Glossary is usually defined as an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge. This knowledge base glossary provides a collection of knowledge base documents that define many technical terms. These terms are arranged alphabetically, but you can quickly jump to a specific term by selecting its first letter from the index of the knowledge base glossary below.

The operating system of a wireless network. Technologies include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and iDEN.

Allows merchants who want to reach a global consumer with customers who want or need the ability to pay for goods or services without a credit card. Alternative billing gives users the choice and freedom to pay via other methods. With solutions such as mBILL and mENABLE, txtNation can help you offer robust and first-rate billing solutions.

Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) is the original analog “cellular” service transmission standard first deployed in the United States, still used as a default standard for cellular systems in the United States and in some regions around the world.

The traditional method of adapting radio signals so they can carry information. AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) are the two most common analog systems. Analog has largely been replaced by digital technologies, which are more secure, more efficient and provide better quality.

A device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. Often camouflaged on existing buildings, trees, water towers, or other tall structures, the size and shape of antennas are generally determined by the frequency of the signal they manage.

An application programming interface (API) is a source code interface that a computer application, operating system or library provides to support requests for services to be made of it by a computer program. txtNation provide interfaces to its range of mobile billing solutions to enable you to inegrate your applications easily.

The Accelerated Payout Service is set up when you wish to receive a proportion of your predicted SMS-based revenue before payments have been received from the carriers. Contact your txtNation Account Manager for further information.

The central radio transmitter/receiver that communicates with mobile telephones within a given range, typically a cell site.

The name for a technological standard or communications protocol that enables mobile devices equipped with a special chip to send and receive information wirelessly. Using Bluetooth, electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers, and printers can communicate over short-ranges using the 2.4 GHz spectrum band.

Aggregating DSL circuits together to boost throughput.

Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless is a service application developer`s platform. The BREW platform was introduced by QUALCOMM in 2001 to provide developers with the ability to create a wide variety of applications that users can download wirelessly via any BREW-enabled handset. Software applications will work on new device models due to these common standards.

A transmission facility having a bandwidth or capacity sufficient to carry multiple voice, video, or data channels simultaneously. Broadband is generally equated with the delivery of increased speeds and advanced capabilities, including access to the Internet and related services and facilities that provide 200 kbps upstream and downstream transmission speeds.

A geographic area designed by Rand McNally to reflect business centers, and adopted by the FCC for the licensing of Personal Communications Services and some other wireless services. BTAs are composed of several neighboring counties associated by business and commuting patterns. The U.S. is divided into 493 BTAs.

Also known as service provider or operator, a carrier is the communications company that provides customers service—including airtime—for their wireless phones.

A technology used to transmit wireless calls by assigning them codes. Calls are spread out over the widest range of available channels. Then codes allow many calls to travel on the same frequency and also guide those calls to the correct receiving phone.

CDMA2000 1XEV represents the second step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Commercially launched in 2001, offers data speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps.

CDMA2000 1XEV represents the next step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Approved by the Geneva-based standards body International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a 3G technology to provide data and voice services together, with data rates of up to 3.09 Mbps.

The first step in the evolution to 3G is CDMA2000 1X. This improves packet data transmission capabilities and speeds in the network and also boosts voice capacity with speeds up to 307 kbps.

The basic geographic unit of wireless coverage. Also, shorthand for generic industry term "cellular." A region is divided into smaller "cells," each equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell. As a wireless call moves from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the call and at the proper time, transfers the phone call to the new cell and new radio frequency. The handoff is performed so quickly that it’s not noticeable to the callers.

The location where a wireless antenna and network communications equipment is placed in order to provide wireless service in a geographic area.

A means of increasing the capacity of a wireless system by subdividing one cell into two or more smaller cells.

A communications pathway that may take the form of a connection established over wireless, wired, or fiber optic facilities.

An FCC designation for any wireless carrier or license owner whose wireless service is connected to the public switched telephone network and/or is operated for profit. Wireless services that are offered to the public are classified as CMRS, unlike private systems, which are classified as "Private Mobile Services."

The placement of multiple antennas at a common site. Some companies act as brokers or cell site managers, arranging cell sites and coordinating many carriers` antennas at a single cell site.

DRM technique to stop to forwarding of content once downloaded after a time specified, typically 15 minutes. For advice and assistance on protecting your content, contact your txtNation Account Manager.

txtNation uses a simple credit notation as the charging unit for microbilling. 1 Credit = 0.5 GBP. Values for other currencies will be converted at the given exchange rate. A client sets the value of a billed SMS message to a number of credits, rather than having to set a value for each currency.

One technological approach used for the exchange of data. A circuit connection is made that is exclusively reserved for the individual`s use. This can be inefficient, as many communications do not require a dedicated communications channel, but only brief connectivity, for the transmission of short messages.

Technological approach that converts signals (including voice) into the binary digits `0` and `1`. This data is compressed, and then transformed into electronic pulses for a wired network, optical light waves for fiber optic networks, or radio waves for wireless networks. Digital wireless technology has largely superceded analog technology because digital delivers more capacity and supports more applications, as well as offers better sound quality, and more secure signals.

Digital rights management (DRM) is an umbrella term that refers to access control technologies used by publishers and other copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. DRM can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. To some extent, DRM overlaps with copy protection, but DRM is usually applied to creative media (music, films, etc.) whereas copy protection typically refers to software. For advice and assistance on protecting your content, contact your txtNation Account Manager.

A digital line connecting the subscriber`s terminal to the serving company’s central office, providing multiple communications channels able to carry both voice and data communications simultaneously.

A wireless handset that works on more than one spectrum frequency, e.g., in the 800 MHz frequency and 1900 MHz frequency bands.

A wireless handset that works on both analog and digital networks.

Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution is an evolutionary step in the GSM-development path for faster delivery of data, delivered at rates up to 384 Kbps. The standard is based on the GSM technology platform and uses the TDMA approach (see TDMA, below).

A single wireless device that combines a two-way radio, phone, mobile dispatch, radio paging, and mobile data capabilities and operates on digital networks. Examples of ESMR service providers include Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners, and Southern LINC Wireless, among others.

The unique serial identification number programmed into a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each time a call is placed, the ESN is transmitted to a nearby base station so the wireless carrier can validate the call. The ESN differs from the Mobile Identification Number, which identifies a customer`s wireless phone number. MINs and ESNs are electronically monitored to help prevent fraud.

Frequency-division multiplexing is a method in which numerous signals are combined for transmission on a single communications channel. Each signal is assigned a different frequency or sub-channel or within the main channel.

DRM technique to prevent forwarding to other mobile devices. For advice and assistance on protecting your content, contact your txtNation Account Manager.

A packet technology approach that enables high-speed wireless Internet and other GSM-based data communications. It makes very efficient use of available radio spectrum for transmission of data.

A worldwide satellite navigational system made up of 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their receivers on the earth’s surface. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals with information used in location tracking, navigation, and other location or mapping technologies.

A technological approach also based on dividing wireless calls into time slots. GSM is most common in Europe, Australia, and much of Asia and Africa. Generally, GSM phones from the United States are not compatible with international GSM networks because the U.S. and many other nations use different frequencies for mobile communications. However, some phones are equipped with a multi-band capability to operate on such other frequencies.

The process when a wireless network automatically switches a mobile call to an adjacent cell site.

In using HSCSD, a permanent connection is established between the called and calling parties for the exchange of data. As it is circuit switched, HSCSD is more suited to applications such as videoconferencing and multimedia than `bursty` type applications such as email, which are more suited to packet switched data.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a communications protocol (standard set of rules) used to transfer or convey information on the World Wide Web.

A method used in HTML to send data from point a to point b. txtNation use HTTP posts in the following applications: mENABLE, mBILL and mFUSION Shouts.

A specialized mobile technology that combines two-way radio, telephone, text messaging and data transmission into one digital network. iDEN is designed to give users quick access to information on a single device. Introduced by Motorola and used by AirTel Montana, Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners, and Southern LINC Wireless, among others.

The International Mobile Equipment Identity is a number unique to every GSM and UMTS mobile phone. It is stamped inside the phone and identifies the physical unit to the network.

Connecting one wireless network to another, such as linking a wireless carrier`s network with a local telephone company`s network.

The ability of a network to coordinate and communicate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.

Local Area Network is a small data network covering a limited area, such as a building or group of buildings. Most LANs connect workstations or personal computers. This allows many users to share devices, such as laser printers, as well as data. The LAN also allows easy communication, by facilitating e-mail or supporting chat sessions.

A full telephone number. See Short Code.

The premium billing platform for any mobile solution or campaign. Visit www.txtnation.com for more information.

The popular solution for enabling mobile-to-mobile chat services. Visit www.txtnation.com for more information.

Megahertz (MHz) is a unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. Wireless mobile communications within the United States generally occur in the 800 MHz, 900MHz, and 1900MHz spectrum frequency bands.

The revolutionary online payment platform, offering secure micro-billing solutions as diverse as you and your customers. Visit www.txtnation.com for more information.

The white-label platform for delivering robust, scaleable mobile campaigns. Visit www.txtnation.com for more information.

Technique of charging for software or services by smaller amounts. With micro-billing the customer`s account is debited by a small amount. e.g. SMS, IVR. Using mENABLE, txtNation offer speedy integration into your existing website using a range of payment options from one point of access.

Micropayments are a means for transferring relatively small amounts of money. "Micropayment" originally meant 1/1000th of a US dollar, meaning a payment system that could efficiently handle payments at least as small as a tenth of a cent, but now is often defined to mean any small payments processed by credit card, premium SMS or premium rate phone call. The use of Micropayments may be called Microcommerce or M-Commerce (which also stands for Mobile Commerce). txtNation offer a menu of traditional and alternative billing options using mENABLE.

Mobile Instant Messaging refers to the ability to engage in Instant Messaging (IM) from a mobile handset via various technologies, which include SMS, WAP, or GPRS.

The MIN, more commonly known as a wireless phone number, uniquely identifies a wireless device within a wireless carrier`s network. The MIN is dialed from other wireless or wireline networks to direct a signal to a specific wireless device. The number differs from the electronic serial number, which is the unit number assigned by a phone manufacturer. MINs and ESNs can be electronically checked to help prevent fraud.

MMS (Mobile Messaging Service) is the evolution of Short Message Service (SMS, which is a text-only messaging technology for mobile networks). It allows the sending and receiving of multimedia messages such as graphics, video and audio clips. txtNation offer mPUSH, the leading solution for delivering web-based content to mobile phones.

Refers to a message being sent IN from a mobile handset. see also MT (Mobile Terminated)

The leading platform for delivering web-based content to mobile phones. Visit www.txtnation.com for more information.

One of the 306 urban-centered cellular service areas based on the largest urban markets as designated by the U.S. government in 1980. Two "cellular" service operators are licensed in each MSA.

This is a number which identifies a subscription in a mobile network. It identifies the SIM card in a mobile/cellular phone. Any limits applied to subscriptions or SMS billing will apply if the SIM is switched to another handset.

Refers to a message being sent OUT to a mobile handset. see also MO (Mobile Originated)

A geographic area designed by Rand McNally to reflect business centers, and adopted by the FCC for the licensing of Personal Communications Services and some other wireless services. MTAs are composed of neighboring basic trading areas (BTAs) associated with major business centers. The U.S. is divided into 51 MTAs, which do not reflect state boundaries.

The central computer that connects wireless phone calls to the public telephone network. The MTSO controls the series of operations required to complete wireless calls, including verifying calls, billing and antenna handoffs.

The payment platform enabling credit card transactions via familiar web, AWP and SMS technology. Contact www.txtnation.com for more information.

A company that buys network capacity from a network operator in order to offer its own branded mobile subscriptions and value-added services to customers.

The NAM is the electronic memory bank in the wireless phone that stores its specific telephone number and electronic serial number.

The ability of a customer to retain their telephone number when changing service providers in a specific area, whether changing from one wireless company to another, one wireline company to another, or between wirelesss and wireline companies.

A system for the transmission of digital message elements spread over multiple channels within a frequency band, in order to achieve greater throughput while minimizing interference and signal degradation through the use of multiple antennas.

Open Mobile Alliance. OMA is the leading industry forum for developing market driven, interoperable mobile service enablers.

A piece of data sent over a packet-switching network, such as the Internet. A packet includes not just the data comprising the message but also address information about its origination and destination.

Information that is reduced into digital pieces or `packets,` so it can travel more efficiently across networks, including radio airwaves and wireless networks.

The process of splitting up characters in an SMS message into words, then recognising the significance of each word. When txtNation receive a message, we look for: a trigger word to tell us which application (eg mBILL) is being used; your company keyword to direct the message to you; your campaign keyword and so on.

PayForIt is a cross-network initiative which enables mobile phone users to purchase goods and services from the mobile internet and for merchants to directly charge the users` mobile phone accounts. txtNation hosts PayForIt within the mBILL (IR-Web) Gateway.

Defined by the FCC as a broad family of wireless services, commonly viewed as including two-way digital voice, messaging, and data services. One set of "PCS" licenses established by the FCC operates in the 1900 MHz band.

A portable computing device capable of transmitting data. These devices offer services such as paging, data messaging, e-mail, computing, faxes, date books, and other information management capabilities.

An additional security feature for wireless phones, much like a password. Programming a PIN into the Subscriber Information Module (SIM) on a wireless phone requires the user to enter that access code each time the phone is turned on.

For wireless, POPs generally refers to the number of people in a specific area where wireless services are available (the population). For traditional `landline` communications, a "Point of Presence" defines the interconnection point between the two networks.

A window that appears (or pops up) when you select an option within the current web page. The popup window normally appears as a smaller window `in front` of the main application. Normally it has a menu of commands and details for a specific function. Normally, you can not return to the main application until you have closed the popup. txtNation use popups for billing functions, such as mPUSH, called from websites.

A standard set of definitions governing how communications are formatted in order to permit their transmission across networks and between devices.

A technological approach in which the communication "pipe" is shared by several users, thus making it very efficient. The data is sent to a specific address with a short delay. This delay depends on how many users are using the pipe at any one time as well as the level of priority requested for your information. PSD is the technology used for data communication across the Internet and makes more efficient use of the network.

Denotes content which is not considered suitable for universal consumption. This is similar to the MPAA rating for movies in the USA. Distribution of such content is limited to certain audiences. The laws and regulations on content are different in each country. Content providers must ensure that their content is allowed in the territories they serve.

Devices that receive a radio signal, amplify it, and re-transmit it in a new direction. Used in wireless networks to extend the range of base station signals and to expand coverage. Repeaters are typically used in buildings, tunnels, or difficult terrain.

When traveling outside their carrier`s local service area, roaming allows users to continue to make and receive calls when operating in another carrier`s service coverage area.

One of the 428 rural markets across the United States, as designated by the FCC for the delivery of cellular service outside of the initial 306 MSAs.

A short code, or short number is an telephone number, traditionally 4-6 digits in length (5 or 6 digits in the US), which is specific to a network operator (or a number of networks if they have formalized an agreement between them). A short code is more convenient to use than a full telephone number. A short code number is allocated to you for your mobile campaign – there is scope for you to choose from a range of available numbers. You can combine up to 8 price points on the same short code. Contact your txtNation Account Manager for further details.

A wireless antenna with technology that focuses its signal in a specific direction. Wireless networks use smart antennas to reduce the number of dropped calls, and to improve call quality and channel capacity.

Wireless phones with advanced data features and often keyboards. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.

The short message peer-to-peer protocol (SMPP) is a telecommunications industry protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short message service centres. It is often used to allow third parties (e.g. value-added service providers like news organisations) to submit messages, often in bulk. The most commonly used versions of SMPP are v3.3, the most widely supported standard, and v3.4, which adds transceiver support (single connections that can send and receive messages). Data exchange may be synchronous, where each peer must wait for a response for each PDU being sent, and asynchronous, where multiple requests can be issued in one go and acknowledged in a skew order by the other peer. The latest version of SMPP is v5.0.

The Short Message Service (SMS), often called text messaging, is a means of sending short messages to and from mobile phones. SMS was originally defined as part of the GSM series of standards in 1985 as a means of sending messages of up to 160 characters, to and from GSM mobile handsets. Since then, support for the service has expanded to include alternative mobile standards such as ANSI CDMA networks and AMPS, satellite and landline networks. Most SMS messages are mobile-to-mobile text messages, though the standard supports other types of broadcast messaging as well. The term SMS is frequently used in a non-technical sense to refer to text messages themselves, particularly in non-English-speaking European countries where the GSM system is well-established. For advice on running campaigns using mFUSION, mENABLE and a range of powerful, easy to use solutions, contact your txtNation Account Manager.

Process whereby the federal government designates frequencies for specific uses, such as personal communications services and public safety. Allocation is typically accomplished through lengthy FCC proceedings, which attempt to adapt allocations to accommodate changes in spectrum demand and usage.

Federal government authorization for the use of specific frequencies within a given spectrum allocation, usually in a specific geographic location. Mobile communications assignments are granted to both private users such as businesses, and commercial providers such as wireless and paging operators. Spectrum auctions and/or frequency coordination processes, which consider potential interference to existing users, may apply.

A method of transmitting a radio signal by spreading it over a wide range of frequencies. This reduces interference and can increase the number of simultaneous users on one radio frequency band.

A protocol permitting communications over and between networks, the TCP/IP protocol is the basis for the Internet communications.

A technological standard that permits the transmission of information by dividing calls into time slots, each one lasting only a fraction of a second. Each call is assigned a specific portion of time on a designated channel. By dividing each call into timed `packets,` a single channel can carry many calls at once.

A general term that refers to technologies that offer increased capacity and capabilities delivered over digital wireless networks.

A Ticket or Support Ticket is the communication from a client to the txtNation Support and Development service. Whether you need assistance, wish to report a problem or require advice on setup and integration of a campaign, send a ticket at http://www.txtnation.com/sd.

Phones that work on multiple frequencies, typically in the 1900 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz frequencies used in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Phones that operate in different modes, such as the CDMA, TDMA, and analog standards.

This is third generation technology generally based on W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). UMTS promises a communications speed between 384 kbps and up to about 2 Mbps.

Validity Period is the maximum time you can take to send back an MT from an MO message. It will be rejected after this time. This varies for each country. See the txtNation Region Guide in this Knowledgebase for more information.

Nokia VCals allows the recipient to store calendar entries on his handset as if he has created them himself.

Sending a person’s contact details via a Nokia VCard for storage on a handset is simple through any of txtNation’s API’s. Sending your contact details in business card format allowes the end user to instantly accept the details into their phone book on their mobile phone.

The capability for wireless phones, computers, and other devices to be activated and controlled by voice commands.

VoIP is not simply capable of delivering voice over IP, but is also designed to accommodate two-way video conferencing and application sharing as well. Based on IP technology, VoIP is used to transfer a wide range of different type traffic.

Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, one of two 3G standards that makes use of a wider spectrum than CDMA and therefore can transmit and receive information faster and more efficiently.

A general term referring to a large network spanning a country or around the world. The Internet is a WAN as is a public mobile communication system such as a cellular or PCS network.

Wireless Application Protocol is a set of standards that enables wireless devices, such as phones, pagers, and palm devices, to browse content from specially coded Web pages.

A method of showing the origin of a digital image by placing an unobtrusive ingrained logo or text as a part of the image. When showing sample images, placing bold washed out text such as "SAMPLE" across the whole image will allow customers to judge whether they want the full image file (without the watermark) but will spoil the sample image enough to deter people from copying and using it. If using a watermark on the paid-for content, txtNation suggests it is placed so it does not spoil the image.

A wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard providing metropolitan area network connectivity for fixed wireless access at broadband speeds.

WiFi provides wireless connectivity over unlicensed spectrum (using the IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b standards), generally in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. Wi-Fi offers local area connectivity to WiFi-enabled computers.

A general term for using wireless services to access the Internet and/or email.

Equipment that allows employees or customers within a building or limited area to use wireless devices in place of traditional landline phones.

Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data wirelessly in a certain area. This allows users in a small zone to transmit data and share resources, such as printers, without physically connecting each computer with cords or wires.

WLL is a system that connects wireless users to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using wireless technology and other circuitry to complete the "last mile" between the wireless user and the exchange equipment. Wireless systems can often be installed faster and cheaper than traditional wired systems.

Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a general-purpose markup language. It is classified as an extensible language because it allows its users to define their own tags. It`s primary purpose is to facilitate the sharing of structured data across different information systems, particularly via the Internet. It is offered as alternative to HTTP or SMPP.