The following terms are some of the most widely used in the wireless communications industry. For more information, see each full definition.
1G
First generation cellular (analog). See
cellular generations.
2G
Second generation cellular (digital). See
cellular generations.
2.5G, 2G+
Interim stage between 2G and 3G, providing faster data services. See
cellular generations.
3G
Third generation cellular: digital plus higher data speed and global roaming. Known as IMT-2000 by the ITU and implemented in Europe as UMTS and CDMA2000 in North America. See
cellular generations.
4G
Fourth generation cellular. All packet based and also known as LTE. See
cellular generations and
LTE.
5G
Fifth generation cellular. See
cellular generations,
5G and
5G frequency bands.
802.1X
IEEE standard for authentication. See
802.1X.
802.11
IEEE standards for Wi-Fi.
802.11a
Wi-Fi at 5 GHz with speeds up to 54 Mbps. See
802.11.
802.11ac
Wi-Fi at 5 GHz with speeds in the gigabit range. See
802.11ac.
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
Fastest Wi-Fi at 2.4 and 5 Ghz. See
Wi-Fi 6.
802.11b
Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz with speeds up to 11 Mbps. See
802.11.
802.11g
Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz with speeds up to 54 Mbps. See
802.11.
802.11i
Wi-Fi standard for wireless security. Supersedes WEP and WPA. See
802.11i.
802.11n
Wi-Fi at 150 Mbps and higher. Uses MIMO technology. See
802.11n and
MIMO.
802.15
IEEE standards for wireless PANs (WPAN). See
802.15.
802.16
IEEE standards for fixed wireless ("last mile"). See
802.16.
access point
A base station that plugs into an Ethernet hub, switch or server. Like a cellular phone system cell, users can roam between access points. See
wireless LAN.
air card
A cellular wireless adapter. See
cellular modem.
air interface
An air modulation scheme, equivalent to physical layer in OSI model. See
air interface.
AMPS
Analog Mobile Phone System - The earlier analog cellphone system in the U.S. See
AMPS.
ARDIS
Prior name of DataTAC network. See
DataTAC.
authentication server
A server that contains usernames and passwords and authorizes access to the network. See
802.1X.
authenticator
The device that allows or blocks access to the network. See
802.1X.
Bluetooth
Wireless personal area network (PAN) standard geared for home and office. Uses 2.4 GHz band at 720 Kbps within 30 foot range. See
Bluetooth and
Bluetooth glossary.
broadband wireless
High-speed wireless transmission. See
wireless broadband.
cable gateway
The device that adds cable service to a home or office. See
cable/DSL gateway.
CDMA
(Code Division Multiple Access) Qualcomm's spread spectrum air interface method. It codes each conversation expanding it 128 times, which makes it easier to decipher at receiving end. See
CDMA.
cdmaONE
The CDMA Development Group's trademark for CDMA networks. See
IS-95.
CDMA2000
First 3G technology that provided up to 2.4 Mbps for voice and data. See
CDMA2000.
CDPD
(Cellular Digital Packet Data) Earlier packet overlay on analog cellphone network. Provides 19.2 Kbps and deployed by AT&T and several other carriers. See
CDPD.
cellular
Wireless phone calls via cell towers. See
cellular generations.
cellular hotspot
Turns a smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. See
cellular hotspot.
cellular modem
3G or 4G service for a computer. See
cellular modem.
DataTAC
Earlier low-speed packet data network from Motient noted for its deep penetration within buildings (formerly ARDIS). See
DataTAC.
DECT
European cordless telephone standard. See
DECT.
dispatch radio
Two-way radio used for taxis, trucks and fleets. Always on. See
two-way radio.
DSL gateway
The device that adds DSL service to a home or office. See
cable/DSL gateway.
dual-mode handset
Cellphone that switches from analog to digital or from land based to satellite or from cordless to cellular.
EDGE
(Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) The slower data rate in GSM and TDMA systems, up to 384 Kbps. See
cellular generations.
Ethernet adapter
Printed circuit board that adds Ethernet to a computer. See
Ethernet adapter.
Free Space Optics
Using infrared lasers to transmit through the air. See
free space optics.
Globalstar
Second major LEO-based global communications system. Initially for voice, it was launched in late 1999. See
Globalstar.
GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service) Adding IP packets to GSM. See
cellular generations.
GSM
(Global System for Mobile Communications) Digital TDMA-based cellphone system that started in Europe. Introduced SIM card and short messaging (SMS). See
GSM.
HDML
(Handheld Device Markup Language) Forerunner of WML, developed by Phone.com.
HDR
(High Data Rate) A high-speed CDMA data technology from Qualcomm for existing cdmaOne voice networks or new data networks. Provides 2.4 Mbps/384 Kbps asymmetric operation. See
Qualcomm HDR.
HIPERLAN
European wireless LAN standard at 24 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. Similar to Ethernet but with quality of service (QoS). See
HIPERLAN.
HomeRF
Earlier wireless personal area network (PAN). Used 2.4 GHz band at 1 or 2 Mbps within 150 foot range. See
HomeRF.
hotspot
The transmission range of a Wi-Fi network. See
Wi-Fi hotspot.
HSPA
High-speed 3G and 4G cellular service. See
HSPA.
iDEN
(Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) A wireless system from Motorola that integrates voice, data, short messages and dispatch radio. Used by Nextel and others. See
iDEN.
i-mode
Packet-based information service for mobile phones from NTT DoCoMo (Japan). First to provide Web browsing from cellphones. See
i-mode.
IMT-2000
3G wireless from the ITU. See
IMT-2000.
Iridium
The first LEO-based global communications system. Launched in 1998, went into Chapter 11 in 1999 and resurrected in 2000. See
Iridium.
IS-54
First-generation TDMA in 1991. See
TDMA.
IS-95
Standard for CDMA networks. See
CDMA and
IS-95.
IS-136
Second-generation TDMA in 1994. Also called "Digital AMPS" or "D-AMPS." See
IS-136.
ISM band
(Industrial, Scientific and Medical band) Unlicensed spectrum typically in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.7 GHz bands. Requires spread spectrum techniques at 1 watt. See
ISM band.
ITFS
(Instructional TV Fixed Service) Licensed spectrum in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band.
LMDS
(Local Multipoint Distribution Service) Licensed spectrum above 20 GHz. Range is about four miles. See
LMDS.
LTE
4G cellular tecnology. See
4G and
cellular generations.
MDS
(Multipoint Distribution Service) Licensed spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band.
microbrowser
A Web browser specialized for a smartphone or PDA. See
smartphone.
mobile broadband router
Device that creates a hotspot from 3G/4G service. See
mobile broadband router.
MMDS
(Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service) Licensed spectrum in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band. Range is 30 miles or more. See
MMDS.
MSA
(Metropolitan Service Area) An urban area with at least 50,000 people plus surrounding counties. There are 306 MSAs and 428 RSAs in U.S.
Nextel
Nationwide wireless operator that acquired numerous SMR companies and merged with Sprint. See
Nextel.
NFC
(Near Field Communication) Very close range wireless. See
NFC.
NFMI
(Near Field Magnetic Induction) Very close range wireless. See
NFMI.
NMT
(Nordic Mobile Telephone) First analog cellphone system in 1979 in Scandinavian countries.
NTT DoCoMo
Wireless division of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, Japan. See
NTT DoCoMo.
OpenAir
Earlier wireless LAN standard based on Proxim's RangeLAN2 products. See
OpenAir.
Openwave Systems (formerly Phone.com)
Major contributor to WAP and leader in microbrowsers and WAP gateways/application servers. See
Openwave.
Optical Wireless Communication
Transmitting light pulses through the air. See
optical wireless communication.
PAN
(Personal Area Network) A wireless network that serves an individual user. See
WPAN.
PCS
(Personal Communications Service) Digital cellphone systems in 2 GHz range. Mostly GSM. See
PCS.
PDC
(Personal Digital Communications) Digital cellphone system in Japan. See
PDC.
Phone.com
Former name of Openwave Systems. See
Openwave.
PHS
(Personal Handyphone System) Microcellular phone service introduced in Japan in mid-1995. See
PHS.
RAM network
Earlier name for BellSouth Network. See
BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network.
RangeLAN2
Earlier wireless LAN geared for office from Proxim. See
RangeLAN.
Ricochet
An early wireless Internet service initially deployed in Silicon Valley, Seattle and Washington, D.C. See
Ricochet.
rogue access point
An unauthorized access point either put in place by employees or attackers. See
rogue access point.
RSA
(Rural Service Area) There are 428 RSAs and 306 MSAs in the U.S. See
MSA.
short messaging
Sending small text messages to cellphones. GSM pioneered Short Message Service (SMS), now used in all digital cellphones. See
SMS.
SIM card
Smart card that gives cellphone its user identity. Allows phones to be easily rented or borrowed. See
SIM card.
smartphone
A digital cellular phone that is also a handheld general-purpose computer. See
smartphone.
SMR
(Specialized Mobile Radio) Dispatch radio for taxis, trucks and fleets. Nextel aggregated many SMR companies. See
SMR and
Nextel.
SMS
(Short Messaging Service) GSM coined the phrase, but similar text messaging is used in most digital cellphone systems. See
GSM.
supplicant
The client in a wireless authentication session. See
802.1X.
SWAP
(Shared Wireless Access Protocol) Protocol used in HomeRF. See
HomeRF.
Symphony
Wireless LAN geared for the home from Proxim. See
Symphony.
tablet
A general-purpose computer contained in a single panel. See
tablet.
TACS
(Total Access Communications System) Analog cellphone system in Europe based on AMPS. See
TACS.
TDMA
(Time Division Multiple Access) Air interface for digital cellphones that interleaves data in time slots. See
TDMA.
travel router
A compact device for creating hotspots from cellular service. See
cellular hotspot.
UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) European implementation of 3G. See
UMTS.
UP.Browser
Former name of Openwave's microbrowser. Versions for HDML and WML are available. See
Openwave Mobile Browser.
UP.Link Server
Former name of Openwave's WAP gateway and application server. See
Openwave Mobile Access Gateway.
UWC-136
3G data rates for TDMA. See
UWC-136.
WAP
(Wireless Access Protocol) A wireless communications environment for delivering Web data to wireless terminals with minimal screen display. See
WAP.
WAP gateway
Software that takes raw WML data and compiles it for the microbrowser and vice versa. See
WAP.
WCDMA
(Wideband CDMA) A 3G data service for GSM carriers. See
WCDMA.
WCN
(Windows Connect Now) A simpler method for configuring new devices in a Wi-Fi network. See
Windows Connect Now.
WCS
(Wireless Communications Service) Licensed spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band.
Web clipping
Excerpting relevant information from a Web page for display on a smartphone or PDA.
WEP
First 802.11 security protocol, which was superseded by WPA and 802.11i. See
WEP.
WHDI
Transmitting multimedia signals wireless at 5 GHz within a room. See
WHDI.
Wibree
(Wireless Bree) Ultra-low power version of Bluetooth. See
Bluetooth.
Wi-Fi
A local wireless network. See
Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi 6
The IEEE 802.11ax standard. See
Wi-Fi 6.
Wi-Fi Calling
Making phone calls over an 802.11 Wi-Fi network. See
Wi-Fi calling.
WiGig
Transmitting multimedia signals wireless at 60 GHz within a room. See
WiGig.
WiMAX
A high-speed 4G broadband service (IEEE 802.16 standard). See
WiMAX and
wireless broadband.
WIN
(Wireless Intelligent Network) Transaction processing infrastructure for wireless systems. See
WIN.
wireless adapter
A device that adds wireless to a desktop or laptop machine. See
wireless adapter.
wireless bridge
A device used to transmit and receive radio frequencies over the air between two LANs.
wireless broadband
High-speed wireless transmission. See
wireless broadband.
wireless charging
Transmitting power to a device over the air. See
wireless charging.
wireless gateway
A wireless base station that allows sharing of a single Internet connection. See
cable/DSL gateway.
wireless home phone
Using a cellular data plan with a regular phone at home. See
wireless home phone.
WirelessHD
Transmitting multimedia signals wireless at 60 GHz within a room. See
WirelessHD.
wireless headset
A telephone headset that transmits wireless to a base station. See
headset.
wireless LAN
A local area network that uses radio frequency transmission over the air. Wi-Fi is the standard, and it works like a cellular phone system. See
wireless LAN and
Wi-Fi.
wireless modem
Modem and antenna for analog and digital cellphones, CDPD, DataTAC, BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network, etc. See
wireless modem.
wireless network
Any communications system that transmits over the air. See
wireless network.
wireless portal
A website that supports users with smartphones or alphanumeric pagers. See
wireless portal.
wireless repeater
A device that extends the range of a wireless signal. See
range extender and
Wi-Fi extender.
wireless reseller
An organization that sells wireless services under its own name, but uses the mobile networks of other service providers.
wireless router
A network device that combines Wi-Fi, a LAN switch and router in one box. See
wireless router.
wireless service provider (WSP)
Any organization that delivers wireless services to its customers.
wireless USB (WUSB)
Wireless version of USB using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. Used to transmit the content of a laptop screen to a TV set. See
wireless USB.
wireless WAN
A wide area network that uses radio frequency transmission of data over the air. It is typically provided by the cellular carriers. See
wireless WAN.
WISP
An ISP that provides wireless connectivity. See
WISP.
WISPr
Technology for making wireless LANs function like a cellphone system. See
WISPr.
WLAN
See
wireless LAN.
WLIF
(Wireless LAN Interoperability Forum) Earlier membership group that endorsed OpenAir. See
WLIF.
WML
(Wireless Markup Language) Language used to design WAP Web pages. See
WML.
WMM
(Wi-Fi Multimedia) Prioritization of data in Wi-Fi networks. See
Wi-Fi Multimedia.
WPA
(Wi-Fi Protected Access) Wi-Fi Alliance standard for wireless security. Supersedes WEP. WPA provides partial support of 802.11i; WPA2 provides full support. See
WPA.
WPAN
(Wireless Personal Area Network) A wireless network that serves an individual user. See
WPAN.
WPBX
(Wireless PBX) A PBX that supports cordless telephone calls.
WPS
(Wi-Fi Protected Setup) A simpler method for configuring new devices in a Wi-Fi network. See
Wi-Fi Protected Setup.