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| Half-Rate |
A variant of GSM, Half-Rate doubles system capacity by more efficient speech coding. |
| Handoff |
The process by which the Mobile Telephone Switching Office passes a cellular phone conversation from one radio frequency in one cell to another radio frequency in another. The handoff is performed so quickly that users usually never notice. |
| Hands-Free |
An important safety feature that's included with most of today's mobile phones. It permits drivers to use their cellular phone without lifting or holding the hand-set to their ear. |
| Hertz (Hz) |
A unit of measurement of one cycle per second when one radio wave passes one point in one second of time. Named in honor of Heinrich Hertz, the physicist who developed the theory of radio waves. |
| Infrared Data Association (IrDA) |
A membership organization founded in 1993 and dedicated to developing standards for wireless, infrared transmission systems between computers. With IrDA ports, a laptop or PDA can exchange data with a desktop computer or use a printer without a cable connection. Like a TV remote control, IrDA requires line-of-sight transmission. IrDA products began to appear in 1995. |
| Integrated Circuit Card ID (ICCID) |
19 or 20-digit serial number of the SIM card. |
| Interactive Messaging |
Short Message Service that allows users to send alphanumeric messages from their wireless handset to other wireless handsets or to email addresses. Interactive Messaging also allows the user to receive emails and web messages from the internet. |
| International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) |
A unique 15-digit number that serves as the serial number of the GSM handset. The IMEI appears on the label located on the back of the phone. The IMEI is automatically transmitted by the phone when the network asks for it. A network operator might request the IMEI to determine if a device is in disrepair, stolen or to gather statistics on fraud or faults. |
| International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI) |
A unique 15-digit number which designates the subscriber. This number is used for provisioning in network elements. |
| International Mobile Telecommunications Association (IMTA) |
A trade group serving specialized mobile radio and public access mobile radio carriers around the world. |
| International Telecommunication Union (ITU) |
An agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva that furthers the development of telecommunications services worldwide and oversees global allocation of spectrum for future uses. |
IP Address |
When you are connected to the Internet, your computer has a unique Internet ID called an IP address. Most people that connect through a dial-up service, such as America Online, get a different IP address each time they login. Others might have a permanently assigned IP address, called a static IP address. It is difficult or impossible for a web site to collect personal information about you (i.e., your name, e-mail address, etc.) from your IP address alone, though a static IP address makes this easier. |
| Lithium-Ion Battery (Li-Ion) |
Lighter weight battery than earlier types, having relatively longer cycle life and generally do not suffer from memory effect. |
| Local Calling Area |
The geographical area that a customer may call without incurring toll charges. |
| Major Trading Area (MTA) |
Usually composed of several contiguous basic trading areas. A service area designed by Rand McNally and adopted by the FCC. There are 51 MTAs in the United States . |
| Memory Effect |
The life of a battery may be gradually shortened if it is recharged before it is completely discharged. Memory effect most commonly occurs with Nickel Cadmium batteries are less of a problem with Nickel Hydride batteries and even less with Lithium Ion batteries. |
| MMS |
Multimedia messaging is used by camera phones to send pictures, sound and text all in one message. The recipient needs to have an MMS phone; otherwise they receive a text asking them to access a website that will display your message. |
| Mobile Identification Number (MIN) |
Uniquely identifies a mobile unit within a wireless carrier's network. The MIN often can be dialed from other wireless or wireline networks. The number differs from the electronic serial number (ESN), which is the unit number assigned by a phone manufacturer. MINs and ESNs can be checked electronically to help prevent fraud. |
| Mobile Satellite Service |
Powerful communications transmission service provided by satellites. A single satellite can provide coverage to the whole United States . |
| Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) |
The central switch that controls the entire operation of a cellular system. It is a sophisticated computer that monitors all cellular calls, tracks the location of all cellular-equipped vehicles traveling in the system, arranges handoffs, keeps track of billing information, etc. |
| Multiplexing |
When multiple phone calls are carried in the same frequency band at the same time. In wireless, major multiplexing methods include TDMA and CDMA. |
| Network |
Any system that was designed to provide one or more access paths for communication between users at different geographic locations. Communication networks may be designed for voice, text, data, fax and video. They may feature limited access (private networks) or open access (public networks), and will rely upon whatever analog or digital switching and transmission technologies are appropriate. |
| Nickel Cadmium Battery (NiCd) |
A rechargeable battery that typically lasts for 700 charge and discharge cycles. If not completely discharged before recharging, the NiCd battery can suffer from memory effect that may reduce the life of the battery. Non-Ionizing Radiation: Levels of electromagnetic radiation that is too low to strip electrons away from their normal locations in atoms and molecules. |
| Nickel Metal Hydride Battery (NiMH) |
A rechargeable battery that is capable of holding more power that a NiCd battery and suffers much less from memory effect. It is also typically more expensive than a NiCd battery. |
| Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) |
An older analog cellular protocol used in Europe and elsewhere. |
| North American Cellular Network (NACN) |
An organization of cellular providers that facilitates cellular calls across the country to be linked for seamless roaming. |
| Number Assignment Module ( NAM ) |
The NAM is the electronic memory in the cellular phone that stores the telephone number and an electronic serial number. Phones with dual- or multi-NAM features offer users the option of registering the phone with a local number in more than one market. |
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