Glossary of Terms

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.

Activation Fee - The initial charge to set up a cellphone so that it can operate within the selected carrier network. Many cell phone plans waive the activation or set up fee.

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 carrier to carrier 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 ("numeric"). 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.

Analog – A transmission method that 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 device used for transmitting, sending and receiving radio signals. Typical cellphone varieties include 1", 3", 6" rubber flex, stubby.

Bluetooth technology - A radio technology making transmission of signals over short distances between telephones, computers and other devices possible without the use of wires. It is possible to link household appliances to a controlling device, like your 3g cellphone.

Calling 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.

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.

Chargers - Please use the correct charger for your cellphone battery. All cellphones we give or sell come with a free desktop charger, unless otherwise stated. Chargers are often referred to as "overnight" or "rapid", with overnight chargers fully charging in eight to ten hours from beginning of cycle. They fill at a low charge rate, and sometimes lack the safety features of preventing overcharge because batteries can better withstand low charging current. Rapid chargers recharge the battery or batteries more quickly. The charge isn't continuous; rather, it's reduced as the battery reaches full charge. Sub types of battery chargers include vehicle cigarette lighter plug-ins, desktop chargers intended for indoor use on a flat surface, and small travel chargers that simply plug into an electrical outlet. There are also solar type cellphone battery chargers on the market.

Belt Clips - Belt clip, swivel, vibrating, straight, available for specific models. Many incorporate a cover for the protection of the cell phone, and some of these covers provide intended protection from Radio Frequency or RF type radiation.

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.

Faceplates & covers - Protective cellphone covers protect your phone and also gives your cell phone a unique appearance, or fashion statement. Face plates come in many different colors. Designs with your favorite music group, flags, even lights that flash when the mobile phone rings are available.

FCC - Federal Communications Commission. The Government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications in the United States, located in Washington, D.C.

Hands-free kits - With a hands-free kit, you can use your cell phone in your car without taking your hands from the wheel, or your eyes from the road. A mounted speaker and microphone provide you with a speakerphone in your vehicle, which can also be set to automatically pick up. The portable hands free uses a cigarette lighter male plug, while mounted handsfree cellphone kits connect permanently to the vehicle's power supply. Wireless hands-free kits allow the use of your cellular phone without interfering with driving.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Off-peak - The period of time after the business day has ended during which most carriers may offer reduced airtime charges.

Peak - Highest-usage period of the business day when a cellular system carries the most calling traffic.

Portable (aka: Cell Phone) - A one-piece, self-contained cellular telephone. The newest portable model phones are so small – weighing as little as 2.0 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.

Prepaid phones - Also known as "pay as you go" phones, the next generation of prepaid phones are ideal for the who have problem or no credit challenges.

Roaming - The ability to use your cellular phone outside your usual service area – when traveling, for example.

Roaming agreement – an agreement between two or more wireless telephone companies outlining the terms and conditions under which the participating companies will provide wireless service to each others subscribers. Roaming agreements commonly are used where no one company can offer complete national and international coverage.

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.

WMF - Wireless Message Format Sends data through wireless means to mobile computers.

Common Misspellings

It's amazing how many ways people spell the various words relating to the cell phone industry. Here's just a few of the more popular misspellings:

Kyocera - kyosera, keocera, keyocera, kyoceta, kyocerra, kiocera and kiosera.

Ericsson - erricson, erriccson, ericson, ericssen and erricssen.

Nokia - nokia, nokkia, nokiia, nolia, nokio, mokia and nopia.

Motorola - motorala, motorolo, notorola and of course motorolas.

Cell phone - cellphone, cellphone, cellularphone, cellularphones, celphone, and celphones.

Batteries - battery, bateries, and batery.