Voice Channel
The channel assigned by the switch to commence the
call on after the exchange of subscriber data.
VoIP
Voice over IP
W-CDMA
Wideband CDMA, a 3G evolutionary path for GSM and TDMA technology. Wideband Code-Division Multiple-Access (W-CDMA) is one of the main technologies for the implementation of third-generation (3G) cellular systems. It is based on radio access technique proposed by ETSI Alpha group and the specifications was finalised 1999.
Roaming
The ability to use cellular phone outside home service area and make calls seamlessly without operator intervention.
SID
System Identification. A five-digit number that indicates which service area the phone is in. Most carriers have one SID assigned to their service area.
SIM Card
A small memory card used in GSM phones to hold phone
numbers and other information. SIM card can be removed and inserted into other GSM phones, allowing user to place and receive phone calls.
SMS
Short Message Service. A method of delivering a short (160 characters) message to your digital cellular phone.
TACS
Total Access Communications System
TCP
Transmission Control Protocol
PHS
Personal Handy Telephone System (Japan)
PIN
Personal Identification Number
QoS
Quality of Service
Registration
The procedure that a cellular phone initiates to a base station to indicate that it is now active.
RF
Radio Frequency
IS-95
CDMA Interim Standard 95
ITU
International Telecommunication Union
ITU-T
The telecommunication standardization sector of the International Telecommunication Union
MTSO
Mobile Telephone Switching Office. The central switch that controls the entire operation of a cellular system.
NAM
Number Assignment Module (NAM) is the cellular phone memory that stores the telephone 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.
PCN
Personal communication network. This standard corresponds to a high-frequency version of the GSM standard.
PCS
Personal Communication Services. PCS and cellular are sometimes interchanged. Officially, PCS is a digital cellular service in the 1900 MHz band only. In practice, some providers have used part of their AMPS 800 MHz allocation to offer PCS services.
PDC
Personal Digital Cellular (Japan)
Handoff
The process by which the MTSO passes a cellular phone conversation from one radio frequency in one cell to another radio frequency in another.
