3G: third generation wireless. It represents the fastest data-processing digital phones available, like having a broadband Internet connection on your cellphone

4G:fourth generation wireless. This stage has increased transmission rates. It is expected to provide universal access and device portability by allowing different wireless networks to interoperate.

802.11: An evolving family of specifications for wireless local area networks developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The 802.11b standard, operating in the 2.4 GHz band with a data rate up to 11 Mbps, popularized the use of WLANs. The newer 802.11g (2.4 GHz) and 802.11a (5 GHz) standards offer data rates up to 54 Mbps.

802.16: The WiMAX specification developed by the IEEE. 802.16 standards are expected to enable multimedia applications with wireless connection.

AAC: Apple’s codec (see “CODEC” in glossary)

Access Charge:Access Charge: A fee charged to subscribers or other telephone companies for the use of local exchange facilities, especially for access to these facilities to provide long-distance service.

Access Point: A hardware device or a computer’s software that acts as a communication hub for users of a wireless device to a wired LAN. It extends the physical range of service for wireless users.

ADSL: asymmetric digital subscriber line. An “always on” technology designed to increase the bandwidth available over standard copper telephone wires. The technology is ideal for one-way applications, such as video on demand (VOD) and graphics downloading, but much less suitable for two-way applications, such as videoconferencing.

AOCN: Administrative Operating Company Number

ARPU: average revenue per unit. When possible, ARPU excludes revenues from equipment sales and roaming revenues.

ATM: asynchronous transfer mode. A high-speed multiplexing and switching method utilizing fixed-length cells to transmit voice, data and video.

Bandwidth: The capacity of a telecom line to carry signals. It is both the total frequency spectrum, in hertz’s or cycles per second, that is allocated to a channel, as well as the amount of data that can be carried by a channel, in bits per second (bps). For analog transmission, it is measured in cycles per second; for digital transmission, it is measured in bps

Blog: short for web log. It is a specialized site that allows an individual or group of individuals to share a running log of events and personal insights with online audiences.

Bluetooth: A global initiative by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba to set a standard for cable-free connectivity between mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld computers and other peripherals. It uses short-range radio links in the 2.4 GHz Instrumentation Scientific and Medical (ISM) band.

BPL: broadband over power line. It’s also known as power line carrier technology. It allows high-speed Internet data transmission over medium-voltage power lines.

Broadband: A term used in evolving digital technologies in which multiple signals share the bandwidth of a medium, such as fiber-optic cable. This allows the transmission of voice, data and video signals over a single medium.

BTA: basic trading area. A geographic region defined by a group of counties that surround a city, which is the area’s basic trading center. The BTAs are used by the FCC to determine service areas for PCS wireless licenses. The entire United States and some of its territories is divided into 493 non-overlapping BTAs.

BWA: broadband wireless access. Any of the technologies aimed at providing wireless access to data networks, with high data rates.

CABS: carrier access billing

CALEA: Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act

CD-R: Compact Disc Rewriteable

CDMA: code division multiple access. A digital cellular technology that uses spread spectrum techniques. Every voice channel uses the full available spectrum. CDMA is the main competitor to GSM. This wireless cellphone technology is most heavily used in the U.S., where it drives the Verizon Wireless and Sprint networks. It is also used in a few other countries. The CDMA carriers have the fastest data technology called EV-DO. GSM carriers hope to catch up with an emerging system called HSDPA.

CDPD: cellular digital packet data. An add-on technology that enables first-generation analog cellular telephone systems to provide packet data.

Cellphone Terminology:

	Flip vs. Candy Bar: Almost all cellphones fall into one of these two categories, which relate to the cellphone’s shape. Flip phones are known as clamshell phones; they open and close on a hinge, protecting the phone’s keypad from accidental dialing. Candy bar phones are rectangular and operate without having to flip open. Electronic key locks prevent accidental dialing.
	Smart Phones: This usually describes a phone that has sophisticated email and Web-browsing capabilities and strong organizer functions.
	Ringback vs. Ringtone: Ringtones are songs that play out loud when your phone rings. If you buy a ringback song (each costs a few dollars and may require a small monthly fee), people calling you hear a song instead of the plain ringing tone most of us expect

Churn: Percentage of a carrier’s total subscriber base that leaves that carrier each month.

CLEC: competitive local exchange carrier

CMRS: commercial mobile radio service

CODEC: coder-decoder - encodes digital information such as a picture, song or film and compresses it for transmission and storage - then decompresses it again for viewing and listening.

COS: class of service. A method of managing traffic on a network by grouping like traffic together and giving each type a different priority level. It does not guarantee a certain level of service, but instead offers a best effort delivery.

Convergence: The blending of data, voice and entertainment

CO: central office

CPE: customer premise equipment

CPNI: customer proprietary network information

CRM: customer relationship management

DBS: direct broadcast satellite

DOCSIS: data over cable service interface specifications. A set of communications and interface specifications for cable modems.

DRM: digital rights management software which protects content against piracy and unauthorized copying

DSL: digital subscriber line. A technology for bringing high bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. There are different variations, including ADSL (asymmetric DSL), HDSL (high bit rate DSL) and RADSL (rate adaptive DSL).

DSLAM: digital subscriber line access multiplexer. A network device, usually in a CO, that receives signals from multiple DSL connections and puts the signals on a high-speed backbone line using multiplexing techniques.

DTV: digital television

DVB-H: digital video broadcast-handheld

DVR: digital video recorder (also called a personal video recorder, or PVR)..

DWDM: dense wavelength division multiplexing. A technology that puts data from different sources together on an optical fiber, with each signal carried at the same time on its own separate light wavelength. Up to 80 separate wavelengths or channels of data can be multiplexed into a light stream transmitted on a single optical fiber.

E911: enhanced 911.

EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. A way to measure a company’s ability to generate operating cash flow.

EDGE: enhanced data rates for GSM evolution. An enhanced modulation technique that increases network capacity and data rates in GSM networks.

EMI: Electro-Magnetic Interference.

EV-DO: evolution-data only. This is the fastest cellphone data technology available in the U.S. and is available only on CDMA networks. It is the first true broadband wireless network in the U.S. EV-DO is especially popular with road warriors because they can use an EV-DO card on their laptops and get broadband speed even when they are nowhere near a Wi-Fi hot spot.

FCC: Federal Communications Commission.

Federal-State Joint Board: An ad hoc advisory panel established by the FCC.

Fixed Wireless: Refers to the operation of wireless devices in fixed locations such as homes and offices.

Flat Rate: A type of service pricing charged per month (or other billing period) that does not vary according to usage..

Frame Relay: A telecom service that provides cost-efficient data transmission for sporadic traffic between local area networks and end-points in a wide area network.

FTTB: fiber-to-the-building

FTTC: fiber-to-the-curb

FTTH: fiber-to-the-home .

GA: General Availability

GHz: gigahertz

GPRS: This is a version of GSM that adds packet-switching capability to the voice network.

GPS: global positioning system

GSM: global system for mobile communications. It is the digital technology used by every wireless carrier in Europe and in many other areas outside the U.S. In the U.S., major wireless carriers run on two incompatible wireless technologies instead of one. One distinguishing characteristic of GSM phones is the SIM card, a sliver of plastic with a chip inside that slips into the back of the phone and stores account information and contacts. This saves GSM users time when they buy new phones; the SIM card can simply be removed and its contents come with it onto the new device.

GUI: Graphical User Interface.

HDSL: High rate Digital Subscriber Line

HDTV: high definition television. It provides approximately twice the resolution of existing video standards..

HFC: hybrid fiber coaxial. A technology that allows optical fiber cable and coaxial cable to be used in different portions of a network to carry broadband content, such as video, data and voice.

Hot Spot: a specific geographic location in which an access point provides public wireless broadband network services to mobile visitors through a wireless LAN..

HSDPA: high speed downlink packet access. It’s the next big jump in data speeds for GSM networks and phones. It’s being rolled out in a few countries and is being tested in the U.S. It’s the first GSM variation that offers true broadband speeds, expected to reach several megabits per second in real daily use.

HTML: hypertext markup language. The most common communications protocol on the Internet. It defines the layout of graphics, text and other digital features on a Web page.

iDEN: A Motorola proprietary version of TDMA with a unique push-to-talk radio capability.

IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

ILEC: incumbent local exchange carrier.

IM: instant messaging.

Intra-LATA: Telecommunications between two points located within the same local access and transport area (LATA).

IP: Internet protocol. The method by which data is transmitted from one computer (or host) to another over the Internet using a system of addresses and gateways.

ISDN: integrated services digital network. A set of standards for digital transmission over ordinary telephone copper wire and other media. ISDN also stands for Integrated Services Data Network.

IPTV: Internet protocol television. IPTV networks are similar to cable systems whereby video signals are groomed at a centralized headend and distributed over a private network. With IPTV, 100% of the customer base has a two-way, digital set-top box, allowing for interactivity.

ISP: Internet service provider.

ITFS: instructional television fixed service. A band of microwave frequencies set aside by the FCC exclusively for the transmission of educational programming..

IXC: interexchange carrier (also sometimes referred to as IEC). A common carrier that provides services to the public between local exchanges on an intra- or inter-LATA basis in compliance with local or federal regulatory requirements. It is not an end user of the services provided.

LAN: local area network.

LATA: local access and transport area.

LEC: local exchange carrier.

Lifeline Service: Basic local exchange telephone service provided at a discount to low-income and elderly people. It is subsidized by other telephone services or by state and local taxes.

LMDS: local multipoint distribution services. A fixed wireless technology that operates in the 28 GHz band and offers line-of-sight coverage over distances up to 2-3 miles..

local number portability.

LOS: line of sight

MAC: media access control address. If configured with access points, it limits the addresses an access point will allow access to. Suitable only for small networks.

MDU: multiple dwelling unit. Also known as a multi-tenant unit (MTU). It’s a large building with multiple occupants, such as hotels, office buildings or apartment buildings.

MHz: megahertz

MMDS: multichannel multipoint distribution service. A broadcasting and communications service that operates between 2.1 GHz and 2.7 GHz. It is also known as wireless cable.

MMOG: massive multiplayer online gaming. Interactive web-based games with multiple players who compete against each other from multiple locations

MMS:Multimedia Messaging Service. It uses short messages that include types of media other than text – such as photos, videos and audio clips.

MPEG:Moving Picture Experts Group – an industry body that defines widely used codecs such as MPEG-2 for video and MP3 for audio. MPEG 4 is the latest standard developed to support a wide range of video-centric products.

MSO: multiple system operator. A company that operates more than one cable TV system

MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operator. An MVNO is a mobile operator that does not own its own spectrum and usually does not have its own network infrastructure. Instead, MVNO's have business arrangements with traditional mobile operators to buy minutes of use (MOU) for sale to their own customers.

NANP: North American Numbering Plan. The numbering system used within the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and certain Caribbean islands. NANP format is a 10-igit phone number, comprised of a three-digit numbering plan area (NPA) code (usually referred to as an area code), followed by a three-digit central office code, and ending with a four-digit line number.

NECA: National Exchange Carrier Association. NECA was established by the FCC to act as an association for LECs. NECA prepares common tariffs and administers the revenue pool among its members for access provided to interexchange long distance carriers.

NID: network interface device.

NLOS: non or near line of sight. It describes a partially obstructed path between the location of the signal transmitter and the location of the signal receiver.

NOC: Network Operating Center

NPA: numbering plan area

Number Portability: Sometimes referred to as local number portability (LNP). A term used to describe the ability of individuals, businesses and organizations to maintain their existing telephone number(s) and the same quality service when switching to a new local service provider

NXX Code: A code normally used as a central office code. It may also be used as an NPA code or special NPA code

OEM: original equipment manufacturer

OFDM: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing. A method of digital modulation in which a signal is split into several narrowband channels at different frequencies.

OSS: operational support system

Packet Sniffers and Protocol Analyzers: Products that capture real-time data streams in the wireless spectrum, allowing casual users the potential for gathering connection information, even if a VPN is in use.

PBX: private branch exchange. A telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other in-house as well as to the outside telephone network.

PICC: prescribed interexchange charge. The fee that a LEC charges a long distance company when a customer chooses it as their long distance carrier

PON: passive optical network. A system that brings optical fiber cabling and signals all or most of the way to the end user. Depending on where the PON terminates, the system can be described as fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-building (TTTB) or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH).

VPOTS: plain old telephone service

PSAP: public safety answering point. The dispatch office that receives the 911 calls from the public. A PSAP may be a local fire or police department, an ambulance service or a regional office covering all services.

PSDN: Packet Switched Data Network

PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network. This is the traditional telephone system.

PUC: Public Service Commission

Push-to-talk: A two-way communication services that works like a walkie talkie. PTT requires the person speaking to press a button while talking and then release it when they are done. The listener then presses his/her button to respond.

QoS: quality of service. The idea that transmission rates, error rates and other characteristics can be measured, improved and, to some extent, guaranteed in advance.

Rate of Return: The percentage that a regulated telephone company, an interexchange carrier or a public utility company is authorized to earn on its capital investment for services provided.

RBOC: Regional Bell Operating Company. AT&T’s divested companies.

RFID: radio frequency identification. This is a technology similar in theory to bar code identification. RFID systems can be used just about anywhere, usually for inventory purposes.

RLEC: rural local exchange carrier

RSA: rural service area. RSA’s are the rural regions of the United States. The FCC used RSAs to license cellular carriers in areas not included in MSAs. There are 428 RSAs in the United States.

RSS: really simple syndication. An XML-based system for aggregating and rapidly scanning information from blogs, news and current event Web sites, and other Web sites that update content frequently.

Resale: An arrangement in which a carrier sells telecommunications services to another carrier that does not own transmission facilities. The buying carrier then resells the services to the public for profit, usually under their own brand.

RUS: Rural Utilities Service. A government rural lending system comprised of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) and other programs.

SDR: software defined radio. This refers to wireless communication in which the transmitter modulation is generated or defined by a computer and the receiver uses a computer to recover the signal intelligence. SDR allows network operators to simultaneously support multiple communication standards on one network infrastructure without being bound by a specific standard.

SIP: session initiation protocol. A standard protocol for initiating an interactive user session that involves multimedia elements such as video, voice, chat-gaming and virtual reality

SLC: subscriber line charge

SMS: Short Messaging Services. They are popularly referred to as “text messages”, offering a way to send text-only notes from one phone to the next. They are usually limited to 160 characters.

SOHO: small office, home office

SONET: synchronous optical network. An ultra-high-speed fiber optic transmission standard developed for large scale, fiber based digital transmission networks that use equipment from many different manufacturers

Spectrum: The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission of voice, data and television

Spread Spectrum: A communication technique in which the frequency of the transmitted signal is deliberately varied. This results in greater bandwidth and lessens the chances of interruption or interception of the transmitted signal.

SSID: service set identifier. An SSID allows segmenting of a WLAN into multiple networks with unique identifiers that are programmed into access points.

SS7: signaling system 7. A specific network control system made up of protocols for the interpretation and use of an array of network control and operation signals. The system puts the information required to set up and manage telephone calls in a separate network rather than within the same network on which the telephone call is made

TDM: time division multiplexing. Transmits data by breaking the signal down into multiple segments, which are transmitted separately over a single signal. Data is then is reconstructed at the receiving end using a method based on the timing of the transmissions.

TDMA: time division multiple access. A method of digital wireless communications transmission that allows a large number of users to access (in sequence) a single radio frequency channel without interference by allocating unique time slots to each user within the channel. Each frequency is broken into time slots through which bits of data flow. TDMA is used in second generation wireless phone systems, such as GSM and TDMA.

UMTS: The first wave of phones aimed at using Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) service-the fastest network capability yet and a new technology in the US telecom industry-will hit the shelves in early 2006 from Nokia. The vendor has announced it will be selling three phones designed for third-generation wireless networks, including its first handset for the UMTS-based 3G networks being rolled out in the US from Cingular. The 3G Nokia 6282 features a slide-open body with a 2.2-inch, display, digital camera, Bluetooth capability, FM radio and a digital music player. The other two handsets, models 6233 and 6234, both boast 2-megapixel cameras, built-in stereo speakers and, of course, digital music players.

UNE: unbundled network element

UNE-P: unbundled network element platform

UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply

USAC: Universal Service Administrative Company

USF: Universal Service Fund

UWB: ultra wideband. Also known as digital pulse wireless, UWB is a wireless technology useful for transmitting large amounts of digital data over a wide spectrum of frequency bands with very low power for a short distance. It has the ability to carry signals through doors and other obstacles that tend to reflect signals at more limited bandwidths and a higher power.

VDSL: very high-speed digital subscriber line. An extremely wide bandwidth version of DSL that delivers data over copper lines at speeds up to 52.8 Mbps over a maximum distance of 4,500 feet.

VOD: video on demand. An interactive multimedia system similar to cable TV that gives customers the ability to select movies from a large video database to view at their convenience.

ViiV: a set of computer hardware and software technologies from Intel that will go inside computers and set-top boxes (pronounced like “five”)

VoDSL: voice over DSL. A method used to transmit voice conversations using digital subscriber line technology.

VoIP: Voice over Internet protocol. This is the technology used to transmit voice conversations over a data network using IP. This is done by digitizing voice into discrete packets that are transferred independently over the network, instead of traditional circuit-committed protocols of the PSTN.

VPN: Virtual Private Network. A VPN is a network in which some of the parts are connected using the public Internet. Encryption is used to protect data, making the network “virtually” private. Companies that want to set up their own private data networks can use the public Internet instead of leasing lines.

WAN: wide area network

War Driving: Using a laptop’s wireless card to pick up unsecured LAN signals, using them for anonymous and free high-speed Internet access. A global positioning system receiver reveals the locations, which are often “chalked” with a special symbol.

Wi-Fi: wireless fidelity - another name for any type of 802.11 network, which operates in both the 2.4 GHz (802.11B and 802.11g) and 5GHz bands (802.11a).

WiMAX: The IEEE 802.16 wireless metropolitan area network standard. WiMAX technology is expected to enable multimedia applications with wireless connection. The range is predicted as up to 30 miles.

WLL: Wireless Local Loop. WLL is a system that connects subscribers to the PSTN using radio signals as a substitute for copper for all or part of the connection between the subscriber and the switch. WLL is also called “radio in the loop” or “fixed radio access”.

WISP: A wireless Internet service provider. An ISP that allows subscribers to connect to a server at designated hot spots (access points) using a wireless connection (such as WiFi).

WLAN: A wireless local area network using high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes. WLAN networks are configured for private use within business and home settings or as public WLANs or Wi-Fi networks. Private WLANs allow company employees to gain full wireless access to the corporate network. Semi-private WLANs permit limited use for trusted non-private users, such as a contractor within an enterprise.

WM9: Microsoft’s codec (short for Windows Media-9)

XML: extensible markup language. A protocol, interoperable with HTML, which distributes Internet intelligence between the server and the client.

ZigBee: The name for the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for an extremely low power and low bit rate wireless technology. Zigbee is designed for wireless automation and other lower data tasks, such as smart home automation and remote monitoring.

Another resource: Newton’s Telecom Dictionary – 21st edition. This provides a lot of explanation for telecom industry acronyms. It can be ordered from www.telecom-bookstore.com.