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CTIA develops a monthly series of videos on new products, services and initiatives that benefit consumers. Wireless is constantly and dramatically changing the way we live, work and play. While each month's theme changes, these "Wonder of Wireless" features highlight:
Wireless at Work – Focuses on innovative products and services.
Industry Insider – Interviews with policymakers and influentials on various issues.
Policy Point – Explains CTIA's position on a variety of policy topics.
Wireless Lifesaver – Identifies individuals who have used their mobile devices and services to save a life, stop a crime or in the event of medical emergency.
To select which monthly WOW segment you would like to receive notices about, please click here.
To view this month's WOW webcasts, please click here.
Wireless Glossary of Terms
A-B C-D E-F G-I L-M N-P Q-S T-V W-Z
Carrier: Also known as a service provider or network operator, a carrier is the communications company that provides service to end user customers or other carriers. Wireless carriers provide their customers with service (including air time) for their wireless phones.
Cache (or Cookie): Many websites store the initial visit so that when the mobile device user visits again, the data from the same website can appear faster.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access): A technology used to transmit wireless calls by assigning them codes. Calls are spread out over the widest range of available channels. Then codes allow many calls to travel on the same frequency and also guide those calls to the correct receiving phone. In the U.S., CDMA carriers include: Alaska Communications System, Carolina West, CellCom/nSight, Bluegrass Cellular, Leap Wireless, Sprint, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless.
CDMA2000 1XRTT: The first step in the evolution to 3G is cdma2000 1X, which improves packet data transmission capabilities and speeds in the network, and also boosts voice capacity. (Speed of up to 307 kbps.)
CDMA2000 1XEV-DO (Evolution Data-Only): CDMA2000 1XEV represents the second step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Commercially launched in 2001, offers data speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps.
CDMA2000 1XEV-DV (Evolution Data-Voice): CDMA2000 1XEV represents the next step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a standards body based in Geneva, as a 3G technology to provide data and voice services together, with data rates of up to 3.09 Mbps.
Cell: The basic geographic unit of wireless coverage. Also, shorthand for generic industry term "cellular." A region is divided into smaller "cells," each equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell. As a wireless call moves from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the call and at the proper time, transfers the phone call to the new cell and new radio frequency. The handoff is performed so quickly that it’s not noticeable to the callers.
Cell Site: The location where a wireless antenna and network communications equipment is placed in order to provide wireless service in a geographic area.
Cell Splitting: A means of increasing the capacity of a wireless system by subdividing one cell into two or more smaller cells.
Channel/Circuit: A communications pathway that may take the form of a connection established over wireless, wired, or fiber optic facilities.
CSD (Circuit Switched Data): One technological approach used for the exchange of data. A circuit connection is made that is exclusively reserved for the individual’s use. This can be inefficient, as many communications do not require a dedicated communications channel, and offers only brief connectivity primarily used for the transmission of short messages.
CMRS (Commercial Mobile Radio Service) Provider: An FCC designation for any wireless carrier or license owner whose wireless service is connected to the public switched telephone network and/or is operated for profit. Wireless services that are offered to the public are classified as CMRS, unlike private systems which are classified as “Private Mobile Services.”
Co-Location: Placement of multiple antennas at a common site. Some companies act as brokers or cell site managers, arranging cell sites and coordinating many carriers' antennas at a single cell site.
Common Short Codes (CSC): Five– or six–digit numbers which allow wireless devices to send text messages for value-added services such as tele-voting campaigns, mobile coupons, charitable donations and other programs.
Contract Plan (Post-Paid): The most popular cell phone plan in which a subscriber agrees to a contract for certain period of time, usually a year or two and in exchange, the carrier provides the customer with a lower monthly rate and subsidized handset. There may be a fee if you want to cancel the contract before it expires, also known as an “early termination fee.” CTIA developed a voluntary Consumer Code to help consumers make informed choices when selecting their wireless service.
Digital: Technological approach that converts signals (including voice) into the binary digits ‘0’ and ‘1’. This data is compressed, and then transformed into electronic pulses for a wired network, optical light waves for fiber optic networks or radio waves for wireless networks. Digital wireless technology has largely superseded analog technology, because digital delivers more capacity and supports more applications, as well as offers better sound quality, and more secure signals.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): A digital line connecting the subscriber’s terminal to the serving company’s central office, providing multiple communications channels able to carry both voice and data communications simultaneously.
Dual Band: A wireless handset that works on more than one spectrum frequency, e.g., in the 800 MHz frequency and 1900 MHz frequency bands.
Last Updated: September 2010
