments, as of the first half of 2010.

Subscriber Identity Module 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.

Short Message Service is a feature available with some wireless phones that allow users to send and/or receive short alphanumeric messages.

The length of time a wireless phone or communicator is fully charged, turned on and ready to send and receive calls or data transmissions. Standby time, once stated in only hours and minutes, can now be extended to many days with current phone models. Standby time is affected by the amount of time the phone is used for talking because talking on a phone draws more energy from a battery than standby time does. Wireless devices depend on batteries for power; batteries slowly discharge their power and must be recharged and eventually replaced.

Skype is an IP telephone service provider that offers free calling between subscribers and low-cost calling to people who don’t use the service. In addition to standard telephone calls, Skype enables file transfers, texting, video chat and video conferencing.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) is a digital mobile phone network that operates in the US, Latin America, New Zealand, parts of Russia and Asia Pacific. Ericsson’s TDMA mobile phones also work on AMPS networks. Networks using TDMA assign 6 timeslots for each frequency channel. Devices using the wireless network send bursts of information that are reassembled at the receiving end.

A tri-band cellular phone will operate on three different frequencies, depending on the available network. In Europe the GSM frequencies used are 900MHz and 1800MHz. American GSM, or PCS, operates at 1900MHz.