Miscellaneous Telecom Jargon
If a DS0 is one phone call and consumes 64 Kbps of bandwidth, then a DS1 is a collection of those 24 DS0 “Channels” packed together in a 1.536 Mbps (24×64 Kbps) bundle, commonly referred to as 1.5 Mbps. T1 Lines carry them.
Often referred to as 45 Mbps, a DS3 is Comprised of 28 DS1 signals (672 DS0 signals) packed together in a bundle with a bandwidth total of 44.736 Mbps. A T3 line carries a DS3 signal using a coaxial cable or, in some cases, by microwave.
EoC technology uses Ethernet in the first mile with an RJ-45 jack connection that conventional ethernet cables use. Beyond the first mile, the link is carried over a coax cable network.
Coax cabling is the primary type of cabling used by the cable television industry and is also widely used for computer networks, such as Ethernet. Although more expensive than a standard telephone wire, it is much less susceptible to interference and can carry more data.
Underlying Cable Provider differs from providers that can resell coax cable service; these providers own the coax infrastructure and network in their respective markets. Most often known as the “cable company,” these providers rarely overlap their networks, so addresses often only have one underlying cable provider to service the location. Some exceptions can be in major metropolitan cities, especially near data centers or tech businesses, or at the border between two cable companies’ footprints. For example, streets in these areas might have two nearby cable companies.
In a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, you use a 2-way phone line to connect to the Internet without disturbing your phone. DSL is one of the most readily available forms of internet connection today, but that is changing as fiber becomes more available. DSL is also very popular for small businesses.
AT&T’s U-Verse is their high-speed DSL platform.
A Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) is a telecommunications technology used to provide fiber to the end consumer, both domestic and commercial. A PON’s distinguishing feature is that it implements a point-to-multipoint architecture, in which unpowered fiber optic splitters enable a single optical fiber to serve multiple endpoints. As a result, the endpoints are often individual customers rather than commercial ones.
AT&T Business Fiber (ABF) is AT&T’s GPON technology platform.
Lumen Fiber+/CenturyLink’s Fiber+ is their fiber-based data, voice, and cloud-based application platform.
FiOS is their bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service that operates over a high-speed fiber GPON platform.
Verizon’s FiOS is their bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service that operates over a high-speed fiber GPON platform.
Network Aggregation is how connections are made among multiple technologies such as ISDN, DSL, cable, Ethernet, and wireless devices connected to corporate virtual private networks (VPNs), third-party applications, and the Internet.
Fiber technology transmits data through glass (or plastic) threads (fibers). For example, a fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each capable of sending messages modulated onto light waves.
International Fiber is the supply of Fiber services to International markets.
Wavelength Service is a point-to-point service that provides high-capacity connections between two sites. The Wavelength Service comprises a single wavelength in either direction between two sites allowing the customer to extend their internal network independent of protocol changes.
Dark fiber refers to unused fiber-optic cable. Often companies lay more lines than needed to curb the costs of repeatedly doing it. The dark strands can be leased to individuals or other companies who want to establish optical connections among their locations.
MPLS is a type of communication used within a network. It is used to send data and network traffic along the most efficient routes, which may be predetermined and are communicated using labels.
(VPLS) Virtual Private LAN Service is not a form of communication. VPLS is a service that uses MPLS and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) to securely and seamlessly connect multiple LANs over the Internet, making them appear as if they were all on the same LAN. This allows internal routing protocols to be utilized (OSPF, EIGRP, IS-IS, etc.).
Fixed wireless refers to wireless devices or systems in selected locations, such as offices or homes, instead of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Fixed wireless devices usually derive electrical power from utility mains, unlike portable wireless devices that typically derive power from batteries. In addition, fixed wireless circuits of 50MB and up require a longer installation time because providers must work with the FCC to license a specific frequency band.
Satellite broadband offers two-way Internet access via satellites. Your computer broadcasts requests to a satellite dish on top of your home or business through a particular satellite modem. The world then sends and receives signals from satellites that orbit some 22,000 miles above the equator. You receive broadband Internet access if your dish maintains a clear view of the southern sky (in the U.S.).* Currently, satellite broadband is slower in both the uplink and downlink when compared to a DSL Internet service, for example.
A Digital Television standard that has almost completely replaced analog (or NTSC analog) television. DTV enables broadcasters to offer television with movie-quality pictures and sound. It also provides greater multicasting and interactive capabilities.
Temporary Event Services are connectivity services for various standalone transient events.
PRI is an acronym for Primary-Rate Interface, an ISDN service designed for larger organizations. PRI includes 23 B channels and one D-Channel. In contrast, BRI (Basic-Rate Interface), designed for individuals and small businesses, contains just two B and D channels.
TDM stands for Time Division Multiplexing. It’s the technology behind traditional phone service, allowing users to send up to 23 separate communications via voice, data, or video.
A SIP Trunk provides the same service as a traditional analog phone line or a channel (trunk) on a PRI. The difference is that instead of a physical wire, a SIP Trunk is a “virtual” phone line provided by a SIP trunk provider. It uses your data circuit (T1, Cable modem, DSL, Ethernet over Copper, Fiber, etc.) to connect your phone system to the Internet. As a result, a SIP Trunk costs providers considerably less than traditional telephone service.
International SIP Trunks are SIP Trunk services for international markets.
SIP plus Bandwidth are SIP Trunk solutions with bandwidth services included for the SIP to run through.
SIP + BYOB are SIP Trunk solutions where clients can run a SIP connection through their existing bandwidth services. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bandwidth).