2G- The name usually given to original GSM, CDMA, and TDMA networks. It uses the spectrum more efficiently than analog (1G) systems, and offers digital encryption of conversations. 2G networks introduced data services for mobiles starting with SMS.
3G- Analog cellular phones were the first generation while digital marked the second generation. 3G is loosely defined, but generally includes high data speeds, always-on data access, and greater voice capacity. The high data speeds are possibly the most prominent feature, and certainly the most hyped. They enable such advanced features as live, streaming video. There are several different 3G technology standards. The most prevalent is UMTS, which is based on WCDMA (the terms WCDMA and UMTS are often used interchangeably).
Analog- A method of transmitting information using energy waves. It doesn't have discrete levels but is a continuously variable wave. Human voice for example is transferred by directly converting the sound wave to electricity. Analog cell phones (known also as 1G) used this technology. However virtually all modern cell phones use digital signals (2G or later).
Band- A specific range of frequencies (for example those between 1850 MHz and 1995 MHz) are called a band.
Bandwidth- Bandwidth is used to measure the data throughput of a channel or connection. It's the amount of data that can be sent over a connection in a given amount of time without distortion. It should not be confused with band.
Bluetooth- Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks. There are two important parameters of Bluetooth devices - class and supported profiles. "Class" signifies the distance at which a Bluetooth connection is possible. Most mobile devices are Class 2, which means they have a range of up to 10 m. Class 1 devices are rare and have a range of up to 100 feet. A "profile" is a type of Bluetooth connection. The most common are the Headset (HSP) and Handsfree (HFP) profiles that enable the device to connect to a wireless headset or handsfree. Some other profiles are OBEX (OBject EXchange) which allows transfer of files, contacts and events; A2DP, which adds support for streaming of stereo sound and AVRC, which allows remote control of playback.
Broadband- In data communications, a "broadband connection" is a connection with a high speed of data transfer (greater than 56 kbps). Generally, it is fast enough to support streaming video.
Browser- A piece of software that allows the user to access Internet sites.
Most current handsets are equipped with browsers capable of viewing common websites (those intended for a desktop browser).
Web browsers on budget cellphones may be capable of viewing only websites specially made for mobile devices. The most advanced devices currently have web browsers with full Flash support that allows them to play even embedded Flash video (such as the videos from YouTube).
CDMA (Code-Division Multiple Access)- Is a digital technology for transmitting data. It is a general technology utilized through various standards. CDMA has no limit on capacity but the base station will only connect users upon determining that the call quality would fall bellow a predetermined limit. The term is often used to refer to one specific family of technologies - IS-95 (often referred to cdmaOne) and CDMA2000. Networks using this technology operate in the 800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands and are primarily used in the Americas and Asia.
Dual-band- Mobile phone networks work using signals on specific frequency bands and a phone must support those bands in order to work with the network. Dual-band refers to the phones ability to work with two different bands. It is important to specify which bands exactly. Networks in different geographical locations work on different bands - GSM networks in the Americas use the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands while networks in Europe, Brazil, Asia and Africa use the 900/1800 MHz bands.For example an 900/1800 dual-band phone won't work in the US and an 850/1900 phone won't work in Europe. A 900/1900 phone should work on at least one network in most countries around the world.
Frequency- Measured in hertz (cycles per second), rate of repetition of changes / waves. The term frequency is also used for range (band) on the radio frequency spectrum, such as 800 MHz, 900 MHz or 1900 MHz.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)- GSM is the most popular standard for mobile telephony systems in the world. Its ubiquity enables international roaming arrangements between mobile phone operators, providing subscribers the use of their phones in many parts of the world. GSM differs from its predecessor technologies in that both signalling and speech channels are digital, and thus GSM is considered a second generation (2G) mobile phone system.
MID (Mobile Internet Device)- A multimedia-capable mobile device providing wireless Internet access. They are designed to provide entertainment, information and location-based services for personal use, rather than for corporate use. They allow 2-way communication and real-time sharing. A MIDs is larger than a smartphone but smaller than an Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC).
Network Capacity- Network capacity is the amount of traffic that a network can handle at any given time. This includes the number of simultaneous voice calls and maximum data speeds. Capacity varies by area.
Network Coverage- The geographical area covered by the network of a service provider. Within this area, the phone will be able to complete a call using the carrier's network or a partner network.
PCS (Personal Communications Service)- PCS or Personal Communications Service is the name for the 1900 MHz radio band used for digital mobile phone services in Canada, Mexico and the United States. All CDMA, GSM, and D-AMPS systems can be used on PCS frequencies.
Quad-band- Refers to a mobile phone that supports the four major GSM frequency bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), making it compatible with all the major GSM networks in the world. The 850/1900 MHz bands are mainly used in the US, while the 900/1800 MHz ones are available in most other countries worldwide.
Roaming- Refers to using a mobile phone outside of your service provider's coverage area. Typically, service providers charge higher fees for calls, messages and access to the Internet.
SIM- A subscriber identity module is a removable smart card for mobile phones. SIM cards store the required information to identify the mobile device. It also contains data required for voice encryption to make listening in on calls almost impossible (except when the wireless carrier itself is doing the eavesdropping). In this way the customer ID (and personal number) is tied to the SIM card and not to a certain mobile phone. This allows for a seamless interchange of the same SIM card between different GSM mobile phones. SIM cards also serve as storage for SMS messages and the user's contacts. Current SIM cards can store up to 250 name/number pairs and up to 50 SMS text messages. The SIM card cannot store multiple numbers per contact or other more complex information. This means that if you copy your contacts info from the phone memory to the SIM memory, contacts get broken up into as many entries as there are numbers for each individual contact and discards the other information. All GSM phones and most iDEN phones require a SIM card to operate. There are certain types of phones (CDMA, TDMA, AMPS) that do not use a SIM. Instead, the required data is programmed directly into the phone. The SIM cards come in two standard sizes: the first one 85.60 x 53.98 x 0.76 mm and the newer and far more popular version 25 x 15 x 0.76 mm.
There are two numeric passwords associated with a SIM card. One is the Personal Identification Number (PIN) that the user must input each time they start the device (this can be turned off via the phone settings). When entering the PIN number the user has only three input attempts. If all three are incorrect, the card gets locked and a PUK (Personal Unblocking Key) must be entered in order for the card to work again. Only ten attempts to enter the PUK are permitted before the card is permanently locked and made unusable.
Single-band- A single-band phone is one that operates on one frequency only. This makes the phone unable to operate in areas where the service providers do not support its frequency.
Smartphone- A smartphone is a term used to describe a category of mobile devices with computer-like functionality. These devices sport complete operating system and have a platform for application developers. Currently, the two major smartphone platforms in use are Series 60 and Windows Mobile. An application written for a specific platform can usually work on any smartphone using the same platform. Applications for smartphones are also faster and better integrated with the phone's UI than Java applications. Smartphones have larger displays and faster processors than so-called feature phones.
Tri-band- A Tri-band GSM phone is one that supports three of the four major GSM frequency bands, allowing it to work in most parts of the world. The two most common kinds of tri-band GSM phones are the European type, which support the 900, 1800 and 1900 frequencies and the American type, which cover the 850, 1800 and 1900 frequencies.
UMA- Unlicensed Mobile Access enables access to cellular mobile voice and data services over unlicensed spectrum technologies such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (802.11). The idea behind this technology is the following: when there is an accessible Wi-Fi hotspot near you, the UMA-enabled device can connect to it and use the broadband connection for making and accepting calls and sending and receiving data. It is very similar to using wireless VoIP-telephony on your GSM mobile phone. The UMA-enabled phone is also be able to use regular GSM base stations as any normal mobile phone can. The handset is able to seamlessly change connections between the licensed cellular radio access network and the unlicensed IP network, even in the middle of a call. All you need to use the new technology is a UMA-enabled device, an operator that supports UMA, and an Internet broadband connection that you can access via Wi-Fi (WLAN). The most important difference from the widely known VoIP technology is that UMA is tightly linked to the mobile radio network, which is used for routing, authentication and billing. A call initiated using the Wi-Fi interface reaches the 2G core network through the UMA Network and once the signal is transferred, it becomes indistinguishable from the rest of the cellular traffic.
UMTS- UMTS or the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a third generation wireless network technology which allows speeds of up to 2Mbps. UMTS is based on the WCDMA technology, which is why these terms have become interchangeable.
Unlocked Phone- A phone without a carrier SIM lock.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)- Voice over Internet Protocol is a technology which allows the transmission of voice over data networks. This makes normal phone calls over such networks possible.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)- WAP is an international standard for applications that use wireless communication. Its most common application is to enable access to the Internet from a mobile phone or a PDA. WAP sites are websites written in or converted to WML (Wireless Markup Language) and accessed via the WAP browser. WAP websites are now considered outdated as most modern phones have web browsers with HTML support.
WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)- Wideband CDMA is a third-generation (3G) wireless standard which allows use of both voice and data and offers data speeds of up to 384 Kbps. The frequency bands for WCDMA are as follows: Europe and Asia - 2100MHz, North America - 1900MHz and 850MHz. WCDMA is also called UMTS and the two terms have become interchangeable. Some parts of the WCDMA are based on GSM technology and the networks are designed to integrate the GSM networks at some levels.