| 3G |
The third generation of mobile technology |
| Antenna |
Part of a base station that sends and receives electromagnetic waves |
| Base station |
The equipment that sends and receives mobile phone calls, texts, pictures and web pages etc. Includes antenna(s), a supporting structure such as a mast and a cabinet of equipment to power the base station |
| Cell |
An area covered by a base station |
| Coverage |
The provision of mobile phone services in a given area via the presence of adequate base stations |
| Dosimetry |
The way levels of RF absorbed are calculated |
| Earpiece |
Mobile phone accessory that allows calls to be made without holding the phone to the head |
| Electromagnetic field |
Energy transmitted as waves through space. There are many different frequencies of EMF |
| Electromagnetic spectrum |
The complete range of electromagnetic frequencies |
| Expert review |
A review of existing scientific research by a panel of experts, usually commissioned by a national or international health agency, which applies risk assessment criteria consistent with the WHO approach |
| Exposure |
The term used to describe the total amount of energy from an RF field that may be absorbed by the human body. Measured using the Specific Absorption Rate |
| Handset |
Mobile telephone |
| Field strength |
The level of radio frequency energy in a given area |
| Frequency |
The number of waves of equal size that pass through space in a given time, e.g. per second. Measured in Hertz (Hz) and used to classify electromagnetic fields |
| IARC |
International Agency for Research on Cancer. Leading independent cancer research organisation that coordinates the INTERPHONE study |
| ICNIRP |
International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. A body of independent scientific experts. Sets guidelines that govern public and occupational exposure to radio frequency fields from mobile phones and base stations |
| IEC |
International Electrotechnical Commission. An international body that develops standards for electrical and electronic equipment |
| INTERPHONE |
Leading multinational study into mobile phones and cancer, with research teams in 13 countries. Coordinated by IARC |
| Local operating company |
Company within the Vodafone Group operating in a specific country, e.g. Vodafone Australia |
| Loudspeaker |
Function on a mobile phone that broadcasts voice calls through a speaker, allowing the user to move the phone away from the head and body |
| Mast |
Structure commonly used in a base station to support the antenna(s) |
| Network rollout/deployment |
The expansion of a mobile phone network through an increase in the number of base stations |
| Radio frequency field |
Type of low-energy electromagnetic field used by many types of communication |
| Research review |
A review of the body of existing scientific evidence to provide expert opinion |
| Research study |
Original study that generates scientific results |
| SAR |
Specific Absorption Rate. The method used to measure the amount of energy from an RF field absorbed by the human body. Measured in Watts per kilogram |
| Signal |
Communication between a base station and a mobile phone via a radio frequency field |
| Supporting structure |
The part of the base station that supports the antenna(s). Usually a mast or part of a building |
| Wavelength |
The distance between two adjacent points on an electromagnetic wave. A shorter wavelength means a higher frequency |
| WHO |
The World Health Organisation. The United Nations agency for health. Aims to create the highest possible levels of health for all people |
| WiFi |
Wireless fidelity. A type of wireless network, where no cables are needed to connect a computer or other piece of communication equipment to each other or the internet |
| WLAN |
Wireless local area network. A group of computers connected using radio frequencies, without the need for cables |
