Below, you’ll find some commonly used terms in the world of telecommunications. Scroll down to find what you’re looking for, or use the letters. If the terminology you’re looking for isn’t here, please contact us and let us know!
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3-Way Calling Feature: Add a third party to your phone conversation on either local or long distance calls.
800 Number portability: Enables business or residential customers to maintain the same 800 number, regardless of which carrier they choose, anywhere in North America.
800 Service: Allows a caller to dial a long-distance telephone number without incurring a charge for the call. The call is paid for by the party offering the 800-number.
900 calls: Mass-calling service that allows straw polls, recorded announcements and live interactive conversation. Also known as Pay-Per-Call.
9-1-1: Enables a caller to dial 9-1-1 to connect to a Public Safety Answering Point for emergency assistance without a charge. Call your local Police Jury or municipality for any questions concerning the charge.
ADSL: ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a term for transmitting digital information at high bandwiths on existing telephone lines to homes and businesses. ADSL simultaneously accommodates both analog (voice) and digital data on the same line. Unlike regular dial-up telephone services, ADSL provides a continuously available connection. ADSL is asymmetric in that it uses most of the channel to transmit downstream to the user and oly a small part to receive the information from the user.
Analog: The signal being sent – voice or video – as a stream of changing radio waves and is similar to what is received. This produces a nearly square video picture with generally a 480 line resolution picture.
Analog Transmission: A signaling technology in which sound waves or other information are converted into electrical impulses of varying strengths.
Anonymous Call Rejection: This allows you to reject incoming calls with a telephone number that has been blocked from being delivered for your review.
Area Code: A number of three digits assigned to a telephone area, as in the United States and Canada.
Backup: Copying files that are stored on a hard drive to another medium such as floppy disks or a backup tape.
Bandwidth: A range of frequencies in the broadcast spectrum that is occupied by a signal. The “necessary bandwidth” is the amount of spectrum required to transmit the signal without distortion or loss of information. This is the reflection of the capacity of a given transmission channel. The greater the bandwidth the more information that can be transferred over that network at one time.
Bill Date: Date that transactions are no longer processed against your account in preparation for the new bill.
Bill Pay: Bill pyament system secure and operated by PayDQ for Cameron Communications. You may view & pay your bill using electronic check, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express credit cards.
Billing Account Number: Identifies your account for billing purposes. It is printed on your bill and usually consists of a 10 digit number.
Bits per Second (BPS): This is the transmission speed at which data travels over a communications circuit. For example, a modem that operates at 2400 bits per second can transfer 2400 binary digits each second. A character normally consists of seven or eight of these binary digits, plus the start and stop bits that separate the character from other transmitted characters.
Bluetooth: A wireless system operating in the 2.4GHz ISM band, intended initially as cable replacement technology.
Booting: Starting a computer via the power switch, which loads the system software into memory. Restarting the computer via a keystroke combination is called rebooting or warm boot.
Browser Hijacker: A malicious program that becomes deeply embedded in your browser’s code and core functionality.
CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) or processor is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program and is the primary element in carrying out the computer’s functions.
Cache: Local storage on your computer that holds in memory recently viewed web pages. This allows you to review these pages quickly without waiting for them to download from the internet again.
Call Block: Block calls from specific numbers so your phone does not ring. Calls from a phone number on your list are sent to a recorded announcement that informs the caller that you are not receiving calls at this time.
Call Forward: Lets you transfer your incoming calls to any telephone that you can dial direct. Two call forwarding options: Fixed Number Call Forwarding (call forward to a number that is permanently programmed by Cameron Communcations) and Variable Call Forwarding (allows you to select the forward-to number when you activate).
Call Foward Busy Line: Call fowards calls when all lines are busy to another predetermined phone number. Not available with voicemail.
Call Foward No Answer: Call fowards calls there is no answer at the dialed number to another predetermined phone number. Not available with voicemail.
Call Return: Call Return allows you to dial a code and have a call automatically returned to the last party who called or attempted to call you.
Call Selector: Call selector allows you to program your phone line to ring with a short-long-short patter or tone whenever you are called from a select list of phone numbers. If you also have Call Waiting, then you hear a distinctive Call Waiting tone whenever someone on your list calls you while you are on the phone.
Call Waiting: A way of letting you know that someone else is calling when you are using your phone. You wil be notified of incoming calls by a burst of a dial tone. You can flash your switchhook to place the original call on hold and answer the incoming call. A second switchhook flash reconnects you to the original call.
Call Waiting Deluxe: Call Waiting Deluxe allows you to view the directory name and number (where available) of an incoming telephone call when the telephone is already in use. Like Call Waiting you can toggle from one call to another.
Caller ID: A small display that will show you the telephone number of the party calling you. To Use: Wait for the start of the second ring of your phone set, the number of the callling party will appear on your display.
Caller ID Deluxe: On a Caller ID capable phone, caller ID lets you see both the name and number of the person calling you.
Calling name restriction: An original party feature. Pressing #67 before the number will not deliver name or number to calling party.
Cameron Communications Webmail: Webmail access allows you to log in and view your e-mail from any computer with an Internet connection. When you sign up for Internet service with Cameron Communications, you are automatically set up to use webmail. All you need to do is go to http://my.camtel.net and click on webmail. Log in using your user name and password. Once you have logged in, you will be able to send and receive e-mails.
Content Screening: Allows subscribers to block or allow access to categories of web sites and/or specific web sites.
Cookie: A message given to the Web Browser by the Web Server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server. The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages for them.
CPE: Customer Premise (or provided) Equipment. Equipment such as modems, routers, gateways, adapters, line combiners and filters that allow the customer to access the FastAccess DSL connection on the line.
CPNI: Customer Proprietary Network Information: Information about subscribers obtained by a telecom carrier through the provision of service to subscribers that is personal to all subscribers such as the numbers they call and from which they receive calls, as well as when and how frequently they make calls. Information contained in subscribers’ bills.
Cramming: The illegal process of a third party adding charges to consumers’ phone bills for proucts or services wihtout proper authorization from the customer.
Custom Calling Features: Value-added products such as call waiting, three-way calling call forwarding, etc., offered to customers without special equipment.
Customer network: A collection of communications elements liked to support one ormore customer applicants.
Digital Television (DTV): The sending and receiving of moving images and sound by means of discrete digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV. When properly used by broadcasters, digital television allows higher-quality images and sound and more programming choices than analog does.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): DSL or DIgital Subscriber Line is technology which delivers high-speed Internet access. The service lets you send data and voice over the same line, at the same time, so you can talk or fax while you access the Internet.
DNS: Domain Name Server or Service. The name resolution service for IP addresses that provides the text-based addresses for Internet resources. For example, DNS enables a server with the IP address of 182.255.109.6 to be found on the Internet as www.—–.com. The DNS provides the protocol that allows clients (your computer) and servers (the Internet) to communicate with eachother. Converts friendly test URL’s into numeric IPs.
Do Not Call Program: Legal requirement to remove from calling lists, the phone numbers of people who have asked not to receive unsolicited phone calls.
Domain Name: A registered name that is given to an Internet address, for example, www.camtel.com.
Drivers: Program that contains specific and unique knowledge of a devise that allows a computer to communicate with that device, such as a printer or modem.
DLS Router: A device that connects multiple computers to your high-speed/broadband Internet connection.
Dynamic IP: A Dynamic IP is an Internet Protocol address that changes periodically. A different IP address may be assigned every time you connect to the Internet. This makes it more difficult for others to locate your computer or other device from elsewhere on the Internet.
E-Mail alias: An e-mail alias is an alternate e-mail name (or nickname) for your existing e-mail account, and it directs mail to the same mailbox as your user name does. Your username continues to receive e-mail along with the new alias name. You can only create one alias per e-mail box, and it is good for both Outlook Express and Web E-mail. Its advantage is that it provides you with an alternative e-mail name that you can give to friends, family and business.
Emergency 911: Enables a caller to dial 911 to connect to a Public Safety Answering Point for emergency assistance without a charge. Call your Local Parish 911 Commission for any questions concerning the charge.
Ethernet: A LAN (Local Area Network) technology that operates over twisted-pair wiring or coaxial cable speeds up to 100Mbps or higher.
Expanded Local Calling Service: Texas Exchanges. The area beyond the Basic Local Calling area that is within a 40 mile radious of the subscriber’s home wire center or within the same county as the subscruber serving wire center.
FCC Access Charge: A charge, created by the FCC, to compensate local telephone companies for a portion of the cost of providing local lines for interstate long distance.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission): The Federal Agency established by the Communications Act of 1934, responsible to Congress and charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
Federal Universal Service Charge: A charge assessed to all telecom companies with interstate operations, including long distance, wireless, pager and payphone services.
Fiber Optics: Modulated lightwave signals, genearted by a laser or LED, tramsitted along glass, fused silica or plastic fiber. Fiber optics has a higher capacity than wire cables, creating more bandwidth.
Filters: Filters are used to reduce interference on your telephone devices from the digital signal provided by the DSL. Line filters are used with desktop telephones as well as other analog devices (i.e. fax machines and Caller ID devices). Wall mounted filters are used for telephones mounted to the wall (i.e. kitche phones). NOTE: Please keep in mind that a maximum of 10 filters may be placed on your telephone line. Installing more than 10 filters on your line will cause interference and may affect your DSL servcie.
Firewall: A security device (hardware or software) that controls access from the Internet to a local network by using identification information.
Gateway: Device that directs digital traffic between multiple computers allowing multiple connections. The device is also used for firewall services.
Host: A computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network.
HTML-Hypertext Mark-Up Language: Language used to formate pages for the World Wide Web. It uses code called “tags” to format text, place images and make hyperlinks.
HTTP-Hypertext Transfer Protocol: Protocol used for transferring hypertext pages across the World Wide Web. Web addresses begin with the prefix “https://”.
Hyperlink: Text or images highlighted with a color and/or underlined that will take you to another webpage.
Inside Wire Maintenance: Insurance that covers the lines that run from the gray protector box outside premises to the wall outlets inside.
Inside Wiring: Telecom lines that run from the gray protector box outside a residence or business to the wall outlets inside a customers’ home or office.
Interface: Hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals) such as printers and fax machines.
Internet: An electronic communications network that connects computer networks and organizational computer facilities around the world.
IP: Internet Protocol. An IP address enables a computer to be identified on the Internet while the user is online.
IP Address: IP Addresses are numbers used to identify a specific location on the Internet; much like a phone number is used to identify a specific location on a telephone network. Every device connected to the Internet has a unique IP address. For instance a Web site such as www.camtel.com would be assigned a unique numeric IP address (222.222.22.222), much like your business has a unique phone number (222-222-2222). When a user types www.camtel.com into their browser, the software goes to an Internet directory, finds that the Web site “lives” at IP Address 222.222.22.222, and connects the address over the World Wide Web.
Java: A programming language that permits Internet sites on the World Wide Web to include computer applications that run on the computers of people who visit their sites.
LAN:LAN stands for “Local Area Network”. A LAN is usually composed of multiple computers that are linked together in an enclosed environment…usually an office. A single computer called a “Server” is what controls the network and keeps everything connected and talking to each other.
Late Payment Charge: May apply if you pay your bill after your bill due date. The late payment charge varies by state.
Lifeline: Programs that help low-income households to afford local telephone service. Lifeline assists with monthly telephone bills, and Link-Up assists with connection and installation charges.
Line Noise: Random signal disturbances that sometimes occur over telephone lines. Noise can disrupt communications and corrupt the transmitted data. The ratio of the usable signal to unusable noise on a communications link is referred to as the siganal-to-noise ratio. Fiber optic cables are far less susceptible to noise than metal wire cables.
LOS (Local Optional Service): Allows you to call communiteis within a 40 mile radius of your telephone serving office for a monthly fee. Calls are billed on a per-minute of use basis and have a cap per month for Business and Residential lines.
Memory: An electric memory device; “a memory and the CPU form the central part of a computer to which pheripherals are attached.”
Message Waiting Indicator: Indicator light on your telephone set that alerts you to Voicemail messages that have been left.
Modem: Modulator/Demodulator-a modem is a digital device that transforms (modulates) digital information into an analogue signal that can be sent across a telephone line. It also demodulates an analogue signal it receivesfrom the telephone line, converting the information contained in the signal back into digital information. This information can be sent over a phone line, cable line or wireless connection.
Network: Any time you connect two or more computers together so that they can share resources, you have a computer network. Connect two or more networks together and you have an Internet.
Network Security: The defensive hardware or software measures used to impose user-access restrictions on a network.
NIC: Network Interface Card. An internal PCI card used to provide connectivity to networked devices. FastAccess DSL uses an Ethernet NIC to connect the personal comptuer to the ADSL modem (or to the jack itself in some locations). This is a picture of common Ethernet NIC used for FastAccess DSL.
NID: Network Interface Device. A device that terminates copper pairs from the serving central office at the user’s destination and which is typically located outside that location. It also provides an interface and demarcation point between the nework and customer premises equipment.
Non-Listed: A non-listed telephone number is one that will not be published in the telephone directory but will be given out by directory assistance.
Non-Published: A non-published telephone number is one that will not be published in the telephone directory and will not be given out by directory assistance.
Non-Regulated Charge: Charges not controlled by the FCC or your state public utilities regulatory agency. An example is 900 calls.
Number portability: Number portability is the term used to describe the 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.
Password: Special code that is required to gain access to a program, Web site or other computer resource. It is designed to restrict information to certain people.
Past Due Balance: The balance resulting from the failure to pay an invoice or bill by the specified due date.
Payment Options: Electronic Bill Pay, Credig Card/Bank Draft or 1 time payment. Mail in or stop by our business office.
Per-Call Blocking: Keep your number from beign displayed for individual calls you make. To activate on a pushbutton phone, Dial 67 and then the phone number. Make sure you di this before you dial your call. Even if you ahve a non-published or unlisted number, you need to dial the blocking code before placing a call to prevent your number/name from being displayed.
Phising: An online scam in which the perpetrator sends out a large number of legitimate looking e-mails that appear to come from respected companies (such as CitiBank, eBay, PayPal, MSN, Amazon.com, Yahoo, Best Buy, AOL, etc.) but are an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will later be used for identity theft. The phony e-mail directs the user to go to a website with the logo of the respected company, where they are asked to update personal information (such as passwords, credit cards, social security numbers and bank account numbers) which the ligitimate organization already has. The Web site is bogus and has been established only to steal the users’ information. The e-mail usually includes a threat stating the user’s account will close if they do not receive this updated information in a specified time period. It is important not to click on the link that is provided in the e-mail. Even if you don’t provide what they ask for, simply clicking the link could subject you to background installations of kelogging software or viruses.
PIC Freeze (Pre-subscriber InterExchange Carrier): A PIC Freeze is in place when a consumer makes arrangements with their telephone company to prevent changing the user’s long distance provider without permission. This prevents “slamming.”
Ping: Packet Internet Grouper: Ping is a basic Internet program that lets you verify that a particular IP address exists and can accept requests. The speed of your Internet connection (“Net Speed”). Think of it like a submarine sending out a “ping,” and then receiving a signal back. The longer it takes, the farther the object is from the sub. So, the lower the ping, the better, b ecause it means you have a “closer” or faster connection to others on the Internet.
POP e-mail: POP e-mail requires you to download an e-mail application of your liking, pull your messages off the Internet and put them on your personal computer. From your personal computer, you can use e-mail software such as Outlook Express to access and organize your messages on your computer. When you install your DSL service you receive the Outlook Express Email application. To open Outlook Express on your computer, double-click the Outlook Express icon on your desktop, or click the Outlook Express icon on your toolbar.
Pop-Up Blocker: This will help eliminate the pop-up advertisements that occur when you visit certain websites on the Internet.
POTS: Plain Old Telephone Service. POTS refer to a single line, measured or flat rate, telephone service that could be used as either a business line or residence line.
PPV: Pay-Per-View Movies. One time service that a customer orders and pays for: single television program acquired separately from any subscription.
Preferred Call Forwarding: Allows you to create a list of phone numbers that are to be forwarded when they call you. Only those programmed calls will be forwarded.
Premium Channels: Additional movie channels added to customers’ video service for a monthly fee. HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, TMC
Primary Internexchange Carrier (PIC): The PIC is the main long-distance carrier used for “1+dialing” through which all interstate long-distance toll calls are made.
Public Service Commission: Governs, at the state level, the regulated network products and services provided by communiation companies and other utilities.
Remote Access: The ability of transmission points to gain access to a computer at a different location.
Repeat Dialing: Allows you to dial a code to have your phone continuously attempt to redial a busy number. You can also use Repeat Dialing to redial the last number you called.
Router: An IP packet switch. LAN-based communications equipment that forwards information between computer networks. Routers are really special purpose computers which forward information based on a Layer 3 (IP) address which has network-wide significance.
Server: A Server is a computer that hosts a connection to other computers. The computers that are connected to the Server are dependent upon the Server to maintain a connection, allowing all the other computers to communicate with eachother.
Spam: Spam is a term used to odescribe unsolicited e-mail. It is the Internet verison of junk mail. The mail is usally the result of broadcasting unsolicited advertisement by flooding the Internet with multiple copies of the same message. Although spam is ussallu harmless, it can be annoying because it takes up storage space on your computer and is time-consuming to remove.
Speed Dialing: Lets you reach frequently called numbers (local or long distance) by dialing only two digits. Feature includes 8-number one-digit speed dialing or 30-number two-digit speed dialing.
Splitter: A device that connects to the network interface device (NID) to separate the digital ADSL signals from the analog voice service signal.
Spyware: Spyware is broadly defined as any program that gets into your computer without permission and hides in the background while it makes unwanted changes to your user experience. It’s main mission is to serve you targeted avertisements or make your browser display certain sites or search results. At present, most spyware targets only the Windows operating system. Some of the most notorious spyware companies include Gator, Bonzi Buddy, 180 Solutions, DirectRevenue, Cydoor, CoolWebSearch, Xupiter, XXXDial and Euniverse. Sypware usually gets onto your machine because of something you do, like clokcing a button on a pop-up window, installing a software package or agreeing to add functionality to your Web browser. These applications often use trickery to get you to install them, from fake system alert messages to buttons that say “cancel” when they really do the opposite.
State/Local Sales Tax: Taxes levied on purchases of goods and services, including telecommunications.
Static IP: A static IP address is a “fixed” IP address assigned to a specific computer. The IP address remains the same and is associated with the specific computer. IP addresses are numbers used to identify a specific device connected to the Internet; much like a phone number is used to identify a specific telephone.
Streaming Audio: Audio transmission over a data network. The term implies a one-way transmission to the listener, in which both the client and the server cooperate for uninterrupted sound. (See Streaming Video)
Streaming Video: Video transmission over a data network. The term implies a one-way transmission to the viewer, in which both the client and the server cooperate for uninterrupted sound. (See Streaming Audio)
Subscriber Line Charge: Fixed monthly fee assessed by the phone company on each line, paid directly by the subscriber to defray fixed costs of providing local access.
Tandem: Tandem is a telephony term meaning “to connect in a series.” Thus, a tandem switch connects one trunk to another. A tandem switch is an intermediate switch or connection between an originating telephone call or location and the final destination of the call.
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.
TCP/IP: Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Enables one computer to communicate with another over a network (the Internet). A set of communication protocols developed by the U.S. Department of Defense that allows dissimilar computers to share information over a network. While networking two identical PCss is no longer a huge technological challenge, TCP/IP provides a solution to the sticker problem of connecting a Pentium PC to, sa, a DEC minicomputer or a Silicon Graphics workstation. TCP/IP is the glue that binds the internet.
Telecommunications Relay Service Charge: Ordered by the Public Service Commission to fund the relay service for hearing/speech-impaired customers. Depending on your state, this charge is also known as Compliance with the Americans with DisabilitiesAct or Telecommuniations Access System Act Surcharge.
Texas Universal Service Fund: TUSF. In 1987, the Texas Legislature established TUSF, the Texas component of the national Universal Service Fund. The TUSF supports the (1) Relay Texas and Specialized Telecommunications Device Assistance programs; (2) Tel-Assistance, Lifeline and Link-Up America programs and (3) the Small Local Exhange Carriers Universal Service Fund.
Toll: Calls outside a local service calling area that incur charges. Toll calls are intrastate or interstate calls, but the interstate toll calls are often referred to as long distance.
Toll Free Number Service: Allows a caller to dial a long-distance telephone number without incurring a charge for the call. The call is paid for by the party offering the 800 number. Synonym: Inward-Wide Area Telecommunications Service (WATS).
Universal Service: The concept included in the Communications Act of 1934, that both urban and rural subscribers are entitled to quality telephone service at reasonable rates.
Universal Service Fund Charge: FCC-mandated charge from your long distance carrier to provide support for Internet access for schools, libraries and healthcare facilities.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The path to a Web page resource on the Internet. It includes the protocol and the domain name. It can also include a page name. The network address (i.e. 111.111.111.1) of the Web site can be used in place of the domain name.
USB (Universal Seriel Bus): A “plug and play” interface between a computer and add-on devices (such as audio players, joysticks, keyboards, telephones, scanners and printers). With USB, a new device can be added to your computer without having to add an adapter card or even having to turn the computer off. The USB peripheral bus standard was developed by Compaq, IBM, DEC, Intel, Microsoft, NEC and Northern Telcom and the technology is available without charge for all computer and device vendors.
USB Modem: An external DSL modem that connects your computer through an open USB port and enables high-speed Internet access. This type of modem enables a plug and play environment.
USB Port: A USB port is the area on your PC that you can plug in your USB accessories, things like your keyboard, scanners, printers, etc. Most computers have more than one outlet to use.
Virus: A virus is a program that invades a user’s computer and replicates within that computer, sometimes with the intent of harming that computer (attacking it’s memory, causing severe damage). Some viruses, like “Trojan Horses” are especially dangerous.
VOD (Video On Demand): Movies available when customers are ready to view. No waiting for specified movie times like Pay-Per-View. A per movie fee will be assessed when purchasing a movie.
Voice Mailbox: An answering service that can be there when you can’t. Whether you are away from home or the phone, every call gets answered, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. At any time, from anywhere, Voicemail will record and play back your messages. All you need is a touchtone phone.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP): Voice over Internet Protocol is a series of techniques permitting transmission of telephony over the Internet.
VPN (Virtual Private Network): A network service that is provided over a public network that is secure and works like a private network.
Web Mail: Ability to review e-mail while away from your home computer. You can access your Cameron Communications e-mail through www.camtel.net.
153 West Dave Dugas Rd.
Sulphur, LA 70665 Phone: 337-583-2111 1-800-737-3900
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