In writings concerning time dilation and GPS (incl. on PSE) one can find statements such as

> 
> *When viewed from the surface of the Earth, the clocks on the satellites appear to be ticking faster than identical clocks on the ground.*
> 
> 
> 

To me, this statement and its variants are in need of explanation ...

Apparently it is thereby assumed that the mentioned clocks (for concreteness let's refer to one of the clocks on the satellites as clock $\mathfrak B$, and to one of the clocks on the ground as clock $\mathfrak C$) are each characterized by their particular tick rates; accordingly $\nu\_{\mathfrak B}^{\,}$ and $\nu\_{\mathfrak C}^{\,}.$

And further, the prescription of those clocks being *"identical"* is to be understood that all those clocks have equal tick rates, in particular $$\nu\_{\mathfrak B}^{\,} = \nu\_{\mathfrak C}^{\,}.$$

But then, what exactly is meant by:  

*"clock $\mathfrak B$ appearing to be ticking faster than clock $\mathfrak C$, as viewed by someone else (say $\mathbf A$)"*  

??

Would this phrase in fact be referring to a comparison of certain **rates of** $\mathbf A$, namely **$\mathbf A$'s rate of receiving** the tick signals issued by clock $\mathfrak B$ being greater than **$\mathbf A$'s rate of receiving** the tick signals issued by clock $\mathfrak C$; symbolically:
$$\nu\_A^{(\circledR \, \mathfrak B)} > \nu\_A^{(\circledR \, \mathfrak C)}$$
?