Wireless Glossary (I)

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Incoming Call a call received by a wireless phone.

Incomplete Call a call that is not answered or the line is busy. Carriers usually do not charge for incomplete calls.

Icons simple pictures which can be transmitted from one mobile phone to another, along with text using SMS text messaging.

iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) a wireless technology by Motorola which combines two-way radio, telephone, text messaging and data. Used by Telus Mobility’s Mike service and Nextel. Operates in the 800MHz and 1,500MHz bands using TDMA networks.

Illuminated Keypad allows you to view a keypad in low lighting.

i-Mode a packet based information service for mobile phones and business model developed by Japan’s NTT DoCoMo for delivery of Web-type content to wireless handsets.

IM (Instant Messaging) a live chat and e-mail service that enables you to find your friends when they are online and send messages or talk via a private chat room.

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier) a 15-digit number given to every single mobile phone, typically found behind the battery.

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) a unique number for every SIM, used with a key for authentication.

IMT 2000 see 3G.

Individual Call Timer a timer which displays the duration of the last or current call.

Industry Canada the Canadian federal Department responsible for the regulation, management and allocation of radio spectrum. Establishes technical requirements for various wireless systems.

Infrared see IrDA.

Instant Messaging see IM.

Integrated Digital Enhanced Network see iDEN.

Integrated PDA a phone with built-in PDA functionality. Such phones are also referred to as “smart phones” and contain features such as handwriting recognition, large screens, and contact management software.

International Mobile Equipment Identifier see IMEI.

International Mobile Subscriber Identity see IMSI.

International Telecommunication Union see ITU.

IrDA (Infared) allows cell phones, PDAs, and other devices to connect to each other for various purposes. For example, a laptop or PDA can exchange data with a desktop computer or use a printer without a cable connection. IrDA requires line-of-sight transmission like a TV remote control.

IrDA Port a transmitter/receiver for infrared signals

IS-54 first generation TDMA in 1991.

IS-95 first generation CDMA (cdmaONE).

IS-136 second generation TDMA in 1994. Also called “Digital AMPS” or “D AMPS.”

ISM band Industrial, Scientific and Medical band. Unlicensed spectrum typically in the 900MHz, 2.4GHz and 5.7GHz bands. Requires spread spectrum techniques at 1 watt.

iTAP software developed by Motorola and built into some wireless phones and PDAs that makes typing words on a keypad easier. The competitor to iTAP is T9. See Predictive Text Entry.

ITU (International Telecommunication Union) an organization in Geneva, Switzerland established to promote standardized telecommunications on a worldwide basis.

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