Wireless Glossary of Terms

         A-B          C-D          E-F          G-I          L-M          N-P          Q-S          T-V          W-Z 

Repeater: Devices that receive a radio signal, amplify it and re-transmit it in a new direction. Used in wireless networks to extend the range of base station signals and to expand coverage.  Repeaters are typically used in buildings, tunnels or difficult terrain. 

Roaming: When traveling outside their carrier's local service area, roaming allows users to continue to make and receive calls when operating in another carrier’s service coverage area. 
 
RSA (Rural Service Area): One of the 428 rural markets across the United States, as designated by the FCC for the delivery of cellular service outside of the initial 306 MSAs.

Smart Antenna: A wireless antenna with technology that focuses its signal in a specific direction. Wireless networks use smart antennas to reduce the number of dropped calls, and to improve call quality and channel capacity.
 
Smart Phone: Wireless phones with advanced data features and often keyboards. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.
 
SMS: Short Messaging Service enables users to send and receive short text messages (usually about 160 characters) on wireless handsets.  Sometimes referred to as “text messaging.”
 
Spectrum Allocation: Process whereby the federal government designates frequencies for specific uses, such as personal communications services and public safety.  Allocation is typically accomplished through lengthy FCC proceedings, which attempt to adapt allocations to accommodate changes in spectrum demand and usage.  
 
Spectrum Assignment: Federal government authorization for the use of specific frequencies within a given spectrum allocation, usually in a specific geographic location.  Mobile communications assignments are granted to both private users such as businesses, and commercial providers such as wireless and paging operators.  Spectrum auctions and/or frequency coordination processes, which consider potential interference to existing users, may apply.
 
Spread Spectrum: A method of transmitting a radio signal by spreading it over a wide range of frequencies.  This reduces interference and can increase the number of simultaneous users on one radio frequency band.

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