|
0-B |
C-D |
E-G |
H-K |
L-N |
O-R |
S-T |
U-Z |
|
0 |
|
1.5-Way Paging |
Refers to guaranteed message receipt or advanced messaging,
ensuring subscribers receive messages sent when they're out of
range, but users cannot send text pages. Two-way paging allows
users to send and receive. |
|
1.7-Way Paging |
A
paging service that offers more than guaranteed messaging but
not as much as full two-way paging. The subscriber has limited
response messaging, such as canned messages, rather than the
ability to create responses. |
|
1G |
First generation of mobile wireless that utilizes analog air
interface technology. |
|
2.5G |
Interim step building up to 3G involving overlay of
higher-capacity data transmission capability to existing 2G
digital wireless networks. |
|
2G |
Second generation of mobile wireless, which utilizes various
digital protocols, including GSM, CDMA, TDMA, iDEN, and PDC. |
|
711 |
The nationwide number to reach the telecommunications relay
service (TRS). TRS enables telephone conversations between
people with speech or hearing disabilities and people without
speech or hearing disabilities. |
|
802.11 |
IEEE standards for wireless LANs with specs for 1mbps, 2mbps,
11mbps, and 24mbps. |
|
A |
|
A and B PCS Blocks |
The first two PCS licenses that were auctioned by the FCC in
March 1995. Each contains 30 MHz of spectrum in the 1900 MHz
band and is based on MTA geographic partitions. |
|
A Block |
In
early 1981, the FCC announced that it would approve two licenses
in each wireless market: a non-wireline company (which became
known as the "A" side carrier), and a wireline company (the "B"
side carrier). |
|
A-Key |
A
secret number issued to a cellular phone that is used in
conjunction with a subscriber's shared secret data information
for authentication. |
|
A/B Switch |
A
feature found on cellular telephones permitting the user (when
roaming away from home) to select either the "A" (non-wireline)
carrier or the "B" (wireline) carrier. |
|
Access Fee |
A
special fee that local telephone companies are allowed to charge
all telephone customers for the right to connect with the local
phone network. Cellular subscribers pay this fee along with a 3
percent federal telephone excise tax. |
|
Access Line |
A
telephone line reaching from the telephone company central
office to a point on a private premise. Usually equates to one
customer line. |
|
Adjacent Channel Interference |
Signal impairment to one frequency due to presence of another
signal on a nearby frequency. |
|
Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) |
A
system that allows a wireless user to make and receive phone
calls while roaming in areas outside the user's "home" network.
AINs enable service providers to define, test and introduce new
multimedia messaging, PCS and cell routing. |
|
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) |
An
analog cellular radio standard that serves as the foundation for
the U.S. cellular industry. AMPS represents the first generation
of wireless networks. |
|
Affiliate |
Companies that assist carriers with building a wireless network.
The affiliate may use the primary carrier's brand name, network
operations, customer service or other facilities. |
|
Air Interface |
The standard operating system of a wireless network.
Technologies include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA and GSM. |
|
Airtime |
Actual time spent talking on the cellular telephone. Most
carriers bill customers based on how many minutes of airtime
they use each month. Airtime charges during peak periods of the
day vary from about 20 cents to more than 40 cents per minute,
depending on the service plan selected. Most carriers offer
reduced rates for off-peak usage. |
|
Alphanumeric |
A
message or other type of readout containing both letters
("alphas") and numbers ("numerics"). In cellular, "alphanumeric
memory dial" is a special type of dial-from-memory option that
displays both the name of the individual and that individual's
phone number on the cellular phone handset. The name also can be
recalled by using the letters on the phone keypad. By contrast,
standard memory dial recalls numbers from number-only locations. |
|
American Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) |
A
Washington, D.C.-based trade group representing specialized
mobile radio operators. |
|
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) |
A
private, non-profit organization that oversees the U.S.
voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The
Institute's mission is to enhance both the global
competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by
promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and
conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. |
|
Analog |
A
signaling method that uses continuous changes in the amplitude
or frequency of a radio transmission to convey information. It
relies on a continuous (rather than pulsed as in digital)
electrical signal that varies in amplitude or frequency in
response to changes of sound, light, position, etc., impressed
on a transducer in the sending device; opposite of digital. |
|
Antenna |
A
wire or set of wires used to send and receive radio waves. |
|
Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) |
An
integrated circuit tailored for a particular piece of electronic
equipment. |
|
Association of Public-Safety Communications
Officials-International (APCO) |
Trade group headquartered in South Daytona, Fla., representing
law enforcement, fire, emergency services and other
public-safety agency dispatchers and communications employees. |
|
Attenuation |
The loss of signal energy due to absorption, reflection, or
diffusion during transmission. |
|
Authentication |
The verification process to assure that a wireless device and
its user are compatible with and authorized to access a wireless
network. This process is accomplished through transmission of
identifying data at the time of connection. Used for fraud
prevention. |
|
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) |
Combining a location-sensing device (such as a GPS receiver)
with a wireless communications link to provide a home office or
dispatcher with the location of a vehicle or mobile asset (such
as a trailer or heavy machinery). |
|
Average Revenue Per Unit (ARPU) |
Measures the average monthly revenue generated for each customer
unit, such as a cellular phone or pager, that a carrier has in
operation. |
|
B |
|
B Block |
In
early 1981, the FCC announced that it would approve two licenses
in each market- a non-wireline company (which became known as
the "A" side carrier), and a wireline company (the "B" side
carrier). |
|
B Carrier |
Most areas of the US have two cellular carriers, each of which
operates on a different frequency band. One is designated the
"A" carrier and the other is designated the "B" carrier. In some
markets there may be only one carrier which may be "A" or "B". |
|
Bandwidth |
The capacity of a telecom line to carry signals. A greater
bandwidth indicates the ability to transmit a greater amount of
data over a given period of time. |
|
Base Station |
The central radio transmitter/receiver that maintains
communications with mobile radiotelephone sets within a given
range (typically a cell site). |
|
Base Station Controller (BSC) |
The part of the wireless system's infrastructure that controls
one or multiple cell sites' radio signals, thus reducing the
load on the switch. Performs radio signal management functions
for base transceiver stations, managing functions such as
frequency assignment and handoff. |
|
Base Transceiver Station (BTS) |
The name for the antenna and radio equipment necessary to
provide wireless service in an area. Also called a base station
or cell site. |
|
Basic Trading Area (BTA) |
A
geographic region defined by a group of counties that surround a
city, which is the area's basic trading center. The boundaries
of each BTA were formulated by Rand McNally & Co. and are used
by the FCC determine service areas for PCS wireless licenses.
The entire US and some of its territories is divided into 493
non-overlapping BTAs. |
|
Bent Pipe Technology |
Satellite technology to transmit calls from one point on Earth
to a satellite and back down to another point. |
|
Big LEO |
Low-earth orbit satellite systems that will offer voice and data
services, including Iridium and Globalstar. |
|
Bluetooth |
Wireless personal area network (PAN) standard that enables data
connections between electronic devices such as desktop
computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers and printers
in the 2.4 GHz range at 720kbps within a 30-foot range.
Bluetooth depends on mobile devices equipped with a chip for
sending and receiving information. |
|
Broadband |
Describes a communications medium capable of transmitting a
relatively large amount of data over a given period of time. A
descriptive term for evolving digital technologies that offers
integrated access to voice, high-speed data service,
video-demand services, and interactive delivery services. |
|
Broadband PCS |
Personal communications services created in the A- through
F-Block auctions and used for voice and data. Broadband PCS is
allocated 140 MHz of spectrum with 20 MHz currently unassigned.
Frequency blocks A, B, and C were each assigned 30 MHz of
spectrum, while frequency blocks D, E, and F were each assigned
10 MHz of spectrum. |
|
Bundling |
Grouping various telecommunications services -- wireline and/or
wireless -- as a package to increase the appeal to potential
customers and reduce advertising, marketing and other expenses
associated with delivering multiple services. For example, a
bundled package could include long distance, cellular, Internet
and paging services. |
