Download Mobile Acronyms PDF

WIRELESS TERMS
& ACRONYMS
1G (or 1x)
The 1st generation of wireless technology that was purely analog for voice transmission and not much else (introduced in the early 80s).
2G
The 2nd generation of wireless that saw the first entry of digital voice that
delivered better quality and more capacity but very slow data through CSD
(introduced in the early 90s).
3G
The 3rd generation of wireless that delivered greater speeds for data transmission (projected standard for mobile of 384 kbps).
4G
The 4th generation of wireless that delivered the first true “Mobile Broadband” data service (marketed as LTE, WiMAX, & Sprint Spark).
Android OS
The operating system developed by Google in support of certain mobile
smartphones and tablets.
AVL
Automatic Vehicle Location. A term typically used to describe an
application of GPS for transportation companies.
BAN
Billing Account Number. Most carrier account numbers assigned to the
customer are referred to as BANs.
Blackberry
OS
This is the operating system developed by RIM in support of Blackberry
devices.
BYOD
(or BYOP)
Bring Your Own Device. The ability for the customer (mobile subscriber)
to bring their existing phone (BYOP), if compatible, from one carrier network to another.
*STREAM’S GSM NETWORK IS POWERED BY ZTAR MOBILE.
STREAM’S CDMA NETWORK IS POWERED BY SPRINT.
WIRELESS TERMS AND ACRONYMS 1
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. This is a standard of wireless network
technology being used today in the US by both Verizon and Sprint.
Cloud
Services
A cloud service is any resource that is provided over the Internet as opposed to on premise (e.g. physical hardware such as a computer or server).
CRM
Customer Relationship Management. A CRM system allows businesses to
manage business relationships and the data and information associated
with them. It involves using technology to organize, automate and
synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support.
CSD
ESN
Circuit Switched Data. This is a dial-up connection for data transmission; it’s a very old and antiquated technology.
ETF
Early Termination Fee. These are fees imposed on the customer who
terminates service with their wireless carrier prior to their contract expiration.
GB
Gigabyte (data measurement). A Gigabyte is 1,073,741,824 (230) bytes or 1,024 Megabytes, or 1,048,576 Kilobytes.
GPS
Global Positioning System. The ability to visualize, in real time via satellite, the movement of a particular object.
GSM
Global Systems for Mobile Communications. This is a standard of wireless Network technology being used today by both AT&T and T-Mobile and is
common in Europe as well.
HOTLINE
A commonly used, wireless term that describes the temporary suspension
of a mobile phone number or account due to non-payment or late payment.
Electronic Serial Number. A number specific to the phone that identifies the wireless subscriber to a CDMA network.
*STREAM’S GSM NETWORK IS POWERED BY ZTAR MOBILE.
STREAM’S CDMA NETWORK IS POWERED BY SPRINT.
WIRELESS TERMS AND ACRONYMS 2
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identifier. This is a unique number given to a
mobile phone used to identify the phone or device ONLY to a GSM Network.
iOS
This is the operating system developed by Apple for all of their computer
and mobile products (e.g. MAC, iPhones, iPads, etc.).
KB
Kilobyte (a data measurement). A Kilobyte is 1,024 bytes.
Kbps
Kilobytes per second (a measurement of data speeds).
LTE
Long Term Evolution. Commonly marketed as 4G LTE and is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data
terminals.
MB
Megabyte (a data measurement). A Megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024
Kilobytes.
Mbps
Megabytes per second (a measurement of data speeds).
MEID
Mobile Equipment Identifier. A number specific to the phone that identifies
the wireless subscriber to a CDMA network.
MIN
Mobile Identification Number (i.e. cell phone number).
MMS
Multimedia Messaging Service. It’s a standard way to send messages that
include multimedia content like pictures and videos to and from mobile phones.
MNO
Mobile Network Operator. A cell phone carrier that operates and maintains
its own network and offers mobile phone service to its customers.
MRC
Monthly Recurring Charge. This is the amount a subscriber pays for their mobile phone plan each month before any additional fees and/or overages.
MVNO
Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A cell phone carrier that DOES NOT have
its own network. Instead, an MVNO has a business relationship with an
MNO. An MVNO pays wholesale fees for minutes and then sells the minutes
at retail prices under its own brand.
NPA/NXX
Numbering Plan Area/Numbering Plan Exchange. This is your area code and prefix of an assigned phone number.
OFFLOADING This is the action of the mobile subscriber utilizing complementary network technologies (Wi-Fi networks or hotspots) for delivering data originally
targeted for cellular networks. As a result this not only reduces network
congestion but also reduces personal data usage against the allotted plan
allowance and potentially reduces costs.
*STREAM’S GSM NETWORK IS POWERED BY ZTAR MOBILE.
STREAM’S CDMA NETWORK IS POWERED BY SPRINT.
WIRELESS TERMS AND ACRONYMS 3
OS
Operating System. The operating system is the most important program
that runs on a computer and provides a software platform on top of which
other programs, called application programs, can run; essentially this is the
brains of the computer.
PIN
Personal Indentification Number. This is similar to a password that a
customer will establish to protect their personal mobile account
information.
PORTING
This is the ability for the customer (wireless subscriber) to keep their
current mobile phone number and move it from one wireless carrier
network to another network.
PTN
Personal Telephone Number (i.e. cell phone number).
RIM
Research in Motion. The company that developed Blackberry based in Canada.
ROAMING
The ability for wireless carriers to partner with competitors of like
technologies to allow their subscribers to use (or share) their Network
Towers for mobile communications.
SIM CARD
Subscriber Identity Module. A small card/chip that identifies and stores the subscriber information for devices on the GSM Network.
SMS
Short Messaging Service. A text messaging service component of the
mobile phone allowing short texts of up to 160 characters per message.
SUBSCRIBER This is a term used within the mobile industry by which each individual
active mobile phone user is identified by the carrier as a paying customer.
THROTTLING This is the intentional slowing of data by the wireless service provider. This
is a reactive measure employed by the carrier networks in an apparent
attempt to regulate network traffic.
UI
User Interface. Everything designed into an information device with which a
human being may interact, i.e. the total user experience of appearance,
response time, etc.
Wi-Fi
This is a local area wireless technology that allows an electronic device to
exchange data or connect to the Internet so long as the user is within
eligible proximity.
WINDOWS
PHONE OS
This is the operating system developed by Microsoft in support of their Windows based smartphones (formerly called Windows Mobile).
*STREAM’S GSM NETWORK IS POWERED BY ZTAR MOBILE.
STREAM’S CDMA NETWORK IS POWERED BY SPRINT.
WIRELESS TERMS AND ACRONYMS 4