A Glossary of Telecommunications Terms, 1998

>From the web page
http://www.fcc.gov/Consumers/glossary.html

A Glossary of Telecommunications Terms

This 1998 edition of the glossary of telecommunications terms
was prepared by the Public Service Division of the Office of
Public Affairs of the Federal Communications Commission. It
contains many words and phrases used to describe
telecommunications terms which commonly appear in Commission
documents and other publications or articles on
telecommunication technology. If you need further information
please contact the Public Service Division at (202) 418-0200 or
by writing to: Federal Communications Commission, Public Service
Division, Stop Code 1160A1,1919M Street NW, Washington, D.C.


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

ACTIVE SATELLITE
A satellite that receives and transmits radio-communication
signals to or from a base station.

ADVANCED TELEVISION (ATV)
Also known as High Definition TV (HDTV). New television
technology that provides better audio and video quality than the
current standard television broadcast system.

AFFILIATE
A broadcast station that airs a network's programs and
commercials, but is not owned by that network.

AGENDA ITEM

At the FCC, a term that refers to the document which is to be
voted on by the Commission at an agenda meeting. The final
document is released to the public the same day or as soon as
possible.

AGGREGATOR
Any person or business who, in the normal course of business,
provides a public telephone for the use of patrons through an
Operator Service Provider (OSP). Hotels and payphone owners are
two examples.

AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR ("HAM")
A noncommercial, private radio operator who generally uses
interactive radio. There are six classes of amateur radio
licenses that can be earned after passing an FCC administered
exam.

AMERICAN STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTEREXCHANGE
ASCII is a uniform code used in computer and data communications
systems. ASCII code letters, numbers, punctuation and actual
control codes in digital codes of "0s" and "1s," which is all
the computer can understand. For example, the capital "C" is
100011 and a "3" is 0110011.

AMPLITUDE MODULATION (AM)
A type of transmission used in either the standard radio
broadcast band at 535-1705 kilohertz, shortwave broadcasting,
and in some private radio services such as citizens band (CB)
and aviation. AM works by varying the amplitude of the carrier
wave at the audio rate.

ANALOG
The word is "shorthand" for analogous, which means similar to.
Signal being transmitted -- voice or vide -- is similar to the
original signal -- is similar to the signal originally
transmitted. If a person speaks into a microphone and views the
voice signal it would look essentially the same as the signal
received on the other end of a transmission. Digital is another
way to transmit a signal. (See Digital)

ARCHIE
The term used to describe a software tool for finding files on
the Internet. You need to know the file name or substring to
find a file using ARCHIE.

AUXILIARY SERVICE STATION
A type of station used by television and radio stations to
facilitate the broadcast of programming to the general public.

AUDIOTEXT
The term used to describe a system that provides automated
interactive telephone information, such as stock prices, sports
scores and personals.

BANDWIDTH
A range of frequencies in the broadcast spectrum that is
occupied by a signal. (For example, a television channel may
have a bandwidth of 6 MHz.) The "necessary bandwidth" is the
amount of spectrum required to transmit the signal without
distortion or loss of information. Commission rules require
suppression of the signal outside the band to prevent
interference.

BASE STATION
A land station in the land mobile service. For example, in
cellular and personal communications uses, each cell has its own
base station; each base station is interconnected with other
base stations and with the public switched network.

BASIC TRADING AREA (BTA)
Geographic boundaries that segment the country for licensing
purposes. BTAs are based on Rand McNally's Commercial Atlas &
Marketing Guide. BTA boundaries follow county lines and include
the county or counties whose residents make the bulk of their
shopping goods purchases in the area. The FCC has used BTAs to
license a number of services including broadband and narrowband
Personal Communication Services.

BAUD
A measure of the speed at which data is transmitted, computed in
number of elements changed per second. The "Baud Rate" is the
speed in which a computers can transfer data through a modem
using communications software.

BAUDOT
A seven bit code, only five of which are information bits.
Baudot is used by some text telephones to communicate with each
other.

BIDDING CREDIT
A spectrum auction term. It is a credit given to eligible FCC
auction applicants which allows them to receive a discount on
their winning bids in an auction.

BINARY INFORMATION UNIT OR BINARY DIGIT (BIT)
The smallest unit of digital information. A single digit number
in "base-2", either a 0 or a 10. Bandwidth is usually measured
in bits-per-second (bps).

BIRD
A colloquial expression used to refer to a communications
satellite.

BLACKOUT
A term used to describe the non-broadcast of a live event (i.e.
sports, cultural) usually imposed by the sponsor(s) of the
event. Also, the Syndicated Exclusivity Rule (SYNDEX) may lead
to a program blackout. (See SYNDEX Rule)

BOOSTER
A television or FM broadcast station, operating at relatively
low power that receives a distant input signal, amplifies it,
and retransmits it on the same channel.

BROADBAND
Broadband is a descriptive term for evolving digital telephone
technologies offering consumers a single switched facility
offering integrated access to voice, high-speed data services,
video-demand services, and interactive information delivery
services. Such services are not yet commercially available.
Broadband also is used to define an analog transmission
technique for data or video that provides multiple channels. A
cable TV system, for example, employs analog broadband
transmission. (See Bandwidth)

BROADCAST
To transmit a signal over the spectrum to be received by two or
more receiving devices.

BROWSER
A software program used to query, search and view information on
computer sites connected to the Internet.

BYTE
A set of "bits" that represent a single character. Usually there
are eight bits in a Byte.

CABLE CONVERTER BOX
Equipment provided by a cable company in a subscriber's home
that allows access or controls interference to cable services.

CABLE SIGNAL LEAKAGE
Excessive levels of radio frequency (RF) energy that leak from
cable television systems. Leakage can cause interference to
communications users, including safety service users such as
aviation, police and fire departments. FCC rules specify the
maximum RF leakage, and require that cable television systems be
operated within certain guidelines.

CABLE TELEVISION (CATV)
The transmission, usually for a fee, of television signals,
including signals that originate at over-the-air television
stations, to consumers on a wired network.

CABLE TELEVISION RELAY
SERVICE (CARS)
The relaying of television, FM radio, cablecasting and other
signals on a microwave frequency band to a terminal for
distribution over CATV or over cable line.

CELLULAR MOBILE RADIO TELEPHONE SYSTEM

Also called "Cellular." A high capacity land mobile telephone
system wherein channels assigned to the system are divided among
several geographical "cells" covering a defined service area. A
cellular system is capable of re-using the same channels in
different cells within the service area. The use of many small
cells in an area, with low transmitter powers, permits the
intensive re-use of channels, thereby increasing system
capacity.

CHURN
The term used to describe turnover rate of subscribers to a
service or product.

CIRCUIT
A two-way communications path.

CIRCULATION
An FCC term, circulation is the procedure whereby items are
routed to Commissioners for notation voting without a need for
discussion at an open or closed agenda meeting. Voting is done
electronically from each Commissioner's office.

CLEAR CHANNEL
A clear channel protects stations designated as Class A stations
from objectionable interference within their primary and
secondary service areas. The secondary service areas of the
stations may extend outward for a distance of up to 750 miles at
night. To provide this wide area service, Class A stations
operate within a power range of 10 to 50 kilowatts.

CLOSED CAPTIONING
A service for persons with hearing disabilities that translates
television program dialog into written words on the television
screen. Closed captioning is not visible without the use of a
specially installed decoder.

CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISION (CCTV)
A system in which a signal is transmitted from a point of origin
to only those receivers who have previously arranged access to
it. Examples of its use are: lectures by professors in
educational institutions, theater television, sports, and video
conferencing.

COAXIAL CABLE (COAX)
A type of cable commonly used in cable television systems which
is composed of two concentric conductors: an inner wire, and an
outer braided sleeve.

COMMON CARRIER
The term used to describe a telephone company. It is a
telecommunications company that is available for hire on a
non-discriminatory basis to provide communication transmission
services, such as telephone and telegraph, to the public.

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT (CA)
A person who translates conversation from text to voice and from
voice to text between two end users of Telecommunications Relay
Service (TRS). This service allows a person with hearing or
speech disabilities to communicate with anyone else via
telephone at no additional costs. CA supersedes the term "TDD
operator."

COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE
A satellite that is used to relay telecommunications
information.

COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE CORPORATION (COMSAT)
A corporation, chartered by Congress, as an exclusive provider
of international telecommunications satellite channels to the
United States. COMSAT also represents the United States in
INTELSAT. (See INTELSAT)

COMMUNITY ANTENNA

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

COMPACT DISC (CD)
A five-inch disc on which a digital audio signal is inscribed so
that it can be read optically by a laser beam device in a
computer or CD player.

COMPETITIVE ACCESS PROVIDERS

Common carriers who provide local service and compete against
local telephone companies' access services that connect
customers to long distance companies. These carriers often use
fiber optic networks.

COMPETITIVE BIDDING
Another term for an auction. (See Spectrum Auction)

CONVERGENCE
In this context, convergence means that providers of various
types of communication systems can increasingly deliver products
and services that compete with the products and services now
delivered by other networks. One example would be a cable
company providing local phone service or a local phone company
providing video services.

CROSSTALK
Occurs when a receiver on one communications channel
inadvertently receives information being sent by a neighboring
communications channel, either radio or wireline.

CUSTOMER PREMISES
EQUIPMENT (CPE)
Telephone terminal devices, such as handsets and private branch
exchanges (PBXs), located on the customer's premises.

CYBERSPACE
A term introduced by science fiction author William Gibson in
1984. "Cyberspace" is where human interaction occurs over
computer networks, through E-mail, games or simulations.

DEDICATED LINE
A communications circuit or channel provided for the exclusive
use of a particular subscriber. Dedicated lines are used for
computers when large amounts of data need to be moved between
points. Also known as a "private line."

DESCRAMBLER
An electronic circuit that restores an intentionally scrambled
video signal to its original standard form.

DIAL-IT SERVICE
A telecommunications service that permits simultaneous calling
by a large number of callers to a single telephone number
utilizing the telecommunications network. There is usually a fee
for calls to 900 numbers (for long distance callers) or 976
numbers (for local callers).

DIGITAL
Any type of information that can be output, transmitted and
interpreted as individual bits of binary information (the use of
the numbers O and 1), using electrical or electromagnetic
signals that can be modulated to convey their specific content.
Generally, a higher quality signal than analog for video and
voice than analog. (See Analog.)

DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING
Radio broadcasting using digital modulation and digital source
coding techniques.

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.

DISTANT SIGNAL
A television channel from another market imported and carried
locally by a cable television system.

DISTRIBUTOR
A person/company that distributes signals from a satellite
carrier and provides that transmission either directly to
individual subscribers for private home viewing or to other
program distribution companies for their transmission to
viewers.

DOCKET NUMBER
A number assigned to a proceeding opened by the issuance of the
Commission, with either a Notice of Proposed Rule Making or a
Notice of Inquiry or if an adjudicatory or tariff proceeding has
been instituted. Prior to 1978, docket numbers consisted of five
digits (e.g., 19622). Since January 1, 1978, the docket numbers
indicate the year they were initiated and the Bureau which
initiated the docket (e.g., MM 89-494 and CC 87-313).

DOWNLINK
The part of a satellite system that includes the satellite
itself, the receiving earth station and the signal transmitted
from the satellite to earth stations.

DOWNLOAD (RECEIVE)
To receive data from another computer into your computer. It is
also called "receive." The opposite is called "Upload."

EARTH STATION
Equipment on the earth that can transmit or receive satellite
communications. In general usage, this term refers to
receive-only stations.

ELECTRONIC BIDDING
A process by which bidders in an auction use computers to place
their bids. (See Spectrum Auction)

ELECTRONIC BOOK
Computer program (often called an electronic book) that uses
text, graphics, animation and audio to guide the user through an
instruction or teaching process, an electronic "help-desk."

ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD
A system located on a computer network which allows users to
post or receive information; it facilitates file sharing.

ELECTRONIC FUNDS
TRANSFER (EFT)
An electronic system that transfers money and records financial
transactions, replacing the use of paper.

ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL)
E-Mail allows the user to send a message via a computer
instantly to one or many persons around the world. E-mail users
typically have a "mailbox" on a network or a videotext system
where other users can send messages to be retrieved by the
recipient.

EMISSION
In this context, radiation produced by a radio transmitting
station.

ENHANCED SERVICE PROVIDERS
A for-profit business that offers to transmit voice and data
messages and simultaneously add value to the message it
transmits. Examples include telephone answering services,
alarm/security companies and transaction processing companies.
An enhanced service provider officers voice as well as data
services.

EN BANC
An en banc meeting is a hearing held by the Commissioners to
hear various presentations on specific topics by diverse
parties. The Commissioners or other officials question the
presenters and their comments and presentations can be used by
the Commission when it considers rules.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
("EQUAL TIME") RULE
If a political candidate obtains time on a broadcast station,
other candidates for the same office (or their appointed
representatives) may obtain an "equal opportunity" on that
station. An equal opportunity usually includes equal time, but
the term means more than equal time. For example, it means the
right to obtain time in a period likely to attract approximately
the same size audience as the period in which the opposing
candidate appeared. News shows are exempt.

EX PARTE PRESENTATION
Any communication addressing the merits or outcome of a
particular proceeding made to decision-making personnel (or in
some proceedings, from the decision-making personnel), which,
(1) if written, is not served on the parties to the proceeding,
or (2) if oral, is made without opportunity for the parties to
the proceeding to present.

FACSIMILE (FAX)
The electronic transmission of printed material by electronic
means over a telephone system. An image is scanned at a
transmitting point and reconstructed at a receiving station,
where a printed copy can be produced.

FCC NUMBER
Sequential number assigned by the Secretary's Office (Agenda
Branch) to all documents approved by the Commission. This number
is assigned after the item has been adopted by the Commission.
Example: FCC 96-123. The first two digits reflect the year.

FCC RECORD

A bi-weekly comprehensive compilation of decisions, reports,
public notices and other documents released by the Commission.
The FCC Record replaced the FCC Reports in October 1986. The
Record is available for a fee. In 1996, the per issue cost is
$34; yearly subscription for $299. The ordering address:
Superintendent of Documents, PO Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA
15250-7954; by phone: (202) 512-8200.

FIBER OPTICS
A method for the transmission of information (sound, video,
data) in which light is modulated and transmitted over
high-purity, hair-thin filaments of glass. The bandwidth
capacity of fiber optic cable is much greater than that of
copper wire.

FIXED SERVICE
Radio-communications service between specified fixed points.

FLAT RATE
A method of pricing in which a fixed rate is charged for a given
service, regardless of usage. The fixed monthly charge which a
residential subscriber in a local exchange pays to be allowed to
make an unlimited number of local calls is an example of a flat
rate.

FM CABLE SERVICE
The offering of FM radio signals over a cable system for a fee.
A cable is connected to the subscriber's FM stereo receiver for
service.

FOOTPRINT
The area in which a specific transmission can be received. Some
footprints cover as much as one-third of the earth, such as
satellite or cell systems.

FRANCHISE AUTHORITY
The franchise authority is the local government body that enters
into a contractual agreement with a cable company. A franchise
agreement defines the rights and responsibilities of each in the
construction and operation of a cable system within a specified
geographical area.

FREEWARE
Software , which is free to users. and is available from many
locations on the Internet.

FREQUENCY
A measurement of the number of electromagnetic waves that pass a
given point in a given time period. It is equal to the speed of
light divided by wavelengths, and is expressed in Hertz (cycles
per second).

FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM)
Radio transmission covering 88-108 megahertz on the broadcast
band. FM is less susceptible to interference than AM
broadcasting, and is also used in other frequency bands for
two-way communications in land mobile and marine services.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
FAQs on Internet sites answer the most frequently asked
questions.

FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING (FNPRM)
A Commission term, a Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making is
issued by the Commission to further clarify and seek more
information and public comment on the Commission's proposed
changes. (See Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)

GATEWAY
Gateways provide a single source through which users can locate
and gain access to a wide variety of computer services. Gateways
typically offer a directory of services available through them,
and provide billing for these services.

GEOSTATIONARY ORBIT
The revolutionary path traveled by a satellite in which the
satellite travels in sync with the Earth's motion, so that it
appears stationary in the sky. A stationary antenna located on
Earth can remain pointed at the satellite at all times.

GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE
A satellite whose circular and direct orbit lies in the plane of
the Earth's equator and which remains fixed relative to the
earth.

GIGAHERTZ (GHz)
A unit of frequency equal to one billion hertz (one billion
cycles per second).

GOPHER
A tool used on the Internet which permits users to locate and
retrieve information quickly throughout the Internet.

HEARING DESIGNATION
ORDER (HDO)
A Commission term, a Hearing Designation Order institutes a
comparative or other adjudicatory hearing proceeding, usually
before an Administrative Law Judge.

HEADEND
The electronic control center of a cable system. This is the
site of the receiving antenna and the signal processing
equipment essential to proper functioning of a cable system.

HEARING CARRY OVER (HCO)
A reduced form of TRS where a person with a speech disability is
able to listen to the other end user and, in reply, a
Communications Assistant speaks the text as typed by the person
with the speech disability.

HERTZ (Hz)
A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second (cps). One
kilohertz equals 1000 cps; one megahertz equals 1 million cps;
one gigahertz equals 1 billion cps.

HIGH DEFINITION
TELEVISION (HDTV)
An improved television system which provides approximately twice
the vertical and horizontal resolution of the existing
television standards. It also provides video quality approaching
that of 35 mm film, and audio quality equal to that of compact
discs. (See Advanced Television)

HOME SATELLITE DISH (HSD)
A home receiver that permits the consumer to receive existing
satellite transmissions.

HORIZONTAL CONCENTRATION
The share of consumers subscribing to a commonly owned system.

HOST
Your Internet access provider's computer. You may use one of its
hard-wired terminals, if you are at an institution with a
mainframe computer connected directly to the Internet, or you
may dial up via modem to connect with the Internet access
provider's host computer.

HYPER-TEXT
Text that links to other documents that can be retrieved from
one document.

HYPER-TEXT MARK-UP

LANGUAGE (HTML)
Hyper-Text Mark-up Language is the programming language used to
design and present computer sites on the Internet in a graphical
user interface fashion. HTML is the language used by programmers
to design a Home Page for computers on the Internet as part of
the World Wide Web project.

HYPER-TEXT TRANSPORT PROTOCOL (HTTP)
The method for moving "hypertext" files across the Internet.
Requires an HTTP program at one end and a server at the other.

INDECENCY
The Commission has defined broadcast indecency as language or
material, that in context, depicts or describes, in terms
patently offensive as measured by contemporary community
standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs
or activities.

INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY
A term describing a network of integrated telecommunications
systems connecting people around the world to information,
businesses, governments and each other. (See National
Information Infrastructure)

INPUT SELECTOR SWITCH (A/B SWITCHES)
A switch used by cable customers to alternate between cable and
over-the-air television reception through a cable box.

INSIDE WIRING
Telephone wiring: For a residence, the wiring usually starts
where the line enters the house. It's called the demarcation
line. For businesses, the location of the demarcation point
varies. Cable wiring: a final decision is pending.

INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION
FIXED SERVICE (ITFS)
A service provided by one or more fixed microwave stations
operated by an educational organization and used mainly to
transmit instructional, cultural and other educational
information to fixed receiving stations.

INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK (ISDN)
Switched network providing end-to-end digital connection for
simultaneous transmission of voice and/or data over multiple
multiplexed communication channels and employing transmission
that conforms to internationally-defined standards. ISDN is
considered to be the basis for a "universal network" that can
support almost any type of communications device or service.

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.

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE ORGANIZATION
(INTELSAT)
Formed under a multilateral agreement, it is the organization
which owns, maintains, and operates the global satellite system
used by over 100 participating countries around the world.
COMSAT is the U.S. representative to and participant in
INTELSAT.

INTERCONNECTION
The connection of one telecommunication carrier's network to
another or the connection of a piece of telephone equipment to
the nation-wide telephone network.

INTERFACE
The point at which two systems or pieces of equipment are
connected.

INTERFERENCE
Unwanted electrical signals or noise causing degradation of
reception on a communications circuit.

INTERNATIONAL RECORD
CARRIER (IRC)
A common carrier engaged in providing overseas
telecommunications service. Services furnished traditionally
include telex, private line service and alternate voice data
service.

INTERNATIONAL SHORTWAVE BROADCAST STATION
A station that sends programs overseas either for direct
reception by listeners abroad or for intermediate reception by
overseas relay stations that rebroadcast the programs on
shortwave or medium wave stations to nearby audiences.

INTERNET
A computer network stretching across the world linking usser to
businesses, government agencies, universities, and individuals.
The Internet provides computers with the ability to connect with
other computers to gather data.

INTERSATELLITE LINK
A message transmission circuit between two communication
satellites, as opposed to a circuit between a single satellite
and the earth.

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

LIFELINE SERVICE
A program that helps low-income households afford local
telephone service by paying a portion of the monthly cost of
that service. "Link Up America" is a program that provides
qualified low-income households federal assistance for
installation and connection charges, up to an amount of $30.

LOCAL ACCESS AND TRANSPORT
AREA (LATA)
A contiguous local exchange area which includes every point
served by a local phone company within an existing community of
interest. It also serves as the dividing line for the allocation
of assets and liabilities between AT&T and the Bell Operating
Companies. LATAS were established by the Department of Justice
as a result of the AT&T divestiture.

LOCAL MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICES (LMDS)
This is a point/multipoint service with two-way capability to
transmit voice, data, and other video information. LMDS can
offer innovative consumer services such as two-way interactive
video, advanced teleconferencing, telemedicine, telecommuting,
and high-speed data services.

LOTTERY (RANDOM SELECTION)
In this context, an alternative method to auctions and
comparative hearings for allocating spectrum space to competing
applicants in various services. In a lottery, the winning
applicant is chosen at random.

LOW POWER TELEVISION SERVICE (LPTV)
A broadcast service that permits program origination,
subscription service, or both via low powered television
translators. Low Power Television service includes the existing
translator service and operates on a secondary basis to regular
television stations. Transmitter output is limited to 1000 watts
for a UHF station, 10 watts for a normal VHF station, and 100
watts when VHF operation is on an allocated channel.

MAJOR TRADING AREA (MTA)
Boundaries that segment the country for telecommunication
licensing purposes. MTAs are based on Rand McNally's Commercial
Atlas & Marketing Guide. Each MTA is named after one or more
cities which are Major Trading Centers. MTAs are larger than
BTAs. The FCC has used MTAs to license a number of services,
including broadband and narrowband PCS.

MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION
SYSTEM (MATV)
An antenna system that serves a concentration of TV sets such as
in an apartment building or hotel. MATV utilizes one central
antenna to pick up broadcast signals.

MEETING
At the FCC, the term "meeting" is applicable for the "Sunshine
Act" (see Sunshine Act). The deliberations of at least the
number of individual agency members (see Member) required to
take action on behalf of the agency (a majority at the FCC)
where such deliberations determine or result in the joint
conduct or disposition of official agency business. A closed
meeting is one at which public attendance is restricted.

MEMBER
At the FCC, the term "member" refers to a Commissioner.

MICROWAVE BAND
Those frequencies from about 1 gigahertz upward that use
microwave frequencies for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint
communications, including common carriers, cable TV operators,
broadcasters, and private operational fixed users.

MODEM
An abbreviated term for "modulator-demodulator." A modem
converts digital signals into analog signals (and vice versa),
enabling computers to send and receive data over the telephone
networks.

MULTI-USER DIMENSION (MUD)
This term refers to users who connect to each other via a host
computer.

MULTICHANNEL MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE (MMDS)
A service which uses omnidirectional microwave signals to
deliver video programs to subscribers.

MULTIMEDIA
The combination of various forms of media (texts, graphics,
animation, audio, etc.) to communicate information. The term
also refers to information products that include text, audio,
and visual content.

MULTIPLE ADDRESS SYSTEMS (MAS)
A microwave point-to-multipoint communications system, either
one-way or two-way, serving a minimum of four remote stations.
The private radio MAS channels are not suitable for providing a
communications service to a larger sector of the general public,
such as channels the Commission has allocated for cellular,
paging, or specialized mobile radio service (SMR).

MULTIPLE SYSTEM
OPERATOR (MSO)
A company that operates more than one cable TV system.

MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION
SERVICE (MDS)
Also known as "wireless cable," this is a one-way, domestic
public radio service broadcast on microwave frequencies from a
fixed station that transmits (usually in an omnidirectional
pattern) to multiple receiving facilities located at fixed
points determined by the subscriber's location.

MUST CARRY (RETRANSMISSION)
A term from the 1992 Cable Act, it refers to a cable system's
mandatory signal carriage of both commercial and noncommercial
television broadcast stations that are "local" to the area
served by the cable system.

NARROWBAND
A term applied to telecommunications facilities capable of
carrying only voice, facsimile images, slow-scan video images
and data transmissions at "kilobit" speeds. The term is commonly
applied to voice-grade analog facilities and to digital
facilities operating at low speeds (less than 1.544 Nbps).

NARROWCASTING
The delivery of cable programming to a small community or
audience where that programming addresses the audience's
specific needs or desires. It is the opposite of broadcasting.

NATIONAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE (NII)
The NII refers to a nationwide network of integrated
telecommunications that connects people, businesses, schools,
institutions and governments with one another. (See Information
Superhighway)

NATIONAL TELEVISION
STANDARDS COMMITTEE (NTSC)
A television industry group that develops standards for
television broadcasting and receiving equipment in the United
States.

NATIONWIDE/STATEWIDE
COST AVERAGING
A method of averaging costs to establish uniform prices for
telephone service so that subscribers using more
costly-to-serve, lightly-trafficked routes -- such as those
between small communities -- receive the same service for the
same price as subscribers on lower-cost, highly-trafficked
metropolitan routes.

NETIQUETTE
Network + etiquette= netiquette. Customs and socially accepted
behavior for using the Internet networks.

NETWORK/NETWORKING
A group of computers connected in any way that allows data to be
sent among these computers.

NON-DUPLICATION RULES
Restrictions placed on cable television systems which prohibit
them from importing distant programming that is simultaneously
available locally.

NOTICE OF INQUIRY (NOI)
A Commission term, a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) is adopted by the
Commissioners primarily for fact gathering, a way to seek
comments from the public or industry on a specific issue. The
NOI also states where and when comments may be submitted, where
and when you can review comments others have made, and how to
respond to those comments. After reviewing comments, the FCC may
issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking or it may release a Report
& Order (R&O) explaining what action -- or non-action -- is
taken.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED
RULEMAKING (NPRM)
A Commission term, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is
adopted by the Commissioners to detail proposed changes to FCC
rules and to seek public comment on these proposals. The NPRM
also states where and when comments may be submitted, where and
when comments can be reviewed, and where and when comments
others have made can be reviewed and responded to. After
reviewing the comments to the NPRM, the FCC may issue a "Further
NPRM" to provide an opportunity for the public to comment
further on a related proposal. The next step is a Report &
Order.

NUMBER PORTABILITY
Number portability is the term used to describe 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 OUTCRY AUCTION
An auction in which bidders openly shout out their bids.

OPERATOR SERVICE PROVIDER (OSP)
A common carrier that provides services from public phones,
including payphones and hotel/motel phones.

OPEN VIDEO SYSTEMS (OVS)
An Open Video System is similar to a cable system. In an OVS,
the system operator must lease channel capacity to unaffiliated
programmers at just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates.

PAGING SYSTEM
One-way mobile radio service where a user carries a small,
lightweight miniature radio receiver capable of responding to
coded signals.

PAY-PER-VIEW
Programming (usually movies or special events) that a cable
subscriber specially requests to receive for a single fee added
to the monthly cable bill.

PC
Personal computer.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES (PCS)
A term coined by the FCC, it describes a two-way, voice and
digital, wireless telecommunications system. PCS encompasses
cordless phones, cellular mobile phone, paging systems, personal
communications networks, wireless office phones and any other
wireless telecommunications systems that allow people to place
and receive voice/data calls while away from home and office.

PETITION FOR RECONSIDERATION
A Petition for Reconsideration is a written request submitted to
the FCC for review of an action it has previously taken.
Applicants have 30 days after a Report and Order is published in
the Federal Register to file comments with the FCC. The agency
will consider public comments, replies, and industry concerns
before finalizing its initial decision. As a result of the
review process, the FCC will either issue a Memorandum Opinion
and Order amending its initial decision, or deny the Petition
for Reconsideration.

PIXEL
The smallest area of a television picture capable of being
sampled, transmitted through a system and displayed on a
monitor.

POLE ATTACHMENT
A communications relay or receiving device attached to a pole,
duct or conduit owned or controlled by a utility company.

PREMIUM CHANNELS
Channels not included in a cable provider's regular service
tiers. There are additional monthly fees charged for receiving
premium channels.

PRESUBSCRIPTION
This term is used to describe the selection of a particular long
distance carrier to handle all calls for "1+dialing" zones. (See
Primary Interexchange Carrier)

PRIMARY INTEREXCHANGE
CARRIER (PIC)
The PIC is the main long distance carrier used for "1+dialing"
through which all interstate long distance toll calls are made.
(See Presubscription)

PRIVATE HOME VIEWING
The viewing of television in a private home with reception by
satellite equipment that is operated by an individual in that
household and which serves only that household. It is a
secondary transmission (via satellite) of a primary transmission
of a television station licensed by the FCC.

PRIVATE LINE SERVICE
Dedicated telecommunications channels provided between two
points or switched among multiple points. Privately leased for
high-volume voice, data, audio or video transmissions.

PRIVATE RADIO SERVICE
Radio communications authorized for local governments and
private enterprises. Amateur and citizen band radio are private
radio services as are several other services in the categories
of: Aviation, Marine, Public Safety, Industrial, Land
Transportation and Microwave.

PROGRAM LOG
Records once kept by a broadcasting station in a public file
which provided a record of programs broadcast, program type and
program length. The logs also included commercial and public
service spots. Broadcasters are no longer required to maintain
program logs.

PUBLIC NOTICE (PN)
A Public Notice is issued by the Commission to notify the public
of an action taken or an upcoming event.

QUORUM
At the FCC, the minimum number of Commissioners required to be
present at a meeting or to participate in voting by circulation
before the Commission can validly proceed to transact business.
A quorum consists of a majority of the Commissioners.

RADAR
A radio determination system based on the comparison of
reference signals with radio signals reflected, or
retransmitted, from the position to be determined.

RADIATION
The outward flow of energy from any source in the form of radio
waves.

RADIO COMMON CARRIER
Part of the domestic land mobile radio service. Signals are
received and transmitted from mobile transmitters.

RADIO DETERMINATION
The determination of the position, velocity and/or other
characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information
relating to these parameters by means of the propagation
properties of radio waves.

RADIOTELEGRAPHY
The use of a radio (instead of wire) to communicate a messages
over a distance. Radiotelephony is the use of radio to
communicate sounds (e.g., speech).

REACH
"Reach" refers to the availability of a service in the
community. It is the number of homes to which the service is
available regardless of whether or not residents choose to
subscribe.

REAL TIME
Usually used to describe situations when two or more people are
interacting via their keyboards on the computer in real time,
versus delayed back-and-forth communication, such as with
e-mail.

REGIONAL BELL OPERATING COMPANY (RBOC)
Any one of the seven local telephone companies created in 1984
as part of the break-up of AT&T. The RBOCs are Ameritech, Bell
Atlantic, Bell South, NYNEX, Pacific Telesis Group, Southwestern
Bell, and U. S. West.

REGULATORY FEE
A fee charged users of certain FCC services, such as license
applicants and holders, to help support such services.
Regulatory fees go to the U.S. Treasury.

REPORT & ORDER (R&O)
A Commission term. After considering comments and reply comments
to Notices of Inquiries or Notices of Proposed Rulemakings, the
FCC may issue a Report & Order amending the rules or deciding
not to do so. Summaries of R&Os are published in the Federal
Register. Issuance of an R&O triggers a 30-day period for
Petitions for Reconsideration.

RESALE CARRIER OR RESELLER
A carrier that does not own transmission facilities, but obtains
communications services from another carrier for resale to the
public for a profit.

RESOLUTION
The amount of detail that can be seen in a broadcast image. The
resolution of a TV screen is defined by the number of horizontal
lines of picture elements that the screen displays and the
number of pixels per line.

RULEMAKING NUMBER
A number assigned to a proceeding after the appropriate
Bureau/Office has reviewed and accepted a Petition for
Rulemaking, but before the Commission has taken action on the
petition. The rulemaking number should appear on all appropriate
documents, even those which carry a docket number.

RURAL CELLULAR RADIO
SERVICE AREA
A market area not based on Metropolitan Statistical Areas which
under existing rules applicants may propose to provide with
cellular service, as long as the proposed area does not exceed
2,000 square miles.

SATELLITE
A radio relay station that orbits earth. A satellite
communications system also includes earth stations which
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 CATV program material.

SATELLITE CARRIER
An entity that owns or leases the facilities of a satellite or
satellite service to establish and operate a channel of
communications for point-to-multipoint distribution of
television station signals.

SATELLITE DISH
A kind of antenna used to pick up transmissions broadcast from a
satellite.

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

SCRAMBLER
A device that electronically alters a program signal so that it
can be seen only by persons, typically paid subscribers, with
appropriate decoding devices.

SHORTWAVE STATION
A broadcast station that transmits on frequencies of 6-25
megahertz. These waves are shorter than those sent out by AM
stations but longer than those of the Very-High frequency FM
radio and television stations.

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE ROUND AUCTION
An auction in which many licenses are put up for auction at the
same time. Bidders have the opportunity to top the high bids
from the previous round. The auction ends when no bidders are
willing to top the bidders from the previous rounds on any of
the licenses.

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

SPECIAL EMERGENCY RADIO (SERS)
A Private Land Mobile Radio Service employed by persons or
organizations engaged in emergency medical and rescue service,
health care, or similar activity.

SPECIALIZED COMMON CARRIER (SCC)
A company (other than the telephone company) that provides
point-to-point communications service on a common carrier basis.
For example, point-to-point services are used to connect points
on the telephone network that normally cannot be connected using
standard wire line or fiber optic because of terrain.

SPECIALIZED MOBILE RADIO (SMR)
A private, two-way radio system providing land mobile
communications service to eligible persons on a commercial
basis. Typical SMR customers using dispatch communications
include construction companies with several trucks at different
jobs or on the road, with a dispatch operation in a central
office.

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

SPECTRUM AUCTION
A public sale of spectrum space in which the price is increased
by bids until the highest bidder becomes the purchaser. The U.S.
Treasury receives all profits from the FCC spectrum auctions.
(See Spectrum)

SPECTRUM ALLOCATION/MANAGEMENT
The assignment of available spectrum space; the coordination of
spectrum used to maximize efficiency and to prevent
interference.

SPURIOUS EMISSION
Any signal or part of a signal which appears outside of the
bandwidth authorized for that signal.

SUBCARRIER
An inaudible portion of the broadcast signal that is added to
the program signal of FM or TV sound and can be used for either
broadcast or non-broadcast purposes. Uses include stereo sound,
augmented audio for the blind, bilingual programming and paging.

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.

SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION (STV)
A special service providing additional programs in encoded form
to television viewers who pay a monthly rate. Devices that
attach to the subscriber's set are able to decipher transmitted
signals that have been scrambled.

SUNSHINE NOTICE/PERIOD
A Public Notice is released seven calendar days before an Open
or Closed Commission Meeting, announcing the day and time of the
meeting, and listing each item to be considered. The Sunshine
Notice is printed in the Federal Register after it is released
to the public. The Sunshine Period runs from the time a public
notice placing an item on the Sunshine Agenda is released until
the text of the decision is issued or a public notice is
released stating that the matter has been deleted from the
Sunshine Agenda or returned for further consideration.
Presentations to decision-making personnel and discussions of
the item are generally prohibited during the Sunshine Period.

SUPERSTATION
A television broadcast station, other than a network station,
licensed by the FCC that is secondarily transmitted by a
satellite carrier.

SURFING
A slang term used to describe switching a television from
channel to channel in a continuous order with a remote control.
Also used to describe the process of scanning entries on the
Internet.

SYNDICATED EXCLUSIVITY
(SYNDEX) RULE
This rule requires cable systems carrying distant signals to
black out syndicated programming (usually on superstations) for
which a local broadcaster owns exclusive rights. (See "Black
Out")

TARIFF
A statement by a communications company that sets forth the
services offered by that company, and the rates, terms and
conditions for the use of those services.

TIME DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCESS/TDMA
CODE DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCESS/CDMA
These terms are used to describe multiple access systems. For
example, CDMA is a method of spreading spectrum transmission for
digital wireless personal communications networks that allows a
large number of users simultaneously to access a single radio
frequency band without interference. TDMA is a method of digital
transmission for wireless telecommunications systems that allows
a large number of users simultaneously to access a single radio
frequency band without interference.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals,
writing, images, sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire,
radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.

TELECONFERENCING
The use of audio, video, or computer equipment brought together
through a communications system to permit geographically
separated individuals to participate in a meeting or discussion.

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

TELETEXT
Textual and graphic information broadcast in the vertical
blanking interval between conventional video frames in
television signals. It requires a special adapter.

TELETYPEWRITER EXCHANGE SERVICE (TWX)
A dial-up worldwide telegraph service (similar to telex, but
operating at different transmission speeds, and with a different
code) used in the United States and Canada. It enables
subscribers to send each other printed messages.

TELEVISION RECEIVE ONLY EARTH STATION (TVRO)
Earth station equipment that receives video signals from
satellite or MDS-type transmissions. Such stations have only
receiving capability and need not be licensed by the FCC unless
the owner wants protection from interference. Authority for
reception and use of material transmitted must be given by the
sender.

TELEX SERVICE
A public switched service in which teletypewriter stations are
provided with lines to a central office for access to other
stations.

TEXT TELEPHONE (TT)
A machine that employs graphic communication in the transmission
of coded signals through a wire or radio communication system
for non-vocal communication.

TIER
Levels of cable television service providing selected channels.

TRANSLATOR
A television or FM broadcast station, operating at relatively
low power, that receives a corresponding television or FM signal
on one channel, amplifies it, and retransmits it on another
channel.

TRANSPONDER
The device in a communications satellite that receives signals,
translates and amplifies them on another frequency, and
retransmits them.

TWISTED PAIR
This is the term used to describe the traditional copper cable
that is used for short distance communications.

TWO-WAY CABLE TV CAPABILITY
Interactive services offered by cable systems, for example, home
shopping, banking and polling services.

ULTRA HIGH FREQUENCY (UHF)
The part of the radio spectrum from 300 to 3000 megahertz which
includes TV channels 14-83, as well as many land mobile and
satellite services.

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

UNIFORMED RESOURCE LOCATOR (URL)
The standard way to give the address of any resource that is on
the Internet and is part of the World Wide Web. For example, the
FCC's URL is http://www.fcc.gov

UNIVERSAL SERVICE
This term describes the financial support mechanisms that
constitute a universal fund which helps compensate telephone
companies or other communication entities for providing access
to telecommunications services at reasonable and affordable
rates throughout the country, including rural, insular, and high
cost areas, and to public institutions.

UPLINK
The signal that carries information from an earth station source
up to a satellite.

UPLOAD
To send a text file or software program via telecommunications
to another computer (See Download).

USENET GROUPS
Usenet groups are also known as newsgroups, or discussion
groups. Users exchange information generally provided in a "chat
room."

USER NAME
A short name (with no spaces allowed) unique to you on your
Internet access provider's system. Sometimes these are assigned
and sometimes you can select your own. The user name, or ID,
followed by your site address, becomes your e-mail address. For
example, if Ben Franklin had an account at world.std.com and he
chose a user name of bfranklin, his e-mail address would be
bfranklin@world.std.com.

VALUE ADDED NETWORK (VAN)
A national (or international) enhanced network that is designed
expressly to carry data communications. VANs provide special
services to their customers, such as access to databases.

VERTICAL BLANKING
INTERVAL (VBI)
The period of time between television pictures, which is visible
as a black bar when the picture rolls. The VBI contains signals
that allow receivers to keep the picture stable and has
additional signal capacity that can be used to carry closed
captioning information, test, cue and control signals, and other
data services.

VERTICAL INTEGRATION
The involvement of cable systems in other links of the video
distribution chain, such as program production and supply.

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.

VHF DROP-INS
Full power VHF TV stations that may be squeezed into locations
that do not comply with the FCC's spacing requirements.

VIDEODISC
A phonograph record-type disc that displays recorded video
information when played on an attachment to a television set.

VIDEOTEXT
An interactive service connecting a TV set and text or video
recorder to acentral computer by phone lines or cable TV. The
computer provides textual information on demand and
transactional services.

VIRTUAL REALITY
A computer simulation usually experienced through headgear,
goggles and sensory gloves that allows the user to experience
being present in a computer generated environment, and to
interact with the images being displayed there.

VOICE CARRY OVER (VCO)
A reduced form of TRS where the person with the hearing
disability speaks directly to the other end user. The
Communications Assistant then types the response back to the
person with the hearing disability. The Communications Assistant
does not voice the conversation.

WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN)
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN)
The term WAN is used to describe a data network used to
interconnect a companies' remote sites, or widely-dispersed
computer equipment. The term LAN is used to describe a local
data network, one that is used to interconnect the computer
equipment of a commercial user.

WAVELENGTH
The length of one complete wave of an alternating or vibrating
phenomenon, generally measured from crest to crest or from
trough to trough of successive waves.

WIDE AREA TELECOMMUNICATIONS/
TELEPHONE SERVICE (WATS)
Discount long-distance service offered to high-volume customers
on a subscription basis.

WIRELESS CABLE/MULTIPOINT DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) is defined as a medium of
mass communications. It may be licensed as a common carrier
where non-affiliated programmers, usually pursuant to a tariff
on file with FCC, lease time from the MDS licensee to "air" its
programming. Alternatively, a licensee may choose to operate as
a non-common carrier and program its own facility of lease
transmission time to an affiliated programmer without the
requirement of filing a tariff. Unlike conventional broadcast
stations whose transmissions are received universally, MDS
programming is designed to reach only those who have opted to
subscribe to the service.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
Any broadcast or transmission which can be received through
microwave or radio frequencies without the use of a cable
connection for reception.

WORLD WIDE WEB (WWW)
Created in Switzerland, WWW is client/server software. It uses
the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) to exchange documents and
images. The FCC is on the "web," along with most government
agencies, the White House, and the Library of Congress. To reach
the FCC's world wide web page, and to access its material,
here's the address: FCC@gov.com

----------
End of Document





-- 
TNET Mail-To-News Gateway Version - 1.6
For information about this gateway email programs@tnet.com