| ATM | asynchronous transfer mode |
| BS | base station |
| BSC | base station controller |
| BTS | base transceiver station |
| CDMA | code division multiple access |
| CMT | cellular messaging teleservice |
| CPT | cellular paging teleservice |
| ERMES | European Radio Messaging System |
| ESME | external short message entities |
| ETSI | European Telecommunications Standards Institute |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile Communications |
| HLR | home location register |
| IN | intelligent network |
| IP | Internet protocol |
| LAN | local-area network |
| MAP | mobile application part |
| MO | mobile originated |
| MO-SM | mobile-originated short message |
| MSC | mobile switching center |
| MT | mobile terminated |
| MT-SM | mobile-terminated short message |
| PDA | personal digital assistant |
| POS | point of sale |
| PP | point to point |
| SIM | subscriber identity module |
| SM | short message |
| SMD | short message delivery |
| SMD-PP | short message delivery-point to point |
| SME | short messaging entity |
| SMS | short message service |
| SMSC | short message service center |
| SS7 | signaling system 7 |
| STP | signal transfer point |
| TCAP | transactional capabilities application part |
| TDMA | time division multiple access |
| VLR | visitor location register |
| VMN | voice-mail notification |
| VMS | voice-mail system |
| WAN | wide-area network |
| WAP | wireless application protocol |