Alphabet Soup:Learn the Language

ACCESS CHARGE - A fee charged subscribers or other telephone companies by a local exchange carrier for the use of its local exchange networks.

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

BANDWIDTH - The capacity of a telecom line to carry signals. The necessary bandwidth is the amount of spectrum required to transmit the signal without distortion or loss of information. FCC rules require suppression of the signal outside the band to prevent interference.

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

CALLING PARTY PAYS - A billing method in which a wireless phone caller pays only for making calls and not for receiving them. The standard American billing system requires wireless phone customers to pay for all calls made and received on a wireless phone.

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY - This term, often used for all wireless phones regardless of the technology they use, derives from cellular base stations that receive and transmit calls. Both cellular and PCS phones use cellular technology.

CLOSED CAPTIONING - A service for persons with hearing disabilities that translates television program dialog into written words on the television screen.

COMMERCIAL LEASED ACCESS - Manner through which independent video producers can access cable capacity for a fee.

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

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT - A person who facilitates telephone conversation between text telephone users, users of sign language or individuals with speech disabilities through a Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). This service allows a person with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate with anyone else via telephone at no additional cost.

COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION (CATV) - A service through which subscribers pay to have local television stations and additional programs brought into their homes from an antenna via a coaxial cable.

CRAMMING - A practice in which customers are billed for enhanced features such as voice mail, caller-ID and call-waiting that they have not ordered.

DIAL AROUND - Long distance services that require consumers to dial a long-distance providerıs access code (or "10-10" number) before dialing a long-distance number to bypass or "dial around" the consumerıs chosen long-distance carrier in order to get a better rate.

DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) - A new technology for transmitting and receiving broadcast television signals. DTV provides clearer resolution and improved sound quality.

DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE (DBS/DISH) - A high-powered satellite that transmits or retransmits signals which are intended for direct reception by the public. The signal is transmitted to a small earth station or dish (usually the size of an 18-inch pizza pan) mounted on homes or other buildings. E-MAIL - Also called electronic mail, refers to messages sent over the Internet. E-mail can be sent and received via newer types of wireless phones, but you generally need to have a specific e-mail account.

ENHANCED SERVICE PROVIDERS - A for-profit business that offers to transmit voice and data messages and simultaneously adds value to the messages it transmits. Examples include telephone answering services, alarm/security companies and transaction processing companies.

EN BANC - An informal meeting held by the Commission to hear presentations on specific topics by diverse parties. The Commissioners, or other officials, question presenters and use their comments in considering FCC rules and policies on the subject matter under consideration.

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

GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) - A US satellite system that lets those on the ground, on the water or in the air determine their position with extreme accuracy using GPS receivers.

HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION (HDTV) - An improved television system which provides approximately twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of existing television standards. It also provides audio quality approaching that of compact discs.

INTERACTIVE VIDEO DATA SERVICE (IVDS) - A communication system, operating over a short distance, that allows nearly instantaneous two-way responses by using a hand-held device at a fixed location. Viewer participation in game shows, distance learning and e-mail on computer networks are examples.

INSTRUCTIONAL 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. LANDLINE - Traditional wired phone service.

LAND MOBILE SERVICE - A public or private radio service providing two-way communication, paging and radio signaling on land.

LOW POWER FM RADIO (LPFM) - A broadcast service that permits the licensing of 50-100 watt FM radio stations within a service radius of up to 3.5 miles and 1-10 watt FM radio stations within a service radius of 1 to 2 miles.

LOW POWER TELEVISION (LPTV) - A broadcast service that permits program origination, subscription service or both via low powered television translators.

LPTV service includes the existing translator service and operates on a secondary basis to regular television stations. Transmitter output is limited to 1,000 watts for normal VHF stations and 100 watts when a VHF operation is on an allocated channel.

MUST-CARRY (Retransmission) - A 1992 Cable Act term requiring a cable system to carry signals of both commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations that are "local" to the area served by the cable system. NETWORK - Any connection of two or more computers that enables them to communicate. Networks may include transmission devices, servers, cables, routers and satellites. The phone network is the total infrastructure for transmitting phone messages.

NUMBER PORTABILITY - A term used to describe the capability of individuals, businesses and organizations to retain their existing telephone number(s) ­­ and the same quality of service ­­ when switching to a new local service provider.

OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS - An alternative method to provide cable-like video service to subscribers.

OPERATOR SERVICE PROVIDER (OSP) - A common carrier that provides services from public phones, including payphones and those in hotels/motels.

PAGING SYSTEM - A one-way mobile radio service where a user carries a small, lightweight miniature radio receiver capable of responding to coded signals. These devices, called "pagers," emit an audible signal, vibrate or do both when activated by an incoming message.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE (PCS) - Any of several types of wireless, voice and/or data communications systems, typically incorporating digital technology. PCS licenses are most often used to provide services similar to advanced cellular mobile or paging services. However, PCS can also be used to provide other wireless communications services, including services that allow people to place and receive communications while away from their home or office, as well as wireless communications to homes, office buildings and other fixed locations.

PRESCRIBED INTEREXCHANGE CHARGE (PICC) - The charge the local exchange company assesses the long distance company when a consumer picks it as his or her long distance carrier.

ROAMING - The use of a wireless phone outside of the "home" service area defined by a service provider. 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 communications system also includes earth stations that communicate with each other via the satellite. The satellite receives a signal transmitted by an originating earth station and retransmits that signal to the destination earth station(s). Satellites are used to transmit telephone, television and data signals originated by common carriers, broadcasters and distributors of cable TV program material.

SATELLITE HOME VIEWER IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1999 (SHVIA) - An Act modifying the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1988, SHVIA permits satellite companies to provide local broadcast TV signals to all subscribers who reside in the local TV stationıs market. SHVIA also permits satellite companies to provide "distant" network broadcast stations to eligible satellite subscribers.

SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION (SMATV) - A satellite dish system used to deliver signals to multiple dwelling units (e.g., apartment buildings and trailer parks).

SCANNER - A radio receiver that moves across a wide range of radio frequencies and allows audiences to listen to any of the frequencies.

SERVICE PLAN - The rate plan you select when choosing a wireless phone service. A service plan typically consists of a monthly base rate for access to the system and a fixed amount of minutes per month.

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

SLAMMING - The term used to describe what occurs when a customerıs long distance service is switched from one long distance company to another without the customerıs permission. Such unauthorized switching violates FCC rules.

SPECTRUM - The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission of sound, data and television.

SUBSCRIBER LINE CHARGE (SLC) - A monthly fee paid by telephone subscribers that is used to compensate the local telephone company for part of the cost of installation and maintenance of the telephone wire, poles and other facilities that link your home to the telephone network. These wires, poles and other facilities are referred to as the "local loop." The SLC is one component of access charges.

TARIFF - The documents filed by a carrier describing their services and the payments to be charged for such services.

TELEPHONE RELAY SERVICE (TRS) - A free service that enables persons with TTYs, individuals who use sign language and people who have speech disabilities to use telephone services by having a third party transmit and translate the call.

TELEPHONY - The word used to describe the science of transmitting voice over a telecommunications network.

TTY - A type of machine that allows people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate over the phone using a keyboard and a viewing screen. It is sometimes called a TDD.

UNBUNDLING - The term used to describe the access provided by local exchange carriers so that other service providers can buy or lease portions of its network elements, such as interconnection loops, to serve subscribers.

UNIVERSAL SERVICE - The financial mechanism which helps compensate telephone companies or other communications entities for providing access to telecommunications services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions. Companies, not consumers, are required by law to contribute to this fund. The law does not prohibit companies from passing this charge on to customers.

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF) - The part of the radio spectrum from 30 to 300 megahertz, which includes TV Channels 2-13, the FM broadcast band and some marine, aviation and land mobile services.

VIDEO DESCRIPTION - An audio narration for television viewers who are blind or visually disabled, which consists of verbal descriptions of key visual elements in a television program, such as settings and actions not reflected in dialog. Narrations are inserted into the programıs natural pauses, and are typically provided through the Secondary Audio Programming channel.

Addressability: The ability of a cable system to identify and (at least partially) control individual cable converters. Addressability is required for pay-per-view and most interactive systems. It is also convenient because service changes can be made without a trip to the customer's home. Most current cable converters are addressable today.

ADSL: Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. A special digital telephone line that will deliver high capacity (broadband) service to homes near the telephone central office. It is so named because more capacity goes into the home than out. A potential competitor to cable. See also DSL.

Analog: Often considered the opposite of digital. Analog this older system of recording and transmitting a signal. With analog, there is direct relationship between some aspect of the recording and the resultant signal. See also "digital".

AOL: America Online. The largest internet access company in America. AOL has plans to deliver video programming and needs cable access.

ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A network system that allows signals to be transferred in an erratic (not synchronous) manner. This allows the network to dynamically allocate capacity from one signal to another. This reduces waste thereby increasing capacity.

Bandwidth: A measure of analog transmission capacity. The amount of space on the electromagnetic spectrum required for a signal or service. For example, an American television signal uses six megahertz of bandwidth.

Broadband: An adjective that describes all high capacity communication lines including those provided by cable and telephone company.

Cable Headend: The network center for a cable television network.

CAPs: Competitive Access Providers. A company that provides telephone service in competition with the monopoly provider. Cable may be a CAP or the term may be applied to second cable companies.

CATA: Broadband Media Association formally Community Antenna Television Association. A trade group in broadband.

C-Band: A group of frequencies used for satellite transmission.

Central Office: The network center for a telephone network.

Churn: A measure of how many consumers are disconnecting from cable (or a cable service) in relation to those subscribing. There are many formulas but usually the higher the churn the worse for the company.

Coaxial Cable: The physical cable that delivers cable television. The name comes from the fact that one cable is centered inside the other.

CRT: 1.) Cathode Ray Tube. The television picture tube. 2.) Copyright Royalty Tribunal. The US government agency that collects copyright payments from cable operators and redistributes them to program suppliers.

CSR: Customer Service Representative. The person hired by the cable company to take orders and complaints.

DBS: Direct Broadcast Satellite. The satellites that deliver television service directly to the home.

Digital: The newer format of recording and transmitting a signal. The signal is converted into a numerical code and then recorded into a series of 0's and 1's. See also "analog".

DMX: Digital Music Express. A company that delivers several channels of music via cable television.

Downstream: As opposed to upstream, signals in a cable network that move from the cable company to the home.

DSL: Digital Subscriber Line. A digital telephone line. DSL comes in several varieties so it is also called xDSL. The most popular is ADSL or Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line.

Fiber Optics: Threads of glass that deliver a digital signal via a light wave rather than an electronic wave.

Geostationary orbit: The normal placement for communication satellites ­ 22,300 miles above the Earth's equator. In this orbit, satellite appear to stay in a fixed position above the Earth.

HFC: Hybrid Fiber Coax. Any network that combines coaxial cable and fiber optic line. The question is usually, "How close to the home to you take the fiber?" The result is several network structures such as FTTH (fiber to the home), FTTC (fiber to the curb), FTTP (fiber to the pole), and FTTH (fiber to the hub).

Hub: Think or the hub as a joint in the cable network. It is a point that collects signals, reprocesses and amplifies.

Iridium: A company that uses low earth orbit satellites to deliver communication.

ISDN: An early digital telephone network.

Ka-Band: A group of frequencies used for satellite transmission.

Ku-Band: A group of frequencies used for satellite transmission.

LEC: Local exchange carrier. The local telephone company.

LEO: Low earth orbit. Any group of satellites that are in an orbit lower that the normal communication satellites. See Geostationary orbit.

MMDS: Multipoint Multichannel Distribution System. Often called "wireless cable", a system that distributes several channels of programming via microwave.

MSO; Multiple System Operator. A company that delivers cable television in more than one city. While typical today, early cable television systems only served one city. The term "MSO" developed to described these larger systems.

NTSC: National Television System Committee. Although this literally refers to a standard setting group, in practice it refers to the American standard for the analog television signal.

NVOD: Near video on demand. Actually a expanded PPV system. Each program is started on different channel about 15 minutes apart. Since the customer does not have to wait very long for the program. It seems like video on demand. See VOD.

Overbuilder: A company the build a cable system where one already exists.

PEG: Public Education and Government access channels. Channels that the cable company will make available to local people without editorial control.

POTS: Plain old telephone service. Basic telephone service usually defined as simple voice telephony.

PPV: Pay per view. Cable programs that are charged for each individual show.

SMATV: Satellite Master Antenna Television. These systems grew out of master antennas for apartment buildings. In effect, they are small cable systems that serve a apartment or condo complex. Usually, they do not cross city streets to avoid regulation.

TCI: Telecommunications Inc. TCI is one of the largest (often THE largest) cable television company or MSO.

Telco: A short version of "telephone company".

Upstream: Signals in a cable network that move from the home to the cable company.

VDT: Video Dialtone. Like telephone dialtone, video dialtone allows the user to request a specific program or channel.

VOD: Video on Demand. The ability to request a program (or any program) to start at any time the customer wishes. See NVOD.