Wireless Glossary (M)
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Macrocell describes a physically large communications coverage area (5-20 km in diameter). Macrocells can hold 60-120 channels (capacity) and can have either high or low power. Macrocells are used primarily to cover large areas that have high traffic.
MAh (Milliampere Hours) a measurement used to describe the energy charge that a battery will hold and how long a device will run before the battery needs recharging. The higher the mAh’s, the longer the battery will hold a charge. A milliampere hour (mAh) is 1000th of an ampere hour (Ah).
Master Clear changes all non-standard user settings in a mobile phone to standard plus clears all memory locations.
Master Reset same as a master clear, but it does not clear all a phone’s memory locations and call timers.
Megahertz see MHZ.
Melody Composer see Ringtone Composer.
Memory Dialing a feature of a cell phone that allows frequently called numbers to be stored for quick dialing by pressing one or two buttons.
Memory Effect a battery problem caused by repeated charging before a battery is fully drained. This results in deterioration and prevents batteries from accepting a full charge. It occurs most often in NiCd batteries, is less of a problem with Nickel Hydride batteries and even less with Lithium Ion batteries.
Memory Locations a space in an internal phone book where you can store frequently dialed telephone numbers.
Memory Pause a pause command that can be entered at the end of a stored number to allow for a system response when using credit card numbers or alternate long distance system ID numbers.
Memory Protect prevents accidental overwriting and erasure of existing names and/or numbers in memory.
Memory Scroll allows sequential viewing of numbers and/or names stored in memory, starting at a chosen point. A fast and easy means of scanning memory locations.
Menu the list of options that allows you to navigate through a cell phone or handheld computer’s functions.
Message Alert an indicator that notifies a user of missed voice mail or calls.
Message Key a dedicated key on a mobile phone that allows a user to retrieve voicemail or digital messages with the touch of a button.
Message Waiting Indicator an indicator that notifies a user if he/she has any new unread messages to view. (network and subscription dependent feature – not available in all areas).
Messaging synonymous with text paging, e-mail or short messages received on alphanumeric pagers and other wireless devices. See SMS or IM.
MHz (Megahertz) a unit of frequency equal to one million cycles per second (Hertz). Wireless phone communications in Canada and the United States occur in the 800 MHZ and 1900 MHZ bands.
Micro-browser a web browser specialized for a cell phone or a PDA and optimized to run in the low-memory and small-screen environment of a handheld device. This allows a user to access and display specially-formatted Internet content (WAP pages) on the Internet in the wireless markup language (WML). Examples of specially-formatted content include stock reports, news, and sports scores.
Microcell describes a physically small communications coverage area (0.5 + 5 km in diameter) used in densely populated areas where wireless traffic volume is high. The microcell, which is linked to a host macrocell, has low power and a low channel count, making it ideal for high traffic city neighborhoods.
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) a standard that allows digital musical instruments to communicate with one another. In cell phone terms, MIDI is what gives you polyphonic sounds; which means your ring tones can sound like real music instead of beeps.
MIN (Mobile Identification Number) a 24-bit number assigned by a wireless service provider (carrier) to each phone it sells or includes in a service plan that uniquely identifies a mobile device within a carrier’s network. Unlike an Electronic Serial Number (ESN), a MIN is changeable because wireless phones may change hands or phone owners may move to another coverage region, requiring a different service plan.
Mini-Browser see Micro-browser.
Minutes Included the number of free air time or usage included each month in a cell phone rate plan.
MIPS one of the three types of processors that can be found in Pocket PCS. Created by MIPS Technologies, the MIPS processor has a unique architecture compared to its two competitors (ARM and SH3), and therefore can only run programs created specifically for it.
Missed Call Indicator a feature which notifies a caller that a call was received but not answered.
MMM (Mobile Media Mode) an icon that identifies web content optimized for smart phones and handhelds.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) a further extension of SMS and EMS. MMS is designed to make use of newer and quicker mobile transmission methods such as GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE and UMTS, involving the attachment of multimedia extensions to messages, such as video and sound. An e-mail function is also planned.
MO-SMS (Mobile-Originated Short Message Service) the ability to send short text messages from a phone. Both the phone and the carrier’s network must support this feature for it to work. Messages can be sent to other phones by phone number. Many phones also allow sending messages directly to e-mail addresses.
Mobile Commerce the use of radio-based wireless devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants to conduct business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions over wired, Web-based e-commerce systems.
Mobile Data a service which enables users to access data, transmit data and communicate with computers and networks. (e-mail, Internet, fax, etc..)
Mobile Identification Number see MIN.
Mobile Internet access to specially designed Internet sites offering services such as news, travel, weather and entertainment using a WAP phone.
Mobile IP a protocol developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force to enable users to roam to parts of the network associated with a different IP address than what’s loaded in the user’s appliance.
Mobile Media Mode see MMM.
Mobile Phone a wireless phone or cell phone is often referred to as a mobile phone. Initially, a mobile phone referred to a phone attached to a vehicle, which used the vehicle’s battery and had an external antenna.
Mobile Telephone Switching Office see MTSO.
Mobile Virtual Network Operator see MVNO.
Modem a device which converts digital data to analog data (tones) so that it can be sent over regular phone lines and wireless networks. The modem also converts data back from analog to digital.
MP3 Playback some cell phones feature a MP3 player (built-in or add-on accessory) that allow you to listen to music stored in the MP3 digital format. These files are much smaller than other formats such as wave files, yet can deliver CD quality sound. Generally, music can be downloaded into the phone from a computer and played back later through a headset attached to the phone. Newer phones with High-Speed Data may support downloading music directly over the Wireless Internet.
MTSO (Mobile Telephone Switching Office) the central switch that controls the entire operation of a cellular system. It is a sophisticated computer that monitors all cellular calls, keeps track of the location of all cellular equipped vehicles traveling in the system, interconnects calls with the local and long distance land line telephone companies, arranges hand-offs, keeps track of billing information etc. Every cellular system has one or more MTSOs or switches.
Multi-Language Display a feature that allows you to select in which language (English, French, or Spanish) the phone will display messages and prompts.
Multi-mode a wireless device that can operate on either an analog or digital wireless network, allowing you to maintain a connection whether you’re in a digital service area or analog only service area.
Multimedia Messaging Service see MMS.
Multiple Key Answer a feature that allows you to answer an incoming call by pressing any key. A faster, more convenient way to answer than searching for a specific key.
Multiple NAM a feature which allows a wireless phone to operate on multiple phone numbers and establish accounts with service providers in more than one service area.
Multiple Numbers per Name allows a user to enter more than one phone number (Home, Cell, Office, Fax) in a single phone book entry.
Mute mutes the handset or speaker to allow private conversations without the called party overhearing.
MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) functions as a wireless service operator in the marketplace though it does not own an actual wireless network. An examples of a MVNOs is Virgin Mobile.
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