Glossary of Cellular Phone Service Related Terms

Radio-frequency fingerprinting

An electronic process that identifies each individual wireless handset by examining its unique radio transmission characteristics.Fingerprinting is used to reduce fraud since the illegal phone can not duplicate the legal phone's radio-frequency fingerprint.

Radiofrequency Emissions

SAR (specific absorption rates) monitors the amount of radiation absorbed by human tissue when using your cell phone. SAR is the measure used by clinical researchers studying the potential relationship between wireless phones and cancer. It is important to know that there has been no known link to cancer in countless studies, however, there continues to be controversy and discussion around the link between cellular phones and health issues.Starting in November, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission in the United States has mandated the posting of the SAR data for consumer information. In the United States, SAR levels on new phones (manufactured after August of this year) are found printed inside the cellular phone box. In the United States, the phones maximum SAR level must be less than 1.6 watts per kilogram as mandated by the FCC. The FCC forbids the sale of handsets that exceeds government SAR limits.There is no requirement in Canada at this time to post SAR information for consumer information. The government of Canada has no requirement to regulate maximum safety SAR levels in Canada. All SAR levels submitted by the manufacturers are certified on a volunteer basis only. There is no requirement to print information on boxes or make it easily available.Only new phones manufactured after August of this year post SAR information in the United States. Canadians interested in finding out SAR ratings for their older phones can try these steps: go to www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid (To search for an SAR value on this site consumers will need the FCC ID number for a phone, this is not the same as the manufacturer's model number for the phone. The FCC ID number for a phone is usually found on a sticker on the phone under the battery.)fill in the Grantee Code search box with the first three numbers and/or digits of the FCC ID number.fill in the Equipment Product Code search box with the rest of the numbers in the ID run the search click on Display Grant on the search results page and the SAR values can be found towards the bottom of the page.These results are the highest rating with the phone next to the ear. N/A -The FCC did not put on their website SAR data on phones certified before 1998. The manufacturers still have not given us any SAR numbers on the old models.

Regional Roaming

Refers to calls made outside of the local calling area but (usually) within the same state. Unless otherwise specified, roaming usually carries an additional charge.

Repertory dialing

Sometimes known as "memory dialing" or "speed-calling." A feature that allows the caller to recall from 1-to-99 (or more) phone numbers from a phone's memory with the touch of just one, two or three buttons.

RF (Radio Frequency)

A radio signal.

RF Noise

Undesired radio signals that alters a radio communications signal causing extraneous sounds during transmission and/or reception.

RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)

An undesired radio signal that interferes with a radio communications signal causing extraneous noise and/or signal dropouts.

Roam Access Numbers

A Roam Access number is a 7-digit (if local) and a 10-digit number (area code + a 7-digit number) that will connect your caller, with your specific location. If you are within the area that the Roaming Access Number serves, then the caller will pay the long distance. If you have traveled outside this area then the Roaming Access Number will still locate you, but you and the caller will both pay long distance.

Roaming

The ability to use a cellular phone outside of a usual service area ­ when traveling, for example.

Roaming Agreement

A agreement among wireless carriers allowing users to use their phone on systems other their own home systems. Roaming Fee charged for roaming.

RSA (rural service area)

One of the 428 FCC designated rural markets across the United States.