Wireless Glossary (C)

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Call Blocking allows you to set your phone to prohibit incoming or outgoing phone calls from specific numbers. (network and subscription dependent feature — not available in all areas).

Call Forwarding allows users to redirect calls to an alternate telephone number. (network and subscription dependent feature — not available in all areas).

Call-in-Absence Indicator a feature that, if a phone is left active and an incoming call is not answered, the message “Call” will be displayed to inform the user of a call attempt.

Call Log a feature which allows a user to display the numbers of the last incoming and outgoing calls.

Call Quality a measure of the total quality of a call including the ability to accurately reproduce a users voice, as well as the systems ability to limit impairments during the course of a conversation.

Call Restriction a feature which enables a user to prevent calls to certain numbers without the input of a code.

Call Timers enables the tracking of airtime usage to monitor phone expenses. The length of an individual call or a running total (cumulative) can be displayed.

Call Waiting a feature that will alert you of another incoming call and enables you to accept the call without disconnecting the first. (network and subscription dependent feature — not available in all areas).

Caller ID see CLI.

Cancellation Fee the cost to terminate the plan prior to the end date specified in the contract

Car Charger see CLA.

Car Kit a kit that adapts a hand-held cell phone for handsfree use in the car.

Car Phone a phone which is permanently installed into a vehicle. They are considerably more powerful (3-watt output) than a handheld cell phone but considerably less flexible.

Carrier a wireless network operator is often referred to as a carrier. Carrier is also a technical radio term for the radio wave that carries voice or data.

Carry/Transportable Phone a term given to cellular phones that are capable of 3-watt output and can be used either as a portable unit or installed in a vehicle.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) a type of digital wireless technology that allows large amounts of voice and data to be transmitted on the same frequency. CDMA is second-generation cellular technology (or 2G) and is currently available in Canada, the United States, Pacific Asia, and Latin America. Most CDMA service providers (Telus Mobility and Bell Mobility for example) will migrate to a high-speed data technology called 1xRTT.

CDMA One the original CDMA (2G) that is in use today in all CDMA networks that have not been upgraded to cdma2000.

CDMA2000 defines the third-generation (3G) version of CDMA technology. Also known as IMT-CDMA Multi-Carrier or IS-136, cdma2000 supports high-speed data transmission (144 Kbps to 2 Mbps), always-on data service, and improved voice network capacity (more people can use each tower at the same time). cdma2000 is a competitor to WCDMA and will be deployed in at least three phases – 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, 1xEV-DV, and cdma2000 3x.

CDMA2000 1xEV-DO the second phase of CDMA2000 following 1xRTT deployment. 1xEV-DO stands for 1x Evolution Data Only. “EV-DO” puts voice and data on separate channels in order to provide high-speed, high-capacity wireless Internet connectivity (peak data rate of 2.4 Mbps).
CDMA2000 1x EV-DV the third phase of cdma2000 following 1xEV-DO deployment. 1xEV-DV stands for 1x Evolution Data Voice, and is characterized by a maximum data rate of 5.2 Mbps and the ability to support wireless Voice over IP (VoIP) services.

CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) an add-on technology that enables first-generation analog systems to provide packet data with a special modem. CDPD modems are available on PC Cards for laptop and handheld computers. CDPD has been implemented in Canada by Telus Mobility in Canada and in the U.S. by AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless.

Cell a geographical area of a cellular system in which radio frequency coverage is provided. Also, the basis for the generic industry term “cellular.” The cells can vary in size depending upon terrain, capacity demands, etc. but are usually hexagonal and can be anywhere from 0.4 miles up to 15 or more miles in radius.

Cell Site a fixed cellular tower and radio antenna that handles communication with subscribers in a particular area or cell. A cellular network is made up of many cell sites, all connected back to the wired phone system.

Cell Splitting a means of increasing the capacity of a cellular system by subdividing or splitting cells into two or more smaller cells.

Cellular a wireless telephone service that provides two-way voice and data communications through handheld, portable, and car-mounted phones via geographic areas called cells.

Cellular Digital Packet Data see CDPD.

Cellular Signal the radio waves that carry information between your cellular phone and the cellular system.

CHTML (Compact Hyper Text Markup Language) a subset of HTML designed for small devices, such as smart phones and PDAs. cHTML is essentially a simpler form of HTML designed for small devices with small memory, low power CPUs, limited or no storage capabilities, and small mono-color display screens.

Cigarette Lighter Adapter see CLA.

Circuit Switched a communications method which establishes a dedicated channel and occupies a fixed amount of bandwidth for the duration of the transmission, regardless of whether any data is being transferred.

CLA (Cigarette Lighter Adapter) an adapter which supplies power and/or charges a wireless device from a car’s cigarette lighter or a 12 volt supply.

CLI (Calling Line Identification) a feature that allows a phone’s display to show you the number and sometimes the name of an incoming caller before you answer. Some carriers allow you to “block” your number when you are sending calls.

Cloning a crime whereby criminals with special equipment capture identity codes from analog phones and create “clone” IDs allowing them to charge calls to your cell phone account. Digital phones cannot be cloned in this way and are also less vulnerable to eavesdropping than analog phones.

CLR (Clear) a key which erases the display.

Code Division Multiple Access see CDMA.

Compact HTML see CHTML.

Conference Calling a service feature that enables a user to connect with two other numbers for a three-way conversation. Also called three-way calling.

Contract see Service Agreement.

Coverage see Service Area.

Cradle an accessory which holds a wireless device. Cradles may also have the capability to charge batteries.

Crosstalk a disturbance caused by the electric or magnetic fields of one telecommunication signal affecting a signal in an adjacent circuit. On wireless networks, crosstalk can result in your hearing part of a voice conversation from another circuit.

CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) regulates Canadian telecommunications service providers.

CTIA Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.

CWTA Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association.

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