What is a SIM card? It stands for "Subscriber Identity Module" and is a very small, stamp-size "smart card" used in a GSM phone.
The SIM card contains a microchip that stores data that identifies the user to the carrier. The data is also used to encrypt voice and data transmissions, making it nearly impossible to listen in on calls.
The SIM can also store phone book information - phone numbers and associated names.
The SIM, typically located under the battery, can easily be removed and placed in another phone. This will cause the new phone to instantly operate using the subscriber's existing phone number and account.
Please note: SIM cards are NOT included with any of our phone packages.
What does bluetooth mean? BluetoothTM is an open standard for two-way, short-wave radio communications between different devices. It marks the end of cables and cords between mobile phones, palmtops, portable PCs and printers, for example. Furthermore, BluetoothTM enables information between such devices to be synchronized. Diary information held on a PDA can be updated automatically when within range of a BluetoothTM-enabled PC. BluetoothTM is also going to be important for machine-to-machine communications - one of the largest growth areas in telecommunications.
What does GPRS mean? General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an enhancement to existing GSM and TDMA networks that introduces packet data transmission, enabling "always on" mobility. This means that users can choose to be permanently logged on to e-mail, Internet access and other services, but do not have to pay for these services unless sending or receiving information. When EDGE is added to GPRS, these data rates will increase up to 384kbit/s.
What are the most common frequency bands and which one(s) do I need?
The four most common frequency bands used by GSM mobile phones are:
GSM-900
GSM-1800
GSM-850
GSM-1900
In North America, GSM operates on 850 and 1900 MHz bands. 1900 MHz was the original frequency with 850 MHz being added in 2001. GSM-850 and GSM-1900 are also used in parts of South and Central America, while other countries in the Americas use GSM-900 or GSM-1800.
Multi-band phones, particularly tri-band or quad-band phones can help to eliminate frequency-compatibility issues when traveling outside of North America. Travelers should confirm that the phone they intend to use is compatible with the frequency of the network at their destination.
900/1800 MHz dual-band phones cover GSM networks for areas such as Europe, Asia, Australia, and Brazil. 850/1900 MHz dual-band phones are appropriate for North American GSM networks. North American tri-band phones utilize the 850/1800/1900 MHz bands whereas, in Europe, the best choice would be a tri-band phone covering the 900/1800/1900 MHz bands. Quad-band phones will cover all four major GSM frequency groups - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz - making them the best choice for travelers who travel between North America and many overseas countries.
Will a 900 MHz GSM phone work in the United States? 900 MHz GSM services will work in Washington DC only. Since Washington DC is home to many foreign diplomats, special considerations have been given to the area.
Do GSM unlocked phones come preprogrammed with a phone number or default carrier?
No, GSM unlocked cell phones do not come with phone numbers programmed into them and the actual service is not even tied to the phone itself. Instead, you activate the phone by inserting your own SIM card. The SIM card has your cell phone number programmed by your existing carrier along with any additional services that you've subscribed to.
Can I (Should I) use my US SIM card when I travel abroad? Only if you're not worried about exorbitant roaming rates! We recommend, instead, that you purchase a pre-paid SIM card in the country that you're visiting. It will give you a local phone number and local calling rates can be around 25 cents per minute. You can purchase additional airtime cards in the local currency and they're usually available at most newsstands or convenience stores.
My carrier is Cingular Wireless. Do I need a phone that supports the 850 MHz frequency? The usual answer is Yes. Depending on the area in which you will be using your cell phone, Cingular requires that you use a phone which operates on both the 850 AND the 1900 MHz bands to ensure full functionality. Please check with a Cingular representative in your area if you are unsure if the 850 MHz network is available and/or required in your area. However, you would always be safe with a quad-band phone or any phone that supports at least 850 MHz AND 1900 MHz.
MMS stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. A multimedia message can contain text, pictures, animations, melodies and sound. You can also send contacts, event entries and sound recordings as attachments.
EMS standard for Enhanced Messaging Service. It is system that has evolved from the standard SMS messaging you may be used to, and allows standard ringtones and graphics to be sent to and between phones.
The short message service (SMS) enables you to send and receive text messages using your mobile phone or personal communicator. Depending on your network service provider and your plan, you can send messages to other mobile phones or to PCs, domestically or internationally. The cost is usually a low, flat rate or even free, depending on your contract.
Please be aware that the battery talk and standby times are estimated times only. Battery usage varies with network configuration, signal strength, features used, battery age and condition, charging practices, temperatures to which battery is exposed, type of digital mode (tdma, cdma, GSM or Analog), and certain other factors.
Basically, battery time is used both when the phone is being used in standby mode, as well as, when the phone is used in talk time mode. Both modes reduce the overall time of possible battery usage.
In order to maximize your battery's talk time and stand by time, make sure that you first charge it fully for 24 hours (it would be more efficient if you do not use the battery during this charge). Complete this process for the next few charging cycles making sure that the battery is drained fully before each charge. Now you are ready to enjoy a long term efficient battery life!
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a global, open standard that gives mobile users access to Internet services through handheld devices. It enables users to easily access a whole range of Mobile Internet and other data services from mobile devices such as smartphones and communicators, and without the need to plug into a separate laptop or data-enabled device.
WAP enables this through a built-in "WAP microbrowser" that lets information be accessed direct from a phone, in the same way that web browsers provide access to on-line services via an Internet-ready PC. Typically, a WAP screen will display a number of hyperlinks to various services or information portals.
As well as WAP phones, Ericsson has also announced a WAP Service Developer's Kit (WapIDE) and the WAP Gateway/Proxy, which bridges WAP applications and services in Internet and intranet environments with mobile networks. In addition, Ericsson provides application enablers, such as Ericsson Localized Internet (ELI) for location-based services, and WAP Application Server (WAS) providing a run-time and development environment for WAP applications.
WCDMA stands for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access.
This is the technology for wideband wireless access supporting 3G (third generation wireless) cell phone services, and allows very high-speed multimedia services like wireless Internet access and videoconferencing.
EDGE stands for Enhanced Data Rates for GMS Evolution
EDGE is an evolution of GSM and US-TDMA systems. This enhanced modulation will significantly increase network capacity and data rates, enabling value-added Mobile Multimedia services. It provides data rates up to 473kbit/s.
Some mobile devices incorporate IrDA® ports for cable free data transmission, it is not, however the same as Bluetooth as the ports need to be lined up during data transmission. Mobile phones with infrared can't connect handheld PC's or laptops to the Internet unless it has a built-in modem.
A data port that uses infrared data association (irDA®) as the standard for wireless communications between computer and mobile phone devices. For example, to update the phone list on your irDA®-enabled PC, you would line up the infrared ports on each device and then transfer the phone information to your PC.
A high-level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java was originally called OAK, and was designed for handheld devices and set-top boxes. Oak was unsuccessful so in 1995 Sun changed the name to Java and modified the language to take advantage of the burgeoning World Wide Web.
Java is an object-oriented language similar to C++, but simplified to eliminate language features that cause common programming errors. Java source code files (files with a .java extension) are compiled into a format called bytecode (files with a .class extension), which can then be executed by a Java interpreter. Compiled Java code can run on most computers because Java interpreters and runtime environments, known as Java Virtual Machines (VMs), exist for most operating systems, including UNIX, the Macintosh OS, and Windows. Bytecode can also be converted directly into machine language instructions by a just-in-time compiler (JIT).
Java is a general purpose programming language with a number of features that make the language well suited for use on the World Wide Web. Small Java applications are called Java applets and can be downloaded from a Web server and run on your computer by a Java-compatible Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Polyphonic comes from the word polyphony, meaning "many sounds". Music that has many notes sounding together, either in a chordal, or countrapuntal setting. Polyphonic ringtones vary in specification from phone to phone, but all polyphonic phones support the playing of more than one note together, so your ringtone is generally more musical. On the downside, because the ringtones are played 'musically' they are usually difficult to hear in noisy environments.
T9 Text Input is software that enables users to easily enter text into small devices with limited size keyboards, like mobile phones. T9 Text Input replaces the traditional "multi-tap" method of entering text providing the ability to enter text using only one keystroke per letter. T9 Text Input gives the phone's standard keypad the capabilities of a full keyboard requiring only one key press per letter. Using the letters on each phone key and a highly compressed database, the T9 software translates key press sequences into words.
