0-9 

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10 BaseT 

The IEEE 802.3 specification for Ethernet over unshielded twisted pair (UTP); Basic Ethernet at 10 Mbit/sec. 

100 BaseFX 

100 Mbps Ethernet implementation over fiber. 

100 BaseT 

Fast Ethernet; Ethernet running at 100 Mbit/sec. 

100 BaseTX 

The IEEE 802.3u specification for Fast Ethernet over Category 5 (CAT5)unshielded twisted pair. 

1000 Base-T 

Ethernet running at 1,000 Mbit/sec

1G

First Generation. Refers to analog cellular systems.

1xEV-DOCDMA 

1x Evolution - Data Only

1xEV-DVCDMA 

1x Evolution - Data and Voice services

1XRTT

cdma2000 operating mode at basic chip rate (1.2288 Mcps)

2G

Second Generation. Refers to digital cellular and PCS wireless systems oriented to voice and low speed data services

2R

Receive, Reshape (an optical signal). See 3R 

3GPP 

The Third Generation Partnership Project, set up to expedite the development of open, globally-accepted technical specifications for 3G services. 

3G Services 

Shorthand term for "third generation services." Generally applied to wideband mobile services. 

3G

Third Generation. Refers to the next generation of wireless systems - digital with high speed data. Being standardized by 3GPP and 3GPP2

3GiA

3G Internet Appliance

3GPP

3rd Generation Partnership Project for W-CDMA (GSM

3GPP2

3rd Generation Partnership Project for cdma2000

3R

Reshaping, Retiming, Reamplifying (an optical signal). See 2R

3XRTT

cdma2000 operating mode at 3 times the basic chip rate of 1.2288 Mcps

802.11An 

IEEE wireless Ethernet replacement technology in the ISM band. Runs at approximately 10 Mbps

802.15

See Bluetooth

A 

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A/D

Analog/Digital. Usually used in the context of conversion from analog to digital (or vice-versa)

A3

GSM authentication algorithm

A5

GSM data encryption algorithm

A8

GSM voice encryption algorithm. Used to generate Kc

AAA

Authentication, Authorization and Accounting entity

AAL

AAL Adaptation Layer

A-bis

Interface between BTS and BSC

ABR

Average bit rate

ABS

Alternate Billing Service

Absorption 

In an antenna, the process within a poorly conducting material in which RF energy is absorbed and converted to heat energy. 

AC

Authentication Center. Stores information for authenticating mobiles, and encrypting their voice and data transmissions

ACC

Analog Control Channel. See FSK

Access 

The method, time, circuit, or facility used to enter the network. 

Access Coordination 

The design, ordering, installation, preservice testing, turn-up and maintenance on local access services. 

Access Line 

The circuit used to enter the communications network. 

ACCOLC

Access Overload Class

Account Codes 

Also known as Project Codes or Bill-Back Codes. Account Codes are additional digits dialed by the calling party that provides information about the call. Typically used by hourly professionals (accountants, lawyers, etc.) to track and bill clients, projects, etc. 

ACD

Automatic Call Distributor. Distributes incoming calls to one of a number of people equally able to handle them (e.g. for customer service)

ACELP

1)Adaptive CELP. 2)Algebraic CELP

ACF

Authentication Control Function

ACG

Automatic Code Gapping. A method of shedding load in telecommunications systems

ACH

Access Channel

ACK

Acknowledgement signal

ACMSS7 

ISUP Address Complete message. Response to IAM

ACP

Adjacent Channel Power

ACRE

Authorization & Call Routing Equipment. Used for routing calls to cellular phones with a 'cordless' mode

AD

Abbreviated Dialing

ADA

Advertising Agent. Provides information to a MS on the services provided by a 3G network

Address Mask 

A 32-bit long mask used to select an IP address for subnet addressing. The mask selects the network portion of the IP address and one or more bits of the local LAN address. 

Address Translation 

The process of converting external addresses into standardized network addresses and vice versa. Facilities interconnection of multiple networks which each have their own address plan. 

ADDS

Application Data Delivery Service. See SMS

ADPCM

Adaptive Differential PCM

ADS

Asynchronous Data Service

ADSL 

(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Loop) ADSL is a technology that allows data to be sent at rates as high as 6 Mbps through the conventional (analog, copper) telephone line, and is considered one of the most promising ways of connecting the "Information Superhighway" to the home. In collaboration with Aware, Inc. of Cambridge, Analog Devices has developed systems that support this standard. 

AEG

Asian Expert Group. A WAP Working Group

AES

(1)Advanced Encryption Standard. 2)Audio Engineering Society

AFLT

Advanced Forward Link Trilateration. A geolocation technique that utilizes the mobile station¹s measured time of arrival of radio signals from the base stations (and, possibly, other terrestrial measurements)

AFSK

Audio FSK. Communication by changing frequencies in the audio band rather than RF. Used by MF, DTMF

AGPS

Network Assisted GPS. Land station assists mobile in acquiring its position

AH

(1)Authentication Header. 2)Answer Hold. Service that allows an incoming call to be placed on hold without answering it first. Closely related to USCF

AHAG

TIA TR-45 ad hoc Authentication Group

AIN

Advanced Intelligent Network. Telcordia version of IN

A-interface

Interface between the MSC and BS

Air interface 

The radio communications between a mobile handset and the base station. AIS Stands for Alarm Indication Signal, usually all ones--F11111111. Also known as a Blue Alarm which signals that an upstream failure has occurred. 

AJ 

Anti-Jam; a communication signal that is designed to resist interference or jamming. 

AK

Anonymity Key

AKA

Authentication and Key Agreement. GSM term

A-Key

The primary CAVE authentication key, used to generate SSD

Alarm 

A real-time indication or a signal of an abnormal situation or event. Usually includes a Priority or Severity Code. 

Alert

A command to a mobile to notify the user of an incoming call or message

ALI

Automatic Location Information. A database that contains information about the location of emergency callers

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. 

Alternate Mark Inversion (AMI) 

A line code used for T-1 and E-1 lines that has a 12.5% ones density minimum, and the one conditions of the signal alternate between positive and negative polarity. 

AM 

Amplitude Modulation. The simplest carrier modulation technique where the RF carrier's envelope is modulated -- used today by broadcast band (BC) stations. 

AMA

Automatic Message Accounting. See CDR

Amateur Service 

A radio communications service that licensed operators with no pecuniary interest use for self-training, communications, and technical investigations. 

AMI

Alternate Mark Inversion. A line code used for T-1 and E-1 lines that has a 12.5% ones density minimum, and the one conditions of the signal alternate between positive and negative polarity. 

AMPS 

Stands for Advanced Mobile Phone System, which is the most common type of First Generation analog cell phone network. Because analog phones are suited for voice rather than data communications, AMPS networks are rapidly being supplanted by digital wireless networks. Operates in the 800 MHz frequency band and uses FDMA technology. 

AMR

Adaptive MultiRate voice coder. Used in GSM and UMTS

AN

Access Network

Analog

Transmission of information through a continuously variable signal. Compare with digital

Analogue

Alternate (British) spelling of analog

Anchor MSC

The first MSC involved in a wireless call

AND

Abbreviated Dialing Numbers

ANI

(1)Automatic Number Identification. Provision of charge number during a call to allow toll calls without operator intervention. (2)Access Network Identifier

ANI II

ANI Information Digits. Describes the type of phone being used to call (e.g. residential line or payphone)

ANMSS7 

ISUP Answer Message

ANSI 

American National Standards Institute. A United States-based organization which develops standards and defines interfaces for telecommunications. 

ANSI-136 

The North American digital mobile standard previously known as Interim Standard IS-136 and used in TDMA (previously called D-AMPS) systems. 

ANSI-41

See TIA/EIA-41

Answer Supervision 

The off-hook indication sent back to the originating end when the called station answers. 

ANT

ADSL Network Termination

Antenna 

Passive device required to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation and convert it into electrical signals. 

AOA

Angle of Arrival. A position identification technology that detects the direction of a signal received from a transmitter at only one point. In this system, the transmitter's location is determined from the receivers' antenna position and the AOA of the signals that are from the antennas. 

AoC

Advice of Charge

AP

Application Part (of a protocol)

APCO

Association of Public Safety Communications Officials

APDU

Application PDU

API

Application Programming Interface

APLMN

Associated PLMN

APM

Application Transport

APMN

Associated PMN

ARCH

(1) Access Response Channel. WAP Architecture Committee. A WAP Working Group

Architecture 

The specifications of a system and how its subcomponents interconnect, interact and cooperate. Architectures are often described in multiple levels of abstraction from low-level physical to higher-level logical application and end-user views. 

Area of Service (AOS) 

The geographical area supported by a communication service. For 800 numbers, if AOS is "CC", it is using Complex Call routing. 

ARI 

Automatic Room Identification (Hotel/Motel room number)

ARIB

Association of Radio Industries and Businesses. Responsible for standardization of telecommunications protocols in Japan

ARM

ARQ Response Mode

ARP

Authorized Receipt Point. The sole entity authorized to settle and exchange roamer charges and revenue for a carrier

ARP 

Address Resolution Protocol under TCP/IP. Used to dynamically bind a high level IP address to a low-level physical hardware address. ARP is limited to a single physical network that supports hardware broadcasting.

ARPU

Average Revenue Per User

ARQ

Automatic Repeat Request

AS

Internet Application Server. Handles applications for a range of addresses (e.g. a telephone switch)

ASE

Application Service Element

ASIC

Application Specific Integrated Circuit. A computer chip that is customized for a special purpose application

ASK 

Amplitude Shift Keying; a digital modulation of the RF carrier's envelope. 

ASN.1

Abstract Syntax Notation 1. A formal, textual, representation of a protocol message set

ASP

AS Process

ASR

Automatic Speech Recognition

ASR 

Access Service Request. A document (or data transaction) sent to the LEC to order the local access portion of a circuit.

ASTA 

Areas of Service State (list)

Asymmetric communications 

Two-way communications in which the volumes of traffic in each direction are significantly different. For example, TV on demand.

Asynchronous 

Not Synchronous. A form of concurrent input and output communication transmission with no timing relationship between the two signals. Slower-speed asynchronous transmission requires start and stop bits to avoid a dependency on timing clocks (10 bits to send on 8-bit byte). (Contrast with Synchronous).

Asynchronous Transfer Mode Adaptation Layer (AAL )

A series of protocols enabling to be made compatible with virtually all of the commonly used standards for voice, data, image and video. 

AT

(1)Access Tandem. A switch that can be used to reach a variety of IXC's. (2)Access Terminal

ATIS

Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions. Parent organization for the T1 standards committees and many telecom industry groups, such as OBF

ATM 

An international ISDN high-speed, high-volume, packet-switching transmission protocol standard. ATM uses short, uniform, 53-byte cells to divide data into efficient, manageable packets for ultrafast switching through a high-performance communications network. The 53-byte cells contain 5-byte destination address headers and 48 data bytes. ATM is the first packet-switched technology designed from the ground up to support integrated voice, video, and data communication applications. It is well-suited to high-speed WAN transmission bursts. ATM currently accommodates transmission speeds from 64 Kbps to 622 Mbps. ATM may support gigabit speeds in the future.

ATM / SONET / SDH

These three types of high-speed fiber-optic systems (ATM switch interface, SONET/SDH network) are being deployed now in the LAN/WAN environment to connect workstations and to transport high bit-rate services. 

ATP

Access Transport Parameter (also Adenosine Tri-Phosphate)

Attenuation 

A loss of signal strength in a lightwave, electrical or radio signal usually related to the distance the signal must travel (e.g. fiber optic transmission must be regenerated approx. every 30 miles). Fiber optic attenuation is caused by transparency of the fiber, bending the fiber at too small of a radius, nicks in the fiber, splices, poor fiber terminals, FOTs, etc. Electrical attenuation is caused by the resistance of the conductor, poor (corroded) connections, poor shielding, induction, RFI, etc. Radio signal attenuation may be due to atmospheric conditions, sun spots, antenna design / positioning, obstacles, etc.

AuC

GSM term for AC

AUTH

An OMT bit that turns mobile authentication on or off for all mobiles within a cell

AUTHBS

Authentication Response from the BS

Authentication 

The process of validating and identifying a caller as being a legitimate system user.

Authentication Enhancements

Improvements to network based authentication (TIA/EIA-41) defined in IS-778

Authentication Vector

See Quintet and Triplet

AUTHR

Authentication Response. The output of CAVE when RAND is used as a global challenge

AUTHU

Authentication Response to Unique Challenge

AUTN3

GPP AKA Network Authentication Token

Auto-correlation

A measure of the similarity between a signal and a time-shifted replica of itself; a special case of cross-correlation; The auto-correlation function is the theoretical basis of direct sequence spread spectrum. 

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 signaling protocol, and included in the Call Detail Record for billing purposes. (3) ANI may also be used to refer to any phone number. 

Automatic Ring Down (ARD) 

A private line connecting a station instrument in one location to a station instrument in a distant location with automatic two-way signaling. The automatic two-way signaling used on these circuits causes the station instrument on one end of the circuit to ring when the station instrument on the other end goes off-hook. This circuit is sometimes called a "hot-line" because urgent communications are typically associated with this service. ARD circuits are commonly used in the financial industry. May also have one way signaling. Station "A" rings Station "B" when Station "A" goes off hook, but Station "B" cannot ring Station "A".

AV

Authentication Vector

Availability 

The probability of attaining a specified level of performance and maintaining that level for a scheduled period of time.

AVC

Analog Voice Channel

AWGN

Additive White Gaussian Noise

AWI

Alert with Information; used to transmit data while alerting an MS

B 

Top

B/I

Busy/Idle bit

Baby Bell

see RBOC

Back Lobe 

In an antenna, a radiation lobe whose axis makes an angle of about 180 degrees with respect to the beam axis of the antenna. 

Backbone 

The part of the network used as the primary path for transporting traffic between network segments; usually, the high-speed transmission facilities. 

Backhaul 

In a WAN network, communications between a WAN port on a LAN and either a subscriber port on a service provider's network or another WAN port on a second LAN. Often, the backhaul links the user's facilities to the backbone. 

BAF

Billing Automatic Message Accounting Format. The CDR/AMA format used by most US wireline telecom carriers

BAIC

Barring of All Incoming Calls

Bandwidth 

The range of frequencies, expressed in hertz (Hz), that can pass over a given transmission channel. The bandwidth determines the rate at which information can be transmitted through the circuit. ALSO: The information capacity of a communications resource, usually measured in bits per second. Also see Narrowband, Wideband and Broadband. 

BAOC

Barring of All Outgoing Calls

Barring

Refusal to allow certain types of calls

BATS

Broadcast Air-interface Transport Service used by TIA/EIA-136

BCCH

Broadcast Control Channel

BCD

Binary Coded Decimal. Digits 0-9 are encoded as 4 bit numbers (nibbles). See TBCD

BCE

Base Station Central Equipment. See BSC

BCH

Bose, Chaudhuri, and Hocquengham error detection and correction methodology

BCM

Basic Call Manager. See WIN

BCSM

Basic Call State Model. An IN concept

BDN

Barred Dialing Number

Beam 

A portion of a satellite antenna's footprint on earth. A typical satellite footprint is divided into a large number of beams. 

Beamwidth 

In an antenna, the angular sector in degrees of the radiated power pattern at the half-power (3dB) point. 

Bearer capability

A capability of a transport protocol (e.g. a maximum bit rate or message latency). A Teleservice may be able to use any facility that can provide a specified bearer capability.

BEG

Billing Expert Group. A WAP Working Group

Bent-pipe 

A signal relay scheme in which a terrestrial-based signal is sent to a satellite, which then relays the signal back to Earth with minimal processing by the satellite. 

BER

(1)Bit Error Rate. (2)Basic Encoding Rules. See ASN.1

BICC

Bearer Independent Call Control

BIC-Roam

Barring of Incoming Calls while Roaming

BID

A SID allocated for accounting purposes. BID's are allocated by Cibernet

BISDN

Broadband ISDN

Bit 

A contraction of binary digit, it is the smallest unit of information in a binary (ones or zeroes) system. 

Bit errors 

Ideally no errors will be received over a connection; in practice, due to noise, other signals, etc. errors will occasionally occur, even on a fiber link. A bit error test checks the physical link to verify that the number of errors received over a test period is within design limits. 

Bits per second (bps) 

Rate at which bits are transmitted. 

BLASS7

ISUP Blocking acknowledgement. See BLO

BLOB

Block of Bits

Bluetooth

A cable-replacement radio protocol for short distance (5-100 meter) networking at moderate speeds (1 Mbps raw bandwidth). Developed by the Bluetooth Consortium and IEEE 802.15

BLV

Busy Line Verification

BMIBS

MSC and Interworking function

BNF

Backus-Naur Form. A precursor to ASN.1 and other meta-languages

BNS

Billed Number Screening

BOC

Bell Operating Company

BOIC

Barring of Outgoing International Calls

BOIC-exHC

BOIC except to HC

BP

Bit Position

Bps

Bits per second. A measure of the speed of a transmission link

BPSK 

Binary Phase Shift Keying -- Digital DSB suppressed carrier modulation. 

BR

Border Router. Connects a CN with peer networks

BRI

Basic Rate Interface (64 kbps)

Bridge 

A Layer 2 (data link) device that passes data traffic between networks. 

Broadband 

A classification of the information capacity or bandwidth of a communication channel. Broadband is generally taken to mean bandwidth higher than 2 Mbps. 

Broadcast 

A signal transmitted to all user terminals in a service area, or the process. 

Broadcast SMS

Short messages sent to multiple mobiles in multiple cells, requiring only one message per cell

Broadcasting satellite service (BSS) 

A radio communications service in which signals transmitted or retransmitted by satellites are used for direct reception by the general public. 

BS

Base Station (includes BTS and BSC

BSC

Base Station Controller. The 'brains' of a base station, controlling the radio equipment in the BTS

BSMC

Base Station Manufacturer Code

B-SMS

See Broadcast SMS

BSS

BS Subsystem

BSSMAP

GSM BSS MAP

BT

Burst Type

BTA

Basic Trading Area

BTS

Base Transceiver System (radio portion of BS

BTTC

Broadcast SMS

Bypass 

A circuit that carries telephone signals from a subscriber to another point without the use of local telephone company circuits, by a CAP or CLEC. 

byte

An 8 bit unit of data storage. See octet

C 

Top

C/I

Carrier to Interference Ratio

C7

See CCS7

CA

Certificate Authority

CAC

Carrier Access Code. Identifies a long distance carrier. 101+CIC

CALEAUS 

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement law. Requires that telecommunications carriers provide for surveillance (aka wiretaps) at the switch site

CAMA

Centralized Automatic Message Accounting

CAMEL

Customized Applications for Mobile Networks Enhanced Logic based on CAP. IN capabilities for GSM. Compare with WIN

Candidate MSC

An MSC being considered as the Target MSC of a handoff

CANID

Current ANI

CAP 

Competitive Access Provider, a service operator who provides alternate access to the user in place of the traditional local telephone company, often using wireless services. 

Capacity 

The average amount of traffic a circuit or port can handle. Capacity may be measured in terms of the number of VF channels or the aggregate data rate of the main signal. 

CAPCS

Cellular Auxiliary Personal Communications Service

CAR

Committed Access Rate. An IP method to achieve higher QoS

CARE

Customer Account Record Exchange. Sent from a LEC to an IXC to establish a long distance account for a customer

CAS

Call Associated Signaling. See ISUP. Contrast with NCAS

CAT

Smart Card Application Toolkit

CAVETIA 

Cellular Authentication and Voice Encryption Algorithm

CB

Cell Broadcast

CBC

CB Center

CBMI

CB Message Identifier

CBR

Constant Bit Rate

CBS

Cell Broadcast SMS

CC

(1)E.164 Country Code. (2)Call Control