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Abbeviated Dialing
A feature that permits the calling party to dial the destination
telephone number in fewer than normal digits. Abbreviated Dialing
numbers must be set up in advance of their use. Speed Dialing is
a typical example of Abbreviated Dialing.
Access Charge
A fee charged subscribers or other telephone companies by a local
exchange carrier for the use of its local exchange networks.
Account Codes
Also known as Project Codes or Bill-Back Codes. Account Codes are
additional digits dialed by the calling party that provide information
about the call. Typically used by hourly professionals (accountants,
lawyers, etc.) to track and bill clients, projects, etc.
Agent
A person or organization that acts on behalf of another. In the
telecommunications industry, Agents typically are independent individuals
or companies that market the services of a carrier as if they were
employees of that carrier.
Aggregator
An independent entity that brings several subscribers together to
form a group that can obtain long-distance service at a reduced
rate. Subscribers are billed by the original IXC. The aggregator
only provides the initial set-up of the plan. He usually provides
no service after that. Different than a reseller.
Alternate Access
A form of local access where the provider is not the LEC, but is
authorized or permitted to provide such service.
Alternate Access Carriers
Local exchange carriers in direct competition with the RBOCs. Normally
found only in the larger metropolitan areas. Examples are Teleport
and Metropolitan Fiber Systems.
Alternative Operator Services
Operator services provided by a company other than a LECRBOC or
AT&T that is authorized to provide such service.
Analog Signal
A signaling method that uses continuous changes in the amplitude
or frequency of a radio transmission to convey information.
ANI
See Automatic Number Identification.
Answer Supervision
The off-hook indication sent back to the originating end when the
called station answers.
ARI
Automatic Room Identification (Hotel/Motel room number)
Automatic Number Identification
Originating Number
(1) The number associated with the telephone station(s) from which
switched calls are originated (or terminated).
(2) A software feature associated with Feature Group D (and optional
on Feature Group B) circuits. ANI provides the originating local
telephone number of the calling party. This information is transmitted
as part of the digit stream in the signalling protocol, and included
in the Call Detail Record for billing purposes.
(3) ANI may also be used to refer to any phone number.
Baby Bells
See RBOC Backbone
Ballot
A release form that authorizes a customer's long-distance phone
service to be switched to (another) long-distance carrier, or reseller.
Also know as a Letter Of Agency or LOA.
BAN - Billing Account Number
Used by telephone companies to designate a billing account, i.e.,
a customer or customer location that receives a bill. A customer
may have any number of BANs.
Banded Rates
Tariffed rates which may be changed by the carrier within a specified
range. Frequently, state commissions require notice to the commission
prior to each change. Banded rates are being used less frequently
today.
Bandwidth
The capacity of a telecom line to carry signals. The necessary bandwidth
is the amount of spectrum required to transmit the signal without
distortion or loss of information. FCC rules require suppression
of the signal outside the band to prevent interference.
Bell Customer Code
A three-digit numeric code, appended to the end of the Main Billing
Telephone Number, that is used by Local Exchange Carriers to provide
unique identification of customers.
Bell Operating Company - BOC
The local (or regional) telephone company that owns and operates
lines to customer locations and Class 5 Central Office Switches.
BOCs have connections to other COs, Tandem (Class 4 Toll) offices
and may connect directly to IECs like WorldCom, AT&T, MCI, Sprint,
etc. BOC may refer to the nineteen Bell Operating Companies that
are owned by the seven RHCs (Regional Holding Companies) (not including
Cincinnati Bell or Southern New England Telephone). The BOC role
was originally defined by the 1982 Modified Final Judgement that
specified the terms of the AT&T Divestiture). For Example, the
three BOCs: Mountain Bell, Northwestern Bell and Pacific Northwest
Bell are owned by the U.S. West RHC. Each BOC may service more than
one LATA, but BOCs are generally constrained from providing long
distance service between LATAs.
Billing Account Number - BAN
Used by telephone companies to designate a customer or customer
location that will be billed. A single customer may have multiple
billing accounts.
Bill-To-Room
A billing option associated with Operator Assisted calls that allows
the calling party to bill a call to their hotel room. With this
option, the carrier is required to notify the hotel, upon completion
of the call, of the time and charges.
Block Calls
Prevent calls from completing to the requested destination. May
be due to network problems (outage, overload, etc.), or by customer
request (e.g. block calls from-or-to certain NPAs, NXXs, States,
LATAs, etc.).
BOC
See Bell Operating Company.
Bong
An interactive signal that prompts the originating end user to enter
additional information. For example: 1010555 Bong (Enter Destination)
Bong (Enter Billing information).
Broadband
Broadband is a descriptive term for evolving digital technologies
that provide consumers a signal switched facility offering integrated
access to voice, high-speed data service, video-demand services,
and interactive delivery services.
BTN - Billing Telephone Number
The phone number associated, for billing purposes, with the Working
Phone Number.
Bypass
Access an IEC other than the customer's Equal Access carrier by
dialing 10+CIC Code. (e.g. Bypass to WorldCom by dialing "1010555").
See Walkthrough, CIC Code.
Calling Card
A telecommunication credit card with an AuthCode for using a long
distance carrier when the customer is away from their home or office
(ANI).
Calling Party Pays
A billing method in which a wireless phone caller pays only for
making calls and not for receiving them. The standard American billing
system requires wireless phone customers to pay for all calls made
and received on a wireless phone.
Carrier
A telecommunications provider which owns switch equipment.
Carrier Identification Code - CIC
A three digit number used with Feature Groups B and D to access
a particular IEC's switched services from a local exchange line.
One or more CIC codes are assigned to each carrier. (i.e. there
may be multiple CICs per ACNA). See Bypass.
Casual Calling
Allow any ANI (including undefined ANIs) to access a given carrier.
For example, if the originator is calling from a non-coin phone,
they may dial 1010555+destination number and have the call routed
through WorldCom and billed to the originating phone number.
Casual Customer
Any person or organization that dials any CIC Code. (Not necessary
to presubscribe to the carrier.)
CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY
This term, often used for all wireless phones regardless of the
technology they use, derives from cellular base stations that receive
and transmit calls. Both cellular and PCS phones use cellular technology.
Centrex
A service that is functionally similar to a customer-premise PBX,
but provided by means of equipment located in a Central Office.
CIC
See Carrier Identification Code (WorldCom = "555")
Class of Service - COS
A special limitation on what numbers can and cannot be called. International,
809, 809 + Canada, 48 contiguous states, etc.
Closed Captioning
A service for persons with hearing disabilities that translates
television program dialog into written words on the television screen.
COCOT
Customer Owned Coin Operated Telephone.
Coin Phone
A coin-operated pay phone with restricted access to some services
(e.g. International calling). Coin phones have subclasses of Public,
Semi Public, and Private.
Collect
A call that is paid for by the receiving/destination phone number.
Requires approval/authorization of the person being called.
Commercial Leased Access
Manner through which independent video producers can access cable
capacity for a fee.
Common Carrier
In the telecommunications arena, the term used to describe a telephone
company.
Communications Assistant
A person who facilitates telephone conversation between text telephone
users, users of sign language or individuals with speech disabilities
through a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). This service allows
a person with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate with
anyone else via telephone at no additional cost.
Community Antenna Television (CATV)
A service through which subscribers pay to have local television
stations and additional programs brought into their homes from an
antenna via a coaxial cable.
Contract
A legally-binding agreement between a vendor and a customer to provide
Products, Services or Features in a specified quantity and quality,
for a specified price, during a specified period of time.
Contract Tariffs
Services and rates based on contracts negotiated with individual
customers, but theoretically available to all customers. AT&T
has filed several hundred contract tariffs.
Country Code
Two or three digit codes used for International calls outside of
the North American Numbering Plan area codes. Dial: 011 + country
code + city code + local phone number) (e.g. "011 + 91 + 22
+ 123- 4567" 91 = India, 22 = Bombay)
Cramming
A practice in which customers are billed for enhanced features such
as voice mail, caller-ID and call-waiting that they have not ordered.
Cutover
The exact date/time that a phone number, circuit, etc. is scheduled
to be (or was) moved from one implementation (carrier, etc.) to
another. (e.g. moving an 800 number from MCI to WorldCom).
Cut-Through Dialing
"10"+CIC+" #" followed by an AuthCode for IntraLATA
calls.
Deactivation
A request to terminate service (or the process of terminating service).
Dedicated Access Line (DAL)
A non-switched circuit from the customer to a carrier.
Dedicated Line
A private line leased from a telecommunications carrier.
Default Carrier
Your regular Dial-1 carrier. Call 1-700-555-4141 to find your default
carrier.
Dial
To Place A Call On A Switched Network. The term "dial"
is obsolete - based on rotary dial phones and electromechanical
relay switches (which are nearly non-existent in modern telephone
systems.) Touch Tone service recognizes dual tones that are generated
as each telephone key is pressed. Where Touch Tone service is not
available, telephones and switches electronically "pulse"
signals that emulate the older rotary dial telephones. The terms
"place" a call or "originate" a call are more
accurate than "dial".
Dial Around
Long distance services that require consumers to dial a long-distance
provider’s access code (or "10-10" number) before
dialing a long-distance number to bypass or "dial around"
the consumer’s chosen long-distance carrier in order to get
a better rate.
Dial Tone
Ready To Place/Originate A Call. When the off hook indication is
received at a central office, a dial tone signal is sent to the
originating caller on a switched network to indicate that the switch
is ready to accept a number.
Dialer
Equipment that pulses out a standard dial protocol signal.
Digital
A device or method that uses discrete variations in voltage, frequency,
amplitude, location, etc. to encode, process, or carry binary (zero
or one) signals for sound, video, computer data or other information.
For example, a digital clock displays the time as discrete numeric
values, rather than angular displacement of analog hands. Digital
communications technology generally permits higher speeds of transmission
with a lower error rate than can be achieved with analog technology.
When analog signals are received and amplified at each repeater
station, any noise is also amplified. A digital signal, however,
is detected and regenerated (not amplified). Unlike amplification,
any noise (less than a valid signal) is eliminated by digital regeneration.
Digital Television (DTV)
A new technology for transmitting and receiving broadcast television
signals. DTV provides clearer resolution and improved sound quality.
Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS/DISH)
A high-powered satellite that transmits or retransmits signals which
are intended for direct reception by the public. The signal is transmitted
to a small earth station or dish (usually the size of an 18-inch
pizza pan) mounted on homes or other buildings.
Direct Distance Dialing (DDD)
Any switched telecommunication service (like 1+, 0++, etc.) that
allows a call originator to place long distance calls directly to
telephones outside the local service area without an operator.
Directory Assistance (DA)
Phone Number Lookup Service whereby operators assist customers in
obtaining the telephone number(s) they wish to call.
E-Mail
Also called electronic mail, refers to messages sent over the Internet.
E-mail can be sent and received via newer types of wireless phones,
but you generally need to have a specific e-mail account.
Enhanced Service Providers
A for-profit business that offers to transmit voice and data messages
and simultaneously adds value to the messages it transmits. Examples
include telephone answering services, alarm/security companies and
transaction processing companies.
En Banc
An informal meeting held by the Commission to hear presentations
on specific topics by diverse parties. The Commissioners, or other
officials, question presenters and use their comments in considering
FCC rules and policies on the subject matter under consideration.
Equal Access
(AT&T Divestiture - 1982 Modified Final Judgement) The provision
of one-plus capability to interLATA competitors of AT&T. Customers
should be able to reach the carrier of their choice by dialing 1+
the long-distance number. The MFJ and the FCC require local exchange
carriers to provide equal access (most central offices now have
this capability). Equal Access may also refer to a more generic
concept under which the BOCs must provide access services to AT&T's
competitors that are equivalent to those provided to AT&T.
Facilities-Based Carrier (FBC)
A carrier that uses its own facilities to provide service, in contrast
with resellers, that purchase the services of other carriers and
then retail the services to customers. (Most facilities-based carriers
use the services of other carriers to some extent.)
Federal Communications Commission
(FCC)
Regulates interstate communications: licenses, rates, tariffs, standards,
limitations, etc. Appointed by U.S. President.
Frequency Modulation (FM)
A signaling method that varies the carrier frequency in proportion
to the amplitude of the modulating signal.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A US satellite system that lets those on the ground, on the water
or in the air determine their position with extreme accuracy using
GPS receivers.
High Definition Television (HDTV)
An improved television system which provides approximately twice
the vertical and horizontal resolution of existing television standards.
It also provides audio quality approaching that of compact discs.
Interactive Video Data Service (IVDS)
A communication system, operating over a short distance, that allows
nearly instantaneous two-way responses by using a hand-held device
at a fixed location. Viewer participation in game shows, distance
learning and e-mail on computer networks are examples.
Interexchange
Communication between two different LATAs.
Interexchange Carrier IC - IXC -
IEC (IEC is preferred)
A company providing long-distance phone service between LECs and
LATAs.
InterLATA
Communication between Local Access Transport Areas. 1982 MFJ requires
LECs to use an IEC for InterLATA services.
International
Between multiple nations.
Interstate
Between multiple states. Interstate communications are regulated
by the FCC.
IntraLATA
Communication within a Local Access Transport Area. 1982 MFJ allows
LEC to handle these calls without an IEC.
Intrastate
Communication within a single state. Intrastate communications are
regulated by each state's PUC.
Instructional Television Fixed Service
(ITFS)
A service provided by one or more fixed microwave stations operated
by an educational organization and used to transmit instructional
information to fixed locations.
IXC
1) Interexchange Carrier (IEC is preferred). A company providing
long-distance phone service between LECs and LATAs.
2) Interexchange Circuit. A circuit that connects PoPs.
IXC Miles Interexchange Carrier (Long
Distance) Miles
On a Price Quote, the coordinates of Location A and Location B are
used to calculate mileage-dependent line charges.
Landline
Traditional wired phone service.
Land Mobile Service
A public or private radio service providing two-way communication,
paging and radio signaling on land.
LATA
Local Access Transport Areas (200 in the U.S.). A geographic service
area defined in the AT&T Modified Final Judgement. The RBOCs
(baby Bells) and GTE are restricted to operations within, but not
between, LATAs. Long distance service within a LATA is provided
by the LEC. Service between LATAs is provided by an IEC. LATAs are
represented by a 3-character code, and there are 164 of them across
the country.
LEC - See Local Exchange Carrier.
LEC BAN - Billing Account Number
3-digit number appended to the billing phone number used as the
LEC customer number. Groups all ANIs for a customer.
LEC Billing
Arrangement whereby the Local Exchange Carrier invoices the customer
for some or all telecommunications services.
LEC Card
The billing arrangement which enables the caller to bill calls to
an authorized calling card issued by a local exchange carrier.
LEC Charges
Charges that are the responsibility of the local exchange carrier.
Letter Of Agency (LOA)
A document that authorizes changing the service provider. (See RespOrg,
800 Portability.)
Local Access
Local Loop. The connection from a subscriber to the Central Office.
The portion of a circuit connecting the LEC's CO with the customer's
premise equipment across the local network.
Local Access Provider
Any organization that is authorized to provide local access. (May
or may not be the LEC.)
Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)
The local or regional telephone company that owns and operates lines
to customer locations and Class 5 Central Office Switches. LECs
have connections to other COs, Tandem (Class 4 Toll) offices and
may connect directly to IECs like WorldCom, AT&T, MCI, Sprint,
etc.
Local Exchange Service
Local phone calls.
Long Distance Carrier
A company providing long-distance phone service between LECs and
LATAs.
Low Power Fm Radio (LPFM)
A broadcast service that permits the licensing of 50-100 watt FM
radio stations within a service radius of up to 3.5 miles and 1-10
watt FM radio stations within a service radius of 1 to 2 miles.
Low Power Television (LPTV)
A broadcast service that permits program origination, subscription
service or both via low powered television translators. LPTV service
includes the existing translator service and operates on a secondary
basis to regular television stations. Transmitter output is limited
to 1,000 watts for normal VHF stations and 100 watts when a VHF
operation is on an allocated channel.
Message Toll Service (MTS)
Pay-by-the-minute switched long distance services. Includes conventional
long distance and measured WATS.
Must-Carry (Retransmission)
A 1992 Cable Act term requiring a cable system to carry signals
of both commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations
that are "local" to the area served by the cable system.
Network
Any connection of two or more computers that enables them to communicate.
Networks may include transmission devices, servers, cables, routers
and satellites. The phone network is the total infrastructure for
transmitting phone messages.
NPA Area Codes, NXX Exchanges and
XXXX Line Numbers
The process for assigning 10-digit (3+3+4) North American telephone
numbers.
NASC - 800 Number Administration
and Service Center
The organization that administers the SMS/800 system for the reservation,
registration and administration of all North American 800 numbers
for all carriers. (See 800 Portability, RespOrg and SMS/800.)
NPA - Numbering Plan Areas
North American "Area Codes."
NPA-NXX Routing
Area Code / Exchange Routing. Route calls based on the originating
ANI NPA-NXX.
NPA Routing
Area Code Routing. Route calls based on the originating ANI NPA
(area code).
NPA Split
Subdividing an area code, with the creation of a new area code.
This is necessary when the number of telephones in an area code
(NPA) grows to an excessive number.
Number Portability
A term used to describe the capability of individuals, businesses
and organizations to retain their existing telephone number(s) –
and the same quality of service – when switching to a new local
service provider.
NUS
NASC SMS/800 Number Search. SMS application used to find available
800 numbers and reserve them for up to 60 days.
NXX
Exchanges (First 3 digits of a 7-digit phone number). (2-to-9, 0-to-9,
0-to-9) (Digits 4, 5 and 6 in a 10 digit NANP telephone number -
NPA-NXX-XXXX).
OCC - Other Common Carrier
Not part of the original AT&T system.
Off Hook
The signal that the telephone receiver has been lifted (activated).
Originating off hook activates a dial tone on switched networks.
Destination off hook completes a call (and activates minute-by-minute
billing for long distance calls).
One Plus (1+)
Customer ability to access the long distance service provider of
their choice by first dialing 1, then the long distance number.
Equal Access guaranteed by the 1982 AT&T MFJ. 1+ is an outbound
service where the calling station pays the charges.
Open Video Systems
An alternative method to provide cable-like video service to subscribers.
Operator Service Call (OSC)
A call that is placed through a human or automated operator (0+).
Operator Service Provider (OSP)
A common carrier that provides services from public phones, including
payphones and those in hotels/motels.
Paging System
A one-way mobile radio service where a user carries a small, lightweight
miniature radio receiver capable of responding to coded signals.
These devices, called "pagers," emit an audible signal,
vibrate or do both when activated by an incoming message.
Payphone
A public (or private) telephone that accepts coins or encoded credit
cards.
Personal Communications Service (PCS)
Any of several types of wireless, voice and/or data communications
systems, typically incorporating digital technology. PCS licenses
are most often used to provide services similar to advanced cellular
mobile or paging services. However, PCS can also be used to provide
other wireless communications services, including services that
allow people to place and receive communications while away from
their home or office, as well as wireless communications to homes,
office buildings and other fixed locations.
Person-to-Person
Operator assisted phone call - only billed if the specified person
is available.
PIC - Primary Interexchange Carrier
The IEC that 1+ calls are routed to. Specified by ANI.
PIC Charges
A LEC charge for changing the PIC. Often paid by the new IEC. If
a LEC sends a PIC charge to a customer, the new IEC will typically
credit the customer's account.
PIC Freeze
A PIC Freeze prevents the long distance from being switched for
the specified ANIs. Useful to prevent slamming, or the unauthorized
switching of long distance services.
PIC Request
A request record sent to a LEC asking for an ANI to be activated,
deactivated or changed in some way.
PIC Response
A response record sent by a LEC (corresponding to a previous PIC
Request) with a response code that indicates whether the request
was performed. (Some LECs return non-standard PIC Response codes.)
PICC
National Access Fee, LD Line Charge, Presubscribed Interexchange
Carrier Charge, Presubscribed Line Charge, Regulatory Related Charge,
FCC Primary Carrier 1st Line, or Carrier Line Charge.
Point Of Presence - POP
The physical access location interface between a local exchange
carrier and an Interexchange Carrier fiber network. The point to
which the telephone company terminates a subscriber's circuit for
long distance service or leased line communications.
Point-To-Point
Non-switched, dedicated communication circuit.
POP - (See Point Of Presence.)
POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service.
Presubscribed Interexchange Charge (PICC)
The charge the local exchange company assesses the long distance
company when a consumer picks it as his or her long distance carrier.
Primary Interexchange Carrier
The long distance company that is automatically accessed when a
customer dials 1+.
Private Line
Uses dedicated circuits to connect customer's equipment at both
ends of the line. Does not provide any switching capability (unless
supported by customer premise equipment). Usually includes two local
loops and an IEC circuit.
Provisioning
The process by which a requested (ordered) service is designed,
implemented and tracked (providing the subcomponent parts).
PUC - Public Utilities Commission
The agency regulating intrastate phone service.
Rate Element
A recurring fixed charge for IEC or LEC service at the lowest level.
A local loop may have multiple rate elements associated with it,
which make up the fixed portion of the monthly bill. For example:
Local Access, Local Mileage, Entrance facilities, Channel Termination,
Interexchange, etc.
Rates and Tariffs
Standards published by AT&T, OCCs,LECs, and IECs that define
service availability, cost and provisioning procedures.
RBOC
Regional Bell Operating Company.
Rebiller - See Reseller.
Regional Bell Operating Companies
- RBOC
One of the seven "Baby Bell" Companies created by the
1982 Modified Final Judgement that specified the terms of the AT&T
Divestiture. The seven RHCs include: NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, Bell
South, Southwestern Bell, U.S. West, Pacific Telesis, and Ameritech.
"RBOC" is sometimes used informally to refer to the Regional
Holding Companies defined in the 1982 MFJ. (See Bell Operating Companies
- There are 19 BOCs.)
Regulators
FCC, PUC, Federal Courts (e.g. MFJ), etc.
Reseller - Also known as Rebiller
A long-distance carrier (IEC) that does not own a network, but leases
bulk capacity and resells portions of it at a higher rate.
Residential Customer
An individual (non-business) telephone system subscriber.
Responsible Organization (R/O)
With 800 Portability,the Number Administration Service Center (NASC)
allows the RespOrg to make changes such as carrier, termination,
800 call routing (by time of day, location.) A Letter Of Agency
(LOA) must be on file to change the RespOrg for each customer/account.
Roaming
The use of a wireless phone outside of the "home" service
area defined by a service provider. Higher per-minute rates are
usually charged for calls made or received while roaming. Long distance
rates and a daily access fee may also apply.
Satellite
A radio relay station that orbits the earth. A complete satellite
communications system also includes earth stations that communicate
with each other via the satellite. The satellite receives a signal
transmitted by an originating earth station and retransmits that
signal to the destination earth station(s). Satellites are used
to transmit telephone, television and data signals originated by
common carriers, broadcasters and distributors of cable TV program
material.
Satellite Home Viewer Improvement
Act Of 1999 (SHVIA)
An Act modifying the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1988, SHVIA permits
satellite companies to provide local broadcast TV signals to all
subscribers who reside in the local TV station’s market. SHVIA
also permits satellite companies to provide "distant"
network broadcast stations to eligible satellite subscribers.
Satellite Master Antenna Television
(SMATV)
A satellite dish system used to deliver signals to multiple dwelling
units (e.g., apartment buildings and trailer parks).
Scanner
A radio receiver that moves across a wide range of radio frequencies
and allows audiences to listen to any of the frequencies.
Service Plan
The rate plan you select when choosing a wireless phone service.
A service plan typically consists of a monthly base rate for access
to the system and a fixed amount of minutes per month.
Service Provider
A telecommunications provider that owns circuit switching equipment.
Slamming
The term used to describe what occurs when a customer’s long
distance service is switched from one long distance company to another
without the customer’s permission. Such unauthorized switching
violates FCC rules.
SMS
Service Management System.
SMS Customer Record
All information related to one 800 number, effective date and time,
etc.
Spectrum
The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission
of sound, data and television.
Speed Dialing
A service to abbreviate and accelerate frequently dialed numbers.
State Tax
A collection of tax types that each state is allowed to charge.
Tax jurisdiction (which state can charge tax for a call) is based
on the two-out-of-three rule: where it originates, where it terminates,
where it is being billed to - if two match, that state can charge
the tax.
Subscriber Line Charge (SLC)
A monthly fee paid by telephone subscribers that is used to compensate
the local telephone company for part of the cost of installation
and maintenance of the telephone wire, poles and other facilities
that link your home to the telephone network. These wires, poles
and other facilities are referred to as the "local loop."
The SLC is one component of access charges.
Surcharge
An additional charge on top of a base rate for a specified reason.
Switch
A device (like a DMS-250 or a PBX) that responds to originator signals
and dynamically connects the caller to the desired communication
destination.
Switched Access
Nondedicated local access between the customer's premise and the
serving wire center which is interconnected to the company's point-of-presence
for origination or termination of service.
Switched Access Service
A class of LEC services that provides the link from the customer's
premise to the IEC PoP for switched circuits.
Switched Resellers
Resellers that utilize their own switching hardware (and sometimes
their own lines) and the lines of other IXCs to provide long-distance
service to its subscribers. They provide their own billing and service.
Switched Services
All dial up long-distance services including conventional residential
and WATS (most have incremental use charges). (See Message Toll
Service)
Switching Fee
A per-line fee (usually around 5$) imposed by the LEC to reprogram
their switching system to change your default carrier. Subscribers
must usually pay this fee when switching to a reseller. Some resellers
will reimburse the subscribers for this fee.
Switchless Reseller
A reseller of long-distance services that does not utilize any of
its own lines, or (switching) equipment. All actual service and
equipment is handled by the IXC. Billing is usually done, by the
reseller themselves, to the customer.
T1/DS-1
(Facility) The equivalent of 24 multiplexed voice grade channels.
1.544 million bits per second (1.5Mbps)
T2/DS-2
(Facility) The equivalent of 4 multiplexed T1 channels. 6.312 million
bits per second (6.3Mbps)
T3/DS-3
(Facility) The equivalent of 28 multiplexed T1 channels. 44.736
million bits per second (45Mbps)
T4/DS-4
(Facility) The equivalent of 6 multiplexed T3 channels. 274.176
million bits per second (274Mbps)
Tariff
The public documents filed with the FCC or a PUC that outlines services
and rates. Usually, all customers are offered the same rate for
a specific service, based on published constraints.
TDD
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf.
Telco - Telephone Company
The local or regional telephone company that owns and operates lines
to customer locations and Class 5 Central Office Switches. Telcos
have connections to other COs, Tandem (Class 4 Toll) offices and
may connect directly to IECs like WorldCom, AT&T, MCI, Sprint,
LDDS, etc.
Telecommunications Relay Service
(TRS)
A free service that enables persons with TTYs, individuals who use
sign language and people who have speech disabilities to use telephone
services by having a third party transmit and translate the call.
Telephony
The word used to describe the science of transmitting voice over
a telecommunications network.
Third Party Billing
Use of an outside service bureau for bill processing such as: call
rating, customer invoicing, collections, etc.
Time of Day Routing
Route calls based on the time the call originates. (e.g. direct
morning calls to East Coast operators and afternoon calls to West
Coast operators, etc.). SMS/800 supports 15 minute time intervals.
Toll
A rated call (Contrast CDR - unrated call detail record). Tolls
appear on the Invoice Detail.
Toll Call
A call with incremental use (minute-by-minute) charges. (Often through
a Class 4 Toll Office).
Toll Fraud
A crime in which a "hacker" obtains telecommunication
services by: breaching computer security, using or selling stolen
long-distance credit-card codes, or, accessing a PBX and using its
communication facilities illegally. Toll Fraud is estimated to cost
U.S. companies $1.2 billion/year.
TTY
A type of machine that allows people with hearing or speech disabilities
to communicate over the phone using a keyboard and a viewing screen.
Also known as TDD.
Two Out Of Three Rule
When determining state tax jurisdiction, there are three locations
to consider: originating station, destination station, and the location
that the bill is sent to. If two out of three are the same, then
that state receives the tax.
Unbundling
The term used to describe the access provided by local exchange
carriers so that other service providers can buy or lease portions
of its network elements, such as interconnection loops, to serve
subscribers.
Universal Service
The financial mechanism which helps compensate telephone companies
or other communications entities for providing access to telecommunications
services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country,
including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions.
Companies, not consumers, are required by law to contribute to this
fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this charge
on to customers.
USF
Universal Service Fund Charge or Universal Service Charge, Carrier
Universal Service Charge, Federal Universal Service Fund Surcharge
Vanity Number
A specific 800 or 888 number (may spell something).
Verified Account Codes
See Account Codes. A finite list of carrier-verified, predefined
Account Codes.
Very High Frequency (VHF)
The part of the radio spectrum from 30 to 300 megahertz, which includes
TV Channels 2-13, the FM broadcast band and some marine, aviation
and land mobile services.
Video Description
An audio narration for television viewers who are blind or visually
disabled, which consists of verbal descriptions of key visual elements
in a television program, such as settings and actions not reflected
in dialog. Narrations are inserted into the program’s natural
pauses, and are typically provided through the Secondary Audio Programming
channel.
Voice Mail
An automatic answering service with the ability to record a message.
Unlike simple answering machines, Voice mail uses a programmable
computer system with options such as temporary call routing, monitoring
and reporting, etc.
Voice Mail Box
The assignment of one user/number on a voice mail system.
WATS - Wide Area Telephone Service
Flat rate, or special rate pay-by-the-minute (measured) billing
for a specified calling area. May be outbound or inbound (e.g. 800).
Wireless
Radio waves, cellular, satellite, microwave, etc.
WTN - Working Telephone Number.
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