Telecommunications Business Solutions Key Terms

Learn telecommunications business solutions key terms to maximize business communications

By Christine Pollock

Knowing and understanding telecommunications business solutions key terms helps a business owner maintain clear lines for communication. It helps a business owner understand which types of services a provider offers and helps with troubleshooting on a problematic telephone line.

A business owner might use telecommunications business solutions key terms to negotiate with a telecommunications carrier in order to obtain services essential to specific business dealings. Terminology knowledge keeps business interactions smooth between a business and a service provider.

Access

Access refers to a time, method, facility or circuit one uses when entering a network. Local exchange carriers and alternate access providers offer services that connect customers with an interexchange carrier through a special access service or a switch access service.
Try: The Federal Communications Commission offers an access policy that ensures consumers receive quality telecommunications services at rates they can afford. It offers a link to policies related to access charges.

Backbone

The backbone is the part of a network infrastructure that holds the heaviest traffic. It joins local area networks together inside buildings and across the country using bridges and routers.
Try: Economic & Business Geography offers an overview of telecommunication geography. It highlights specific infrastructures considered the backbone of telecommunications.

Calling party number

The calling party number (CPN) is a specific number transmitted through a particular network identifying the calling party.
Try: AT&T Intellectual Property discusses the calling party number feature and addresses how a person or business might replace a calling party number.

Lifeline

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides discounted services for households with low income. These services, called Lifeline services, provide a single telephone line for low income households.
Try: Mt.gov, the official website for Montana, offers a detailed explanation of how the Lifeline program works. It describes services offered and discusses eligibility and ways a person might apply for the Lifeline program.

Service provider

The service provider (SP) is a particular company providing services for telecommunication.
Try: BNET offers papers, studies and other information on a variety of telecommunications service providers. It links to other sites that offer further information on various service provider topics.

Throughput

Throughput measures the overall efficiency, performance and quality of software, protocols and communication links.
Try: TechTarget offers advice for telecommunications professionals for optimal communications. It offers advice on throughput including methods for providing high-quality voice services.