We've compiled a list of key words that we figure people might have questions
on. This is just a preliminary list of terms. If you run across cell phone
terminology that you think would benefit others, please
contact us.
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
