Glossary

CTIA-The Wireless Association® developed the glossary to help readers learn our industry's acronyms and terms as well as definitions for "green" activities.

Alternative Energy: This is derived from several different natural sources, such as wind, sun and biofuels, and can reduce the environmental impact of producing and consuming energy by replacing traditional sources such as fossil fuels or nuclear power.

App (Application): Downloadable tools, resources, games, social networks or almost anything that adds a function or feature to a wireless handset which are available for free or a fee.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): Brominated chemicals are added in printed circuit boards, connectors, plastic covers and cables because they can effectively prevent fires by reducing flammability and slow down the spread of the fire. However, wireless manufacturers are reducing their usage because some BFRs are toxic to people, animals and the environment.

Bio-paints: See bio-products.

Bio-plastics: See bio-products.

Bio-products: Sustainable materials that are produced through a variety of biological, chemical, biochemical, physical or thermal processes by converting biomass. For example, non-food crops, forest biomass, or urban vegetal waste can be used to make bioplastics, biopaint, bioenergy, biofuel or bioconstruction materials.

Bluetooth: The name for a technological standard (a communications protocol) that enables mobile devices equipped with a special chip to send and receive information wirelessly.  Using Bluetooth, electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers and printers can communicate over short-ranges using the 2.4 GHz spectrum band.  

Broadband: A transmission facility having a bandwidth (capacity) sufficient to carry multiple voice, video or data channels simultaneously. Broadband is generally equated with the delivery of increased speeds and advanced capabilities, including access to the Internet and related services and facilities.

Carbon Footprint: According to Merriam Webster dictionary, it's defined as "the amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) that is released into the air by someone or some process over time."

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.

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.

Circuit Packs: A set of electronic cards that go into the equipment racks in a cell site separate from the power supply.  These cards are more efficient than traditional on-site powering operations,  require less power, create less heat, and can run longer on a set of back up batteries if commercial power fails.

Cloud Computing: A Web-based service that hosts programs and applications in a central location so that a user can access these applications and services anywhere via the Internet.

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."

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.

Electronic Billing (e-billing): The ability for a customer to receive their bill on the Internet or wireless device by email or by logging onto their personalized website account.  This form of billing reduces one's carbon footprint since it eliminates paper and fuel costs. Also referred to as paperless billing.

Electronic Waste (e-waste): Electronic devices such as computers, televisions and cellphones that still contain metals, minerals and hazardous materials are thrown away and usually end up in landfills.

Energy Star: A logo developed in 1992 to help reduce greenhouse emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created it as part of a voluntary program to assist consumers in identifying energy efficient products. In 1996, the U.S. Department of Energy joined as a co-sponsor of the program. Tens of thousands of products, ranging from lighting to computers to building heating and cooling systems have earned the right to display the energy efficiency logo. According to the EPA, it helped Americans reduce carbon emissions equal to 30 million cars, and save $17 billion in utility costs in 2009.  

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.

Filters: Most wireless carriers provide parents with the ability to filter Internet content accessed on a wireless phone on their network.

Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI): In response to the 189 countries that recognized the importance yet diverse opinions on eco-friendly practices in technology in 2000, GeSI educates the public about the information and communication technology (ICT) sector and its voluntary actions to addressing environmental issues.

GPS (Global Positioning System): A worldwide satellite navigational system, made up of a constellation of satellites orbiting the earth and their receivers on the earth's surface. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals, with information used in location tracking, navigation and other location or mapping technologies.

Greenhouse Gas: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, it is defined as "gases that trap heat in the atmosphere."

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications): A technological approach also based on dividing wireless calls into time slots. GSM is most common in Europe, Australia and much of Asia and Africa. Generally, GSM phones from the United States are not compatible with international GSM networks because the U.S. and many other nations use different frequencies for mobile communications. However, some phones are equipped with a multi-band capability to operate on such other frequencies. In the U.S., GSM carriers include: AT&T, DoCoMo Pacific, GCI Communications, TerreStar, Westlink and T-Mobile.

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HSPA (High Speed Packet Access): The third generation of GSMA technology. The U.S. had 24 million subscribers out of the 200 million total which means the U.S. had 24 percent of all HSPA subscribers in the world for 2Q 2009.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT): The integration of telecom (wireless and wireline) companies, smart building management systems and other communication services to streamline an organization's networks so it's more cost-efficient. This also improves a company's environmental footprint since it eliminates redundancies.

iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network): A specialized mobile technology that combines two-way radio, telephone, text messaging and data transmission into one digital network. iDEN is designed to give users quick access to information on a single device.  Introduced by Motorola and used by AirTel Montana, Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners, and Southern LINC Wireless, among others.

Interoperability: The ability of a network to coordinate and communicate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.

Light-Emitting Diode (LED): According to PC Magazine's Encyclopedia, it is "a display and lighting technology used in almost every electrical and electronic product on the market, from a tiny on/off light to digital readouts, flashlights, traffic lights and perimeter lighting. LEDs are also used as the light source in multimode fibers, optical mice and laser-class printers."

LTE (Long Term Evolution): The next-generation network beyond 3G. In addition to enabling fixed to mobile migrations of Internet applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP), video streaming, music downloading, mobile TV and many others, LTE networks will also provide the capacity to support an explosion in demand for connectivity from a new generation of consumer devices tailored to those new mobile applications.

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PDA (Personal Digital Assistant): A portable computing device capable of transmitting data. These devices offer services such as paging, data messaging, e-mail, computing, faxes, date books and other information management capabilities.

Persistent Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals (PBTs): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines them as "toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment and are difficult to break down. Examples of PBTs include methylmercury, dioxin and DDT."  

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): Merriam-Webster defines it as "a polymer of vinyl chloride used especially for electrical insulation, films and pipes." The use of PVC in wireless products is being phased out because the process to manufacture PVC uses hazardous materials that are toxic and carcinogenic.

Slag: The National Slag Association defines it as "a process of the steel making process. Once scorned as a useless byproduct, it is now accepted and often preferred and specified as it is known to be a valuable material with many and varied uses." When mobile devices are recycled, the metals and minerals are melted to create a metal alloy brick, which is covered in "slag." The reusable metal is separated and purified while the slag is frequently used for shingles and road construction.

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 better manage data and Internet access.

SMS: Short Messaging Service enables users to send and receive short text messages (usually about 140-160 characters) on wireless handsets. Usually referred to as "text messaging" or "texting."

SPAM: Unsolicited and unwanted emails or text messages sent to wireless devices. While carriers are constantly filtering their networks to stop SPAM text messages, spammers are evolving and changing their methods to try to get through. If you receive a SPAM email on your mobile device, file a complaint with the FCC . The FCC's CAN-SPAM ban only applies to "messages sent to cell phones and pagers, if the message uses an Internet address that includes an Internet domain name (usually the part of the address after the individual or electronic mailbox name and the "@" symbol)". The FCC's ban does not cover "short messages," typically sent from one mobile phone to another, that do not use an Internet address.

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Card: A small card that fits inside some cell phones and communicates with a wireless network using a unique code. A SIM card can be removed and transferred to another wireless device.

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Tower Siting: To expand their service offerings and meet consumer demand for "always-on" broadband, wireless carriers need to be able to build out their networks, which involves constructing new towers or adding new equipment to already existing structures. It enables mobile services, including voice and broadband, for consumers, businesses and public safety. In November 2009, the FCC provided much-needed certainty to the tower siting process by adopting a declaratory ruling which set a definitive time frame for local zoning authorities to act on tower siting requests. The time limit to address requests for collocation is 90 days and the time for addressing requests for new tower construction is 150 days. Local zoning authorities who do not meet the time frames will have "failed to act," giving tower applicants the right to appeal to the courts for action on their requests. Also, a zoning authority may not deny an application filed by one provider based on the presence of another wireless provider in a given area.

Universal Charger Solution (UCS): Developed by the Open Mobile Terminal Platform industry standards group and adopted by GSMA, the UCS (also known as the "one-charger-fits-all") will provide an estimated 50 percent reduction in standby energy consumption. The UCS will use the Micro-USB format as the common universal charging interface and use energy efficient chargers in compliance with the U.S. "Energy Star" requirements for external power adapters. As of January 1, 2012, most of the new smartphones in the U.S. will have UCS.

Wi-Fi® (Wireless Fidelity): Wi-Fi provides wireless connectivity over unlicensed spectrum (using the IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b standards), generally in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. Wi-Fi provides wireless Internet access to the immediate local area and is used in homes, businesses and other similar settings to allow people to go online without using a cord or wire. Wi-Fi offers local area connectivity to Wi-Fi enabled computers and devices, typically smart phones.

Wi-Max (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access): A wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard providing metropolitan area network connectivity for fixed and mobile wireless access at broadband speeds.

Wireless Internet: A general term for using wireless services to access the Internet, e-mail and/or the World Wide Web.

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