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Jargon Buster

3G A generic term used for the next generation of mobile phone systems, which will provide faster data and enable enhanced services such as video telephony.

GPRS General Packet Radio Service. An 'always connected' protocol that removes the need for wireless users to dial into a server to pick up email, for example. One advantage over circuit-switched networks is that users pay for the amount of data received and not the length of time online.

GSM Global System for Mobile Communications. An open, non-proprietary system for mobile phone networks that is used in most of the world. One of its great strengths is the international roaming capability, albeit on different bands -- roughly, Europe, most of Asia and Africa use GSM at 900 MHz; North America uses GSM 1900 and the UK uses both GSM 900 and 1800.

i-mode The wireless Internet system from NTT DoCoMo. A business model, rather than a technical standard.

SMS Short Message Service. A simple phone-to-phone messaging service allowing a maximum of 160 characters.

UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. The name for the 3G mobile standard in Europe.

WAP Wireless Application Protocol. An open specification, based on HTML, designed for the creation of Web pages viewable on a mobile handset. So far, relatively unsuccessful in Europe.