| Alliance Members |
Wireless broadband service providers.
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| Broadband router |
A device that provides access to the internet for multiple computers. Routers typically include a network switch with four or more Ethernet ports for wired connections to desktop and laptop computers. ‘Wireless’ broadband routers include an 802.11 access point. The device switches internet traffic between the computers and a cable or DSL modem, and non-internet traffic between machines. Routers also include a network switch and DHCP server (to assign IP addresses to stations).
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| EAP-SIM |
Extensible Authentication Protocol Method for GSM Subscriber Identity, or EAP-SIM, is an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) mechanism for authentication and session key distribution using the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
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| EVDO |
Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data only, abbreviated as EV-DO or EVDO and often EV, is a telecommunications standard for the wireless transmission of data through radio signals, typically for broadband Internet access. It uses multiplexing techniques including Code division multiple access (CDMA) as well as Time division multiple access (TDMA) to maximize both individual user's throughput and the overall system throughput. It is standardized by 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000 family of standards and has been adopted by many mobile phone service providers around the world – particularly those previously employing CDMA networks.
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| Hotspot |
The geographic boundary covered by a wireless access point such as 802.11b or 802.11a. Typically set up for the internet, anyone entering the hotspot with an 802.11-based laptop has connectivity to the Web.
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| PDA |
Personal Digital Assistant
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| Roaming |
The ability to log-on and use your existing Wi-Fi account in other WBA Member hotspots.
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| WBA |
Wireless Broadband Alliance.
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| Wi-Fi |
Wireless Fidelity. A certification logo for Ethernet devices that comply with the 802.11 standard, offered by the Wi-Fi Alliance. (Source: TechEncyclopedia.)
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| WiMAX |
WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access. It is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, which is also called WirelessMAN.
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| WLAN |
A local area network that transmits over the air typically in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz unlicensed frequency band. It does not require line of sight between sender and receiver. Wireless base stations (access points) are wired to an Ethernet network and transmit a radio frequency over an area of up to several hundred metres through walls and other non-metal barriers. Roaming users can be handed off from one access point to another like a cellular phone system.
The wireless LAN standard today is 802.11 (Wi-Fi), and modems are either built in to laptops or added via a PC card. Desktop machines can be equipped with 802.11 PCI cards. For short distances between two devices, Bluetooth wireless is used (does not support roaming). Infrared transmission (IrDA) is used for very short distances between two devices, and requires line of sight. |
| 3G |
3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology, superseding 2G. It is based on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) family of standards under the International Mobile Telecommunications programme. |
