Resource · Glossary
24 terms every enterprise buyer should be able to define.
A plain-English reference. If we use a term on our site, it is defined here.
- 5G SA Core
- The standalone 5G Core network — authenticates devices, manages sessions, applies policy and routes user traffic.
- RAN
- Radio Access Network — the base stations that connect devices over cellular spectrum to the Core.
- UPF
- User Plane Function — the Core component that forwards user traffic. Placing it locally enables "edge breakout".
- eSIM
- Embedded SIM. A remotely provisioned subscriber credential — no physical card.
- SIM
- Subscriber Identity Module. The credential a cellular network uses to identify and authorise a device.
- Slice
- A logical partition of a cellular network with its own policy, resources and characteristics.
- Handover
- The cellular network process by which a moving device stays connected as it changes radio cells.
- DAS
- Distributed Antenna System — a set of antennas that share a common signal source across a large area.
- Neutral host
- A shared infrastructure model where a private site hosts coverage for one or more public operators.
- Spectrum
- The radio-frequency ranges a network operates on. Availability and rules vary by country.
- Licensed spectrum
- Spectrum allocated by regulators to specific holders, providing predictable performance.
- Shared / local spectrum
- Spectrum accessible by rules or licences designed for private / local use.
- 5G NR
- New Radio — the 5G radio interface.
- LTE
- Long-Term Evolution — the 4G radio and Core generation.
- gNodeB
- The 5G radio base station.
- Edge computing
- Compute placed physically close to the operation — near the RAN or on-site.
- MEC
- Multi-access Edge Computing — a common name for edge compute alongside cellular networks.
- SLA
- Service Level Agreement — the contract that defines expected performance and support.
- TCO
- Total Cost of Ownership — capital plus operating cost across the useful life of the system.
- CAPEX
- Capital expenditure — up-front investment.
- OPEX
- Operating expenditure — recurring cost.
- ROI
- Return on Investment — the ratio of value delivered to investment made.
- OT
- Operational Technology — the systems that run physical operations (PLCs, SCADA, industrial controls).
- IT/OT integration
- The engineering work of connecting operational technology with enterprise IT systems and networks.