Glossary

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
ADSL is a technology and equipment that allows high-speed digital communication, including video signals, across an ordinary twisted-pair copper phone line, with speed up to 8Mb/sec. to the customer, and up to 800Kb/sec. from the customer.
AMPS (American Mobile Phone System)
The analogue network used in the USA.
BACS (Bankers Automated Clearing System)
The system used by UK banks and building societies for transferring money.
Bit
A measure of data. A sequence of 8 bits comprise a byte.
Bluetooth™
Low-power radio technology designed to replace the wires currently used to connect electronic devices such as PCs, printers, PDAs and mobile phones.
Bytes
A measurement of data that usually represents a single character.
Cache
A short term memory facility in the central unit of a computer.
Cell
Area covered by the signals from a base station.
CHAPS (Clearing House Automatic Payments System).
See also BACS
Churn
Customers that disconnect from a network and then immediately reconnect either to the same network or to a rival.
CLI (Calling Line Identification)
Displaying the caller's telephone number.
CLIP (Calling Line Identification Presentation)
Displaying the incoming caller's number.
CLIR (Calling Line Identification Restriction)
Displaying (or withholding) the caller's number from their own phone.
Cookie
A file stored on the computer of a person using the Internet. This is mainly used by websites to identify users who have visited previously.
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications)
A modern cordless phone.
DQ
Directory Enquiries.
DNS
Domain Name Server.
Dual-Band
A mobile phone that can automatically switch between 900MHz and 1800MHz frequencies, making it able to use many foreign networks. 
DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency)
The musical tones you sometimes hear when pressing your mobile phone keypad.
EFR (Enhanced Full Rate)
A mobile phone feature that can improve speech quality.
EPOS
Electronic Point Of Sales.
EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory)
A computer chip that can be erased and programmed again with new data.
Extranet
The connection of a company Intranet to the Internet, usually to allow selected customers, suppliers and mobile workers to access company data and applications.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
A method of transmitting mobile data. It only uses the mobile phone network when there is data to be sent, which means you're only charged for the amount of information sent or received rather than for the length of time you are connected.
GPS (Global Positioning System)
A satellite positioning system that is accurate to within 10 metres.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
GSM is the digital mobile telephone system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world. It operates primarily on three frequencies: 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz. Since many GSM network operators have 'roaming agreements' with foreign operators, users can often use their mobile phones when they travel abroad.
HDML (Handheld Device Markup Language)
This is a language that allows the text portions of web pages to be presented on mobile telephones and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) via wireless access.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
This is the language used to create documents on the World Wide Web. HTML defines the structure and layout of a web document by using a variety of tags and attributes. The tags allow web developers to direct users to others web pages with the click of the mouse on either images or text.
HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data)
This is a high speed, multi-slot data communications platform for GSM network.
HLR (Home Location Register)
This is the part of the mobile phone network that stores customer data, including the customer's last known location plus phone calls made and received.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
This is a language used to request and transmit files (especially web pages) over the Internet or another computer network.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
A mobile phone's serial number. Calling *#06# will show the IMEI number of a mobile phone on its display.
IMSI (International Mobile Station Identity)
This is a code stored on a SIM card that identifys the customer.
Intranet
An internal computer network that can be accessed only by authorized people, usually employees of the organization that owns it.
IP (Internet Protocol)
This is the method or the protocol by which data is sent from one computer to another on the Internet. Each computer on the Internet has at least one IP address that uniquely identifies it from all other computers on the Internet. When you send or receive, for example an e-mail, message or a web page, the message gets divided into little chunks called packets. Packets can arrive in a different order than the order were sent in. The Internet Protocol just delivers them.
IrDA (Infra-red Data Association)
An industry standard for connecting devices, such as mobile phones and PDAs, by infrared.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
This is a set of standards for digital transmission over ordinary telephone copper wire as well as over other media. Home and business users who install an ISDN line and ISDN adapter (in place of a modem) can see highly graphic web pages arriving very quickly. ISDN is generally available from telephone companies in most urban areas across the UK, Europe and the United States. ISDN has now largely been superseded by ADSL.
ISP Internet Service Provider
This is the company that provides individuals and other companies with access to the Internet (often with other related services such as website building and virtual hosting).
Independent Service Provider
This is a mobile Service Provider not owned by a network.
KB (Kilobytes)
1,024 bytes.
KHz (KiloHertz)
A measure of frequency.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A network of computers, printers and other equipment, usually in a single building.
MB (Megabyte)
1,024 KB.
MHz (Megahertz)
A measure of frequency.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
This is a standard for representing musical information digitally.
MMI (Man Machine Interface)
This is a device (such as a keyboard) that enables people to interact with a computer or electronic device.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging service)
A service that enables customers to send multimedia information to other compatible mobiles or email addresses. MMS messages, which are sometimes called 'picture messages' can include images, audio, video clip and so on.
MSISDN (Mobile Station Integrates Service Digital Network number)
This is a code used by mobile phone networks to represent a customer's mobile phone number.
MNP (Mobile Number Portability)
This is the ability of a customer to move their mobile account to a different company whilst retaining their mobile phone number.
Ni-Cd (Ni-Cad)
Nickel-Cadmium rechargeable battery.
Ni-MH
Nickel-Metal Hybrid battery.
Ofcom (The Office of communications)
Ofcom is the regulatory body for the UK communications sector. It took over from Oftel at the end of 2003. See the Ofcom website.
PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange)
This is a telephone switchboard.
PAC (Porting Authorization Code)
This code is issued by a customer's mobile phone service provider if the customer wants to transfer their mobile number to a new network.
Packet
A short block of data.
PAYT
Abbreviation for 'Pay As You Talk' used internally by Vodafone.
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)
A standard format for the data cards that can be used in most laptop computers. Now more commonly referred to as 'PC Cards'.
PCN/ PCS (Personal Communication Networks/ Personal Communication Services)
Often used as a description for GSM services operating at 1800MHz or 1900MHz.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
A lightweight handheld computer that is used as a personal organiser. Most PDAs include a word processor, spreadsheet, calendar and address book. Some can also handle emails, data and faxes.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
This is a document standard devised by Adobe.
PIM (Personal Information Manager)
This is a diary/calendar/contact management system (e.g. Microsoft Outlook).
PIN (Personal Identity Number)
A security code (usually 4-digits) that is manually set by a customer to prevent unauthorized usage of a service.
PLMN
Public Land Mobile Network
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)
This is a protocol used for sending e-mail across the Internet.
Port
To transfer a mobile number to another network, see also MNP.
Portal
This is a 'gateway' or 'homepage' for web-based services.
POS
Point Of Sales.
Private Network
A computer network that members of the public are unable to access (e.g. a company LAN).
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
The fixed phone network (e.g. BT).
PUK (PIN Unlocking Key)
A code that is required when a PIN code has been entered several times. The PUK code can only be obtained from your Service Provider.
QoS
Quality of Service.
Quad-Band
Mobiles that can automatically switch between 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz frequencies, offering the best worldwide coverage. (See also Dual-Band and Tri-Band).
Roaming
Using a mobile phone on a phone on a foreign network, not on your usual 'home country' network.
RTF
Rich Text Format
SMS (Short Message Service)
Lets you send or receive short, text-only messages of up to 160 characters to or or from a mobile phone. Most SMS messages are sent person to person, although it is also possible to receive information such as news, sport, weather, games and chat.
SMSC
Short Message Service Center.
SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)
A small printed circuit board that must be inserted in a GSM-based mobile before the phone can be used. It contains customer details, security information, a personal directory of telephone numbers and text messages.
SP (Service Provider)
This is the company responsible for billing customers and managing their connection to the network.
SSN (SIM Serial Number)
This is a SIM's unique identifying number.
Standby
The length of time a mobile phone battery will retain its charge with the mobile phone switched on but not making or receiving calls.
Talktime
The length of time a mobile phone battery will retain its charge with the mobile continually making or receiving calls.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
This is a connection-oriented protocol that provides a reliable byte stream over IP. A reliable connection means that each end of the session is guaranteed to receive all of the data transmitted by the other end of connection, in the same order that it was originally transmitted without receiving duplicates.
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
This is a mobile phone standard used by Vodafone's GSM network to increase the number of conversations that each radio channel can carry. See also CDMA.
Tri-Band
Mobile that can automatically switch between 900MHz, 1800MHz and 1900MHz frequencies. The 1900MHz frequency is used by many networks in the USA. See also Dual-Band and Quad-Band.
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)
An alternative description for third generation (3G) mobile communication technology.
USB (Universal Serial Bus)
This is a connection standard for computers.
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data)
This is a roaming standard. Also a command keyed from a mobile phone including the * and/or # keys.
VAN
Value-Added Network.
VANS
Value-Added Network Service
VAS
Voice Activated Service - often refers to Voice Activated Access to e-mail.
Value-Added Service.
VIP
Virtual IP Address.
Vodafone Incentive Programme
VISP
Virtual Internet Service Provider.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
The ability to access a private computer network by using the Internet (or a similar public network) whilst keeping the private network's data secure. This avoids the cost of connecting via an expensive 'private circuit'.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A computer network that covers a large area. A WAN often links several LANs together. See also LAN.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
This is an open global standard that enables Intranet-based content to be displayed on the screen of compatible mobile devices.
WCDMA (Wide-Band Code Division Multiple Access)
The technology that is being used for third generation (3G) mobile telephone systems in Europe, Japan and the United-States.
WiFi
WiFi is an industry standard that was created to ensure that wireless computer equipment can connect together. It is often associated with 'public hot-spots' that allow anyone with a WiFi-compatible laptop to connect to the web.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
This is a network of computers, and often other equipment, that is connected wirelessly using the WiFi standard.
WML (Wireless Markup Language)
This is a language that enables the text of web pages to be viewed on mobile telephones and PDAs through a wireless connection. WML is a part of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).