STD-036 Wireless E911 Phase II standard (position of caller within 125m/400ft) See STD-

J2EE Java 2 Enterprise Edition

J2ME Java 2 Micro Edition

JAIN Java APIs for Intelligent Networks

language providing efficiency close to that of languages compiled into native machine code while providing portability of the compiled program. Each computer system that wants to run Java has to provide a virtual machine

JCP Java Community Process JDC Japanese Digital Cellular JFIF JPEG File Interchange Format

JIP ISUP Jurisdiction Information Parameter

JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group. Not usually used to refer to the group, but a graphics format created for them that is suitable for digital photographs and similar images. It supports 24 bit color as well as variable levels of compression and quality. It should be referred to as JFIF, but isn't. cf GIF, PNG, TIFF

JSR Java Specification Request

JSR 177 JSR for Security and Trust services API for J2ME JTACS Japanese TACS

JTC Joint Technical Committee (e.g. with members of more than one SDO)

K

Kasumi A block cipher used by AKA for the A5/3, f8 and f9 algorithms. See the wikipedia entry for more details

kbps kilo-bps. A data speed of billions of bits per second. See Mbps and Gbps

Kc GSM cipher key. Used for voice encryption KDF Key Derivation Function

KG Key Generator

kHz kilo-Hertz. Thousands of cycles per second. See MHz and GHz Ki GSM subscriber authentication key

kilo Prefix to indicate one thousand (e.g. kilo-bit). Abbreviated k. See kbps KSG Keystream Generators

KSI Key Set Identifier KSS Key Stream Segment

L

L1 Layer 2

L2 Layer 2

L2TP Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol. Defined in RFC 2661. Successor to PPTP. IP packets are wrapped in a layer containing another set of IP addresses and possibly also control messages. The detailed format varies

depending on whether the transport protocol is IP, UDP or another PSN type.

L3 Layer 3

LAC(1) Link Access Control

LAC(2) Location Area Code. 16 bit number identifiying a location area (i.e. group of base stations) within a GSM PLMN

LAES Lawfully Authorized Electronic Surveillance. See CALEA, J-STD-025, surveillance

LAI GSM Location Area Identity. Composed of MCC + MNC + LAC LAK Local Authentication Key

LAN Local Area Network. Compare with WAN, MAN. LAP Link Access Protocol

LAPB Link Access Protocol, Balanced

LAPD Link Access Protocol for the ISDN D Channel

LATA Local Access and Transport Area. US local telephone service area LB Letter Ballot

LBA Location Based Application

LBC Last Batch Count. Exchanged by CIBER billing clearinghouses to ensure they do not get out of sequence with each other.

LBS Location Based Services

LCP Link Control Protocol. A subset of PPP that is used to negotiate and establish link capabilities, including authentication

LCS Location Services. This usually implies positioning of an MS for commercial services, not emergency services

LCSM LCS Manager

LDAP Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. See IETF RFC 3377. Compare with X.500 DAP

LDP Label Distribution Protocol. See MPLS LDT Location Determination Technology LEA Law Enforcement Agency

Leakage Inability to bill for a service

LEAP Lighweight EAP. A Cisco proprietary version.

LEC Local Exchange Carrier (wireline carrier for local calls). Also see ILEC and CLEC

LEMF Law Enforcement Monitoring Facility (for LAES) LEO Low Earth Orbit

LER Label Edge Router. See MPLS

LERG Local Exchange Routing Guide. Includes a list of valid number blocks in the NANP

LFB Lookahead For Busy

LIDB Line Information DataBase. Used for validating collect calls, 3rd party calls, etc.

LIF Location Interoperability Forum within OMA

LIFO Last in, first out. A queuing methodology similar to stacking dishes and using the dish on the top of the stack. Compare with FIFO

LIR Location Identification Restriction. Prevents the location of a mobile phone from being revealed (with legal exceptions for E911, etc.) LLA-RHOC Link Layer Assisted ROHC

LMDS Local Multipoint Distribution Service. Uses the 27.5-31.3 GHz

frequency band to serve mulitple points within a radius of 3-5km. Most carriers in this space have abandoned it or gone bankrupt. See MMDS. LMM Localized Mobility Management to improve local handover

performance in Mobile IP LMR Land Mobile Radio

LMSD Legacy MS Domain. Refers to existing SS7-based telecommunications systems, when accessed from an All-IP system. See MMD

LMSI Local Mobile Station Identity. See TMSI

LMU GSM Location Measurement Unit

LND Last Number Dialed

LNP Local Number Portability. Allows consumers to keep a phone number (MDN) when changing carriers within the same geographical region LNPWG Local Number Portability Working Group of NANC

LOS Line of Sight. A direct path through the air from transmitter to receiver. Always desirable for wireless communications, although not always necessary (e.g. for cellular/PCS)

LPC Linear Predictive Coding LPDE Local PDE

LPDU Link Protocol Data Unit. A frame

LRF Location Registration Function. See WIN

LRN Location Routing Number. A routing number that identifies the terminating switch for a Ported DN

LSB Least Significant Bit or Byte. Compare with MSB

LSMS Local Service Management System. Telephone carrier interface that downloads information from the NPAC into one or more NPDBs LSP Label Switched Path. See MPLS

LSPI Proposed SS7 ISUP Local Service Provider Identification LSR Label Switching Router. See MPLS

LSSU Link Status Signal Unit. The link status message for SS7 MTP LT Line Termination

LTE A GSM competitor to EvDO Revision C promising similar data rates. See ADRC

M

M2M Machine To Machine. Communications between unattended machines. Most electronic communications is between machines but in many cases, such as a cellphone or PC, this is usually only because a person is using the device. An example of an M2M scenario is when a heat or alarm sensor communicates with a central computer, perhaps with the central computer providing feedback to other devices to shut off a malfunctioning machine, turn on fans or other automated control M2PA SS7 MTP2 Peer-to-Peer User Adaptation Layer

M2UA SS7 MTP2 User Adaptation Layer

M3UA SS7 MTP3 User Adaptation Layer. Resides above SCTP and below SCCP in an IP telecom signaling protocol stack.

MAAL Management ATM Adaptation Layer. Maps management requests from system management to SAAL. See ATIS T1.652

MABEL Major Account Billing Exchange Logistical Record. Defined by Cibernet to facilitate centralized billing for large account customers MAC(1) Medium Access Control

MAC(2) Message Authentication Code. In AKA, a value derived from SQN, RAND and AMF using f1 that shows that the sender was in possession of certain secret information (i.e. is authentic).

MACA Mobile Assisted Channel Allocation. Mobile determines the best

alternate cellsite to originate a call in, when no channels are available in the current site

MAH Mobile Access Hunting. Termination to one of a group of mobiles MAHO Mobile Assisted Handoff. Mobile measures signal strength at

neighoring base stations to determine which to handoff to MAN Metropolitan Area Network. Compare with LAN, WAN

MANET Mobile ad hoc Network. A collection of wireless nodes that can dynamically form a network without any fixed network infrastructure. MAP Mobile AP. Protocol that interconnects wireless telephone systems. See

GSM and TIA/EIA-41

MBI MIN Block Identifier. The first 6 digits (usually) of a North American MIN, when assigned separately from the MDN. The first digit is always 2-9 (inclusive). Digits 0 and 1 are reserved for IRM codes.

MBMS UTRA Multimedia Broadcast and Multimedia Service

Mbps Mega-bps. A data speed of millions of bits per second. See Gbps and kbps

MC(1) Short Message Center MC(2) Multi-carrier

MCC E.212 Mobile Country Code. First 3 digits of IMSI MCFTP Multi-Channel Flow Treatment Protocol

MCI Malicious Call Identification MCID See MCI

MCL Minimum Coupling Loss. The minimum loss required between a transmitter and a nearby receiver to avoid adversely affecting receiver performance.

Mcps Million Chips-per-second. See CDMA and W-CDMA MCSE Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

MD-IS Mobile Data - Intermediate System. A CDPD term

MD5 Message Digest 5. A secure hashing algorithm. See SHA-1 MDN Mobile DN

MDS Multi-Point Distribution System.

ME Mobile Equipment. Synonym for UE. Contrast with MS MEA Message Encryption Algorithm

Mega Prefix to indicate one million (e.g. Mega-bit). Abbreviated M. See Mbps

MEGACO Media Gateway Control - IETF Working Group MEI Mobility Event Indicator

MEID A 56 bit Mobile Equipment Identity for CDMA and TDMA MS. Similar to the GSM IMEI, but allowing hexadecimal digits, and with a simplified structure (2 digit region code, 6 digit manufacturer code, 6 digit serial number). Compare with IMEI, ESN. ESN and MEID are assigned by the TIA.

MEMS Micro-Eletronic Mechanical System

MESA Mobility for Emergency Service Applications. A joint ETSI/TIA project to increase the interoperability of emergency service communications.

mesh A form of networking where access to a server can be accomplished by routing through other clients that are physically closer

meta-language A language that can be used to define other languages. See ASN.1 and BNF

MExE 3GPP TSG-T Mobile Execution Environment

MF(1) Multi-frequency tone signaling. Used for trunk signaling MF(2) UIM Master File. Compare with EF and DF

MG Media Gateway

MGC MG Controller

MGCF MG Control Function

MGCP MG Control Protocol. A VoIP call control standard. Also see older protocol SGCP

MGW Media Gateway. Interface between packet environment of the CN and circuit environment of PSTN

MHz Million Hz. A measure of radio frequency MIB Management Information (Data)Bases

MIH Media Independent Handover. An IEEE 802.11 term indicating handover between 802.11, 802.3 or 802.16 and another radio interface. MIHF MIH Function. A cross-layer entity, defined by IEEE 802.21, that

provides mobility support through SAPs offering Event, Information and Command services.

MIME Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions

MIMO Multiple Input, Multiple Output antennas. This increases throughput and reduces bit error rates compared to traditional antenna systems which transmit and receive through a single antenna.

MIN Mobile Identification Number. 10 digit identifier of a mobile

subscription. IRM for cdma2000, TDMA, AMPS. A MIN intended for use outside North America is usually an IRM assigned by IFAST MIN1 The last 7 digits of a MIN encoded in a wierd, but compact, 24 bit

binary format

MIN2 The first 3 digits of a MIN encoded in a very wierd, but compact, 10 bit binary format

minimization Removal of information that has been collected, but that is outside the scope of a court order. See LAES

MIP Mobile IP. IETF RFC 2002

MIPS Million Instructions per Second. Measurement of processor speed MISP Mobile Internet Service Provider

MLC OMA/3GPP Mobile Location Center

MLP Mobile Location Protocol. An XML-based protocol developed by the OMA LIF group.

MLPP Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption MLTS Multi-line Telephone System

MM(1) Mobility Management MM(2) Multimedia Message

MM1 MMS interface between UA and MMS Relay/Server MM2 MMS interface between MMS Relay and MMS Server

MM3 MMS interface between MMS Relay/Server and External Servers for fax, email etc.

MM4 MMS interface between two MMS Relay/Servers MM5 MMS interface between MMS Relay/Server and HLR

MM6 MMS interface between MMS Relay/Server and user databases MM7 MMS interface between MMS Relay/Server and VAS applications MM8 MMS interface between MMS Relay/Server and billing systems MMD Multi-Media Domain. An IP-based signaling system supporting voice,

video, graphics, sound and application data, such as email in an integrated fashion. Contrast with LMSD. See IMS

MMDS Multi-channel Multi-Point Distribution Service. Uses the 2.1-2.7 GHz frequency band. The success of this technology has been about as poor as its cousin, LMDS.

MMI Man-Machine Interface

MML Man-Machine Language. A human-readable language devised for communications between a human and a computer. Examples of formal languages in telecommunications are ITU-T Z.300 and the related TL1. These languages are textual and most humans are unlikely to want to use them directly, so they are more likely to take the place of a human- readable (i.e. ASCII character) protocol, with a GUI for the human to view and control the interactions with the computer more effectively and pleasantly.

MMS MM Service (e.g. text, audio, graphics) MMSE Multimedia Messaging Service Environment MMSNA MMS Network Architecture

MMTA MultiMedia Telecommunications Association. A subsidiary of TIA MN Mobile Node. An internet term for a mobile device capable of IP

communications. See Mobile IP

MN-FA MN Foreign Authentication. An extension to MIP that provides stronger authentication. See IETF RFC 3012

MNC E.212 Mobile Network Code (identifies an individual carrier, or a portion of a carrier network). Part of IMSI

MNIC Mobile Network Identification Code

MNID MN Identification

MNO Mobile Network Operator. A carrier.

MNP Mobile Number Portability. See LNP, WNP MO Mobile Originated/Originating

Mobile IP A set of protocols that allows a MN to roam on the internet. Not widely implemented.

Mobile Node An IP network node that has both a static address and a ‘care-of’ address associated with it. IP packets can be routed to it via a Home Agent (at its static address) and a Foreign Agent (at its care-of address) Mobility The capability of a device to initiate or receive services in many

different systems, and to maintain session while travelling between systems.

Mobitex An Ericsson Wireless Data protocol, once known as RAM Mobile Data in the US.

MOS Mean Opinion Score. A method of measuring quality (e.g. of wireless voice transmission) by asking people to rank their opinion on a numeric scale, and then averaging the results. Sophisticated, huh!

MoU(1) GSM Memorandum of Understanding. The guidelines under which GSM systems are implemented

MoU(2) Minutes of Use. A common measure of the usage of a group of subscribers

MPC Mobile Positioning Center. Interfaces between MSC, PDE, CRDB and ESME

MPCAP Mobility Positioning Capabilities MPCI Mobile PCI

MPEG Motion Pictures Experts Group. Not usually used to refer to a group but a format for audio/video compression (and, obviously, decompression) MPLS Multi Protocol Label Switching. An IP protocol (RFC 3031) designed

to provide preferred treatment to priority traffic to achieve a higher QoS. Every packet labeled with the same FEC gets the same treatment MPS Minimum Performance Standards/Specification.

MRF Media Resource Function. Provides conference bridges,

announcements, tones and so forth to IP-based telephony networks. See MRFC and MRFP

MRFC MRF Controller

MRFP MRF Processor. Provides tones, recordings, conference bridges etc. MRP Market Representation Partner. A participant in the 3GPP or 3GPP2

process that represents the marketing of technology in a region, such as 3G Americas for 3GPP or CDG for 3GPP2.

MS(1) Mobile Station (wireless phone)

ms(2) Milliseconds. Thousandths of a second. Also msec MS-SME SME embedded in MS

MSA Metropolitan Statistical Area. CGSA for urban cellular systems. Also used for licensing the FCC AWS D band.

MSAG Master Street Address Guide. A database of street names and house number ranges that define ESZ and their associated ESNs to enable proper routing of 911 calls. See E911.

MSB Most Significant Bit or Byte. Compare with LSB MSC Mobile Switching Centre

MSC-G See Gateway MSC MSC-H See Home MSC MSC-O See Originating MSC MSC-S Serving MSC

MSC-V Visited MSC. The MSC which a mobile is currently registered in MSCIN MSC Identification Number

msec Milliseconds. See ms

MSID Mobile Station Identifier. A MIN or an IMSI. See IMSI_O

MSIN Mobile Subscriber Identity Number. Unique number assigned to a subscriber as part of IMSI

MSISDN MS ISDN number. Same as MDN

MSK Minimum Shift Keying. FSK where peak-to-peak FM deviation is half the data rate

MSO CDMA Markov Service Option

MSP Multiple Subscriber Profile

MSRN Mobile Station Roaming Number. The GSM equivalent of the ANSI-41 TLDN

MSS(1) Mobile Satellite System/Service MSS(3) Multimedia Streaming Service

MSU Message Signal Unit. The payload message for SS7 MTP

MT Mobile Terminated/Termination/Terminal. The UE is composed of the MT and SIM/USIM and possibly other peripherals

MTA(1) Major Trading Area MTA(2) Mail Transfer Agent

MTE Months to Exhaust. The time at which a numbering resource (e.g. area code) is expected to be fully utilized

MTP Message Transfer Part (SS7 transport layer)

MTP2 MTP Layer 2

MTP3 MTP Layer 3

MTSO Older term for MSC

MTTR Mean Time to Restore (after failure) MTU Message Transfer Unit

Multipath A radio link between the transmitter and receiver comprised of multiple paths which include intermediate reflections from various surfaces, usually due to non-line of sight communication paths

MUX Multiplexer

MVNE Mobile Virtual Network Enabler. Provides infrastructure and services such as billing, subscriber management and operations support to MVNOs.

MVNO Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A company that markets cellular service but contracts with facilities-based cellular carriers to actually provide the coverage

mW milli-Watt

MWIF Mobile WIreless Internet Forum. Promotes the use of a single All-IP network for future wireless systems (e.g. convergence of 3GPP and 3GPP2 protocols)

MWN Message Waiting Notification (e.g. stutter dial tone or an indication on a wireless phone's display)

MWNE Managed Wireless Network Entity. A piece of equipment that provides OA&M data

MX Mail Exchange (internet mail server)

N

N-1 Switch The switch responsible for LNP queries N-AMPS See NAMPS

NAA Network Access Application NACK Negative ACK

NAF Network Application Function of GBA.

NAI Network Access Identifier. This is an email-like address format used to identify a AAA or a device with an interface to one.

NAM Number Assignment Module. A portion of a mobile phone that stores a single user profile, including MIN and IMSI, but not ESN

NAMPS Narrowband AMPS

NANC North American Numbering Council. The organization responsible for overseeing the distribution of telephone numbers in the NANP

NANP North American Numbering Plan

NANPA North American Numbering Plan Administrator (or Area) NAPTR Number Authority Pointer. See IETF RFC 2915.

NAS(1) Network Access Servers

NAS(2) Non-Access Stratum. Protocols between the UE and the core network that are transparent to the RAN (e.g. SMS)

NAT Network Address Translation. Maps an internal set of IP addresses to an external set (perhaps assigned dynamically by DHCP)

NBAP Node B Application Part

NCAS Non-Call Associated Signaling. Compare with CAS NCG Network Capability Gateway. Obsolete. See OSA-SCS NCGW Synonym for NCG. Obsolete. See OSA-SCS

NCS National Communication System. Responsible for US Government communications, including WPS and GETS

NDC E.164 National Destination Code NDS Network Domain Security NE Network Entity

NEBS Network Equipment Building Systems

Net Additions Increase in new revenue-generating subscribers over a time period (usually a quarter year)

NFCC Network Firewall Configuration and Control NFS Number Field Sieve. Used in cryptography

even higher speed data capabilities.

NHLFE Next Hop Label Forwarding Entry. See MPLS NHP No-Header Packet. See RFC 3242

NI(1) Network Identity NI(2) Number Incomplete nibble Four bit

NID Network Identification. A number that uniquely identifies a portion of a wireless carrier’s total system. Used by TIA/EIA-95 (CDMA) systems NIDS Network-Initiated Data Session

NIIF Network Interconnection Interoperability Forum NIST US National Insitute of Standards and Technology NL Neighbour List

NMR Network Measurement Results

NMSI National Mobile Subscription Identity. MNC + MSIN

NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone. An analog cellular system available either in the 450 MHz or 900 MHz bands

Node B Logical node in the 3GPP RNS responsible for radio

transmission/reception in one or more cells to and from the UE. Terminates the Iub interface towards the RNC.

Non-

repudiation

Ensuring that a communication cannot be disavowed later Non-systemic

Interference RF interference within a channel used in a wireless system that emanates from a transmitter that is not part of the same system, and that may have undefined channel characteristics. This is of greatest concern for systems operating in unlicensed bands, such as ISM. Compare with Systemic Interference

nonce A number that is used only once. Often used in cryptography

In document Telecom Glossary (Page 38-50)