|
A B C D
E F G H I
K L M N O
P R S T U
V W
0+
Calls - Call
placed by dialing, followed by the area code and telephone number.
0++
Calls - Call
placed by dialing, followed by the area code and telephone number, and calling
card number.
0+-
Calls - Dial
0, followed by the area code and telephone number, then waiting for the
operator.
0-
Calls - Calls
placed by dialing 0 only, and then waiting for the operator to respond.
1+
Calls - Direct
dialed long distance calls, where the caller dials 1, followed by area code and
telephone number.
10XXX
- Long
distance equal access code implemented in nearly all LECs.
Allows the caller to reach the IXC of choice by dialing their three digit
code (i.e, MCI is 10222, AT&T is 10288) The caller then dials a 1 or 0 to
place the type of call he chooses.
211 Call - Automatically programmed in a payphone-dialing 211 will
direct your call to repair.
66
Block - A
type of interconnection block with connectors on each side.
Used to interconnect two telecommunications facilities or devices.
(i.e, one side may be used for the CO trucks, while the other side
connects to the PBX.)
800
/ 888 Number - Special
area code reserved for companies and / or residences to use for toll-free
inbound calls.
900
/ 976 / 540 Numbers - Dial
sequences accessing information or conference services on pay-per-call basis.
The first three digits (900,976, or 540) to identify the type of service
AC
Powered - A
device (i.e. payphone) powered with standard alternating current ( usually 110
volts AC). Compare with line powered.
Access Charge - Cost associated with connecting to a network. Local
Exchange Carriers (LECs) collect access charges from both customers and long
distance companies.
Access
Codes - Special
dialing sequences used to access carriers or special TELCO services (i.e, most
common 800, 950, and 10XXX.
Access
Code - A
five (5) digit code that allows you to reach your long distance carrier if the
phone you are calling from is PIC'ed to another long distance carrier.
Access System - All necessary equipment, lines, computer controls and
signaling required to access a network.
Access
Transport Fees - Fees
charged by LEC to transport a call from the long distance caller to the IXC POP
or from the IXC POP to the called party. One of numerous components processing
charges that, when added together, make up a long distance charge.
Access
Line - Public
telecommunications line that continuously connects an instrument to a switching
station. refer
to Public Access Telephone Service (P.A.T.S.)
Acoustic
Coupler - A
special type of modem that permits a standard telephone headset to attached to a
terminal, allowing transmission of data.
Aggregator
- Per
FCC a person that, in the course of operations, makes telephones available to
the public or to transient users of its premises, for interstate telephone calls
using a provider of operator services.
Aggregator,
"Call" - Aggregators
resell long distance services by combining traffic from all of their clients
under one master account with an IXC to secure a lower rate {cost} (hopefully
savings are passed through to customers). Usually
they will provide telecom equipment in addition to reselling services.
Call aggregators let IXCs handle billing
Aggregator,
"Traffic"
- Aggregators reselling long distance services by combining traffic from all
of their clients under one master account with an IXC to secure a lower rate
{cost} (with savings hopefully passed on to customers).
Traffic aggregators will handle their own billing.
Allocation Area (AA) - Designated by the FCC, an AA is used to assign a
long distance company to those who do not choose. Allocations are usually based
on existing market shares of the equal access carriers in that calling area.
Alternate
Operator Services ( AOS ) -
Services provided by a specialty firm, in lieu of
LECs or IXCs. Some AOS
companies provide services that may not be available from LEC or IXC, such as
billing to commercial credit cards, foreign language operators, store and
forward messaging, information services, ad conference calling.
APCC (American Public Communications Council Inc.) -
the National Trade Association of more than 1,800 independent
(non-telephone company) providers of pay telephone equipment and services.
APCC's purpose is to promote fair competition and high standards of service in
the payphone and public communications market.
ADA
( American With Disabilities Act ) - Federal
law (1991) created to assist public accommodations and public services for
individuals with a disability. Telecommunication
companies, payphone operators or other aggregators have modified their equipment
sites for compliance.
ANI ii - Widely used technology that sends a two-digit code along with
the origination telephone number to the receiving carrier. The transmitted ANI
ii codes, hard-wired as part of the switch's generic software, identify as
"27" if the call is from a dumb payphone or "07" for a
restricted line which includes smart payphone as well as other types of
facilities, such as hotel, motel, universities and others.
Answer
Detection - Ability
of CPE to determine if and when a call has been answered, independently of the
public network. Answer detection is
critical internal store and forward devise available as a stand-alone system for
connection to PBXs.
Answer
Supervision - Network
call status signals passed from terminating CO to the originating CO that give
the status of a call. Signals are
available only to LECs, IXCs and other switches on the network.
Privately owned devises or CPE must provide their own circuity to
determine the status of a call.
Anti-drill
plate - A
steel plate that is placed between the coin return and the coin box to prevent
vandals from easily accessing the coin box.
Anti-stuffing
Device - (refer
to "coin return")
Area Code - As part of the North American Numbering Plan, area codes
designate a certain area within a state for geographical call routing. The
official telecommunications term is NPA or Numbering Plan Area.
Armored
Cable - A
Stainless steel, spring wound handset cord that resists vandalism (It houses the
lanyard of handset).
Authorization Code - Extra digits dialed to identify a customer.
Authorization codes are required for services where the calling number cannot be
billed, such as in travel services. Many long distance services originate calls
in a manner that doesn't allow for automatic number identification, so customer
identification by an authorization is required. Additionally, the code acts as a
security check against unauthorized use.
AOS
( Automated Operator Services ) - Capability
to automatically complete calls (previously handled by live operators), such as
calling card, collect and third party billing calls.
AOS systems are widely used in CO switches.
Automated Operator - This technology eliminates the need for a live
operator for certain types of calls. Automated calling cards record the digits
to bill from the telephone keypad. Automated collect calls record the caller's
name, play it to the person called, and wait for acknowledgment of acceptance.
Automated Number Identification (ANI) - With this technology, the
local exchange carrier provides a long distance carrier with the caller's
telephone number as a means of identification. No extra digits are necessary for
caller identification.
ANI
( Automatic Number Identification ) - Provides
the originating caller's telephone number to the terminating CO or carrier
network equipment.
Backboard
- Predrilled
wood, metal, fiberglass mounting template used for rapid installs of payphones
in most environment.
Band
- Service
Area. Mileage or a distance measurement range over which various rates are in
effect. (refer
to Rate Center)
Base
Rates - Generally
means "Day" rate ( normally
8:00 am to 5:00 pm ) weekdays cost structure upon which
"off-peak" periods
( evenings and night/weekend ) rates are determined by discounting.
BOC
( Bell Operating Company ) -
Local
Bell operating companies formed in the 1984 divestiture of
AT&T. The twenty-two
(22) BOC's operate under the seven (7) Regional Bell Operating Companies
(RBOC's).
Billed
Number Screening - Service
provided by carriers that prevent specific call types from being billed to a
subscriber's number. Not always
100% effective, due to the number of interfaces.
Billed Party Preference (BPP) - A technology that enables the caller
to select a carrier when placing a call from any telephone. The billed party's
primary interexchange carrier for the account is determined when a caller dials
calling card digits or places a collect call. The call is then placed over that
carrier.
Blocking - A process that prevents certain types of calls to be
made to or from customer premise equipment, keeping users from accessing
alternate networks or completing any non-billable calls. This is most common in
Operator Services, where the payphone owner blocks access to other networks
which would yield no revenue.
Blue
Grommet - Rubber
collar that acts as a strain relief between the handset and lanyard.
The "blue" color identifies a handset that complies with hearing
aid compatible ADA
standards.
Bong
Tone - The
distinctive tone generated by CPE or CO equipment to prompt the caller to enter
his calling card number
Butt
Set - Specialized
telephone set used by technicians to check lines, make test calls, diagnose
lines, etc.
Cadence
Detection - An
answer detection technique whereby the devise detects a break in the ring back
signal cadence ( 2 seconds of ring back signal, 4 seconds of silence) and
assumes that ringing has stopped because the call was answered.
CPA - Acronym for the California Payphone Association.
CAS
( Call Accounting System ) - A
systems attached to a telephone systems to gather information about telephone
calls and produce management reports or
transmit data the information to other systems.
There are specialized systems for different industries and applications.
CIC (Carrier Information Code) - The 10XXX or 10XXXX to
enable company code dialing to the carrier of choice.
Call Detail - A listing of individuals times, changes, and numbers on
a customer's invoice or statement. Some companies provide call detail, and some
provide only summary information.
Call
Processing System - Multiple
call automated processes such as: message delivery, store-and-forward, automated
collect, dialed number screening and interconnection with other CPE systems.
Calling
Card - Cards
issued by LEX's and IXC's that are used by subscribers to route telephone calls
to the carrier.
Calling Card Call (CCC) - Calls placed and billed to a local or long
distance credit card. The caller can dial the credit card digits or verbally
transmit them to an operator-the latter being more expensive. A billing database
validates the credit card digits and the PIN (personal identification number),
making sure they correspond.
Card
Reader - An
electronic mechanism that converts information recorded on a credit card's
magnetic stripe into data understood by a microprocessor.
Carrier - Originally used for a long distance company that leases the
facilities to carry a call, the term i s now used to describe companies that
resell other services without leasing facilities. Generally, a carrier is the
company who bills for calls under its own name.
Carrier Common Line Charge - A per minute charge paid by a long
distance carriers for the maintenance or the local poles and wires necessary to
access a customer.
Casual Calling - A phrase referring to dialing 10-XXX to place a
call over an alternate carrier that may not have the capability to bill the
call. This is usually associated with unauthorized call where the carrier
receives Automatic Number Identification but lacks a means to direct a bill to a
physical customer location.
Central
Office
(CO) - The
telephone company facility to which subscriber lines are connected.
Also, where centralized switching equipment and outside plant where calls
are switched over the local network or onto a long distance carrier's network.
Chute
extension - A
devise inside of the payphone that guides the coin(s) down into the coin return.
( a.k.a.: "chute return assembly")
CIC
(Carrier Identification Code) - The
three (3) digit code used to identify long distance companies.
Coin
Box - Steel
box which sits inside the payphone. It
houses the coins until they are collected by payphone operator / owner.
(a.k.a.: "coin receptacle / coin cover")
Coin Line - A central office line which provides call rating, coin
supervision , routing and answer detect. Most often used with a dumb payphone.
Coin
Mechanism - A
mechanical or electronic devise that accepts, rejects, routes and verifies
coinage denomination in payphones.
COPT
(Coin-Operated Pay Telephone) - The
CO line used to connect smart payphones to the public network.
Also called a Public Access Line (PAL) [
refer to PATS ]. Often confused with "coin line", refer to
definition.
Coin
Relay and Hopper Assembly - The
hopper, located inside of payphone, holds coins in a compartment; the relay is
used to mechanically "fire" the coins into the coin box or out the
coin return ( the electronic signal to fire or not fire is given by the
motherboard of the payphone).
Coin
Return -
Money that is returned to a user sits at the bottom of the payphone in the
coin return. Coins returns have flapped doors to prevent coin return dry and
help prevent fraud. Coin returns
also sometimes have cutter bars to prevent fraud (a.k.a. anti-stuffing devise)
Coin
Signaling Devise / Unit (Trigger Switch) - A
unit inside of a payphone that recognizes nickels, dimes, and quarters and
reports them to the motherboard.
Collect Call - For a collect call, the called party accepts the
charges. This is done through a live operator or is automated, where the
caller's voice is recorded and played to the person called.
Common Carrier - Any long distance company sharing the local network
with other long distance companies.
Company-Code Dialing - Dialing the access code for the carrier
you wish to use before you dial the phone number of the person you wish to call.
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) - A facilities based or a
reseller of services provided by the Local Exchange Carrier.
CACD (Commission Advisory and Compliance Division) - of
the California Public Utilities Commissions.
CLC (Competitive Local Carriers) - a common carrier who is
issues a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPNC) to provide local
exchange telecommunications service for a geographic area specified by such
carrier.
COCOT (Customer-Owned, Coin-Operated Telephone) - Privately
owned payphones, not belonging to the LEC.
COPT
(Customer-Owned Pay Telephone) - Acronym also used to refer to the private
payphone operator vendor that own and mange a payphone route (refer
COCOT)
Customer Premises Equipment - Equipment on the customer's premises
that is leased from the telephone company or owned by the customer. (Also known
as customer provided equipment.)
Debit Card - A card that automatically deducts charges from you
checking or other established account. There is no credit involved with using a
debit card. When you use the debit card, funds are transferred from you
established account to the account of the supplier.
Demarc - The demarcation point between the wiring that you local
telephone company and the wiring you install to connect you own telephone.
Deregulation - Changes ordered by state and federal regulators and the
courts to introduce competition into the telecommunications industry.
Dial-Around
- When
using a payphone the customer "dials around" a PIC'ed carrier by using
an access code.
Dialer - A device that automatically dials pre-programmed numbers to
complete a call or to gain access to a network. Dialers are used by long
distance resellers and other carriers who whish to capture intraLATA traffic.
When a dialer hears a 1 before a number, it pulses access numbers and
authorization codes. While pulsing the access codes, the dialer stores the
digits being dialed. It the releases the called called digits to the switch for
screening.
DDD
(Direct Distance Dial)
- Any
long distance carrier's basic you-dial-it long distance service, without the use
of an operator.
Divestiture - The landmark event in the telecommunications industry,
divesture occurred when AT&T divested itself of its local service operations
on January 1, 1984. At this time, seven Regional Holding Companies (RHCs) were
formed to won and operate the 22 local Bell Operating Companies. AT&T
retained the long distance service and the equipment manufacturing unit. The
Divestiture decree, called the Modified Final Judgment, set the framework for
the future of the entire industry.
Domestic Calling - Calls originating and terminating within the United
States mainland, Alaska and Hawaii. Call Originating domestically and
terminating in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also included.
DTMF
(Dual-Tone Multifrequency) - Tones
generated by modern telephones to signal CO's and communicate with a wide
variety of devises. Each key on the
keypad causes two discrete tones to be generated.
(Touch-Tone,
an AT&T trademark now in common usage)
Dumb
Phone - A
telephone with no internal logic (motherboard) that requires that it must be
connected to a PBX or CO switch to function.
ESS
(Electronic Switching System) - Common
switching system used in most modern central offices (CO's).
Usually refers to the AT&T #5 ESS, although also used in a generic
manner.
End
Office - The
CO to which a subscriber is connected.
Enhanced
Services - Peripheral
or value-added services linked to a base network or service.
i.e.) message forwarding, voice mail etc.
Equal Access - Policy through which local telephone companies must
provide network facilities that are equal in quality, type, and price to all
long-distance companies.
Exchange - A group of area codes and prefixes which make up a local
calling area.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - Established by the
Communications Act of 1934 and part of the Executive Branch, this federal agency
is responsible for regulating interstate telecommunications, television and
radio. The FCC is directly responsible for overseeing AT&T and the Regional
Holding Companies.
Fee-Based Services - Services which offer a reduced per minute charge
in exchange for monthly service fee.
Fiber Optics - The concept or method of using a laser to transmit
infrared and visible light frequencies through a low-gloss glass fiber. The most
economical means of transporting a call.
Flat Rate - Local service for which customers pay a regular monthly
charge for unlimited calls within a local area.
Flex ANI - A switch software feature which enables the transmission of
additional coding digits with a call that can identify calls as coming from a
payphone. Flex ANI codes are generated from the end office and are out-pulsed
with the call.
Gateway
- Entry
point or connection to a system or network (i.e. calling card validation
services, are companies approved to attach to the public switched network common
channel (SS7) and provide special services.
Individual companies needing such services cannot directly access the
common channel (SS7) and must go through a gateway
Grace
Period - Amount
of time subtracted from a call's duration, to account for inaccuracies in timing
of calls ( used by hotels, etc.)
Ground Start - A method to signal the CO that the calling party has
gone off-hook. A telephone line can either ground start or loop start.
Ground
- Reference
point selected to represent zero
voltage levels or to serve as the common electrical return path for all
circuitry within a system.
Hand Set - The part of the telephone unit that contains the receiver
and the microphone.
Hardwired
- Two
(2) pieces of equipment communicate with one another via a dedicated circuit or
through a wire to which both are directly connected.
Hearing
Aid Compatible - Payphone
handsets that can be used with inductively coupled hearing aid devises.
Identified by "blue" grommet.
Holdback
- The
percentage of the net revenue generated, which is held by the operator service
provider (OSP) for uncollectibles and fraud.
Hook
Flash - Brief
interruption in a call to signal the CO for special features (i.e.
call waiting or call transfer)
IRD - The Implemented Rate Design decision 94-09-065 was issued
September, 1994. This decision provided for intraLATA toll competition effective
January 1, 1995.
ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) - New
architecture for the public switched network, based on digital technology, from
the CO switches to the subscriber telephones.
Provides faster switching due to out-of-band control signaling and
increased user options.
IXC
(Interexchange Carrier) - A
common carrier that only carries traffic between Telco and does not offer direct
subscriber connections. The
accurate name for long distance companies ( i.e. MCI,
AT&T, Sprint, etc. are IXC's)
Independent Telephone Company - Any of over 1,400 local telephone
companies that serves a local area not covered by Bell Operating Companies..
Each has a unique sophistication and service offering. The best know are United
Telecom, GTE and Rochester Telephone.
Inside Wire - Wiring in a building that connects
phone jacks to outside phone links; it is the customer's responsibility to
maintain and repair inside wire.
Interexchange
Carrier (IXC) - A common carrier for handling traffic between LATA's.
Although a carrier may carry intraLATA calls, the term interexchange carrier us
usually associated with interLATA calls.
Interface
- Shared
boundary defined by common physical and electrical interconnection
characteristics.
InterLATA
Calling - Calls from one LATA to another.
International
Calling - Calls originating in the U.S. and terminating in foreign
Countries, including Canada and Mexico. Calls from the U.S. to Puerto Rico and
the U.S. Virgin Islands are considered domestic calling.
International
Direct Distance Dialing (IDD) - The dialing pattern by which International
calls are made. The Pattern included the country code, city code and the local
telephone number.
Interstate
Calling - Calls from one state to another, regulated by the FCC and
considered very competitive.
IntraLATA
Calling - Calls made between two points within a single LATA.
Intrastate
Calling - Calls made between two points within a state, and governed by
appropriated state agency, usually a Public Service Commission. State rules
concerning intrastate calls differ from allowing no competition to permitting
limited competition, to having no regulation at all.
Keypad
Assembly - The
keypad is mounted in the unit dial. Its
function is to create DTMF signaling from the phone to the CO.
The CO is reached because the keypad "breaks" the dial tone to
call the CO. ( a.k.a.
touch call unit )
Lanyard
- The
reinforced steel running through the armored cable of a handset.
It securely connects the handset to the payphone case.
Letter
of Agency (LOA)
- Legal authority from subscriber
to a third party allowing them to act on the third party's behalf regarding
matters involving the LEC and / or IXC's.
Line
Circuit - Subscriber
line interface in the CO switch.
Line
Information Database (LIDB)
- The billing number validation database developed by the BOCs.
Line
Powered
- Telephone equipment that is powered solely by the CO talk battery supplied
from a Co as in a standard phone line.
Line
Speed - Maximum
transmission capacity of a line, expressed in bits per second or baud
Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD)
- Computer driven alphanumeric display used on some telephones to display
dialed numbers and other dialing instructions and information.
Local
Access and Transport Area (LATA) - Any area where a local exchange carrier
provides local and intraLATA service, and access to interexchange carriers for
interLATA service. The Department of Justice creates LATAs at Divestiture in
order to "even-out" the local calling areas served by the AT&T monopoly
were not designated as LATAs, but are usually included in LATA lists.
Local
Area Network (LAN) - Networks make sharing of data and equipment resources
possible by connecting computers and other data devices to a single host. LANs
can be very economical and efficient in a multi-user environment.
Local
Exchange Carrier
(LEC) - A company owning and operating the lines and equipment that provide
local service to an area. The local exchange carrier could be one of 1,400
companies that provide local services, including the Bell Operating Companies,
GTE, United Telephone of Rochester Telephone. State agencies regulate local
exchange carriers very closely by monitoring revenues, costs, quality standards
and every other aspect of their business. The local exchange carrier maintains
the local network for the use of the customer, and for the use of the long
distance carrier to access the customer.
Local
Loop -
The physical wiring that runs from the subscriber's telephone to the
telephone company's central office.
Local Number Portability (LNP) - The
ability of an end user to retain its telephone number when the end-user changes
LECs while remaining in the same physical location.
Long Distance Switching (LDS) - A
technology which receives information fro a local exchange carrier and selects a
terminating route based on that information. Switching equipment makes decisions
from screening digits and continuous monitoring of available circuits.
Loop
Start
-
With loop start, you "start" (seize) a phone line by
bridging through both wires of your telephone line.
Lower
Housing
- Bottom half of the casing for a payphone.
It contains the coin mechanism, coin signaling unit, coin relay &
hopper and coin return
Measured
Service
- Network
service that is billed by the time and/or distance involved in setting up and
maintaining service.
Message
Delivery
- If a call is not completed; some carriers, OSP's and AOS providers are
offering a service that allows the caller to record a message that will then be
delivered automatically, at a later time, to the called party usually for a set
price.
Message
Detail Recording (MDR) - A technology where information on each call is
recorded. This includes billing information, the calling and called numbers and
call duration.
Message
Telecommunications Service (MTS)- A pricing mechanism used for the pricing
of toll calls.
Minimum
Average Time Requirement (MATR) - With this method of billing a minimum
duration is billed regardless of whether the call actually lasts that long.
Signaling and distance carriers require the average duration to be a
minimum amount, and bill that amount if the actual average is below that
minimum.
Minimum
Point of Entry (MPOE) - The demarc will be placed for PSP pay telephones,
usually located where existing telephone services enters into a building and or
location.
Modem
- A devise which converts serial digital data from a transmitting terminal
to s signal suitable for transmission over a telephone channel, and then
reconverts the signal to serial digital data for the receiving terminal.
Modular
Plug - A
series of connecting devises adopted by the FCC as the standard interface
between telephone and data equipment and the public network.
Most common are the RJ-11 (single line ) and the RJ-31 (series line)
units.
Motherboard
- Primary circuit board. Add-on or daughterboards are then attached to or
plugged into the motherboard to provide additional capabilities.
Multiplexer
(MUX) - For the purpose of transmitting simultaneous conversations over the
same circuit, this devise connects several lines or facilities into a single
pattern.
Noise
- Any signal that produces undesirable sound on a communication channel.
Major sources include thermal, microwave fading, electrical interface,
cross talk, and electrical-mechanical impulses.
Non-sent
Paid - Calls
made as third party billings, with a Calling Card, or as reversed charges.
North
American Dialing Plan (NADP) - A numbering system that manages numbering
requirements. The numbering plan included, among other things, an area code
(NPA), an exchange code (NXX), and a station code (XXXX), to form a ten-digit
telephone number. While NADP is used in North America where it is administered
by Bellcore, other countries use their own methods for identifying customers and
routing calls.
Numbering
Plan Area (NPA)
- The area code portion of a telephone number.
OANAD
- Acronym for Open Access Network Architecture Development.
Off-Hook
- the
receiver is lifted off the cradle, completing a connection.
On-Hook
- the action of placing the receiver on the cradle, breaking the connection.
Operator
Assisted Calling - Any call where an operator, live or automated, is
necessary to manage call connection and billing. To insure proper billing,
collect, third party billed, and person to person are usually operator assisted.
Credit card calls where the customer dials without an operator are classified
under the term Operator Services. This is due to the additional charges and not
operator assistance.
Operator
Services Provider (OSP)
- A long distance carrier that provides live or automated operators to
assist callers with placing certain calls. Most regulatory agencies classify
operator services into two types: traditional operator service providers and
alternative operator service providers.
Option
Calling Plan - This billing option for regular long distance has the
potential to reduce cost through a fixed monthly fee in exchange for reduced per
minute changes. There is a break even point for analysis of these services.
PAL
- Acronym for Public Access Line, to be used with a payphone.
Part
68 Requirements
- Specifications established by the FCC as the minimum acceptable protection
communications equipment must provide the telephone network (refer to
registration number).
Payphone
Operator
- An individual or company (private or public) that own payphones.
Payphone
Slug - A
worthless metal disk used by a payphone customer to attempt to defraud the
payphone.
Pay
Station Service Charge (PSSC) - Implemented pursuant to commission decision
90-06-018, dated June 6, 1990, for the pay telephone investigation (I)
88-04-029. The PSSC was applicable to non-coin intraLATA calls placed from a pay
telephone. The PSSC was designed to require end-users to compensate payphone
providers for the use of their equipment to complete non-sent paid
intraLATA calls.
Pedestal
- Payphone installation equipment used
when the payphone is freestanding
Permissive
Dialing - In the introduction of a new area code, permissive dialing refers
to the temporarily use of both original and new area code during a specific
period of time.
Person-to-Person
- An operator-assisted call in which the caller specifies a particular
person, extension, etc. to speak with. (The highest cost of any long distance
service offered.)
Point
of Presence (POP)
- The location where LECs connect with an IXC.
Port
- The access point in a computer or switching system where the system is
capable of exchanging data with external devises.
Pound
Sign (#) Redial
- A commonly used feature offered by Telco's and AOS that allow the caller
to make subsequent calls, without having to reenter their calling card number,
by depressing the "#" key at the conclusion of a calling card
initiated call.
Preferred
Inter-Exchange
Carrier (PIC)
- The IXC pre-subscribed to a subscriber's telephone line.
Common usage is to say. . ." The line is PIC'ed to a carrier."
(refer to pre-subscription)
Prefix
- Digits 4 through 6 of the telephone number. The prefix is also referred to
as the NXX, a reference to its dialing format. A prefix is also called a CO
code.
Prepaid
Cards - A
prepaid card is created with a certain dollar amount (example $10.00).
The purchaser buys the card for $10.00 and when he/she makes a purchase,
the amount of the purchase is deducted, and soon, until the card has no value.
There are three (3) types of technology used in prepaid cards (i.)
magnetic stripe (ii.) optical stripe (iii.) smart cards. (NOTE:
Often incorrectly referred to as debit
cards.)
Pre-subscription
- A
local telephone company service that encourages each subscriber to select one
long-distance carrier to use without having to dial a multiple digit access code.
Primary
Inter-Exchange Carrier (PIC)- a term used to identify the long distance
carrier selected by an end-user to carry normally dialed 1+ calls. When an
end-user selects a carrier from a ballot, he/she is said to have subscribed or
pre-subscribed to a service. The PIC will then receive all interLATA calls
dialed on a 1+ basis.
Private
Branch Exchange (PBX)
- A
telephone switching system usually located on the premises of a business. PBX
encompasses a wide variety of equipment that can provide intra-premises
telephone service as well as access to public telephone networks.
Proprietary
Card - A
calling card ( i.e. AT&T, MCI, SPRINT, etc.) that can only be billed by the
issuer.
Public
Access Telephone Service (PATS)
- The CO line used to connect smart payphones to the public network.
Public
Service Commission (PSC)
- The state body that regulates and monitor the services of common carriers
within a state.
Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) - The state regulatory agency which regulates a
state's utilities, including intrastate telecommunications. Each state has its
own PUC.
Rate
or Rating - The process of calculating the price of a call by the appropriate
rate method for teh particular customer. Rating increments, such as whole minute
or six second increments, vary. The call may be rated with discounts, and it may
also be rated by time of day, by mileage, or as a flat rate service.
Rate
Center -
Specific geographic point used to determine mileage.
Each location in the US is assigned to a specific point, a Rate Center,
usually is a central point
in a specific geographic area.
Rate
Period - Generally refers to the day, evening and night periods when the
rate is affected. Most time of day sensitive services use a standard pattern
where daytime is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday; evening is 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday through Friday; and
nights is 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, 11 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and
all day Saturday.
Rate
Table - A
table of area codes and exchanges that determines rate for calls, taking into
account certain variable such (i.) geography (ii.) time of day (iii.) and ,
other discounts. Rate tables for
AOS systems may also include other information, such as codes to indicate the
relationship of a called location to the originating telephone or system (i.e.
interLATA or intraLATA) or billable exchange or non-billable exchange.
Regional Bell Operating Company
(RBOC)
- .One of seven companies formed to own and manage a portion of the 22 Bell
Operating Companies (BOCs). Geographical boundaries for the companies were set
in areas almost equal in the number of local access lines. At divestiture, these
seven companies received all but 23 percent of AT&T assets.
Registration
- A
procedure required by the FCC to certify that a manufacturer's equipment meets
certain standards for connection to the public switched network.
Registration
Number -
Approval
given to manufacturers of telephone equipment to certify that a particular
devise passes the tests defined in Part 68 of the FCC Rules.
Reseller
- A carrier that provides customers with customer service and billing. Being
non-facility. Due to large volumes, reseller connects customers to another
carrier's facility. Due to large volumes, reseller bill customers at rates below
what the underlying carrier offer to low volume users.
Rejection
Assembly & Linkage Arm
- The
assembly inside a payphone that has a rejection lever that works with the
linkage assembly in pressing against the side of the coin mechanism to push open
its hinged side. This allows stuck
coins to fall through to the coin return.
Remote
Access -
Ability
to place a call to a modem connected to a CPE system and then communicate with
it for the purpose of collecting data:
i.e billing records, sending information such as updates or upgrades for rate
tables and software, or running diagnostics.
Revenue
Sharing
- Business
arrangement wherein the payphone owner pays a percentage of the revenue from the
payphone to the site location owner.
Reverse
Battery
- Signal
provided by a CO indicating that some event has taken place (i.e. telephone is
answered). Represented as the momentary reversal of tip and ring connections.
Ring
Signal Tone
- The signal tone produced by the terminating CO to ring the called party's telephone.
Typically 105 volts AC, 20Hz, two seconds on, four seconds off.
This signal tone is not heard by the calling party ( refer to ring back
tone)
Ringer Equivalence Number
(REN)
- The
measure of the electric resistance that a phone devise places across a CO line,
in accordance with FCC Part 68 specifications.
( NOTE: This number is obtained from the manufacturer and is required on line order applications to obtain a new payphone line. )
Route
Management Software
- Software
system, generally IBM -compatible, that monitors repair, collection, fraud, and
non-sent paid calls. This system
allows the payphone route owner to better manage their business.
Security
Stud - Cylindrical
shaped metal finger that holds the door to the coin box open until the box is
removed for collection.
Sent-Paid
- Calls
charged to the originating number collected as coins in the payphone
Sidetone
- Sound
picked up by the speaker's own telephone transmitter and reproduced in his/her
receiver (i.e. the speaker's own voice). If sidetone is too loud, it causes the
speaker to talk more softly, which reduces the sound level for the listener.
Signaling
System 7 (SS&) - The designs efficient signaling method available, SS7
uses a single channel to carry signals for multiple circuits.
Single
Slot - Refers
to the current standard for coin phone construction, which utilizes one slot for
the deposit of all acceptable coins.
Slamming
- ILLEGAL
process of changing the pre-subscribed carrier designation on a telephone line
without the permission of the subscriber.
Smart
Card - One
of the three (3) types of prepaid calling cards used in payphones. The smart card
is a Micro chip based stored value
card. Unlike the magnetic strip pre
paid calling cards, the smart card has a stored value for use with payphones
with compatible equipment. It contains an integrated chip on which one can store
financial records, travel records, customer information, etc.
Smart
Phone - Telephones
with internal processors that replicate CO functions to enable them to process a
variety of call types without the assistance of the CO.
Special Information Tones
(SIT)
- A three-tone sequence preceding a telco interrupt message, i.e., "The
number you have dialed is no longer in service, please hang up and try
again."
Speed
Dialing
- Allows
users to call specific numbers by depressing a single, preprogrammed key, or
dialing a special shorter number, such as #1 rather than the full telephone
number.
Splashing
- Transfer
of a call from one OSP to another OSP. Splashing can be a problem if the OSP's
are located at a distance or direction from each other that increase the cost of
the call. Another problem occurs if
the receiving OSP can not determine the originating point of the call and cannot
accurately bill the call.
Station Message Detail Reporting
(SMDR)
- System
feature that produces a data record for each call processed by the system.
The SMDR record usually includes fields for time, date, call duration,
station number and destination number. (SMDR
record has a number of uses to include billing, reporting and traffic analysis.)
Station
Protector
- Devise
that short circuits harmful voltages to ground in the event of lighting strikes,
etc. on the phone line.
Store
and Forward
- Process
used by Smart Phones and call processing systems wherein the unit simulates a CO
in processing calling cards, collect, and third party billing calls.
The unit stores the billing information for later retrieval and then
dials and completes the call as a direct-dial call.
Supply
House - Regional
or national distributors and supplier that stocks replacement parts for a
specific and particular industry.
Switch
- A
devise for connecting a telephone to another telephone connected to the same
devise or a telephone to another line to make or receive a call.
This equipment is found in COs and PBXs.
Switching
System - The designs or make up of switch locations, circuit quantities,
access types and everything necessary to originate and terminate a call.
T-Wrench
- Special
wrench used to open the upper and lower housing of payphones
Tariff
- An official document describing a service, it rule and regulations,
and its rate information. A tariff is filled with a federal or state agency for
approval to offer certain services rates specified in the tariff.
TELCO
- A
local operating telephone company
Telecommunications Devise for the Deaf
(TDD)
- Device
that allows the deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to make telephone
calls. Essentially a TDD is a word
processor with a modem. (a.k.a. text telephones)
Third
Party Call
- Any
telephone call charged to a number other than that of the destination
Three-Way
Calling
- Capability
to add a third party ( from another location ) to a two-party call.
Time
and Charges
- When
placing a long distance call, you may ask an operator to call you back with the
length and cost of your conversation.
Toll
Fraud - Any
fraudulent action taken by a caller to avoid paying charges for a call, such as
using another's calling card number, using stolen cards, or "hacking"
into a PBX or other CPE and placing calls on outbound lines.
Touch
Tone - A
registered trademark of AT&T for DTMF signaling. Also
used in a generic sense.
Traffic
- Telecommunications service usage measured by calls or minutes. It
represents the amount of usage compared to the capacity of a facility..
Trunk
- A
telephone line that connects a CO to CPE such as a PBX
Twisted
Pair Cable
- Two
wires usually loosely spun around each other to help cancel out any induced
noise.
Underwriters Laboratory
(UL)
- A
non-governmental organization established to test electrical and electronic
equipment for compliance with national fire and safety codes.
Upper
Housing
- The
upper half of the casing for a payphone. It
usually houses the rejection assembly and linkage arm, the handset, and the
keypad assembly.
Usage
- The application of a network facility, measured by minute, by the call, or
by the hour.
Validation
- Process
of verifying that a calling card or credit card account is valid and thus it is
OK to process a call to be billed to that account.
Vault
Door - The
door that sits in front of the coin box, designed to prevent vandalism.
Vendor
- In
the telecommunications industry this
title identifies an individual or entity who or which provides private customer
owned pay telephones to location owners or agents. (Another
name for an independent payphone provider.)
Wink
- An
instantaneous "no voltage" condition as measured across a CO loop that
indicates that dial tone is about to be supplied to the circuit.
|
