The words on a phone bill, in plain English.

0–9

5G

The newest generation of cellular network: faster data and less delay where it is built. Phones that support it use it where it is available and fall back to 4G LTE elsewhere, on their own.

5G fixed wireless internet

Home or business internet delivered over a 5G network to a router at your address, instead of over a cable or fiber line. Mac5G Internet is 5G fixed wireless, and every address is checked before you order.

A

Account number

The number that identifies your account with a provider. It is on your bill and in the provider's app, and it is not your phone number — you need it to transfer your number.

Account PIN

A code that must be given before anyone changes a line, moves a number or issues a new SIM on your account. At Mac Wireless it is set at activation and can be changed in My Account.

Activation fee

A one-time charge to set up a line on the network. At Mac Wireless it is $29.99 per line, shown at checkout before you pay.

Autopay

Paying your bill automatically, from a saved card, on your billing date. At Mac Wireless autopay takes $5 off every line, except Mac Basic, which is a flat price.

B

Bands

The radio frequencies a network transmits on. A phone has to support a network's bands to work well on it; the phone check confirms that from the IMEI.

Blocked (blacklisted) phone

A phone reported lost, stolen or unpaid, flagged by its IMEI so it cannot be activated on major networks. Check the IMEI before buying a used phone.

C

Carrier lock

A restriction that keeps a phone working only with the carrier that sold it, usually until it is paid off. A locked phone has to be unlocked before it takes another provider's SIM.

Coverage map

A map of where a network expects signal outdoors. Signal inside buildings varies with the construction and the device, which is why an address check tells you more than a ZIP code.

D

dBm

The unit phones use to report signal strength, as a negative number: closer to zero is stronger. Around −80 dBm is excellent; around −110 dBm is weak.

E

E911

Enhanced 911: when you call 911, the network passes your location or your registered address to the dispatcher. For Wi-Fi calling you register an emergency address on the phone. See the 911 notice.

EID

The identifier of a phone's built-in eSIM chip. If a phone shows an EID in its settings, or when you dial *#06#, it has an eSIM.

eSIM

A SIM built into the phone and programmed over the internet instead of a plastic card. Nothing is mailed, and one phone can hold more than one line. See the eSIM guide.

H

High-speed data (data allowance)

The amount of full-speed data a plan includes each month. On Mac Wireless plans, data keeps working at reduced speed after the allowance until the next cycle, with no overage charge.

Hotspot (tethering)

Sharing a phone's cellular data with a laptop or tablet. Mobile hotspot is not included on Mac Wireless phone plans today; a Mac5G router is the alternative — see the hotspot guide.

I

ICCID

The serial number of a SIM card or eSIM profile, printed on a physical SIM. You enter it to activate a SIM you already have.

IMEI

The 15-digit serial number that identifies a phone to a network. Dial *#06# to see it; the phone check uses it to test a phone on all three Mac Wireless networks.

L

Latency (ping)

How long data takes to make a round trip, in milliseconds. Lower is better: under 50 ms feels instant on video calls and games.

LTE (4G)

The fourth-generation cellular network that still carries much of the country's traffic. Calls on today's networks travel as voice over LTE, so a phone needs VoLTE support.

M

Mac5G

Mac Wireless's 5G internet service for homes, businesses, backup connections and RVs. See Mac5G Home Internet.

Mac Crown, Mac Apex and Mac Orbit

The names Mac Wireless sells its three national 5G networks under. Every plan names the network it runs on in its plan facts.

Mbps

Megabits per second, the unit internet speed is measured in. HD video needs about 5 Mbps and 4K about 25 Mbps.

MVNO

Mobile virtual network operator: a phone company that buys capacity on national networks and sells service under its own name and prices. Mac Wireless is an MVNO.

N

Number Transfer PIN

A code your current provider issues so only you can move your number. You get it from their app or by request, and enter it with your account number when you switch.

Number transfer (port)

Moving your phone number from one provider to another. At Mac Wireless it is free and usually finishes the same day. See switching.

O

Overage charge

A fee for using more than a plan includes. Mac Wireless plans never charge overage; data slows instead.

P

Prepaid and postpaid

Postpaid service is billed after the month you used; prepaid is paid before it. Mac Wireless plans are paid in advance, a month at a time, with no contract.

R

Reduced speed

The slower speed a plan's data continues at after the high-speed allowance is used, until the next cycle starts.

S

SIM card and SIM kit

The small card that identifies your line to the network. At Mac Wireless a mailed SIM kit is $9.99; an eSIM needs no card.

T

Taxes and fees

Sales tax, the state 911 charge and federal fees added on top of a plan price. Mac Wireless shows them at checkout, by ZIP code, before you pay, and itemizes them on every bill.

U

Unlocked phone

A phone free of any carrier lock, so it accepts a SIM from any network it supports. See will my phone work?

V

VoLTE

Voice over LTE: phone calls carried on the 4G LTE network. Current networks require it, which is why some older phones can no longer make calls.

W

Wi-Fi calling

Making calls and sending texts over a Wi-Fi connection instead of a cell tower — the fix for weak signal indoors. Your number and dialer stay the same. See the Wi-Fi calling guide.