Here's a list to help you stay on top of all the terminology as you prepare to deploy wireless in your business.

3G:
The term used to describe the next generation of mobile network infrastructure that supports high-speed, high-bandwidth wireless services for advanced applications.

802.11:
A family of wireless Local Area Network specifications also known as "Wi-Fi." The three main standards are 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g.

• 802.11a Profile
  - 5GHz
  - 5 times faster than 802.11b
  - fewer interference issues because of 5GHz spectrum
  - not backwards compatible
  - 54 Mbps max link rate
  - 8 radio channels



• 802.11b Profile
  - 2.4 GHz
  - Transfers data at 11 Mbps up to 300 ft.
  - Shares spectrum with cordless phone, microwaves
  - 11Mbps max link rate
  - 3 radio channels



• 802.11g Profile
  - 2.4GHz
  - 5 times faster than 802.11b
  - more secure
  - backwards compatible with 802.11b
  - 54 Mbps max link rate
  - 3 radio channels

Bluetooth:
A short-range wireless networking technology with a range of about 30 feet and a raw data transmission rate of 1Mbps. It's designed primarily as a cable replacement.

Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group):
A trade association comprised of industry leaders and some volunteers who are promoting the development of Bluetooth-enabled products.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access):
A technology used to send digital transmissions between a mobile phone and a radio base station. It allows for multiple transmissions to be carried simultaneously on a single wireless channel.

CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data):
A technology that allows telecommunications companies to transfer data over existing cellular networks to users.

EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution):
A faster technology for GSM and TDMA networks that may offer transfer rates up to 384 Kbps.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service):
A 2.5G technology being implemented in GSM networks. It is an "always on" technology with data transfer speeds up to 114 Kbps.

GSM (Global Systems for Mobile Communication):
A digital cellular or PCS standard for how data is coded and transferred through the wireless spectrum. It is the 2G wireless standard throughout the world - except in the United States. GSM is an alternative to CDMA.

Hot Spots:
Wireless access points that are found in public places such as airports, conventions centers, hotels and coffee shops.

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service):
A method for transmitting graphics, video clips, sound files and short text messages over wireless networks using the WAP protocol.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification):
An analog-to-digital conversion technology that uses radio frequency waves to transfer data between a moveable item and a reader to identify, track or locate that item.

SMS (Short Message Service):
A service that allows users to send text-based messages from one device to another.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access):
A wireless technology that allows for digital transmission of radio signals between a mobile device and a fixed radio base station. It allows for increased bandwidth over digital cellular networks.

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System):
A 3G mobile technology that delivers audio and video to wireless devices anywhere in the world through fixed, wireless and satellite systems.

W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access):
A technology for wideband digital radio communications in Internet, multimedia, video and other capacity-demanding applications. It provides a data rate of 2Mbps.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol):
A secure specification that allows users to access information instantly via handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, and PDAs.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy):
A feature used to encrypt and decrypt data signals transmitted between WLAN devices.

Wi-Fi:
Short for wireless fidelity -- used generically when referring of any type of 802.11 network, including 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g.

Wi-Fi Alliance:
An organization of leading wireless equipment and software providers that tests 802.11-based products for interoperability. Only products that have passed testing can be labeled "Wi-Fi Certified."

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