Just in case you feel you need to know …

ADSL An Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is a technology allowing faster data transmission than a standard modem over existing analogue telephone lines Analogue This takes the sound vibrations of our voices and turns them into electrical vibrations before they are transmitted over traditional telephone lines Broadband Broadband is a high-speed internet connection for transmitting multiple speech, data, or video signals simultaneously. Unlike modem connections you do not have to dial up and log on each time; broadband is always switched on CPS Carrier Pre-Selection is a system allowing phone users to set up contracts with communications providers other than BT to carry their calls without having to dial a prefix. The routing is controlled at the local BT exchange. CTI Computer Telephony Integration is a technology enabling your computer to work in conjunction with your telephone. This can range from dialling from your computer screen to a full-blown integrated call centre accepting incoming calls and routing them to the appropriate telephone or device. CTI systems can handle telephone calls, faxes, and email messages. IP Internet Protocol is the computer networking protocol used on the Internet. It converts voice messages into data packets for transmission between computers, telephones and other devices. ISDN The Integrated Services Digital Network is an international communications standard for transmitting digital voice, video and data over digital telephone lines. The signal quality is finer and the transmission rate much faster than with analogue. LAN A Local Area Network is a network connecting computers within a single home, office or building. Each computer can access data held on a central server, as well as from other computers on the LAN. Printers and email can also be shared. A popular LAN type is Ethernet. LCR Least Cost Rating is an agreed procedure whereby BT allows other licensed operators to route calls over their network, resulting in cheaper telephone calls for users. Protocol In telephony and with the internet, ‘Protocol’ refers to a set of rules defining the way two systems connect, transfer data and communicate with each other. For instance, the HTTP protocol defines the format for communication between web browsers and web. PSTN The Public Switched Telephone Network refers to the worldwide telephone system that once carried exclusively analogue telephone messages over copper wires. Today the PSTN network is almost entirely digital, encompassing mobile as well as fixed telephones. Quality of Service In IP telephony, a procedure that ensures that voice transmission over a network is given priority over data. This ensures that telephone conversations are conducted at a high sound quality. SIP Session Initiation Protocol is a new internet technology enabling two or more users to conduct interactive voice, video and interactive games sessions online. VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol is the technology for transmitting voice conversations over the internet or any other IP-based computer network. VPN A Virtual Private Network is a system in which users of a network can share confidential information transmitted in an encrypted form across the public internet. WAN A Wide Area Network is a communications network connecting computers, telephones and data lines housed across several sites, sometimes counties or even countries apart. Information can be freely shared. The internet is the greatest WAN.