Glossary
This glossary can help you find a definition for a term, or the full version of an acronym or abbreviation.
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3G
Refers to the wireless communications that involves internet access and data delivery to mobile phones with audio, moving colour images and sophisticated internet services.
3G 2100
Third Generation mobile technology operating on 2100Mhz spectrum, offered by Telstra in partnership with Hutchison Telecommunications Australia (HTA).
3G GSM (Third Generation (3G) Mobiles)
Third Generation Global System for mobile communications - is the evolution of the current GSM 2G and 2.5G technology to support voice and high speed data and multimedia services.
3GSM 850
Third Generation mobile technology operating on 850Mhz spectrum: Telstra's own new national network, currently under construction, also uses 3G-HSDPA on 850Mhz, a technology enhancement which provides greater breadth, much faster speeds when using HSDPA handsets and lower capital costs as 850 requires fewer base stations than 2100 to achieve the same coverage.
a
A-IFRS (Australian equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards)
Refers to Australian equivalent of International Financial Reporting Standards.
Abbreviated Dialling
A dialling short-cut to save time and effort. Speed dialling is a typical example of this feature.
ACA (Australian Communications Authority)
Refers to the Australian Communications Authority.
ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)
Refers to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - the body responsible for regulating the telecommunications industry.
Access line
A fixed or wireless local access connection between a customer's premises and a carrier's local switch.
Accessories (mobile phone)
This is the name given to equipment that enhances the productivity and aesthetic appearance of mobile phones. Accessories include batteries, chargers, headsets, car kits, coloured covers and carrying cases.
Accounting period
Companies prepare reports of their financial transactions over specific periods of time, referred to as accounting periods. These are usually for one year, though interim reports are often drawn up for use by internal management at monthly or quarterly intervals. Telstra's financial year-end is 30 June.
ACIF (Australian Communications Industry Forum)
Refers to the Australian Communications Industry Forum.
ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
Refers to the Australian Communications and Media Authority - responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radio communications, telecommunications and online content.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
A broadband technology that provides access to the internet at fast speeds. ADSL - sometimes shortened to simply 'DSL' - uses a data transmission technology that allows high speed data to be carried over everyday copper network phone lines. These data rates can enable the delivery of voice, data and video services.
AGAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Australia)
Refers to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in Australia.
AGM (Annual General Meeting)
Meetings where the directors and shareholders of a company get together once a year, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is open to all shareholders.
Airtime
Airtime refers to the amount of time you spend using a mobile phone.
Alphanumeric
A message or other type of read-out containing both letters ('alphas') and numbers ('numerics'). Alphanumeric memory dial is a special type of dial-from-memory option that displays both the name of the individual and the phone number on the phone handset.
AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service)
A family of analog wireless standards which, since the late 1980s, was the principal technology used in mobile cellular networks in the USA. In Australia it was the first mobile network, but at the end of 1999 it was replaced by CDMA. The CDMA network closed on 28 April 2008.
Analogue
A signal which varies continuously, not having discrete values. Analogue signals are copies or representations of other waves in nature. An analogue audio signal such as transmitted over a copper telephone line, is a representation of the pressure waves which make up audible sound that have been converted into an electrical representation.
Antenna
A physical device that enhances phone reception by improving the sending or receiving of radio signals. Antennas can be built-in to the phone or external. Car antennas help to boost reception and transmission of mobile phones for drivers.
Any-key answer
Facility to answer a mobile phone by pressing any key. It's a faster, more convenient way to answer a mobile phone than searching for a particular key.
Area of screen display
The area of a phone screen display is the screen length multiplied by its width.
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investment Commission)
Refers to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
ASX (Australian Stock Exchange)
The Australian Stock Exchange Limited (ASX) was formed in 1987 through the amalgamation of six independent stock exchanges that formerly operated in the State capital cities. Each of those exchanges had a history of share trading dating back to the 19th century.
ASX was originally a mutual organisation of stockbrokers, like its predecessor the State stock exchanges. However, in 1996 its members decided to demutualise and become a listed company, which required legislation of the Australian Parliament. The change of status took place on 13 October 1998, and the following day ASX shares were listed for trading on ASX's own market.
ASX operates Australia's primary national stock exchange for equities, derivatives and fixed interest securities. It also provides comprehensive market data and information to a range of users. All these operations are underpinned by comprehensive high-quality information technology systems.
ASX Perpetual
ASX Perpetual Registrars Limited manages Telstra's Share Registry. ASX Perpetual contact details are:
ASX Perpetual Registrars Limited
Level 4/333 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
or
PO Box 14300
Melbourne VIC MC 8001
T: +61 (0) 3 9615 9999 (or 1300 88 6677 for callers within Australia)
F: +61 (0) 3 9615 9911
E: telstra@asxperpetual.com.au
Asynchronous
Asynchronous transmission is the most commonly used method of dial-up data transmission. When data blocks are transmitted, they are marked by a start bit at the beginning of each character and a stop bit at the end of the character. This ensures that the modem will recognise data as such and not be confused by line noise which has no stop and start bits.
ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
A high-bandwidth, low-delay, packet-based switching protocol that allows voice, video, text and data to be multiplexed together into a single transmission network with different qualities of service.
Auto area code
Auto area code allows you to store an area code in the memory of your mobile phone. When the feature is active, the phone automatically inserts the area code in front of any number dialled. This is particularly useful and time saving when travelling and making frequent calls to your home area.
b
B2B (Business to Business)
Refers to business transactions with other businesses.
B2C (Business to Customer)
Refers to business transactions with other customers.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the width or capacity of a communications channel. Analogue bandwidth is measured in hertz and is a measure of the range of frequencies used to transmit a signal. Digital bandwidth is used to describe the amount of data than can be transmitted and is measured in bits per second. The size or bandwidth of the channel affects the speed of transmission of data. A broader channel means data transmits faster.
Base station
The base station is the central or closest radio transmitter/receiver (tower) that maintains communications with a mobile radio or telephone within a given range.
Battery
A chargeable device used to provide mobile phones with power.
Battery status / battery charge display
The battery status/charge remaining.
Baud rate
This is the speed of transmission of data. The baud rate is measured in bits per second.
Beneficial owner
The beneficial owner is the person entitled to enjoy the benefit of (who is the real owner of) property or goods of which the legal title may be vested in a trustee.
BigPond®
Telstra's public internet service.
BigPond® Advance
Telstra's fast, broadband internet service delivered over hybrid optical fibre/coaxial cable, satellite or ADSL.
Billing and payments
View your Telstra billing information and pay your bills online for maximum convenience.
BIT (Binary Digit)
A bit is the smallest unit of information that a computer recognises - essentially a '1' or a '0'.
BlackBerry
A wireless communications solution that provides email, phone, corporate data, internet, messaging and organiser features from the one handheld unit.
Blog
A blog (short for weblog) is an online journal or diary of an individual's opinions and latest news that is updated regularly, in chronological order. Many blogs allow visitors to make comments, or 'postings' in response to the blogger, or ask questions.
Blogs create mindshare amongst a community of people who have an interest in the subject or an affinity with the style of the blogger. Blogs typically have links to other related web content.
A moblog is a blog published to the internet from a phone or other mobile device. Moblogs postings usually include photos, and therefore are usually used in conjunction with camera phones.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a low power short-range radio link between electronic devices that enables links between computers, mobile phones, portable handheld devices and connectivity to the Internet. This wireless technology also replaces the need for wires to connect electronic items such as your mouse or keyboard to your personal computer.
Bond
A bond is a statement of debt, similar to an IOU. A bond is a piece of paper issued by borrowers such a governments, State authorities, companies or any person or entity who issues the bond in return for cash from lenders or investors. Interest is paid by the borrower to the lender or investor throughout the life of the bond.
BPS (Bits Per Second)
Bits Per Second (BPS) measures how fast binary digits can be sent through a channel - specifically, the number of '0' and '1' units that travel down the channel per second.
BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless)
Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) can run on a number of CDMA phone types however is most commonly an application for CDMA Brew mobile handsets. It is a software function that can download and run small programs for playing games, sending messages, sharing photos, etc.
Broadband
Broadband (or wideband) is a communications channel for transmission of information over the Internet that has a bandwidth greater than 256 kilobits per second. Broadband can provide higher speed and higher volumes of multiple kinds of digital information than a standard dial-up Internet service using a telephone circuit.
Broadband or wideband can be any system that can carry multiple signals within its bandwidth, sometimes also called Wideband. In Internet terms, anything faster than a dial-up connection has over the years become known as broadband however more recently a commonly accepted definition has become a connection capable of data rates faster the 256 kilobits per second.
Broker
Someone who buys and sells on behalf of others (his clients). There are sharebrokers, money brokers, fixed interest brokers and futures brokers.
Broker sponsored holding
Shares that are Broker Sponsored will have a Holder Identification Number (HIN) allocated to you. Your Shareholder Reference Number will be that HIN, prefixed with an 'X'. Broker sponsored shares are also referred to as CHESS holdings.
Brokerage
What a broker charges, as their commission for buying and selling on the instructions of their clients. Brokerage is usually calculated as a percentage of the amount invested or scaled according to the number of securities traded.
Browser
The browser is a desktop computer application that provides an easy to use graphical interface or doorway that allows you browse and retrieve information over the internet. Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer are the most widely used browsers that will give you access to the world wide web.
Buy-back
An agreement made where the seller will repurchase securities within a specified time at a predetermined price.
Buyers' market
A market where supply outstrips demand. Prices fall, so that buyers are able to set their preferred terms and conditions and thereby benefit.
Byte
Equivalent to 8 bits or one character of data, a megabyte is approximately 1 million bytes (or equivalent to 1 million characters of information).
c
Cable modem
A device used for high-speed connections between a PC and the internet over the Pay TV network. Can deliver data at up to 100 times the speed of standard telephone modems.
Call Back
The Call Back feature does your redialling for you. It saves you keying in the number over and over again if the person you are trying to reach is engaged.
Call Back Notification Service
Call Back Notification Service works when your phone is switched off, out of range, busy or not answering.
Call Barring
Call Barring allows you to set your phone to block specific incoming or outgoing phone calls.
Call centre
The 'front end' of an organisation or business, comprising a group of people equipped to communicate with customers about bill queries, service issues, technical support, service access and other customer service functions.
Call Connect
Phone 12456 and an operator will connect you to the person or business you request (call charges apply).
Call Control
Allows you to restrict the types of calls made from your home phone. You can choose to bar outgoing STD, international, 190 or local numbers. Before you use your Call Control feature, you must activate a PIN on your home phone. If you lose or forget your PIN, call us on 13 2200.
Call Diversion / Call Forwarding
This network feature can be accessed through most handsets. It allows you to redirect incoming calls to another number that you select. There are several levels of diversion available: all calls, no answer, busy, off or out of range.
Call Hold
Call Hold puts a caller on hold while you answer or make another call.
Call Profile
This is a particular feature of mobile phones that allows you to assign different ring sounds to different callers. You can identify who is calling you without even picking up your phone.
Call Register
Allows you to call up the numbers of recent calls that you dialled, received, or even those that you missed on your mobile's screen. You can then redial the numbers or copy them into your phonebook.
Call Restriction
See 'Call Barring'.
Call Return
This function allows you to find out the phone number of missed calls to your mobile phone (except silent / call barred numbers).
Call Timer
This feature monitors the amount of time you spend on your mobile phone each month.
Call Waiting
When someone calls you while you are already on a phone call, you are alerted by a special tone. This is particularly useful if you are waiting for an important call yet still wish to use your mobile phone.
Caller ID
See 'Calling Number Display'.
Calling Number Display / CND
Calling Number Display shows the phone number of the person calling you on your mobile's screen (except silent/call barred numbers).
Capital Gain
The result of selling a capital asset at a higher price than it cost, whether an investor makes a capital gain or not, depends on the purchase price of an asset compared to its selling price, the effect of depreciation on its value, and whether inflation has bitten into the investor's profit margin. Capital gain has different meanings for the tax department, the economist and the accountant. (See 'Capital Gains Tax').
Capital Gains Tax
A general definition of a capital gains tax is 'a tax on income (gain) arising from changes in the market value of assets'. Capital gains tax does not raise huge revenue for governments; rather its support stems from the notion of introducing equity into the tax system by differentiating between tax on income and tax on capital gains.
Capital markets
Securities markets are generally for medium to long-term investments and fundraising, compared with money markets which focus on the short term (one to three years).
Car kit
This is an accessory that allows you to use your mobile phone hands-free in the car. The kit usually includes a battery charger and a hands-free holder. It may include connections to an external antenna, external speaker or a data port for fax and modem connections.
Carrier
A licensed owner of certain specified transmission infrastructure that is used to supply telecommunications carriage services to the public; any person holding a carrier license.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
Code Division Multiple Access - a mobile standard to provide voice, data, fax and short messaging services. Telstra's CDMA network closed on 28 April 2008.
Cell
The cell is the receiver/transmitter that a GSM mobile phone connects to. It is the equivalent of the base station for a cordless phone. A cell can support a number of simultaneous calls.
Cell also refers to the radio frequency coverage area in the cellular system. A city or country is divided into cells, each of which is equipped with a low-powered radio transmitter/receiver. The cells can vary in size depending upon terrain, capacity demands, etc. By controlling the transmission power, the radio frequencies assigned to one cell can be limited to the boundaries of that cell.
Cell info display
Call info display allows your mobile phone to display the location of the nearest base station to your position on your mobile's screen.
Cellular
This is the name for a mobile communications system that permits telephone communication between mobile users within a specified area. In cellular mobile systems, large geographical areas are divided into smaller areas or cells.
Cellular phone
Another name for a mobile phone.
Certification authority
A trusted electronic system that issues electronic certificates to authenticate user-identity and verify the integrity of transactions or information transfer.
Certified copy
A certified copy is a copy of an original document that has been certified as a true and correct copy by a person who is authorised to witness a statutory declaration. Persons who are authorised to witness statutory declarations (under the Commonwealth Statutory Declarations Act 1959) include:
- Accountant (Chartered or Certified)
- Clerk of a Court
- Commissioner for Affidavits
- Commissioner for Declarations
- Dentist
- Justice of the Peace
- Legal Practitioner
- Magistrate
- Medical Practitioners
- Nurse
- Pharmacists
- Police Officer
- Post Office Manager
- Sheriff or Sheriff's Officer
- Teacher
- Veterinary Surgeon
Chat (mobile phone)
The chat feature lets you 'talk' to your friends and family using SMS messages.
CHESS Sponsored Holder
If you are a CHESS Sponsored holder these are held through a Broker and will have a Holder Identification Number (HIN) allocated to you. Your Shareholder Reference Number will be that HIN, prefixed with an 'X'. CHESS holdings shares are also referred to as Broker sponsored.
Churn
The number of subscribers disconnecting from a service.
Circuit
In traditional PSTNs, telephone connections are made as fixed 64 kbit/s channels or circuits. The alternative to a circuit-switched network is a packet-switched network.
Clear / CLR (mobile phone)
Press 'clear' on your mobile phone keypad to clear characters from the screen and to scroll backward through menus.
CLI (Caller Line Identity)
This network feature can be switched off and on as desired. Phone numbers of incoming callers can be displayed on the screen of the phone before the call is answered unless the caller has a silent or call barred number. Also see Calling Number Display.
Conference Call
Call Conferencing allows you to bring two or more people into a call simultaneously. The exact number of people you can bring in depends on the model of the mobile phone used and which Telstra Mobile network you are connected to.
Connection fee
A once only start-up fee when a mobile service is connected, generally to cover administrative costs associated with connection.
COO (Chief Operations Officer)
Refers to Chief Operations Officer.
CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture)
An architecture and specification for creating, distributing and managing distributed program objects in a network. It allows programs at different locations and developed by different vendors to communicate in the network through an 'interface broker'.
Coverage
The geographic area of a wireless network in which you can make or receive calls with your mobile phone.
CPI-X Regulation
The price cap based on annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for the previous year, less a specified percentage (X) for certain Telstra services.
Credit Me2U"
An option that allows you to transfer credit between Telstra Pre-Paid mobile services via the My Pre-Paid feature on your mobile.
CSG (Customer Service Guarantee)
Refers to Customer Service Guarantee.
CSP (Carriage Service Provider)
A person that supplies a telecommunications service to the public using Carrier network infrastructure.
CSR (Customer Service Representative)
A person responsible for service and sales at a call-centre.
d
Data / fax capability
You can use data or fax enabled mobile phone to send and receive fax and data files, access the Internet and send e-mail when the phone is connected to mobile office equipment.
Data capability
Data-capable mobile phones allow you to transmit data from a laptop, portable fax machine or personal digital assistant (PDA) that is equipped with a modem and an auxiliary jack.
Data transmission
The transmission of data - any information that you send such as emails, files, spreadsheets, pictures - between computers or over a telecommunications network.
Dead spot
A dead spot is an area within the coverage area of a wireless network in which there is no coverage or where transmission falls off. Dead spots are often caused by electronic interference, hills, tunnels or indoor parking garages.
Desk charger (mobile phone)
A device that allows you to charge your mobile phone in an upright position (on your desk) and also lets you charge an additional battery at the same time.
Digital
Digital technology uses bits (computer information units) to encode information such as voice, video, data and images, for transmission.
Digital transmissions
Digital transmissions pass sounds in the form of a stream of binary numbers rather than as an analogue electrical signal.
Digital TV
The digital transmission and processing of video signals provide a number of benefits over conventional analog TV. These benefits include more TV channels, better picture quality and greater reliability.
Directory (mobile phone)
Alphanumeric directories link a name with a number on your mobile phone.
Display (mobile phone)
There are various display types for mobile phone screens. Backlit display refers to the light in the display of phones. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) allows easy viewing in all lighting conditions. Colour LCD allows the creation of coloured, luminous segments with crisp characters. Light Emitting Displays (LEDs) are big and bright. Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) can be seen in direct sunlight and in darkness, at various angles and in a range of temperatures.
Dividend
This is what is paid out of a company's profits to its shareholders, usually yearly (a final dividend) and sometimes half-yearly (an interim dividend). The annual dividend equals final dividend plus interim.
DNS (Domain Name System)
A system for converting host names and domain names into IP addresses on the internet or on local networks that use the TCP/IP protocol. When you type a web address into your browser, DNS servers return the IP address of the server associated with that name.
Drop out
This is when a call on a mobile phone is prematurely cut off due to congestion or loss of coverage on the network.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
Refers to Digital Subscriber Line. Also see xDSL.
DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer)
Technology located at exchanges or in roadside cabinets that take the copper lines from a customer premises and convert signals on/off them into a high speed pipeline to the internet
DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency)
DTMF is commonly known as tone dialling. You must have a DTMF enabled phone to access certain network services that rely on your phone sending tones (for example, MessageBank® and Easycall). Refer to your mobile phone's user manual to find out how you can turn this feature off and on.
Dual mode
This refers to a phone that can operate using two different standards.
Dual-band
This refers to a phone capable of switching between two different bands or frequencies - GSM900 and GSM1800.
DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting)
A European standard for digital TV transmission; an alternative to the ASTC digital compression standard used in the USA. DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing). See WDM.
DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
DWDM is an advanced version of WDM that can carry many hundreds of wavelengths over longer distances.
e
Earnings per share
One of the number of gauges of a company's performance. It is calculated by dividing the company's earnings by the number of shares on issue to show the profit earned in terms of each share. For example, if a company with half a million shares issued has earnings $1 million, the earnings per share is $2.
EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Tax)
Refers to Earnings Before Interest and Tax.
EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation)
Refers to Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation.
EME (Electromagnetic Energy)
EME is the energy stored in an electromagnetic field. Most radio communication systems use EME, including:
- mobile phones
- base stations
- paging services
- cordless phones
- baby monitors
- police radio
- fire and ambulance services
- rural communications (e.g. the Royal Flying Doctor Service)
Telstra places high importance on the effective and responsible management of EME health issues.
EMS (Enhanced Message Service)
EMS technology allows you to send and receive words, pictures, animation and sound clips on your mobile phone.
End (mobile phone)
Press 'end' on your keypad to disconnect phone calls and return your mobile phone to standby mode.
Enhanced service
This refers to any telecommunications service that uses computer applications to provide you with value-added telephone services, such as MessageBank and Call Waiting.
ESN (Electronic Serial Number)
The Electronic Serial Number (ESN) is the unique identifier of a CDMA mobile phone.
ETC (Early Termination Charge)
An Early Termination Charge (ETC) is a charge that a customer may have to pay if they exercise a contractual right to cancel a fixed term contract before the expiry of the contractual term.
EVDO (Evolution Data Optimised)
An additional service for mobiles supporting high speed packet data transmission.
Ex-dividend
Meaning without, ex-dividend identifies a quoted share or security as one on which the current dividend is earmarked for the seller, not the buyer.
Ex-dividend date
The date from which a share trades without entitlement to the dividend
Executor
One who is appointed in a will to administer the distribution of a deceased person's estate (wealth and property) according to the wishes of the testator or testatrix.
f
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is a help section Telstra Mobile provides as a first stop for troubleshooting problems or finding answers to queries.
Fax / data facility (mobile phone)
Fax and data capable mobile phones can support the sending and receiving of faxes and connect to the internet.
Firewall
Network security system comprising software and hardware to control the flow of data between a private network and the Internet.
Flagfall
Flagfall (also known as call connection fee) is the set charge applied at the start of most calls for the purposes of connection, irrespective of how long you stay connected for.
Flip-down cover
A flip-down cover on a mobile phone can prevent buttons being pressed accidentally. The flip-down feature can also serve as an end-call function.
Floor trader
The person on the floor of an exchange such as a stock exchange or futures exchange who executes orders as the representative of a member firm.
FTTN (Fibre To The Node)
An infrastructure that delivers fibre close to the customer premises. FTTN can deliver broadband data and potentially television services to customer premises.
FTTP (Fibre To The Premises)
Fibre to the Premises is the name for delivery of your telecommunications services to your home or office on optical fibre. Fibre to the Premises delivers all your telephone, broadband and subscription TV services on the one high-speed fibre.
Function keys
Function keys are the non-numeric keys on your phone. These are used to call up and navigate menu features and to perform memory functions.
g
Games
Mobile phones can have a number of games installed in their software. In addition, Telstra Mobile offers a number of games on MobileFun.
Gbit/s (Gigabits Per Second)
Unit for measuring rate of digital information transfer a megabit per second is a rate of one million bits per second; a gigabit, one thousand million bits. New optical fibre technologies can transfer information a the rate of one thousand gigabits, or one terabit, per second.
Gearing
This is the relationship between a company's shareholders' funds and some form of outside borrowing. Gearing is generally expressed as a ratio. A company is described as 'highly geared' if borrowed funds are high in relation to shareholders' funds. Analysts talk of a company's gearing when referring to its solvency and its ability to take on new commitments.
Global Roaming
See 'International Roaming'.
GPRS (Generalised Packet Radio Service)
An 'always-on' data service (eg. for internet access) using packet switching rather than circuit switching. It is an evolution of and compatible with most current GSM and is regarded a second generation plus (2G+) mobile technology.
General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) offers fast, convenient, always-on access to the internet, email and other online services.
Groupware
Computer software that enables a group of people to work collaboratively on tasks through having common access to a shared virtual environment.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
One of Telstra's two digital networks. GSM covers 96 per cent of the Australian population.
h
Hands-free car kit
This car accessory usually provides a cradle for the mobile phone, microphone, speaker, external antenna and battery charger. More sophisticated kits require professional installation and include a microphone that typically attaches to a visor, a speaker that's mounted near the vehicle's dashboard, a cradle that holds the phone and a junction box where all cords connect. Antennas are available in a variety of configurations including glass mount, trunk mount, magnetic mount and retractable/stub types.
Hertz
A unit of frequency which measures cycles per second.
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial cable)
A shared broadband access architecture using optical fibre between exchanges and hubs in suburban streets, and coaxial cables between the hubs and customers to carry FOXTEL from Telstra Pay TV and Big Pond(r) Cable services.
HIBIS (Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme)
Refers to the Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme.
HIN (Holder Identification Number)
Holder Identification Numbers (HINs) identify CHESS Sponsored holdings (also referred to as Broker Sponsored holdings). Some HINs start with the letter 'X' while others have no alphabetic prefixes; eg. X00054321, 00054321.
Home networking
The connection of a home PC or PCs to other electronic appliances within the home (such as a printer or alarm system), so that they can all be linked to the public communications network for remote access and automated control.
HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access)
A mobile telephone protocol sometimes referred to as a 3.5G or 3˝G technology. HSDPA is an evolution of the 3GSM standard, and increases the data download speeds for mobile telephone devices.
HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language)
A computer language used to write and format pages for publication on the internet. Incorporates web page features such as hyperlinks, frames, headings, etc.
HTTP (Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol)
A web protocol that enables a client computer to communicate with a remote server via a browser.
i
IM (Instant Messaging)
Instant Messaging (IM) is an area of internet communications involving the spontaneous delivery of short messages between 'buddies' or friends.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
A unique international serial number used on digital mobile phones. An IMEI is 15 characters long and is usually found on a sticker on the back of the handset (or if you enter *#06# on your keypad). When you use your GSM phone, the IMEI number is transmitted. If your GSM mobile phone is lost or stolen, Telstra Mobile can block the IMEI from being used on the GSM network (Applies to voicecalls, SMS and WAP only). This means that calls will not be able to be made from your phone.
IN (Intelligent Network)
A telecommunications network architecture that employs computers to customise services for specific needs, such as call diversion, call waiting and number portability.
In-car charger
A device that charges the mobile phone battery from a cigarette lighter socket in a vehicle.
Infrared data port
This refers to a data port that uses infrared data association (irDA®) as the standard for wireless communications between computer and mobile phone devices. For example, to update the phone list on your irDA®-enabled PC from your mobile, you line up the infrared ports on each device and then transfer the phone information to your PC.
Interchangeable covers
Refers to mobile phone 'housings' or covers that you can detach and change. Only selected mobile phones have this capability.
Interface card
See 'PCMCIA'.
Internal hands-free
A mobile phone that has hands-free capability built-in. This feature is useful when a group of people need to participate in the call or when you are driving.
International roaming
A service which allows Australian mobile phone users travelling in most overseas countries to make calls from their existing mobile, due to agreements between different countries.
Internet
A global inter-network of computer networks, connected via Internet Protocol (IP) and the world's telecommunications infrastructure. IP enables applications such as email, the web, file transfer and other services to run across different networks and operating systems.
Intranet
A network connecting an affiliated set of client computers using standard Internet protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP. Many intranets now take the form of an IP-based network of nodes behind a firewall, connected by a secure virtual private network (VPN or IP-VPN). Intranets between cooperating companies can be called extranets.
Investor
A person who shows confidence in a company or a government by investing his or her money in the expectation of earning interest and/or reaping a capital gain (profit) on the funds invested.
IP (Internet Protocol)
Is a standard set of rules for the carriage of digital information such as voice, video, data and images, across a global network.
IP Core
The core element of a network which carries and logically splits voice, data and video using internet protocol (IP) technology.
IR (InfraRed)
InfraRed port is the ability to transmit data without the need for cables. See 'Infrared data port'.
Iridium
A global mobile phone system of satellites. A useful means of mobile phone communication for people living, working or travelling in rural and remote Australia.
ISAM (Internet Service Access Multiplexer)
Refers to ADSL technology manufactured by Alcatel.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
Is an international communications standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines or normal telephone wires. An ISDN service provides the equivalent of 2 lines which may be used for voice, data or a combination of both. ISDN supports data transfer rates of 2x64 Kbps (64,000 bits per second) over a copper cable for a Basic Rate service ie. 128kbps total. While ISDN is about twice as fast as dial-up service, its use has been largely surpassed by ASDL.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that connects individuals or organisations to the internet. Can range in size from an individual operating dial-up access, to providers operating substantial network backbones and fast cable modem access.
Issuer sponsored shares
An Issuer Sponsored holding is maintained by the issuer of your shares (Share Registrar). All details relating to your holding are maintained by the issuer at the share registry. Your Issuer Sponsored holdings can be identified by an 'I' at the start of your Shareholder Reference Number which is printed on your holding statement.
When your shares are Issuer Sponsored, you are free to trade them through any broker without the need to move them around. You give your nominated broker permission to access your holding when you buy or sell.
IVR (Interactive Voice Response)
Automated customer service or information selection based on pre-recorded voice prompts controlled by a touch-tone telephone or speech-recognition system.
j
Jack
A spring-connector socket in which two or more contacts are made by inserting a plug.
k
Kbps (Kilobits per second)
Kbps is the rate at which data is transmitted. Kbps stands for one thousand bits per second. Kilobit is a unit of information equal to 1,024 bits. 'Bit' is a combination of b(inary) and (dig)it. See also bit, byte, megabyte.
Keypad lock
A security feature that uses a code to unlock the keypad of a mobile phone.
l
LAN (Local Area Network)
Local Area Network (LAN) refers to networks that operate within a localised area such as a single building. It is the opposite of a Wide Area Network (WAN). See 'WAN'.
Languages (mobile phone)
Most mobile phones have the capability to display text in a number of different languages.
Last number redial
A facility that enables your mobile phone to automatically remember up to 10 of the last phone numbers you have called.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays)
Mobile phones that offer extended capabilities like text messaging require a clear, larger than normal display so that you can read several lines of text at once. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) provide this and facilitate clear viewing in most lighting conditions.
Leather case (mobile phone)
A protective pouch that shields your mobile phone from damage and the elements.
Li-Ion (Lithium Ion)
A battery technology used in mobile phones which generally provide more energy capacity than nickel metal hydride batteries of the same weight.
Listed company
A company whose shares are quoted on a Stock Exchange and are available to be bought and sold by the general public.
Local call itemisation
Have your local calls itemised on your bill.
Local Service Disruption
A service disruption affecting small numbers of directly impacted customers by damages to network facilities caused by other parties or natural causes, beyond Telstra's control, resulting in an extension to CSG timeframes for connection and repair.
Locks (mobile phone)
Your mobile phone can be programmed to automatically lock each time you turn it off. You can change the four-digit unlock code if you need to, using the programmable unlock code feature.
m
MaH (Mili amps)
MaH is the term of measurement used in batteries for power capacity.
Market
The key to the free enterprise system; a generic term for the arrangements in which people buy and sell a vast range of items, preferably at a profit.
Market share
The proportion of the total amount of a service or product that is provided by one organisation.
Market value
What you would get for an asset if you were to sell it. That might be quite different from what it cost you, or what you have recorded as its book value, or what it is insured as.
Mass Service Disruption
A service disruption affecting large numbers of directly and/or indirectly impacted customers due to natural disasters or extreme weather conditions, such as floods, bushfires, cyclones, severe storms and torrential rain, all beyond Telstra's control, resulting in an extension to CSG timeframes for connection and repair.
Mbit/s (megabits per second)
Unit for measuring rate of digital information transfer a megabit per second is a rate of one million bits per second; a gigabit, one thousand million bits. New optical fibre technologies can transfer information a the rate of one thousand gigabits, or one terabit, per second.
Megabyte
A megabyte equates to approximately 1 million bytes (equivalent to 1 million characters of written information).
Memory effect
The gradual shortening of the life of a battery if it is recharged before it is completely discharged. Memory effect most commonly occurs with nickel cadmium batteries, less so with nickel hydride batteries and even less with lithium ion batteries. To minimise the risk of memory effect, allow your mobile phone to become completely depleted of power before attempting to recharge it.
MessageBank®
MessageBank is Telstra Mobile's suite of personal and professional answering and messaging services for your mobile phone.
Messaging
Some networks allow wireless mobile phones to receive short text or numeric messages like those available with pagers. Mobile phones with messaging capability must be compatible with the provider's network in order to receive this service.
Missed Call Display
Telstra Mobile's missed call display lets you know who called you, even if you missed the call (except for silent/call barred numbers), by displaying the telephone number on the mobile's screen.
MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service)
Allows mobile phone users to send photos, pictures and sounds to other phones and to email recipients.
MNP (Mobile Number Portability)
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is a convenient facility which allows you to change carriers without changing your mobile phone number.
Modem
A modem is a device that enables your data to be transferred into the mobile network or to be received from the network.
MP3
Also known as MPEG layer 3 - a compressed audio format that reduces file size greatly without much loss in quality. You may shrink down the original sound data from a music CD by a factor of 12, without losing sound quality. Factors of 24 and even more still maintain a sound quality that is significantly better than what you get by just reducing the sampling rate and the resolution of your samples. Basically, this is realised by perceptual coding techniques addressing the perception of sound waves by the human ear.
Mpeg (Moving Pictures Experts Groups)
A group of people that generate standards for digital video (sequences of images in time) and audio compression.
Multimedia
Combination of multiple forms of media in communication of information between users and machines. Communication formats include voice communications (speech recognition, speaker verification and text-to-speech), audio processing (music synthesis, CD-ROM), data communications and video.
Multiplexing
Carriage of multiple channels over a single transmission medium; any process by which a dedicated circuit can be shared by multiple users. Typically, data streams are interspersed on a bit or byte basis (time division), or separated by different carrier frequencies (frequency division).
n
Narrowband
Communication technologies with a data transmission capacity of under 1 Mbit/s. Includes online interactive services (e.g. Internet), voice, facsimile services, slow-scan video images and low-rate data transmission.
Network
A network ties things together and allows resource sharing. In the wireless industry, a network refers to the infrastructure that allows wireless signals to be transmitted.
Network locked
Telstra Pre-Paid mobile phones and pre-paid wireless broadband modems are network locked and programmed to operate only on Telstra's network. You will need to pay an unlocking fee to use them on other networks.
Neural networks
A form of artificially intelligent software that attempts to mimic nerve cell/brain functioning to allow computers to handle tasks that may be too difficult for conventional software techniques.
Next G" network
The Next G" network is Telstra's wireless broadband network which is geographically the world's largest national 3GSM network. Turbo-charged with High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), the Next G" network is up to 50 times faster than dial-up and up to five times faster than other 3GSM networks.
NiCd (Nickel cadmium)
Nickel cadmium is a popular source of power and commonly used for mobile phone batteries due to the fact that they are robust, long lasting and rechargeable. If NiCd batteries are not completely discharged before recharging, their life may quickly be reduced by memory effect. See 'Memory effect'.
NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride)
Nickel metal hydride is another popular source of power, suitable for use in multi-purpose portable devices and audio-visual equipment but particularly, mobile phone batteries. NiMH mobile phone batteries are an environmentally friendly, high capacity rechargeable battery that hold more power for their size than NiCd batteries. NiMH batteries are affected less by memory effect than the NiCd battery. See 'Memory effect'.
Number of lines
This refers to the number of lines of text available on the screen of a handset.
Number of rings
The number of different ring types installed in the phone as a standard feature.
Number portability
See 'Mobile Number Portability'.