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Do you ever wonder what all those words relating to long distance service and general telecommunications means? You're about to find out, as we have listed them for you below. Select a link or scroll to browse. Enjoy!
Access Charge | Analog Signal | Bandwidth | Broadband | Calling Party Pays | Cellular Technology | Common Carrier | Communications Assistant | Cramming | Dial Around | Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS/Dish) | E-Mail | Enhanced Service Providers | En Banc | Global Positioning System (GPS) | Interactive Video Data Service (IVDS) | Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) | Landline | Land Mobile Service | Network | Number Portability | Open Video Systems | Operator Service Provider (OSP) | Paging System | Personal Communications Service (PCS) | Prescribed Interexchange Charge (PICC) | Roaming | Satellite | Satellite Master Antenna Television ((SMATV) | Service Plan | Service Provider | Slamming | Spectrum | Subscriber Line Charge (SLC) | Tariff | Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) | Telephony | TTY | Unbundling | Universal Service
Access Charge
A fee charged subscribers or other telephone companies by a local exchange carrier for the use of its local exchange networks.
Analog Signal
A signaling method that uses continuous changes in the amplitude or frequency of a radio transmission to convey information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Landline
Traditional wired phone service.
Land Mobile Service
A public or private radio service providing two-way communication, paging and radio signaling on land.
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.
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.
Open Video Systems
An alternative method to provide cable-like video service to subscribers.
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.
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.
Prescribed 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.
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 Master Antenna Television ((SMATV)
A satellite dish system used to deliver signals to multiple dwelling units (e.g., apartment buildings and trailer parks).
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.
Spectrum
The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission of sound, data and television.
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.
Tariff
The documents filed by a carrier describing their services and the payments to be charged for such services.
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.
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. It is sometimes called a TDD.
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.
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