Mobile Broadband Glossary

802.11B

It is a wireless specification that was announced by IEEE in the year 1999. It can extend the wireless signal strength up to 11Mbps using the 2.4GHZ bandwidth. This concept was implemented as Wi-Fi.

802.11G

This wireless specification was added by IEEE in the year 2003. It is capable of extending the wireless signal strength up to 54Mbps using the 2.4GHZ bandwidth. This helped to increase the range of Wi-Fi zones.

802.11N

It is a specification for wireless networking that was announced by IEEE in the year 2009. The wireless signal strength was extended up to 600Mbps and also allowed file sharing between the devices connected to the network.

2G

2G (2nd generation) is the first digitally encrypted mobile technology introduced in 1991. It was implemented as a GSM standard which provided more penetration and data services like text messaging.

3G

3G is the third generation mobile communication technology that is used to improve the speed of a mobile data service. Almost all the mobile broadband providers in UK have upgraded their networks to 3G. 3G broadband can offer a speed of up to 14.4Mbps.

3GPP

3GPP is the 3rd Generation Partnership Program that was formed in 1998 to develop and define the specifications for the 3rd generation mobile communication standards like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, etc.

4G

4G (fourth generation) is a technology that is expected to be implemented in the future mobile broadband networks. It’s called LTE (long term evolution) and is said to upgrade the speed limit to more than 100Mbps.

Bandwidth

Data is usually transferred in the form of packets. The number of data packets that can be transferred through a connection in a given time is called bandwidth. It is calculated in bytes per second.

Broadband Speed

The time taken for the data to travel on a broadband connection is called broadband speed. The faster the speed of travel; the lesser will be the time taken for download or upload. It is calculated in Mbps (mega bytes per second).

CDMA

CDMA (Code division multiple access) is an access method for channels in radio communication. This standard was modified in the 2G (2nd generation) mobile communication technology as CDMA one.

CDMA2000

It’s a family name of a number of 3G mobile standards which is also known as IMT-MC. It allows transmission of voice, data and signaling between the mobile devices.

Connection Manager

It is software installed in the computer for connecting to the internet using a mobile broadband dongle.

Coverage

Coverage is the distance covered by a certain network. It depends on type of network and the transmitting station.

Coverage Checker

Coverage Checker is a tool which is used to identify the availability or coverage of a network in a certain area by using the name of the place or postal code.

Data Calculator

It is used to calculate the usage of data while using different application on the internet.

DATA card

Data cards were introduced especially for laptops and notebook computers, to provide access to the mobile broadband network.

Download Limit

Download limit is the maximum internet usage allowed in a broadband package for a specific time period, mostly a month.

EDGE

EDGE (Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution) was introduced as a enhancement for the GPRS technology under the GSM standard to transfer data at a faster rate.

EV-DO

It is known as Evolution Data Optimized. It’s the CDMA2000 mobile communication standard which was defined by 3GPP.

Fair usage policy

If a user exceeds the maximum limit allowed for a certain package then either the speed of the connection is reduced or the connection will be suspended for time being based on the fair usage policy. This policy is imposed to allow all the users to enjoy the maximum benefit out of a network.

Femtocell

It is a mobile base station which can be used locally in a household for receiving better signal strength. It improves the signal of mobile phones and mobile broadband in a closed environment.

GPRS

GPRS (General packet radio service) is a mobile network standard which was introduced as an update for the 2G standard. To be specific it was introduced as a 2.5G standard. Initially it was also used as 3G standard to transfer data.

GSM

GSM (Global system for mobile communication) is a standard adapted by the 2G (2nd generation) mobile communication technology. It was the first digitally encrypted data service with higher penetration levels.

Hand Off

It is a process of transferring a mobile signal from one base station to another when the user moves out of the base stations coverage.

HDTV

HD (high definition) television is referred to the television which provides very high resolution of 1080p. They provide more improved picture quality that looks like live presence.

HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) is the upgraded version of the 3G network which can provide faster download and upload speeds.

HSPA

It’s a combination of two mobile telephony protocols which are, HSDPA and HSUPA. It was established as an improvement to WCDMA protocols.

HSPA+

It is an upgrade of the HSPA standard. It can offer an download speed of 56Mbps and an upload of 22Mbps.

HSUPA

HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) is a specification that was found by Nokia and was declared as a part of the 3G mobile network and can offer a uplink speed of 5.76 Mbps.

IMEI

All the devices accessing the mobile network will be identified by a unique 15 digit number called the IMEI (international mobile equipment identifier). The mobile broadband dongle is also identified using this number. This number can be found in the modem properties and cannot be altered.

ISP

The company or a network that offers a broadband connection is termed as ISP (internet service provider). They are also called as network provider, broadband provider, etc.

ITU

ITU (International Telecommunication Union) is one of the oldest organizations of the UN founded in 1865 which is responsible for monitoring, analyzing and reporting of the information and communication technology issues in the world.

Laptop with Inbuilt modem

Mobile Broadband modems are inbuilt in some model laptops and are offered as a separate package by the mobile broadband providers. These laptops are capable of accessing the 3G broadband service from anywhere under the coverage of the provider.

Latency

Latency is the delay in time between the request of a data and the receipt of the data. It is calculated in values less than a second. The speed of a network is based on the latency value of the network.

LTE advanced

LTE (long term evolution) advanced is a standard adapted in the 4G (4th generation) mobile technology, which is expected to widely focus the mobile broadband sector.

Micro SD Slot

Micro SD slot is a provision for accessing or storing data in a micro-secure digital flash card or memory card. It is now available with most of the mobile broadband dongle.

Mi-Fi

The integration of mobile broadband and Wi-Fi is called MiFi. A Mi-Fi modem can allow multiple wireless enabled devices to connect to a single mobile broadband connection.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband is a method of connecting to a broadband network using the mobile technology. It uses a SIM card placed inside a USB modem that can be accessed from anywhere.

Mobile Broadband Dongle

Mobile Broadband is accessible by using a USB modem that looks similar to a flash storage drive called as mobile broadband dongle. It uses a SIM card to access the 3G network.

Modem

Modem is a device that is used to provide a broadband/ADSL connection to a user. It modulates and demodulates a digital signal to analog and vice versa, thus known as modem.

Network Key

It’s a 8 digit password that is used to authenticate the device accessing a wireless router.

Ofcom

Ofcom is a regulatory body for the telecommunication industry in UK which is independent of analyzing and publishing reports about a certain technology or player. The results are considered to be fair and highly recognized.

Parental Control

Parental Control is a restriction imposed on your children using the internet. It helps to monitor, limit and restrict the usage of the internet by your children.

PAYG

In a Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) service that user has to top up the account based on the usage. Users have to purchase a mobile broadband dongle and then top up to access the internet.

Pay Monthly

Mobile broadband packages that are offered for a monthly contract is known as Pay Monthly. Users have to sign up for a contract get a mobile broadband dongle for free. The broadband connection can be used by paying a standard monthly bill.

Pay Up Front

Users can pay for a mobile broadband modem and data allowance of 12 to 24 months as a single purchase. So that customers do not need to take the pain of paying monthly or topping up the service.

Roaming (mobile broadband)

Mobile Broadband roaming is a facility of accessing the internet while travelling to different places. This facility is available even in abroad either by using the same network or partnered network of the respective nation.

Router

Router is a network equipment which allows multiple computers to share the internet as well establish a communication between each other to share their files.

Signal Booster

Signal Booster is a device which is powered to receive and transmit mobile signal from the base station to the area which has weaker signal strength.

Signal Strength

The continuity of a signal between the transmitting end and the receiving end is called signal strength. Signal strength of a network can be weak in an area even if the area has a better coverage. This is because signals can be influenced by physical barriers.

SIM

SIM (subscriber identity module) is a piece of printed circuit card that is used to access a mobile network.

Spectrum

The continuous range of frequency is called spectrum.

Spectral Efficiency

The speed at which data is transferred in a certain bandwidth in a given time using a specific communication system is known as the bandwidth efficiency or spectral efficiency.

SSID

SSID (secure set identifier), is a name given to a specific wireless local area network (802.11).

Tithering

Tithering is a process of accessing the internet from a laptop or computer by using the mobile phone as a modem. The mobile phone will be connected to the computer using bluetooth or USB cable.

UMB

Ultra Mobile Broadband is the standard that is a part of the pre-4G evolution and is defined by 3GPP2.

UMTS

UMTS (Universal mobile telecommunication system) is one of the standards that is adapted by the 3G (third generation) mobile communication technology.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a specification that was established to help communicate two host controllers. The USB ports work only based on this specification. Almost all the electronic gadgets in the markets are accessible using a USB port.

VOIP

VOIP (Voice over internet protocol) is a method in which voice is transmitted through an IP (internet protocol) network. It provides improved quality of speech at a much lower cost than traditional calling systems.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi zone or hot-spot is place where a broadband connection is allowed for access wirelessly. It is offered either free or at cheap rates. It’s available in places like airports, shopping malls, etc.

Wireless Mobile Broadband

Wireless Mobile broadband is a method of sharing a mobile internet connection using a Mobile Wi-Fi Router.

Wi-Max

Wi-Max (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) is a mobile communication standard that will be a part of the 4G (4th generation) mobile communication technology. It works based on the wireless 802.16m standard. Unlike Wi-Fi it can provide a more reliable wireless access for many kilometers.