Glossary of Common Terms
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3G
3G Stands for 3rd-generation. Analog cellular phones were the first generation. Digital phones marked the second generation (2G).
3G is loosely defined, but generally includes high data speeds, always-on data access, and greater voice capacity.
The high data speeds are possibly the most prominent feature, and certainly the most hyped. They enable such advanced features as live, streaming video.
C
Carriers
Wireless carriers, also called service providers or operators, are the companies that operate the wireless networks and sell use of those networks (the service).
The network consists of antennas linked to base stations (commonly called "towers"), and infrasructure linking them. The service is simply allowing customers to access the network, typically billed by the minute.
Some carriers offer flat-rate plans. Still others, called MVNOs, do not own a network.
CDMA
Which stand for: Code-Division Multiple Access
CDMA is a digital wireless technology. It is a general type of technology, implemented in many specific technologies. But the term "CDMA" is also commonly used to refer to one specific family of technologies (IS-95 and CDMA2000) used in the US by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. This technology competes with GSM, used by AT&T and T-Mobile.
CDMA is a "spread spectrum" technology, which means that it spreads the information contained in a particular signal of interest over a much greater bandwidth than the original signal.
Unlike many competing technologies, CDMA has no hard limit for the number of users who may share one base station (tower). Instead, with CDMA, additional users can connect until the base station determines that call quality would suffer beyond a set limit.
CDMA (IS-95) systems have been in commercial operation since 1995. CDMA networks operate in the 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands with primary markets in the Americas and Asia.
IS-95 CDMA technology has also been called cdmaOne and cdma2000.
Conditions
See Descriptions Policy
E
EDGE Data
Which stands for: Enhanced Data for Global Evolution
An upgrade for GSM/GPRS networks that triples data rates (speed) over standard GPRS.
EDGE is used automatically when both the phone and network support it. EDGE phones will automatically revert to the slower GPRS standard when EDGE service is not available.
Although many EDGE phones and devices are theoretically capable of up to 236 Kbps, most EDGE networks are only configured to allow up to 135 Kbps, to conserve spectrum resources. Real-world data rates are usually lower than the maximum.
Because it is based on existing GSM and GPRS technology, EDGE is a smooth upgrade for GSM network operators.
Although EDGE works at a low level within the GSM standard that includes voice, the main benefit is to increase GPRS data rates. GPRS operating over EDGE is called EGPRS.
Although EDGE is faster than GPRS, it is not as fast as 3G technologies such as HSDPA and EVDO.
ESN Number
Which stands for: Electronic Serial Number
A permanent 32-bit number embedded by the manufacturer that uniquely identifies a wireless communications device.
ESNs are most commonly used in phones and devices using CDMA technology. GSM phones use a simlar type of code called an IMEI instead.
The ESN and a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) are both automatically transmitted to the wireless network each time the phone is used, which associates that phone with the subscriber's account and phone number.
In 2006, manufacturers started running out of unique ESNs, requiring a transition to the new MEID standard to replace ESN.
EV-DO
Part of a family of CDMA2000 1x digital wireless standards. 1xEV-DO is a "3G" CDMA standard. EV-DO originally stood for "EVolution, Data-Only", but recently is also referred to as "EVolution, Data-Optimized".
EV-DO provides data rates over 10 times faster than 1xRTT, the previous data technology for CDMA networks.
In terms of data speed and general technology evolution, the closest equivalent to EVDO for GSM/WCDMA networks would be HSDPA.
1xEV-DO is based on a technology initially known as "HDR" (High Data Rate) or "HRPD" (High Rate Packet Data), developed by Qualcomm. The international standard is known as IS-856.
G
GSM
Which stands for: Global System for Mobile Communication
GSM is the dominant 2G digital mobile phone standard for most of the world. It determines the way in which mobile phones communicate with the land-based network of towers.
GSM is one of two major mobile phone technologies in the U.S. The other is CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM. Sprint and Verizon use CDMA. GSM is more prevalent in most other parts of the world, and especially in Europe.
Although GSM and CDMA provide similar basic features and services to end-users, (such as voice calling, text messaging, and data services,) they operate very differently at many technical levels. This makes GSM phones completely incompatible with CDMA networks, and vice-versa.
The most visible feature of GSM are SIM cards. SIM cards are removable, thumbnail-sized smart cards which identify the user on the network, and can also store information such as phone book entries. SIM cards allows users to switch phones by simply moving their SIM card from one phone to the other.
L
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Refers to a type of battery, often 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.
Often considered superior to NiCd and NiMH, but inferior to LiPolymer.
M
Megapixel
This term refers to the size of an image, usually in reference to a photo from a digital camera or camera phone.
Megapixel means one million pixels. The resolution of digital cameras and camera phones is often measured in megapixels. For example, a two-megapixel camera can produce images with two million pixels.
Since pixels are usually square and form a grid, a 1-megapixel camera will produce an image roughly 1200 pixels wide by 900 pixels high.
MEID Number
Which stands for: Mobile Equipment IDentity
An ID number that is globally unique for each new CDMA mobile phone in the world. It identifies that phone to the network, and can be used to flag stolen or lost phones.
MEID is a replacement for ESN (electronic serial number). MEID began replacing ESN in 2005.
Memory Card Slot
Memory card slots are used primarily to add memory to a phone, in the form of a memory card. Extra memory can be used to store and transfer photos, videos, music, computer files, or backups of phone data such as the phone book and calendar.
Some card slots also support cards with other functions, such as Wi-Fi connectivity or an NFC reader. In this way the card slot can be used to add features to a device. The most common standard for this capability is SDIO, which we list as a separate feature.
There are several different types of cards. Each has a different shape and size, but cards from a phone can also be used with other devices which use the same type of card. Such devices might include handhelds, digital cameras, and MP3 music players.
The most common type of memory card in phones is microSD.
Memory Effect
The life of a battery may be gradually shortened if it is recharged before it is completely discharged. Memory effect is common with Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries, is less of a problem with Nickel Hydride (NiMH) batteries, and is even less with Lithium Ion (LiIon) batteries.
MicroSD
A type of removable flash memory card designed specifically for mobile phones.
Like any flash memory card, it can be used to store various types of files, including photos, videos, music, or software.
microSD is one of the smallest memory card formats available; a microSD card is about the size of a fingernail. It was designed to be smaller than competing formats, to allow phones using the format to be smaller overall.
There are adapter cards that allow a microSD card to be used in an SD card slot. This is a convenient way to use a microSD card with a card reader on a PC, to transfer files between a PC and a phone.
O
OEM
Which stands for: Original Equipment Manufacturer
Q
Qwerty
QWERTY is a standard layout for letter keys on text keyboards and thumboards. Originally created for typewriters, it is currently the layout found on most english-language computer keyboards. It is named for the order of the first six keys on the top row, which happen to form a pronounceable word.
On phones, the keys are usually much smaller and closer together. This means they cannot be used with two full hands like full-size keyboard, but rather are designed to be used with two thumbs while holding the phone. Even traditional touch-typing is not possible on a phone's small QWERTY keyboard, the familiar layout makes it easier to find the correct letter among a large number of keys.
S
Smartphone
A category of mobile device that provides advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone. Smartphones run complete operating system software that provides a standardized interface and platform for application developers.
By the strict definition, smartphones are distinct from PDA-based devices running operating systems such as Palm OS or Windows Mobile for Pocket PCs. While PDA-based devices usually have a touch-screen for pen input, smartphones usually have a standard phone keypad for input.
Compared to standard phones, smartphones usually have larger displays and more powerful processors.
Phones that are not smartphones or PDA phones are called Feature Phones.
T
TDMA
Which stands for: Time-Division Multiple Access
TDMA is a digital mobile phone technology. In TDMA, the frequency band is split into a number of channels, which are stacked into short time units, so that several calls can share a single channel without interfering with one another.
Put another way, TDMA allows several devices to share the same frequency band at the same time, by letting each device "take turns" sending digital data. Each "turn" is called a "time slot".
TDMA, as a basic method of transmitting digital signals over radio waves, is the basis for several major wireless standards, including GSM, iDEN, and IS-136. IS-136 is commonly referred to as simply "TDMA".
Travel Charger
Another name for a wall charger, which charges the battery life of the phone. Not to be confused with a Car Charger.
U
Unlocked
Although there are several types of "locks" that can apply to a phone, the most talked-about type is a carrier lock, also known as a SIM lock or subsidy lock.
Many phones sold by carriers come "locked" to that carrier. A "locked" phone can only be used with that carrier; it cannot be used with another carrier's service. (Not counting roaming.)
This lock can usually be removed by entering a special code or numeric password. In some situations, some carriers will supply this code upon request by the customer; not all carriers will do this.
There are also third-party companies that sell such codes, or other types of unlocking services.
Another type of "lock" is a keypad lock, which prevents accidental key presses in a pocket or purse. This type of lock is usually de-activated by pressing or holding down one or two specific keys.
A third type of lock is a security lock. This lock is like a typical "password", to prevent someone other than the owner from using the phone. If activated accidentally, the user manual or carrier customer service can usually tell you the default code.
Typical default codes include the last four digits of your phone number, the last four digits of your social security number, "1234", or "0000".
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry-standard type of plug-in connection that is used to connect devices, including phones, to desktop or laptop computers.
In a phone, USB is useful for quickly transferring files to and from phones, or for synchronizing address book and calendar information with a computer application such as Outlook.
In addition to carrying data, USB carries power, and can therefore be used to charge phones, although not all phones with USB support charging via USB.
There are standard USB connectors (mini and micro) that are found in some phones. However, some phones have a proprietary connector that requires an adapter cable to connect to a PC via USB.
V
VGA Camera
Which stands for: Video Graphics Array
A standard resolution (size) for camera sensors, displays, photos, and videos. VGA size is 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels tall (or vice-versa in portrait orientation).
VGA is larger than CIF, QCIF, and QVGA, but smaller than 1 megapixel. (VGA is equivalent to 0.3 megapixel.)
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