ACELP - Algebric Code Excitation Linear Predictive

ADPCM - Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation

AGCH - Access Grant Channel

AMPS - American Mobile Phone System

BCC - Base Colour Code

BCCH - Broadcast Control Channel
There are two main functions that the BCCH is used for, frequency control and Frame syncronisation. They exist only in the downlink.

BER - Bit Error Rate

BS - Base Station

BSC - Base Station Controller

BSIC - Base Station Identity Code

BSS - Base Station System

BTS - Base Tranceiver System

CC - Country Code,

CCCH - Common Control CHannel
This is used by the network in the downlink direction to infom a MS of an incoming call (PCH).

CCITT - Consultative Committee for Telegraphy and Telephony

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access
A wide-band spread-spectrum network technology.

CDR - Call Detail Record

CI - Cell Identity

CLI - Calling Line Identity
A system used to present information to the person being called about the person calling (usually presents the incoming telephone number or an indication that the number has been witheld or is unavailable)

CLIP - Calling Line Identification Presentation

CLIR - Calling Line Identification Restriction

COLP - Connected Line identification Presentation

COLR - Connected Line identification Restriction

CRC - Cyclic Redundancy Check

DCS - Digital Communication System
Formerly used to describe GSM at 1900Mhz (in the US). Now usually known as GSM1900.

DLCI - Data Link Connnection Identifier

DTMF - Dual Tone Multi Frequency

DTX - Discontinuous Transmission

EFR - Enchanced Full Rate

EIR - Equipment Identification Register

ETACS - Extended Total Access Communication System

ETSI - European Telecomunications Standards Institute

FAC - Final Assembly Code (see IMEI)

FACCH - Fast Associated Control Channel

FCB - Frequency Correction Burst

FCCH - Frequency Correction Channel

FDMA - Frequency Division Multiple Access

FEC - Forward Error Correction

FER - Frame Erasure Rate

FH - Frequency Hopping

GCI - Global Cell Identity

GMSC - Gateway Mobile Switching Centre

GMSK - Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying

GSM - Group Speciale Mobile / Global System for Mobile communications

HRC - Half Rate Codec

HDLC - High level Data Link Control

HLR - Home Location Register

HO - HandoverI

IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity
A unique identifier assigned to all GSM devices. The IMEI is like a serial number and is used by the network to identify the handset (in conjunction with the SIM ID)

IMSI - International Mobile Station Identity

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
A data network usually provided by public carriers (BT, AT&T etc) providing digital communication at 56k (US & Japan) or 64k (rest of world)

ISO - International Standards Organisation

L2ML - Layer 2 Management Link

LAC - Location Area Code

LAI - Location Area Identifier

LAPB - Link Access Protocol Balanced

LAPD - Link Access Protocol D Channel

LPC - Linear Predictive Coding

LPC-RPE - Linear Predictive Coding with Regular Pulse Excitation

MCC - Mobile Country Code

MHS - Message Handling Service

MNC - Mobile Network Code

MO - Mobile Originated
Used to describe the device that originates the sending of a message (in SMS terms). If a handset does not support MO, then it can not send messages.

MPE - Multiple Pulse Excitation

MS - Mobile Station

MSC - Mobile Switching Centre

MSIN - Mobile Station Identity Number

MSISDN - Mobile Station ISDN/PSTN Number

MSRN - Mobile Station Roaming Number

MT - Mobile Terminated
Used to describe a device that can receive an SMS message. All phones that are capabable of receiving SMS are deemed MT capable.

MTP - Message Transfer Part

NBS - Narrow Band Sockets
Nokia and Intel's protocol for providing additional network services over the GSM Short Message Service. NBS provides TCP/IP-like connectivity to handsets.

NCC - Network Colour Code

NDC - National Designation Code

NT - Network Termination

OTA - Over The Air

PCH - Paging CHannel
Used by the network to inform the MS of an incoming call (downlink).

PCM - Pulse Code Modulation

PCN - Personal Communications Network/Public Communications Network
A term historically used to mean GSM at 1800Mhz. Now known as GSM1800

PDU - Protocol Data Unit
Encoding method for data being transferred to/from a handset over the network.

PIN - Personal Identification Number
A number used as a "password" to prevent access to a device.

PLMN - Public Land Mobile Network

RACH - Random Access CHannel
The mobile uses this CCCH to request a SDCCH.

RLP - Radio Line Protocol
Non-transparent data uses a special ensure robust GSM-specific error correction technique called RLP for transmission. Both MTN and Vodacom GSM networks support both techniques.

RXLEV - Receive LEVel

RXQUAL - Receive Quality

SACCH - Slow Associated Control CHannel

SCH - Synchronisation CHannel

SDCCH - Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel

SDN - Service Dialing Numbers

SIM - Subscriber Identity Module

SMS - Short Message Service

SN - Serial Number

SNR - Signal to Noise Ratio

TAC - Type Approval Code

TACS - Total Access Communication System

TCH - Traffic CHannel
A Traffic channel is used by the network to transmit coded voice packets.

TDT - Transparent Data Transmission
A method of transmission in which the transmission medium will not recognize control characters or initiate any control function. Transparent-based phones do not utilise any error correction. Thus the data sent and received MIGHT be corrupted unless a greater than two-bar cellphone signal is used (South African conditions). Non-transparent data uses a special ensure robust GSM-specific error correction technique called RLP for transmission.

TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access

TMSI - Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity

TS - Time Slot

VLR - Visitor Location Register

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol

WML - Wireless Markup Language