A

ARM

Small chip commonly used in wireless phones and PDAs that processes data quickly and consumes little energy.

Activation

The process by which a customer's account is created, their phone number assigned, and their phone programmed so that they can place and receive calls or send and receive data.

Advanced digital encryption

An advanced technique to encode messages so that it can only be understood by those who know the encoding method. It’s used for transmitting and storing certain types of information, particularly financial data, to ensure its confidentiality.

Airtime

The amount of time a wireless subscriber spends using the network. Sold in blocks of time (prepaid, or postpaid within monthly plans).

Airtime voucher

Represents prepaid airtime, which can be purchased as vouchers in various denominations, and then deposited in a prepaid account. The amount is then debited for airtime usage on a per-minute basis.

Analog

An older type of wireless transmission that uses a continuous electrical signal called sound waves.

Automatic redial

A feature that automatically redials a number if the line is busy.

B

Bluetooth

A low-power technology designed to replace the wires currently used to connect various electronic devices.

C

Call Display

Allows customers to see a caller's name and number on their phone display, provided the caller is already listed in their phone book.

Call Forwarding

When an incoming call is routed from your wireless phone number to another number

Call Forwarding - Local Calling Area

The area or geographic boundary defined by your wireless phone number that determines if a forwarded call is local or long distance.

Continuous talk time

The length of time a battery can be used without interruption to make calls.

D

Data connectivity

A phone's capacity to be connected to the Internet or another device for the purpose of transmitting data.

Digital

A method of wireless transmission where speech is converted into binary digits (combinations of 0 and 1) that are then transmitted to the receiver and converted into speech in a fraction of a second.

Digital transmission network

A network based on digital technology where information is coded in combinations of 0 and 1 instead of as a continually varying wave. Fido's network is GSM-based.

Digital technology

A technology that encodes information using combinations of 0 and 1 instead of a continuous electrical signal (analog).

Dual band

Refers to a phone that works on the two GSM frequencies in use in North America: 1900 and 850 MHz.

Dual mode

Refers to a phone that is capable of supporting both digital and analog air interfaces.

Dual-mode smart card

Provides access to the features on a dual-mode phone.

E

E-mail Messaging

Enables customers to send and receive e-mail messages, and read up to 155 characters of messages they receive right on their phone. Their e-mail address is their phone number combined with @fido.ca. This service also allows customers to access their e-mail messages and attachments via the Fido Web site.

F

Flash memory

An erasable and re-programmable memory chip that saves data without consuming energy.

Frequency

The rate at which a waveform or signal alternates. This rate is usually measured in hertz, a unit meaning cycles per second. Voice and data transmission is expressed in millions of hertz, called megahertz (MHz). 1900, 1800, 900 and 850 MHz are the main frequency bands. Fido uses the 1900 band.

G

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service, also known as 2.5G. A system for transmitting data on GSM networks that offers extremely fast transmission speeds.

GPRS network

A network that has the capacity to transmit data in packets at rates of up to 170 Kbps.

GSM

Global System for Mobile communications, the most widely used digital technology in the world for PCS and GPRS services.

Group account management

A service available to those who manage group accounts of Fido subscribers. Enables the managers to decide which services the subscribers in the account can access.

H

HSPA

High-Speed Packet Access, a mobile wireless technology that is the latest evolution of GSM—the dominant world-wide standard for mobile wireless communications. HSPA significantly improves the data transfer rate on wireless phones by providing downlink speeds roughly 8 to 10 times faster than Fido’s EDGE network. The maximum peak speeds for HSPA are as high as 3.6 mbps using our current line-up of Fido phones.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language: A format of documents used on the Web.

Handsfree kit

A set of accessories (headset, microphone clip) that enables the user to talk on the phone without holding the phone.

Headset

An accessory consisting of an earpiece and microphone that connects to a phone via a wire and enables the wearer to carry on a phone conversation without holding the phone in their hand.

I

IMEI

International Mobile Equipment Identity. It’s the number that identifies the phone.

Included Services

Fido services included as part of basic service. These services include Call Waiting, Conference Call, Text Messaging and Mobile Internet.

Incoming call

When you receive a call on your wireless device.

Incoming Local Calling Area

The geographic boundary defined by your wireless number that determines if an incoming call is local or long distance. All calls that you receive on your wireless device while you are physically within that area are local. All calls that you receive while physically outside of that area are long distance.

Infrared

Refers to electromagnetic wavelengths that are longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of microwaves. Infrared light can be used to send signals wirelessly between computing devices, but requires a clear line of sight in order to operate properly.

Instant Reply

Allows you to return calls without leaving your voice messaging service, available with certain Voice Messaging options.

International calling service

A Fido long-distance service used for calling countries other than the U.S.

International coverage

The area, at the international level, within which a customer can roam and continue to use Fido Service.

J

Java

A programming language.

L

Li-Ion battery

A type of battery with lithium ions that is generally used in mobile phones.

Local call

A call made to a location inside your Local Calling Area.

Local Calling Area

A geographical area that defines a wireless call as local or long distance.

Local Number Portability

Sometimes referred to as wireless number portability (WNP), it enables you to keep your phone number when you transfer your landline phone service to wireless service and vice versa within the same local service area. The activity of moving a phone number from one carrier to another is called “porting”, and is sometimes referred to as "transferring" or "bringing" your number.

Long-distance call

A call made to a location outside your Local Calling Area. Long-distance charges apply to these calls.

M

MAh NiMH battery

Refers to a nickel metal-hydride battery that is used in mobiles phones and other mobile devices.

MHz

Megahertz: The unit used to measure the transmission speed between electronic devices.

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface: A protocol for the exchange of musical information between a musical instrument and a computer. This technology takes up very little space and makes it easier to store musical information on digital devices.

MMS

Multimedia Messaging Service: A communication technology that allows users to exchange mutimedia messages with images, sound and video. Also know as Picture Messaging.

Mini joystick

A small pointing device that can move an object on screen in any direction to facilitate navigation through the option menus of some phone models.

Mobile Internet

The version of the Internet that can be accessed from a wireless phone.

Mobile Web sites

Web sites that can be accessed from a wireless phone equipped with GPRS technology.

Modem

MOdulator/DEModulator. Refers to equipment that converts digital signals to analog signals and vice versa. Modems are used to send digital data signals over analog networks.

Monthly airtime plans

Blocks of airtime that are marketed at a fixed price and for use over the period of a month.

Multi-band

A word used to describe a phone that works on several frequencies.

N

Name Display

Service that lets you see on your handset display a caller's NAME, even if it isn't entered in your phone book. So you will always know who is calling you.

Network

An integrated end-to-end system consisting of transmitters, receivers and switches responsible for transmitting various forms of communication.

O

On-line Billing

Enables customers to receive and pay their invoice electronically via Fido's Web site.

Optional Services

Fido services that are available in addition to basic services, for a monthly fee: Call Display, Voice Messaging with Instant Reply and Call Display,Long-distance options, Text and E-Mail Messaging.

Outgoing call

When you place a call on your wireless device.

Outgoing Local Calling Area

The geographic boundary defined by your physical location (the area you are in at any given moment) that determines if an outgoing call is local or long distance. If you dial a number that is local to your physical location, then it is a local call. If you dial a number that is long distance to your physical location, then it is a long distance call.

P

PC card

Provides end-users with wireless access, anywhere, any time, to their corporate e-mail and intranet when they’re in Canada or the U.S., thanks to Fido and its U.S. partners' GPRS networks.

PCS

Personal Communications Services. This is a digital mobile wireless service that offers voice communications and added capabilities, such as e-mail, text messaging, voice mail, call waiting, etc.

PIN

Personal Identification Number.

Partial Charges

Pro-rated monthly fees for the add-on or Value Pack you subscribed before the end of your billing period. The partial charges are calculated from the add-on date to the end of your billing period.

Per-second billing

The airtime for each call is calculated and billed to the second. Therefore, a call that lasts one minute and 12 seconds is billed as a 72-second call and not a two-minute call. Note that per-second billing does not apply to calls made while roaming or to long-distance calls, for which there is a 30-second minimum.

Phone book

Provides access to a list of names and to the phone numbers associated with them.

Pixels

Picture ELement: The smallest unit that makes up an image on a screen. The more pixels there are, the higher the resolution of the image.

Polyphonic ringtone

A second-generation ringtone that can accurately reproduce complex music using several notes simultaneously.

Power saving mode

The ability of a GSM phone to go into standby mode when it is not in use, which extends the time the battery stays charged considerably.

Predictive text input

An integrated dictionary used to help write text messages. After only two or three letters are entered, the dictionary will offer the user possible matches from which to choose.

Prepaid airtime

Amount of time a prepaid service customer spends using the network. Bought in blocks of time.

Q

Quad-band

Designates a GSM phone that supports all four major GSM frequency bands, making it compatible with all major GSM networks worldwide. The four bands include the 850 and 1900 MHz bands—used in the Americas—and 900/1800, used in most other parts of the world.

R

RAM

Random Access Memory: The live memory stores the operating system, applications and current data so that the processor can access it quickly.

RS-232

Recommended Standard 232: Standard used for serial transmission between computers and peripheral devices.

Ringtone

The sequence of sounds and tones emitted by a phone when there is an incoming call. These tones range from a simple beep to tunes and polyphonic ringtones.

Ringtone composer

A feature available on certain phones that allows users to create ringtones using the phone's keypad.

Roaming

The ability for a customer to switch freely between compatible digital networks.

S

SIM

Subscriber Identity Module. It’s another name for the smart card. Also called a SIM card.

Silent mode

A mode that users can choose on their phone to prevent its ringing from bothering those around them.

Smart card

Also known as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, the smart card is a fundamental component of all GSM-based wireless communications networks. About the size of a thumbnail, the smart card is inserted into a customer's phone and stores a full range of personal information, including the customer's phone number, phone book, recently dialed numbers, language preference and saved text messages.

Smart phone

Characterizes a wireless phone set with special computer-enabled features not previously associated with phones. In addition to functioning as an ordinary phone, a smart phone's features may include: wireless e-mail, Internet, Web browsing, personal information management, and data transfer between phone and computer.

Speed dial

Allows users to assign a phone number in their phone book to a key on the keypad and then dial the number simply by pressing that particular key.

Standard Voice Messaging

Service available to Fido Prepaid Service customers stores up to 10 messages. Airtime charges apply for message retrieval.

Standby time

The length of time a phone can be switched on, without being used, until its battery is drained.

System Access Fee

Charge to help cover the costs associated with the ongoing operation, maintenance and upgrading of the wireless network. The fee is not required by nor collected for the government or any of its agencies.

T

Text Messaging

Allows users to exchange messages of up to 160 characters in text format.

3G

A third generation of wireless developments, it uses a mobile wireless technology called HSPA. HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) is the latest evolution of GSM—the dominant world-wide standard for mobile wireless communications. It allows you to enjoy the kind of high-speed Internet and multimedia experience previously only possible on a PC, and gives you first-hand access to high-speed mobile Internet, Video Calling, streaming video, radio on demand, your favourite TV programs, music and mobile communities all on your Fido.

Tri-band

Refers to a phone that works on three of the frequencies that exist in the world of digital telecommunications.

U

USB

Universal Serial Bus cable: A type of cable that allows data transmission between peripheral devices.

V

Validity period

The period during which an airtime voucher can and must be used.

Value Pack

A combination of options that can be added to a monthly plan at a lower price than if you were to subscribe to each option individually. Value Packs at various price points include: Call Display, Voice Messaging, Text Messaging, WhoCalled and more.

Vibrating call alert

Can be programmed to make a phone vibrate instead of ring or vibrate and ring at the same time.

Voice Messaging

A service marketed by Fido that serves as an answering machine.

Voice command

See voice-activated dialing.

Voice-activated dialing

Allows users to call phone numbers listed in their phone book by means of a voice command.

W

WAP

Wireless Application Protocol. A technology designed to provide users of mobile terminals with rapid and efficient access to the Internet.