Glossary

Access Channel.......................	The network element used to connect a subscriber to the nearest switch or concentrator. An access channel generally takes the form of a closed circuit and consists of a pair of copper wires, but may also employ fiber optic cables, microwave links or other technologies.
Active line.................................	A line is considered "active" if the subscriber has used the service within the last 30 days.
ADSL.........................................	Asymmetric digital subscriber line. A common subset of DSL where upstream communication is conducted at a lower speed than downstream.
ADSL2+.....................................	ADSL technology using the ITU G.992.5 standard. Allows for downstream speed of up to 24 Mbps.
Analog.......................................	A transmission mode in which the initial signal (e.g., voice) is converted into and transmitted as an electrical signal. Signals are conveyed by continuously varying, for example, the frequency, amplitude or phase of the transmission. Analog signals typically require higher amounts of capacity to transfer data than is possible using digital transmissions and are more susceptible to attenuation.
ARPC.........................................	Average revenue per channel.
ARPL.........................................	Average revenue per line.
ARPU.........................................	Average monthly revenue per user. ARPU is calculated by dividing the revenue earned for the relevant period by the number of months in the period and by the average number of RGUs for the period (which average number of RGUs may vary from the number of RGUs presented at the end date of the relevant period). As applied, ARPU can refer to an individual service or to total revenue from a unique subscriber.
ATE............................................	Automatic telephone exchange. In the field of telecommunications, a telephone exchange (US: telephone switch) is a piece of equipment that connects phone calls.
ATM..........................................	Asynchronous transfer mode network. A multiplexing and routing technology for high? speed digital communications that permits data, text, voice, video and multimedia signals to be transmitted simultaneously between network access points at speeds of up to 155 Mbps or more. ATM allows for better LAN interconnections, PABX interconnection, data transmission and flexible bandwidth delivery.
Base station..............................	Fixed transceiver equipment in each cell of a mobile telecommunications network that communicates by radio signal with mobile handsets in that cell.
broadband Internet service....	A general term for Internet services capable of delivering transmissions at speeds in excess of approximately 256 Kbps.
bundle........................................	Combination of products and services that may be offered at a price lower than the sum of the prices of each of the services individually.
CAGR.........................................	Compound annual growth rate. Interest rate at which a given present value would grow to a given future value in a given amount of time. The formula for calculating CAGR is (Current Value/Base Value)^(1/number of years) - 1.
call forwarding..........................	A feature permitting the user to program a phone to ring at an alternate location; call forwarding may be in effect at all times or only in certain designated instances, such as when a particular phone is busy or there is no answer.
call transferring........................	A call connection routing feature that transfers a call from one telephone or extension to another. Call transferring can occur at various stages of the call conversation through the use of a system special service call request feature. The system special service request feature is often called a "Flash" feature. The flash feature is created to indicate a desire to recall a service function or to activate a custom calling feature (such as a call transfer request). A flash feature service request can be created when the user initiates a short on?hook interval or through the sending of a special service request message. The short on? hook interval is created by a momentary operation of the telephone switch hook, during a prolonged off?hook period. The special service request message can be sent by a button on a telephone (such as a PBX telephone) or by pressing the SEND key on a mobile telephone.
call waiting................................	A warning signal received when a person is on a call that there is a second incoming call.
Caller ID.....................................	An optional telephone service that provides a receiving telephone device with the phone number of the originating caller, which can be displayed to the destination person prior to receiving the call. The caller ID is transmitted as a data parameter in the SS7 Initial Address Message from the originating end switch to the destination end switch in the process of setting up the call. Some caller ID services can also provide directory name listing information, derived separately from the LIDB data base. Caller ID information is typically transferred as a type? 202?modem?compatible data signal between the first two ringing cadence cycles of the alerting tone.
CDMA 2000 standard.............	CDMA 2000 standard is a 3G mobile telecommunications standard that uses CDMA, a multiple access scheme for digital radio, to send voice, data and signaling data (such as a dialed telephone number) between mobile telephones and cell sites.
churn..........................................	A measure of subscriber turnover due to subscription disconnections as a result of terminations by subscribers; switching by subscribers to competing services; terminations by the service provider due to subscriber non?payment; and, in the case of mobile communications services, expirations of pre?paid cards.
Circuit?switched network........	A network using a type of communications in which a dedicated channel (or circuit) is established for the duration of a transmission. The most ubiquitous circuit? switching network is the telephone system, which links together wire segments to create a single unbroken line for each telephone call.
CLEC..........................................	Competitive local exchange carrier. A telephone service company that provides local telephone service that competes with ILEC.
Coaxial network........................	A network composed of insulated wire cables commonly used to broadcast television broadcast signals by cable companies. Coaxial cables typically comprise a copper core carrying the signal, an insulating layer and an outer channel. Suitably upgraded, coaxial cables can be used to carry a range of other communications such as telephony and Internet transmissions. Coaxial cables are well suited to transmissions over long distances.
Concentrator.............................	A communications device that subdivides a channel into a larger number of channels by connecting a number of circuits, which are not all used simultaneously, to a smaller group of circuits for a more economical transmission.
CPE.............................................	Customer premises equipment. All telecommunications terminal equipment located on the customer's premises, including telephone sets, PBXs, data terminals and customer?owned coin?operated telephones.
DACS cross?switch.................	A digital switching system that interconnects specific communication channels (time slots) between digital multiplexed lines (usually t?carrier lines).
DBMS........................................	Database management system. A system that controls access to, organization of, security, and application interfaces to information data.
DECT.........................................	Digital enhanced cordless telephone. The DECT system is a digital cordless and WPBX system. The DECT system includes three key parts: the mobile radio portable part, the radio base station fixed part and the interconnecting system fixed part. There are two versions of DECT: the European version and the American version. The European version uses a very wide radio channel to allow up to 12 simultaneous wireless telephones to share each channel. The American version uses a slightly more narrow radio channel and allows up to 8 users to share a single radio channel.
Digital........................................	A method of storing, processing and transmitting information through the use or distinct electronic of optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0 and 1. Digital transmission and switching technologies employ a sequence of these pulses to represent information as opposed to the continuously variable analog signal. Compared to analog networks, digital networks allow for greater capacity, lower interference, protection against eavesdropping and automatic error correction. Signals are encoded into digits for transmission.
DLD............................................	Domestic long distance. Provision of telecommunications services outside of the local network.
DSL............................................	Digital subscriber lines. A technology based on the use of copper lines in traditional telephone networks that are attached to telephone exchanges that have been upgraded to digital technology. DSL technology is most commonly used for the provision of Internet services at speeds that are significantly faster than dial?up Internet access. DSL (or sometimes, "xDSL") is commonly used as a generic term for several variants of technology offering different specifications but based on the same principles.
DSLAM.....................................	Digital subscriber line access multiplexer. A device used by third party operators wishing to provide services to customers with existing copper wire connections to an incumbent telephony provider. The DSLAM acts as a switch enabling the routing of data and other communications between the end?user and the third party operator, avoiding the need to connect via the incumbent operator's principal exchange.
DTH...........................................	Direct to home. The reception of satellite programs with a personal dish in an individual home.
DTV............................................	Digital television. The generic term for television systems employing digital, rather than analog, technology.
DWDM......................................	Dense wave division multiplexing. High capacity method of increasing the capacity of fiber optic data transmission systems by sending multiple wavelengths of light down a single strand of fiber.
EPON.........................................	Ethernet passive optical network. EPON is a network for using Ethernet for packet data.
Ethernet.....................................	Ethernet is a packet based transmission protocol that is primarily used in LANs. Ethernet is the common name for the IEEE 802.3 industry specification and it is often characterized by its data transmission rate and type of transmission medium (e.g., twisted pair is T and fiber is F). Ethernet can be provided on twisted pair, coaxial cable, wireless or fiber cable. Originally created by an alliance between Digital Equipment Corporation, Intel and Xerox, Ethernet is slightly different than IEEE 802.3. In Ethernet, the packet header includes a type field and the length of the packet is determined by detection. In IEEE 802.3, the packet header includes a length field and the packet type is encapsulated in an IEEE 802.2 header.
fiber optic cable........................	Cable that uses optical glass fibers to transmit signals over long distances with minimal signal loss or distortion. Fiber optic cable has good broadband frequency characteristics and noise immunity and is capable of managing very high capacity, high speed transmissions.
firewall.......................................	A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.
FMC...........................................	Fixed mobile convergence. The removal of distinctions between fixed and wireless telecommunication networks that create seamless services using a combination of fixed broadband and local access wireless technologies.
frame relay.................................	A data transport protocol that divides a physical communications line into several virtual channels. A technology part?way between packet switching and ATM.
G.703 channel...........................	An ITU standard for the physical and electrical characteristics of various digital interfaces, including those at 64 kbps and 2.048 Mbps.
Gbps...........................................	Gigabytes per second; 1 Gbps = 1 thousand Mbps. Gbps stands for thousands of bits or kilobits per second. It is a measure of bandwidth (the total information flow over a given time) on a telecommunications medium.
GE...............................................	Gigabit Ethernet. Ethernet systems that can transmit at 1 Gbps or more are called "Gigabit Ethernet (GE)."
GHz.............................................	The gigahertz, abbreviated GHz, is a unit of alternating current (AC) or electromagnetic (EM) wave frequency equal to one thousand million hertz (1,000,000,000 Hz). The GHz is used as an indicator of the frequency of ultra?high? frequency (UHF) and microwave EM signals and also, in some computers, to express microprocessor clock speed
GSM...........................................	Global system for mobile communication. A widely adopted technical standard for digital mobile telephony.
HFC............................................	Hybrid fiber coaxial network. A network that consists of a high capacity fiber network connected through nodes to a series of coaxial cables linked to subscribers' homes. An HFC network is typically defined by the extent to which it has been upgraded to provide two way communications and the bandwidth available in the coaxial portion of the HFC network.
Hot Spots..................................	Locations where computer users with appropriate wireless technology installed in their computers can access the Internet without need for a physical cable to provide a network connection.
HPNA........................................	Home phoneline networking alliance specification. The HPNA specification defines the signals and operation for data and entertainment services that can be provided through telephone lines that are installed in homes and businesses. The HPNA specification is designed to co?exist with other communication systems including POTS, ISDN and ADSL.
Hybrid?VPN..............................	A technology that makes it possible to integrate offices with different types of "last mile" access, such as fiber optic, wire and airwave connections, into a unified protected data transmission network.
IEEE............................................	Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. A global body that sets standards and protocols for communications purposes.
ILD.............................................	International long distance. Provision of telecommunications services across national borders.
ILEC...........................................	Incumbent local exchange carrier. This is usually the incumbent local phone company, which owns most of the local loops and facilities in a serving area.
Interconnection........................	The linking of telecommunications networks used by the same or different persons in order to allow the users of the services or networks of one person to communicate with the users of the services or networks of the same person or of another person, or to access services provided by another person.
IN................................................	Intelligent network. Network architecture focusing on the efficiency, automation and functionality of telecommunication networks. Intelligent networks are typically equipped with sophisticated computerized routing systems, allow for advanced features such as caller identification and Voicemail and can be readily expanded and upgraded.
IP................................................	Internet protocol. Protocol used in the Internet for communication among multiple networks in which data is sent in packets and routed according to traffic density.
IP?Centrex..................................	IP?Centrex is a set of specialized business solutions where the equipment providing the call control and service logic functions is owned and operated by the service provider and is located on the service provider's premises.
ISDN..........................................	Integrated services digital network. A transmission system with the capacity to transmit two streams of information (voice, text, data or graphics) simultaneously on a single access channel, based upon end?to?end digitalization and standardized out?of?band signaling.
ISP..............................................	Internet services provider. A company providing access to Internet and other computer based information networks through its servers.
IVR.............................................	Interactive voice response. A telecommunications systems that uses a pre?recorded database of voice messages to present options to a user, typically over telephones lines.
IT................................................	Information technology. The broad subject concerned with all aspects of managing and processing information.
ITU standard............................	Telecommunications standards set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The ITU, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland is an international organization within the United Nations where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services.
Kbps..........................................	Kilobits per second. A data transfer speed measured by the number of thousands of bits per second. A bit is the smallest unit of data in a computer network.
LAN...........................................	Local area network. A short distance data transmission network designed to interconnect PCs, workstations, minicomputers, file servers and other computing devices within a localized environment for the purpose of sharing files, programs and devices such as printers and high?speed modems. LANs may have a decentralized communications management or include dedicated computers or file services that provide a centralized source of shared files and programs.
Lan2Lan connectivity.............	A service to connect two different sites to LAN interconnection through SDSL.
"last mile"..................................	The last portion of the telephone access line that is installed between a local telephone company switching facility and the customer's premises.
Leased line................................	Voice and data circuits leased to connect two or more locations for the exclusive use of the subscriber. Leased lines are typically used to transmit various forms of data, including voice and Internet traffic.
LIDB...........................................	Line information database. A database maintained by the local telephone company that contains subscriber information, such as a service profile, name and address, as well as credit card validation information.
local loop...................................	Network element used to connect a subscriber to the nearest switch or concentrator. The local loop is commonly referred to as the "last mile" because it is the part of the network that is connected directly to the subscriber.
MB.............................................	Megabyte. A measure of data volume representing one million bytes. Each byte is equal to eight bits.
Mbps.........................................	Megabits per second. A data transfer speed measured by the number of millions of bits per second. A bit is the smallest unit of data in a computer network.
MGW?A....................................	MediaGateWay. A device used as an interface between circuit?switched and packet? switched networks.
MMDS.......................................	Multichannel multipoint distribution service. Multichannel multipoint distribution service is the providing of television services through the use of 2.5 GHz microwave frequencies. MMDS is commonly called "wireless cable."
MPLS.........................................	Multi?protocol label switching. A standards?approved technology for speeding up network traffic flow and making such traffic easier to manage. MPLS involves setting up a specific path for a given sequence of packets, identified by a label put in each packet, thus saving the time needed for a router to look up the address in order to forward the packer to the next node.
NGN...........................................	Next generation network. IP/MPLS protocol?based digital packet?switched network.
node...........................................	A network element that provides a point at which key telecommunications equipment or computers can access the network. In circuit networks, nodes are switching systems. In packet?switched networks they are often computers.
PABX.........................................	Private automatic branch exchange. An exchange used for switching calls within an organization rather than between PSTN subscribers. Most PABXs do have connections to the PSTN for outside calls.
packet switching......................	A data transmission process, utilizing addressed packets, whereby a channel is occupied only for the duration of transmission of the packet.
pay TV.......................................	Television system in which the user needs to effect a special payment if he/she wants to receive certain programming.
PBX............................................	Private branch exchange. A telephone exchange operated within an organization that is used for switching calls between internal lines and between internal and PSTN lines.
PC...............................................	Personal computer. A small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time.
PDTN.........................................	Public data transmission network. A public telecommunications network built for the purpose of transmitting of data.
peering.......................................	Peering refers to a relationship between two service providers that agree to exchange traffic and routing policies, usually across a direct link that the two service providers establish.
penetration rate........................	The total number of subscribers for a carrier divided by the population that it serves expressed as a percentage.
Point?to?point...........................	A link from one user or network to another using a phone line.
PON............................................	Passive optical network. A high bandwidth point to multipoint optical fiber network based on the ATM, Ethernet or TDM.
PoP.............................................	Point of presence. A site where there exists a collection of telecommunications equipment, usually modems, digital leased lines and multi?protocol routers.
POTS..........................................	Plain old telephone service. Traditional phone service that is found in most homes and businesses. POTS is in contrast to advanced services such as ISDN and DSL, which are digital and provide greater bandwidth.
PSTN..........................................	Public switched telephone network. The international telephone system based on copper wires carrying analog voice data. This is in contrast to newer telephone networks based on digital technologies, such as ISDN.
RC...............................................	Retransmision counter.
RGU............................................	Revenue generating unit. A term that is commonly used in the cable and telecommunications industry. Defined by the National Cable Television Association in the United States as the sum of all analog cable, digital cable and Internet customers. RGUs measure the overall increase or decrease in a company's customer base, as some categories increase and others decrease, such as analog cable and digital subscribers.
roaming......................................	The mobile telecommunications feature that permits subscribers of one network to use their mobile handset and telephone numbers when in a region covered by another operator's networks.
router.........................................	An inter?network device that relays data packets to networks connected to the router based upon the destination address contained in those data packets being routed.
SCS.............................................	Structured cabling system. SCS is a set of cabling and connectivity products that integrates the voice, data, video and various management systems of a building (such as safety alarms, security access, energy systems, etc.).
SDH............................................	Synchronous digital hierarchy. A standard for high?speed digital transmission that is commonly used in telephony networks.
SDSL..........................................	Symmetric digital subscriber line. A DSL line with identical upstream and downstream speeds.
SLA............................................	Service level agreement. A contract between a network service provider and a customer that specifies, usually in measurable terms, what services, and in certain cases, the quality of such services that the network service provider will furnish.
SMS...........................................	Short message service. Also commonly referred to as text messaging. SMS features enable a user to send a short message to another user using a simplified key?pad. SMS capabilities among the latest user devices are capable of sending music and video messages, in addition to alphanumeric messages.
subscriber.................................	In accordance with general practice in the telecommunications industry, in this prospectus the term "subscriber" is used, unless the context otherwise requires, to indicate a customer of fixed line communications services who has used such services within the last 30 days.
switch........................................	A device used to set up and rout telephone calls either to the number called or to the next switch along the path. They may also record information for billing and control purposes.
TDM..........................................	Time division multiplexer. A device which divides the time available on its composite link among its channels, usually interleaving bits (Bit TDM) or characters (Character TDM) of data from each terminal.
Termination rate.......................	The interconnection fee received by an operator for incoming calls terminating on its networks.
Universal service.....................	The obligation placed on universal service providers to ensure that standard telephone services, payphones and prescribed carriage services are reasonably accessible to all people in a particular region on an equitable basis, and with affordable pricing, wherever they reside or carry on business.
voicemail...................................	Any system for sending, storing and retrieving audio messages, similar to a telephone answering machine.
VoIP...........................................	Voice over Internet protocol. Protocol in which voice traffic is carried in IP packets rather than a circuit?switched network.
VPC............................................	Virtual path connection. (1?general) An identifier of a physical channel and a logical channel that is used as a connection path between two points. (2?ATM) A set of logical virtual channel connections (VCCs) between two end stations. All channels in a specific VPC connect the same two end stations.
VPN............................................	Virtual private network. A data network that shares telecommunications infrastructure but acts as a secure private network.
VSAT.........................................	Very small aperture terminal. VSAT consists of a small, dish?shaped antenna and associated electronics which allow satellite access to a geosynchronous, communications satellite. A VSAT system is an entire network which includes the central hub, the remote sites and the network software to run the system. VSAT utilizes geosynchronous satellites located 22,500 miles above the equator as the communication backbone. The satellite connects the VSAT locations to the central hub facility which routes messages to the appropriate destination.
Wi-Fi..........................................	Wireless LAN. A communication system in which a mobile user can connect to a LAN through a wireless (radio) connection. Wi?Fi communications are based on an open standard set out in the IEEE 802.11 specifications.
Wi-Max......................................	A higher specification form of Wi?Fi. Wi?Max, as defined by the IEEE 802.16 specification, offers higher transmission speeds and operating ranges than IEEE 802.11.
WPBX system..........................	Wireless private branch exchange. A PBX that supports cordless telephone calls.
xDSL...........................................	Refers to the family of digital subscriber line technologies, including ADSL, among others.
Docsis……………………	Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications
HFC...............	Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial
MMDS...............	Microwave Multipoint Distribution System
IMS	IP Multimedia Subsystem