Below is a list of Cellular Telephone Terms. If you have a question concerning a term we don't have listed, or would like
to see a term posted here, contact us and tell us all about it.
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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 depending on the service plan
selected. Most carriers offer reduced rates for off-peak usage. |
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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. |
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Analog |
The traditional method of modulating radio signals so that they can carry information. AM (amplitude modulation) and
FM (frequency modulation) are the two most common methods of analog modulation. |
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Caller ID |
A call-screening feature that allows the user to pinpoint the origin of an incoming call prior to answering the phone. |
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Cell |
The basic geographic unit of a cellular system and the basis for the generic industry term "cellular." A city or
county is divided into small “cells," each of which is equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The cells
can vary in size depending on terrain and capacity demands. By controlling the transmission power and the radio
frequencies assigned from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the movement
and transfers (or hands off) the phone call to another cell and another radio frequency as needed. |
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Digital Modulation |
A method of decoding information for transmission. Information, or in this case, a voice conversation is turned into
a series of digital bits -- the 0s and 1s of computer binary language. At the receiving end, the information is reconverted. |
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ESN (Electronic Serial Number) |
Each cellular phone is assigned a unique ESN, which is automatically transmitted to the cellular tower station every time a
cellular call is placed. The Mobile Telephone Switching Office validates the ESN with each call. |
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FCC |
Federal Communications Commission - The Government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications in the United
States, located in Washington, D.C. |
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Frequency Reuse |
The ability to use the same frequencies repeatedly across a cellular system, made possible by the basic design approach for
cellular. Since each cell is designed to use radio frequencies only within its boundaries, the same frequencies can be
reused in other cells not far away with little potential for interference. The reuse of frequencies is what enables a
cellular system to handle a huge number of calls with a limited number of channels. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Message Alert |
Also referred to as "call-in-absence" indicator. A light or other indicator announcing that a phone call came in; an
especially important feature if the cellular subscriber has voice mail. |
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Mobile Phone |
Also called a car phone. The type of cellular phone that's installed in a car, truck or van. There are three
main types of cellular phones being sold today: mobile, transportable and portable. A mobile unit is attached to the
vehicle, draws its power from the vehicle's battery and has an external antenna. |
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MTSO |
Mobile Telephone Switching Office. 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. |
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NAM (Number Assignment Module) |
The NAM is the electronic memory in the cellular phone 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. |
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Network Access Fee |
A special fee that local telephone companies are allowed to charge for the right to connect with the local phone network.
Cellular subscribers pay this fee for calls placed to local telephone numbers. |
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No-Answer Transfer |
A service feature (provided by some cellular carriers in combination with call-waiting) that automatically transfers an
incoming cellular call to another phone number if the cellular subscriber is unable to answer. |
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Off-Peak |
The period of time after the business day has ended during which carriers may offer reduced airtime charges. |
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PCS (Personal Communications Services) |
Another form of wireless telecommunications services. |
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Peak |
Highest-usage period of the business day when a cellular system carries the most calling traffic. |
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Portable |
A one-piece, self-contained cellular telephone. The newest portable model phones are so small -- weighing as little
as 3.1 ounces -- that they can be folded up and carried in a suit pocket or purse. Portables normally have built-in
antennas and a rechargeable battery. See also Mobile and Transportable. |
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Repertory Dialing |
Sometimes known as "memory dialing" or "speed-calling." A feature that allows you to recall from 1-to-99 (or more)
phone numbers from a phone's memory with the touch of just one, two or three buttons. |
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Roaming |
The ability to use your cellular phone outside your usual service area – when traveling, for example. |
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Service Plan |
A rate plan selected by subscribers when they start up cellular service, usually consisting of a base rate for system
access and a per-minute rate for usage. Service plans are designed to provide the most cost-effective rates for different
types and amounts of usage by the cellular subscriber. |
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Standby Time |
The amount of time you can leave your fully charged cellular portable or transportable phone turned on before the phone
will completely discharge the batteries. See talk time. |
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Talk Time |
The length of time you can talk on your portable or transportable cellular phone without recharging the battery.
The battery capacity of a cellular portable or transportable is usually expressed in terms of so many minutes of talk time or
so many hours of standby time. When you're talking, the phone draws additional power from the battery. |
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Transportable |
The transportable cellular phone is a standard mobile phone that can be removed from the vehicle and used by itself with
an attached battery pack. The entire unit is generally mounted or built into a custom carrying case to make it easy to
carry. Although technically "portable," the transportable should not be confused with smaller, one-piece cellular phones. |
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Voice-Activated Dialing |
A feature available only on selected phones that permits you to dial numbers by calling them out to your cellular phone,
instead of dialing them manually. This function is especially convenient for making calls from your vehicle while driving. |
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Voice Mail |
Also called voice messaging. A computerized answering service that automatically answers your call, plays a greeting
in your own voice and records a message. After you retrieve your messages, you can delete, save, reply to or forward the
messages to someone else on your voice mail system. |
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