GSM Glossary
We have tried to make our web site as easy as possible to use.
That means doing away with unnecessary technical terms and industry jargon. We can't eliminate them altogether, so we have tried to provide you with meanings (and some useful links) to the terms that you may come across when researching information and using your mobile phone.
To find the meaning of a particular term, just click on the first letter of the term you are looking for at the top of the glossary.
This will take you to the relevant section of the glossary.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
ADSL
ADSL allows the delivery of sophisticated services including data, voice and one-way, full motion video, without having to lay high bandwidth cable.
Any-key answer
This useful facility allows you to answer your mobile phone by pressing any key. It's a faster, more convenient way to answer a mobile phone than searching for a particular key.
Area of screen display
The area of screen display is the screen length multiplied by its width.
Auto area code
Auto area code allows you to store an area code in the memory of your mobile phone. When the feature is active, the phone automatically inserts the area code in front of any number dialled. This is particularly useful and time saving when you are travelling and making frequent calls to your home area.
Airtime
Actual time spent talking on the cellular telephone. Most carriers bill customers based on how many minutes of airtime they use each month.
Alert
Constant 10 KHz signaling tone sent on the reverse voice channel (by the mobile), in an analog conversation, while the mobile phone is ringing.
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone System. The current analog cellular FM system in North America. It uses 30 KHz channels and signaling is done superaudio.
B
Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the width or capacity of a communications channel. Analogue bandwidth is measured in hertz while digital bandwidth is measured in bits per second. The size or bandwidth of the channel affects the speed of transmission of data. A broader channel means data transmits faster.
Battery
A chargeable device used to provide mobile phones with power.
BIT (Binary digit)
A bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer recognises - essentially a '1' or a '0'
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a low power short-range radio link between mobile devices. This technology replaces the need for wires to connect electronic items such as personal computers, printers, palm top computers and mobile phones. Bluetooth is often used by office workers to communicate with each other on the job.
BPS - Bits per second
BPS measures how fast binary digits can be sent through a channel - specifically, the number of 0s and 1s that travel down the channel per second.
Broadband
Broadband or wideband is a communications channel that has a bandwidth greater than 64 kilobits per second. Broadband can provide higher speed and higher volumes of multiple kinds of digital information than a standard telephone circuit.
Browser
The browser is the graphical interface or doorway that allows you access to the world wide web. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Explorer are examples of browsers. WAP uses a modified browser to allow it to view specially written web pages.
Balance
The relative volume level between two channels, usually the left and right channels. May also refer to the relative volume between front and rear channels of an audio system. To make the same or equal.
C
Call back
The call back feature does your redialling for you. It saves
you keying in the number over and over again if the person you are trying to reach is engaged.
Call barring
Call barring allows you to set your phone to block specific incoming or outgoing phone calls.
Conference Call
Call Conferencing allows you to bring two or more people into a call simultaneously. The exact number of people you can bring in depends on the model of the mobile phone used.
Call Connect
Phone 12456 and an operator will connect you to the person or business you request (call charges apply).
Call diversion/call forwarding
This network feature can be accessed through most handsets. It allows you to redirect incoming calls to another number that you select. There are several levels of diversion available: all calls, no answer, busy, off or out of range.
Call hold
Call hold puts a caller on hold while you answer or make another call.
Call register
Allows you to call up the numbers of recent calls that you dialled, received, or even those that you missed on your mobile's screen. You can then redial the numbers or copy them into your phonebook.
Call timer
This feature monitors the amount of time you spend on your mobile phone each month.
Call waiting
When someone calls you while you are already on a phone call, you are alerted by a special tone. This is particularly useful if you are waiting for an important call yet still wish to use your mobile phone.
Calling Number Display/CND
Calling Number Display shows the phone number of the person calling you on your mobile's screen (except silent/call barred numbers).
Cellular
This is the name for a mobile communications system that permits telephone communication between mobile users within a specified area. In cellular mobile systems, large geographical areas are divided into smaller areas or cells.
Chat
The chat feature lets you 'talk' to your friends and family using SMS messages.
Coverage
The geographic area of a wireless network in which you can make or receive calls with your mobile phone.
D
Data capability
Data-capable mobile phones allow you to transmit data from a laptop, portable fax machine or personal digital assistant (PDA) that is equipped with a modem and an auxiliary jack.
Data/fax capability
You can use data or fax enabled mobile phone to send and receive fax and data files, access the Internet and send e-mail when the phone is connected to mobile office equipment.
Digital
Digital technology uses bits (computer information units) to encode information such as voice, video, data and images_englishs, for transmission.
Display
There are various display types for mobile phone screens. Backlit display refers to the light in the display of phones. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) allows easy viewing in all lighting conditions. Colour LCD allows the creation of coloured, luminous segments with crisp characters. Light Emitting Displays (LEDs) are big and bright. Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) can be seen in direct sunlight and in darkness, at various angles and in a range of temperatures.
DTMF - (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency)
DTMF is commonly known as tone dialling. You must have a DTMF enabled mobile phone to access certain network services that rely on your phone sending tones (for example, MessageBank® and Easycall). Refer to your mobile phone's user manual to find out how you can turn this feature off and on.
Dual-band
This refers to a phone capable of switching between two different bands or frequencies - GSM900 and GSM1800.
Dual mode
This refers to a phone that can operate using two different standards.
E
EMS - (Enhanced message service)
EMS technology allows you to send and receive words, pictures, animation and sound clips on your mobile phone.
ESN - (Electronic Serial Number)
The ESN is the unique identifier of a CDMA mobile phone. See also: IMEI.
ETC
An Early termination charge is a charge that a customer may have to pay if they exercise a contractual right to cancel a fixed term contract before the expiry of the contractual term.
F
Function keys
Function keys are the non-numeric keys on your phone. These are used to call up and navigate menu features and to perform memory functions.
Fax/data facility
Fax and data capable mobile phones can support the sending and receiving of faxes and connect to the Internet.
G
GPRS - (General Packet Radio Service)
General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) offers fast, convenient access to mobile calls, the internet, email and other online services via your GPRS-capable mobile phone.
GSM - (Global System for Mobile Communications)
GSM is a digital cellular communications standard that is used throughout Europe, Australia and parts of Africa. GSM is used in three distinct frequency bands - 900Mhz, 1800Mhz and 1900 Mhz. In Australia, GSM 900Mhz frequency is used.
H
Hands-free Car Kit
This car accessory usually provides a cradle for the mobile phone, microphone, speaker, external antenna and battery charger. More sophisticated kits require professional installation and include a microphone that typically attaches to a visor, a speaker that's mounted near the vehicle's dashboard, a cradle that holds the phone and a junction box where all cords connect. Antennas are available in a variety of configurations including glass mount, trunk mount, magnetic mount and retractable/stub types.
Hertz
A unit of frequency which measures cycles per second.
I
IP
IP is a standard set of rules for the carriage of digital information such as voice, video, data and images_englishs, across a global network.
IR
InfraRed port is the ability to transmit data without the need for cables.
ISDN - (International Subscriber Digital Network)
ISDN is a way of transmitting information by telephone. ISDN will allow you to have one data and one voice line on the same fixed line. ISDN has a very high data transfer rate.
J
Jack
A spring-connector socket in which two or more contacts are made by inserting a plug.
K
Keypad lock
A security feature that uses a code to unlock the keypad of a mobile phone.
Kbps - (Kilobits per second)
Kbps is the rate at which data is transmitted. Kbps stands for one thousand bits per second. Kilobit is a unit
of information equal to 1,024 bits. 'Bit' is a combination of b(inary) and (dig)it.
L
Local call itemisation
Have your local calls itemised on your bill.
LCD - (Liquid crystal displays)
Mobile phones that offer extended capabilities like text messaging require a clear, larger than normal display so that you can read several lines of text at once. LCD provide this and facilitate clear viewing in most lighting conditions.
Languages
Most mobile phones have the capability to display text in a number of different languages.
M
Memory effect
The gradual shortening of the life of a battery if it is recharged before it is completely discharged. Memory effect most commonly occurs with nickel cadmium batteries, less so with nickel hydride batteries and even less with lithium ion batteries. To minimise the risk of memory effect, allow your mobile phone to become completely depleted of power before attempting to recharge it.
Messaging
Some networks allow wireless mobile phones to receive short text or numeric messages like those available with pagers. Mobile phones with messaging capability must be compatible with the provider's network in order to receive this service.
Missed Call Display
Korek Telecom's missed call display lets you know who called you, even if you missed the call (except for silent/call barred numbers), by displaying the telephone number on the mobile's screen.
MMS - (Multimedia Messaging Service)
Korek Telecom's Multimedia Messaging Service allows you to take photos with your MMS enabled mobile phone and share them with friends and family.
You can send either your picture messages to another Korek telecom MMS compatible phone or any to email address worldwide.
MNP - (Mobile Number Portability)
MNP is a convenient facility which allows you to change carriers without changing your mobile phone number.
N
Network
A network ties things together and allows resource sharing. In the wireless industry, a network refers to the infrastructure that allows wireless signals to be transmitted.
N/T
N/T stands for "not tested as yet". For example, when you view "Phone Features" in Phone Select, some may not have been available to be tested by Korek Mobile.
Number of lines
This refers to the number of lines of text available on the screen of a handset.
O
Originating
When your mobile phone makes a call (voice, fax or data) it is the originating service (as opposed to the phone you actually call, which is the receiving service).
Online bill
View and pay your Korek bill online.
OTA - (over the air)
OTA refers to the download of ringing tones, picture messages and other content to your mobile phone.
P
Protocol
A standard set of rules that govern the transmitting and receiving of data. Internet protocol (IP) is one example of these rules.
Profile Settings
This feature lets you assign specific ringing tones, personal alert tones and even graphic icons to different caller groups for easy identification.
Pre-Paid
A payment scheme for mobile services that lets you buy calling time in advance. It is useful if you have credit limitations or want to limit your monthly mobile phone bills (or limit the cost of calls that can be made by other users of the same phone). It's also handy if you use your mobile phone as a means of being contacted rather than for making lots of outgoing calls.
Phone book
The list of names and telephone numbers that you've stored in your mobile phone or in your personal communicator's internal memory or SIM. The maximum number of entries you can store in the phone is fixed and depends on the model of mobile phone you have. You can dial stored numbers by accessing the list you want, highlighting the number and pressing the connect/enter button.
Personal Identification Number/PIN
The code used for all mobile phones, to confirm that you are permitted to access certain functions or information (similar to a bank ATM PIN).
PDA - (Personal Digital Assistant)
PDA is the latest form of personal organiser used to store information and for simple computer programs, some of which have inbuilt mobile phones.
Q
QPSK
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying; 4 phase digital modulation.
Quantization Distortion
The inherent distortion introduced in the process of quantization.
R
Roaming
A service which allows customers to use their mobile phone while in a service area of another carrier.
Registration
Mobile registration takes place each time you turn on your mobile phone, make or receive a phone call or log onto a new base station.
Receiver
The device that picks up the radio signal from the transmitter, converts it into an audio signal and feeds audio into your sound system or recorder.
Receiver images_english
A second frequency that a superhet receiver will respond to. The images_english frequency is two times the IF frequency either above or below the carrier frequency, depending upon whether the receiver design is "low side" or "high side" injection. An RF signal on the "images_english" frequency of the receiver will produce a difference signal in the mixer just as valid as the intended IF signal created by mixing the oscillator with the carrier.
Reflections
RF waves can reflect off of hills, buildings, moving cars, the atmosphere, and basically almost anything in the RF transmission environment. The reflections may vary in phase and strength from the original wave. Reflections are what allow radio waves to reach their targets around corners, behind buildings, under bridges, in parking garages, etc. RF transmissions bend around objects as a result of reflections.
Reverse Voice Channel (RVC)
The voice channel that is used in the mobile station to
base station direction, also known as the voice channel uplink.
RF
Radio Frequency. Also used generally to refer to the radio signal generated by the system transmitter, or to energy present from other sources that may be picked up by a wireless receiver.
RFI
Radio Frequency Interference. A non-desired radio signal which creates noise or dropouts in the wireless system or noise in a sound system. RFI can be generated by a wide variety of sources including electronic organs, computers, switching power supplies, broadcast radio signals and outside radio devices. Radio signal energy can enter a sound system component or alter the audio signals in cabling, producing annoying hiss, whining or intelligible audio signals. Proper shielding and balanced audio cabling are the best defense against RFI problems in a sound system. High quality receivers are the best defense against RFI in wireless microphone systems.
RSA
Rural Service Area. A cellular coverage, defined by the FCC, which resides in a less populated area. he FCC designated 428 rural markets across the country to be licensed to cellular operators. The final RSA was activated in May 1992, giving the entire nation access to cellular service.
RFID
RF Identification.
S
SMS - (Short Message Service)
SMS is a two-way text messaging service offered on SMS-compatible mobile phones.
SIM - (Subscriber Identity Module )
A SIM is the smart card used in GSMdigital mobile phones. It carries your identity so that you can access the network and receive calls. The SIM also stores personal information such as your phone directory and received SMS messages. The card can be plugged into any GSM compatible handset, personalising it to your specifications.
SIM tool kit
Enables you to receive a wide range of essential information - from travel reports to sports results.
Speed dialling
Speed dialling means you can touch just one number key on your mobile phone to make a call to a certain person. Speed dialling saves time and effort and is useful when you make a lot of calls to a particular number.
Standby time
Standby time is the number of hours that a freshly charged battery will keep a mobile phone operating for when the phone is not in active use.
SIM
Subscriber Identification Module. A credit card size card which is owned by a subscriber, who slides it into any GSM handset to transform it into 'their' phone. It will ring when their unique phone number is dialed; calls made will be billed to their account; all options and services connected; voicemail can be collected and so on.
T
Talk
With some mobile phone models, you can press 'talk' to place and receive calls on your mobile phone.
TDMA - (Time Division Multiple Access)
TDMA is a type of processing system used by digital mobile phones that allows several handsets in the same area to use the same frequency. Each conversation is allocated its own time slot so that you only hear the conversation for a fraction of each second.
Text input
The text input phone feature is very handy for sending SMS messages. It attempts to anticipate the word that you are typing to minimise your keystrokes to input a message. You can also use text input for different languages. Please refer to your mobile phone user manual to find out how you can turn this feature off and on.
TS - (Temporary suspension)
TS refers to the temporary suspension of a mobile service for a specific period of time.
Target Cell
The cell that a mobile is going to during the hand off process..
TPC
Three Party Conference Circuit. Used in three party conference, but more importantly, used during every handoff so that the channel-change transition can be made with less noise by connecting the audio of the source and target cells together before the hand off order is sent. (When a handoff is made during a three-party conference call, and the TPC is being used, 'hard-handoffs' exists and the potential for noise during channel changes increases significantly)
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. TDMA systems are able to transmit multiple voice circuits per channel. A TDMA channel is a single FDMA channel divided up in time into multiple time slots. Three users can take it in turn to share one radio channel. The channels can vary in bandwidth and depending on the type of system, the time slots can transmit all or part of a voice circuit. Each user's speech is stored, compressed and transmitted as a quick packet, using controlled time slots to distinguish them-hence the phrase 'time division'. Its uses 30 KHz channels and a vocoder rate of 8 Kbits/sec. At the receiver, the packet is de-compressed.
Target Channel Falsing
A condition that exists when co-channel SAT exists on the target channel during handoff, so that target channel does not squelch before arrival of the mobile during the handoff process. This results in noise during the handoff process (before the handoff order) that can be heard by both the landline and mobile parties.
U
Uplink frequency
The uplink frequency is used for transmission of voice signals by a mobile phone to the base station.
V
Vibrating alert
If you use this feature your phone vibrates rather than rings, to alert you of an incoming call or SMS.
Voice record
A mobile phone function which enables you to record conversations during a call for playback later.
Voice recognition
A facility offered on certain mobile phone models, that uses voice commands rather than the keypad to make calls. The mobile phone memory can be programmed to store and identify names spoken into the mobile phone and then to call the phone numbers associated with them.
Voice Mobile Attenuation Code (VMAC)
One of eight discrete mobile power levels that are dynamically adjusted during a cellular telephone conversation. These power steps are in 4 dB increments.
W
WAN
WAN (Wide area network) refers to networks that can cover extensive, even global areas. WAN is the opposite of local area network .
Wallpaper
You can personalise your compatible mobile phone with a colour Wallpaper from the MobileFun library, or use one of your own images_englishs.
World Wide Web (WWW, W3)
The World Wide Web is a hypertext system on the Internet that presents information in the form of multimedia combining text, images_englishs, sound and video. The World Wide Web is accessed with a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Wireless
Describing radio-based systems allowing transmission or telephone and/or data signals through the air without a physical connection, such as a metal wire or fiber optical cable.