Download gENERAL tERMS uSED IN TELECOM INDUSTRY

GLOSSARY - General Terms used in Telecom Industry
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A
A Number:
It is a Phone Number Originating a Call or Message. It is Identity of Source.
Also known as Calling Party or Point of Origin.
AIR: (acronym for Account Information and Refill)
It is Balance Inquiry and Top-Up Solution which works as Voucher
Management System (VOMS) as well as online charging platform.
ANI: (acronym for Automatic Number Identification)
It is a feature of a Telecom Networks which automatically determines the
origination telephone number for billing purposes. It also provides the receiver
of a telephone call with the number of the calling phone.
API: (acronym for Application Program Interfaces)
It is a collection of protocols, routines, and tools for developing software
applications. An API expresses a software component in regards to its inputs,
outputs, operations, and underlying types.
ARPU: (acronym for Average Revenue Per User)
It is a scale used mainly by Consumer Communications and Networking
Companies. It can be defined as the total Revenue generated divided by the
number of subscribers. It is a measure of the revenue generated by one
customer phone per unit time. In telecommunication, ARPU includes not only
the amount billed to the customer each month for usage, but also the revenue
generated from incoming calls, payable within the regulatory interconnection
system.
ASN.1: (acronym for Abstract Syntax Notation 1)
It is an ISO standard and notation that defines rules and structures for
representing, transmitting, encoding, and decoding of data
in
Telecommunication. The Rules enable representation of entities that are free
of machine-specific encoding techniques.
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Azimuth:
Azimuth is the angle between the north vector and the perpendicular
projection of the star down onto the horizon. Azimuth is typically measured in
degrees (°). Concept of Azimuth is used in astronomy, engineering,
navigation, mapping, mining and artillery.
B
B Number:
It is Phone Number Receiving the Call or Message. It is Identity of Destination.
Also known as Called Party or Endpoint.
BS: (acronym for Base Station)
A Base Station is a radio transceiver, including an antenna, used in a mobile
telecommunications network. The base station maintains communication
between the network and Subscribers through a radio link.
BSC: (acronym for Base Station Controller)
It is an equipment which controls and supervises a number of Base
Transceiver Stations (BTS). The BSC allocates radio resources to a mobile call
and do the handovers that are made between base stations under its control.
BSS: (acronym for Base Station Sub-System)
BSS is an equipment which is responsible for handling traffic and signaling
between a mobile phone and the network switching subsystem. The BSS
carries out allocation of radio channels to mobile phones, transcoding of
speech channels, paging, transmission and reception over the air interface as
well as many other tasks related to Radio Network.
BSS: (acronym for Business Support Systems)
These are the components that a Telecom Service Provider uses to run the
Business Operations towards customers. Along with Operations Support
Systems (OSS), they are used to maintain several end-to-end
telecommunication services.
BTS: (acronym for Base Transceiver Station)
It is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication between
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user equipment like Mobile phones and a Wireless Network. Though the term
BTS can be applicable to any of the wireless communication standards, it is
generally associated with mobile communication technologies.
Bypass:
Bypass is the tendency of Telecom users or Businesses to circumvent the
telephone company's local public switched services. Bypass can also be an
alternate circuit that is routed around an equipment or System Module.
C
CAMEL: (acronym for Customized Applications for Mobile-network Enhanced
Logic)
It is a set of standards Implemented on either a GSM or Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) network. The CAMEL architecture is
based on the Intelligent Network (IN) standards, and uses the CAMEL
Application Part (CAP) protocol.
CAP: (acronym for CAMEL Application Part)
It is a signaling protocol incorporated in the Intelligent Network (IN)
architecture. CAP is a Remote Operations Service Element (ROSE) user
protocol. CAP allows for the execution of carrier-grade, value added services
like unified messaging, prepaid, and fraud control in both GSM voice and GPRS
data networks.
CDMA: (acronym for Code Division Multiple Access)
It is a channel access method used by several radio communication
technologies. CDMA is an example of multiple access, where many
transmitters can send information simultaneously over a single
communication channel. This allows multiple users to share a band of
frequencies.
CDR: (acronym for Call Detail Record)
It is a record produced by a telephone exchange or other telecommunications
equipment that documents the details of a telephone call or other
communications transaction (e.g., text message) that passes through that
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facility or device.
CDR Analysis (Analytics):
These are techniques used to Analyze CDRs, finding different patterns to
identify and locate fraudsters in Telecom Industry. Once identified preventive
measures are taken to stop revenue loss and apprehend Fraudsters.
CLI: (acronym for Calling Line Identification)
It is a telephone service, that communicates a caller's number to the called
party's telephone set during the ringing signal, or when the call is being set
up but before it is answered.
CNI: (acronym for Calling Number Identification)
A telephone service that provides for subscribers the name and telephone
number of a caller, which appear on a display as the call is being received.
CRM: (acronym for Customer Relationship Management)
It is an approach to managing a company's relations with current and future
customers. It often involves using technology to automate, organize, and
synchronize areas like sales, marketing, customer service, and technical
support.
CSM: (acronym for Communications Services Management)
It is a set of Solutions which provide effective communications, optimization,
checking
and
management
service
across
multi-vendor
unified
Communications Environments.
CIMD: (acronym for Computer Interface to Message Distribution)
It is a proprietary short message service centre protocol developed by Nokia
for their SMSC (now: Nokia Networks).
CAMS: (acronym for CDR Analysis and Management System)
CAMS is a syndicated Passive Methodology for extensive CDR Analysis and
Management System.
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D
DID: (acronym for Direct Inward Dialing)
It is a service offered by phone companies that provides a block of telephone
numbers for calling into an Organization's Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
system via Providers own standard outside number.
DTMF: (acronym for Dual Tone Multiple Frequency)
It is an In-band telecommunication signaling system incorporating the voicefrequency band over telephone lines and between telephone equipment and
other communications devices and switching centers. Actually DTMF is the
generic term for Touch-Tone. Technically speaking a touch-tone® phone is
technically a DTMF generator that produces DTMF tones as one press the
buttons.
E
EDGE: (acronym for Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution)
EDGE is a digital mobile phone technology that offers enhanced data
transmission rates as a backward-compatible extension of GSM. EDGE is
considered a pre-3G radio technology. It was deployed on GSM networks
starting in 2003.
F
FAS: (acronym for False Answer Supervision)
False Answer Supervision refers to the scenario where the answer signal of a
call is altered to charge for non-conversational time. Generally the fraudster
will route the call to a recorded message that plays a ringing tone and then a
recording. This is done to keep the calling customer on the line and paying for
the call as long as possible.
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Fraudulent Number:
A Number which B-Party receives on its Phone instead of the original calling
party is the Fraudulent Number. Fraudsters usually land International Calls on
their Equipment and re-originate them from Local Fraudulent Numbers in
order to escape Interconnect Charges.
G
GIS: (acronym for Geographic Information System)
It is a system used across the Globe to find location of a specific entity. It is
also used to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all
types of spatial or geographical data.
GSM: (acronym for Global System for Mobile Communications)
It is a standard established by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI) to define protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular
networks used by mobile phones. 2G networks were generated as a
replacement for first generation (1G) analog cellular networks, and the GSM
standard is commonly described as a digital, circuit-switched network
optimized for full duplex voice telephony.
GPRS: (acronym for General Packet Radio Service)
It is a Packet Oriented mobile data service developed on Second and Third
Generation Cellular Communication System's Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM). GPRS was initially standardized by European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). It is now conserved by the
3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
GGSN: (acronym for Gateway GPRS Support Node)
The GGSN is a main component of the GPRS network. The GGSN is
responsible for the interworking between the GPRS network and external
packet switched networks, like the Internet and X.25 networks.
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H
HLR: (acronym for Home Location Register)
It is a central database that comprises information of each mobile phone
subscriber that is allowed to use the GSM core network. There may be several
logical, and physical, HLRs per public land mobile network (PLMN).
HSPA: (acronym for High Speed Packet Access)
It is an incorporation of two mobile telephony protocols, High Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). This
merger enhances and improves the performance of existing 3G mobile
telecommunication networks incorporating the Wideband Code Division
Multiple Access (WCDMA) Protocols.
I
IMEI: (acronym for International Mobile Station Equipment Identity)
It is a number, typically distinct, used to identify 3GPP as well as some satellite
phones. It is mostly found printed inside the battery compartment of the
phone, but can also be displayed on-screen on most phones
IMSI: (acronym for International Mobile Subscriber Identity)
It is a number used to identify the user of a cellular network and its unique
identification associated with all cellular networks. It is maintained as a 64 bit
field and is sent by the phone to the network.
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IN: (acronym for Intelligent Network)
Intelligent Network (IN) is a telephone network architecture developed by Bell
Communications Research (Bellcore) which contains service logic for a call
located separately from the switching facilities, permitting services to be
added or changed without the need of redesigning switching equipment.
International Gateway:
An International Gateway is a telephone number using which calls are routed
to get cheaper rates on International calls. It may also be used to make calls
through voice over IP (VOIP) networks internationally.
IPDR: (acronym for Internet Protocol Detail Record)
In Telecom, an IP Detail Record (IPDR) provides data about Internet Protocol
(IP)-based service usage as well as other activities that can be used by
Operational Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS).
IPv4: (acronym for Internet Protocol version 4)
IPv4 is the fourth version in enhancement of the Internet Protocol (IP)
Internet. It routes most of the traffic on Internet now-a-days. IPv4 is a
connectionless protocol for use on packet-switched networks. It works on a
best effort delivery model hence it cannot guarantee delivery or assurance of
proper sequencing or avoidance of duplicate delivery.
IPv6: (acronym for Internet Protocol version 6)
IPv6 is the latest version of the Internet Protocol (IP). This protocol provides
an identification and location system for computers on networks and routes
traffic across the Internet. IPv6 was established by the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF) to deal with the issue of IPv4 address exhaustion. IPv6 is
intended to replace IPv4.
IRSF: (acronym for International Revenue Share Fraud)
International Revenue Share Fraud is caused by the artificial inflation of traffic
or traffic pumping to the premium rate numbers in the world.
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L
Latitude:
In geography, latitude (φ) is a coordinate which specifies the north-south
position of a point on the Earth's surface. Latitude is an angle which starts
from 0° at the Equator and ends at 90° (North or South) at the poles. Latitude
along Longitude is used to specify the accurate location of objects on the
surface of the Earth.
LMSI: (acronym for Local Mobile Station Identity)
The Local Mobile Station Identity (LMSI) is a short-term ID that can be allotted
to a mobile station that visits another network than its home network. This
auxiliary LMSI may be assigned in the case where the roaming telephone
number is assigned on a call-by-call basis. In these cases a LMSI can be used
to enhance the search for subscriber data in visitors location register (VLR).
Longitude:
In geography, longitude (λ) is a coordinate which specifies the east-west
position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement,
typically expressed in degrees. A point with the same longitude exists in
lines running from the North to South Pole.
LTE: (acronym for Long Term Evolution)
Frequently marketed as 4G LTE, is a standard for wireless communication of
high-speed data on mobile phones. It is based on the GSM/EDGE and
UMTS/HSPA network technologies.
M
MMS: (acronym for Multimedia Messaging Service)
It is a typical way to send messages that include multimedia content to and
from mobile phones. It also enhances the core SMS ability to allow exchange
of text messages greater than 160 characters in length.
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Mobile:
It is a phone that can generate and accept telephone calls over a radio link
with subscriber on the move in a widespread geographic area. It accomplishes
this by connecting to a cellular network delivered by a mobile phone operator,
permitting contact with the public telephone network.
MOC: (acronym for Mobile Originating Call)
It’s a Call Originating from a Mobile Phone. MOC starts when A-Number sends
service request to core network.
MOU: (acronym for Minutes of Use)
It is a measurement (typically in minutes) that displays how long each user
(in average) consumed a product or service in a unit Time generally a Month.
Making simple it’s a Minutes per Month Scale.
MPLS: (acronym for Multiprotocol Label Switching)
It is a mechanism in high-performance Telecom Networks which directs data
from one network node to the next; depending on short path labels rather
than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table.
MS: (acronym for Mobile Station)
An MS comprises all the equipment and software necessary for communication
with a mobile network. The term generally refers to a mobile phone connected
to a Mobile Network.
MSC: (acronym for Mobile Switching Center)
It is generally a telephone exchange that makes connection between mobile
users within a network, between mobile users and Public Switched Telephone
Network as well as between mobile users to other mobile networks.
MSISDN: (acronym for Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory
Number)
It is a number used to internationally identify a Mobile Phone Number. MSISDN
comprises Country Code, National Destination Code and Subscriber Number.
MSRN: (acronym for Mobile Station Roaming Number)
It is a temporary telephone number assigned to a mobile which roams into
another numbering area (likewise another country). This number is needed
by the home network to forward incoming calls for the specific mobile to the
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network it visits. It is kept in the Home Location Register (HLR).
MTC: (acronym for Mobile Terminating Call)
In general terminology, MTC occurs when the called number receives the
call. A Mobile Terminating Call starts when core network receives B Number
and start analysis for paging.
MVNO: (acronym for Mobile Virtual Network Operator)
MVNO is a company that offers mobile phone services but does not have its
own licensed frequency allocation of radio spectrum. It also does not have all
or some of the infrastructure required to provide mobile telephone service. An
MVNO makes agreements with a mobile network operator to obtain access to
network services at wholesale rates. It then sets its own retail prices
independently.
N
NOC: (acronym for Network Operations Center)
It is a place where Network Administrators supervise, monitor and maintain a
Telecommunications Network. Mostly it is a room containing Screens with
visualizations of networks being monitored and workstations at which the
detailed status of the network can be seen. These workstations also contain
necessary software to manage the networks.
NSS: (acronym for Network Switching Sub-system)
In Telecom a NSS facilitates Mobiles to communicate with other Mobiles or
Fixed Phones by performing the switching of calls.
Numbering Plan:
In Telecom a Numbering Plan is a numbering scheme which generates and
assigns unique Telephone Numbers to Subscribers’ Telephones.
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O
Off Network:
Any communication being sent to or received from a network other than the
home network is termed as Off Network.
On Network:
Any communication being sent to or received from the home network is
termed as On Network.
OSI: (acronym for Open System Interconnection)
It is an ISO model for Communication Systems. It is layered model and is a
conceptualized view of how one system should communicate with the other,
incorporating several protocols defined for each layer.
OSS: (acronym for Operation Support Subsystem)
It is a sub system of the GSM network which works as the central control when
a connection is established. Major Roles of OSS are Fault Management,
Configuration Management, Performance Management and Inventory
Management.
P
PABX: (acronym for Private Automatic Branch Exchange)
It is an automatic telephone switching system serving a Private Enterprise or
Business and provides intercommunication between large numbers of
telephone stations in that Enterprise.
PIN: (acronym for Personal Identification Number)
A PIN is a number used to access a secured system and ensure confidentially.
A Mobile Phone may also be PIN Protected and is saved in the SIM Card.
PLMN: (acronym for Public Land Mobile Network)
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Any wireless communications system used by terrestrial subscribers in
vehicles or on foot is PLMN. Such a system can be stand alone, but often it is
interconnected with a fixed system. The most familiar example of a PLMN end
user is a person with a cell phone.
PoC: (acronym for Point of Contact)
In general PoC is a person or a department working as the coordinator or
central point of information regarding an activity or program.
Premium Rate Number: (acronym for Premium Rate Number)
These are Numbers which when called provide Specific Service and hence
charge higher than normal calls. Pre-defined part of the charged amount is
paid to Service Provider enabling the Business to be financed by Calls.
PRS: (acronym for Premium Rate Service)
Service Provided by Premium Numbers is known as Premium Rate Service in
many parts of the world.
PSTN: (acronym for Public Switched Telephone Network)
It is a Network of communication systems which allow public users to
interconnect their communication devices. It is International collection of
interrelated voice-oriented public telephone networks which may be
commercial or government-owned.
PDSN/FA: (acronym for Packet Data Serving Node)
It is a component of a CDMA2000 mobile network. It acts as the connection
point between the radio access and IP networks. This component is
responsible for managing PPP sessions between the mobile provider's core IP
network and the mobile station (mobile phone).
R
Report:
It is an account given of a specific matter, mostly in the form of an official
document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed
person or body.
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RF: (acronym for Radio Frequency)
It is a frequency at which radio waves can be transmitted. It ranges from
extremely low frequency (below 3000 hertz) to extremely high frequency (up
to 300 gigahertz).
RFT: (acronym for Radio Frequency Transceiver)
A transceiver is a unit which contains both a receiver and a transmitter. The
RF Transceiver uses RF modules for high speed data transmission.
ROSE: (acronym for Remote Operations Service Element)
It is a service interface which provides remote operation capabilities, allows
communication between units in a distributed application, and after receiving
a remote operations service request, allows the receiving party to complete
the requested operation and report the result to requesting party.
RNC: (acronym for Radio Network Controller)
RNC is a governing element in the UMTS radio access network (UTRAN)
and is responsible for controlling the Node Bs that are connected to it.
S
SIM: (acronym for Subscriber Identity Module)
It is a component, typically in the form of a miniature smart-card.
Theoretically it is tamper-proof and is used to associate a mobile subscriber
with a mobile network.
SIM Box: (acronym for Subscriber Identity Module Box)
It is device used as part of a VoIP gateway installation. It contains a number
of SIM cards, which are linked to the gateway, but managed and stored
separately from it. A SIM box can have SIM cards of several mobile operators
installed in it, hence permitting it to operate with several GSM Gateways
situated in different Geographical Locations.
SIP: (acronym for Session Initiation Protocol)
It is a communications protocol used for signaling, initiating and controlling
an interactive user session which may contain multimedia elements such as
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video, voice and gaming etc. all over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.
SMSMO: (acronym for Mobile Originating Short Messaging Service)
It’s a Message Originating from a Mobile Phone. SMO starts from A-Number
sending service request to core network.
SMSMT: (acronym for Mobile Terminating Short Messaging Service)
It’s a Message received at a Mobile Phone. A Terminating Short Messaging
Service starts when core network receives B-Number and start analysis for
paging.
SS7: (acronym for Signaling System No. 7)
It is a set of telephony signaling protocols incorporated to set up
down most of the Telephone Calls, made by world's Public
Telephone Networks (PSTN). It also performs different tasks
Number Translation, Prepaid Billing, local number portability, short
service (SMS), and other mass market services.
and tear
Switched
including
message
SMPP: (acronym for Short Message Peer to Peer)
It is a protocol used by the telecommunications industry for exchanging SMS
messages between Short Message Service Centers (SMSC) and / or External
Short Messaging Entities (ESME). The protocol is a level-7 TCP/IP protocol,
which allows fast delivery of SMS messages.
T
TCG: (acronym for Test Call Generation)
It is a Revenue Assurance solution which replicates events on Telecom
Networks. This is done in order to detect fraud and to identify potential
Revenue Leakage. This helps achieve regulatory compliance.
Telecom Network Fraud:
A telecommunications fraud involves the misuse of airtime or other Services
by fraudsters with the intention of avoiding payment. This Type of Fraud
causes loses in Billions of Dollars to both Operators and Subscribers.
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TMSI: (acronym for Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity)
It is a short-term Identification Number used in the GSM network in place of
IMSI to ensure privacy of mobile subscriber. It is mostly used between mobile
and network and is randomly allocated to every mobile the moment it is
switched on. TMSI forbids finding identity of a mobile subscriber by
interception of traffic on radio link.
Trunking Interconnect Analysis:
Trunk Interconnect Analysis refers to analysis of Call Records in comparison
with Trunks, in order to find if the International Calls are being routed through
the assigned Trunks or whether fraudsters are using Local Trunks to route
International Calls in order to bypass Interconnect Charges.
U
UMTS: (acronym for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)
It is a 3G networking standard used in most parts of the world as an upgrade
to existing GSM mobile networks which also include GPRS, and EDGE. UMTS
makes use of Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). Base level
UMTS networks are mostly proficient enough to offer downlink speeds as much
as 384kbps.
USF: (acronym for Universal Service Fund)
It is the principle that all Americans should have access to communications
services. It is also name of a fund and the category of FCC programs and
policies to ascertain both telecommunications and advanced services like highspeed Internet for all customers at reasonable, just and affordable rates.
V
VoIP: (acronym for Voice over Internet Protocol)
It is a technology that allows subscribers to make voice based calls using a
broadband Internet connection replacing an analog phone line. Besides
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voice, VoIP is also used for multimedia communication over Internet Protocol
(IP) networks, including Internet.
VLR: (acronym for Visitor Location Register)
It is a database maintained by a mobile communications network associated
to a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC). The VLR contains the location of all mobile
subscribers currently present in the service area of the MSC more importantly
those who have roamed into the jurisdiction of this MSC.
W
WCDMA: (acronym for Wideband Code Division Multiple Access)
It is a standard derived from Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA). It is a
third-generation (3G) mobile wireless technology that not only supports
conventional cellular voice, text and MMS services but also promises much
higher data speeds to mobile and portable wireless devices allowing mobile
operators to deliver higher bandwidth applications including streaming and
broadband Internet access.
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Contact Details
Dubai, UAE
#402, Alfa Building, Knowledge Village
P.O. Box: 500759 Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4375 1313
Fax: +971 4420 5416
Islamabad, Pakistan
#104, 1st Floor, Green Trust Tower, Blue Area
Islamabad, Postal Code: 44000-Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 281 3081-86
Fax: +92 51 281 3085
Chandler – North America
295 North Rural Rd., Suite 263,
Chandler, AZ 85226, USA
Tel: +1 480 292 7150
Fax: +1 480 452 1998
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