Acronym

Term

Definition

ALI

Automatic location identification

A system that identifies the location of the calling party. Used in 911 systems.

ANI

Automatic number identification

A system that identifies the billing account for a call. For 911 systems, the ANI identifies the calling party and may be used as a call back number.

Bit/byte

A bit is a 0 or 1. Eight bits are a byte, the equivalent of a single letter.

CATV

Community antenna television

Cable television.

CLEC

Competitive local exchange carrier

Company that provides local telephone and other telecommunications services in competition with the incumbent local exchange carrier (in Connecticut, primarily AT&T)

CMRS

Commercial mobile radio services

PCS (see below) and other wireless services.

Cramming

Billing a customer for enhanced features such as voice mail, caller-ID and call-waiting that they have not ordered.

DBS

Direct broadcast satellite

A high-powered satellite that transmits or retransmits signals 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.

DPUC

Department of Public Utility Control

State agency that regulates energy, telecommunications, and water utilities.

DSL

Digital subscriber line

A technology that allows ordinary copper telephone lines to carry high speed transmission.

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

Federal agency that has jurisdiction over several telecommunications industries, including wireless telecommunications.

Gbps

Gigabits per second

A measurement of data transmission speed (one billion bits per second). A gigabyte is approximately the amount of information contained in a pick-up truck loaded with books.

ISDN

Integrated services digital network

A telecommunications service that is capable of providing two or more services over the same line, e. g. , voice and fax, at high transmission speeds.

ISP

Internet service provider

Company that provides users with connectivity to the Internet.

LEC

Local exchange carrier

A telephone company that provides ordinary voice-grade local telecommunications service.

Local loop

Telephone wire, poles and other facilities that link homes and businesses to the telephone network.

Mbps

Megabits per second

A measurement of data transmission speed (one million bits per second). A megabyte is about the amount of information contained in a typical novel.

OCC

Office of Consumer Counsel

Agency that represents Connecticut ratepayers in DPUC and FCC proceedings.

Number portability

The ability of individuals and businesses to retain their existing telephone numbers when switching to a new local service provider.

PCS

Personal Communications Service

Any of several types of wireless, voice, or data communications systems, typically incorporating digital technology.

PEG

Public, educational, and governmental

Types of community access channels on cable TV.

POTS

Plain ordinary telephone service

Slamming

Switching a customer's telecommunications company without his consent.

SLC

Subscriber line charge

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 "local loop. " The SLC is a component of access charges.

T1

Dedicated telephone connection providing transmission speeds of up 1. 24 Mbps.

TRS

Telephone relay service

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.

TDD/TTY

Telecommunications device for the deaf

A machine that uses typed input and output, usually with a visual text display, to enable individuals with hearing or speech impairments to communicate over a telecommunications network.

VOIP

Voice over Internet Protocol

The routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other Internet protocol-based network.

WiFi

Technology of wireless local area networks that can be used for mobile computing devices such as laptops, Internet and VOIP phone access, gaming, and connectivity of consumer electronics such as televisions.

WiMax

Worldwide interoperability for microwave access

A technology similar to WiFi but potentially capable of operating at higher speeds, over greater distances, and for a greater number of users.