Glossary

Acoustic Coupler



A device that enables a modem to connect to a voice
circuit. A handset adapter is used to receive modem tones through the handset’s

mouthpiece, and the earpiece is used to transmit these tones to the modem.

Adapter



A mechanical media termination device designed to align
and join fiber-optic connectors. Often referred to as a coupling, bulkhead or

interconnect sleeve.

AMPS



Advanced Mobile Phone Service. The analog wireless
transmission standard (technology) deployed in the 1980s in the US and Canada.

AMPS operates at 800 MHz. Also see N-AMPS (Narrowband AMPS).

AMSS



Automatic Multiple Site Switching. This will allow the
mobile radio unit to make a wide area call.

Antenna



A physical device for sending or receiving radio
signals. Antennae come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some wireless phones

contain built-in antennae.

Aperture



A cross sectional area of the antenna, which is exposed
to the satellite signal.

Application Level Gateway



A firewall system in which service is provided by
processes that maintain complete TCP connection state and sequencing.

Application level firewalls often readdress traffic, so that the outgoing

traffic appears to have originated from the firewall rather than the internal

host.

ASIC



Application Specific Integrated Circuits. These are
custom designed to handle specific operations; all functionality is cast in

hardware.

Asynchronous Mode



A way to send transmissions by starting and stopping
transmissions with a code rather than sending transmissions at specific time

intervals as in synchronous mode.

ATDM



Asynchronous Time Division Multiplexing

ATM



Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A technology for broadband
transmission of high-capacity telecommunications signals. In addition to

high-capacity signal transmission, ATM provides considerable flexibility, since

the individual subscriber is able to adapt the capacity of a switched connection

to current requirements.

Automatic Call Distributor



The specialized telephone system used in incoming call
centers. It is a programmable device that automatically answers, queues and

distributes calls to agents, plays delay announcements to callers and provides

real-time and historical reports on these activities.

B Channel



In an ISDN system, it is the bearer channel that
carries voice or data at 64 kbps in either direction. This is in contrast to the

D channel, which is used for control signals and data about the call. Several B

channels can be multiplexed into higher-rate H channels.

Backbone



A high-speed line or series of connections that forms a
major pathway within a network. The term is relative, as a backbone in a small

network will likely be much smaller than many non-backbone lines in a large

network.

Band



In wireless communication, band refers to a frequency
or contiguous range of frequencies.

Bandwidth



The width or capacity of a communications channel.
Analog bandwidth is measured in Hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Digital

bandwidth is the amount or volume of data that may be sent through a channel,

measured in bits per second, without distortion.

Base Station



The central radio transmitter/receiver that maintains
communications with a mobile radio telephone with a given range.

Baseband



In networking, a baseband connection is one that uses
digital signals, which are sent over wires without modulation; that is, binary

values are sent directly as pulses of different voltage levels rather than being

superimposed on a carrier signal (as happens with modulated transmissions).

Beacon



A low-power carrier transmitted by a satellite, which
supplies the controlling engineers on the ground with a means of monitoring

telemetry data, tracking the satellite or conducting propagation experiments.

This tracking beacon is usually a horn or omni antenna.

BISDN



Broadband ISDN. A packet switching technique that uses
packets of fixed length, resulting in lower processing and higher speeds.

Bit



A single digit number in base-2, in other words, either
a 1 or a zero. The smallest unit of computerized data. Bandwidth is usually

measured in bits per second.

Blackout



Total loss of utility power.

Blocked Call



A call that cannot be connected immediately because no
circuit is available at the time the call arrives, or the ACD is programmed to

block calls from entering the queue when the queue backs up beyond a defined

threshold.

Bluetooth



An industry-standard for a low power short-range radio
link for connecting electronic devices. Devices such as mobile phones, laptop

computers and digital cameras equipped with Bluetooth can share data information

within a range of about 10 meters. Neither cables nor line-of-sight infrared are

needed.

BPS



Bits Per Second. A measurement of how fast data is
moved from one place to another. A 28.8 modem can move 28,800 bits per second.

Bridge



A device that connects and passes network segments that
use the same communications protocol. Bridges operate on the data link layer

(layer 2) of the OSI reference model.

Broadband



A local area network (LAN) residing on coaxial cable
capable of transporting multiple data, voice and video channels. Broadband

channels have enough bandwidth to carry full motion video, stills, graphics,

audio and text (e.g., fiber optics, cable TV, ITFS)

Burst Speed



The maximum speed at which a device can operate without
interruption, generally only for short periods. This is in contrast to

throughput, which indicates the average speed at which a device can operate

under ordinary conditions.

C Band



Band of frequencies used for satellite and terrestrial
communications. Range of frequencies from 4 to 6 GHz (billion cycles per second)

is used by most communications satellites. The 3.7 to 4.2 GHz satellite

communication band is used as the downlink frequencies in tandem with the 5.925

to 6,425 GHz band that serves as the uplink.

Call Accounting



Call accounting applications involve using software to
track information about individual calls (number dialed, time, length, etc) in

order to track usage, recover costs, bill for services, reconcile bills and

more. Call accounting applications are generally easy to justify in environments

where telephone use is intensive and time is billed.

Call By Call Routing



The process of routing each call to the optimum
destination according to real-time conditions.

Call Detail Recording



Data on each call, captured and stored by the ACD. Can
include trunk used, time in queue, call duration, agent who handled the call,

number dialed (for outgoing calls) and other information.

Call Park



A call park number allows the user to ‘park’ a call
at a specified directory number, go to another phone and dial the ‘park’

number to retrieve the call. This is different from ‘Hold’ because the user

can retrieve the call from any phone on the same system.

Caller ID Features



Caller ID service is available from most local
telephone companies. With a product equipped for caller ID, the service allows

consumers to see the name and/or number of the calling party before answering

their call.

Call Routing



Call routing solutions are also programmed telephony
solutions that automate the delivery of calls to the selected individuals. Calls

can be routed based on associated information provided by the telephone system,

or on an actual interaction with a caller, using voice processing.

Call Screening



Call screening solutions use CTI technology to filter
calls and handle them differently, depending upon who is calling or why. Call

screening solutions may involve screen-based telephony, programmed telephony

software or a combination of the two.

Carrier Frequency



The rate at which the carrier signal repeats, measured
in cycles per second or hertz. The main frequency on which a voice, data or

video signal is sent. Microwave and satellite communications transmitters

operate in the band from 1 to 14 GHz (a GHz is one billion cycles per second).

Carrier



A company that provides telecommunications circuits.
Carriers include both local telephone companies and long distance providers.

Category 5



A performance classification for twisted-pair cables,
connectors and systems. Specified to 100 MHz. Suitable for voice and data

applications up to 155 Mbps (possibly 1,000 Mbps).

Category 5e



Also called Enhanced Category 5. A performance
classification for twisted-pair cables, connectors and systems. Specified to 100

MHz. Suitable for voice and data applications up to 1,000 Mbps.

CCITT X.25



CCITT specification and protocol for public
packet-switched networks

CCITT



Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and
Telephone. Older international standards body. Now called the ITU, it has been

superseded by a new organization, the TSB, which will continue to recommend and

publish worldwide communications standards. Also see ITU-TSS

CDPD



Cellular Digital Packet Data. A technology for wireless
mobile communications.

Cell



The geographic area encompassing the signal range from
one base station (a site containing radio transmitter/receiver and network

communication equipment). Wireless transmission networks are comprised of many

hexagonal, overlapping cell sites to efficiently use radio spectrum for wireless

transmissions. Cells can be anywhere from a few km to 32 km (20) miles in

diameter. Also the basis for the term ‘cellular phone’.

Cellular



In wireless communications, cellular refers most
basically to the structure of the wireless transmission networks, which are

comprised of cells or transmission sites. The term ‘cellular phone’ is used

interchangeably to refer to wireless phones.

Channel



A channel is a physical or logical path for a signal
transmission. Channel frequencies are specified by respective governments. In

telecommunications, a single cable may be able to provide multiple channels.

Television signals require a 6 MHz frequency band to carry all the necessary

picture detail.

Circuit Switching



A switched circuit is only maintained while the sender
and recipient are communicating as opposed to a dedicated circuit which is held

open regardless of whether data is being sent or not.

Circuit-switched Gateways



The process of configuring and maintaining an open
circuit between two or more gateways so those gateways have the exclusive use of

the circuit until the connection is released.

CMTS



Cellular Mobile Telephone System. A cellular mobile
radio system interconnected to a local telephone or to the public telephone

network.

Coax, Coaxial Cable



Also called coaxial line. A transmission line in which
the inner conductor is completely surrounded by an outer conductor (the shield–either

a solid metal or braided metal grounded shield), so that the inner and outer

conductors are coaxially separated. The line has no external field and it is not

affected by external fields.

Co-Location



The ability of multiple satellites to share the same
approximate geostationary orbital assignment frequently due to the fact that

different frequency bands are used.

Computer Telephony Integration



The software, hardware and programming necessary to
integrate computers and telephones so that they can work together seamlessly and

intelligently.

Conditional Routing



The capability of the ACD to route calls based on
current conditions. It is based on ‘if-then’ programming statements. For

example, ‘if the number of calls in agent group 1 exceeds 10 and there are at

least 2 available agents in group two then route the calls to group two.’

Connector



A mechanical device used to align and join two fibers
together to provide a means for attaching to and decoupling from a transmitter,

receiver or another fiber (patch panel).

Control Channel



The RF channel that is used to communicate to all
mobiles. This tells the mobiles about the incoming telephone calls, what channel

to go to for dispatch and interconnect calls, and other more technical things.

It will always be on channel one, two, three or four.

Copper Cables



Assembly of one or more twisted-pair insulated
conductors enclosed in a protective sheath, such as polyethylene, aluminum,

lead, etc. Commonly used in telephony works.

Current Loop



A communications method that transmits data as current
flow over relatively long distances and through environments with relatively

high noise.

Customer Relationship Management



Where companies use a variety of methods and contact
strategies to try to build lasting and profitable relationships, in order to

retain the best customers and generate profitable revenue.

D Channel



In an ISDN system, the D channel is the data or
signaling channel. The D channel is used for control signals and data about the

call. This is in contrast to the B channel, which serves as a bearer for data

and voice.

DAMA



Demand-Assigned Multiple Access. In telecommunications,
a method for allocating access to communications channels. Idle channels are

kept in a pool. When a channel capacity is requested, an idle channel is

selected, allocated the requested bandwidth, and assigned to the requesting

party. Typically used in a packet-switched environment.

Dark Fiber



A fiber strand without any light flowing through it.
With DWP’s dark fiber, customers may attach their choice of voice, data and/or

video equipment to the ends of their licensed fibers to ‘light’ the fibers

and transmit information between locations.

Data Compression



The process of reducing the size of data parcels to
transmit more data in less time. In modems, a bit encoding process that removes

redundancy from the scanned page, resulting in fewer bits to transmit.

Data Port



Any PC with RS 232C connection (serial port of the PC)
can be connected to this port, data transfer using standard software packages

like X talk or ProComm is possible up to 9.6 kbps. A modem is not required.

Data Rate



The speed, measured in bits per second, at which a
particular network (or other application) transmits data.

Data Services



The ability to access services such as e-mail, faxes
and SMS messages using a wireless



phone or communicator. Also


see SMS.

DBS



Direct Broadcast Satellite. Refers to service that uses
satellites to broadcast multiple channels of television programming directly to

home mounted small-dish antennae.

Dead Spot



An area within the coverage area of a wireless network
in which there is no coverage or transmission falls off. Dead spots are often

caused by electronic interference or physical barriers such as hills, tunnels

and indoor parking garages.

DECT



Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications. A common
standard for cordless personal telephony originally established by ETSI, a

European standardization body. DECT is a system for cordless business

communications.

Denial of Service



An attack that renders a site unavailable for use.
Usually accomplished by bombarding a site with so many requests for information

that it crashes or slows down; may also be done by interrupting network

connectivity at the router or switch.

Dialed Number Identification Service



A string of digits that the telephone network passes to
the ACD, VRU or other devices, to indicate which number the caller dialed. The

ACD can then process and report on that type of call according to user-defined

criteria. One trunk group can have many DNIS numbers.

Dial-up Line



A dial-up line is a non-dedicated communications line
in which a connection can be established by dialing the number or code

associated with the destination. A common example of a dial-up line, also called

a switched line or public line, is the public telephone line. Dial-up lines

generally support speeds of 2,400 to 9,600 bps.

DID



Direct Inward Dial, where you can dial directly into a
company and reach an extension without going through a switchboard operator.

Digital Certificates



Digital certificates are used to positively identify a
person or organization and it establishes their credentials when doing business

or conducting other transactions on the web. A certificate authority issues a

digital certificate.

Downlink



A satellite receive system that processes satellite
delivered information, and includes the satellite itself, the receiving earth station and the signal transmitted

downward between the two.

DSL



Digital Subscriber Line. DSL uses standard telephone
lines to send high-speed Internet to homes and businesses. Local digital network

loop. Always on. Download speeds up to 1.544 Mbps.

DSP



Digital Signal Processor. A DSP analyzes and processes
analog signals, converting them to a digital format.

DSSS and FHSS



Direct sequencing spread spectrum (DSSS), and frequency
hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) are spread-spectrum techniques that operate over

the radio airwaves in the unlicensed ISM band (industrial, scientific, and

medical). DSSS uses a radio transmitter to spread data packets over a fixed

range of the frequency band. FHSS uses a technique by which the signal

transmitted hops among several frequencies at a specific rate and sequence as a

way of avoiding interference.

DTMF



Dual Tone Multi-Frequency. A system used by touch-tone
telephones where specific frequencies or tones are assigned to each key, so that

it can be easily identified by a microprocessor.

Dual Band



Dual Band mobile phones can work on networks that
operate on different frequency bands. This is useful if you move between areas

covered by different networks. For example, GSM 900 and GSM 1800.

Dual Mode



Dual mode mobile phones work on more than one network
(for example, TDMA and AMPS, GSM and DECT).

Duplex



Refers to two-way communications. Full duplex is
similar to th ephone in that both directions of communication occur at the same

time. Half duplex is like a walkie-talkie.

E-1



A transmission format defined at 2.048 Mbps. It is
typically subdivided into 32 channels of 64 kbps each (typically only 30

channels are available for use). These are the standard requirements of most

voice, fax and modem lines. The 32 channels are then multiplexed together to a

single E1 and demultiplexed to the other end.

Earth Station



The term used to describe a combination of antennae,
low-noise amplifier (LNA), down-converter and receiver electronics. It is used

to receive a signal transmitted by the satellite.

Encryption



The process of scrambling files or programs, changing
one character string to another through an algorithm (such as the DES

algorithm).

Ethernet



The most widely used LAN access method, which is
defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard. Ethernet is normally a shared media LAN

meaning that all devices on the network segment share total bandwidth. Ethernet

networks operate at 10 Mbps using CSMA/CD to run over 10BaseT cables.

Extranet



The extension of a company’s intranet out on to the
Internet, for example, to allow selected customers, suppliers and mobile workers

to access the company’s private data and applications via the world wide web.

Fast Packet Switching



An emerging, packet-orientated, digital technology that
differs from traditional packet switching in a number of ways. The most obvious

is that it transmits all data in a single packet format, whether the information

is video, voice or data. Fast packet switching uses short, fixed length packets

(cells) and via hardware switching is capable of speeds between 100,000 and

1,000,000 packets/second.

Fax on Demand



A system that enables callers to request documents,
using



their telephone keypads. The selected documents are


delivered to the fax numbers


they specify.

FDM



Frequency Division Multiplexing. A technique of
dividing a single communication line into several data paths of different

frequencies.

Fiber (Fiber Strand)



Optical fiber is made of flexible glass and can support
very high data transfer rates. An individual glass fiber, roughly the thickness

of a human hair, is capable of carrying a distinct signal transmitted in the

form of pulses of light. A single strand of fiber is capable of transmitting

over a million simultaneous telephone calls, or nearly 80 gigabits of digital

information per second (80,000,000,000 pulses of light per second), using

commercially available telecommunications equipment.

Fiber Optic Cable



A cable containing a bundle of fiber strands.

Fiber Optic Link



Any optical transmission channel designed to connect
two end terminals or be connected in series with other channels.

Fiber Optics



Technology that involves sending laser light pulses via
glass strands to transmit digital information.

Fixed-point Wireless



A point-to-point system sending microwave transmissions
from one dish to another.

Frame Relay



A technology for transmitting data packets in
high-speed bursts across a digital network.

Frequency



The number of times that an alternating current goes
through its complete cycle in one second of time. One cycle per second is also

referred to as 1 Hz; 1000 cycles per second, 1 kHz; 1,000,000 cycles per second,

1 MHz; and 1,000,000,000 cycles per second, 1 GHz.

Frequency Division Multiple Access



Refers to the use of multiple carriers within the same
transponder within which each uplink has been assigned a frequency slot and

bandwidth. Usually used in conjunction with frequency modulation.

FTP



File Transfer Protocol. It is an application that runs
over transport layer (TCP) and network layer (IP). It allows for bulk data (a

large file) to be transferred from one computer to another with error-detection

and retransmission.

Gateway



A device that links two different types of networks. A
digital gateway links circuit-switched and packet-switched networks; the linking

of two different types of networks using a combination of hardware and software.

Gbps



Gigabits per second. Equivalent to 1,000,000,000 bits
per second

Geostationary Orbit



Refers to a geosynchronous satellite angle with zero
inclination, so the satellite appears to hover (at an altitude of approximately

22,300 miles) over a spot on the earth’s equator.

GHz



GigaHertz. A frequency measurement which equals 1
million hertz.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)



This is a generic term for presentation on screen of
computer information in a graphical form.

GSM



Global System for Mobile Communications. It is the
digital transmission technique widely adopted in Europe and supported in North

America for PCS. GSM uses 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in Europe. In North America, GSM

uses 1900 MHz. Also see CDMA, PCS, TDMA.

GTAG



GTAG (Global Tag) is a standardization initiative of
the Uniform Code Council (UCC) and the European Article Numbering Association

(EAN) for asset tracking and logistics based on radio frequency identification

(RFID).

Guaranteed Bandwidth



In networking or telecommunications, the capability for
transmitting continuously and reliably at a specified transmission speed. The

guarantee makes it possible to send time-dependent data (such as voice, video or

multimedia) over the line.

Handoff



In cellular communications, handoff refers to the
transfer of a connection from one cell to another. Handoff time is generally

between 200 and 1,200 milliseconds (ms), which accounts for the delay you

sometimes hear when talking to someone on a cellular telephone. In GSM, the term

is handover.

Handshake



The process of two modems exchanging information via
predetermined signals on how they will send data to one another, such as

transmission speed, size of data packets, whether the operation will be full or

half-duplex, etc.

HDSL



High-bit rate Digital Subscriber Line, an enhanced form
of the T1/E1 transmission system technology that allows telephone companies to

use existing copper-cable plants while meeting the demands for updated services,

including faster modem transmissions. Transmission rate can be supported up to

15,000 feet.

High Availability



In information technology, high availability refers to
a system or component that is continuously operational for a desirably long

period of time. Availability can be measured relative to ‘100 percent

operational’. A widely-held but difficult-to-achieve standard of availability

for a system or product is known as ‘five 9s’ (99.999 percent) availability.

High-speed Circuit



In telecommunications, circuits capable of faster
transmission rates than are needed for voice communication. High-speed circuits

generally support speeds of 20 kbps or more.

HIPPI



High-Performance Parallel Interface. A standard
point-to-point protocol for transmitting large amounts of data at up to billions

of bits per second over relatively short distances, mainly on LANs. HIPPI is

considered an ideal technology for the transfer of ‘big data’, such as data

warehouse updating, audio and video streams, and data backup within a range of

up to 10 km. HIPPI uses a point-to-point link.

Horizontal Cabling



That portion of the telecommunications cabling that
provides connectivity between the horizontal cross-connect and the work-area

telecommunications outlet. The horizontal cabling consists of the transmission

media, the outlet, terminations of the horizontal cables and horizontal

cross-connect.

Hosting



This term can be used to refer to the housing of a
website, e-mail or a domain.

HSCSD



High Speed Circuit Switched Data. A circuit-linked
technology for higher transmission speeds, up to 57 kbps, primarily in GSM

systems.

HSM



Hierarchial Storage Management. It is a policy-based
management of file backup and archiving in a way that uses storage devices

economically and without the user needing to be aware of when files are being

retrieved from backup storage media. Although HSM can be implemented on a

standalone system, it is more frequently used in the distributed network of an

enterprise.

HTTP



HyperText Transport Protocol. The protocol for moving
hypertext files across the Internet. Requires an HTTP client program on one end

and an HTTP server program on the other end. HTTP is the most important protocol

used in the world wide web.

Hybrid Satellite



Satellite that carries two or more different
communication payloads (i.e. it supports both C-band and Ku-band transponders).

Hz (Hertz)



The unit of frequency measurement equal to one cycle
per second. Also see MHz (MegaHertz).

IDC



Internet Data Centers. Telecom service providers,
large/multinational corporations and government institutions need certain

infrastructure facilities to deliver new and competitive solutions to meet their

customers’ demands. These infrastructure facilities are called IDCs.

IEEE



Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New
York, www.ieee.org. A membership organization that includes engineers,

scientists and students in electronics and allied fields. It has more than

3,00,000 members and is involved with setting standards for computers and

communications.

InfiniBand



InfiniBand is an architecture and specification for
data flow between processors and I/O devices that promises greater bandwidth and

almost unlimited expandability in tomorrow’s computer systems. In the next few

years, InfiniBand is expected to gradually replace the existing peripheral

component interconnect (PCI) shared-bus approach used in most of today’s

personal computers and servers. It offers throughput of up to 2.5 Gbps and

support for up to 64,000 addressable devices.

INMARSAT



International Maritime Satellite Organization. Agency
that operates a network of satellites for international transmissions for all

types of international mobile services, including maritime, aeronautical and

land mobile.

IN



Intelligent Networks. An upgraded version of the
current switched telephone network that allows for the quick and easy

introduction of new and enhanced services.

Integrated Services Digital Network



A set of international standards for telephone
transmission. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) provides an end-to-end

digital network, out-of-band signaling and greater bandwidth than older

telephone services. The two standard levels of ISDN are basic rate interface and

primary rate interface.

Intelligent Routing



This will route callers based on a number of
parameters, including information on the caller, queue status, agent status and

the present situation.

INTELSAT



International Telecommunications Satellite
Organization. An agency that operates a network of satellites for international

transmissions.

Interactive Web Response



IWR. Enables customers to transact business over the
Internet, interacting with the company’s database, and transfer to an agent in

a call center, continuing the inquiry over the phone.

Interconnection



The linkage, by wire, radio, satellite or other means,
of two or more existing telecommunications carriers or operators with one

another for the purpose of allowing or enabling the subscribers of one carrier

or operator to access or reach the subscribers of the other carriers or

operators.

Internet Telephony



Technology that enables users to place voice telephone
calls through the Internet, thus bypassing the long distance network.

Intranet



A network of networks that uses the Internet but is
contained within a controlled environment, for example, internal company

information that is viewed only by employees.

Intrusion Detection



Techniques which attempt to detect intrusion into a
computer or network by observation of actions, security logs or audit data.

Detection of break-ins or break-in attempts either manually or via software

expert systems that operate on logs or other information available on the

network.

IP Number



Internet Protocol Number. Sometimes called a dotted
quad. A unique number consisting of four parts separated by dots. Every machine

that is on the Internet has a unique IP number–if a machine does not have an

IP number, it is not really on the Internet.

IP Phone



Phone providing connectivity to the IP PBX. Features
common phone options such as call hold, call forward, speed dial, transfer,

calling line ID, call waiting and much more.

IP



Internet Protocol. IP is a method or protocol by which
data is sent from one computer to another on a network, i.e. the Internet.

IRC



Internet Relay Chat. Basically a huge multi-user live
chat facility. There are a number of major IRC servers around the world, which

are linked to each other. Anyone can create a channel and anything that anyone

types in a given channel is seen by all others in the channel. Private channels

can (and are) created for multi-person conference calls.

ISDN Feature Phone



This terminal, in addition to having a handset and a
dialing keypad, also has a LCD display, additional keys for storing frequently

dialed numbers and other function keys. A caller can enter the digits to be

dialed (which are displayed) since actual dialing does not take place as you

press the digits but by an explicit action, say, lifting the hand set, etc. This

reduces wrong calling. In case of CLIP service the calling number of call units

charged is displayed. This is also used for programming of MSN, CF, etc.

ISDN Handset



It is the simplest type of ISDN terminal and consists
of a handset and a phone unit. The telephone converts the user’s speech into

digital form for communication on an ISDN line.

ISP



Internet Service Provider. An institution that provides
access to the Internet. By establishing points-of-presence (PoP) containing

remote access servers and additional devices, as well as a suite of user

software packages, the ISPs act as a commercial Internet on-ramp.

ITU or ITU-TSS



International Telecommunications Union, a special
agency of the United Nations based in Geneva.

IVR



Interactive Voice Response. Where an inbound call is
answered by a recording, which asks the customer to press buttons on the keypad

in response to a menu of options. The numbers selected may instruct the system

to search for specific information, which is then converted into the spoken

word.

Ka-band



The frequency range from 18 to 31 GHz.

kbps



1,000 bits per second.

Kilobyte



A thousand bytes. Actually, usually 1024 (210) bytes.

LAN



Local Area Network. A computer network limited to the
immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building.

Last Mile



An expression used for the cabling or other
communication medium from the closest fiber optic point or other type of high

speed/large throughput service point to the end users equipment. This may be

actually 100 feet to the street or telephone pole, or may be a new line back to

the local telephone central office, etc.

L-Band



The frequency range from 0.5 to 1.5 GHz. Also used to
refer to the 950 to 1450 MHz used for mobile communications.

Leased Lines



A circuit rented for exclusive use twenty-four hours a
day, seven days a week from a telephone company. The connection exists between

two predetermined points and cannot be switched to other locations.

LEO



Low Earth Orbit satellite. Satellites that are not
stationary from a fixed point on earth and have the lowest orbit of all

communication satellites. Must either be tracked or use a frequency band and

access methodology that allows access to the satellite with a non-directional

antenna. Most handset-to-satellite systems are based on LEO satellites using

L-Band.

Link



In the trunking world, this refers to microwave or
phone line links that tie one central controller in one location to another.

Local Exchange Carrier



LEC. Telephone companies responsible for providing
local connections and services.

Local Service Area



The geographic area that telephones may call without
incurring roaming or long distance charges.

MAN



Metropolitan Area Network. Typically, they support
transmission speeds from 1.5 Mbps to 45 Mbps.

Management Service Provider



On the Internet, a management service provider (MSP) is
a company that manages information technology services for other companies.

MCPC



Multiple Channels Per Carrier. Communications
architecture that multiplexes channels of information in the time domain on to a

single carrier (frequency domain).

Mbps



1,000,000 bits per second.

Megabyte



A million bytes. A thousand kilobytes.

MEO



Medium Earth Orbit satellite. A satellite that is not
stationary from a fixed point on earth and whose orbital path is between the

LEOs and GEOs. MEOs must either be ‘tracked’ or use a frequency band and

access methodology that allows access to the satellite with a non-directional

antenna.

Mesh



Network architecture wherein each node has the ability
to communicate with every other node.

Messaging



Using various products, services and technologies to
transfer messages from one person to another or from one device to another, such

as traditional numeric or alphanumeric paging, e-mail or short messages (SMS)

delivered to wireless devices.

MHz



Megahertz. Millions of cycles (Hertz) per second. A
frequency or frequency range (bandwidth) through which a cabling system is

specified.

Microcell



A bound physical space in which a number of wireless
devices can communicate. Because it is possible to have overlapping cells as

well as isolated cells, the boundaries of the cell are established by some rule

or convention.

Microwave Radio



A radio system operating in the 3-30 GHz frequency
band. Characterized as line-of-sight transmission and wide bandwidth. Can

typically carry 960 voice channels and more. To reach long distances, several

repeater stations, spaced about 30 miles apart, are required. HE, VHF and UHF

radios are also used as narrowband transmission systems.

Microwave



Line-of sight, point-to-point transmission of signals
at high frequency. Many CATV systems receive some television signals from a

distant antenna location with the antenna and the system connected by microwave

relay. Also used for data, voice and other types of information transmission.

Modem



A device that transmits and receives computer data
through a communications channel such as radio, telephone lines or cellular

phones. Modem comes from MOdulate/DEModulate.

MTBF



Mean Time Between Failures. MTBF is a basic measure of
reliability for repairable items. It can be calculated as an inverse of the

failure rate for a content failure rate system.

MTTR



Mean Time To Repair. MTTR is the most common measure of
maintainability. It is the average time required to perform corrective

maintenance on all the removable items in a product or a system.

Multicast



A process of transmitting messages from one source to
many destinations.

Multifunctional LCD



An easy-to-read digital display shows the message count
and machine status. Some models include a digital clock. Displays on select

models also show the dialed number and a full operation menu.

Multimedia



Combining multiple forms of media in the communication
of information.

Multimode Fiber



An optical waveguide in which light travels in multiple
modes. Typical core/cladding size (measured in micrometers) is 62.5/125 and

50/125.

Multiplexer



A device, which enables several different signals to be
sent down the same line. Sometimes referred to as ‘MUX’.

N-AMPS



Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone Service. Combines the
AMPS transmission standard with digital signaling information to effectively

triple the capacity of AMPS while adding basic messaging functionality.

Narrowband PCS



Mobile and portable radio (including paging) services
such as two-way paging, acknowledgment paging, voice paging and data services.

These services are transmitted over a set of frequencies.

Network Attached Storage



Network Attached Storage (NAS) is hard disk storage
that is set up with its own network address rather than being attached to the

department computer that is serving applications to a network’s workstation

users. By removing storage access and its management from the department server,

both application programming and files can be served faster because they are not

competing for the same processor resources.

Network Computer



Where you put most of the intelligence back into the
server, similar to a mainframe system and dumb terminals where you use the

desktop PC merely for input, output and presentation with all the applications

run only on the server. However, the NC does have its own intelligence. Also

called thin clients.

Network Control Center



Also called traffic control center. In a networked call
center environment, where people and equipment monitor real-time conditions

across sites, change routing thresholds as necessary and coordinate events that

will impact base staffing levels.

Network Operations Center



A network operations center (NOC) is a place from which
a telecommunications network is supervised, monitored, and maintained.

Enterprises with large networks as well as large network service providers have

a network operations center, a room containing visualizations of the network or

networks that are being monitored, workstations at which the detailed status of

the network can be seen, and the necessary software to manage the networks.

NIC



Network Interface Card. Allows a PC to attach to a
network.

Node



A device connected to a network. It is an end point of
a network connection common to two or more lines in a network. Nodes can be

processors, controllers or workstations.

Noise



More technically referred to as electromagnetic
interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI), electrical noise

disrupts the smooth sine wave one expects from utility power.

One-armed Router



A one-armed router is a router that routes traffic
between virtual local area networks (VLANs).

OSI Interconnection Model



The Open Systems Interconnection model was created by
the International Standards Organization to serve as a blueprint for all network

communication technologies dividing up all the processes of networking functions

into seven distinct layers. The highest layer is the application that a device

is running and with which a user may interact. The lowest layer is simply the

physical medium of data transfer, such as coaxial cable. Each layer has its own

distinct functions and services. There are a total of seven layers.

Packet Filter



Inspects each packet for user-defined content, such as
an IP address, but does not track the state of sessions. This is one of the

least secure types of firewalls.

Parabolic Antenna



The most frequently found satellite TV antenna. The
function of the parabolic shape is to focus the weak microwave signal hitting

the surface of the dish into a single focal point in front of the dish.

Passive Optical Network



A passive optical network (PON) is a system that brings
optical fiber cabling and signals all or most of the way to the end user. The

optical transmission has no power requirements or active electronic parts once

the signal is going through the network.

PBX



Private Branch eXchange. A small to medium sized
customer premise telephone system that is also a switch (computer) providing

communications between onsite telephones and exterior communications networks.

PC/PBX



Personal Computer Based Private Branch Exchange. Much
more flexible than traditional private branch exchanges because of the modular

design of personal computers.

PCMCIA/PC Card



Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association. PC Cards are removable, credit-card sized devices that may be

plugged into slots in PCs and wireless communication devices to provide fax or

modem functions or network cards.

PCS



Personal Communications Service (or System). PCS
services include next-generation wireless phone and communication services,

wireless local loop, low-powered handsets, in-building wireless LAN service for

businesses, enhanced paging service, etc. A personal communications system

refers to the hardware and software that provide communications services.

Peak Hours



Typically, when the demand for access to wireless
networks is high during the business day. Service providers typically charge

full-service per-minute rates during peak hours.

Personal Area Network



A personal area network is a technology that could
enable wearable computer devices to communicate with other nearby computers and

exchange digital information using the electrical conductivity of the human body

as a data network.

PCS



Personal Communications Services. PCS is a wireless
phone service somewhat similar to cellular telephone service but emphasizing

personal service and extended mobility. It is sometimes referred to as digital

cellular (although cellular systems can also be digital).

Peer-to-Peer Communications



A model in which each party has the same capabilities
and can initiate a communication session. In recent usage, peer-to-peer has come

to describe applications in which users can use the Internet to exchange files

with each other directly or through a mediating server.

Personal Identification Number



In the context of wireless devices, the personal
identification number (PIN) is a code used in conjunction with a SIM card to

complete a call or data transmission.

PKI



Public Key Infrastructure. Enables users of a basically
non-secure public network such as the Internet to securely and privately

exchange data through the use of a public and a private cryptographic key pair

that is obtained and shared through a trusted authority. PKI provides digital

certificates that identify individuals or organizations.

PMR



Private Mobile Radio. Generally for use within a
defined user group such as the emergency services or by the employees of a

mining project.

Port



First and most generally, a place where information
goes into or out of a computer or both. On the Internet, port often refers to a

number that is a part of the URL, appearing after a colon (:) right after the

domain name.

PRI



Primary Rate Interface. A type of ISDN service designed
for large organizations. Includes many B-channels (Bearer channels) and one

D-channel (Data channel).

Private Network



A network made up of circuits for the exclusive use of
an organization or group of affiliated organizations. Can be regional, national

or international in scope. Common in large organizations.

Propagation Delay



The amount of time it takes a signal to travel through
a cable or system.

Protocol



Agreed-upon methods of communications used by
computers. A specification that describes the rules and procedures that products

should follow to perform activities on a network, such as transmitting data.

Proxy



A firewall mechanism that replaces the IP address of a
host on the internal (protected) network with its own IP address for all traffic

passing through it.

PSTN



Public Switched Telephone Network. The complete public
telephone system comprising telephone exchanges, local and trunk lines and

telephone sets.

PTN



Public Telephone Network. Usually a common carrier such
as a telephone company regulated by the FFC.

PTT



Historically, the Ministry of Post, Telecommunications
and Telegraph. Now, a term to describe the incumbent, dominant operator in a

country, many of which are being or have been privatized.

Public Switched Network



The public telephone network, which provides the
capability of interconnecting any home or office with any other.

Queue



Holds callers until an agent becomes available. Queue
can also refer to a line or list of items in a system waiting to be processed

(for example, e-mail messages).

Radio Link



Makes it possible to wirelessly connect a base station
to telephone switches and other units in an infrastructure.

Receiver



An electronic device which enables a particular
satellite signal to be separated from all others being received by an earth

station and converts the signal format into a format for video, voice or data.

Repeater



Receives radio signals from the base station. They are
then amplified and re-transmitted to areas where radio shadow occurs. Repeaters

also work in the opposite direction, i.e. receiving radio signals from mobile

telephones, then amplifying and re-transmitting them to the base station.

RF



Radio Frequency. For trunking systems, this is usually
in the 800 MHz or 900 MHz band. The signals are carried through the air over

these ‘RF carrier frequencies’.

Roaming



Within your home network, this means that your mobile
phone automatically sets up communication procedures with different radio base

stations when on the move. International roaming means that you can use networks

other than your own, when traveling abroad.

Router



A data switch that handles connections between
different networks. A router identifies the addresses on data passing through

the switch, determines which route the transmission should take and collects

data in the so-called packets, which



are then sent to their destinations.

Routing



The forwarding of data packets in packet-switched
networks to the intended address.

Sags



Also known as brownouts, sags are short-term decreases
in voltage levels. This is the most common power problem, accounting for 87

percent of all power disturbances, according to a study by Bell Labs.

Satellite Communications



The use of geostationary orbiting communication
satellites to relay transmission from one earth station to another or to several

earth stations. It takes only three satellites to cover the entire Earth.

Satellite Phone



They operate both on GSM/AMPs networks and via
satellite in areas where there is no coverage.

Satellite



A sophisticated electronic communications relay station
orbiting 22,237 miles above the equator, moving in a fixed orbit at the same

speed and direction of the earth (about 7,000 mph east to west).

SCPC



Single Channel Per Carrier. Communications architecture
that places one source of information on to a single carrier (frequency domain).

Economical ways to get multiple signals on one transponder.

SDH



Synchronous Digital Hierarchy. A standard for digital
signal transmission within transport networks.

Server



A computer that provides a specific kind of service to
client software running on other computers. The term can refer to a particular

piece of software, such as a WWW server, or to the machine on which the software

is running.

Service Provider



A company that provides services and subscriptions to
telephone, mobile phone and Internet users.

Shared Hub



Satellite communications operations center that is
shared among several network users; often used for VSAT operations.

SIM Card



Subscriber Identity Module card. A small printed
circuit board that must be inserted in any GSM-based mobile telephone when

signing on as a subscriber. It contains subscriber details, security information

and memory for a personal directory of numbers.

Single Mode Fiber



A type of fiber cable capable of transmitting light
over longer distances than multimode fiber at extremely high speeds (tera and

peta speeds). All of DWP’s fiber optic cables consist exclusively of single

mode fiber.

Smart Card



A plastic card with an embedded microchip (Integrated
Circuit) which allows the storage, addition and processing of information

SMR



Specialized Mobile Radio. This is a term that the FCC
attached to the ‘for public use’ trunking business. If a company has a

wireless trunking backbone system that is open for use by the general public

(for a fee), then they are an SMR.

SMS



Short Message Service. Available on digital networks,
allowing messages of up to 160 characters to be sent and received via the

network operator’s message center to your mobile phone.

SMTP



Simple Mail Transport Protocol. The main protocol used
to send electronic mail on the Internet. SMTP consists of a set of rules for how

a program sending mail and a program receiving mail should interact.

SNMP



Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP consists of a
simply composed set of network communication specifications that cover all the

basics of network management in a method that poses little stress on an existing

network

Spectrum



The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in
transmission of voice, data and television.

Splice



A physical connection between the ends of two fiber
strands.

Spoofing



Pretending to be someone else. The deliberate
inducement of a user or a resource to take an incorrect action. Attempt to gain

access to an Alarm Indication Signal (AIS) by pretending to be an authorized

user.

Spread Spectrum



The transmission of a signal using much wider bandwidth
and power than would normally be required. Spread spectrum also involves the use

of narrower signals that are frequency hopped through various parts of the

transponder.

SSL



Secure Sockets Layer. A protocol designed by Netscape
Communications to enable encrypted, authenticated communications across the

Internet. SSL is used mostly (but not exclusively) in communications between web

browsers and web servers. URLs that begin with ‘http’ indicate that an SSL

connection will be used. SSL provides three important things: privacy,

authentication and message integrity.

Switch



A network device that filters and forwards a piece of a
message (also called packets) between LAN segments.

T-1



The US term for a digital carrier facility. A
leased-line connection capable of carrying data at 1,544,000 bits per second.

T-3



A digital WAN carrier facility. A leased-line
connection capable of carrying data at 44,736,000 bits-per-second.

T-4



273 Mbps, 4,032 channels.

TAPI



CTI protocol. Developed by Microsoft and Intel. TAPI is
designed to integrate telephony control into a users’ 32-bit desktop

environment.

Talk Time



The length of time a wireless device may be engaged in
transmission (phone conversations, sending or receiving data) before it runs out

of battery power. Talk time, expressed in hours and minutes, is much shorter

than standby time because transmission requires more power.

Tbps



Terabits. 1,000,000,000,000 bits per second.

TCP/IP



Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A
protocol used to send data in the form of individual units (called packets)

between computers over the Internet. While IP takes care of handling the actual

delivery of the data, TCP takes care of keeping track of the packets that a

message is divided into for efficient routing through the Internet.

TDM/TDMA



Time Division Multiplex/Multiple Access. A method for
combining multiple data circuits into one circuit (or vice versa) by assigning

each circuit a fixed unit of time for its data transmission.

Thinnet



Thicknet and Thinnet (sometimes called ThickWire and
ThinWire) are commonly used terms for the larger and smaller size of coaxial

cable used in Ethernet LANs. Thicknet, also known as Thickwire, is 0.4 inches in

diameter and has 50 ohms of electromagnetic impedance. Thinnet, also known as

Thinwire and Cheapernet, is 0.2 inches in diameter with the same impedance as

Thickwire.

Throughput Rate



The maximum repetitive rate at which a data-conversion
system can operate with a specified accuracy.

Toll Bypass



Avoiding the long-distance carrier network (and
associated tolls) when connecting to another subscriber outside of the local

area, by means of the Internet, a private network, tie lines, etc.

Toll-Free Service



Enables callers to reach a call center out of the local
calling area without incurring charges.

Topology



The arrangement of cable and nodes in the network,
known as the network topology, is also considered part of hardware items. The

physical topology represents the physical layout of the network and is

distinguished from the logical topology, which determines how communication

takes place in the network.

Traffic



Messages sent and received over a communication channel
and measured in Erlangs or other units.

Transciever



Combination of transmitter and receiver.

Transmission



The sending of information in the form of electrical
signals over electric wires, waveguides or radio or in the form of light

signals.

Transponder



The antenna-like part of the communications satellite
that receives signals from the earth, translates and amplifies them, and

retransmits them back to earth. Satellites have numerous transponders, typically

32.

Trunk



A circuit between two telephone exchanges or switching
centers or from an exchange to a customer’s switchboard.

Trunking



In its basic definition, trunking is a method of
permitting a high number of conversations over a smaller number of

communications paths.

Tunneling



Like skip, this is when the atmosphere ‘flips’ over
and allows radio signals to travel long distances. This generally happens in the

early morning hours when the sun rises. The upper atmosphere warms before the

ground air and this causes a ‘tunnel’ where the signals bounce up and down

close to the ground. This lets them travel long distances and then interfere

with other trunk systems.

Twisted Pair



Two insulated copper wires twisted together with the
‘twists’ or ‘lays’ varied in length to reduce potential signal

interference, between the pairs. Twisted pair is the most commonly used medium

for connecting telephones, computers and terminals to PABXs, supporting speeds

of up to 64 kbps.

Ultra Wideband



Ultra Wideband (also known as UWB or as digital pulse
wireless) is a wireless technology for transmitting large amounts of digital

data over a wide spectrum of frequency bands with very low power for a short

distance. Ultra wideband radio can not only carry a huge amount of data over a

distance up to 230 feet at very low power (less than 0.5 milliwatts), but has

the ability to carry signals through doors and other obstacles that tend to

reflect signals at more limited bandwidths and a higher



power.

UMTS



Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. The name
for the third generation mobile telephone standard.

Uniform Call Distributor



Unified Call Distributor (UCD) is a simple system that
distributes calls to a group of agents and provides some reports. A UCD is not

as sophisticated as an ACD.

UTP



Unshielded Twisted Pair cable. Cable made from pairs of
wires, which have been twisted together.

VDSL



Very high-bit rate Digital Subscriber Line. Extension
of High-bit Digital Subscriber Line offers up to 52 Mbps downstream and 1.5 Mbps

upstream, over distances of 1,000 to 4,000 feet.

Virtual Call Center



A distributed call center that acts as a single site
for call handling and reporting purposes.

VISN



Virtual Integrated Sky Network is a VSAT based meshed
network. Sometimes, VISN indicates a VISN indoor unit but is also used to

describe a VISN network.

Voice Processing



A blanket term that refers to any combination of voice
processing technologies, including voice mail, automated attendant, audiotex,

voice response unit (VRU) and faxback.

VPN



Virtual Private Network typically uses the Internet as
the transport backbone to establish secure links with business partners, extend

communications to regional and isolated offices and significantly decrease the

cost of communications for an increasingly mobile workforce. VPNs serve as

private network overlays on public IP network infrastructures such as the

Internet.

VSAT



Very Small Aperture Terminal. Small earth stations,
usually 1.2 meter to 1.8 meter in diameter (antenna dish sizes from 0.6 meter to

3.8 meter in diameter can also be used as Very Small Aperture Terminals).

WAN



Wide Area Network. Private network facilities that link
business network nodes.

WAP



Wireless Application Protocol. A free, unlicensed
protocol for wireless communications that makes it possible to make advanced

telecommunications services and to access Internet pages from a mobile

telephone.

WDM



Wavelength Division Multiplexing. A new technology that
uses optical signals on different wavelengths, to increase the capacity of fiber

optic networks, in order to handle a number of services simultaneously.

Wireless Node



A user computer with a wireless network interface card
(adapter).

Wireless



Communication without any physical connections between
the sender and the receiver. Using the radio frequency spectrum (airways),

hardware, software and technologies to transmit information.

X.25 Protocol



The X.25 protocol, adopted as a standard by the
Consultative Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone (CCITT), is a

network protocol that allows computers on different public networks to

communicate through an intermediary computer at the network layer level.