| ADC | American Digital Cellular |
| AMPS | advanced mobile phone service |
| AoC | advice of charge |
| AUC | authentication center |
| bps | bits per second |
| BSC | base station controller |
| BSS | base station system |
| BTS | base transceiver station |
| CGI | cell global identity |
| CUG | closed user group |
| DCS | digital cellular system |
| DTMF | dual-tone multifrequency |
| EIR | equipment identity register |
| GIWU | GSM interworking unit |
| GMSC | gateway mobile services switching center |
| GMSK | Gaussian minimum shift keying |
| GSM | global system for mobile communication |
| HLR | home location register |
| Hz | hertz |
| ISDN | integrated services digital network |
| k | kilo |
| kbps | kilobits per second |
| LA | location area |
| LAI | location-area identity |
| LPC | linear predictive coding |
| MHz | megahertz |
| MSC | mobile services switching center |
| MSN | mobile service node |
| MXE | message center |
| NMT | Nordic Mobile Telephone |
| OMC | operations and maintenance center |
| OSS | operation and support system |
| PCS | personal communications services |
| PDC | personal digital cellular |
| PLMN | public land mobile network |
| SS | switching system |
| TACS | total access communication system |
| TDMA | time division multiple access |
| VLR | visitor location register |