Glossary of telecommunications terms (2023)

ADMISSION FEE
Fee charged to subscribers or other telephone companies by the local exchange operator for the use of its local branch network.

ANALOG SIGNAL
A method of signaling that uses continuous changes in the amplitude or frequency of a radio transmission to convey information.

BANDWIDTH
The ability of a telecommunications line to transmit signals. Required bandwidth is the amount of spectrum required to transmit a signal without distortion or loss of information. FCC regulations require out-of-band attenuation to prevent interference.

BROADBAND
Broadband is a descriptive term for new digital technologies that provide consumers with a signal-switched service that offers integrated access to voice, high-speed data, video-on-demand and interactive delivery services.

THE CALLING PARTY PAYS
A billing method where the caller of a cordless phone pays only for making calls, not for receiving them. The US standard billing system requires wireless phone customers to pay for all calls made and received on the wireless phone.

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY
The term often used to refer to all cordless phones, regardless of the technology they use, is derived from the cellular base stations that receive and transmit calls. Both mobile phones and PCS phones use cellular technology.

CLOSED CAPTIONS
A service for hearing-impaired people that translates TV program dialogues into words written on the TV screen.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL ACCESS
A way for independent video producers to access cable bandwidth for a fee.

COMMON CARRIER
In telecommunications, a term used to describe a telephone company.

COMMUNICATION ASSISTANT
A person who facilitates a telephone conversation between text phone users, sign language users, or people with speech disabilities through a telecommunications relay service (TRS). This service allows a person with a hearing or speech impairment to communicate with others over the phone at no extra cost.

COMMUNITY TV ANTENNA (CATV)
A service through which subscribers pay to bring local television stations and additional programming to their homes from the antenna via coaxial cable.

CRAM
A practice where customers are charged for enhanced features such as voicemail, caller ID, and knock-on that they did not request.

CHOOSE AROUND
Long distance services that require consumers to enter a long distance service provider's password (or "10-10" number) before calling a long distance number to bypass or "call up" the consumer's long distance carrier of choice to get a better rate.

DIGITAL TV (DTV)
New technology for the transmission and reception of TV signals. DTV provides clearer resolution and better sound quality.

DIRECT SATELLITE BROADCAST (DBS/PARADE)
A high-power satellite that transmits or retransmits signals intended for direct public reception. The signal is sent to a small ground station or antenna (usually the size of an 18-inch pizza pan) mounted on houses or other buildings.

E-MAIL
Also called email, it refers to messages sent over the Internet. E-mail can be sent and received on newer types of cordless phones, but generally requires a specific e-mail account.

ENHANCED SERVICE PROVIDERS
A for-profit company that offers voice and data messaging while adding value to your messages. Examples include answering machines, alarm/security companies, and transaction processing companies.

IN THE BANK
An informal meeting organized by the Commission to hear presentations from different parties on specific topics. Commissioners or other officials question the presenters and use their comments when considering the FCC rules and regulations in that case.

FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM)
A method of signaling that changes the carrier frequency in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal.

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)
An American satellite system that allows people on the ground, in the water, or in the air to determine their position with extreme accuracy using GPS receivers.

HIGH DEFINITION TV (HDTV)
An improved TV system that provides approximately twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of existing TV standards. It also provides a sound quality close to CDs.

INTERACTIVE VIDEO DATA SERVICE (IVDS)
A short-range communication system that enables near-instantaneous two-way responses using a hand-held device at a fixed location. Examples are viewer participation in game shows, distance learning and e-mail over computer networks.

INSTRUCTION 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.

STATIONARY
Traditional wired phone service.

LANDMOBIL SERVICE
A public or private radio service providing two-way communications, paging and radio signaling on land.

LAV POWER FM RADIO (LPFM)
Broadcasting service that allows you to license 50-100W FM radio stations within 3.5 miles and 1-10W FM radio stations within 1-2 miles.

LOW POWER TV (LPTV)
A broadcast service that enables programming, a subscription service, or both via low power television translators. The LPTV service includes the existing interpreting service and operates on a secondary basis to regular TV stations. Transmitter power output is limited to 1000 watts for normal VHF stations and 100 watts when VHF operation is on the assigned channel.

MUST CARRY (Retransmisja)
The term Cable Act of 1992 requires a cable system to carry the signals of both commercial and non-commercial television stations that are "local" to the area served by the cable system.

NETWORK
Any combination of two or more computers that enables them to communicate. Networks can include transmission devices, servers, cables, routers and satellites. The telephone network is the entire infrastructure for the transmission of telephone messages.

POSSIBILITY OF PORTABLE NUMBERS
A term used to describe the ability of individuals, businesses and organizations to keep their existing phone numbers - and the same quality of service - when switching to a new local service provider.

OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS
An alternative method of providing a cable-like video service to subscribers.

OPERATOR SERVICE PROVIDER (TSO)
Common operator providing service from public telephones, including pay telephones and at hotels/motels.

PAGEING SYSTEM
A one-way mobile radio service in which the user carries a small, lightweight miniature radio receiver capable of responding to coded signals. These devices, called "pagers," beep, vibrate, or do both when activated by an incoming message.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICE (PCS)
Any of several types of wireless, voice and/or data communication systems, usually using digital technology. PCS licenses are most often used to provide services similar to advanced mobile or paging services. However, PCS services may also be used to provide other wireless communications services, including services that allow people to make and receive communications while away from their home or office, and wireless communications to homes, office buildings, and other fixed locations.

SPECIFIED INTERNATIONAL CHARGE (PICC)
A fee charged by a local listed company when a customer selects it as their long-haul carrier.

ROAMING
Using a cordless phone outside of your service provider's "home" service area. 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 communication system also includes ground stations that communicate with each other via satellite. The satellite receives the signal transmitted by the source earth station and retransmits this signal to the destination earth stations. Satellites are used to transmit telephone, television and data signals from common carriers, broadcasters and distributors of cable television materials.

THE SATELLITE BROWSER ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1999 (SHVIA)
An act amending the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1988, SHVIA allows satellite companies to provide local television signals to all subscribers residing in the local television station market. SHVIA also allows satellite companies to provide "remote" broadcast network stations to eligible satellite subscribers.

SATELLITE ANTENNA MASTER TELEVISION (SMATV)
A satellite dish system used to provide signals to multiple residential units (eg, apartment buildings and trailer parks).

SCANNER
A radio receiver that travels over a wide range of radio frequencies and allows viewers to listen to any of those frequencies.

SERVICE SCHEDULE
The price plan selected when choosing a wireless phone service. The subscription normally consists of a basic monthly fee for access to the system and a fixed number of minutes per

SERVICE PROVIDER
A telecommunications service provider that owns circuit switching equipment.

crackling
A term used to describe what happens when a long-distance customer's service is transferred from one long-distance carrier to another without the customer's consent. Such unauthorized switching is in violation of FCC rules.

SPECTRUM
The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used for audio, data and television transmission.

SUBSCRIPTION LINE CHARGE (SLC)
A monthly fee paid by telephone subscribers that is used to compensate the local telephone company for some of the costs of installing and maintaining telephone wire, poles, and other devices that connect the home to the telephone network. These wires, poles and other devices are referred to as the "local loop". SLC is one of the components of entry fees.

RATES
Documents submitted by the carrier describing its services and fees for such services.

TELECOMMUNICATION RELAY SERVICE (TRS)
A free service that allows people with TTYs, people who use sign language, and people with speech disorders to use telephone services by having the call transferred and translated by a third party.

TELEPHONE
A word used to describe the science of voice transmission over a telecommunications network.

TTY
A type of device that enables people with hearing or speech impairments to communicate over the telephone using a keyboard and screen. This is sometimes called TDD.

UNLOCK
A term used to describe access provided by local exchange operators so that other service providers can buy or lease parts of network elements, such as backhaul loops, to serve subscribers.

UNIVERSAL SERVICE
A financial mechanism that helps compensate telephone companies or other telecommunications entities for providing access to telecommunications services at reasonable and affordable prices throughout the country, including rural, insular and high-cost areas, and to public institutions. Businesses, not consumers, are legally required to contribute to this fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this fee on to customers.

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF)
Part of the 30 to 300 megahertz radio spectrum that includes television channels 2-13, the FM broadcast band, and some marine, aeronautical, and land mobile services.

VIDEO DESCRIPTION
Audio narration for blind or visually impaired television viewers, consisting of verbal descriptions of key visual elements of a television program, such as settings and actions, that are not reflected in dialogue. Narrations are inserted into natural breaks in the program and are usually delivered via a secondary audio programming channel.