| If you are planning to take a trip overseas and | | | | spreads the transmissions of a particular cell |
| want to know if your present cell phone will work, | | | | phone call across a wide number of frequencies |
| you will need to know the meaning of a variety | | | | by using an assigned code that is given to each |
| of cell phone terms. Most of these definitions deal | | | | user. |
| with cell phone networks and the types of phones | | | | If a signal is described as being digital, it means |
| that can be used with them. | | | | that the sound waves, radio waves, and other |
| One of the first terms that you may run across | | | | data in a transmission are translated into a |
| is AMPS, which stands for Advanced Mobile Phone | | | | computer binary code, a language that the |
| Service. This type of cell phone service is what is | | | | computers that are involved in making the cell |
| known as 1st generation cell phone technology. | | | | phone call can easily understand. This method |
| While this type of system is no longer used in the | | | | requires much less computer power than the |
| United States, a small number of foreign countries | | | | AMPS systems, and the cell phone calls |
| still rely on AMPS for their mobile service | | | | themselves are much sharper and clearer. A type |
| (although major cities worldwide ceased its | | | | of this 2nd generation mobile service is a Global |
| operation in 2000). | | | | System for Mobile communications (GSM), which |
| Simply put, AMPS was the first type of mobile | | | | is a European system that is widely used in many |
| service for cellular phones and was introduced in | | | | countries overseas. |
| 1983 by Bell Labs. It was an analog- based | | | | Lastly, there is 3rd generation (3G) technology |
| system that uses separate frequencies for each | | | | that is known as WCDMA, which stands for |
| individual conversation. Due to this feature, AMPS | | | | Wideband Code Division Multiple Access. This |
| utilizes much more computer power in handling | | | | system uses wideband digital radio |
| the rising number of cell phone calls. | | | | communications that allows the transmission the |
| There was also a higher occurrence of static and | | | | Internet, multimedia features, videos, and a |
| noise when using this operating system, and | | | | variety of other applications that demand more |
| eavesdropping was possible with the use of a | | | | computer capacity. Though these 3rd generation |
| scanner. This eavesdropping can allow an | | | | systems are fast becoming the systems of |
| unauthorized person to clone the Electronic Serial | | | | choice for many cell phone service providers in |
| Number that defines each cellular phone for billing | | | | the Untied States, many foreign countries do not |
| purposes and can place that information on a | | | | provide availability to them as of yet. |
| number of different cell phones while the owner | | | | Knowing the terminology that describes cellular |
| of the original device pays the bills. Again, this | | | | phone operations can help you to determine if |
| system is no longer used in most countries | | | | your cell phone will function in another country. |
| around the world. | | | | You can check with the cell phone providers that |
| Many countries are now using CDMA, or Code | | | | are located in the country that you are planning to |
| Division Multiple Access. This type of system is | | | | visit or find any information that you may need |
| known as 2nd generation (2G) technology and is | | | | via the Internet. |
| based on a digital standard. A CMDA system | | | | |