Glossary of Terms

G lo ss ary o f T er ms

Term Definition Description

2G/3G/4G/5G n Generation Different types of mobile phone data systems offering varying speed and connectivity.

APN

Apps

ATA

Backhaul

Cell

Circuit switched

Access Point Name The name of a gateway between a GSM, GPRS, 3G or 4G mobile network and another computer network, frequently the public Internet. A mobile device making a data connection must be configured with an APN to present to the carrier.

Applications Small software programs that run on phones and tablets and perform specific tasks such as providing a location, playing video or music, editing photos etc.

Analogue Telephone Adapter A plug-in adapter that converts an analogue signal to a digital signal.

Individual mobile transmitter/ receiver Each Cell/Transmitter tower for a mobile network can hold several individual cells. Often cells from multiple operators can be housed on the same physical towers, by motorways and in Cities, for example.

In hierarchical telecommunications networks, the backhaul portion of the network comprises the intermediate links between the core or backbone network, and small subnetworks at the edge of the network connecting to the end destination.

The traditional method of connecting a phone call where a physical path between sender and receiver is established.

Cyber Essentials

Cyber Essentials is an online self-assessment questionnaire which relies on you being able to understand the questions and know the answers. A board member from your organisation must sign a declaration to confirm that all the answers are true. There are no checks on your IT systems.

5

Term Cyber Essentials Plus Definition Description

Cyber Essentials Plus includes the self-assessment questionnaire but a technical expert will also conduct an audit on your IT systems. This means that if there were issues that you were not aware of when you answered the self-assessment questions, these would be picked up during this audit. As this assessment needs time from technical experts, it is more expensive than the Cyber Essentials assessment.

Cyber-physical

Data packets

dB

eSIM

Decibel A measure of signal strength / gain for mobile technology.

eUICC

GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node System is a computer based system in which a mechanism is controlled or monitored by computerbased algorithms.

Individual elements of digital data.

Embedded SIM card. Originally eSIM technology (the ability to reprogram a SIM remotely) was exclusively available on a SIM that was permanently embedded in a device. This is no longer the case and eSIM technology is now available on removable plastic SIMs compatible with any device with a SIM slo. (See Multi IMSI)

Embedded UICC. Many people use eSIM and eUICC interchangeably. This might not strictly be accurate but works well if people remember that the technology is no longer exclusively an embedded technology.

A major component gateway in the data path of mobile networks.

6

Term GPS

GSM

High-Gain

IMEI

IMSI

IoT

IP networks

IPsec

Latency Definition

Global Positioning System A network of satellites positioned in earth orbit to determine the location of a GPS enabled device.

Global System for Mobile Mobile phone systems that can transmit data as well as voice.

Description

Refers to a High Gain Antenna Designed to increase the signal gain in less covered regions, A high-gain antenna (HGA) for example, could be a directional antenna with a focused, narrow radio-wave beam width.

International Mobile Equipment Identity An electronic serial number that identifies a piece of GSM enabled equipment such as a mobile phone

International Mobile Subscriber Identity The unique identifying code of a subscriber on the mobile network.

Internet of Things A collection of internet connected devices whichcan connect and communicate with each other and a central management system.

Internet Protocol is a term used to describe the standard of communication used by internet connected devices.

Internet Protocol security A set of protocols that provides security for Internet Protocol. It can use cryptography to provide security. IPsec can be used for the setting up of virtual private networks (VPNs) in a secure manner. Also known as IP Security.

The delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer.

7

Term Definition LPWA

Low Power Wide Area Is a wireless technology that provides connection to a network over a wide area. This is used to connect large numbers of devices that transmit low data volumes, such as water meters. The frequencies used are unlicensed and may suffer from congestion and security issues. LoRaWAN and SigFox are proprietary vendors.

LTE

MNO

MTBF

Long Term Evolution A term generally used to refer to modern mobile technology from 4G onwards.

Mobile Network Operator A mobile provider running and managing their own network infrastructure i.e. Vodafone, o2, KPN, Telenor, EE, 3.

Mean Time Between Failures MTBF (mean time between failures) is a measure of how reliable a hardware product or component is. For most components, the measure is typically in thousands or even tens of thousands of hours between failures. For example, a hard disk drive may have a mean time between failures of 300,000 hours.

MVNO

Mobile Virtual Network Operator A specialist mobile provider using a physical network infrastructure managed by an MNO. Some specialise in Consumer i.e. Tesco Mobile, Giff Gaff, Asda Mobile while others specialise in niche markets such as National Infrastructure i.e. Mobius Networks, CSL Dualcom.

Network slice/ Network Slicing

“Not-Spots” Areas of no coverage

Packet-switched Description

Is a separated, self-contained, independent, and secured part of the network, targeting different services with different requirements on speed, latency, and reliability.

A phase referring to remote areas of no network coverage from any Mobile Network Operator.

The braking down of data and voice in to small packets which are sent over an internet connection and reassembled by the receiving System.

8

Term Definition Description

Ping A ping or ping test is used to establish if a computer or device is connected to a network. It can also be used to determine the latency or speed between two devices.

P2P

Peer-to-Peer In a P2P network, the "peers" are computer systems which are connected to each other via the Internet. Files can be shared directly between systems on the network without the need of a central server.

RAN

Roaming

SIM

Radio Access Network A radio access network (RAN) is a major component of a wireless telecommunications system that connects individual devices to other parts of a network through a radio link.

Subscriber Identification Module A smart card inside a mobile phone, carrying an identification number unique to the owner, storing personal data, and preventing operation if removed.

Using a network other than your ‘Home’ - i.e. using the ‘signal’ of O2 UK using a Vodafone SIM.

TCP

TDM

URLLC

VPN

Transmission Control Protocol A suite of communication protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet.

Time-division Multiplexing Time-division multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern.

Ultra-Reliable, Low Latency, communications. Typically, <8ms end to end.

Virtual Private Network A technology that creates a safe and encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet. VPN technology was developed as a way to allow remote users and branch offices to securely access corporate applications and other resources.

9