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