- Bluetooth
Technology for transmitting data invented by Ericsson and developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Bluetooth uses the frequency of 2.4 Ghz and manages wireless radio wave type connections between various devices within a radius of 10 metres with transfer speeds of up to 1Mbps. This technology is in strong competition with IrDA.
- BPS ( Bauds Par Seconde )
The transfer speed of data over a network. The GSM standard limits the transfer speed to 9600 Bps.
- Camera-phone
Mobile phone with an inbuilt camera. The first �camera phones� appeared on the French market in 2002 including the Nokia 7600. Since then, the sensors have not stopped developing with VGA resolutions (2003), 1 million pixels (Sharp GX30 in 2004), 2 million pixels, then 3 megapixels (Sharp V903SH � end of 2005). Printing at standard photo size (10*15cm) requires a minimum resolution of 1.3 megapixels. Camera phones often come with many features: flash, zoom, autofocus etc.
- Prepaid SIM
These SIMs include call time. Once this credit has been used up, you simply recharge your SIM to continue making calls. A contract is not required.
- SIM card
Subscriber Identity Module.
Smart card which stores data related to the subscriber: in Iso format (credit card) which has the tendency to disappear or micro (which is not much bigger than the chip).
- EDGE
Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Development. This technology, situated between GPRS and UMTS, was adopted by Bouygues Telecom and Orange to equip their network in 2005. Edge offers a theoretical bandwidth of 384kbps to improve browsing multimedia services or for offering new services such as TV streaming.
- Contract
Subscription based on a monthly communications rate available with operators. Premium numbers are billed separately.
- GPRS
General Packet Radio Service. This is the second generation GSM network for transferring �packets� of data at high speed (115kbit/s) depending on the Internet model. With a speed ten times faster than GSM, the network provides an almost instantaneous and permanent connection.
- GPS
Global Positioning System. Technology of American origin which determines a position anywhere on the earth. Europe will launch a competing system in the next few years under the name of Galileo.
- GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications. Standard for digital mobile telephony used by SFR, Orange and Bouygues Telecom (GSM 900 and GSM 1800 or DCS 1800). The GSM standard is used in Europe and lots of other countries around the world except for Japan and the US.
- Handover
The fact that a mobile phone can capture one network and then another, even moving from one network to another whilst on the phone. For example, roaming implies the handover at the border between the LAN and the network of the foreign country.
- HSCSD
High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data. Circuits for transferring data at high speed. It consists of switched transmission during which data is transferred at a constant speed to the recipient.
- HSDPA
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access. Known as 3.5G, this new standard can theoretically reach a speed of 14Mbit/s providing simultaneous access to video and audio services making it the new strategic challenge for mobile telephone operators.
- J2ME
JavaT 2 Micro Edition: this version of Java technology has been optimised for small electronic devices for mass audiences. Thanks to JavaT technology, you can enhance your telephone with interactive and dynamic applications which can be downloaded to, stored and used on your mobile phone.
- MMS
Multimedia Message Service. This is the new, more interactive generation of SMS: above the 160 characters, the MMS sends images and sounds to another device with the same functionality.
- MP3
Motion Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer 3. Compression format used for storing music similar to an audio CD. Mobile phones can therefore be used like real MP3 players.
- MVNO
Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A new category of mobile phone operators appeared in Summer 2004 known as MVNOs or Mobile Virtual Network Operators. MVNO�s do not have a telecommunications structure (antennas, relay stations etc.) but instead use the network of a mobile phone operator.
MVNO Orange : Breizh mobile, Télé2.
MVNO SFR : Debitel, Futur Telecom, Cegetel, Neuf Telecom, Coriolis Télécom, NRJ Mobile.
- Operator
Company responsible for managing a mobile phone network.
- Pack
Operators and some distributors sell and market mobile phones in packages. These complete "ready to go" offers contain a mobile phone, SIM card and provide access to one or more contracts. The price of a telephone bought as part of a package is usually better value than a telephone bought on its own (without a contract.)
- Voice recognition
This feature allows you to call a pre-saved contact by using your voice. For example, if you have saved your home number under the name "home," all you have to do is say "home" and your telephone will automatically dial your home number.
- Smartphone
Describes a mobile phone which combines the features of a PDA and a telephone. A smartphone contains an operating system (OS) such as: Symbian, Windows Mobile or Linux.
- SMS
Short Message Service. Feature for receiving or sending short alphanumerical messages (160 characters) from a mobile phone via another mobile phone, a terminal such as Minitel, a computer or the operator´s service centre.
- UMTS / 3G
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. This is the new European wireless communication standard to complement and replace GSM standards for voice and GPRS for data. The UMTS network will be progressively deployed from 2002 onwards. 3rd Generation mobile phones have a larger bandwidth for video transfer, music for file transfer applications providing rapid access to the Internet and enabling the creation of new services such as positioning, navigation, mobile television, m-commerce, etc...
- Wap
Wireless Application Protocol. Wap is a standard for adapting web site content so that it can be viewed via a mobile phone. The first Wap telephones and services appeared in 2000.
- Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity. Wi-fi describes a wireless service with a theoretical speed of 11Mbps (802.11b) or 50 Mbps (802.11g) per second within 50 to 100 metres.
France
Spain
Poland
Slovakia
Italy
Morocco
Algéria
Tunisia
Argentina
Brazil
Côte d'ivoire
Senegal
Togo
Benin
Mauritius
