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Glossary
Built-in
data card
Mobile data card built into notebook computer. Enables data
connections over the mobile phone network.
Data card/
USB stick
A device for a computer that is used to open a data connection
over the mobile phone network.
EDGE
An enhancement to GPRS networks offering higher speeds,
although not as fast as those provided by 3G, or mobile
broadband.
EV-DO
A high-speed mobile data standard used mostly in the USA.
Frequent travellers to the USA should contact their mobile
network operator about using special Vodafone Mobile
Connect data cards and software in the USA.
GPRS
Standard for transferring data over mobile phone (GSM)
networks. It generally provides wide coverage and moderate
data speeds. (General Packet Radio System).
GSM
A standard for mobile telecommunications (Global System for
Mobile communications), supported by over 680 operators in
210 countries and territories.
3G
Often referred to as the 3rd Generation of GSM technologies,
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)
provides higher data speeds.
Mobile
broadband
An evolution of 3G to provide faster data speeds. Like many
fi xed-line ‘broadband’ services, mobile broadband provides a
faster download speed than upload speed.
Roaming
Connecting via networks other than your own operator’s
network. This typically occurs when you are abroad, but is also
possible in your own country.
SIM
The ‘Subscriber Identity Module’ is the small, postage-stamp-
sized chip that you will have received together with your
mobile subscriber contract. The SIM has gold contacts on one
side.
