Below is our reference guide for Industry Terms.

It’s where your company sells a product/service to a business, gaining customers and/or data from that business that you get to keep and use. Think Instacart for grocery delivery or OpenTable for restaurant bookings.

The term business-to-consumer refers to the process of selling products and services directly between consumers who are the end-users of its products or services. 

Bring your own device —also called bring your own technology, bring your own phone, and bring your own personal computer —refers to being allowed to use one’s personally owned device, rather than being required to use an officially provided device from your employer, school, other. 

Refers to programs that give you the ability to choose a carrier that best fits your business needs, and in turn, plug them into your unified communications or contact center platforms. The primary driver behind the growing demand for BYOC programs is the migration from on-prem telecom systems to cloud-based deployments. 

The method by which a wireless carrier can “bond” or concatenate multiple individual channels into a single channel in order to get improved speed or performance.

A standard term for the control element in a 4G mobile (cellular) network. The EPC is responsible for managing, coordinating, and authenticating connection requests from wireless users who are connecting to an ENodeB or Evolved Node B.

eSIM – is a global specification by the GSMA which enables remote SIM provisioning of any mobile device, and GSMA defines eSIM as the SIM for the next generation of connected consumer device, and networking solution using eSIM technology can be widely applicable to various Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, including connected cars (smart rearview mirror, on-board diagnostics, vehicle hotspot), MiFi device, smart metering, bike sharing, video surveillance devices, etc.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology is part of 2G Mobile (Cellular) network. It operates at speeds of up to 115Kbit/sec., compared with the 9.6Kbit/sec. of older GSM systems. It enabled wireless Internet connectivity and mobile applications such as e-mail, games and applications.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a “constellation” of 24 satellites that orbit the Earth at a height of 10,900 miles, making it possible for people using ground receivers to determine their geographic location within 10 to 100 meters. The satellites use simple mathematical calculations to broadcast information that is translated as longitude, latitude and altitude by Earth-based receivers.

A heterogeneous network is a network connecting computers and other devices with different operating systems and/or network protocols. HetNet is also used in wireless networks using different access technologies. For example, a wireless network that provides a service through WiFi and is able to maintain the service when switching to LTE is called a wireless heterogeneous network.

A professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines). As of 2018, it is the world’s largest association of technical professionals with more than 423,000 members in over 160 countries around the world.

A general term indicating the connectivity of all kinds of devices to public or private networks. Connections can be fixed or wireless, and applications can address a large variety of use cases – smart buildings, smart cities, connected home, etc.

The universal network communication protocol used by the internet and 4G-LTE wireless networks. IP places all data types (voice, video, data) into addressed packets that traverse networks from source to destination(s).

A specialized agency of the United Nations that is responsible for issues that concern information and communication technologies. It is the oldest global international organization.

A type of performance measurement. KPIs evaluate the success of an organization or of a particular activity (such as projects, programs, products and other initiatives) in which it engages.

LTE in unlicensed spectrum (LTE-Unlicensed, LTE-U) is a proposed extension of the LTE wireless standard intended to allow cellular network operators to offload some of their data traffic by accessing the unlicensed 5 GHz frequency band

Line-of-sight refers to radio waves which travel directly in a line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. It does not necessarily require a cleared sight path; at lower frequencies radio waves can pass through buildings, foliage and other obstructions.

A registered trademark owned by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) for the wireless data communications technology and a development of the GSM/UMTS standards. The goal of LTE was to increase the capacity and speed of wireless data networks. A further goal was the redesign and simplification of the network architecture to an IP-based system with significantly reduced transfer latency compared to the 3G architecture.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) refers to using multiple antennas in a Wireless device to improve performance and throughput. The MIMO technology takes advantage of a characteristic called multipath, which occurs when a radio transmission starts out at point A and then reflects off or passes through surfaces or objects before arriving, via multiple paths, at point B. MIMO technology uses multiple antennas to collect and organize signals arriving via these paths.

A unique identification number given to a mobile device. In most cases, this number is the telephone number of the handset. In the case of analog cellular, the MIN is used to route the call.

Mobile IP is the key protocol to enable mobile computing and networking, which brings together two of the world’s most powerful technologies — the Internet and mobile communication. In Mobile IP, two IP addresses are provided for each computer: home IP address which is fixed and care-of IP address which is changing as the computer moves. When the mobile moves to a new location, it must send its new address to an agent at home so that the agent can tunnel all communications to its new address timely.

Mobile phone network is a network of cells. Each cell is served by a radio base station from where calls are forwarded to and received from your mobile phone by wireless radio signals.

A personal communications service that is anticipated to provide two-way voice and data communications using satellites, handheld phones, and wireless modems incorporated into devices such as notebook computers. It is expected that Mobile Satellite services will offer enhanced features such as call waiting and voice mail. Geographic service coverage is anticipated to be larger than most PCS services and may be worldwide.

Multi-Services Operator (MSO) is a service provider which provides multiple services such as voice (mobile and fixed line), data and video. MSO is a common term applied to CATV companies, e.g. Comcast.

Mobile satellite services (MSS) refers to the communications satellites network for mobile and portable wireless telephones services. There are three major types of MSS: AMSS (aeronautical MSS), LMSS (land MSS), and MMSS (maritime MSS).

A routing technique in telecom networks that directs data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, thus avoiding complex lookups in a routing table and speeding traffic flows. The labels identify virtual links (paths) between distant nodes rather than endpoints. MPLS can encapsulate packets of various network protocols hence the “multiprotocol” reference on its name.

Many types of radio transmissions depend, to varying degrees, on Line of Sight (LOS) between the transmitter and receiver. Obstacles that commonly cause NLOS conditions include buildings, trees, hills, mountains, and, in some cases, high voltage power lines. Some of these obstructions reflect certain radio frequencies, while some simply absorb or garble the signals; but, in either case, they limit the use of many types of radio transmissions, especially when low on power budget.

Support Facility employed by major service providers and technology companies to offer 24×7 services and support for customers.

Over-the-Top (OTT) apps and services that are typically used over the Internet rather than over the networks of a traditional wireless, wireline, or cable operator.

A device for taking a low or intermediate-level signal and significantly boosting its power level. A power amplifier is usually the final stage of amplification in a transmitter.

A form of digital data transmission used in amateur radio to construct wireless computer networks. Its name is a reference to the use of packet switching between network nodes, which allows multiple virtual circuits to coexist on a single radio channel. Packet radio networks use the AX.25 data link layer protocol, derived from the X.25 protocol suite and designed for amateur radio use.

A compact, hot pluggable network interface module used for both telecom and data network applications. It is a popular industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors. The advantage of using SFPs instead of fixed interfaces is that the interface port can be equipped with any suitable type of transceiver as needed.

A commitment between a service provider and a client. Particular aspects of the service – quality, availability, responsibilities – are agreed between the service provider and the service user. The most common component of an SLA is that the services should be provided to the customer as agreed upon in the contract. 

An EPC or Evolved Packet Core, the control element in 4G wireless (cellular) networks, can be virtualized across multiple instances to address cost, reliability, performance, and scaling issues.

A wireless Internet service provider (WISP) is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with a network based on wireless networking. Technology may include commonplace WiFi, licensed LTE spectrum, CBRS, or proprietary equipment designed to operate over open 2.4 GHz, 4.9, 5, 24, and 60 GHz bands

Emerging 5th generation of advanced mobile network architecture and functionality that will use a blend of existing low band, new mid band, and mmWave wireless spectrum and promises gigabit connectivity to devices, very low latency (delay), and the support of massive IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity.

Early data transport connectivity service between user device and network for 2G (second generation) mobile (cellular) networks. Sometimes unofficially characterized as 2.5G capability. Downlink speeds (Network à User Device) of up to 384 Kbps.

A standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute to describe the protocols for 2G (second generation) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

Cloud computing is the on-demand availability of computer system resources, especially data storage and computing power, without active management by the user. The term is generally used to describe data centers accessible to many users over the internet. Large clouds, predominant today, often have functions distributed over multiple locations from central servers. If the connection to the user is relatively close, it may be designated an edge server. Clouds may be limited to a single organization (enterprise clouds) or be available to many organizations (public cloud).

A collection of computing servers and storage assembled and coordinated to securely store applications and information available for enterprises and users via dedicated network connection or via the internet.

Global Standards body that defines standards around network architecture, technology interworking, and functionality for advanced mobile (cellular) networks. It has done much work in the definition and support of GSM and 2G, UMTS and 3G, LTE and 4G, and emerging 5G network standards.

Optical fiber that can support light pulses transmitted at different frequencies to ultimately transport large amounts of digital data over short, medium, and long distances. Lit fiber indicates a service is actively used on the fiber, e.g. metro ethernet, wave. Dark fiber indicates no active service (or light pulses) used on the fiber, i.e. it is “dark.”

Latency, or network delay is an important design and performance characteristic of a computer network or telecommunications network. The delay of a network specifies how long it takes for a bit of data to travel across the network from one  endpoint to another. It is typically measured in multiples or fractions of seconds, e.g. milliseconds. 5G performance has targets to achieve very low latency in order to support new applications like autonomous vehicles. Delay may differ slightly, depending on the location of the specific pair of communicating endpoints.

Measurement of transport speed on a network link or connection – 1 Kbps = 1000 (Thousand) bits per second

Measurement of transport speed on a network link or connection – 1 Mbps = 1,000,000 (Million) bits per second or 1000 Kbps

Measurement of transport speed on a network link or connection – 1 Gbps = 1,000,000,000 (Billion) bits per second or 1000 Mbps

Measurement of transport speed on a network link or connection – 1 Tbps = 1,000,000,000,000 (Trillion) bits per second or 1000 Gbps.

Standard unit of measurement for digital file size or capacity. 1 MB = 1 million bytes or 8 million bits, i.e. 1 byte = 8 bits.

Standard unit of measurement for digital file size or capacity. 1 GB = 1 billion bytes or 8 billion bits, i.e. 1 byte = 8 bits.

Standard unit of measurement for digital file size or capacity. 1 TB = 1 trillion bytes or 8 trillion bits, i.e. 1 byte = 8 bits.

In a mobile network (cellular) the transmitter and receiver transmit and receive data between the network and user device using different wireless frequencies.

In a wireless network architecture, typically the physical connection or link between the component that does the Baseband Units processing and the component that transmits and receives the RF signal is called the Fronthaul.

In a mobile network (cellular) it’s the standard that defines the communication protocol between Radio Equipment Controllers or Baseband Units and the RF Equipment.

The mobile network (cellular) architecture that decouples the Baseband Processing Components and the RF Equipment. Instead of these two components bundled in a single physical package, they can be deployed miles apart and connected via optical or coax cables. Offers deployment flexibility and better network scaling.

In Canada, Mexico and the United States, PCS are wireless (cellular) services provided in the 1900 MHz band (Frequency Bands 2, 25, 37)). This frequency band was designated by the United States FCC and Industry Canada to be used for new wireless services to alleviate capacity caps inherent in the original AMPS and D-AMPS cellular networks in the 850 MHz band. These frequency bands are particular to North America and other frequency bands may be designated in other regions.

A wireless spectrum band (Frequency Bands 4, 6, 66) used for mobile voice and data services, video, and messaging. AWS is used in the United States, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

In a CBRS environment, the General Authorized Access tier is licensed-by-rule to permit open, flexible access to the CBRS band 48 for the widest possible group of potential users. General Authorized Access users are permitted to use any portion of the 3550-3700 MHz band not assigned to a higher tier user (PAL or incumbent) and may also operate opportunistically on unused Priority Access channels.

In a CBRS environment, PALs are licenses within the 3550-3650 MHz portion of the CBRS band 48. Each PAL is defined as a non-renewable authorization to use a 10 MHz channel in a single census tract for three-years. Up to seven total PALs may be assigned in any given census tract with up to four PALs going to any single applicant.

A mobile (cellular) base station used in 3G-UMTS compliant Mobile Networks. Provides the wireless connectivity between the network and user device, e.g. smartphone. A Node B requires a centralized control element or RNC (Radio Network Controller).

A mobile (cellular) base station used in 4G-LTE compliant Mobile Networks. Provides the wireless connectivity between the network and user device, e.g. smartphone. Unlike the Node B, the eNB has its own integrated control element vs. relying on a separate centralized RNC.

A mobile (cellular) base station used in 5G compliant Mobile Networks. Provides the wireless connectivity between the network and the user device, e.g. smartphone or IoT element.

Wireless (Cellular) Spectrum Frequencies below 1 GHz. Frequencies in this range typically propagate farther and penetrate materials better than Mid-Band spectrum.

Wireless (Cellular) Spectrum Frequencies in the 1-6 GHz range. Frequencies in this range typically provide faster connectivity speeds than Low-Band spectrum but are more limited in the distances they can travel.

A 4G network enhancement that will utilize several standard technical methods such as Carrier Aggregation, 4×4 MIMO, and 64 QAM as ways to increase connectivity bandwidth and performance between the user device (e.g. smartphone) and a mobile (cellular) network’s RF source. Some carriers have rebranded LTE-A based networks as a stepping-stone to 5G or 5GE (evolution).

Low-powered cellular radio access nodes that operate in licensed and unlicensed spectrum that have a range of 10 meters to a few kilometers. They are “small” compared to a mobile macrocell partly because they have a shorter range and partly because they typically handle fewer concurrent calls or sessions. They make best use of available spectrum by re-using the same frequencies many times within a geographical area.

WiMax is a family of wireless broadband communication standards led by the WiMax Forum and based on the IEEE 802.16 set of standards. In the US it operates at the 2.5 GHz frequency range and can be used in a variety of applications – Fixed Wireless for last mile access to home or business, Backhaul to a fiber hub. Sometimes casually referenced as Wi-Fi on steroids. Sprint was a major proponent of WiMax, but it has since fallen out of favor for other wireless alternatives.

Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) is a new way for transporting voice calls starting with 4G-LTE based mobile (cellular) networks. This approach for the support of voice calls results in the voice service being delivered as pure IP data flows within the LTE all IP data service. In short, unlike earlier generations of mobile networks, there is no more dependency on the legacy circuit-switched voice network to be maintained. VoLTE also offers up support for higher-quality voice codecs and has up to three times more voice and data capacity than 3G UMTS and up to six times more than 2G GSM based transport.

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