Even experts need occasional help with telecom terms. We have combined glossaries from several sources to simplify finding the definitions you need.
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Cables, poles, conduit, microwave, or carrier equipment, central office distributing frames, central office switching equipment, computers (both hardware and software), business machines, etc., used by a service provider to provide telecommunications services.
CLECs that own their own facilities. These facilities may be colocated in a telecommunications service provider's office. NOTE: CLECs may also lease facilities from service providers.
Refers to the agreement between a wholesale customer and a telecommunications service provider to have the provider manage internal company facilities for the customer. NOTE: Facilities management does not involve transfer of facilities ownership to the service provider.
A 100-Mbps technology based on the 10BASE-T Ethernet CSMA/CDNetwork access method for operating local area networks (LAN).
Refers to the following high-speed data offerings: Frame Relay Service, Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) and FDDI Network Services. Fast packet applications include real-time inventory control, credit verification, gathering marketing data, and sending or receiving customer information.
A generic term for improved packet-switching technologies such as frame relay and cell relay. Fast-packet techniques feature less functionality than traditional X.25 packet-switching; however, they provide higher speeds and lower processing costs. The following are feature groups for Fast Packet Switching:
See Federal Communications Commission.
See Fiber Distributed Data Interface.
A federal government agency authorized by the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate interstate and international telecommunications originating in the United States. The FCC plays a role in implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Surcharge instituted in July 2000 as a mechanisn to recover Universal Service funding obligations as set forth in the FCC's Universal Service Order, CC Docket No. 96-45.
An ANSI-defined standard specifying a 100 Mbps token-passing network using fiber-optic cable. Uses a dual-ring architecture to provide redundancy.
Termination point in a central office where fiber optic cable is available to the switch.
An undersea fiber optic system. Using two fiber pairs, each operating at 5G bps, FLAG provides capacity along its route for 120,000 digital circuits operating at 64K bps.
An interconnection architecture method whereby the incumbent local exchange carrier physically interconnects its network via an optical fiber interface (as opposed to an electrical interface) to the telecommunications network of a CLEC at any mutually agreed upon location.
Communications technology that uses thin filaments of glass or other transparent materials. Fiber optic technology offers extremely high transmission speeds, allowing for data-intensive services such as video on demand.
Verizon fiber-optic services offered over the fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. Verizon FiOS transmits signals using hair-thin strands of glass fiber and laser-generated pulses of light. When that light reaches your premises through the Verizon network, it is converted to electric signals in a box installed outside your premises called the Optical Network Terminal or ONT. That way, it can be "read" by your telephones and computers. Information that is sent from your premises will be converted from the electrical signals to light in the ONT and transmitted out to the telephone network and the Internet. Traditional telephone service uses copper wires to transmit communications signals. Learn more.
Fiber optic access to end user residence for telephone, video and other multimedia services, where several users share the same fiber termination. FTTB access typically terminates in a basement from which access to multiple end users is implemented through an in-building Digital Home Network (DHN).
Fiber optic distribution of telephony, telecommunications, and multimedia and media services such as cable TV to a point outside the customer premise.
Fiber optic access to the end user residence for telephony, video and other multimedia services where each home has a direct fiber connection.
Fiber optic distribution of telephony, telecommunications, and multimedia and media services such as cable TV to a point outside the customer premise.
The Verizon employee responsible for installation, repair and maintenance of the outside Verizon network.
A file sharing protocol used as follows:
See Fiber Optic Services.
The first telephone service provider location at which switching occurs on the terminating path of a call originating from the customer premises to the terminating end office. Also, the last telephone service provider location at which switching occurs. Also known as an Entry Switch.
See Fiber Link Around the Globe.
A method of pricing a service. Flat rate offers a fixed monthly charge to a subscriber for unlimited local calls. In some states, a consumer may have a choice between flat rate and measured service.
One of Verizon's local calling plans, Flat Rate Local Calling Service provides unlimited local calls within a designated local calling area for one flat monthly rate. A local calling area includes a home location and any EAS (Extended Area Service) locations that are available for that area. Regional toll calls (outside the local area, but within regional boundaries) are billed separately per minute.
One of Verizon's long distance plans, FlexDistance offers one rate for in-state and state-to-state calls. Choices cover nine minimum spending levels.
FlexGrow Channelized T1 allows you to integrate your voice and data services into one platform, so it's easier to manage and upgrade. This versatile package allows you to choose and customize the communications services and features you need for your business — high-speed Internet access, voice and data lines, and voice features. FlexGrow can be adjusted for four different speeds and channel settings. Verizon provides an Integrated Access Device (IAD) for easy upgrades. To add functionality, Verizon slides a circuit card into the IAD. Verizon retains responsibility for the entire circuit and maintains the IAD and the T1 line. Learn more.
An optional feature or Basic Service Element (BSE) that provides additional values for the information indicator digits available with the ANI feature on originating calls; these additional digits identify the type of line that is originating the call for billing, screening and routing purposes.
The area in which a specific transmission can be received. Some footprints, such as those of satellite or cell systems, cover as much as one-third of the earth.
Provides telephone service from a central office that is "foreign" to the local calling area. Typically used when a telephone presence is required in a location where no personnel are located.
A logical grouping of information sent as a link-layer unit over a transmission medium. The terms, packet, datagram, segment and message are also used to describe logical information groupings at various layers of the OSI Reference Model, and in various technology circles.
High-performance interface or packet-switched networks. Considered more efficient than X.25 (which it is expected to replace). Frame relay technology can handle "bursty" communications that have rapidly changing bandwidth requirements. Learn more.
A device, similar to a bridge, which forwards frames based on the frame's Layer 2 address (OSI Reference Model). Frame switches are generally of two basic forms: cut-through switch (for on-the-fly switching), or store and forward switching. LAN switches such as Ethernet, token ring, and FDDI switches are all examples of frame switches.
Verizon Freedom for Business plans offer customers the ability to make unlimited local, regional toll and domestic long distance calls for a flat monthly fee. Three plans are available with unlimited usage options: Verizon Freedomsm for Business; Verizon Freedom Basicsm for Business, Local with Toll; and Verizon Freedom Basicsm for Business, Local. Offering availability and how the offering is structured is dependent on the state.
The Freedom for Business portfolio of plans is purchased at line-level for a flat monthly charge. The calling plans are available to business customers with 25 lines or less at the time of negotiation. Packages may only be used for voice applications and may not be used for the transmission of data, for internet connections, autodialing or for any other non-voice application. These voice-only usage plans will be available on POTS dial tone lines, CentraNet, Centrex Plus and CustoPAK lines.
See Fiber to the Curb.
See Fiber to the Home.
See Federal Universal Service Fund.
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