Terminology

Great article from Consumer Reports!

Check the bands

You may encounter phones described as quad- or tri-band, dual-band, or multi-network. Those terms describe the ways a phone can connect to one or more wireless networks, which affects the coverage your phone provides. Here are the specifics:

• Tri-band, quad-band, or "world phones" operate on Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) networks in the U.S. and abroad. Tri-band phones with 850/1800/1900 MHz capability can operate on two bands domestically and one internationally. Tri-band phones with 900/1800/1900 MHz capability operate on one band in the U.S. (1900 MHz) and two bands internationally. Quad-band phones can operate on all four bands for maximum potential coverage.
• Dual-band phones can connect to a digital network in two different frequency bands. For example, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) dual-band phones will work in the 800/850 MHz band and the 1900 MHz band in the U.S., and usually won¿t work abroad. GSM providers often use the term 850/1900 MHz bands only for the U.S. and 900/1800 MHz only for abroad. A 900/1900 MHz phone will work on one network in the U.S. and one abroad.
• Multi-network phones are compatible with more than one digital network, often in two frequency bands. They are best for people who travel frequently overseas and who are customers of Sprint Nextel or Verizon. Those two carriers offer multi-network phones that operate on GSM networks internationally, and domestically on their CDMA networks (for the Sprint Nextel and Verizon phones) or iDEN (integrated digital enhanced network) networks for the Nextel phones that have walkie-talkie capability.

First of all what is a PRL?  How confusing, right?  Primarily this impacts CDMA customers such as Telus, Bell, Alltell, Cellcom, etc... Here is a list of Carriers in the USA and Carriers in Canada.   Wikipedia's explanation is here but basically it allows the phone to choose the best roaming carriers, particularly "roaming partners" with whom the home carrier has a cost-saving roaming agreement, rather than using non-affiliated carriers. PRL files can also be used to identify home networks along with roaming partners, thus making the PRL an actual list that determines the total coverage of the subscriber, both home and roaming coverage.

Here is a selection of BuzzWords and what they actually mean: 3G Phones with 3G technology (third generation) give faster access to the web and online services such as video calls and wireless data. Bluetooth™ Wireless technology that connects mobile devices such as phones, PDAs, and laptops. With this you can transfer data between them, or use Bluetooth™ accessories such as hands-free headsets, nio security tether or computer keyboards and mice. Push technology This is a method of sending data to a phone, such as emails or alerts. The data is sent through a server, meaning emails are received instantly in your inbox. Mobile Email This way of retrieving emails on your phone can vary depending on the handsets and services used. BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) allows you to access the internet and email accounts on your BlackBerry without connecting through a company server as it goes through the BlackBerry server. Emails are retrieved in your inbox instantly thanks to Push technology. Outlook Mobile allows you to sync most Windows Mobile phones to a Windows computer so your calendar, contacts and tasks are up-to-date. Vodafone Email Plus (VEP) and GoogleMail™ allows you to access your emails in real time too, provided your phone supports Push technology. GPRS A connection to mobile internet services, giving you the ability to download applications and surf the web. GPS Global positioning systems let you find your location on applications like Google Maps, or use other location services helping you find businesses, services, restaurants and more. Also, if you have a phone compatible with GPS navigation software, you can use it as a sat-nav too. GSM Bands Dualband Phones with this feature can be used in most countries in the world, including countries in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Triband phones can be used in most countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, as well as in North America. Quadband These phones can be used in most countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, and in parts of South America. HSDPA Stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access. HSDPA allows 3G networks to give you more bandwidth, making it faster to get content, whether that's streaming or downloading video and sound clips. Megapixel (MP) This is a measure of camera resolution. One pixel is essentially a 'dot', and one megapixel equals one million 'dots'. The more there are, the higher the resolution of pictures. However, a high-resolution camera does not always mean better pictures; lens quality, lighting and focus affect image quality just as much as the number of megapixels. Tethering/phone as a modem Many 3G phones or ones with GPRS can be used as a modem with your laptop. However, it is important to remember that doing this can make you accrue additional charges, depending on your mobile tariff. WiFi Is a local area network (LAN) and similar to a network in an office, except it is wireless. If your mobile phone, laptop, PDA or other multimedia device is WiFi enabled, you can connect to the network for internet browsing and downloading. If you have an iPhone, BlackBerry or other smartphone, using WiFi is a great alternative to using the phone's own data connection. The connection speed is much faster, and you'll not use any of your tariff's allowance. Are there any other terms you've heard about that you're not quite sure what they mean? Leave us a comment on our website and we'll answer your question in a jiffy! Here is a selection of BuzzWords and what they actually mean: 3G Phones with 3G technology (third generation) give faster access to the web and online services such as video calls and wireless data. Bluetooth™ Wireless technology that connects mobile devices such as phones, PDAs, and laptops. With this you can transfer data between them, or use Bluetooth™ accessories such as hands-free headsets, nio security tether or computer keyboards and mice. Push technology This is a method of sending data to a phone, such as emails or alerts. The data is sent through a server, meaning emails are received instantly in your inbox. Mobile Email This way of retrieving emails on your phone can vary depending on the handsets and services used. BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) allows you to access the internet and email accounts on your BlackBerry without connecting through a company server as it goes through the BlackBerry server. Emails are retrieved in your inbox instantly thanks to Push technology. Outlook Mobile allows you to sync most Windows Mobile phones to a Windows computer so your calendar, contacts and tasks are up-to-date. Vodafone Email Plus (VEP) and GoogleMail™ allows you to access your emails in real time too, provided your phone supports Push technology. GPRS A connection to mobile internet services, giving you the ability to download applications and surf the web. GPS Global positioning systems let you find your location on applications like Google Maps, or use other location services helping you find businesses, services, restaurants and more. Also, if you have a phone compatible with GPS navigation software, you can use it as a sat-nav too. GSM Bands Dualband Phones with this feature can be used in most countries in the world, including countries in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Triband phones can be used in most countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, as well as in North America. Quadband These phones can be used in most countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, and in parts of South America. HSDPA Stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access. HSDPA allows 3G networks to give you more bandwidth, making it faster to get content, whether that's streaming or downloading video and sound clips. Megapixel (MP) This is a measure of camera resolution. One pixel is essentially a 'dot', and one megapixel equals one million 'dots'. The more there are, the higher the resolution of pictures. However, a high-resolution camera does not always mean better pictures; lens quality, lighting and focus affect image quality just as much as the number of megapixels. Tethering/phone as a modem Many 3G phones or ones with GPRS can be used as a modem with your laptop. However, it is important to remember that doing this can make you accrue additional charges, depending on your mobile tariff. WiFi Is a local area network (LAN) and similar to a network in an office, except it is wireless. If your mobile phone, laptop, PDA or other multimedia device is WiFi enabled, you can connect to the network for internet browsing and downloading. If you have an iPhone, BlackBerry or other smartphone, using WiFi is a great alternative to using the phone's own data connection. The connection speed is much faster, and you'll not use any of your tariff's allowance. Are there any other terms you've heard about that you're not quite sure what they mean? Leave us a comment on our website and we'll answer your question in a jiffy!