Glossary

Airtime

The amount of time (billed in 60-second increments) you spend on your phone, whether you are making or receiving voicecalls or SMS. All roaming service providers track each customer’s airtime and use the numbers to determine billing charges.

NOTE: Unlike ordinary network service providers, Roam Mobility never charges customers for incoming SMS (text messages) and does not charge its customers for incoming voice calls in 65 countries.

Battery

The power source for a cellular phone; Rechargeable batteries such as lithium ion are used in cellular phones. All Roam Mobility phones are powered by lithium ion batteries.

Call Forwarding

Enables you to forward calls from your Roam Mobility number to any number in the world. For instance, you can forward calls from your Roam Mobility number to your regular home or office number once you return from your trip. You can also use call forwarding to forward your Roam Mobility number if you are in a area with no GSM cellular coverage.

NOTE: Charges apply for this service with pcrices starting $0.02/minute, please visit our rate calculator for detailed costs.

Call Waiting

If your line is busy, callers are asked to wait while you are alerted to their incoming call. This is extremely useful in managing simultaneous calls without having to miss important calls.

Caller ID

Displays the phone number, and sometimes the name of the person or business, for the incoming. You can see this information on your phone’s display, then choose to answer the call or not to take the call.

NOTE: Not all numbers can be displayed. Numbers that have been blocked, or calls that have been made using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless transmission technology will not display.

Cell

The geographic area encompassing the signal range from one base station (a site containing a radio transmitter/receiver and network communication equipment); Wireless transmission networks are comprised of many hexagonal, overlapping cell sites to efficiently use radio spectrum for wireless transmissions. Also, the basis for the term “cellular phone.”

Cellular

In wireless communications, cellular refers most basically to the structure of the wireless transmission networks which are comprised of cells or transmission sites. Cellular is also the name of the wireless telephone system originally developed by Bell Laboratories that used low-powered analogue radio equipment to transmit within cells. The term “cellular phone” is used interchangeably to refer to wireless phones. Within the wireless industry, cellular is also used to refer to non-PCS products and services.

Dual Band

Dual band technology enables a network operator with spectrum at both 900 MHz and 1800 MHz to support the seamless use of dual band handsets across both frequencies. By supporting seamless handovers between 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, dual band networks can provide major benefits in terms of capacity enhancement.

Dual Mode

Dual mode mobile phones work on more than one network (for example, digital and analog) – this is extremely useful if you want the advantages of a digital phone, but regularly visit areas where analog is the only service available.

Frequency

The rate at which an electrical current alternates, usually measured in Hertz (Hz). Also the way to note a general location on the radio frequency spectrum such as 800 MHz, 900 MHz or 1900 MHz.

GSM

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) is the European standard for digital cellular phone service, and the most popular standard for digital mobile phones in the world. GSM phones are used by three billion people in 212 countries and territories, which adds up to more than 80 per cent of the global market. This means that the phone works in many parts of the world, allowing you to hop from one network to another seamlessly. Roam Mobility phone packages include a GSM phone, giving you access to the most affordable network available in your area, no matter where your travels take you.

GSM phones support both voice calls and SMS (text messaging). As a GSM phone user, you will also be able to call a single worldwide emergency telephone number (112), allowing you to connect to emergency services without knowing the local emergency number.

Click here to view detailed information about network operators worldwide that offer services from the GSM family of Wireless Communications.

GSM 850

GSM 850 is a digital network used in the United States, Canada, and many other countries in the Americas. GSM-850 is also sometimes called GSM-800, so called because the frequency range was known as the “800MHz Band”, when it was first used in the U.S. in 1983.

GSM 900

GSM 900 is the world’s most widely used digital network. It is now used in over 100 countries around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

GSM 1800

Also known as DCS 1800 or PCN, GSM 1800 is a digital network working on a frequency of 1800 MHz. It is used in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia.

GSM 1900

Also known as PCS 1900, GSM 1900 is a digital network working on a frequency of 1900 MHz. It is used in the US and Canada and parts of Latin America and Africa.

Incoming Call

A call placed by another party to your wireless phone. In almost all plans offered by regular network providers, the owner of the wireless phone pays for all calls, both incoming (calls from others) and outgoing (placed by you). However, with a Roam Mobility phone, you don’t pay anything for incoming calls in 65 countries. For a list of countries where incoming calls are free of charge, click here.

Li-Ion

Refers to a type of battery, a Li-Ion or Lithium-Ion battery, used to power wireless communication devices. Li-Ion batteries are lighter weight than earlier battery types, have a relatively long cycle life and don’t suffer as much from “memory effect,” a term that describes a battery’s tendency not to hold as much of a charge over time.

Local Service Area

The geographic area that telephones may call without incurring roaming or long distance charges. Once you use your phone outside of the local service area, you are liable for any regional or international roaming fees your network service provider charges according to your phone plan.

Locked Phone

A phone that is locked into use with a single network service provider. The majority of mobile phones are pre-loaded with a SIM card that “locks” the phone into providing service only through a specific mobile network provider and/or within a specific geographic region. This means that the phone owner can only use the phone with that specific network provider. This is a disadvantage to the owner because they will not necessarily be receiving the widest coverage at the most competitive price if they are “locked in.” In comparison, an unlocked phone can be fitted with a custom SIM card that offers a wider range of services and coverage.

All Roam Mobility phone packages include top-tier unlocked phones and SIM cards. Find our current mobile phone package selection here.

Locked phones can sometimes be unlocked by entering a special PIN code or numeric password. In some situations, the network provider that supplied the phone will make this code available upon request by the customer; however, not all providers will do this.

Messaging

Transferring messages from one person to another or one device to another. Messaging involves using various products, services and technologies to facilitate the message transfer. Examples include traditional numeric or alphanumeric paging, e-mail, or SMS (Short Message Service) delivered to wireless devices.

Network

The infrastructure enabling the transmission of wireless signals. Different network service providers have built or make use of these infrastructure to allow their customers to transmit voice, SMS or and data across a network covering a specific geographic area.

A Personal Identification Number. Most mobile telephones offer the feature of personal identification number (PIN) protection. After switching on the phone, if the PIN security function is active, the user is requested to enter a 4-8 digit PIN enabling the phone’s non-emergency calling functions.

Each mobile phone network sets the PIN number on their SIM cards to a standard default SIM number. This locks the SIM card for use with a specific network provider. It also provides a degree of protection, as your SIM card will only work on your mobile phone. If you enable PIN protection on your handset, you will need to enter the PIN code each time you switch your mobile on.

Entering the PIN code incorrectly three times will result in your SIM card being blocked. To unblock it, you will need to use the PUK code that is printed on your original Roam Mobility SIM card package in the upper right corner. With a Roam Mobility phone, your Your PIN is the 5-digit number and your PUK is the 8-digit number printed on the top-right corner on your SIM card package.

PUK

A PUK (Pin Unlock Key) is used to unlock a blocked SIM card. With a Roam Mobility phone, your PUK is the 8-digit number printed on the top-right corner on the back of your SIM card.

Roaming

Using a wireless phone outside of your service provider’s local coverage area. Ordinary network service providers, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, Fido etc.) typically charge a higher per-minute fee for calls placed outside their home calling or coverage area. These services include voice calls and SMS. Although regular mobile phone service providers may allow you to roam when you are out of your home state or country, they do not offer competitive rates for this service.

These providers are also not required to make you aware of the rate you are being charged for roaming. Switching to a specialty roaming service provider like Roam Mobility results in greater coverage, better rates, free incoming SMS and even free incoming calls in some countries.

SIM card

A SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card is a memory chip that is placed into a phone, allowing it to connect to a mobile network. SIM cards are used to store the phone user’s phone number and to provide access to a specific mobile network. SIM cards also allow users to store phone numbers and save text messages.

The SIM card included with all Roam Mobility phone bundles gives you access to the Roam Mobility network, which offers free incoming calls in 65 countries around the world, plus roaming rates that are the lowest available in that area.

SMS

SMS (Short Message Service) is a feature available with some wireless phones that allow users to send and/or receive short alphanumeric messages.

Unlocked Phone

A phone that can use multiple mobile phone networks. The majority of mobile phones are pre-loaded with a SIM card that “locks” the phone into providing service only through a specific mobile network provider and/or within a specific geographic region. An unlocked phone can be fitted with a custom SIM card that offers a wider range of services and coverage. All Roam Mobility phone packages include top-tier unlocked phones and SIM cards. Find a list of current mobile phone packages available here.

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