Resources & References FAQ/Glossary Policies Collateral SMS SDK Download

FAQ/Glossary

Find quick answers about the OpenMarket service and mobile channel technology.

Top Service Questions

Top Developer Questions

Top Resource Questions

Top Service Questions

  • Q:
  • What’s involved for merchants to enroll in OpenMarket?
  • A:
  • Merchants receive an enrollment ID, submit a request via the OpenMarket Partner Center, and then sign and accept the OpenMarket Enrollment Agreement and Acceptable Use Policy. Once that is complete, a merchant domain is set-up in our rapid integration environment and pre-configured to work with participating network operators.

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  • Q:
  • Does OpenMarket support customized offers and promotions?
  • A:
  • Yes. The OpenMarket supports the ability to create a broad array of offers and promotions, including support for service bundles, subscriptions and recurring charges, trial offers, etc.

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  • Q:
  • Do merchants set their own pricing?
  • A:
  • Yes, merchants get to create all their own offers and set their own pricing for a variety of different products.

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  • Q:
  • Do merchants have full visibility to their customers’ activities in OpenMarket?
  • A:
  • Yes. Merchants can track each customer’s purchases from OpenMarket.

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  • Q:
  • What payment methods will be supported in OpenMarket?
  • A:
  • Initially, network operator statement billing and credit cards will be supported. Other payment methods will be added in the future.

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  • Q:
  • Will customers have access to customer care for OpenMarket transactions?
  • A:
  • Yes. Customers will be able to seamlessly access customer care through either merchant or network operator portals.

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  • Q:
  • Will OpenMarket support adult content offers?
  • A:
  • Adult content offers will not be supported for the initial launch of OpenMarket. OpenMarket may support this in the future if and when a suitable content rating system has been developed, at which time network operators and merchants will be involved in the content rating and management process.

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  • Q:
  • How does the business model for OpenMarket work?
  • A:
  • The most successful and highly scalable financial exchanges (e.g. NASDAQ, eBay, etc.) have simple, transparent business terms for all participants. The OpenMarket business model is designed on these principles. The OpenMarket business model is transaction-based and designed to ensure trust and equity for all parties in the system. The business model is consistent, transparent, and standardized for both merchants and network operators. In the OpenMarket system, all participants get the same deal and benefits as their peers. The model is designed to be highly scalable and to reduce the “contract friction” of mobile commerce. OpenMarket business terms are provided separately to participants.

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  • Q:
  • Does the OpenMarket provide settlement capabilities and does it handle splits across multiple parties?
  • A:
  • Yes. OpenMarket handles all settlement requirements and fully supports splits across multiple parties: everyone from third party content providers to network operators.

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  • Q:
  • Does participation in OpenMarket compromise merchant ability to offer exclusive content deals?
  • A:
  • No. This doesn’t change with OpenMarket. Merchants are still able to sign exclusive content deals just as they do today.

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  • Q:
  • What happens when a new network operator is added to the system? What will merchants need to do?
  • A:
  • OpenMarket will notify merchants when a new network operator is going to be added to the OpenMarket. The new network operator will simply appear as another payment method available to merchant customers. Nothing else is required of merchants. All set up and configuration details are handled by OpenMarket.

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  • Q:
  • Do I have to establish any type of relationship with the carriers directly in order to use OpenMarket?
  • A:
  • No, OpenMarket has formed relationships with the carriers, so that you do not have to.

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  • Q:
  • How broad is the reach of the OpenMarket? How many customers will merchants have billing access to?
  • A:
  • OpenMarket is working with the leading network operators in the U.S. market and expects to provide complete coverage of the tier one and tier two mobile operator footprint.

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Top Developer Questions

  • Q:
  • Can I use the OpenMarket Software Development Kit to connect to networks directly, without going through OpenMarket Wireless Messaging Network?
  • A:
  • No, because the Software Development Kit implements the Wireless Message Protocol, a proprietary protocol created exclusively for OpenMarket. Therefore, it cannot communicate directly to other networks, which use a variety of differing protocols, without being passed through the Wireless Messaging Network first for translation. However, you may purchase a Wireless Message Protocol Server, which would allow you to interface to any network that you please. You would then be able to use the Software Development Kit in conjunction with your own hosted Wireless Message Protocol Server in order to reach any network that runs on your server.

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  • Q:
  • To what types of devices can OpenMarket send messages? Mobile telephones, alphanumeric pagers, numeric pagers, Palms/PDA's?
  • A:
  • OpenMarket can send wireless messages to all mobile telephones and alphanumeric pagers which support text-messaging. Some carriers require the user to subscribe for such a feature. However, if the device can receive messages, OpenMarket can send messages to it.

    OpenMarket does NOT support pagers which are only numeric, but again we do support pagers which are alphanumeric. Furthermore, Palm devices or PDA's do not allow for "push" content, so there is no way to send wireless messages to them through OpenMarket.

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  • Q:
  • Do I need to purchase any hardware along with the Software Development Kit?
  • A:
  • No. It is not necessary to purchase any hardware in order to use the Software Development Kit. OpenMarket is a hosted service and we manage and maintain all necessary equipment in our data center.

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  • Q:
  • What Operating Systems does the Software Development Kit support?
  • A:
  • The Software Development Kit can run on almost all currently available operating systems (except on 64 bit Windows), depending on which version of the Software Development Kit you choose.

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  • Q:
  • Can you push alerts to a palm pilot or PDA?
  • A:
  • Palm devices or PDA's do not allow for "push" content, so there is no way to "alert" it or "page" it.

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  • Q:
  • Does the Software Development Kit support 2-way messaging? How will 2-way messaging work?
  • A:
  • OpenMarket supports 2-way, but it is not a released feature yet. We plan on making it available in our Beta Program very soon and then will release it after that. This capability will be carrier-dependent, and will be available on certain networks and not on others. That information will be posted on our coverage page when our 2-way system is available.

    In order for a mobile phone to send to a server, a dial-in number must be typed into the phone. OpenMarket has many dial-in numbers around the world that can be utilized, however, these numbers are "shared" amongst all of our customers, since they are extremely expensive.

    Therefore, 2-way customers will register for a keyword or "application code" that is typed in before the actual message is sent through one of our dial-in numbers. This application code is then mapped to the customer's account, and OpenMarket servers then know where to route the message to. In fact, our servers will route the entire message to your customer's application via an HTTP post. This "post" can then be read in by your Software Development Kit and your application can access the entire message. Our system uses direct access connections to many carriers in order to achieve this solution.

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  • Q:
  • Can I send wireless messages to many recipients at once? Does the Software Development Kit support multiplexing, group messaging, or bulk messaging?
  • A:
  • The Software Development Kit itself does not support multiplexing, group messaging or bulk messaging; however, in your own code it is very easy to create such a function. Simply perform a loop, modify the recipient, and send the message off repeatedly. You do, however, have to create new requests for every recipient. We do not support multiple recipients for the same request. We are planning on adding that feature at a later date. For now, you will have to submit them one at a time to the OpenMarket network.

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  • Q:
  • Will the Software Development Kit work behind a firewall or proxy server?
  • A:
  • Yes. Every version of the Software Development Kit supports proxy servers, implementing HTTP SOCKS 4 or SOCKS 5.

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  • Q:
  • What properties must I set in the Software Development Kit?
  • A:
  • The Software Development Kit supports you setting a Pin, From, Callback, and Message Text fields. The Pin is the phone number of the device you are trying to send to. The From field is your name or the name of the person who is sending the message. The Callback field is the phone number of the device that you would like the message to appear to be sent from. The Message Text is obviously the text of the message you would like to send.

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Top Resource Questions

  • Q:
  • What is 3G?
  • A:
  • The next step in the evolution of wireless messaging beyond text and static images and logos is Multimedia Message Service. MMS will depend on the formation of a new type of network infrastructure known as 3G (Third Generation), and will allow users to send messages comprised of a combination of text, sounds, images and video to MMS capable handsets.

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  • Q:
  • How many people have mobile devices?
  • A:
  • The number of mobile devices has proliferated throughout the world, and continues to grow at an exponential rate. There are well over one billion wireless device users worldwide. According to Dataquest, a unit of the Gartner Group, some 52 million U.S. households, or about 51 percent of the total, own a mobile phone. Meanwhile, other nations show even more astounding penetration of the mobile device explosion. For example, 88 percent of households in Finland now own a wireless phone.

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  • Q:
  • What is SMS?
  • A:
  • SMS involves sending a text-message of 140-160 characters to a cell phone or pager, and holds significant advantages over the use of mobile email for sending important information. Originally devised as an afterthought to notify users of incoming voice mail, SMS has grown to include the sending of ringtones and graphics, as well, and taken on a life of its own.

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  • Q:
  • What is EMS?
  • A:
  • EMS (Enhanced Message Service) adds new powerful functionality to the well known SMS standard. Allowing mobile phone users to add life to SMS text messaging, EMS offers new ways to express feelings, moods and personality in wireless messages. It will expand the base of applications which use wireless messaging, since EMS allows the opportunity to send a combination of simple melodies, pictures, sounds, animations, modified text and standard text. Furthermore, EMS will connect the wireless world to the internet, allowing users to download pictures and ring tones to their phone. EMS works with the existing infrastructure laid down for SMS, as well as utilizing the same familiar user interfaces and remaining compatible with existing mobile devices.

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  • Q:
  • What is MMS?
  • A:
  • The next step in the evolution of wireless messaging beyond text and static images and logos is Multimedia Message Service. MMS will depend on the formation of a new type of network infrastructure known as 3G (Third Generation), and will allow users to send messages comprised of a combination of text, sounds, images and video to MMS capable handsets.

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  • Q:
  • What is Wireless Messaging?
  • A:
  • Wireless Messaging is the "pushing" of information to and from mobile devices, allowing users to receive and send time-sensitive notifications and maintain important contacts while on the move. It includes SMS (Short Message Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).

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  • Q:
  • Why is SMS better than email for alerts and notifications?
  • A:
  • Although email provides a quick solution, sending messages via email still has many hidden drawbacks, including speed, assurance, error checking, features, and consistency. These issues were addressed in the March 27 article at http://www.15seconds.com/Issue/010327.htm, by OpenMarket Director of Connectivity & Applications Development Joe Lauer, and are summarized below:
    1. Speed and Reliability - By its original design, email was not intended to become a quick system. As a result, most text-messages that are sent through email experience latency problems ranging from 1 minute to 2 hours. This estimate also assumes that an SMTP server will not go down somewhere along the path of the email. Email travels through multiple servers on its path towards its final destination. Each stop along the way adds latency times and increases the number of opportunities for error. OpenMarket SMS messages go from the software directly to our network and out to the mobile user's carrier, greatly diminishing the chance of latency or error. Because we maintain our own network, we are able to guarantee the speed and reliability that users need when sending important messages.
    2. Compatibility and Assurance - Many users do not have the ability to receive email on their mobile devices. Not only do many mobile devices not support email, but email will not quickly inform you of the fact that they do not, offering a chance to resend your message in time. SMS compatibility is far more widespread and if the message is sent to one of the few mobile devices that do not support SMS, you will be notified immediately of this fact, and given the opportunity to quickly send a new alert. OpenMarket offers feedback and assurance that your message is received, giving peace of mind that email cannot offer.
    3. Formatting - Another prominent drawback is the diversity of email formats between various services. Message lengths range from 80 to 256 characters. Messages delivered via SMTP will normally omit those parts of the message that carry over the maximum character length. Unfortunately, your code will never discover the discarded parts of your message. In some cases, the Subject field will be used, rather than the Body field. In either case, your code will have to account for this error or else parts of your message will not reach the mobile device, and valuable information will be lost. An additional problem with using the email format arises when the From field has already used up 20 to 30 characters in the small, allotted space of 80 to 256. By formatting our messages specifically for each carrier's method of SMS, OpenMarket ensures that your message will reach its destination accurately, and in full.
    4. Additional Features - SMTP does not make available many of the best features specifically available with SMS, such as one-touch callback and presence information (e.g. phone on/off, signal strength). These features further extend the peace of mind, reliability and comprehensive messaging capabilities offered by SMS.

Glossary

Find quick answers about the OpenMarket service and mobile channel technology.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Air interface
The operating system of a wireless network. Technologies include AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and iDEN.

AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) is the original analog “cellular” service transmission standard first deployed in the United States, still used as a default standard for cellular systems in the United States and in some regions around the world.

Analog
The traditional method of adapting radio signals so they can carry information. AM (Amplitude Modulation) and FM (Frequency Modulation) are the two most common analog systems. Analog has largely been replaced by digital technologies, which are more secure, more efficient and provide better quality.

Antenna
A device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. Often camouflaged on existing buildings, trees, water towers, or other tall structures, the size and shape of antennas are generally determined by the frequency of the signal they manage.

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B

Base station
The central radio transmitter/receiver that communicates with mobile telephones within a given range, typically a cell site.

Bluetooth
The name for a technological standard or communications protocol that enables mobile devices equipped with a special chip to send and receive information wirelessly. Using Bluetooth, electronic devices such as desktop computers, wireless phones, electronic organizers, and printers can communicate over short-ranges using the 2.4 GHz spectrum band.

Bonded copper
Aggregating DSL circuits together to boost throughput.

BREW
Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless is a service application developer's platform. The BREW platform was introduced by QUALCOMM in 2001 to provide developers with the ability to create a wide variety of applications that users can download wirelessly via any BREW-enabled handset. Software applications will work on new device models due to these common standards.

Broadband
A transmission facility having a bandwidth or capacity sufficient to carry multiple voice, video, or data channels simultaneously. Broadband is generally equated with the delivery of increased speeds and advanced capabilities, including access to the Internet and related services and facilities that provide 200 kbps upstream and downstream transmission speeds.

BTA (Basic Trading Area)
A geographic area designed by Rand McNally to reflect business centers, and adopted by the FCC for the licensing of Personal Communications Services and some other wireless services. BTAs are composed of several neighboring counties associated by business and commuting patterns. The U.S. is divided into 493 BTAs.

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C

Carrier
Also known as service provider or operator, a carrier is the communications company that provides customers service—including airtime—for their wireless phones.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
A technology used to transmit wireless calls by assigning them codes. Calls are spread out over the widest range of available channels. Then codes allow many calls to travel on the same frequency and also guide those calls to the correct receiving phone.

CDMA2000 1XRTT
The first step in the evolution to 3G is CDMA2000 1X. This improves packet data transmission capabilities and speeds in the network and also boosts voice capacity with speeds up to 307 kbps.

CDMA2000 1XEV-DO (Evolution Data-Only)
CDMA2000 1XEV represents the second step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Commercially launched in 2001, offers data speeds of up to 2.4 Mbps.

CDMA2000 1XEV-DV (Evolution Data-Voice)
CDMA2000 1XEV represents the next step in the evolution of CDMA2000. Approved by the Geneva-based standards body International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as a 3G technology to provide data and voice services together, with data rates of up to 3.09 Mbps.

Cell
The basic geographic unit of wireless coverage. Also, shorthand for generic industry term "cellular." A region is divided into smaller "cells," each equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell. As a wireless call moves from one cell to another, a computer at the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO) monitors the call and at the proper time, transfers the phone call to the new cell and new radio frequency. The handoff is performed so quickly that it’s not noticeable to the callers.

Cell site
The location where a wireless antenna and network communications equipment is placed in order to provide wireless service in a geographic area.

Cell splitting
A means of increasing the capacity of a wireless system by subdividing one cell into two or more smaller cells.

Channel/Circuit
A communications pathway that may take the form of a connection established over wireless, wired, or fiber optic facilities.

CSD (Circuit Switched Data)
One technological approach used for the exchange of data. A circuit connection is made that is exclusively reserved for the individual's use. This can be inefficient, as many communications do not require a dedicated communications channel, but only brief connectivity, for the transmission of short messages.

CMRS (Commercial Mobile Radio Service) Provider
An FCC designation for any wireless carrier or license owner whose wireless service is connected to the public switched telephone network and/or is operated for profit. Wireless services that are offered to the public are classified as CMRS, unlike private systems, which are classified as "Private Mobile Services."

Co-location
The placement of multiple antennas at a common site. Some companies act as brokers or cell site managers, arranging cell sites and coordinating many carriers' antennas at a single cell site.

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D

Digital
Technological approach that converts signals (including voice) into the binary digits '0' and '1'. This data is compressed, and then transformed into electronic pulses for a wired network, optical light waves for fiber optic networks, or radio waves for wireless networks. Digital wireless technology has largely superceded analog technology because digital delivers more capacity and supports more applications, as well as offers better sound quality, and more secure signals.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
A digital line connecting the subscriber's terminal to the serving company’s central office, providing multiple communications channels able to carry both voice and data communications simultaneously.

Dual band
A wireless handset that works on more than one spectrum frequency, e.g., in the 800 MHz frequency and 1900 MHz frequency bands.

Dual mode
A wireless handset that works on both analog and digital networks.

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E

EDGE
Enhanced Data Rate for Global Evolution is an evolutionary step in the GSM-development path for faster delivery of data, delivered at rates up to 384 Kbps. The standard is based on the GSM technology platform and uses the TDMA approach (see TDMA, below).

ESMR (Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio)
A single wireless device that combines a two-way radio, phone, mobile dispatch, radio paging, and mobile data capabilities and operates on digital networks. Examples of ESMR service providers include Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners, and Southern LINC Wireless, among others.

ESN (Electronic Serial Number)
The unique serial identification number programmed into a wireless phone by the manufacturer. Each time a call is placed, the ESN is transmitted to a nearby base station so the wireless carrier can validate the call. The ESN differs from the Mobile Identification Number, which identifies a customer's wireless phone number. MINs and ESNs are electronically monitored to help prevent fraud.

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F

FDD (Frequency Division Multiplexing)
Frequency-division multiplexing is a method in which numerous signals are combined for transmission on a single communications channel. Each signal is assigned a different frequency or sub-channel or within the main channel.

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G

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
A packet technology approach that enables high-speed wireless Internet and other GSM-based data communications. It makes very efficient use of available radio spectrum for transmission of data.

GPS (Global Positioning System)
A worldwide satellite navigational system made up of 24 satellites orbiting the earth and their receivers on the earth’s surface. The GPS satellites continuously transmit digital radio signals with information used in location tracking, navigation, and other location or mapping technologies.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
A technological approach also based on dividing wireless calls into time slots. GSM is most common in Europe, Australia, and much of Asia and Africa. Generally, GSM phones from the United States are not compatible with international GSM networks because the U.S. and many other nations use different frequencies for mobile communications. However, some phones are equipped with a multi-band capability to operate on such other frequencies.

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H

Handoff
The process when a wireless network automatically switches a mobile call to an adjacent cell site.

HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data)
In using HSCSD, a permanent connection is established between the called and calling parties for the exchange of data. As it is circuit switched, HSCSD is more suited to applications such as videoconferencing and multimedia than 'bursty' type applications such as email, which are more suited to packet switched data.

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I

iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network)
A specialized mobile technology that combines two-way radio, telephone, text messaging and data transmission into one digital network. iDEN is designed to give users quick access to information on a single device. Introduced by Motorola and used by AirTel Montana, Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners, and Southern LINC Wireless, among others.

Interconnection
Connecting one wireless network to another, such as linking a wireless carrier's network with a local telephone company's network.

Interoperability
The ability of a network to coordinate and communicate with other networks, such as two systems based on different protocols or technologies.

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J

No terms

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K

No terms

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L

LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network is a small data network covering a limited area, such as a building or group of buildings. Most LANs connect workstations or personal computers. This allows many users to share devices, such as laser printers, as well as data. The LAN also allows easy communication, by facilitating e-mail or supporting chat sessions.

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M

Megahertz
Megahertz (MHz) is a unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. Wireless mobile communications within the United States generally occur in the 800 MHz, 900MHz, and 1900MHz spectrum frequency bands.

MIM (Mobile Instant Messaging)
Mobile Instant Messaging refers to the ability to engage in Instant Messaging (IM) from a mobile handset via various technologies, which include SMS, WAP, or GPRS.

MIN (Mobile Identification Number)
The MIN, more commonly known as a wireless phone number, uniquely identifies a wireless device within a wireless carrier's network. The MIN is dialed from other wireless or wireline networks to direct a signal to a specific wireless device. The number differs from the electronic serial number, which is the unit number assigned by a phone manufacturer. MINs and ESNs can be electronically checked to help prevent fraud.

MMS (Mobile Messaging Service)
A standard for a telephony messaging systems that allows for sending messages that includes multimedia objects such as images, audio, video, rich text, and not just text messages as in short message service (SMS). It is mainly deployed in cellular networks along other messaging systems like SMS, Mobile Instant Messaging, and Mobile email.

MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)
One of the 306 urban-centered cellular service areas based on the largest urban markets as designated by the U.S. government in 1980. Two "cellular" service operators are licensed in each MSA.

MTA (Major Trading Area)
A geographic area designed by Rand McNally to reflect business centers, and adopted by the FCC for the licensing of Personal Communications Services and some other wireless services. MTAs are composed of neighboring basic trading areas (BTAs) associated with major business centers. The U.S. is divided into 51 MTAs, which do not reflect state boundaries.

MTSO (Mobile Telephone Switching Office)
The central computer that connects wireless phone calls to the public telephone network. The MTSO controls the series of operations required to complete wireless calls, including verifying calls, billing and antenna handoffs.

MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator)
A company that buys network capacity from a network operator in order to offer its own branded mobile subscriptions and value-added services to customers.

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N

NAM (Number Assignment Module)
The NAM is the electronic memory bank in the wireless phone that stores its specific telephone number and electronic serial number.

Number portability
The ability of a customer to retain their telephone number when changing service providers in a specific area, whether changing from one wireless company to another, one wireline company to another, or between wirelesss and wireline companies.

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O

OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
A system for the transmission of digital message elements spread over multiple channels within a frequency band, in order to achieve greater throughput while minimizing interference and signal degradation through the use of multiple antennas.

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P

Packet
A piece of data sent over a packet-switching network, such as the Internet. A packet includes not just the data comprising the message but also address information about its origination and destination.

Packet data
Information that is reduced into digital pieces or 'packets,' so it can travel more efficiently across networks, including radio airwaves and wireless networks.

PCS (Personal Communications Services)
Defined by the FCC as a broad family of wireless services, commonly viewed as including two-way digital voice, messaging, and data services. One set of "PCS" licenses established by the FCC operates in the 1900 MHz band.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
A portable computing device capable of transmitting data. These devices offer services such as paging, data messaging, e-mail, computing, faxes, date books, and other information management capabilities.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)
An additional security feature for wireless phones, much like a password. Programming a PIN into the Subscriber Information Module (SIM) on a wireless phone requires the user to enter that access code each time the phone is turned on.

POPs
For wireless, POPs generally refers to the number of people in a specific area where wireless services are available (the population). For traditional 'landline' communications, a "Point of Presence" defines the interconnection point between the two networks.

Protocol
A standard set of definitions governing how communications are formatted in order to permit their transmission across networks and between devices.

PSD (Packet Switched Data)
A technological approach in which the communication "pipe" is shared by several users, thus making it very efficient. The data is sent to a specific address with a short delay. This delay depends on how many users are using the pipe at any one time as well as the level of priority requested for your information. PSD is the technology used for data communication across the Internet and makes more efficient use of the network.

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Q

No terms

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R

Repeater
Devices that receive a radio signal, amplify it, and re-transmit it in a new direction. Used in wireless networks to extend the range of base station signals and to expand coverage. Repeaters are typically used in buildings, tunnels, or difficult terrain.

Roaming
When traveling outside their carrier's local service area, roaming allows users to continue to make and receive calls when operating in another carrier's service coverage area.

RSA (Rural Service Area)
One of the 428 rural markets across the United States, as designated by the FCC for the delivery of cellular service outside of the initial 306 MSAs.

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S

Smart antenna
A wireless antenna with technology that focuses its signal in a specific direction. Wireless networks use smart antennas to reduce the number of dropped calls, and to improve call quality and channel capacity.

Smart phone
Wireless phones with advanced data features and often keyboards. What makes the phone "smart" is its ability to manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.

SMS
Short Messaging Service enables users to send and receive short text messages (usually about 160 characters) on wireless handsets. It is also referred to as "text messaging."

Spectrum allocation
Process whereby the federal government designates frequencies for specific uses, such as personal communications services and public safety. Allocation is typically accomplished through lengthy FCC proceedings, which attempt to adapt allocations to accommodate changes in spectrum demand and usage.

Spectrum assignment
Federal government authorization for the use of specific frequencies within a given spectrum allocation, usually in a specific geographic location. Mobile communications assignments are granted to both private users such as businesses, and commercial providers such as wireless and paging operators. Spectrum auctions and/or frequency coordination processes, which consider potential interference to existing users, may apply.

Spread spectrum
A method of transmitting a radio signal by spreading it over a wide range of frequencies. This reduces interference and can increase the number of simultaneous users on one radio frequency band.

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T

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
A protocol permitting communications over and between networks, the TCP/IP protocol is the basis for the Internet communications.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
A technological standard that permits the transmission of information by dividing calls into time slots, each one lasting only a fraction of a second. Each call is assigned a specific portion of time on a designated channel. By dividing each call into timed 'packets,' a single channel can carry many calls at once.

Third-generation (3G)
A general term that refers to technologies that offer increased capacity and capabilities delivered over digital wireless networks.

Tri-band handset
Phones that work on multiple frequencies, typically in the 1900 MHz, 800 MHz, and 900 MHz frequencies used in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Tri-mode handset
Phones that operate in different modes, such as the CDMA, TDMA, and analog standards.

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U

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems)
This is third generation technology generally based on W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). UMTS promises a communications speed between 384 kbps and up to about 2 Mbps.

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V

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
VoIP is not simply capable of delivering voice over IP, but is also designed to accommodate two-way video conferencing and application sharing as well. Based on IP technology, VoIP is used to transfer a wide range of different type traffic.

Voice recognition
The capability for wireless phones, computers, and other devices to be activated and controlled by voice commands.

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W

WAN (Wide Area Network)
A general term referring to a large network spanning a country or around the world. The Internet is a WAN as is a public mobile communication system such as a cellular or PCS network.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
Wireless Application Protocol is a set of standards that enables wireless devices, such as phones, pagers, and palm devices, to browse content from specially coded Web pages.

W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)
Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, one of two 3G standards that makes use of a wider spectrum than CDMA and therefore can transmit and receive information faster and more efficiently.

WiFi (Wireless Fidelity)
WiFi provides wireless connectivity over unlicensed spectrum (using the IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b standards), generally in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. Wi-Fi offers local area connectivity to WiFi-enabled computers.

Wi-Max
A wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard providing metropolitan area network connectivity for fixed wireless access at broadband speeds.

Wireless Internet
A general term for using wireless services to access the Internet and/or email.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
Using radio frequency (RF) technology, WLANs transmit and receive data wirelessly in a certain area. This allows users in a small zone to transmit data and share resources, such as printers, without physically connecting each computer with cords or wires.

Wireless PBX (Wireless Private Branch Exchange)
Equipment that allows employees or customers within a building or limited area to use wireless devices in place of traditional landline phones.

WLL (Wireless Local Loop)
WLL is a system that connects wireless users to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using wireless technology and other circuitry to complete the "last mile" between the wireless user and the exchange equipment. Wireless systems can often be installed faster and cheaper than traditional wired systems.

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OpenMarket Acquires MX Telecom

On March 23, 2010 Amdocs acquired
MX Telecom to expand its OpenMarket business.

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May 11, 2010
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