Prepaid-Cell-Phone-Definitions

Prepaid-Cell-Phone-Definitions:

Airtime Balance--This is the number of useable units or minutes you have left on your phone. Tracfone and Net10 both have this feature built into the phones that work on their network.

Access Fees--This is a monthly or daily service charge some prepaid cell companies charge for use of the cell network. This isn't necessarily bad as long as they aren't too high.

Caller ID--This allows you to see the number of the person calling you. If you have stored the number in your phone's phonebook the name attached will show instead of the number. This is really handy.

Calling Area--This is the defining area you can use your Cell phone and you will not be charged extra for roaming. Most plans do not charge extra for calling from your calling area to anywhere in the US.

CDMA--is a standard mainly used in the US. It offers significant improvement over previous analogue systems. CDMA phones normally do not have Sim Cards and usually will not work on GSM networks.

Contract Phone--This is a phone that you must sign a long term--1 or 2 year--contract to use. This is how most companies in the US sell their Cell services. Definition

ESN--This is the phone serial number. To find it on most phones you click on the menu and click up or down on the menu and you will find it. This number is important because you must have it to add minutes to your phone. I have it written down in my wallet so I can easily read it when I am adding minutes.

Flip Phones --Usually smaller phones that fold or slide into themselves to take up less space. Most of them cover the keyboard so you don't accidentally dial out.

GSM-Global System For Mobile Communications is an improved version of TDMA (See definitiion) actually a hybrid of Analog and TDMA. This is the standard developed to work throughout Europe. It is used throughout Europe and most of Asia. GSM phones always have Sim Cards. T-Mobile, Cingular use the GSM type of digital system. US GSM cell phones work on 1900 MHz (and sometimes also 850 MHz). Most other countries have GSM networks on 900 or 1800 MHz.

Keypad Lock--a feature on most phones allowing you to disable the keys so your phone cannot accidentally call out if the keys are accidentally hit in your pocket or purse.

Li-Ion Battery--is a type of battery, a Lithium-Ion battery, used to power wireless communication devices. Li-Ion batteries are lighter weight than Ni-Cad and Nimh and have a relatively long cycle life. Generally they do not suffer from memory effect.

Net10--This is a new phone system set up by Tracfone that only uses the newer one rate phones that do not charge for roaming. The rate is always 10 cents per minute. These phones do not work in as many areas as some of the other phones and are not available in all areas. www.Net10.com

Prepaid-Cell-Phone-Definitions--This is a phone that you don't need to sign a contract to use. All the expenses are upfront, paid in advance.

Razr by Motorola--The best selling phone for 2005 in the USA. T-Mobile and Cingular are the only Prepaid vendors with the Razr.

Refurbished Phones--Often you can purchase a refurbished phone from your prepaid vendor for one half or less than they want for the same phone in new. I have had very good luck with refurbished prepaid phones.

Rollover of Minutes--This is a very important issue. Most of the Prepaid plans at this time allow you to keep unused minutes from month to month as long as you keep access to the network. Most Contract Cell phones do not allow rolling over unused minutes to the next month.

Sim Card--Subscriber Identity Module card - a small printed circuit board that must be inserted in any GSM-based mobile phone before using. It contains subscriber details, security information and memory for a personal directory of numbers. The card is usually a small plug-in type. The SIM card also stores data that identifies the caller to the network service provider. If you transfer your Sim card to another unlocked phone it will usually work as long as the new phone is not locked to a different network.

TDMA--an older type of digital phone system. It is being phased out in most parts of the country. It could handle a lot more phone calls than Analog for the same radio frequency width. Both CDMA and GSM are significant advances over TDMA.

Text Message--This is a mode on your phone that you use the keyboard to write a message and send it. It usually costs 1/2 unit per message going out and coming in. It can be very handy to get a message out.

Tracfone--The largest US prepaid wireless cell phone company. Tracfone.com

Units---Most Prepaid companies sell you units that convert to minutes of use. On some Tracfone phones two units equals 1 minute when you are out of your calling area.

Voice Mail--If you do not answer your phone when someone calls with voicemail they can leave you a message. With many plans you are able to call from a landline to check your voicemail. If you call from your prepaid phone you will be charged for the minutes you use listening to voicemail.

Thanks for Checking out my Prepaid-Cell-Phone-Definitions check out my Prepaid Minute Saving tips and Tracfone Nearly Free Minute page also.