General Tech
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Telecommunications Definitions
ACD
Automatic Call Distributor - a switching system which automatically distributes incoming calls to a group of attendants. If no answering positions are available, the calls will be automatically put on hold until an attendant is free.
ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - a digital phone-line technology in which high-capacity transmission requirements, such as compressed video signals are delivered through copper wire. In this case, "asymmetric" refers to the transmission capacity toward the customer (up to 6 Mbps) being greater than that from the customer to the network (64 Kbps). Proffered by AT&T as an ISDN replacement for Web surfers - ADSL is currently available only in selected markets.
AIN
Advanced Intelligent Network - emphasizes the timely and economical delivery on new capabilites and the customization of network features. Done by storing customer-specific call processing information in a remote database and to distribute that information to network switches on a per-call basis.
ANI
Automatic Number Identification - automatic line identification of outward dialed calls which permits call completion and billing without the need for operator intervention.
ARDIS
The oldest nationwide packet data network, built originally for IBM mainframe service people. ARDIS was originally established as a joint-venture between Motorola and IBM, although Motorola acquired 100% of ARDIS in 1994.
ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode - a cell-switched networking technology sitable for LANs as well as WANs becuase its inherently scalable design - it runs from 25 Bbps upt o 655 Mbps or faster.
BOC
Bell Operating Company
CABS
Carrier Access Billing System
CAP
Competitive Access Provider - company that provides local transport of dedicated line services and special access telecommunications services in competition with the local exchange carrier.
CCS7 (SS7)
Common Channel Signaling # 7 - a digital common channel signaling system, currently being deployed by telecommunications companies throughout the world. CCS7 accesses data bases and sends information about a call between network elements before the actual call connection takes place. For example, the calling number of the person placing the call or credit card information may be sent. CCS7 allows calls to be set up quickly and provides network cost savings.
CDMA
One of the two new types of digital cellular service (TDMA being the other) which digitizes the audio signal, rather than the current analog cellular phones. A digital infrastructure should be able to carry data better, although details have not been worked out. Deployment is very limited, with major rollout plans still in the future.
CDPD
Cellular Digital Packet Data - a packet data standard for cellular phone networks that "retrofits" existing cellular phone systems for use with packet data. The scheme uses" dead" time between normal phone calls for packet data traffic. Although CDPD has been specified and base equipment had been built, the cellular operators have deployed very little coverage to date. Coverage an roaming have not been worked out between carriers, so unlike nationwide networks, CDPD networks may not be as easy for traveling users.
CDR
Call Detail Record
Cellular
A type of wireless networking for both data and telephony, that divides geographies into "cells" that contain base-station broadcasting equipment. Adjacent cells broadcast on different frequencies, so as not to interfere with their neighbors.
CLEC
Competitve Local Exchange Carrier
CO
Central Office - the location of telephone switching equipment where customers' lines are terminated and interconnected.
COSMOS
Computer System for Mainframe Operations - an OSS for service order assignment of inside plant facilities.
CRIS
Customer Record Information System - a generic name for a telco cusotmer information system OSSs running primarily on UNISYS or IBM mainframes and including COSMOS, LMOS, and TIRKS.
CSR
Customer Service Representative
DS1
North American term for T-1.
DS3
North American term for T3.
DSN
Digital Switched Network - a high-speed digital switched public network which allows business customers to access a huge range of calling capabilities (e.g., international telecommuting, videoconferencing, telemedicine, distance education and criminal identification) at prevailing long distance rates and discounts. DSN, which is available to customers who subscribe to Digital Exchange Access Service, Centrex Data or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), is available in several countries around the world.
FOTS
Fiber Optics Transmission System - a transmission system utilizing hair-thin glass fibers through which light is transmitted. Information is transferred by modulating the transmitted light. These modulated signals are detected by light-sensitive semiconductor devices. The signals are regenerated to relay the information and demodulated to retrieve the information.
Fractional T1
A digital phone service that provides a portion of a T1 line's full 1.544-Mbps bandwidth. Fractional T1 lines are usually partitioned in 56-Kbps increments and are sometimes used to provide 384-Kbps service for high-quality videoconferencing applications.
Frame Relay
A high-speed packet switching data and transmission service which is sometimes used to provide higher speed (more efficient than a leased line) for Internet connections. Its usual application is in connecting work groups rather than individuals. It can transmit at variable rates, from 56 Kbps to as fast as 155 Mbps.
GSM
A digital cellular phone standard popular in Europe, similar to CDMA and TDMA in the U.S. GSM is circuit -switched (see circuit) and voice oriented, although data modems can be used with some success. In the future, GSM standards will emerge for packet and circuit data, but not for years.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network - a digital telephone network that transmits data in digital form (1's and 0's) rather than analog form. Offers integrated voice, data, image and video services over the digital telephone network at high speeds allowing users to process a wide range of applications using a single telephone line. ISDN is based on a series of internationally accepted telecommunications standards. Available in two speeds: 128-Kbps basic-rate interface (BRI) and 1.544-Mbps primary-rate interface (PRI).
IX
Interexchange - services and channels furnished between one or more exchanges or rate centres.
IXC
Interexchange Carrier - a company that owns its own transmission facilities and provides telecommunications services between exchanges that are not in the same toll-free calling area. Bell Canada and Unitel Communications Inc. are both interexchange carriers.
LATA
Local Access Transport Area - the artificial boundaries created by the FCC at divestiture within the LEC could offer calling services.
LD
Long Distance
Leased Line
A private, nonswitched, dedicated communications line between two or more service points in one exchange or different exchanges usually at a monthly rate. Leased lines are typically used to connect a moderate-sized local network to an Internet service provider. hey typically run at 56 Kbps or 1.5 Mbps.
LEC
Local Exchange Carrier - in the U.S., a telephone company which provides local and long distance services within defined operating regions (e.g., a state) known as Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs).
LFACS
Loop Facility Assignment and Control System - a mainframe-based OSS for service order assignment of outside plant facilities.
LMOS
Line Maintenance Operation System - a mainframe based OSS for customer line records.
LNP
Local Number Portability - the customer's ability to retain his/her telephone number when switching to a competing local telephone service provider.
Local Loop
A channel connecting a subscriber to his or her local central office/switching centre.
Mobitex
The protocol and standard RAM Mobile Data uses to provide wireless packet data. Mobitex operators run networks around the globe, including Mobitex networks in the UK, Holland, France, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and Australia.
MSOs
Multiple Service Operators - companies which operate cable TV in more than one geographic or franchise location.
MTSO
Mobile Telephone Switching Office
Multiplexing
A technique used to combine several communications channels into one facility or transmission path.
9-1-1
The three-digit number designated for public use throughout North America to report an emergency or request emergency services assistance, such as police, fire department or ambulance.
NEMs
Network Equipment Manufacturers
NOC
Network Operations Center - a group which is responsible for the day-to-day care and feeding of a network. Each service provider usually has a separate NOC, so you need to know which one to call when you have problems.
NPA
Numbering Plan Area - the first three digits of a telephone number in the North American Numbering Plan. It is also referred to as the "area code". Most NPA codes identify all telephone numbers within a defined geographical area.
NXX/NNX
In the North American Numbering Plan, the central office code (often called NXX, or formerly NNX), is the three digits of a telephone number that follow the area code. "N" can be any number from two to nine; "X" can be any number from zero to nine.
OSS
Operations Support System - a telco system that supports service ordering amd provisioning and installation and repair.
PBX
Private Branch Exchange - telephone service provided for a customer's use consisting of central office trunks, a switchboard and extension telephones which may be interconnected with the trunks or with each other through the switchboard and associated equipment. PBXs may be manual or dial, depending on the method used by extensions to place incoming or outgoing calls.
POP3
Point of Presence 3
POTS
Plain Old Telephone Service - conventional analog telephone service.
RBOC
Regional Bell Operating Company - seven independent regional holding companies which were formed, coincident with the divestiture of AT&T in 1984, to take over ownership of the Bell operating companies within their region. These companies are: Nynex; Bell Atlantic; BellSouth; Southwestern Bell; US West; Pacific Telesis and Ameritech. The RBOCs have set up numerous unregulated subsidiaries which are engaged in a variety of communications-related and non-communications businesses.
Repeater
A bi-directional device used in channels to amplify or regenerate signals.
Router
A specialized switching device which allows customers to link different geographically dispersed local area networks and computer systems. This is achieved even though it encompasses different types of traffic under different protocols, creating a single, more efficient, enterprise-wide network.
SCP
Service Control Point - In SS7 the database which stores information for network applications such as credit card validation and 800 number translation.
Serving Wire Center (SWC)
That portion of the local exchange central office servicing private/dedicated line customers whose calls do not go through the public network switch.
SONET
Synchronous Optical Networks - synchronous transmission specified by fiber optics and establishing a new digital signal hierarchy for very high speed transmission.
SOSAM
Service Order and Subscriber Account Management
SS7
Signaling System No. 7 - the out-of-band signaling system used for transmitting call setup and network control data over a special, packet switching network having 56 kbps digital circuits.
Switched Access
A network connection that can be created and destroyed as needed. Dial-up connections are the simplest form of switched connections. SLIP or PPP also are commonly run over switched connections.
T-1
A leased line that provides high-speed 1.544-Mbps (megabit per second) connections to the Internet. Typically available in large-company and university settings. Sometimes used for extremely high-quality videoconferencing.
T3
A leased line that provides ultra-high-speed 44.736-Mbps connections to the Internet.
TCAP
Transactions Capability Application Part - element of the signaling protocol that is used for messages between end offices and remote databases.
TDMA
One of the two new types of digital cellular service (CDMA being the other) which digitizes the audio signal, rather than the current analog cellular phones. A digital infrastructure should be able to carry data better, although details have not been worked out. Deployment is very limited, with major rollout plans still in the future.
TIRKS
Trunk Information Record Keeping System - a mainframe based OSS.
Transponder
An electronic device on a satellite that is used to amplify signals prior to their re-transmission to earth.
Trunk
A circuit or channel connecting two exchanges or switching devices. It is a circuit that is capable of being switched at both ends.
VAD
Voice Activated Dialing
