We are aware that some of the terminology we use can be difficult to understand. In this section, we explain some of the acronyms and phrases that are frequently used within the mobile telecommunications industry.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
3G
3G is short for the new third generation of mobile communications. 3G phones feature new services such as high speed Internet access, video/audio streaming and downloads and video calling. Only certain phones are currently available with 3G services, please check the individual phone specifications for details and check www.webmap.o2.co.uk for 3G coverage in the UK.
Airwave
A secure TETRA communications system for the emergency services and other Public Safety Users.
Analogue
The first generation of mobile telecommunications technology in which radio signals are modulated proportionally by the strength and frequency of audio sounds.
ARPU
Average Revenue Per User.
Attachable camera
Some camera phones have a camera that is a separate piece of equipment that can be clipped onto your phone. Once it is attached to your phone you can take photos.
Band
O2 operates its network on the standard GSM900 and GSM1800 frequencies. These frequencies are also called Bands. These standards are used all over the world in the many countries. In USA and Canada, the frequency used is GSM1900, so it's important to check that your phone is compatible before you go there. Dual-band phones are good for use in countries that have both GSM900 and GSM1800 mobile networks. Tri-band phones are good for use in countries that have GSM900, GSM1800, and GSM1900 mobile networks. So if you want to use your phone in Canada or the USA make sure it is a Tri-band phone.
BlackBerry™
BlackBerry™ from O2 is a pocket-sized wireless solution giving customers easy access to email, company Intranet and the Internet.With BlackBerry™users can manage business and personal communications - without being tied to their desks. Existing business email addresses can be used to send and receive corporate emails. There is no dial-up required as new email is pushed over the O2 GPRS network. BlackBerry™ from O2 means you're 'always on, always connected'. O2 also offers a range of BlackBerry™ applications which can be tailored to a customer's business needs.
Bluetooth
Enables you to wirelessly connect to mobile phones, computers and other devices. This allows you to send and share information, from a distance of about a metre away.
Built-in camera
A number of phones now have a camera as an integral part of the phone. This built-in capability allows you to take photos without having to carry an attachable camera in addition to your phone.
Colour screen
The number of colours your phone has in it will be reflected in the quality of the image that you can see when using O2 Active or Media Messaging. More colours give you a better experience. Typically phones have either 4,000 or 65,000 colours.
Compatible phone
Any GSM phone that is not locked to another mobile phone network will work with an O2 SIM Card. If your phone is locked or if you are not sure, call your current network service provider and they will be able to unlock it.
CRM
Customer Relationship Management.
Data Card
A Data Card is a device containing a SIM card that can be easily slotted into a laptop (or PDA via a sleeve if required). This allows the customer to connect to the O2 data network, to send and receive emails, or connect to the internet.
Discount country
Discount country allows you to specify a country to receive discounted call rates. Any calls made to your nominated country from your mobile phone will be charged at a lower than usual rate.
eCare & billing
Online tariffs give you great value in return for you using our online service. This means that we give you online access to your account and our self-help tools. If you have a query we'll happily answer it via email, but voice calls to our care teams will be charged. You will not receive a paper bill. The money we save by operating in this way we give back to you via text, wap and data that feature in all our online products.
F
G
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service. A technology, sometimes referred to as 2.5G, that allows customers to remain connected to the network between calls for the receipt and transmission of data. When using GPRS, charges are based on the volume of data you send and receive. You can access around 1000 WAP pages for each megabyte (MB).
GSM
The Global System for Mobile communications. Originally defined as a pan-European standard for digital cellular telephone networks to support roaming, it is now one of the world’s main digital mobile standards. When you use GSM, you're charged for the duration of the call you make to WAP. If your calling plan has inclusive minutes, your WAP call can be part of that call allowance when you're at home. When abroad, you’ll be charged at the International rate for calls back to your country of origin.
HSDPA
High Speed Downlink Packet Access, widely regarded as the next enhancement to 3G, also referred to as superfast 3G.
ISP
Internet Service Provider.
IMEI code
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code used to identify individual GSM mobile phones. The IMEI can be displayed on most phones by dialling the code *#06#. Also, it is usually printed on your phone under the battery. An IMEI code is divided into four sections, with each section separated by a space or back slash, e.g. 490520 30 123456 0 or 490520/30/123456/0. When buying mobile phone insurance, you will need your IMEI code.
i-mode®
i-mode® is the new mobile Internet service, exclusively from O2, that gives users access to a huge range of websites and allows the exchange of email at the touch of a button.
In-car charger
An in-car charger is attached to the phone and then plugged in to the car's cigarette lighter. This enables you to charge your phone while driving.
In-car kit
A full hands free car kit provides radio mute and voice dialling features. An alternative to a full hands free car kit is an easy-to-use mobile holder, which can be used with a mobile charger and a plug-in hands free car kit.
Instant messaging
Instant messaging allows people to communicate in real time by sending messages over a network to each other. Easy one-to-one communication is made possible through ‘buddy lists’ which display the status of your registered friends. The instant messaging system alerts you whenever someone on your private buddy list is online. You can then start a chat session with that particular person.
International Traveller Service
Customers who subscribe to ITS will benefit from reduced International and Roaming call charges. Countries are grouped into one of six zones, and each of these call types is charged at a set rate in that zone:
Java™ games
Java™ is the technology that lets you download and store games on your phone. Downloading games is quick and easy - all you need is have a phone that supports Java™ and then go to the O2 Active menu and select the Games Arcade icon. Once you're in the O2 Games Arcade menu you'll be shown a list of games. Choose the one you want to download and follow the instructions.
K
Kb
GPRS usage can be viewed online and is shown in kilobytes (Kb). 1024Kb = 1Megabyte
L
M
MP3
MP3 is a popular digital audio encoding format, designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent audio, yet still sound like the original uncompressed audio to most listeners. MP3’s are available to download to compatible devices.
Media messaging
Media messaging is also known as picture messaging and multi media messaging (MMS). It is the ability to send and receive messages including photos, text, sounds, and images from media messaging capable mobile phones and the Internet to other media messaging capable mobile phones and e-mail accounts. Messages sent to recipients using mobiles that are not media messaging enabled will result in a text message being sent inviting them to access the message via the O2 website.
Megabyte (MB)
GPRS data usage is measured in megabytes (MB). One megabyte is a million bytes, or a thousand Kilobytes.
Memory
A place on your phone used to store information such as phone numbers, text messages and pictures (measured in bytes).
Mobile web
Mobile web is a service that allows you to surf the net and stay in touch with emails while you're on the move. As long as you have compatible equipment and the right data-calling plan, you’ll be able to stay in touch wherever you go subject to network coverage. Whether you’re a busy executive who spends a lot of time away from the office and need to check your email or you're on of the many people who love to surf the net for entertainment - Mobile web could be for you.
MVNO
Mobile Virtual Network Operators. Mobile operators that do not own spectrum and usually do not have their own network infrastructure.
N
O
O2 Active
O2 Active is O2’s mobile portal. O2 Active has a full colour icon menu and fast and friendly access to a host of entertainment and information services. It's like having a personal assistant, tour guide, news and entertainment channel and games console all in one!
O2 Treats
O2 Treats is a proposition rewarding our customers for their loyalty to O2. Customers can receive added extras depending on their monthly spend.
Parental control
We have little control over content published on the open Internet. But we do offer a ‘parental control’ setting, which restricts WAP browsing to our own WAP sites.
To activate parental control within the UK, simply dial 61818 from the O2 phone that the restriction is to be applied to, and follow the prompts.
PDA
Personal Digital Assistant.
Personal hands free
A standard personal hands free kit plugs into your phone and is easy and convenient to use. A personal hands free kit usually has a one-touch answer facility, a remote button for answering and terminating calls, a clip to hold headset in place, foam covers allow for a comfortable fit.
PIN
Personal Identification Number can prevent other people making calls on your phone.
Polyphonic
Polyphonic ringtones are better quality than the standard ringtones available because they have several tone series, which allows you to give your phone a ringtone that sounds something close to 'CD quality'. While older phones usually do not support Polyphonic ringtones not all but most recently launched phones will have the capability to support polyphonic ringtones.
Post pay
Often referred to as Pay monthly. Customers can take out either 12 month or 18 month contacts under this option and then choose the best calling plan suited to their needs.
Predictive text input
For typing messages, predictive text input, also known as T9 Text Input, is twice as fast as multi-tapping, and it is the easiest way to type text using the limited keypad on a mobile phone.
• Just one key press per letter with no multi-tapping
• Extensive word database including proper names
• Ability to add words to the T9 Text Input database
• Available in many languages
• Full punctuation and symbol capabilities
By using the letters grouped on each phone key and a 'fast access' database, T9 software requires just one key press per letter to quickly recognise the most commonly used word for a specific key sequence.
For example, you can enter the word 'how' with only three keys: 4-6-9. You'd have to use twice as many keys using multi-tap. T9 knows that the most commonly used word with that key sequence in 'how'. If more than one word has the same sequence, T9 displays the most commonly used word first. If that's not the word you want, you can view the next word matching that key sequence by pressing the NEXT key (usually the down arrow or 0 key, but check your manufacturers user guide for your phone).
Premium-rate text messages
These may contain adult content or access to chat services. Customers wishing to bar these services should call their service provider to active the bars.
Pre-pay
Often referred to as ‘pay as you go’. O2 Pay and Go is simple and flexible. There are no bills, no contracts, just competitive call rates and easy top up options.
Public safety users
Any organisation, as determined by Ofcom, which has broadly fulfilled the or “PSU” following criteria: (a) responds to emergencies; (b) is involved in emergency situations reasonably frequently; (c) is civilian, or is required to respond to civilian emergencies; and (d) requires interaction with those who respond to emergencies.
P.U.K
Personal unblocking key. This is used to unblock a phone when the incorrect security PIN has been entered incorrectly 3 times.
Q
R
Roaming
We use the term roaming to mean using your mobile abroad on another network. This applies to making or receiving calls, and using text or data.
S
SAC
Subscriber Acquisition Cost.
SIM only
Your SIM Card is the brain of any mobile device. It stores all sorts of information for you and for us. Quite simply, if you don't have one you can't make or receive any calls at all. When your SIM Card is in place and your phone is switched on it helps us identify what types of calls you can make from your mobile. If you already have a mobile phone and you want an O2 Online tariff, you can buy just a SIM Card from O2 and put it into your existing phone.
Smartphone
A combination of mobile phone and personal digital assistant.
SMS
A service sometimes known as text messaging, which enables mobile telephone users to send and receive written messages on their handsets.
Surf bundles
Extra Mobile Web browsing option to your Pay Monthly Online tariff. Surf Bundles can be used for GPRS Mobile Web only. To take advantage of this service after you have received your O2 Online tariff you must contact our Customer Care. If you are about to buy a Pay Monthly tariff from O2 Online these will be offered to you after you select your tariff.
Stand-by Time
The amount of time you can leave your fully charged phone turned on before the phone battery becomes completely flat.
T
Tariff
Also known as a calling plan. It is made up of packages, offers and services including minutes, texts and a browsing allowance.
Talk Time
The length of time you can talk on your phone without recharging the battery. The battery capacity of a phone is usually expressed in terms of so many hours of talk time or so many hours of standby time. When you're talking, the phone draws additional power from the battery.
TETRA
Terrestrial Trunked Radio. Radio technology used in networks that require a high level of security and availability.
UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. An international standard of third generation, or 3G, mobile telecommunications.
Video
With a compatible handset you can now send a video, a sound clip and a text wherever you want – in-country or abroad. Video Messaging is simple & fun to use just like Text Messaging and Media Messaging. Just create your video using the camera on your mobile and include it into a message. Alternatively, choose to download entertainment, sport, and news and weather video clips from O2 Active
Video calling
The ability of some 3G phones to make calls whilst showing a live video stream of the person you are speaking to so that you can see as well as hear them.
Voicemail 901
Voicemail 901 is a simple to use answering service available to all O2 customers.
WAP
“WAP” Wireless Application Protocol. A global, open standard for accessing online services through mobile devices. WAP gives you text-based information from the web in a format that is easy for a mobile screen to display and quick to download. O2 WAP service is available on both GSM and GPRS. The only difference is how you pay for using the service.
WLAN
Wireless Local Area Network allows you to wirelessly connect to your email and Internet at speeds of up to 11,000MB (currently the fastest way to get access to information whilst you’re on the move -faster than 3G).
X
Y
Z
