Agent
Agent is a person or a device that performs tasks for the benefit of someone or some other device. (2-software) An agent is a program that performs a task in the background and informs the user when the task reaches a certain milestone or is complete. (3-SNMP) An SNMP agent is a program that monitors network traffic. In client-server applications, an agent is a program that mediates between the client and the server.

Aggregator
(1-service provider) is a company or service provider that performs the operations required to make multiple physical links function as a combined (aggregated) link. Aggregators typically purchase network services in discounted bulk quantities and pass along the savings or support services to smaller users of the services.

ALOC/ACD
Average Length of Call also known as Average Call Duration.

ANI
Automatic Number Identification is a feature of telephony intelligent network services that permits subscribers to display or capture the telephone numbers of calling parties.

ARPU
Average Revenue per User is an indicator of the operating performance of a business. ARPU measures the average monthly revenue generated for each customer unit, such as a cellular phone or cable television customer that a carrier has in operation. Severely declining ARPU is typically a negative sign that may indicate a carrier is adding too many low-revenue generating customers to its subscriber base.

ASR - Answer / Seizure Ratio
The number of successfully answered calls divided by the total number of calls attempted (seizures) multiplied by 100.

ATA
Analog Telephone Adapter is a device used to connect one or more standard analog telephones to a digital and/or non-standard telephone system such as a Voice over IP based network.

CALEA
In October 1994, Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act defines the existing statutory obligation of telecommunications carriers to assist law enforcement in executing electronic surveillance pursuant to court order or other lawful authorization. The objective of CALEA implementation is to preserve law enforcement's ability to conduct lawfully-authorized electronic surveillance while preserving public safety, the public's right to privacy, and the telecommunications industry's competitiveness.

Calling Card
A telephone card, calling card or phone card for short is a small card, usually resembling a credit card, used to pay for telephone services. Such cards can either employ a prepaid credit system or a credit-card-style system of credit. The exact system for payment, and the way in which the card is used to place a telephone call, depend on the overall telecommunication system.

Carrier
Carrier is a business organization providing telecommunications service, business owns their own switch equipment.

CDR
The computer record produced by a telephone exchange containing details of a call that passed through it. It is the automated equivalent of the paper toll tickets that were written and timed by operators for long distance calls in a manual telephone exchange.

CIC
Carrier Identification Code - is legal and regulatory term for a long distance telephone company. It is defined as any carrier that provides inter-LATA communication, where a LATA is a local access and transport area.

CLEC/ILEC
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) A telephone service company that provides local telephone service that competes with the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC).

CLI
Calling Line Identification, a service which displays the calling number prior to answering the call that allows telephone customers to determine if they want to answer the call. The calling number may be used by the telephone device to look-up a name in memory (e.g. mom) and display the name along with the phone number.

CODEC
CODEC are devices or software that are used to compress (code) or expand (decode) information to a fewer number of bits for more efficient transmission and storage. The term codec normally only applies to compression of human-perceived signals such as speech, audio, images, or video.

Collocation
COLO - The provision of space, bandwidth, and power in a data center, with the customer required to provide and manage the computing hardware.

Co-op advertising
An arrangement between a manufacturer and a retailer whereby the manufacturer will reimburse the retailer in part or full for advertising expenditures.

DID
Direct Inward Dialing, also called Direct Dial-In (DDI) is a feature offered by telephone companies for use with their customers' PBX systems, whereby the telephone company (Telco) allocates a range of numbers all connected to their customer's PBX. As calls are presented to the PBX, the number that the caller dialed is also given, so the PBX can route the call to the desired person or bureau within the organization.

Distributor
Distributor is a company or individual that sells products they have received from other companies to retailers or customers.

DNIS
Dialed Number Identification Service, a call identification service typically provided by a toll free (800 number) network. The DNIS information can be used by the PBX or automatic call delivery (ACD) system to select the menu choices, call routing, and customer service representative information display based on the incoming telephone number.

DS3
Digital Signal 3 is a digital signal level 3 T-carrier. It may also be referred to as a T3 line. The level of transport or circuit is mostly used between telephony carriers, both wired and wireless.

E911
Enhanced 9-1-1 or E9-1-1 service is a North American telecommunications based system that automatically associates a physical address with the calling party's telephone number, and routes the call to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point.

E-Commerce
Electronic Commerce is a shopping medium that uses electronic networks (such as the Internet or telecommunications) to present products and process orders.

FCC
Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute. The FCC works towards six strategic goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the media, public safety and homeland security, and modernizing the FCC.

FCC 214
Common Carriers Resellers and Facility Based Providers Under Section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934 (�Act�), all telecommunications providers (whether they are facilities-based carriers; switch or switchless resellers; prepaid calling card or PIN providers; Interconnected VoIP provider; or in select cases wireless providers) that offer or provide calling services between the U.S. and foreign points must obtain Section 214 authority as a prerequisite to operation of service.

FCC 499
Should be filed if a telecommunications carrier under section 3(44) of the Telecommunications Act or if you offer any interstate or international telecommunications services or interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The definition is very broad and covers many firms that have no other contact with the FCC. Wire line, wireless, wholesale only, resale, interstate, and international carriers (including ILECs, CLECs, prepaid card, prepaid wireless phone and pay telephone providers) as well as some other telecommunications providers must file.

First-use billing
A payment method in which distributors pay only for calling cards once they have actually been sold and used for the first time by the calling cardholder.

Gift Card
A gift card is an object or code that entitles the recipient or holder to obtain a value of merchandise or services.

H.323
H.323 is an umbrella recommendation from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) that sets standards for multimedia communications over Local Area Networks (LANs) that may not provide a guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). H.323 specifies techniques for compressing and transmitting real-time voice, video, and data between a pair of videoconferencing workstations. It also describes signaling protocols for managing audio and video streams, as well as procedures for breaking data into packets and synchronizing transmissions across communications channels.

IEC
Interexchange Carrier, telephone service company that provides long distance (interLATA, interstate, and/or international telecommunications) service.

Interconnection
Commonly refers to the connection of telephone equipment or communications systems to another network such as the public switched telephone network. Government agencies such as the FCC or department of communications usually regulate the interconnection of systems to the public switched telephone network.

Interexchange
Services and functions relating to telecommunication originating in a LATA and terminating else-where. In common usage, it is synonymous with the term interLATA.

InterLATA
Telecommunication services that cross from a local access and transport area (LATA) into another LATA.

Internet Telephony
A category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls.

Intrastate
Communication relating to or existing within the boundaries of a state.

IP/Virtual PBX
IP/Virtual PBX is third-party phone service hosting which uses the Internet as a switchboard.

ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network is a telephone system network designed to allow digital transmission of voice and data over ordinary telephone copper wires, resulting in better voice quality than an analog phone.

Issuer
A legal entity that develops, registers and sells securities for the purpose of financing its operations.

IXC
Inter-exchange carriers, interconnect local systems with each other. IXCs are also known as long distance carriers. United States, this toll center is called a point of presence (POP) connection.

LATA
Local Access and Transport Area, a geographic region in the United States where a local exchange carrier (LEC) is permitted to provide interconnected telephone service. LATAs were created as a result of the division of the company AT&T designated by the Modification of Final Judgment (MFJ). A LATA contains one or more local exchange areas, usually with common social, economic, or other interests.

LEC
Local exchange carriers, or post and telegraph and telecommunications (PTT) companies provide telephone services directly to residential and business customers located within a localized geographic area.

LNP
Local number portability, for Fixed lines, and full mobile number portability (FMNP), for mobile phone lines, refers to the ability to transfer either an existing fixed-line or mobile telephone number assigned by a local exchange carrier (LEC) and reassign it to another carrier. In most cases, there are limitations to transferability with regards to geography, service area coverage and technology.

Master Distributor
Master Distributor is that of a distributor whose main business is selling to other distributors.

Media Gateway
Media Gateway is a network component which converts one media stream to another media stream. In IP telephony this most commonly refers to a device which converts IP streams (such as audio) to the TDM or analog equivalent. A media gateway may interact with call controllers, proxies, and soft switches via proprietary or standard protocols such as MGCP, Megaco (H.248), and SIP.

Merchant
Merchant function as professionals who deal with trade, dealing in commodities that they do not produce themselves, in order to produce profit.

Merchant Agreement
Terms and conditions set forth by written agreement between the merchant and Bank/Processor.

MMS
Microsoft Media Server Protocol is a set of commands and processes that are used for the transfer and delivery of multiple types of media. MMS was developed by Microsoft.

Mobile widgets
Most mobile widgets are like desktop widgets, but for a mobile phone. Mobile widgets can maximize screen space use and may be especially useful in placing live data-rich applications on the device idle-screen/home-screen/"phone-top". Several Java ME-based mobile widget engines exist, but the lack of standards-based APIs for Java to control the mobile device home-screen makes it harder for these engines to expose widgets on the phone-top. Several AJAX-based native widget platforms are also available for mobile devices.

MVNE
Mobile Virtual Network Enabler is a company that provides infrastructure and services to enable mobile network operators to offer services and have a relationship with end-user customers.

MVNO
Mobile Virtual Network Operator, a mobile communications service provider that resells the communication services of other wireless communication network operators. MVNO providers purchase airtime (minutes of use) in quantity and resell the airtime to customers they obtain and manage. MVNO's may provide value added services such as information services, brand labeling, special sales support, and support of unique distribution channels. MVNO's attempt to position their services so customers do not recognize that the operator does not own a network. To provide advanced services, some MVNO operators may own network equipment that interfaces with wireless networks. This may allow MVNO's to have more control over customer databases and SIM cards.

Network Marketing Company
Network Marketing Company is a marketing strategy that compensates promoters of direct selling companies not only for product sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they introduced to the company.

Off-Net
Off-The-Net Calls are connected through multiple networks (such as calls through the Internet and the public telephone network).

On-Net
On-The-Net Calls are connected on a single network (such as calls through the Internet).

Open Third-Party Networks
Intermediary companies that work between web publishers, sometimes called affiliates, and merchants to assist in the advertising of their services or goods.

P2P
Point-to-point telecommunications generally refers to a connection restricted to two endpoints, usually host computers.

PBX
Private Branch exchange is a privately owned telephone switching system for handling multiple telephone lines without having to pay the phone company to lease each line separately.

PDD
Post Dial Delay is the time from dialing the last digit to the time a caller hears ringing.

Personal Identification Number (PIN)
PIN is a code or value that is provided to or created by an individual subscriber which is used to gain access to specified services, such as credit card calling or prepaid wireless services.

Platform
Platform is the ability of a device, software application or service to operate in two or more different types of systems.

POP
Point-Of-Presence, (1-interconnection) A point of presence physical location that allows an interexchange carrier (IXC) to connect to a local exchange company (LEC) within a LATA. The point of presence (POP) equipment is usually located in a building that houses switching and/or transmission equipment for the LEC.

POS
Point-of-Sale, term normally used to describe cash register systems that record transactions or the area of "checkout" in a retail store.

POSA
Point of Sale Activation- Computer terminals that connect with the central computer for activation of a prepaid phone card or stored value card at the point of sale.

POTS
Plain old telephone service is the voice-grade telephone service that remains the basic form of residential and small business service connection to the telephone network in most parts of the world.

Prepaid Debit Card
A debit card (also known as a bank card or check card) is a plastic card which provides an alternative payment method to cash when making purchases. In some cases, the cards are designed exclusively for use on the Internet, and so there is no physical card.

Prepaid Dial tone Provider
Companies that provision land phone service on prepaid basis.

Prepaid Internet
You can use it as little or as much as you like. If you're a light Internet user - only logging on occasionally to check e-mail or the weather -- then you've no need for unlimited monthly minutes.

Prepaid Phone Card
A calling card that allows a person to pay for long distance/local phone calls in advance.

Prepaid Wireless
Wireless connection whereby service is prepaid before usage is accumulated. Typical users hear an announcement prior to the call noting how many minutes or dollars or units they have remaining on their account.

Proprietary Network
Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI), is business and/or technical information that is unique, or only made available to a customer, that relates to the quantity, configuration, routing, or usage of a telecommunications service subscribed to by a customer.

PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network is the network of the world's public circuit-switched telephone networks, in much the same way that the Internet is the network of the world's public IP-based packet-switched networks. Originally a network of fixed-line analog telephone systems, the PSTN is now almost entirely digital, and now includes mobile as well as fixed telephones.

Rates and Tariffs
Price adjustments because of changes in rates reserved and currency exchange rates.

Regulators
FCC, PUC, Federal Courts.

Reseller
Buys equipment or network services in bulk from an existing carrier for resale to the public or other customers. The reseller provides sales and support services to the customer and the customer usually pays the reseller for the communication services it receives.

RESPORG
RESPORG is a term that refers to the company providing the telecommunications services of toll-free telephone numbers in the 800, 888, 877, and 866 area codes.

Reusable Phone Card
A calling card that allows a person to refill by the addition of funds to the calling card account without the purchase of a new card.

SBC
A session border controller is an interface to a network firewall that facilitates the secure hand-off of voice packets from one IP network to another IP network. In an enterprise network, the SBC "controls" the communications "session" as it crosses the "border" from the LAN to IP. Conventional firewalls support the secure traversal of data streams, but for IP networks, SBCs are needed to facilitate secure, real time, multimedia communication. SBCs are a recent, but important component in today's next gen network infrastructure.

Service Bureau
Service Bureau is a company that owns facilities or applications that it makes available to other users for a service usage fee. An example of a service bureau is a company that provides communication-switching services to a reseller of telecommunication services.

SIP
Session initiation protocol, is a set of text commands and processes that work with applications (application layer) to setup, manage, and terminate communication sessions. SIP is a simplified version of the ITU H.323 packet multimedia system. SIP is defined in RFC 2543.

SMS
Short Message Service automatically displays the SMS message as soon as it is received. An example of a flash message is an important news alert or weather bulletin that is immediately displayed on a mobile telephone display.

Soft phone
A soft phone is a software program for making telephone calls over the Internet using a general purpose computer, rather than using dedicated hardware.

Soft switch
Soft switch are call control processing devices that can receive call requests for users and assign connections directly between communication devices. Soft switches only setup the connections; they do not actually transfer the call data. Soft switches were developed to replace existing end office (EO) switches that have limited interconnection capabilities and to transfer the communication path connections from dedicated high-capacity lines to other more efficient packet networks (such as packet data on the Internet). This allows a single soft switch to operate anywhere without the need to be connected to high-capacity trunk connections.

Stored Value Card
Stored Value Card is an instrument or identification code (such as a prepaid card) that holds a value or that can reference a value which indicates an amount of services or products that are available to exchange for the value on the card.

Switch
Switch is a device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take the data toward its intended destination. In the traditional circuit-switched telephone network, one or more switches are used to set up a dedicated though temporary connection or circuit for an exchange between two or more parties.

Switched Resellers
Manage hosting solutions to sell (a product or service) to the public or to an end user, especially as an authorized dealer.

T-1
A digital transmission service that provides a customer with multiple 64 kbps channels but less than the full 24 channels offered by a T-1 channel.

TDD
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, a small communications terminal with a keyboard and visual display that connects to a telephone circuit to relay written messages to and from hearing- and/or speech-impaired persons. An acoustic coupler is used to send audio tones from a TDD through the handset of a conventional telephone instrument.

TDM
Time division multiplexing, is a method used to send two or more signals over a common transmission path by assigning the path sequentially to each signal, each assignment being for a discrete time interval. All channels of a time-division multiplex system use the same portion of the transmission links' frequency spectrum-but not at the same time. Each channel is sampled in a regular sequence by a multiplexer.

Transaction
Transaction is an activity within system or domain that transfers the ownership or rights to assets or other items that have value or that can be characterized.

Unified Messaging
Allows you to store, manage, and transfer different forms of messages from a variety of access devices. Unified messages include audio (voice messages), electronic mail (email), data messages (such as fax or files), and video (video mail). Unified messaging provides you with access to these multiple types of messages using standard telephones, (text to audio), Internet web pages (playing back voice messages), and other devices such as fax machines and mobile telephones.

USF
The USF traditionally was intended to subsidize the cost of providing service to high-cost areas, defined as areas where the cost of providing service is at least 115 percent of the national average. Thereby, the USF ensured that even the most remote, sparsely populated, and impoverished areas of the United States had access to good quality basic voice telephone service at reasonable cost.

Virtual Platform
In computer science, a virtual machine (VM) is a software implementation of a machine (computer) that executes programs like a real machine.

VOIP
Voice-over-IP Protocol is a general term for a family of transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. Other terms frequently encountered and synonymous with VoIP are IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, and broadband phone.

Wholesale Long Distance Provider
Companies that purchase long distance minutes in bulk from carriers at a wholesale price and resell them.

WNP
Wireless Number Portability, it allows consumers to switch between telecommunications service provider, either wire line or wireless, while retaining their telephone number.

WTN
Working Telephone Number a telephone line under which charges can be incurred. May be linked to a BTN. For example, a 'teen' line could be a WTN linked to a main household number as the BTN. Linkage may only be known to the LEC and End-User.