GSM vocabulary
A
- Activation
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Activation
Activation means the assignment of a valid phone number and a connection of basic services to a given number. In the case of prepaid phones, activation takes place the first time the phone signs up (registers) to the network.
- ADSL/ADSL2+
-
ADSL/ADSL2+
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A technology using current phone lines for high-speed data transmissions and phone calls at the same time. As the title suggests, the data transmission is asymmetric; the speed towards the user (downstream) is significantly higher than in the other direction (upstream).
- Asymmetric transmission
-
Asymmetric transmission
Data transfer with a different speed of transmitting and receiving. For example, when using a HSCSD technology, the use of four transmission channels can be set up in the ratio 3:1, wherein three channels enable receiving of data with a speed up to 43.2 kbps and one channel is reserved for sending of data with the speed of 14.4 kbps.
B
- Base station
-
Base station
see BTS - Blackberry
-
Blackberry
A technology enabling easy access to e-mail messages, calendar and data. Special mobile devices are used for this system.
- Bluetooth
-
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a technology that can replace cables and wires used for reciprocal connection of devices such as mobile phones with handsfree, PDAs, personal computers, and others. A mobile phone with Bluetooth can communicate with other devices to up to 100 meters, depending on the level of Bluetooth technology used.
- BTS
-
BTS
Base Transceiver Station. A base station providing a radio connection with a mobile phone. It usually contains several directional transmitters-transceivers (TRX), which cover a certain location with a radio signal.
C
- CAMEL
-
CAMEL
Customised Applications for Mobile Networks Enhanced Logic. In a very simplified way it can be said that this technology enables direct communication of a roaming partner network and a home network when connecting a specific call from a prepaid card. The roaming partner network can check the home network at the time of the call to find out what the user's remaining credit is, and based on this information it can connect the call. Until now, the USSD technology has been more commonly used for roaming of prepaid services abroad.
- CDMA
-
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. This is sharing of one transmission channel (frequency), which is defined for digital wireless transmissions. In a simplified way, the principle could be described thus: Coded information for more receivers is transmitted on a certain transmission frequency at the same time. Individual receivers use their own deciphering key to decipher the data flow. As a result of this, only data designated for a certain receiver with a certain key is deciphered and other ("unfamiliar") data is ignored.
- Cellular network
-
Cellular network
Mobile phone networks are described as cellular for their structure. A location covered by a signal of the network is divided into relatively small areas, or so-called cells. These individual areas are covered with transmitters operating on different frequencies. A mobile phone network is created by several thousands of cells.
- Cell
-
Cell
A cell represents a part of a location covered by a mobile phone network signal from a certain directional transmitter placed at a base station. One base station can contain even several directional transmitters for several of these cells. In open terrain, one cell can represent a location with a radius of 35 km, but for example in cities one cell usually covers one street.
- CLIP
-
CLIP
Calling Line Identification Presentation. Caller identification means displaying of the number that is calling.
- CONEX
-
CONEX
Conex is designed especially for business customers. Its essence is a direct connection of an O2 mobile phone network with a branch exchange of the company. An integrated communication system is thus created from mobile phones and the company phone system. This allows significant decrease of calling costs among company network branches and company mobile phones. Conex furthermore enables the use of many services such as quick dial, forwarding, setting of groups with various privileges for mobile phones, etc.
- Conference call
-
Conference call
A mobile network service where several participants communicate at once.
D
- DCS 1800 MHz
-
DCS 1800 MHz
DCS 1800 MHz is a frequency standard for mobile phone networks of the GSM system. The basic difference is that the network uses the 1800 MHz frequency instead of the regularly used 900 MHz frequency.
- DECT
-
DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication. Digital cordless technology used for phones without a cord connecting the headphone to the base. It provides freedom of movement within the reach of a radio signal (normally 300 meters in open space and 50 meters in buildings). Another option is to implement a cordless branch exchange via additional headphones connected to one base.
E
- EDGE
-
EDGE
Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution. A technology built on the GSM network options using eight-phase modulations. When using EDGE in connection with so-called packet transmission (GPRS) a transmission speed of up to 60 kbit/s on one physical channel can be reached, while theoretically the speed can reach 384 kb/s. This technology needs to be supported by the phone/modem.
- Enhanced Full Rate
-
Enhanced Full Rate
Improved coding of sound in a GSM network where the quality of transmitted voice nears CD-quality sound. This quality can only be reached in areas with a high quality signal.
F
- Forwarding of calls
-
Forwarding of calls
A function that enables forwarding of incoming calls to a different phone station or voice mail.
G
- Gateway
-
Gateway
A device that represents an interface between two different networks (e.g. mobile network to Internet, fixed phone line to mobile network, etc.).
- GPRS
-
GPRS
General Packet Radio System. Technology devised for wireless data transmissions in a GSM mobile network. Data which is to be transferred is divided into parts called packets. These packets have a target address attached, and based on the current capacity of the network the packets are transferred up to the final device, where they are connected into a sequence of data again. The final device (a mobile phone, modem) is connected permanently, but the network connection capacity is used only if it receives or sends packets of data. Charges are therefore calculated according to transferred data and not per connection time.
- GSM
-
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communication. An abbreviation derived from the standard for mobile communication. GSM networks are labeled as second generation networks. They provide users with SMS, roaming, caller identification, forwarding of calls, fax and data transmissions and other services.
H
- Handsfree
-
Handsfree
A device that enables you to make calls from a mobile phone without the need to hold the device in your hand.
- HSCSD
-
HSCSD
High Speed Circuit Switched Data. Technology used for data transmission in GSM mobile phone networks based on the principle of circuit switching. As it uses more timeslots at once, it represents a very fast technology for mobile transmission of data. Available terminals use up to four timeslots for transmissions and can reach a transmission speed of up to 43.2 kbit/s.
I
- IMEI
-
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity. A fifteen-digit number representing a unique code carrying information about the type and production number of a given phone. IMEI can usually be found at the back of the phone, in the battery area. You can also find it by entering a *#06# code directly on the phone display.
- Infraport (IrDA)
-
Infraport (IrDA)
Communication interface of mobile phones and computers that can communicate via infrared rays with different devices in its vicinity – i.e. in reciprocal direct visibility.
- Internet calling
-
Internet calling
See VOIP.
J
- Java
-
Java
A programming language. Applications (programs, games, etc.) created in this language can be run on a mobile device (if it supports this option).
L
- Li-Ion
-
Li-Ion
A type of battery used for charging of wireless communication devices. Li-lon batteries are lighter than the older type of batteries, they have a relatively long lifespan and in general they do not suffer from a memory effect.
M
- MMS
-
MMS
Multimedia Messaging Service. A service enabling transfer of multimedia messages between mobile phones. These messages may include text, images audio and short video files.
N
- Network Monitoring Center
-
Network Monitoring Center
A non-stop center where a team of specialists monitors functions of individual parts of a mobile phone network all around the country. Eventual technical problems are solved by specialists directly in the Monitoring Center or technicians are sent to specific locations. The Monitoring Center of our company belongs among the most modern ones in Europe.
- NiCd
-
NiCd
A nickel-cadmium battery is a durable accumulator, which usually lasts 700 cycles (charging and discharging). If the battery has not been completely expended before it is charged again, a so-called memory effect can take place shortening its lifespan.
- NiMH
-
NiMH
A nickel-metal-hydride battery is an accumulator battery, which can hold a larger amount of energy than a NiCd battery and which does not suffer from the memory effect as much. It is usually more expensive than a NiCd battery.
O
- OLED display
-
OLED display
A new generation display using the organic electro-luminescent diode technology. These displays demonstrate excellent technical parameters – they can display more than 16 million colors, they have a display angle exceeding 160°, and thanks to high brightness and contrast the picture looks incredibly clear and sharp. Finally, they have a low energy consumption and work with low voltage.
P
- PBX
-
PBX
Private Branch Exchange. A phone exchange owned by a company or by a business.
- PDA
-
PDA
A pocket computer combining the functions of a mobile phone and a computer.
- Phone blocking
-
Phone blocking
To increase security it is possible to limit the use of some phones with the help of a special security code, which can be set directly in the phone (unlike PIN and PUK codes, which are saved on the SIM card). To find out more about the setting and use of this security code, check the manual for your model of phone.
- PIN
-
PIN
A four-digit security code, which protects your SIM card against misuse. You received it when you purchased your SIM card. If an invalid code is entered three times in a row, the card will be blocked and a PUK code needs to be used.
- Prepaid services
-
Prepaid services
A popular way of using mobile telecommunication services, wherein the customer does not sign a written contract with an operator. They prepay their mobile service by purchasing a voucher of a certain value that they spend using various mobile services (calling, sending of SMS or MMS messages and others). When there is no credit left on the card, it needs to be re-charged or a new one purchased.
- PUK
-
PUK
An eight-digit security code that makes it possible to unblock a SIM card after an incorrect PIN code has been entered repeatedly. If the PUK is entered incorrectly 10 times, the SIM card will be blocked permanently and the customer needs to contact their operator at one of the operator's brand stores.
R
- Roaming
-
Roaming
A GSM mobile network function that makes it possible to use a mobile phone in other GSM networks, usually those of foreign operators. The services are billed based on specific operators' roaming contracts.
S
- Set-top-box
-
Set-top-box
A device that receives digital broadcasts and it transfers them to a signal that is then relayed to an analogue TV.
- SIM card
-
SIM card
A card with a chip containing identification information – e.g., operator's network, phone number, activated services, billing, credit, etc. Mobile phones request that a SIM card is inserted into them in order to become registered with a network. The SIM card is protected by a security PIN code so that it cannot be misused.
- SIM card blocking
-
SIM card blocking
A SIM card can be blocked either by the user or the operator. The user can accidentally block their card if they enter an incorrect PIN code three times in a row. The card can be unblocked only with the help of a so-called PUK code. If the user enters an incorrect PUK code repeatedly, the SIM card will be blocked permanently.
The operator will block a SIM card (the access of the given SIM card to a network) if contract terms and conditions are violated or if the user requests it (for example, in case of theft). - SMS
-
SMS
Short Message Service. A message consisting of a short text, which can be transferred in a GSM mobile phone network.
- SMS center
-
SMS center
An exchange that processes short text messages in a mobile network. If the addressee's mobile phone is unavailable at the time the message is being sent then the message is saved for a certain period of time in an SMS center of the network.
- Splitter
-
Splitter
A device for the separation of data and voice transmissions when one fixed phone line is used.
- Symbian
-
Symbian
An operating system designed for mobile devices that makes it possible to run a wide range of applications on so-called smartphones.
T
- TDMA
-
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access. A principle used in GSM networks, where one frequency is shared for transmission of more calls based on time-sharing. Each of the mobile phones that share a given frequency has a short set period of time when it sends or receives on that frequency. Individual phones are thus swapped very quickly. The chain of short periods of time creates a so-called transmission channel or timeslot, where the communication between a mobile phone and a mobile phone base station runs.
- TFT display
-
TFT display
Thin Film Transistor. A thin-film transistor display, which is created by tiny transistors, each of which controls one picture point. This construction creates a high quality picture – it restrains shadows when the display is moved and provides contrast up to 100:1 – which accommodates high-speed animation. Other assets include lower current levels and a thinner profile in comparison with older DSTN panels.
- Timeslot
-
Timeslot
A transmission channel in a mobile network between a mobile phone and a network base station, which is created by chains of quickly alternating time slots of transmitting/receiving on that frequency. Eight timeslots can be created on one frequency in a GSM network. Technologies for mobile data transmission (HSCSD and GPRS) make it possible for data transmissions to use several of these timeslots at once. It is theoretically possible to use all eight time slots, although in the case of GPRS devices are able to use a maximum of two timeslots at the same time, and in the case of HSCSD three timeslots can be used for parallel reception.
U
- UMTS
-
UMTS
Universal Mobile Telephony Standard. A technology for a new generation of mobile phone networks, which will enable transmission of data with a speed up to 2 Mbit/s. This technology will enable new mobile services, from information and booking systems to videotelephony.
- USSD
-
USSD
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. This technology makes it possible for operators to provide special services. The USSD technology uses special codes that activate specific network services. For example, when calling from abroad via a prepaid card, once the number is entered in a specific format – *101*receiver's number# – this request is automatically transferred to the O2 home network, which will confirm the remaining credit and will connect the requested call.
V
- Voice mailbox
-
Voice mailbox
A voicemail that registers a message from a caller if the called station is busy or unavailable (the phone is switched off or out of the signal reception area).
- VOIP
-
VOIP
Voice over Internet Protocol. This refers to calls when part of the connection is carried out via the Internet. The voice is transferred to data sequences and they are transmitted via high-speed data links, which are used for the Internet. Unlike a regular connection, when the entire line is used for one call, during Internet calling the transmission capacity is also used for regular data or even other calls.
- VPN
-
VPN
Virtual Private Network. A service designed for business customers. It connects company mobile phones in a private network connected with a branch exchange. It is possible to use quick line dials among individual mobile phones in the network and to set up users' rights for calling similar to that used by a company branch exchange. Calling among individual phones of a company's VPN are charged under advantageous conditions.
W
- WAP
-
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol. Data format for browsing specially modified Internet sites on the display of mobile phones.
- Wi-Fi
-
Wi-Fi
Technology of wireless networks that work on a license-free frequency based on the 802.11 standard. O2 offers Internet connection via so-called HotSpots or access points. It is possible to get connected to the network via a computer or a mobile phone (supporting this technology) in their vicinity.
