| 3G |
Shorthand reference for 'third generation mobile telephone network'. 3G networks support fast data transfer, making such things as sound and video transmission possible. |
| Coverage |
In the context of mobile phones, the areas where you'll be able to get a signal. The phone networks tend to quote coverage in terms of population, not actual land area. A network may claim to cover 98 percent of the population, but with most of these people located in cities, vast tracts of the country are signal-free zones. |
| DECT |
Stands for Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telephone, a technology used by some cordless telephones to maintain clear call quality over long distances. |
| Dual Band |
A mobile phone that can work at two radio frequencies. Vodafone and Cellnet use the 900MHz band, as do most networks around the world. Orange and One2One use 1,800MHz. Only a few other countries use 1,800MHz. Dual-band phones can use either frequency, increasing the number of countries they can be used in. |
| EMS |
Enhanced Messaging Service. A development of SMS (Short Messaging Service) that allows simple pictures and ring tones to be sent between mobile phones. |
| GPRS |
A mobile phone standard that provides an 'always on' connection with speeds up to 150Kbit/s (existing GSM phones manage 9. 6Kbit/s). |
| GSM (Global System For Mobile Communications) |
The digital mobile phone system used in the UK and many other countries. |
| HSCSD |
High Speed Circuit Switched Data. An enhanced version of the GSM digital mobile phone network that can transfer data at speeds up to 28. 8Kbits/s. |
| ISDN |
Stands for Integrated Services Digital Network, which is a digital telephone connection providing high-speed data transfer, for such things as Internet access. Popular in particular with businesses needing to transfer large amounts of data regularly and reliably. |
| MMS |
Multimedia Messaging. Sending and receiving pictures to and from a mobile from. |
| Phonebook |
A mobile phone memory used to record the owner's personal numbers, so they can be recalled and dialled easily rather than tapped out each time. |
| Roaming |
Using your mobile phone abroad. You must ask your mobile phone provider to enable roaming, and your operator must have a roaming agreement with the foreign operator. Your phone must be able to use the network technology in the foreign country: in Europe, this will be GSM900 or GSM1800, while GSM coverage in the USA is GSM1900. |
| SIM |
Subscriber Identity Module. The smart card used by all digital mobile phones. The SIM card carries the user's identity and phone number for accessing the network. It also is used for storing the user's personal phonebook and text messages. |
| SMS |
Short Messaging Service. More commonly called text messaging. |
| Talktime |
The maximum lifespan of a mobile phone battery when used for calling continuously, or the number of minutes included in your monthly fee to your mobile service provider. |
| Tariff |
Each mobile phone network offers a choice of price plans or 'tariffs'. Some tariffs have low monthly charges, but relatively high call charges. Other tariffs have higher monthly charges but lower caller charges. |
| Text Messaging |
Most mobile phones can send and text messages of up to 160 characters to other mobile phones, generally regardless of network or model of phone. |
| Video Phone |
A phone which includes a camera and screen to combine your conversation with moving video images of the person you're talking to. |
| Voicemail |
An answerphone service which records callers' messages when you're unavailable. This may be in the office or provided by your mobile phone network. |
| WAP |
Wireless Application Protocol. A specification for transmitting data, particularly to mobile phones and handheld computers. It allows you to access information services and some specially-formatted websites easily from the screen of a mobile device. |
