Wireless Glossary
- Dual Band Phone
Operates on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network and on analog networks where roaming agreements are in place. Operates on 1900 MHz CDMA networks and 800 MHz analog networks.
- Dual Band/Tri Mode Phone
Operating on two digital bands plus analog networks. This type of phone gives you the combined coverage of both dual-band and digital dual-band phones.
Operates on 800 and 1900 MHz CDMA networks, and on 800 MHz analog networks.- Dual Mode
A wireless device that can be operated on analog or digital transmission networks. This is different than dual band.
- Duplex
The ability to send and receive signals at the same time. Cell phones are duplex, so you can talk and hear together. Two - way radios are simplex and only one person can talk at a time.
- EDGE
- Enhanced Data for GSM Environments. Upgrade to GPRS which improves speed to around 70kbit/sec. See also: GSM, GPRS, UMTS, HSDPA
- Encryption
A method of encoding data for security. Blackberry devices are triple encrypted.
- ESN or ELECTRONIC SERIAL NUMBER
The 32 bit binary number assigned by cell phone manufacturers that uniquely identifies a cell phone. Sprint uses your phone's ESN to identify it on the network and associate your phone with your account. See also: SIM card, R-UIM card.
- EVDO - Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized Evolution Data Only/Evolution Data Optimized
(EVDO or 1xEV-DO) is a high-speed network protocol used for wireless Internet data communications. The EVDO protocol supports asymmetric communications, allocating a majority of this bandwidth to downloads. EVDO is based on the 1xRTT standard, providing data transmission speeds wirelessly up to 3.1Mbps.
- Fingerprinting
A system allowing a cell phone to be uniquely identified by its radio transmission" fingerprint", thereby reducing fraud.
- Flash Memory
A memory feature or component which allows your cellular phone to save information without power even if you remove the battery your phonebook numbers are saved.
- GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
General Packet Radio Service. This is the data component of GSM cellular service. GPRS operates at around 40kbit/sec real world speed, and does not affect your bucket of minutes. See also: EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA
- GSM 1800
is the digital GSM network used in Europe and Asia using the 1800 MHz frequency.
- GSM 1900
or PCS 1900 uses the 1900 MHz frequency in North America and Africa.
- GSM 900
- GSM 900, called GSM, is the most widely used digital network and now operating in more than 100 countries around the world
- GSM or GLOBAL STANDARD FOR MOBILE
A digital communications standard for cellphones used in over 60 countries.
- Handoff
Transfers calls from one cell system to the next with no loss of cellular or PCS call.
- Hands-Free Set
With Hands Free Kits, you can use your cell phone in your car without taking your hands from the wheel, or your eyes from the road. A mounted speaker and microphone provide you with a speakerphone in your vehicle, which can also be set to automatically pick up. The portable hands free uses a cigarette lighter male plug, while mounted handsfree cellphone kits connect permanently to the vehicle's power supply. Wireless hands - free kits allow the use of your cellular phone without interfering with driving.
- Handset
A wireless or cellular phone, cell phone, digital, PCS, or analog mobile phone.
- Home Coverage Area
The area in which one may make cellular calls without incurring long distance or roaming charges. Some cellphones are activated with nationwide long distance coverage, but still have a local coverage area which is called home.
- HSDPA
- High Speed Downlink Packet Access. 3G-speed data component of UMTS. See also: UMTS, GSM, GPRS
- iDen or Integrated Digital Enhanced Network
A radio system allowing integrated voice and data services, so you can cruise the web, send e-mail, and talk on the cell phone all using the same transmitters. This is what Nextel device use.
- Incoming Call
a call that you are receiving on your handset.
- Interconnection Fee
A wireless call must sometimes be routed through a landline in which a connection fee is charged.
- Landline
Non wireless telephone lines. These are the network of fiber optic and metallic or copper phone lines you see up on the poles crossing the road.
- Lead Acid or SLA
Older type of mobile phone battery with high power output, but are very heavy.
RD Glossary by Run Digital