Cell Phone Terms
2.5G
A generation of cellular technology (includes systems like GPRS and 1XRTT
Neighbor List
A list kept by the phone that captures the towers and sectors in the area, along with their signal strength, to identify the tower/sectors with the best signal for the phone at any given time. This list is constantly updated by the phone. A neighbor list is also maintained by a cell site that contains its other cell sites nearby.
Ec/Io
A measurement of the signal strength and signal quality ("quality/cleanliness" or "strength and clarity") of the signal from the tower to the phone. This indicates the signal-to-noise ratio (the ratio of the received/good energy to the interference/bad energy). It is measured in decibels (dB).
LTE CI
A numerical identifier for a eNodeB and the Cell ID, needs to be converted mathmatically to determine the eNodeB and Cell ID
Sector
A section of the coverage area of a cell tower.
Pilot Channel
A signal produced by each tower's antenna periodically to identify itself to the phones/devices in the area. This information will include, the network provider, the exact time based on GPS, the tower's number, scrambling codes, and other data used for synchronization with the network.
Network Element
A term Verizon uses to refer to a switch.
Network Handoff
A term for when a call or data session in handed off from one cell site to another.
CPN
A term in Verizion CDRs which means Calling Person Number - the phone that placed the call
SOU
A term in Verizon CDRs which means Seconds of Usage. Also known as duration.
Elasped Time (ET)
A term used in AT&T CDRS which is a measurement of the duration of the connection or call. Does not inlcude the setup time of the call.
Cell ID
A term used in the LTE network that defines a specific antenna on a Cell Tower (eNodeB), and identifies the sector (or antenna of a tower) that was used during the connection. (Can be confused with Cell Tower ID which only identfies the tower)
SWAT
A term used in the Sprint network referring to Soft Wireless Access Tandem. These provide the required extra space that helps Sprint maintain all of the calls. SWAT call time zones are based on the location, which can be identified by the NEID in the Sprint explanation form.
Cascade ID
A term used in the Sprint network to identify a specific cell tower, but is not specific enough to identify the sector
Azimuth
AKA orientation. The azimuth is the center direction point of a sector and is usually listed in degrees of a compass. For example, 90 degrees faces due East, 180 degrees is South, 270 degrees is West, and 0 or 360 degrees is North.
AGCH
Access Grant Channel
4G
Also known as LTE is known as the 4th generation of cellular technology
Seizure Time
An AT&T term that indicates the amount of time it took the network to setup and start the call.
ECI
An abbreviation of ECGI. Stands for Extended Cell identification
Repoll
An old term used in the Sprint network to identify the Switch in a 2G and 3G network. The new term in Sprint records is NEID (Network Element Identifier)
MAC address
An unique internal number for each device that identifies that device on the internet
Market ID
Another name for a switch in a celllar Network
A-GNSS
Assisted Global Navigation Satellite System
BSC
Base Station Controller. A term in the 2G and 3G network, which describes a computer that controls a group of Base Stations (aka Cell Towers)
BSS
Base Station Subsystem
BTS
Base Transceiver Station - another name for an antenna on a tower.
BSIC
Base station Identity Code
BCH
Broadcast Channel
CDR
Call Detail Record. Different from Toll record because CDRs have the cell site used during the connection also listed in the spread sheet.
CGI
Cell Global Identification. For the 2G and 3G networks the first 5 digits are always the MCC and MNC. In AT&T CDRs this is the labeled as ECGI.
CID
Cell ID. A term in the CDMA network that identifies the cell number and sometimes the sector used in a connection.
C-RNTI
Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access. A type of 2G and 3G cellular network used by Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular.
CCCH
Common Control Channel
DCCH
Dedicated Control Channel
ESN
Electronic Serial Number. Used to identify the phone on the network. A unique identification number embedded by manufacturers on a microchip in wireless phones. It is 8 hexadecimal digits long.
eHRPD
Enhanced High Rate Packet Data. An enhancement to the 3G network for data transmissions.
eNodeB
Enhanced NodeB. A term in the LTE cellular network that references a group of antennas on a cell tower. The eNodeB alone does not identify the sector.
EVDO
Evolution-Data Optimized. A term used in the CDMA 2.5G network, which enhanced the speed of data transmissions.
eCGI
Extended Cell Global Identification. A term used in the LTE network for a cell tower (a group of antennas at one location). This number is combination of the PLMN (MCC (Mobile Country Code) + MNC (Mobile Network Code) and Cell Identity (CI). When converted mathematically, it can identify a specific LTE cell tower in the world, the eNodeB and Cell ID.
CDR Mediations
File name term used by T-Mobile to identify their Voice and SMS CDR
FDMA
Frequency Division Multiple Access. One of the ways that cellular companies allow more users on a specific frequency.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service. A term used in the 2.5G and 3G networks and is related to data transmission packets over the cellular network. It provided moderate-speed data transfer by using unused time division multiple access (TDMA) channels.
GPS
Global Position System. Location on Earth based on measurements from satellites in space.
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications. This was the initial type of 2G and 2.5G network used by AT&T and T-Mobile.
GMT
Greenwich Mean Time - same as UTC
HSPA
High Speed Packet Access. A term used in the evolution between 3G and 4G. This technology was able to produce speed transfers almost as fast as 4G.
HLR
Home Location Registry. A database on the network where the information about the subscriber is stored. This information includes account status, where the phone was first established and services allowed by the phone, determined by the make and model of the phone and services paid for.
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identifier. A term used in the LTE and GSM networks that identifies a number assigned by the manufacturer for each cellular device. This number contains information on the manufacturer, model number and the serial number of the device.
IMSI
International Mobile Subscriber Identity. A number assigned by the cellular service provider to each subscriber. This number includes the MCC (Mobile Country Code), the MNC (Mobile Network Code), and the subscriber number assigned by the providers. For example, 31041072296571 is deciphered as: MCC = 310 (United States) MNC = 410 (AT&T) Subscriber # = 72296571 (subscriber # in AT&T's system)
IPDR
Internet Protocol Data Record. Type of Verizon data return.
IP
Internet Protocol address. The communications protocol that provides an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes traffic across the Internet. An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two main functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing.
IPV4
Internet protocal version 4
IPV6
Internet protocal version 6
LAC
Location Area Code
LTE
Long-Term Evolution
MCC
Mobile Country Code. A code at the beginning of a IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) that identifies the country where the device was setup. For example, MCC 310 is represents the United States.
MDN
Mobile Dialing Number. Also known as the phone number.
MEID
Mobile Equipment Identifier. A term used in CDMA technology that identifies a number assigned by the manufacturer for each cellular device. This number is made up of the manufacturer, the model number and the serial number of the device. Sometimes displayed in Hexadecimal format.
MIN
Mobile Identification Number - is a serial number that uniquely identifies a cell phone subscriber within a mobile carrier network. MIN is similar to standard phone/mobile numbers but is not the same.
MNC
Mobile Network Code. A code in the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) that indicates which cellular network the phone has service with. For example 410 is AT&T.
MSISDN
Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number. Refers to the phone number of a device.
MSC
Mobile Switching Center. Also known as a Switch in the 2.5G and 3G networks. It is a section of the network that controls a group of BSCs and BTSs (cell towers).
MVNO
Mobile Virtual Network Operator. Cellular companies that don't have their own networks and have an agreement with other carriers to roam on their networks, like Straight Talk and Consumer Cellular.
MME
Mobility Management Entity . A term in LTE network for base station controller.
MMS
Multimedia Message Service. A term referring to messages containing more than 160 characters or include data other than text, like a picture.
NEID
Network Element Identifier. A newer term used in the Sprint 2G and 3G network to identify the switch that handles a call or connection.
NELOS
Network Event Location System - AT&T 's version of PCMD which provides an estimated location (latitude and longitude) of the phone/device and an estimate of accuracy of that locaiton. The data used to detemine this location is not explained by AT&T but it is believed it takes into account informaiton like distance from towers, triangulation and othewr measures. But that information is not provided to law enforcment.
NID
Network Identification Number
PCMD
Per Call Measurement Data. Specialized location information containing measurements made by the network that can included the distance the phone is away from the cell tower as well an estimated latitude and longitude (not always based on GPS) of the device.
PLMN
Public Land Mobile Network. A combination of the MCC and MNC.
RF
Radio Frequency
SID
Refers to a cellular System Identification number. These are 15-bit numeric identifiers used in cellular systems to identify the home system and roaming status for a mobile phone, as well as for billing purposes.
RTT
Round Trip Time or Real Time Tracking tool. This is Verizon's term for PCMD information.
Cell Name
Same as Cell ID. A term used in the LTE network that defines a specific antenna on a Cell Tower (eNodeB), and identifies the sector of a tower. Can be confused with Cell Tower ID which only identifies the tower.
pseudo-ESN, or pESN
Same as ESN. An 8-digit hexadecimal number that can be calculated using the MEID.
S-GW
Serving Gateway. The main function of the Serving Gateway is to route and forward user data packets. This term is used in the LTE network.
SMS
Short Message Service. Also known as a text message. These are limited to 160 characters. These are transmitted of the voice netork in 2.5 and 3G systems.
Radiation Pattern
Specifications on how an antenna radiates its signal in a vacuum. There are numerous types of radiation patterns and they are measured in decibels. It does not indicate coverage or even best coverage in real life.
Longitude
Specifies the east-west position on the Earth's surface based on Greenwich Meridan
Latitude
Specifies the north-south position on the Earth's surface based on the Equator
Sync Channel
Synchronization Channel or SCH. This helps a phone synchronize with the cell sites and network. The Synchronization Channel is a downlink only control channel used in GSM cellular telephone systems. The purpose of the SCH is to allow the mobile station (handset) to quickly identify a nearby cell (a BTS) and synchronize to that BTS's TDMA structures.
Orientation
Term depicting the direction of the center point of a sector. Also referred to as azimuth.
Call Plus
Term used by Sprint for a newer type of call (not further defined)
1xRTT
Term used in the CDMA 3G networks and specifies a single (1x) 1.25 MHz channel for data transfer. Also referred to as CDMA2000. This number can bee seen on phone's signal strenght when LTE is not avaiable.
Access Channel
The access channel is a specific channel within specific a frequency in a cellualr network system that is used when the phone (or cellular device) wants to access the network and request resources. The phone uses this channel to signal the cell tower for assistance.
Beam Width
The amount of distance from the center point of the sector where the signal strength is half the amount. Does not directly relate to sector coverage width.
Paging Channel
The paging channel is a channel within a frequency that is used by the network to send a signal to cellular devices in the area of that tower. For example, when the network has a call coming in for a specific phone, the network uses the paging channel to see if the phone is in the area and will answer the page.
Antenna
The physical device on the tower that transmits and receives information (also called a Base Transceiver Station (BTS))
3GPP
Third Generation Partnership Project
3G
Third generation of cellular technology (includes systems like UMTS)
Reveal Data
This is Sprint's term for PCMD information.
TAC
Tracking Area Code. An LTE term for a group of cell towers within the network, similar to LAC in the 2G and 3G networks.
Lucent
Type of manufacturer of a BTS (cell tower). Sector numbering convention 2,3 and 4 instead of the traditional sector number of 1, 2 and 3.
Nortel
Type of manufacturer of a BTS (cell tower). Sector numbering convention is 1, 2 and 3.
FDR
Verizon term for LTE Data session (not further defined)
BDR
Verizon term for LTE Data session report (not further defined)
De-registation
When a phone signs off the network. This occurs when the phone powers down, battery dies, placed in airplane mode, or leaving the coverage area.
eNB
an abbreviation for eNodeB
eNB ID
an abbriviation for eNodeB ID