Wireless Glossary of Terms

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

EDGE: Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution is an evolutionary step in the GSM-development path for faster delivery of data, delivered at rates up to 384 Kbps. The standard is based on the GSM technology platform and uses the TDMA approach (see TDMA, below).
 
ESN (Electronic Serial Number): The unique serial identification number programmed into a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each time a call is placed, the ESN is transmitted to a nearby base station so the wireless carrier can validate the call.  The ESN differs from the Mobile Identification Number, which identifies a customer’s wireless phone number.  MINs and ESNs are electronically monitored to help prevent fraud.

Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO): The third generation CDMA technology. The U.S. had 74.6 million subscribers in 4Q 2009 out of 124.6 million (or 23 percent of all subscribers). This means the U.S. had 60 percent of all EVDO subscribers in the world.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): An independent U.S. government agency responsible with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. This includes all aspects of the wireless industry such as devices, policies, programs and outreach initiatives.
 
Facility-based Wireless Carrier: A provider of wireless services that owns the physical network used to deliver those services. See contra MVNO, a provider that leases capacity on a facilities-based provider network.
 
Federal Regulatory Fee: Annual communications regulatory fees as mandated by Congress.  The fees require the FCC to recover the regulatory costs associated with its enforcement, policy and rulemaking, user information, and international initiatives.
 
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The only federal U.S. agency with both consumer protection and competition jurisdiction in broad sectors of the economy. The FTC pursues vigorous and effective law enforcement; advances consumers’ interests by sharing its expertise with federal and state legislatures and U.S. and international government agencies; develops policy and research tools through hearings, workshops, and conferences; and creates practical and plain-language educational programs for consumers and businesses in a global marketplace with constantly changing technologies.
 
Femtocell: A small cellular base station or access point that is used in homes or offices to deliver wireless traffic to service providers via pre-existing broadband connections. This allows for improvement of coverage in small (typically indoor) areas without requiring the addition of new full-sized cellular sites.
 
FDD (Frequency Division Multiplexing): Frequency-division multiplexing is a method in which numerous signals are combined for transmission on a single communications channel. Each signal is assigned a different frequency (subchannel) within the main channel.
 
Filters: Most wireless carriers provide parents with the ability to filter Internet content accessed on a wireless phone on their network.

Last Updated: July 2011