A code name used by computing and handset manufacturers for developing ad hoc local area network (LAN) interfaces used in applications such as PocketNet to deliver e-mail and Internet information to a cellular phone device. This short range radio technology expands wireless connectivity to personal and business mobile devices and enables users to interconnect mobile phones, computers, printers, digital cameras, and other electronic devices, without cables.
 

Coder/decoder. A device that converts voice signals from analog form to digital at the transmitting end, and converts those signals back to analog at the receiving end. By digitizing the voice signal and compressing the resulting voice data, the bandwidth is reduced allowing cellular system capacity to be increased. The CODEC selected as the IS-54 standard is the vector sum excited linear predictive (VSELP) CODEC developed by Motorola.
 

Circuit switched. The application of a network in which a dedicated line is used to transmit information. Only one user at a time may employ the resources of the line.
 

Circuit-switched data. Data transferred over a dedicated voice cellular channel. Intended for the transfer of large, extended files and batch jobs.
 

Enhanced data rate for Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) evolution. A technology (also known as GSM++) that allows GSM operators to use existing GSM radio bands to offer wireless multimedia IP-based services and applications at speeds of 384kbps with a bit-rate of 48kbps per timeslot and, under good radio conditions, up to 69.2kbps per timeslot. EDGE is fully based on GSM and requires relatively small changes to network hardware and software. For example, EDGE uses the same time division multiple access (TDMA) frame structure, logic channel, and 200kHz carrier bandwidth as today's GSM networks, allowing existing cell plans to remain intact.
 

General packet radio service. GSM initiative to deliver high speed packet data services to mobile terminals. GPRS allows many users to share the same channel and allows users to stay virtually 'on line' all of the time; radio resources are used only when data is actually being transmitted or received. Call setup is almost instantaneous and users may be charged on the basis of actual data transmitted, rather than connection time.
 

Global System for Mobile Communications.
 

Handheld Device Markup Language. An open programming language derived from hypertext markup language (HTML), specifically designed for developing Internet applications that run on small wireless devices.
 

Home Location Register. A network database that contains information about each subscriber in a region and the features they subscribe to. A phone's mobile identification number (MIN) identifies the subscriber profile in the HLR.
 

Infrared Data Association. The standard for wireless connectivity through infrared link between devices such as a PC and a printer.
 

Integrated services digital network. A form of communication in which the same time-division multiplexing switches and transmission routes are used to establish connections for different types of services, such as telephone, data, electronic mail, or facsimile services.
 

International Telecommunication Union. A worldwide group that develops communications standards including the international version of Signaling System 7 (SS7). Formerly (before 1994) known as Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT).
 

Mobile Station Application Execution Environment. A wireless protocol designed for incorporation into smart mobile phones. MExE is a full application execution environment that builds a Java Virtual Machine into the client mobile phone. It supports a wide range of man-machine interfaces such as voice recognition, icons, and softkeys. Like Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), it has been designed to work with a range of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) mobile network services from Short Message Service (SMS) to General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and later with Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).
 

Mobile identification number. The 10-digit telephone number of a cellular phone. The MIN is automatically transmitted to the cell site every time a cellular call is placed. Along with the MIN, the electronic serial number (ESN) is used by switches and by billing services to identify the phone and its status.
 

Mobile station ISDN number. An integrated services digital network (ISDN) number assigned to a cellular subscriber.
 

Personal Information Manager. A category of convenient features available on hand-held devices for keeping track of information such as addresses, reminder lists, or appointments.
 

Subscriber identity module. A specially programmed credit-cardsized electronic module that inserts into a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-compatible cellular phone. The SIM and phone are the subscriber interface. Also called a SIM card.
 

Short message service. A collection of capabilities that allow you to transmit and receive data messages across two endpoints of a cellular network, one or both of which may be a mobile subscriber. SMS allows the ability to 'mobile originate' and 'mobile terminate' from your phone. Also known as text messaging.
 

Mobile-originated SMS.
 

Mobile-terminated SMS.
 

An Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based protocol standard, supported by IBM, Lotus, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, and others, designed to synchronize data across portable devices, PCs and back-end databases, over wireless or wireline networks. SyncML defines how content is assembled and how messages flow to aid synchronization. It also includes bindings to different transport protocols, so messages can be carried via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Wireless Access Protocol (WAP), infrared, or radio-frequency transports. Also commonly spelled SyncML.
 

Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) over Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). An internet standard defining the use of SMIP for managing TCP/IP local area networks.
 

Uniform resource locator. An address on the World-Wide Web (on the Internet); a string of characters that, when entered at the appropriate prompt, brings you to an opening screen (or home page) of an Internet website publisher. The URL consists of two basic parts: a scheme that specifies the method used to access the application or resource, and a scheme-specific part that specifies the location and resource (and may include optional access information.
 

Wireless Application Protocol. An open, world-wide standard enabling mobile data applications on a variety of platforms.
 

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) identity module.
 

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) Markup Language. A tagbased markup language specified as an Extensible Markup Language (XML) document type. WML is specifically optimized for presenting navigation and user interaction information requests on a handheld, limited capacity wireless device.
 

Wireless Telephony Application Interface.