Technology / Cell Phones Glossary

IS-136: The latest generation of the digital standard TDMA technology.

IS-41: The network standard that allows all switches to exchange information about subscribers.

IS-54: The first generation of the digital standard TDMA technology.

IS-661: North American standard for 1.9 GHz wireless spread spectrum radio-frequency access technology based on a composite of CDMA and TDMA technologies To reduce infrastructure costs and allow hig . . . View Full Definition

IS-95: The standard for CDMA.

Japanese Total Access Communication (JTAC): Like the European TACS, JTAC is the Japanese analog cellular system.

Land Line: Traditional wired phone service. Voice, video and data transmission technology that relies on wires. Also called wireline.

Lithium-Ion Battery (Li-Ion): Lighter weight battery than earlier types, having relatively longer cycle life and generally do not suffer from memory effect.

Local Calling Area: The geographical area that a customer may call without incurring toll charges.

Local Mulitpoint Distribution Service (LMDS): Located in the 28 GHz and 31 GHz bands, LMDS is a broadband radio service designed to provide two-way transmission of voice, high-speed data and video (wireless cable TV).

Local Number Portability (LNP): The ability of subscribers to switch local or wireless carriers and still retain the same phone number, as they can now with long-distance carriers. Wireless carriers do not have to offer LN . . . View Full Definition

Local Service Footprint: The geographical area that a customer may call without incurring toll charges, also known as local service area, or local calling area.

Local-State Governmental Advisory Committee (LSGAC): An FCC-established group that is working on an antenna-siting solution. The LSGAC will advise carriers and communities on antenna siting.

Low Earth Orbit: A term used to describe the orbital altitude range (500 to 2000 km above the surface of the Earth) of certain communications satellites.

Major Trading Area (MTA): Usually composed of several contiguous basic trading areas. A service area designed by Rand McNally and adopted by the FCC. There are 51 MTAs in the United States.

Memory Effect: The life of a battery may be gradually shortened if it is recharged before it is completely discharged. Memory effect most commonly occurs with Nickel Cadmium batteries are less of a problem . . . View Full Definition

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): One of 306 geographic regions, primarily urban areas, in the United States that are used as license areas in the cellular frequency band. Originally, two wireless operators were licensed in each MSA.

Microcell: A cell having a very small coverage area, which could be as small as one floor of an office building, one part of an airline terminal, or one corner of a busy intersection. These cells are t . . . View Full Definition

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