Glossary of Telecoms Terms

JUMP TO: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


A back to top ↑

ADSL:

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) this allows a standard phone line to be used as a broadband line for the transmission of large amounts of data.

B back to top ↑

Bandwidth:

Is the rate at which data can be transmitted.

Broadband:

A type of internet connection that allows large amounts of data to be transmitted.

D back to top ↑

DDI:

DDI (Direct Dial Inbound) - this allows individuals or teams within your business to have their own personal number for customers to call - without having to pay for them to have their own personal phone line.

DECT:

DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Technology) - refers to digital wireless telephone technology (cordless phones).

E back to top ↑

Ethernet:

Commonly used in LAN connections. It is a wired internet connection.

I back to top ↑

IP:

IP (Internet Protocol) - the transmission of data via the internet.

ISDN:

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - how voice, video and data are sent over digital phone lines.

L back to top ↑

LAN:

LAN (Local Area Network) - a data network that connects all the computers, printers, scanners, serves, etc within your business.

Landline:

A traditional phone service with fixed phone lines.

Leased Line:

A leased line is a connection that is used by businesses for internet, data and telephone services. It is a dedicated, high speed connection - meaning you won’t have to share it with anyone else.

P back to top ↑

PBX:

PBX (Private Branch Exchange) - a private phone network used by a business. You can use this network to communicate internally (within your business) and externally (to your customers and suppliers).

PTSN:

PTSN (Public Switched Telephone Network) - this can also be referred to Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS). This allows landline calls to be made.

S back to top ↑

SIP:

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) - this is how VOIP devices communicate with each other.

V back to top ↑

VOIP:

VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) - the transmission of voice data (calls) over the internet. This allows you to make calls without traditional telephone lines.

VPN:

VPN (Virtual Private Network) - a way of creating a secure private network on a public network.

W back to top ↑

WAN / WLAN

WAN / WLAN (Wide Area Network) - a WAN is multiple LANs connected together usually via a broadband connection or leased line.

Wifi

A wireless internet connection.