Cellular FAQ

Glossary of Terms

ACCESS CHARGE

A cellular customer pays a monthly fee for being connected to the system, called the access charge. The charge is billed a month in advance and is always the same no matter how much or little you use the phone. The access charge changes only if you or your service provider changes your service plan.

AIRTIME

The number of minutes you spend actually talking on the phone is called airtime. Airtime is billed in one-minute increments. Charges for airtime vary by service plan, and may also vary by time of day and day of the week.

ANALOG

Cellular communication is based on sending and receiving radio waves. Analog is a method of transmitting radio waves.

AUTHENTICATION

This security technology confirms the identity of your cellular phone to the system, protecting against fraudulent use of your number.

CALL FORWARDING

On many cellular systems, you can elect a feature that, when activated, automatically transfers incoming calls to another number.

CALL RESTRICTIONS

You can choose a feature that restricts your service (or someone else's service on your account) to incoming calls only, outgoing calls only, or to calls within the immediate cellular service area.

CALL WAITING

You can select a feature that gives a tone alert if a second call is coming in while you are already talking.

CELLULAR PHONE INSURANCE

You can protect yourself against loss, damage or theft of your wireless phone by purchasing optional insurance.

DETAILED BILLING

If you regularly need specific information about the calls you have made, you can elect the option of detailed billing. Depending on the cellular service you are using, you may be able to include this feature in your pricing plan or order it separately for a nominal charge.

DIGITAL

It is possible to translate the radio waves that carry cellular communications into computer code, which is transmitted through the airwaves and retranslated on the receiving end. This is called Digital transmission.

ELECTRONIC LOCK

To keep an unauthorized person from using your phone, you can choose a feature that requires a personal code to be entered in order to activate the phone. The personal code feature automatically turns on whenever power is off.

EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE

On some cellular systems, you have the option of purchasing a toll-free, 24-hour emergency road service with your service plan.

ESN

The Electronic Serial Number is a unique number assigned to your cellular phone. Every time a call is placed, the ESN is transmitted to the system for validation. This allows the system to detect immediately if a phone has been reported stolen or if the account is not in good standing. The ESN, along with your mobile phone number, identifies you as a legitimate customer of your wireless service.

HANDS FREE

The ability to use your phone in your car without picking up the handset.

MOBILE PHONE

A cellular phone installed in a vehicle is called a mobile phone. Also see Portable Phone.

NAM

Your cellular phone has a Number Assignment Module, or NAM, which stores your telephone number, user code and other operational data.

NO ANSWER TRANSFER

If you elect this feature, an incoming call will be transferred to a number you designate, following several rings with no pick-up. So when you are on another call or away from the phone, any calls you receive will be forwarded automatically.

OFF-PEAK TIME

Periods of the day when cellular traffic is lighter are called off-peak times. Many service plans charge less for airtime during these periods. Typically, off-peak times range from 7 PM to 7 AM and on weekends and holidays. These times vary by service and market.

PEAK TIME

Periods of the day with high cellular usage are called peak time. Peak calling times usually coincide with the business day. Generally, rates for airtime are higher during peak times.

PORTABLE PHONE

A small, lightweight, easily carried handset is called a portable phone, and may be small enough to fit in a handbag or pocket. Portables are the most popular type of wireless phone with today's customers. Also see Mobile Phone.

PREPAID CELLULAR

For customers who wish to control cellular expenses within a set budget, service plans are available that provide a specific amount of usage on a prepaid basis.

ROAMING

Use of your cellular phone outside your local calling area is called roaming. Calls you make while roaming are handled by the system of a cellular carrier in the immediate area and may involve extra charges. Per minute airtime roaming rates and daily roaming fees (if applicable) vary from city to city.

SERVICE ACTIVATION FEE

When you establish new wireless service, you may pay a one-time service activation fee.

STANDBY TIME

Portable phones depend on batteries. Standby time is the length of time a particular phone can be operational and make or receive calls before its battery runs down. Also see Talk Time.

TALK TIME

Talking on a portable phone uses more battery power than simply having the phone turned on and idle. The length of time a customer can actually talk without recharging the battery is called talk time. Battery capacity is usually expressed in "minutes of talk time" or "hours of standby time."

THREE-PARTY CALLING

You can choose an optional feature that allows you to add a third party to a call, creating a three-way conversation.

VOICE MAIL SERVICE

You can choose a feature that provides voice mail for your wireless service. When you are away from your phone, on another call or outside your coverage area, incoming calls go to Voice Mail.

WIRELESS MODEM

To use cellular service with a laptop computer or cellular fax machine, this electronic gear must be equipped with a wireless modem.

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