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.
S
|
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. |
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. |
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 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. |
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. |
