Access fee - A FCC approved monthly fee charged to the customer by the local telephone companies for access to the local  telephone network. Wireless customers pay an additional 3 percent federal, telephone excise tax.
Activation Fee - The initial charge to configure a wireless phone so that it is capable of operating within a specific carrier's network.
Airtime - The actual time that a wireless phone is in use for conversation. This includes incoming and outgoing calls.
Alphabetic directory - A directory of names and corresponding phone numbers that are stored in alphabetic order in a phone's memory.
Alphabetic scroll - A feature that allows one to scroll through the directory in alphabetic order.
Alphanumeric Display - A display, message, or readout, typically LCD) that contains both numerical and text information.
Alphanumeric memory - A feature that permits one to store alphabetical characters and numbers. Frequently phone numbers and names.
Alphanumeric messaging - A feature that permits one to send and receive alphabetic and/ or numerical messages.
AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service) - The standard operating standard for analog cellular phone services.
Analog - A method of modulating radio signals so that they can transmit voice or data information.
Antenna - A physical device that enhances or facilitates the transmission and reception of radio signals.
Area Code - A three-digit number assigned to an area to distinguish it from other areas.
Authentication - A feature that decreases fraud by creating a unique set of variables to identify the phone's identity.
Automatic Call Delivery - A feature that still permits a cellular/ wireless phones to receive incoming calls when roaming.
Bluetooth
A wireless personal area network (PAN) specification that connects phones over short distances without wires by using low power radio frequencies. Bluetooth allows you to leave your phone in your pocket, while talking on your phone with a Bluetooth headset - with no wires. 
Broadband - A communications medium that uses a wide-bandwidth channel for transmitting large amounts of voice, data, or video information.
Call Forwarding - A calling feature that enables one to forward an incoming call to another telephone number.
Call Setup - The process that occurs to establish a call connection between the wireless phone and the wireless system.
Call Waiting - A calling feature that allows one to answer a second call while putting the first call on hold.
Caller ID - A calling feature that displays the telephone number of the incoming call.
Carrier - A Company that provides wireless telecommunications services.
Cell - The geographic area in which an individual cell station handles a particular call.
Cellular - The most familiar type of wireless communication. Originally called "cellular" because each service area was divided into cells.
Cross-talk - The leaking of a signal from one channel to another. Frequently causing noise.
Digital - An encoding method using the binary code of 1's and 0's.
Dual Band - A feature that allows one to operate on either cellular or PCS frequencies.
Dual mode - A feature that allows one to utilize either analog or digital mode.
Email - A system of worldwide electronic communication.
Encryption - A method of encoding plain text for security purposes.
ESN (Electronic Serial Number) - The 32 bit binary number assigned by the manufacturer that uniquely identifies a cell phone.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) - A US governing agency that regulates the communications industry.
Flash Memory - A memory component that allows a phone to retain information without power.
Follow-Me Roaming - A system that allows one to roam in other cities and be found automatically. Your calls will automatically be forwarded to you.
Not available in all cities. Sometimes needs to be activated with a code.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service. A packet-switched technology that enables high-speed wireless Internet and other data communications. GPRS offers a tenfold increase in data speed over previous technologies, up to 115kbit/s (in theory). Typical real-world speeds are around 30-40 Kbps. Using a packet switching, subscribers are always connected and always on-line.
GPRS is considered a 2.5G technology.
GSM (Global Standard for Mobile) - A digital communications standard used in over 150 countries. Global System for Mobile communications. The international digital radio standard created by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. GSM is currently the dominant 2G digital mobile phone standard for most of the world.
Handoff - Transferring a call from one site to another without losing the connection.
Handset - A wireless phone, cellular phone, mobile phone, or PCS phone.
Hands-Free - A wireless phone feature that allows one to operate the phone without touching the holding the handset.
Hands-Free Speakerphone - A feature that allows one to speak on a wireless phone without holding the handset to one's head.
Home Coverage Area - The area in which one may make cellular calls without incurring long distance or roaming charges.
iDen (Integrated Dispatch Enhanced Network) - A radio system that allows integrated voice and data services.
Interconnection Fee - A wireless call must sometimes be routed through a landline in which a connection fee is charged.
Landline - Non wireless telephone lines.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) - A digital display that utilizes liquid crystal cells.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) - An indicator light on a handset.
Mah (Milliampere hours) - Standard measurement of the energy storage capacity of a cellular phone battery.
Memory Dialing - A cellular phone feature that allows a number to be dialed with either one or 2 digits. Speed dialing.
Message Alert - A signal that informs one of the reception of an alphanumeric message.
Messaging - Text messaging, email, and other short alphanumeric messages sent and received on wireless devices.
MIN (Mobile Identification Number) - The ten digit number given by the area code and telephone number.
NAMPS (Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone System) - The combining of cellular voice processing and digital signaling.
No Answer Transfer - If a call is not answered within a specified number of rings the call will be forwarded to a number of the subscriber's choice.
No Service Indicator - A signal that notifies one of when service is unavailable or the signal is too weak to receive service.
Numeric - a display that only contains numbers (no alphabetic characters).
Off-Peak Periods - Times designated by carriers as having less communications traffic and which lower rates are offered.
Paging - A wireless device feature that allows one to receive an alphanumeric message.
PCS (Personal Communication Services) - A wireless communications technology that operates at 1900 MHz.
Peak Periods - The times designated by cellular carriers as the busiest parts of the day for cellular phone usage. These times are also associated with the highest rates.
PIN (Personal Identification Number) - Combined with the SIM card to complete a call.
Prepaid Cellular - A system generally used by those with poor credit or a specified budget that allows one to pay for service minutes in advance.
Rate Center - The boundary set by a carrier for billing and assigning phone numbers.
Roaming - Traveling outside of one's local calling area.
Service Plan - A contract that describes the conditions of wireless service including all fees and usage allowances. 
Sleep Mode - A feature designed to extend battery life by turning off a terminal (backlight for example) and that is reactivated by touching any key.
SIM or Smart Card - Subscriber Identity Module.  A SIM card is the heart of the cell phone.  It carries vital information such as the phone number, the carrier that supplies it and accordingly the rates you will pay when placing or in some cases when receiving phone calls.  It also carries the user's identity for accessing the network and receiving calls and also stores personal information, such as phone directory and received SMS messages.
Smart Phone - A phone designed to handle both data and voice calls. Frequently has a keyboard.
SMS (Short Messaging Service) - A PCS phone feature that permits users to receive and transmit short text messages.
Soft Key - A key immediately below the phone's display that performs whatever operation is currently listed on the display.
Spectrum Assignment - More specific than spectrum allocation usually pairing allocation down geographically.
Speed Dialing - The ability to dial a stored number with either one or two keystrokes.
Standby Time - The time that a phone is on but not being utilized for a call. Varies by battery type.
Subscriber - A wireless service user.
Talk Time - The length of time a phone can be actively on without needing to recharge the battery.
Termination Charges - Charges the carrier incurs by having a call completed on another carrier's network.
Toll Chargers - Chargers that the user incurs by calling long distance or outside the toll-free calling area.
Transportable - A standard mobile phone that is attached to a battery pack. Typically, it is either mounted to the vehicle or built into a portable case.
Voice Mail - An automated answering system that plays a greeting and records incoming messages.
Voice Activated Dialing - A feature that allows the user to dial a telephone number by speaking.
Voice Recognition - A feature that allows communication devices to be operated by spoken words.
Vibrating alert - A feature that signals the user of an incoming call by a vibrating mechanism. It is usually the battery that vibrates.
Wireless Internet - A service that provides access to Internet e-mail and/ or the World Wide Web via a wireless network.
Wireless Provider - A Company that provides telecommunication services via a wireless network.
Wireless Messaging - A feature that sends voice or data information via a wireless network