Jargon Buster

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/call – per call – so you will be charged only once for the entire call.
/min – per minute – so every minute you will be charged (this is different to calls which are charged per call. They have one fixed price if you call for 1 second or 1 hour).
/week – per week – that means every week – if you don’t want the services every week know how to stop it – text STOP or STOP all back to the sender

numbers

00 – this is the start of an international number, which is used when calling a different country.
070 – numbers starting 070 are charged up to 50p per minute from a land line (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs vary and you may be charged more. Also known as ''find-me-anywhere'' service, calls to these numbers are diverted to different numbers e.g. diverting your home phone to your mobile when you are out.
080 – this is the start of a freephone number. Freephone is free to call from a land line (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs vary and you will be charged.
0800REVERSE – although this starts with 080 and is free to dial (from landlines only - you will be charged if calling from your mobile), the person receiving your call will have to pay. It costs £3.48 to connect, and will then cost 50p a minute from a landline or 60p a minute from a mobile. If you can''t get through to someone and leave a message on an answerphone, this will cost £2.34.
084– numbers starting 084 cost up to 5p per minute from a land line (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs vary and you may be charged more.
087 – numbers starting 087 cost up to 10p per minute from a land line (fixed line phone) but if you call from your mobile call costs vary and you may be charged more.
09 – this is the start of a premium rate number. Premium rate is the most expensive rate with services costing between 10p and £1.50 a minute/message (plus any other network charges).
118 – this is the start of a directory enquiry number. Directory enquiry services enable you to find the number of a person or company you want to contact.
2.5G - (sometimes called GPRS which stands for General Packet Radio service) is a technology which falls between the second (2G) and third (3G) generations. It provides moderate speed data transfer.
3G – third generation mobile network – a high bandwidth means a 3G phone has more memory, can use WAP sites faster and can download more info quickly.
4G – fourth generation telephone network – a new improved version of 3G.

Age verification – some premium rate services are for over 18s only and anyone using them needs to show proof of their age. Phone companies do this in different ways. Some ask for credit cards details or run identity checks. Others confirm age on the electoral role. If you are under 18 you should not use these services.

Bar premium rate or premium rate call barring – calls to premium rate numbers can be blocked by asking your phone company for a bar on premium rate calls or premium rate call barring. The bill-payer needs to contact thephone company to arrange for this block to be added or lifted. This means the phone will not allow you to call a premium rate number, that’s all numbers that start with ‘09’. If you dial a number starting ‘09’ and your telephone has a premium rate bar you will not get through to the service.Follow this link for details of your phone company
Block premium rate – calls to premium rate numbers can be blocked by asking your phone company for a bar on premium rate calls or premium rate call barring. The bill-payer needs to contact the phone company to arrange for this block to be added or lifted. This means the phone will not allow you to call a premium rate number, that’s all numbers that start with ‘09’. If you dial a number starting ‘09’ and your telephone has a premium rate bar you will not get through to the service. Follow this link for details of your phone company

Call TV sometimes called Quiz TV or Participation TV – these are shows which involve viewers at home playing the games on screen and calling in with their answer to win a prize. It costs money and you might not be old enough so check the price, age limit and ask the bill payer before you call. If you don’t get through to the studio you will still be charged for calling in (even if it’s only for a split second!)
Cap – this is another word for a limit. If you or the bill-payer speak with your landline phone company about getting a cap on your bill they will ask you what you want it to be. If your cap is £50, they will contact you when this amount has been reached. Follow this link for details of your phone company
Club – can mean you are joining a subscription service, which means you will get more than one of what you have ordered until you text STOP back. This type of service is often used for goal alerts or horoscopes that are updated regularly. If texting STOP doesn’t work then report it. Follow this link to our contacts page
Compatibility - if you buy a product for your phone, you need to think about compatibility. The product needs to be compatible. The product is only made for certain phone models. This means that you have to check the model of your phone with the models the product is made for to make sure they match - the make and the number! If your model is not on the list, do not buy the product because it will not work but you will still be charged.
Compatible – if you buy a product for your phone, it needs to be compatible. The product is only made for certain phone models. This means that you have to check the model of your phone with the models the product is made for to make sure they match - the make and the number! If your model is not on the list, do not buy the product because it will not work but you will still be charged.
Contract - if you have a mobile phone contract, you will be billed every month. You need to be over 18 to have a contract, unless a parent buys a contract phone for you. If the phone has been bought for you and another person is paying the bill for you, always ask for permission before calling or texting a premium rate number. People who have a mobile contract will be able to see a breakdown showing how money is being spent and, as a result, will be able to see if there is anything unusual on the bill and know if it is higher than expected. The numbers dialled will be logged on the bill so you will be able to see the numbers and look them up if you need to. If any start with 09 or are four or five-digit mobile shortcodes, you have used a premium rate service. If you see regular payments to a premium rate service, you may have subscribed to a service. If you no longer wish to subscribe, text STOP to the number. If texting STOP doesn''t work then report it. Follow this link to our contacts page

Dialler - a type of software used on computers. It makes your computer switch from the number it is dialling and makes it dial another number, generally one that costs more. Sometimes this is a way to pay for a product but sometimes it can happen without you knowing. If you or your family notice a dramatic change in the price of your Internet bill, it might be because of a dialler. Follow this link to our contacts page
Dial up - some computers use dial up and some computers use broadband to get an internet connection. Dial up means that it works through a telephone line.

Freephone – these numbers start 080 and will not cost you money if you call from a landline (a fixed line phone). If you call from your mobile, call costs vary and you may be charged.

GPRS - stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is sometimes called 2.5G because it is a technology which falls between the second (2G) and third (3G) generations of mobile technology. It provides moderate speed data transfer.
GPS - means ''Global Positioning System'' and is a satellite navigation system made up of 24 GPS satellites which broadcast precise timing signals by radio. A GPS receiver can collect this information and use it to find out exactly where it is at that time. This works in any weather, at any time, anywhere on the planet.

Handset - a mobile phone.
Handsfree - an extra attachment for a mobile phone that allows people to chat without holding the handset to an ear.

ICSTIS – the former name of PhonepayPlus.

Landline – fixed line and not mobile. The phone works through a line of wire running through the land to your house – it’s a fixed line even if you are walking around with the handset. Costs for calling from a land line and a mobile are different.

MMS - stands for Multimedia Messaging Service. These allow you to send pictures, videos and emails from your mobile phone.
Mobile – a phone that can be used while you are mobile. Costs for calling from a land line and a mobile are different.
Mobile operator - sometimes you might be told to ''contact your operator' or 'contact your mobile operator'. This is the company who provides a network for a phone (e.g. Orange, Vodaphone or O2). Follow this link for details of your phone company
Mobile web - a service that allows you to surf the net and stay in touch with emails while you're on the move. As long as you have compatible equipment and the right phone plan, you’ll be able to use the internet from your phone (subject to network coverage).

Operator - sometimes you might be told to 'contact your opeator' or 'contact your mobile operator'. This is the company who provides a network for a phone (e.g. Orange, Vodaphone or O2). Follow this link for details of your phone company
Opt in - if you would like to join a service you 'opt in' (check if it is a subscription service first, a subscription means that you get more than one of what you are ordering so make sure you are ordering what you want). Before you opt in make sure you know how to stop the service
Opt out - if you have joined a service and no longer want it, opt out. Text STOP to leave a subscription service. If texting STOP doesn't work follow this link to our contacts page

PDA - stands for Personal Digital Assistant. It's a small electronic personal organiser that is handheld (like a Palm Pilot or a BlackBerry). It can perform a variety of tasks, for example it may provide the internet, email, games, an address book, work spreadsheets and calculators.
Permission – you know what this means! If you are not paying then you need to check that the person who is paying is happy to pay this for you. If you don’t get permission don’t call.
PhonepayPlus – the premium rate regulator. PhonepayPlus has a Code of Practice which sets out the rules that companies must follow. These include clear pricing, honest advertising and appropriate promotions. If companies break the rules, they will be investigated and PhonepayPlus has the power to fine up to £250,000 and bar access to the services. For further information please followthis link to the PhonepayPlus website : www.phonepayplus.org.uk.
Plus any network charges – this means that different phone companies will charge different amounts. It is best to contact the phone company to see what applies to your phone. Follow this link for details of your phone company
Premium rate – Premium rate is the most expensive rate with services costing between 10p and £1.50 a minute/message (plus any other network charges).
Premium rate call barring or bar premium rate - calls to premium rate numbers can be blocked by asking your phone company for a bar on premium rate calls or premium rate call barring. The bill-payer needs to contact the phone company to arrange for this block to be added or lifted. This means the phone will not allow you to call a premium rate number, that’s all numbers that start with ‘09’. If you dial a number starting ‘09’ and your telephone has a premium rate bar you will not get through to the service. Follow this link for details of your phone company
Premium rate services – offer some form of information or entertainment that is charged to your phone bill. They can be accessed through landlines, mobiles, fax, interactive TV and on the Internet. Services generally cost between 10p and £1.50 per minute or message (plus any network charges)
Pre-pay - you fill your phone with credit and it lasts until you have spent all the money. Some people find it easier to control how much they are spending with pre-pay but they do not get a bill which shows how their money is being spent.

Reverse billed SMS – a text message that costs money to receive. This is often used as a way for you to pay for something you want (for example, a ringtone or wallpaper).
Regulator - PhonepayPlus is the premium rate services regulator. This means that PhonepayPlus polices the content, promotion and operation of all premium rate services to make sure they comply with the rules set out in the PhonepayPlus Code of Practice. If services break the rules they can be fined up to £250,000, banned from operating, ordered to pay back money or told to get permission for future adverts before they can use them.
Ringtone – your phone doesn’t have to ‘ring ring’ it can play a crazy sound or your favourite song.

Scam – a term used when a service misleads you on purpose so they get money from you. For example, telling you that you have won a competition you know nothing about but you must call a premium rate number starting ‘09’. Remember to look carefully for price details and know what you are getting before you dial. If you believe that you are the victim of a scam speak out. Got a problem with a premium rate service and want to report it? Follow this link to our contacts page
Short code – a 4, 5 or 6 digit code that you can text to order a service (e.g. goal alerts, horoscopes, jokes)
SMS – Short Message Service – in other words, a text message.
SPAM - can be a text message, advertising call or literature sent to you email or home. If you don’t know who sent it to you and you don’t know the company then beware. Never respond because companies should not promote themselves in this way. Always keep your personal details private so only people you know and trust have them. Register your details with the Telephone Preference Service. They will ensure your phone number is taken off marketing (advertising) lists. For more details please follow this link to visit the TPS website: www.tpsonline.org.uk. You can register your postal address (but not your email) at the Mailing Preference Service. For more details please follow this link to the MPS website: www.mpsonline.org.uk.
STOP command – if you have to pay for messages that you are receiving but you no longer want to be getting them, text STOP back to the number sending you the messages (e.g. text 'STOP' to 87654). Only write 'STOP' - any other word, phrase or characters might not work. If you subscribe to more than one service from the same short code then text 'STOP ALL' to stop getting all the services.You can also text 'STOP' to stop receiving marketing/advertising messages.If they don’t stop, contact PhonepayPlus , the premium rate services, regulator. Follow this link to report your complaint .
Subscription – is more than one of whatever you are ordering. This can mean getting one a month (like a magazine), or a number of times every weekend (like goal alerts) or maybe once or more a day (like horoscopes

Terms & conditions – the boring small print that you might miss is really important. It tells you what you are buying, how much it will cost, how often you will be billed and how to stop a service if you no longer want it.

Video calling - or "videophone", or "video conferencing" lets two people with 3G video calling phones talk to each other while seeing live video of each other. Some phones with this feature have a camera that moves or swivels, so it can face “in” at the user for video calling, and face "out" for taking photos. Other phones have two cameras - one facing in and one facing out.
VoiP – Voice over Internet Protocol. This allows you to use your computer as a telephone. Calling VoIP to VoIP is free.

Wallpaper – the pattern on the screen of your phone. You will get some for free with your hand set and can choose to buy others if you wish.
WAP – the technology that brings internet sites to mobile phones
WAP push – a text with a link to a website in it. If you click through you get to the website. This can be useful but you may be charged for going onto a WAP site!
WAP billing – if you visit a WAP site and buy something then the payment will be deducted from your mobile phone bill.
Wi-Fi - the name of a wireless technology that lets a computer, mobile phone or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) access the internet without using cables and plugs. For this to work it needs a Wireless Access Point (WAP).

symbols numbers
A B C D F G H I L M O P R S T V W