Glossary

Wireless technology is continuously evolving. This page contains frequent terms used within our site and their definitions.

Airtime
The time (billed in per 60-second increments) tracked by wireless service providers to determine billing charges. Usage can include making or receiving a phone call.
 
Battery
The power source for a cellular phone; Rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion are used in cellular phones.
 
Call Barring
Enables you to restrict or bar certain or all types of calls to and from your mobile phone, e.g. outgoing calls, outgoing international calls, incoming calls.
 
Call Divert
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.
 
Call Transfer
Enables you to transfer a caller to another number.
 
Call Waiting
If your line is busy, callers are asked to wait while you are alerted to their incoming call. This is extremely useful so you can accept a second incoming call.
 
Caller ID
Shows the number of the incoming call to your mobile phone's display. You can then choose to answer the call or not to take the call. Note, not all numbers can be displayed.
 
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is one of several digital wireless transmission methods in which signals are encoded using a pseudo-random sequence which corresponds to a different communication channel - that the receiver also knows and can use to decode the received signal. CDMA is one of several "spread spectrum" techniques. CDMA offers improvements over analogue transmission in the areas of reduced call dropping, battery power conservation, more secure transmission and increased service options.
 
Cell
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."
 
Cellular
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.
 
Dual Band
Dual band technology enables a network operator with spectrum at both 900 MHz and 1800 MHz to support the seamless use of dual band handsets across both frequencies. By supporting seamless handovers between 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, dual band networks can provide major benefits in terms of capacity enhancement.
 
Dual Mode
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.
 
Frequency
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 (Global System for Mobile Communication)
GSM is the pan-European standard for digital cellular telephone service. 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
GSM 900, or just GSM, is the world's most widely used digital network and is now operating in over 100 countries around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
 
GSM 1800
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.
 
GSM 1900
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 and Africa.
 
Incoming Call
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).
 
Li-Ion
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.
 
Local Service Area
The geographic area that telephones may call without incurring roaming or long distance charges.
 
Locked Phone
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 PIN code or numeric password. In some situations, some carriers will supply this code upon request by the customer; not all carriers will do this.
 
Messaging
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.
 
Network
In the wireless industry, a network refers to the infrastructure enabling the transmission of wireless signals.
 
PIN
In mobile phones a PIN code locks the SIM card until you enter the correct code. Each mobile phone network sets the PIN number of their SIM cards to a standard default SIM number (you can change this via your handset if you wish, but make sure you don't forget the new code). This protects your account, even if your SIM card is insert into another mobile phone.
 
That means, if you enable PIN protection on your handset, you will need to enter the PIN code each time you switch your mobile on.
 
If you enter the PIN code incorrectly into the phone 3 times in a row, then the SIM card will be blocked and you will require a PUK code from your network/service provider.
 
PUK
Personal Unblocking Code - used to unlock a blocked SIM card. To obtain this number please contact Roam Simple Wireless directly.
 
Roaming
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 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.
 
SIM Card
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.
 
SMS
Short Message Service is a feature available with some wireless phones that allow users to send and/or receive short alphanumeric messages.
 
Tri-band
A tri-band cellular phone will operate on three different frequencies, depending on the available network. In Europe the GSM frequencies used are 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. American GSM, or PCS, operates at 1900 MHz.
 
Unlocked Phone
An unlocked cell phone is a cellular telephone handset that can be used with more than one service provider, making it easy for a user to switch from one cellular network SIM card to another.