Glossary

  • 2G: Second Generation (of the GSM technology) - 2G was launched in the 1990s. It’s more efficient than the first-generation of the GSM technology because it uses digital signalling to compress the information being sent over the radio spectrum. 2G also enabled the SMS, MMS and GPRS services.
  • 3G: Third Generation (of the GSM technology) - 3G offers far more capacity than 2G (i.e., higher download speeds). 3G is around ten times faster than GPRS. See also UMTS.
  • 4G: Fourth Generation (of the GSM technology) - 4G delivers significantly faster download speeds than 3G. 4G is a data-only network. Voice calls are transmitted using a specific VoIP technology. See also LTE.
  • API: Application Programming Interface - Specification of how software components should interact with each other (e.g., CoSwitched control panel and a customer’s system).
  • APN: Access Point Name - Name of the data access gateway between the mobile device and the public internet or a private network.
  • CDR: Call Detail Record - Data record created by a communications network that contains attributes that are specific to a phone call or other communication transaction that was handled by the network.
  • CSV: Comma Separated Values - Tabular data (numbers and text) format in plain-text form separated by some character or string, most commonly a literal comma or tab.
  • Download: Data transferred onto a computer (or other device) from another computer or the internet.
  • EDGE: Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution - Technology that enhances GPRS to improve data transmission rates. EDGE is considered a pre-3G technology.
  • GPRS: General Packet Radio Service - GPRS is a standard that describes how data is transferred over the mobile network to and from the devices on 2G networks.
  • GPS: Global Positioning System - Space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
  • GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications - GSM is a set of technologies and standards that provide the blueprints that telecoms operators use to build mobile networks. GSM is the dominant technology for mobile communications in most parts of the world.
  • HSPA: High Speed Packet Access - Technology that extends and improves the performance of existing Third Generation of the GSM technology.
  • ICCID: Integrated Circuit Card IDentifier - Each SIM card is internationally identified by its ICCID. ICCIDs are stored in the SIM cards and are also engraved or printed on the SIM card.
  • IMEI: International Mobile Station Equipment Identity - An identification, usually unique, to identify mobile network devices, as well as some satellite phones.
  • IMSI: International Mobile Subscriber Identity - Identifies the user of a mobile network. Each SIM card has one or more IMSI. SIM cards with multiple IMSIs are known as Multi-IMSI SIM cards.
  • IP: Internet Protocol - Principal communications protocol in the Internet protocol suite for relaying data across network boundaries. Its routing function enables internetworking, and essentially establishes the Internet.
  • IP Address: Identification assigned to each device (e.g., computer or mobile phone) participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. IP Addresses can be private or public, and dynamic or static.
  • LTE: Long Term Evolution - Key technology of the Fourth Generation of the GSM technology
  • M2M: Machine-to-Machine - Communications between machines using fixed or mobile networks.
  • MCC: Mobile Country Code - Used in combination with MNC, identifies mobile network operators and some satellite mobile networks.
  • MMS: Multimedia Messaging Service - Technology to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile devices.
  • MNC: Mobile Network Code - Used in combination with MCC, identifies mobile network operators and some satellite mobile networks.
  • MNO: Mobile Network Operator - Provider of wireless communications services that owns or controls the elements necessary to sell and deliver services to an end user, including radio spectrum allocation.
  • MO: Mobile Originated - Call or message being sent in from a mobile device (i.e., outgoing call or message).
  • MSISDN: Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number - A number uniquely identifying a subscription in a GSM or a UMTS mobile network.
  • MT: Mobile Terminated - Call or message being sent to a mobile device (i.e., incoming call or message).
  • MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operator - Network provider that does not own radio access network and spectrum license and may also not own some core network elements.
  • PIN: Personal Identification Number - Numeric password shared between a user and a system that can be used to authenticate the user to the system (e.g., SIM card).
  • PUK: PIN Unlock Key - Code to reset a PIN that has been lost or forgotten.
  • SIM: Subscriber Identity Module - Integrated circuit that securely stores the IMSI and the related key used to identify and authenticate subscription on mobile devices.
  • SMS: Short Message Service - Text messaging service component of phone, Web, or mobile communication systems.
  • SMS-C: SMS-Center - Name of a network element that stores, forwards, converts and delivers SMS messages.
  • UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System - Key technology of the Third Generation of the GSM technology.
  • Upload: Data transferred from a computer (or other device) to another computer or the Internet.
  • USSD: Unstructured Supplementary Service Data - Technology used by GSM mobile phones to communicate with the network operator’s system (e.g., balance enquiry).
  • VPN: Virtual Private Network - Virtual point-to-point connection across a public network as if it is directly connected to a private network.

Source: 4G Americas, ETSI and Wikipedia