Common ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier) Terminology – SolveForce Fiber Internet, Cloud Computing & Telecommunications

5G Core: The core network elements of a 5G mobile network, which includes the 5G Mobility Management Entity (5GMME), 5G Serving Gateway (5GSGW), and 5G Packet Data Network Gateway (5GPGW).
5G: Fifth Generation, the fifth generation of mobile networks, characterized by faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity compared to previous generations.
5G-MEC: Multi-Access Edge Computing that is built on 5G network, which enables
AI: Artificial Intelligence, a branch of computer science that aims to create intelligent machines that work and learn like humans.
AIN: Advanced Intelligent Network, a network architecture that uses a central database to control and manage the flow of telephone calls.
API: Application Programming Interface, a set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software and applications.
ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode, a method of transmitting digital information over a network using fixed-size cells.
BGP Flowspec: Border Gateway Protocol Flow Specification, an extension to BGP that allows for the specification and distribution of traffic flow rules.
BGP: Border Gateway Protocol, a routing protocol that is used to exchange routing information between routers in different autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet
BSS: Business Support System, a set of systems and tools that are used to support and manage customer-facing activities such as billing, customer service and provisioning.
CDN: Content Delivery Network, a network of servers distributed across the Internet that work together to provide fast delivery of internet content.
CGNAT: Carrier-Grade Network Address Translation, a technique used to extend the life of IPv4 addresses by allowing multiple private IP addresses to share a single public IP address.
CLEC: Competitive Local Exchange Carrier, a term used to describe a company that competes with ILECs to provide telephone services within a specific geographic area.
CLEC-CO: Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Central Office, a term used to describe a central office that is owned or operated by a CLEC.
Cloud Connectivity: The ability to connect a customer’s on-premise network to a cloud-based service or provider.
Cloud Native: A term used to describe applications and services that are designed and built to run in a cloud environment.
Cloud RAN: Cloud Radio Access Network, a network architecture that moves the baseband processing functions of a mobile network into the cloud, allowing for better scalability and flexibility.
Cloud-Managed Networking: The use of cloud-based tools and technologies to manage and configure network devices and services.
Cloud-Native VNFs: VNFs that are designed and built to run in a cloud environment, using technologies such as containers and Kubernetes
CNAM: Caller ID Name, a service that displays the name associated with a telephone number on a Caller ID display.
CO: Central Office, a telephone exchange or switch that serves a specific geographic area.
Containers: Lightweight, stand-alone, executable packages that include everything that is needed to run a piece of software, including the code, runtime, system tools, libraries, and settings.
CPaaS: Communication Platform as a Service, cloud-based service that enables customers to add communication features such as voice, video, messaging, and fax to their applications without having to build and maintain their own infrastructure.
CPE: Customer Premise Equipment, the equipment that is located at the customer’s location, such as a telephone or router, which interfaces with the telephone company’s network.
C-RAN: Cloud-RAN, a network architecture that moves the baseband processing functions of a mobile network into the cloud, allowing for better scalability and flexibility.
CRM: Customer Relationship Management, a strategy for managing a company’s interactions with customers, clients, and sales prospects.
DCI: Data Center Interconnect, a technology that allows data centers to be connected over a high-speed network to enable data and application sharing.
DDoS: Distributed Denial-of-Service, a type of cyber-attack that involves overwhelming a network or server with a large amount of traffic in order to disrupt services.
DevOps: A set of practices and tools that aim to automate and streamline the development, testing, deployment, and maintenance of software.
DMS: Digital Multiplex System, a type of telephone switch used by ILECs and CLECs to provide telephone service.
DSL: Digital Subscriber Line, a technology that allows high-speed data transmission over copper telephone lines.
DSLAM: Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer, a device that connects multiple DSL lines to a high-speed backbone network.
DWDM: Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing, a technology that allows multiple signals to be transmitted over a single optical fiber using different light wavelengths.
E911: Enhanced 911, an emergency telephone number system that automatically provides the caller’s location information to the 911 operator.
Edge Computing: A distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the devices and users that generate and consume them, allowing for faster and more efficient processing of data.
E-NNI: Ethernet Network-to-Network Interface, a term used to describe the interface between two Ethernet-based telecommunications networks.
EoC: Ethernet over Copper, a technology that uses existing copper telephone lines to provide high-speed Ethernet connectivity.
Evolved Packet Core (EPC): The packet core network of 4G and 5G mobile networks, which includes elements such as the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (SGW), and Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW).
Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) or Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), refer to the installation and use of optical fiber from a central point directly to individual buildings such as residences, apartment buildings and businesses to provide high speed internet access
Frame Relay: a packet-switching protocol that is used to transport digital information over a network.
FTTx: Fiber to the x, a term used to describe the various ways fiber-optic cables provide broadband services to customers. The “x” can be replaced with “home” (FTTH), “building” (FTTB), “curb” (FTTC) or “node” (FTTN).
IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service, a cloud computing model in which a provider delivers infrastructure, such as servers, storage, and networking, to customers on-demand over the internet.
ILEC: Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier, a term used to describe a telephone company that was in operation prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and is typically a dominant provider in a specific geographic area.
ILEC-CO: Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier Central Office, a term used to describe a central office that is owned or operated by an ILEC.
IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem, a system that provides a framework for delivering multimedia services over IP networks.
Intent-based Networking: A network management approach that uses a declarative model to define the desired state of a network and uses software to automatically configure and manage the network to match the desired state.
IoT Gateway: A device or software application that connects devices and sensors in an IoT network to the internet and/or other networks.
IOT: Internet of Things, a network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and connectivity which enables these objects to connect and exchange data.
IPTV: Internet Protocol Television, a system that delivers television programming over the internet.
IXC: Interexchange Carrier, a company that provides long-distance telephone service.
Kubernetes: An open-source container orchestration system for automating containerized applications’ deployment, scaling, and management.
L2VPN: Layer 2 Virtual Private Network, a type of VPN that provides a point-to-point connection between two devices at Layer 2 of the OSI model.
L3VPN: Layer 3 Virtual Private Network, a type of VPN that provides a point-to-point connection between two devices at Layer 3 of the OSI model.
LATA: Local Access and Transport Area, a geographic area established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the purpose of regulating telephone service.
LEC: Local Exchange Carrier, a term used to describe a company that provides telephone services within a specific geographic area.
LNP: Local Number Portability, a service that allows customers to keep their telephone number when switching to a different provider.
LNP: Local Number Portability, the ability of users to retain their telephone numbers when switching from one phone company to another.
low-latency, high-bandwidth and high-reliability services for 5G enabled devices and services.
Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN): A type of wireless networking technology that is designed to allow low-power devices to communicate over long distances with low power consumption.
LSR: Local Service Request, a request for service made by a customer to an ILEC or CLEC.
MEC: Multi-access Edge Computing, a network architecture that brings compute, storage and applications closer to the edge of the network, allowing for low-latency and high-bandwidth services.
Microservices: A software development approach in which an application is built as a collection of small, independent, and loosely coupled services.
Mobile Access Security: Securing access to mobile networks, devices, and applications.
Mobile Application Management (MAM): The process of managing and securing mobile applications used to access corporate resources.
Mobile Backhaul and Fronthaul Optimization: Techniques and technologies used to optimize the transport network that connects the mobile network’s RAN to the core network and the internet.
Mobile Backhaul: The transport network that connects a mobile network’s base stations to the core network.
Mobile Device Management (MDM): The process of managing and securing mobile devices that are used to access corporate resources.
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) : A technology that enables to process data closer to the edge of the network, rather than in a centralized data center, to reduce latency and improve performance for mobile applications and services
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC): A technology that enables to process data closer to the edge of the network, rather than in a centralized data center, in order to reduce latency and improve performance for mobile applications and services
Mobile Fronthaul: The transport network that connects a mobile network’s radio access network (RAN) to the baseband processing functions in a cloud-RAN architecture.
Mobile Identity Management (MIM): Managing and securing mobile user identities and access to corporate resources.
Mobile Middle Mile: The transport network that connects the mobile core network to the internet and other networks.
Mobile Packet Core: The core network elements that handle the routing and management of data in a mobile network.
Mobile Security Management: Managing and monitoring mobile security policies and controls across an organization.
Mobile Security: The measures and technologies used to protect mobile networks, devices, and applications from security threats and vulnerabilities.
Mobile Threat Defense (MTD): The process of detecting and defending against mobile security threats, such as malware, phishing, and intrusion attempts.
Mobile Transport: The transport network elements that connect the mobile core network to the internet and other networks.
Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN solution that is specifically designed for mobile devices.
MPLS: Multi-Protocol Label Switching, a type of data-carrying technique for high-performance telecommunications networks.
MPLS-TP: Multi-Protocol Label Switching Transport Profile, a standard that defines the use of MPLS for transport networks, specifically for telecommunications providers.
MSA: Metropolitan Statistical Area, a geographic region defined by the US Office of Management and Budget for use by federal agencies in collecting, tabulating, and publishing federal statistics.
MSP: Managed Service Provider, a company that provides remote management of IT infrastructure and/or applications for its customers.
Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC): A network architecture that brings compute, storage, and applications closer to the edge of the network, allowing for low-latency and high-bandwidth services.
Network Analytics: The use of software and tools to collect, analyze, and make sense of network data in order to optimize network performance and troubleshoot issues.
Network Assurance: The use of software and tools to monitor and ensure the performance and availability of network devices and services.
Network Automation: The use of software, tools, and technologies to automate the configuration, management, and operation of network devices and services.
Network Data Platform (NDP): A platform that is used to collect, store, and analyze network data in order to optimize network performance and troubleshoot issues.
Network Function Virtualization (NFV): A technology that allows network functions to be implemented as software running on standard servers rather than proprietary hardware.
Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator (NFVO): A software component that manages the deployment, scaling, and lifecycle of VNFs.
Network Orchestration: The process of managing, automating, and coordinating the configuration, operation, and scaling of network devices and services.
Network Programmability: The ability to program and automate network devices and services’ configuration, management, and operation using APIs and other programming interfaces.
Network Slicing: The ability to create multiple virtual networks with different characteristics and service levels on top of a shared physical infrastructure.
Network Virtualization: The use of software to create multiple virtual networks on top of a physical network infrastructure.
NFV Infrastructure (NFVI): The underlying hardware and software infrastructure that enables the deployment of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)
NFV: Network Function Virtualization, a technology that allows network functions to be implemented as software running on standard servers rather than proprietary hardware.
NGN: Next-Generation Network, a term used to describe a network that is based on IP and uses advanced technologies such as MPLS, DWDM and PON to provide advanced services such as high-speed internet, VoIP, and multimedia services.
NNI: Network-to-Network Interface, a term used to describe the interface between two telecommunications networks.
NPA: Numbering Plan Area, the geographic area code assigned to a specific region or city.
NPA-NXX: Numbering Plan Area-Number Exchange, a term used to describe the first six digits of a telephone number, which indicate the geographic area and specific exchange to which the number belongs.
NXX: Number Exchange, the three-digit prefix of a telephone number that indicates the specific central office serving that number.
OCN: Operating Company Number, a unique identifier assigned to a telecommunications company.
OpenFlow: A protocol that is used to communicate between the control plane and data plane of a network in an SDN architecture.
OSS: Operations Support System, a set of systems and tools that are used to manage and maintain a telecommunications network.
PaaS: Platform as a Service, a cloud computing model in which a provider delivers a platform for customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the underlying infrastructure.
PON: Passive Optical Network, a technology that uses passive optical splitters and a single optical fiber to provide point-to-multipoint connectivity.
POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service, a term used to describe traditional analog telephone service.
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network, the traditional telephone network that carries voice and data traffic over copper or fiber-optic lines.
QoS: Quality of Service, a set of technologies and techniques used to control and manage the traffic flow in a network to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low latency.
RAN Intelligence: The use of AI and machine learning techniques to optimize and automate the management of the radio access network.
RAN Sharing: Sharing of RAN infrastructure and spectrum between mobile network operators, to reduce costs and increase coverage.
RAN: Radio Access Network, the part of a mobile network that connects mobile devices to the core network.
RLEC: Rural Local Exchange Carrier, a term used to describe a small, independent telephone company that provides service in a rural area.
SaaS: Software as a Service, a software delivery model in which software is hosted by a third-party provider and made available to customers over the internet.
SBC: Session Border Controller, a device that controls and manages the flow of voice, video and messaging sessions in a VoIP network
SDN: Software-Defined Networking, a technology that separates a network’s control plane and data plane, allowing for more flexible and efficient management of network resources.
SD-Security : Software-Defined Security, a technology that uses software to automate and manage the configuration and deployment of security controls across an organization’s networks and systems.
SD-WAN Controller: A device or software that sits in the cloud and manages the configuration and traffic routing of SD-WAN Edge devices.
SD-WAN Edge: A device or software that sits at the edge of a network and uses SD-WAN technology to manage and optimize traffic routing.
SD-WAN: Software-Defined Wide Area Network, a technology that allows businesses to dynamically manage their WAN connections and optimize traffic routing based on application and business needs.
Self-Organizing Network (SON): A set of technologies and techniques that allow a network to automatically configure, optimize, and troubleshoot itself.
Service Function Chaining (SFC): A technology that allows for the orchestration and chaining of network functions, such as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems, to provide a specific service.
Service Function Forwarding Graph (SFFG): A logical representation of the flow of traffic through a set of service functions in a service function chain.
Service Graph: A logical representation of the flow of traffic through a set of service functions in a service function chain.
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol, a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, modifying and terminating real-time sessions that involve video, voice, messaging, and other communications between two or more endpoints on IP networks.
Small Cells: Low-powered cellular radio access nodes that operate in licensed and unlicensed spectrum that have a range of 10 meters to a few kilometers.
Smart Antennas: Antennas that use advanced signal processing techniques to improve the performance and coverage of wireless networks.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN): A network architecture that separates a network’s control plane and data plane, allowing for more flexible and efficient management of network resources.
SONET: Synchronous Optical Network, a standard for transmitting digital signals over optical fiber.
SS7: Signaling System 7, a set of signaling protocols used to control telephone call setup and teardown.
T1: A type of digital telecommunication connection that uses multiple channels to transmit data at a rate of 1.544 megabits per second.
Tandem Switching: a telephone switching system that connects two or more central offices together, allowing calls to be routed between them.
TDM: Time-Division Multiplexing, a method of transmitting multiple signals over a single communication channel by allocating each signal a different time slot.
TELRIC: Total Element Long Run Incremental Cost, a method used to determine the cost of providing a UNE.
ULL: Unbundled Local Loop, a service that allows competitors to lease the copper or fiber-optic loop that connects a customer’s premise to the ILEC’s central office.
UNE: Unbundled Network Element, a term used to describe a specific component or service of a telephone network that is made available to competitors by an ILEC at a regulated price.
UNE-L: Unbundled Loop, a service that allows competitors to lease the copper loop or fiber-optic line that connects a customer’s premise to the ILEC’s central office.
UNE-LAS: Unbundled Local Aggregation Service, a service that allows competitors to lease the ILEC’s copper or fiber-optic loops and switches in order to provide telephone service to customers.
UNE-P: Unbundled Platform, a service that allows competitors to lease the ILEC’s switching and transport equipment to provide telephone service to customers.
UNE-POTS: Unbundled Plain Old Telephone Service, a service that allows competitors to lease the ILEC’s copper or fiber-optic loops and switches to provide traditional analog telephone service to customers.
VDSL: Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line, a technology that allows high-speed data transmission over copper telephone lines.
Virtual Network Functions (VNFs): Virtualized instances of network functions such as routers, firewalls, and load balancers.
Virtual Network Services: Network services that are delivered as software and run on virtualized infrastructure.
Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM): A software component of the NFVI that is responsible for managing and orchestrating virtualized resources.
Virtualized Network Functions Manager (VNFM): A software component that manages the lifecycle of a specific VNF, including instantiation, scaling, and termination.
Virtualized Resources: Physical resources such as servers, storage, and networking that are abstracted and made available to virtualized workloads.
VNF: Virtual Network Function, a software function that performs a specific network function such as routing, firewalling, or load balancing.
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol, a technology that allows voice communications to be transmitted over the internet.
VoLTE: Voice over Long-Term Evolution, a technology that allows voice calls to be transmitted over a 4G LTE data network.
VPC: Virtual Private Cloud, a virtual network in the cloud that is isolated from other virtual networks in the same cloud.
VPN: Virtual Private Network, a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection between two devices over the internet.
WAN: Wide Area Network, a network that connects multiple LANs or other networks together, typically over a large geographic area.
Whitebox Switching: A type of network switch that uses standard, off-the-shelf hardware and can run multiple network operating systems, allowing for greater flexibility and cost-efficiency.