Glossary
Access charge
A monthly fee imposed by the Federal Communications Commission on all phone customers (except Lifeline customers) for access to the long distance network. It’s also called a network access charge.
Analog
A transmission method using continuous electrical signals that vary in amplitude or frequency in response to changes in sound, light, pressure, or position.
Average revenue per user (ARPU)
A measure of revenue on a per user or subscriber basis (revenue divided by the number of subscribers). ARPU allows companies to track revenue sources and growth.
Backbone
The large transmission line that carries data gathered from small lines that interconnect with it.
Bandwidth
The smallest range of frequencies that can be transmitted without distortion. It’s measured as the number of bits that can be transferred per second. Greater bandwidths have a higher information carrying capacity.
Bell System
A term for AT&T prior to its 1984 divestiture, which included 24 Bell operating companies providing local exchange phone service, the AT&T Long Lines Division providing long distance connections, equipment manufacturing (Western Electric), and a research and development arm (Bell Laboratories).
Bit
The smallest unit of digital information utilized by electronic or optical information processing, storage, or transmission systems. Bit is short for binary digit. Binary technology is based on the representation of data with 0s and 1s, whose combinations form a protocol medium ...
