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A dual-band
phone operates
at both
the 900
MHz and
1800 MHz
spectrum.
Dual-band
works in
Europe,
Africa,
Asia, Australia,
New Zealand
and much
of South
America.
Tri-band
- A tri-band
phone operates
on three
frequency
bands, 900
MHz, 1800
MHz and
1900 MHz,
allowing
you to use
it in Europe,
Africa,
Asia, nearly
all of North
America,
Australia
and New
Zealand.
Quad-band
- A quad-band
phone allows
you to roam
almost anywhere
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globally. It
covers the 850 Mhz,
900 MHz, 1800 MHz
and 1900 MHz frequency
ranges. Many countries
in South America
only have 850 MHz
GSM service while
both 1900 MHZ and
850 MHz GSM services
are supported in
the USA. 99% of
all countries use
the GSM standard.
WE believe eventually
GSM will be the
only cell phone
standard in the
world. |
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What is
GSM? |
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GSM (Global
System for
Mobile Communications)
leads the
world as
the fastest
growing,
most reliable
and advanced
digital
technology
available
in the marketplace
today. GSM
provides
integrated
voice mail,
high-speed
data, fax,
paging and
short message
services
capabilities.
GSM customers
enjoy secure
communications,
and GSM
offers unparalleled
call privacy
and fraud
prevention.
As members
of the GSM
Global Network,
GSM subscribers
can use
their phones
at home,
across town,
across the
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continent, or
around the world
(except for with
country specific
SIM cards). GSM
operates on the
multiple spectrum
frequency bands
used around the
world - 1900MHZ,
which is used in
North America and
900MHz and 1800
MHz for other locations.
Different mobile
phone networks operate
at different frequencies,
which mean that
if you wish to use
your mobile phone
outside your home
country, you generally
need a handset that
supports multiple
frequency bands.
Make sure that the
celluar phone you
are interested in
is compatible with
the GSM band of
the country you
will use it in.
GSM was first introduced
in 1991. As of the
end of 1997, GSM
service was available
in more than 100
countries and has
become the de facto
standard in Europe
and Asia. |
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What is
WCDMA? |
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Short for
wide-band
CDMA (Code-Division
Multiple
Access),
a 3G technology
that increases
data transmission
rates in
GSM systems
by using
the CDMA
air interface
instead
of TDMA.
WCDMA is
based on
CDMA and
is the technology
used in
UMTS. WCDMA
was adopted
as a standard
by the ITU
under the
name "IMT-2000
direct spread". |
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What is
CDMA? |
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Short for
Code-Division
Multiple
Access,
a digital
cellular
technology
that uses
spread-spectrum
techniques.
Unlike competing
systems,
such as
GSM, that
use TDMA,
CDMA does
not assign
a specific
frequency
to each
user. Instead,
every channel
uses the
full available
spectrum.
Individual
conversations
are encoded
with a pseudo-random
digital
sequence.
CDMA consistently
provides
better capacity
for voice
and data
communications
than other
commercial
mobile technologies,
allowing
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more subscribers
to connect at any
given time, and
it is the common
platform on which
3G technologies
are built.
CDMA is a military
technology first
used during World
War II by English
allies to foil German
attempts at jamming
transmissions. The
allies decided to
transmit over several
frequencies, instead
of one, making it
difficult for the
Germans to pick
up the complete
signal. Because
Qualcomm created
communications chips
for CDMA technology,
it was privy to
the classified information.
Once the information
became public, Qualcomm
claimed patents
on the technology
and became the first
to commercialize
it. |
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What is
3G? |
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3G is an
ITU specification
for the
third generation
(analog
cellular
was the
first generation,
digital
PCS the
second)
of mobile
communications
technology.
3G promises
increased
bandwidth,
up to 384
Kbps when
a device
is stationary
or moving
at pedestrian
speed, 128
Kbps in
a car, and
2 Mbps in
fixed applications.
3G will
work over
wireless
air interfaces
such as
GSM, TDMA,
and CDMA.
The new
EDGE air
interface
has been
developed
specifically
to meet
the bandwidth
needs of
3G. |
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What is
a SIM card? |
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A SIM
card or
Subscriber
Identity
Module is
a portable
memory chip
used in
some models
of cellular
telephones.
The SIM
card makes
it easy
to switch
to a new
phone by
simply sliding
the SIM
out of the
old phone
and into
the new
one. The
SIM holds
personal
identity
information,
cell phone
number,
phone book,
text messages
and other
data. It
can be thought
of as a
mini hard
disk that
automatically
activates
the phone
into which
it is inserted.
A SIM card
can come
in very
handy. For
example,
let's say
your phone
runs
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out of battery
power at a friend's
house. Assuming
you both have SIM-based
phones, you can
remove the SIM card
from your phone
and slide it into
your friend's phone
to make your call.
Your carrier processes
the call as if it
were made from your
phone, so it won't
count against your
friend's minutes.
If you upgrade your
phone there's no
hassle involved.
The SIM card is
all you need. Just
slide it into the
new phone and you're
good to go. You
can even keep multiple
phones for different
purposes. An inexpensive
phone in the glove
compartment, for
example, for emergency
use, one phone for
work and another
for home. Just slide
your SIM card into
whatever phone you
wish to use.
High-end cell phones
can be very attractive
and somewhat pricey.
If you invest in
an expensive phone
you might want to
keep it awhile.
Using a SIM card,
it is even possible
to switch carriers
and continue to
use the same phone.
The new carrier
will simply issue
you their own SIM
card. The phone
must be unlocked,
however, and operate
on the new carrier's
frequency or band.
A SIM card provides
an even bigger advantage
for international
travelers -- simply
take your phone
with you and buy
a local SIM card
with minutes. For
example, a traveler
from the U.S. staying
in the U.K. can
purchase a SIM card
across the pond.
Now the phone can
be used to call
throughout England
without paying international
roaming charges
from the carrier
back home.
SIM cards are
used with carriers
that operate on
the Global System
for Mobile Communication
(GSM) network. The
competing network
is Code Division
Multiple Access
(CDMA), a technology
created by U.S.
company Qualcomm.
As of fall 2005,
CDMA cell phones
and CDMA carriers
do not support SIM
cards in most parts
of the world, though
this is changing.
A CDMA SIM card
called the R-UIM
(Re-Useable Identification
Module) was made
available in China
in 2002, and will
eventually be available
worldwide. Expectations
for the future include
a cell phone market
that supports both
SIM (GSM) and R-UIM
(CDMA) cards by
default.
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What are
Pre-Paid
Phone Cards? |
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A pre-paid
phone card
is a card
you purchase
to make
long distance
phone calls.
Many people
use a pre-paid
phone card
because
of the card's
convenience
- it can
be used
anywhere
and, because
you pay
in advance,
there is
no bill.
Pre-paid
phone cards
are popular
among travelers,
students,
people who
frequently
call overseas,
and those
who haven't
selected
a preferred
long distance
telephone
company.
In addition,
pre-paid
phone cards
are sold
in convenient
places,
such as
newsstands,
post offices,
and stores.
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Recharge service
is also called top
up minutes. It is
the basic service
for SIM card. Whenever
your SIM card is
unable to make calls,
it is mostly cause
of the running out
of minutes. The
example can be seen
at
http://www.pandaphone.com/airtime_recharge.htm.
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What is
SMS? |
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Short
for Systems
Management
Server,
a set of
tools from
Microsoft
that assists
in managing
PCs connected
to a local-area
network
(LAN). SMS
enables
a network
administrator
to create
an inventory
of all the
hardware
and software
on the network
and to store
it in an
SMS database.
Using this
database,
SMS can
then perform
software
distribution
and installation
over the
LAN. SMS
also enables
a network
administrator
to perform
diagnostic
tests on
PCs attached
to the LAN.
SMS runs
under Windows
NT but can
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manage PCs running
DOS, all varieties
of Windows, and
OS/2, as well as
Macintosh clients.
Short for Short
Message Service
Similar to paging,
SMS is a service
for sending short
text messages to
mobile phones. |
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What is
EMS?
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Also
known as
EMS (Expanded
Memory Specification),
expanded
memory is
a technique
for utilizing
more than
1MB of main
memory in
DOS -based
computers.
The limit
of 1MB is
built into
the DOS
operating
system.
The upper
384K is
reserved
for special
purposes,
leaving
just 640K
of conventional
memory for
programs.
There are
several
versions
of EMS.
The original
versions,
called EMS
3.0 and
3.2, enable
programs
to use an
additional
8MB of memory,
but for
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data only. An
improved version
developed by AST,
Quadram and Ashton-Tate
is known as EEMS
(Extended EMS).
EEMS enables programs
to use extra memory
for code as well
as for data. The
most recent version
of EMS (created
in 1987) is known
as EMS 4.0 or LIM
4.0, LIM being the
initials of the
three companies
that developed the
specification: Lotus,
Intel, and Microsoft.
EMS 4.0 raises the
available amount
of memory to 32MB.
Until the release
of Microsoft Windows
3.0 in 1990, expanded
memory was the preferred
way to add memory
to a PC. The alternative
method, called extended
memory, was less
flexible and could
be used only by
special programs
such as RAM disks.
Windows 3.0 and
all later versions
of Windows, however,
contain an extended
memory manager that
enables programs
to use extended
memory without interfering
with one another.
In addition, Windows
can simulate expanded
memory for those
programs that need
it (by using the
EMM386.EXE driver).
Abbreviated as EMS,
an application-level
extension to SMS
for cellular phones
available on GSM,
TDMA and CDMA networks.
An EMS-enabled mobile
phone can send and
receive messages
that have special
text formatting
(such as bold or
italic), animations,
pictures, icons,
sound effects and
special ring tones.
EMS messages that
are sent to devices
that do not support
it will be displayed
as SMS transmissions.
EMS, also referred
to as Enhanced Messaging
Service, is a cross-industry
collaboration between
Ericsson, Motorola,
Siemens and Alcatel,
among others.
Also see SMS and
MMS.
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What is
MMS? |
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Short
for Multimedia
Message
Service.
Abbreviated
as MMS,
Multimedia
Message
Service
is a store-and-forward
method of
transmitting
graphics,
video clips,
sound files
and short
text messages
over wireless
networks
using the
WAP protocol.
Carriers
deploy special
servers,
dubbed MMS
Centers
(MMSCs)
to implement
the offerings
on their
systems.
MMS also
supports
e-mail addressing,
so the device
can send
e-mails
directly
to an e-mail
address.
The most
common use
of MMS is
for communication
between
mobile phones.
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What is
advanced
Mobile Phone
Service?
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A standard
system for
analogue
mobile communications
originated
in the United
States but
is also
used in
other countries,
for example
in Canada.
AMPS operates
in the 800
and 900
MHz frequency
bands.
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What is
air time? |
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The time that
is used for wireless
transmission, for
example making or
receiving mobile
calls, sending or
receiving short
messages, or using
any service requiring
a connection to
the network. Sometimes
air time is measured
for charging purposes. |
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What is
antenna? |
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A physical device
for sending or receiving
radio signals. Mobile
devices can contain
internal antennas
or antennas that
extend above the
phone. If a mobile
device includes
an FM radio, the
lead of the headset
functions as the
antenna of the radio.
The headset needs
to be connected
when using the radio. |
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What is
Bluetooth? |
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A technology
that provides
short-range
radio links
to allow
mobile computers,
mobile phones,
digital
cameras,
and other
portable
devices
to communicate
with each
other without
cables.
A Nokia
mobile device
with Bluetooth
support
allows the
user to
connect
wirelessly
to another
compatible
Bluetooth
device within
a short
range.
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What is
cellular?
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Relate to using
cells for radio
transmission. |
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What is
code division
multiple
access?
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A digital transmission
technique in a base
station assigns
a unique code to
each mobile device
to distinguish that
particular device
from all others
on the air. The
signals are encoded
using the code that
the receiver also
knows and uses to
decode the received
signal. CDMA is
one of several spread
spectrum techniques. |
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What is
coverage
area?
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An area within
a mobile device
can have a connection
to a network. |
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What is
dead spot? |
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A geographic
location
within the
coverage
area of
a wireless
network
where radio
signals
cannot be
received.
Dead spots
are often
caused by
electrical
interference
or physical
barriers
such as
hills, tunnels,
and indoor
parking
garages.
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What is
EDGE? |
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A faster version
of the GSM wireless
service delivers
data at higher rates.
EDGE enables faster
high speed circuit
switched data (HSCSD)
and general packet
radio service (GPRS)
connections. It
enables the delivery
of multimedia and
other broadband
applications to
mobile phone and
computer users. |
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What is
GSM 1800
system? |
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A GSM
mobile communication
system operates
in the 1800
MHz frequency
band.
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What is
GSM 1900
system? |
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A GSM mobile
communication system
operates in the
1900 MHz frequency
band. |
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What is
GSM 900
system? |
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The original
GSM mobile communication
system operates
in the 900 MHz frequency
band. GSM 900 system
is used in most
European and Asian
countries. |
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What is
IMAP4? |
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A version of
the Internet message
access protocol
(IMAP) that lets
the user access
and manipulate e-mail
messages while the
messages are still
on the mail server.
The user can then
choose which messages
to download to their
device. |
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What is
infrared
port? |
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A port enables
two compatible computers
or a computer and
another compatible
device to use an
infrared beam to
communicate with
each other. Line
of sight is required,
but no cable is
needed. |
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What is
integrated
services
digital
network? |
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An integrated
digital
network
in which
a single
wire or
optical
fibre is
used to
carry both
voice and
data. ISDN
has a high
data transfer
rate (64
kilobits
per second)
compared
to a standard
landline
(33.2 kilobits
per second).
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What is
mobile wallet?
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A feature in
some wireless devices
which lets the user
securely store personal
information, such
as payment card
details and user
names. The user
can retrieve the
information from
the wallet when
needed, to use a
mobile service that
requires a user
name and a password
or to make an online
purchase. The wallet
is typically used
via a browser. |
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What is
PIN code?
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An access
code protects
the SIM
card against
unauthorized
use. A PIN
code may
be required
by a service
provider
to make
outgoing
calls or
obtain access
to certain
applications
and data.
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What is
POP3? |
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A version of
the post office
protocol is used
to store and retrieve
e-mail or Internet
mail messages. POP3
is used in conjunction
with the simple
mail transfer protocol
(SMTP). |
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What is
push to
talk?
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A one-way communication
function in a mobile
phone which lets
one user at a time
talk to another
user or a selected
user group. Push
to talk is activated
by pressing the
push to talk key
or equivalent on
the phone. In a
user group, the
turns to speak are
requested by pressing
the push to talk
key and granted
on a first come,
first served basis. |
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What is
service
provider? |
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A company t
provides or hosts
services or content
either for end users
or for other entities
such as other service
providers. A service
provider provides,
for example, mobile
services for its
customers. |
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What is
TCP/IP? |
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It is
the basic
communication
language
or protocol
of the Internet.
It can also
be used
as a communications
protocol
in a private
network.
What
is universal
Mobile Telecommunications
System?
A European
third generation
mobile communication
system is
based on
WCDMA technology
and standardized
by ETSI.
Besides
voice and
data, UMTS
enables
audio and
video delivery
to wireless
devices.
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Recharge service
is also called top
up minutes. It is
the basic service
for SIM card. Whenever
your SIM card is
unable to make calls,
it is mostly cause
of the running out
of minutes. The
example can be seen
at
http://www.pandaphone.com/airtime_recharge.htm.
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