Wireless Terms

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Wireless Terms

Activation Fee

A one-time charge levied by the carrier to activate your wireless phone and plan.

Additional Airtime Rate

Carrier charges for each minute of use once the minutes in the package for the current billing cycle are used up.

AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service)

The original cellular technology standard in the United States. The analog system is being supplanted by digital technologies, but remains available in most parts of the country, and is a good “back-up” technology for people traveling outside a digital coverage area.

Anytime Minutes

Package or additional minutes that can be used anytime of day or night. Some carriers have plans with different per minute charges for peak and off-peak periods, but these are not offered much at the present time.

Cancellation Fee

A one-time charge levied by the carrier should you cancel your service prior to the expiration of your contract. These charges are usually prorated, meaning that the charge is reduced as your contract nears completion.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

A spread spectrum air interface technology used in some digital cellular, personal communications services and other wireless networks.

Contract

A legally binding obligation to receive wireless service from your carrier for a specified period of time, at a specified rate. Most contracts are one or two years. In exchange for signing a contract, the carrier will usually provide your wireless phone at a discounted rate, and you are protected from most price increases during the contract period.

Coverage Map

A visual representation of the local calling area. The maps may also include roaming coverage areas.

Direct Connect

Direct Connect is a term used by Nextel to describe the two-way radio features which allows multiple users to communicate directly with one another without dialing a phone number.

Dual Band

A feature on some wireless phones that allows the handset to operate using either the 800 MHz cellular or the 1900 MHz PCS frequencies.

Dual Mode

A feature on some wireless phones that allows the handset to operate on both analog and digital networks. This is a recommended feature if you will use your phone in more rural locations, as many of these areas continue to offer only analog service.

Electronic Serial Number (ESN)

Each wireless phone is assigned a unique ESN, which is automatically transmitted to the base station every time a call is placed.

Free Minute on Incoming Calls

A feature offered by some carrier where airtime is not charged for the first minute of a call received by the wireless subscriber.

GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communications)

A digital communication technology used by certain carriers to provide PCS and digital cellular service.

Handset

Another term for the phone.

Incremental Billing

How the carrier bills for partial minutes. Almost all wireless carriers round up a call to the next full minute.

Mobile Identification Number (MIN)

Your unique wireless phone number.

Monthly Fee

A monthly charge for the ability to access the carrier’s wireless network. This fee is assessed whether the phone is actually used or not, and usually comes bundled with a certain number of minutes that can be used at no additional charge.

Local Calling Area

The geographic area where you can use your wireless phone with the minutes included in your package. This may be your home city, or can be as broad as the entire United States.

Long Distance Charges

If not included in your package, some of your calls to those outside your local calling area may incur charges for long distance, just as on your home phone. Additionally, you may incur long distance charges while placing or receiving calls while you are roaming.

Off-Peak Period

The time of lowest demand on a carrier’s network, usually late nights and weekends. Some carriers offer reduced-price packages, such as “unlimited nights and weekends” during the off-peak period.

PCS (Personal Communication Services)

PCS systems uses the 1.9 GHz frequency band and all digital technology for transmission and reception.

Peak Period

The time of highest demand on a carrier’s network, usually weekday and early evenings. Note that in most cities, the network is utilized most heavily during the morning and afternoon commute.

Phone Insurance

This guarantees a replacement phone if yours is lost, damaged, or stolen. Most carriers offer this insurance for a small monthly fee.

Prepaid Cellular

A system allowing subscribers to pay in advance for wireless service. Prepaid is generally used for credit-impaired customers or those who want to adhere to a budget.

Roaming

A per-minute charge to access a wireless network outside your local calling area. These costs can add up quickly, so a plan with a regional or national “local calling area” is recommended if you do extensive travel.

Standby Time

The amount of time you can leave your fully charged wireless phone turned on before the phone will completely discharge the battery.

Talk Time

The amount of time you can talk on your fully charged wireless phone before the phone will completely discharge the battery.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)

A digital air interface technology used in cellular, PCS and ESMR networks. Here are some commonly used terms describing pagers and paging services.

Tri-Mode Handset

Phones that work on three frequencies, typically using 1900 MHz, 800 MHz digital, or reverting to 800 MHz analog cellular when digital is not available.

Weight

The weight of the phone including the standard battery.

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Long Distance

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