The following is a list of terms which are common in the mobile phone world:
3: A UK mobile phone network.
3G: A technology which allows video services to be provided to compatible mobile handsets.
Airtime: The duration from the start to the end of a phone call.
Base station: A radio mast which allows a mobile handset to connect to a mobile phone provider’s network.
Battery: This is what powers the phone when it is unplugged from a mains power supply.
Bluetooth: A wireless technology which allows mobile handsets to connect to other devices such as a handsfree kit or a computer.
BT Mobile: A UK mobile phone network.
Call barring: The ability to block incoming or outgoing calls.
Call divert: The facility to redirect incoming calls to another telphone number or a voicemail service.
Caller display: The facility to allow incoming telephone numbers to be shown on the handset’s screen.
Charger: When the battery in the phone become low, it needs to be recharged. There are 2 main types of charger, those which plug into a power socket in the wall, and those which can be used in a car.
Coverage: The area where it is possible to make and receive communications.
Cross network: The making or a phone call or sending a message from one phone network to another.
Data/fax: The ability to transfer data and/or faxes via a mobile phone.
GSM: The Global System for Mobile Communication defines the standard for the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz frequency bands.
Handsfree kit: A device to allow voice calls to be made without having to hold the handset. There are two types, those with cables and those without. The wireless variety generally make use of Bluetooth.
IMEI: The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a number given to GSM mobile phones.
O2: A UK mobile phone network.
Off peak: Many tariffs charge lower call rates for calls made during the evenings and at weekends.
Orange: A UK mobile phone network.
Pay as you go: A type of tariff which is paid up front by purchasing vouchers or ‘talk time’. The credit can be used to pay for services (such as voice or text) until all credit has been used or it has expired.
Pay monthly: A type of tariff which normally has a fixed monthly charge and includes a specified number of talk minutes and/or texts. Additional costs can the be added depending upon usage.
Peak: Many tariffs charge higher call rates for calls made during the day.
Photo messaging: The sending of photographs to other mobiles which are normally taken using a camera built into the mobile handset.
Roaming: When travelling abroad or outside normal network coverage, your usual network provider may have a deal that allows your mobile to connect to another network and allow you to use most of the services which are normally available to you.
Signal: A mobile handset requires a wireless connection to a base station to allow communications. The further away from a base station, the weaker the signal. Using a mobile indoors can also result in low signal strength and poor quality reception.
SIM card: ‘Subscriber Identity Module card’ – this fits inside a mobile phone handset and allows a mobile phone network to uniquely identify it so that calls and texts can sent to it.
Standby time: The length of time that a mobile handset can remain switched on (without making or receiving calls/texts) before the battery needs to be recharged.
SMS: Short message service, also known as text messaging. A message of up to 160 characters can be sent to another compatible device. Messages sent to the phone are downloaded when the phone has a signal and is connected to the network.
Tariff: To use a mobile phone requires it to be subscribed to a network and on an active plan. These plans can either be pay monthly or pay as you go. The tariff controlls how much it costs to make phone calls or to use other features such as SMS.
T-Mobile: A UK mobile phone network.
Virgin Mobile: A UK mobile phone network which makes use of the T-Mobile network.
Vodafone:: A UK mobile phone network.
Voicemail: When an incoming call is unanswered, callers are often allowed to leave a message which can then be listened to later.
VoIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol is a way to make telephone (voice) calls via the Internet, usually for lower costs than using traditional mobile or fixed telephones.
Wifi: Some mobile phones can be connected to wireless networks for using Internet based services such as browsing websites or VoIP telephony.
Last modified: 10th October 2006
