Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 1

FOREWORD
This handbook, listing telecommunication acronyms and
abbreviations used throughout Europe and the USA, is published by
InterConnect Communications Ltd to assist purchasers, suppliers,
administrations and telecommunication network operators in their
daily work.
The fifth edition takes into account acronyms used in connection
with the third generation mobile systems and includes terms
regularly used in telecommunication associations in many Western
countries.
This handbook focuses on terms associated with voice, data,
telecommunication products, services, standards, regulation and
regulatory authorities.
Our authors welcome comments and contributions to aid the
continued improvement of this publication.
G Alan Horne
Managing Director, ICC
Director, Eurostrategies
2 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

3G Third generation mobile Services

3GPP Third generation Partnership Project
A3 GSM authentication algorithm
A5 GSM stream cipher algorithm (GSM)
A8 SM cipher key generating algorithm (GSM)
A-bis BSC-BTS interface
AAC Automatic Amplitude Control
AACS Asynchronous Address Communications System
AAL ATM Adaptation Layer
AAR Automatic Alternate Routing
AAS Adaptive Antenna System
AAV Alternate Access Vendors
ABC Advanced Broadband Communications
ABM Asynchronous Balanced Mode (HDLC)
ABR Available Bit Rate (ATM)
ABS Alternate Billing Service
ABSE Absolute Error
AC Access Control (Token Ring, FDDI)
AC Authentication Centre
ACCH Associated Control Channel
ACD Automatic Call Distribution
ACE Advanced Communications Experiments
ACE Automatic Cross-connection Equipment (also
known as AXE)
ACF Advanced Communication Function
ACID Automated Classification and Interpretation Data
ACITS Advisory Committee on Information Technology
Standardisation (SOG-IT)
ACOS Automatic Coding System
ACS Automatic Control System
ACTE Approvals Committee for Terminal Equipment
ACTOM Advisory Committee on Technical and Operational
Matters (of Inmarsat)
ACTS Advanced Communications Technologies and
Services
ACU Antenna Coupling Unit
ADA Automatic Data Acquisition
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 3

ADAPTCOM Adaptive Communication

ADAS Automatic Data Analysis System
ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter
ADC Access Deficit Contribution
ADCCP Advanced Data Communications Control
Procedures (ANSI)
ADCT Adaptive Discrete Cosine Transform Coding (video
coding)
ADES Automatic Digital Encoding System
ADF Automatic Direction Finder
ADLNB Association of Designated Laboratories & Notified
Bodies
ADM Adaptive Delta Modulation
ADP Automatic Data Processing
ADPCM Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation
ADPE Automatic Data Processing Equipment
ADPP Automatic Data Processing Program
ADPS Automatic Data Processing System
ADR Airborne Digital Recorder
ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
ADSM Asynchronous Delta Sigma Modulation
ADT Automatic Digital Tracking
ADTI Automatic Data and Time Indication
ADTS Automatic Data Test System
AECMA Association Européenne des Constructeurs de
Matériel Aerospatial (European Association for the
Construction of Aero-Space Equipment)
AECS Aeronautical Emergency Communications System
AENOR Associación Española de Normalización (Standards
Association, Spain)
AER Antenna Effective Resistance
AEROSAT Aeronautical Satellite System
AES Aeronautical Earth Station
AEW Airborne Early Warning
AFA Audio Frequency Amplifier
AFB Assigned Frequency Band
AFC Amplitude Frequency Characteristic
4 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

AFC Automatic Frequency Control

AFD Amplitude-Frequency Distortion
AFM Amplitude-Frequency Modulation
AFMES Automatic Frequency Modulation Eliminating
System
AFNOR Association Française de Normalisation (Standards
Association, France)
AFS Aeronautical Fixed Service
AFSK Audio Frequency Shift Keying
AFUTT Association Française des Utilisateurs de Téléphone
et des Télécommunications (French Telegraphs and
Telephone Users’ Association)
AGC Automatic Gain Control
AGPOS Automatic General Purpose Orbital Satellite
AGS Automatic Gain Stabilization
AHS Antenna Homing System
AIN Advanced Intelligent Network
AIP Advanced Infrastructure Planning or Advanced
Information Processing
AIS Alarm Indication Signal
AITS Acknowledged Information Transfer Service
(ITU-T)
AM Amplitude Modulation
AMDSB Amplitude Modulation Double Sideband
AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone System
AMSL Above Mean Sea Level
AMSS Aeronautical Mobile Satellite Service
AMU Antenna Matching Unit
ANBFM Adaptive Narrow-Band FM Modem
ANI Automatic Number Identification (ISDN)
ANL Automatic Noise Limiter
ANR Automatic Network Routing
ANRAC Aids to Navigation Radio Control
ANRS Automatic Noise Reduction System
ANSI American National Standards Institute
AOA Angle Of Arrival
AOC Advice of Charge
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 5

AP Access Point (UPT)

APAT IMTC Application Programming Activity Group
APD Amplitude Probability Distribution
APDU Application Protocol Data Unit
APF Accurate Position Finder
APFC Automatic Phase and Frequency Control
API Application Programming Interface
APL Analogue Private Line
APON ATM Passive Optical Network
APP Applications Portability Profile
APS Automatic Protection Switching
APSK Amplitude Phase Shift Keying
APU Auxiliary Power Unit
AQPSK Adaptive Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
ARB Aeronautical Radar Beacon
ARC Automatic Remote Control
ARM Asynchronous Response Mode (HDLC)
ARNS Aeronautical Radio Navigation Service
ARP Antenna Radiation Pattern
ART Automatic Range Tracking
ART Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications
(French Approval Authority)
AS Aeronautical Station
AS Anti Spooling
ASA Automatic Spectrum Analyzer
ASB Asymmetrical Sideband
ASC Automatic Sensitivity Control
ASCII American Standard Code for Information
Interchange
ASE Averaged Square Error
ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
ASK Amplitude Shift Keying
ASN ATM Switching Network
ASP Advanced Speech Processor
ASR Answer Seize Ratio
ASR Automatic Send-Receive Set
6 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

ASRS Airborne Satellite Receiving Station

ASS Amateur-Satellite Service
ASU Acquisition and Synchronization Unit
ASVD Analogue Simultaneous Voice and Data
AT Assistive Technology
AT&T American Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
ATDM Asynchronous Time Division Multiplexing
ATDMA Advanced Time Division Multiple Access
ATH ATM Transmission Hierarchy
ATIS Automatic Transmitter Identification System
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
ATR Automatic Transmitter
ATRA Austrian Telecommunications Regulation Authority
ATS Air Traffic Services
ATS ATM Transmission System
ATU Central or Remote: ADSL Transmission Unit
AU Adaptation Unit
AUC Authentication Centre
AUI Attachment Unit Interface
AUP Acceptable Use Policy
AWSW Antenna Waveguide Switch
AXE Automatic Cross-Connection Equipment (also
known as ACE)
AZ Azimuth
AZS Automatic Zero Set
B-CDMA Broadband Code Division Multiple Access
B-ICI Broadband Intercarrier Interface (ATM)
B-ISDN Broadband ISDN
B-LE Broadband Local Exchange (B-ISDN)
B-TA Broadband Terminal Adapter (B-ISDN)
B-TE Broadband Terminal Equipment (B-ISDN)
BA Balanced Asynchronous (HDLC)
BABS Beam Approach Beacon System
BABT British Approvals Board for Telecommunications
BACP Bandwidth Allocation Control Protocol (PPP,ISDN)
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 7

BACT Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for

Small Businesses (UK)
BAIC Barring of All Incoming Calls
BAKOM Bundesamt für Kommunikation or Federal Office
for Communication (Switzerland)
BAOC Barring of All Outgoing Calls
BAP Bandwidth Allocation Protocol
BBS Bulletin Board Service
BBSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
BCCH Broadcast Control Channel
BCF Budget Cross-flow Model
BCFSK Binary Code Frequency Shift Keying
BCI Broadcast Interference
BCLB Broadband Connectionless Bearer Service (ATM)
BCN Beacon
BCN Broadband Communication Network
BCOB Broadband Connection-Oriented Bearer Service
(ATM)
BCPN Business Customer Premises Network
BCS Broadcast Communication System
BDI Bearing Deviation Indicator
BDT Telecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU
BEF Band Elimination Filter
BER Bit Error Rate
BER(T) Bit Error Rate (Test)
BERKOM Berliner Kommunikation (German optical network)
BEVR Broadcast Electronic Video
BF Binary Function
BFO Beat Frequency Oscillator
BFSK Binary Frequency Shift Keying
BIPT Belgian Institute for Posts and Telecommunications
BLO Blocking Signal
BNS Broadband Network Service
BP Band Pass
BPM Bi-phase Manipulation
BPS Beacon Portable Set
8 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

BPS Bits per Second

BPSK Binary Phase Shifting Key
BRF Band Rejection Filter
BRI Basic Rate Interface (ISDN)
BRITE Basic Rate Interface Transmission Equipment
BRLU Broadband Remote Line Unit
BS Base Station
BS Broadcasting Satellite
BSC Base Station Controller
BSE Broadcasting Satellite for Experimental Purposes
BSI British Standards Institute
BSIC Base Transceiver Station Identity Code
BSS Base Station System
BSS Basic Synchronised Subset
BSS Broadband Switching System
BSSMAP Base Station Systems Management Application Part
BT Burst Tolerance (ATM)
BT Business Telecommunications (as used by ETSI) or
British Telecom
BTNR British Telecom Network Requirement
BTR British Telecom Requirement
BTS Base Transceiver Station
BTS Base Transceiver Station Terminal
BTS Broadcast Transmission System
BW Band Width or Beam Width
C-BAT Cost-Benefit Analysis Toolkit
C-Net Analogue cellular system standard
CAA Civil Aviation Authority
CABS Carrier Access Billing System
CAC Carrier Access Code
CAC Connection Admission Control (ATM)
CADL Communication and Data Link
CAE Computer-Aided Engineering
CAGC Coded Automatic Gain Control
CAI Common Air Interface
CAL Calibration
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 9

CAMEL Customised Applications for Mobile Network

Enhanced Logic
CAN Cosmopolitan Area Network
CAP CAMEL Application Protocol
CAP Carrierless Amplitude/Phase modulation
CAP Competitive Access Provider
CAPI Common ISDN API
CAS Channel Associated Signalling
CAS Cordless Access Service
CATscan Computed Axial Tomodensitometry Scanner
CAU Controlled Access Unit (Token Ring)
CB Cell Broadcast
CB Channel Bank
CBC Commission of the European Community
CBDS Connectionless Broadband Data Service (ETSI)
CBI Cross-Border Interconnect
CBR Constant Bit Rate (ATM)
CBRA Constant Bit-Rate Adapter
CBS Common Base Station
CBX Computerised Branch Exchange
CC Country Code
CC Cross Correlation
CC Cross-Connect
CCA CENELEC Certification Agreement
CCBS Completion to Busy Subscriber
CCC CENELEC Electronic Components Certification
CCCH Common Control Channel
CCF Call Control Function
CCF Cross Correlation Function
CCH Connections per Circuit per Hour
CCIR Comité Consultatif International des
Radiocommunications (Consultative Committee on
International Radiocommunications) International
Body
10 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

CCITT Comité Consultatif International Télégraphique et

Téléphonique (Consultative Committee on
International Telegraphy and Telephony)
International body
CCS Common Channel Signalling
CCSS7 Common Channel Signalling System Number 7
CCU Central Control Unit
CD Call Deflection
CD Collision Detection (LAN)
CDAA Circularly Disposed Antenna Arrays
CDAS Command and Data Acquisition Station
CDC Control Data Corporation
CDM Code Division Multiplexing
CDM Continuous Delta Modulation
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
CDPD Cellular Digital Packet Data
CDR Call Detail Record
CE Conformity European
CEB Comité Electrotechnique Belge (Electrotechnical
Committee, Belgium)
CEC Commission of the European Community (ies)
CEI Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (Electrotechnical
Committee, Italy)
CEIR Central Equipment Identity Register
CELEX EC Legislation database in Eurobases databank
CEN Comité Européen de Normalisation (European
Standards Committee)
CENELEC Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
(European Electrotechnical Standards Committee)
CEPT Conférence des Administrations Européenes des
Postes et Télécommunications (European
Conference of Posts and Telecommunications
Administrations)
CERN Centre Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire
CES Central Earth Station
CES Coast Earth Station
CESI Centro Elettrotecnico Sperimentale Italiano (Italy)
CF Carrier Frequency
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 11

CF Constant Frequency
CFB Call Forward Busy
CFM Center Frequency Modulation
CFNR Call Forward No Reply
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CFS Carrier Frequency Shift
CFS Common Functional Specifications
CGSA Cellular Geographical Service Area
CI Cell Identity
CI Computer Interconnect
CIC Carrier Identification Code
CICS Customer Information Control System
CID Caller Identification
CIF Common Intermediate Format
CIGREF Club Informatique des Grandes Entreprises
Françaises
CILE Call Information Logging Equipment
CIM Coded Impulse Modulation
CIM Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CIR Channel Impulse Response
CISPR International Special Committee on Radio
Interference
CIX Commercial Internet Exchange
CLASS Custom Local Area Signalling Services
CLI Calling Line Identity/Identification
CLID Calling Line Identification (ISDN, CLASS)
CLIP Calling Line Identity Presentation
CLIR Calling Line Identification Restriction
CLNP Connectionless Network Protocol (ISO, ITU-T)
CLR Cell Loss Ratio
CLTS Connectionless-mode Transport Service
CM Communications Management
CMC Coherent Multi Channel (optical transmission)
CMIP Common Management Information Protocol
CMIS Common Management Information Service
CMR Cellular Mobile Radio
12 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

CMRS Cellular Mobile Radio Telecommunications Service

CNAE Customer Network Access Equipment
CNM Customer Network Management
CNR Carrier to Noise Ratio
CNS Complementary Network Service
CoC Certificate of Conformance
CODEC Coder/Decoder
CODIT Code Division Test Bed.
COFDM Coding Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex
COLP Connected Line Identification Presentation
COLR Connected Line Identification Restriction
COMSAT Communications Satellite Corporation
CONELRAD Control of Electromagnetic Radiation
CoP Code of Practice
COS Characteristic Orbital Spacing
COSINE Cooperation for Open Systems Interconnection
Networking in Europe
COST European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and
Technical Research
CPAF Customer Premise Access Facility
CPB Cell Priority Bit
CPE Customer Premise Equipment
CPN Customer Premises Network
CPPW Circularly Polarized Plane Wave
CPS Carrier Pre-Selection Service
CPSK Coherent Phase Shift Keying
CPT Compatibility test
CPU Central Processing Unit
CQPSK Coherent Quadrature Shift Keying
CR Community Reception
CRA Call Routing Apparatus
CRAFT Cooperative Research Action for Technology
CRAG Cellular Radio Advisory Group
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Code
CRIMP Cross Impact Model
CRO Central Radio Office
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 13

CRS Cellular Radio System

CRS Cellular Radiotelephone Service
CRT Connexion au Réseau Terrestre (French Switching
Equipment)
CS2 Capability Set 2
CS Circular Scanning
CS Coast Station
CS Communication Satellite
CS Control Section
CSA Carrier Serving Area
CSCW Computer Supported Cooperative Work
CSDN Circuit Switched Data Network
CSE CAMEL Service Environment
CSELT Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni or
Centre for Telecommunications Research and
Testing (Italy)
CSF Customer Service Function
CSI CAMEL Service Indicator (q.v. SCM)
CSI Customer Sited Interconnection
CSK Compatible Shift Keying
CSMA Carrier-Sense Multiple Access
CSMA-CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection
CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Avoidance (LAN)
CSPDN Circuit Switched Public Data Network
CSTA Computer Supported Telephony Application
CSV Circuit Switched Voice
CT Conformance Test
CT Cordless Telecommunications Mobility
CT-1 European analogue cordless telephone system
CT-2 Second generation cordless telephone, Digital
CTD Cell Transfer Delay
CTE Channel Translation Equipment
CTI Computer Telephony Integration
CTIA Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association
CTN Corporate Telecommunication Network
14 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

CTO Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

CTR Common Technical Regulation
CTS Central Transmitting Station
CTS Communications and Tracking System
CTS Conformance Testing Service
CTU Central Timing Unit
CTU Circuit Terminating Unit
CUG Closed User Group
CURTS Common User Radio Transmission System
CVSDM Continuously Variable Slope Delta Modulation
CW Call Waiting
CWS Central Wireless Station
CYTA Cyprus Telecommunications Agency
D-AMPS Digital AMPD (also know as IS-136)
D/A Digital-to-Analogue
DA Destination Address (LAN)
DA Device Address (SNA)
DAA Data Access Arrangement
DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting
DACAPS Data Collection and Processing System
DACC Direct Access Communication Channel
DACS Digital Access Cross Connect Service
DAE Data Acquisition Equipment
DAGC Delayed Automatic Gain Control
DAI Digital Audio Interface (104 kbit/s)
DAL Direct Access Line
DAM Dynamic Amplitude Modulation
DAMA Demand Assignment Multiple Access
DANAK Dansk Akkreditering or National Danish
Accreditation Scheme
DAS Data Acquisition System
DAS Dual Attachment Station (FDDI)
DASD Direct Access Storage Device
DASK Differential Amplitude Shift Keying
DASS Digital Access Signalling System
DASY Data Analyzer System
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 15

DAT Digital Audio Tape

DATEC Digital Adaptive Technique for Efficient
Communications
DATPAC Packet Switched Digital Data Network
DATS Data Transmission System
DAU Data Acquisition Unit
DAU Data Adapter Unit
DB Data Byte
DBC Decimal-Binary Conversion
DBK Data Bank
DBMS Data Base Management System
DBPSK Differential Binary Phase Shift Keying
DBS Data-base System
DBS Direct Broadcast by Satellite
DC Direct Current
DCC Data Communication Channel
DCCH Dedicated Control Channel
DCCH Digital Control Channel
DCD Data Correlation and Documentation
DCDM Digitally Controlled Delta Modulation
DCE Data Communications Equipment
DCE Distributed Computing Environment
DCF Data Communications Function Block (TMN)
DCF Data Count Field
DCMA Digital Communication with Multiple Access
DCMSK Differentially Coherent Minimum Shift Keying
DCN Data Communications Network
DCP Digital Communications Protocol
DCPLMTS Digital Cellular Public Land Mobile Telephone
System
DCPN Domestic Customer Premises Network
DCPSK Differential Coherent Phase Shift Keying
DCR Data Conversion Receiver
DCS1800 Digital Communications System1800 MHz.
DCS Digital Cellular System
DCS Digital Communication System
16 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

DCT Discrete Cosine Transform

DCU Digital Concentor Unit
DDAS Digital Data Acquisition System
DDBS Distributed Data Base System
DDD Digital Data Demodulator
DDD Direct Distance Dialling
DDE Dynamic Data Exchange
DDF Digital Distribution Frame
DDH Data Digital Handling
DDI Direct Dialling In
DDM Difference Discrete Modulation
DDM Digital Data Multiplexer
DDN Defence Data Network
DDPS Digital Data Processing System
DDR Dial-on-Demand Routing
DDS Digital Data Service
DECPSK Differentially Encoded Coherent Phase Shift Keying
DECT Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
DEM Digital Elevation Model
DEMKO Danmarks Elektriske Materielkontrol (Electrical
Testing Laboratory, Denmark)
DEPSK Differential Encoded Phase Shift Keying
DES Data Encryption Standard
DF Directional Finding
DF Distortion Factor
DFC Data Flow Control
DFFMS Digital Feedback Frequency Modulation System
DFM Digital Frequency Meter
DFS Digital Frequency Synthesizer
DFS Distributed File System
DFSK Double Frequency Shift Keying
DFT Diagnostic Function Test
DFT Discrete Fourier Transform
DFT Distributed Function Terminal (SNA)
DG Directorate General (CEC)
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 17

DG XIII Directorate General XIII from the Commission of

European Community
DGPS Differential Global Positioning System
DHE Data Handling Equipment
DHS Data Handling System
DICOM Digital Communication
DID Direct Inward Dialling
DIEL Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for
Disabled and Elderly People (UK)
DIF Direction Finder
DIGICOM Digital Communication
DIGISAT Digital Satellite Service
DIGS Digital Communications System
DILIC Dual Inline Integrated Circuit
DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung (German Standards
Institute)
DIP Dual In Line Package (integrated circuits)
DIS Digital Identification Signal
DIS Draft International Standard
DIU Digital Interface Unit
DJSU Digital Junction Switching Unit
DLC Digital Loop Carrier
DLE Digital Local Exchange
DLG Digital Line Graph
DLL Dynamic Link Library
DLU Digital Line Unit
DM Delta Modulation
DM Disconnected Mode (HDLC)
DMA Data Management Amendment
DMB Dynamic Multipoint Bridging
DMC Desktop Multimedia Conferencing
DME Distance Measuring Equipment
DME Disttributed Management Environment
DMS Data Management System
DMS Digital Multiplex Switch
DMSU Digital Main Switching Unit
18 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

DMW Decimetric Waves

DNA Digital Network Architecture
DNIC Data Network Identification Code (X.121)
DNIS Dialled Number Idenfication Service
DNL Dynamic Noise Limiter
DNS Domain Name Service
DNU Digital Networking Unit
DOSE Direction of arrival by Signal Elimination
DOV Data Over Voice
DPC Data Processing Centre
DPCM Delta Pulse Code Modulation
DPE Data Processing Equipment
DPHM Differential Phase Modulation
DPLL Digital Phase Locked Loop
DPM Differential Phase Modulation
DPNSS Digital Private Network Signalling System
DPPM Differential Pulse Position Modulation
DPS Data Processing System
DPSK Differential Phase Shift Keying
DPWM Differential Pulse Width Modulation
DQDB Distributed Queue Dual Bus
DQPSK Differential Quadrature Phase Shifting Key
DR Distortion Ratio
DR Dynamic Range
DRA Dielectric Rod Antenna
DRAMS Digital Recording and Measuring System
DRCS Digital Radio Concentrator System
DRCS Distress Radio Call System
DRP Directional Radiated Power
DRS Data Relay Satellite
DS Digital Signal
DS Direct Sequence
DSA Directory Service Agent
DSA Distributed Systems Architecture
DSB Double-Sideband
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 19

DSB-SC-AM Double Sideband-Suppressed Carrier-Amplitude

Modulation
DSB-SC-ASK Double Sideband-Suppressed Carrier-Amplitude
Shift Keying
DSE Data Switching Equipment
DSG Data Systems Group
DSI Detailed Spectrum Investigation (as conducted by
CEPT/ERO)
DSK Delay Shift Keying
DSL Digital Subscriber Line
DSMA Digital Sense Multiple Access
DSN Derived Services Network
DSP Digital Signal Processor
DSPS Digital Signal Processing System
DSRR Digital Short Range Radio
DSS Digital Subscriber Signalling System (ISDN,
B-ISDN)
DSS Digital Switched Services
DSSS Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
DSTE Data Subscriber Terminal Equipment
DSU Digital Service Units
DSVD Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data
DTAP Direct Transfer Application Part
DTC Data Transmission Channel
DTDMA Distributed Time-Division Multiple Access
DTE Data Terminal Equipment
DTLU Digital Terminal Line Unit
DTM Digital Terrain Model
DTMF Dual Tone Multi Frequency
DTP Detail Test Plan
DTS Digital Transmission System
DTU Data Transfer Unit
DUT Device Under Test
DVB Digital Video Broadcasting
DVM Data over Voice Multiplexer
DVM Digital Voltmeter
DVN Digital Video-Frequency Network
20 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

DVT Digital Video Terminal

DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
DXI Data Exchange Interface (ATM, SMDS)
E-MAIL Electronic Mail
E/O Electro-optical Conversion
EA Evaluation Authority
EBCDIC Ext ended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
EBCS Electronics Business Communication System
EBIT European Broadband Interconnection Trial
EBU European Broadcasting Union
ECFRN European Consultative Forum for Research
Networking
ECHO European Commission Host Organization
ECITC European Committee for IT Testing and
Certification
ECM Electronic Countermeasures
ECMA European Computer Manufacturers Association
ECP European Common Proposal
ECS Experimental Communications Satellite
ECSA European Computing Software Association
ECSA Exchange Carriers Standards Association
ECSS European Communications Satellite System
ECTRA European Committee for Telecommunications
Regulatory Affairs
ECTS Electronic Custom Telephone System
ECTUA European Council of Telecommunications Users
Association
ED Error Detecting
EDGE Enhanced Data-Rates for GSM Evolution
EDH Electronic Document Handling
EDI Electronic Data Interchange
EDIFACT Electronic Data Interchange For Administration,
Commerce, and Trade (ANSI)
EDM Electronic Distance Measurement
EDP Electronic Data Processing
EDR Equivalent Direct Radiation
EEMA European Electronic Mail Association
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 21

EES Experimental Earth Station

EESS Earth Exploration-Satellite Service
EFR Enhanced Full Rate
EFS End of Frame Sequence (LAN)
EFTA European Free Trade Association
EFTPOS Electronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale
EGSM Extended Global System for Mobile
Communications
EH Electronic Highways
EHF Extremely High Frequency
EI Expansion Interface
EIA Electronics Industry Association
EIN European Informatics Network (predecessor of
Euronet)
EIR Equipment Identity Register
EISA Extended Industry Standard Architecture
EIUF European ISDN User Forum
ELB Emergency Location Beacon
EMA Enterprise Management Architecture
EMAG ETSI MIS Advisory Group
EMC Electro-magnetic Compatibility
EMF Electromagnetic Field
EMS Electromagnetic Spectrum
EMS Expanded Memory Specification
EMW Electromagnetic Wave
EN Norme Européenne (European Standard)
ENF European Numbering Forum
ENG Equivalent Noise Generator
ENG/OB Electronic News Gathering/Outside Broadcast
ENO European Numbering Office
ENS Enterpise Network Services
ENSO ETSI National Standardisation Organisations (ETSI)
ENT Equivalent Noise Temperature
ENV European pre-standard
EOTC European Organisation for Testing and Certification
EPHOS European Procurement Handbook for Open Systems
22 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons

EPIRS Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacon Station
EPSS Electronic Packet Switched Data Transmission
System
ER Essential Requirement(s)
ERC European Radiocommunications Committee
ERMES European Radio Messaging System
ERO European Radiocommunications Office
ERS Earth Resources Satellite
ERS Effective Receiver Sensitivity
ERSS Earth Remote Sensing Satellite
ESA European Space Agency
ESB European Standardisation Board
ESC European Standardisation Council
ESD European Standards Database
ESDI Enhanced Small Device Interface
ESI End System Identifier (ATM, ISO)
ESIG European SMDS Interest Group
ESLNT Equivalent Satellite Link Noise Temperature
ESMR Enhanced Specialised Mobile Radio
ESN Equipment Serial Number
ESO European Standardisation Organisation
ESP EBIT Service Project
ESP Enhanced Service Provider
ESPRIT European Strategic Programme for Research and
Development
ESRS Electronic Scanning Radar System
ESS Electronic Switching System
ESS European Standardisation System
ESS Experimental Synchronous Satellite
ESSA Environmental Survey Satellite
EST Earth Station Transmitter
ESV Earth Satellite Vehicle
ETACS Extended Total Access System
ETCI Electro-Technical Council of Ireland
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 23

ETNO Association of European Public

Telecommunications Network Operators
ETO European Telecommunications Office
ETP European Telecommunications Platform
ETR ETSI Technical Report
ETS European Telecommunication Standard
ETSA European Telecommunication Services Association
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
EU European Union
EUMETSAT European Meteorological Satellite Organisation
EUREKA European Research Co-operation Agency
EURESCOM European Institute for Research and Strategic
Studies in Telecommunications
EUROBIT European Association of Manufacturers of Business
Machines and Data Processing Equipment
EurOSINET European OSI Network
EUSIDIC European Association of Information Services
EUTELSAT European Telecommunications Satellite
Organisation
EVM Electronic Voltmeter
EWOS European Workshop for Open Systems
EWP ETSI Work Programme
FAC Fully Allocated Costs
FACCH Fast Association Control Channel
FAGC Fast Automatic Gain Control
FAL Frequency Allocation List
FAM Frequency Amplitude Modulation
FAS Frame Alignment Sequence (T-1, E.1)
FATDL Frequency and Time Division Data Link
FC Functional Component
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FCCH Forward Control Channel
FCS Facsimile Communication System
FD Fault Detection
FD Frequency Division
FD-PSK Frequency-Differential Phase Shift Keying
FDD Frequency Division Duplex
24 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

FDDI Fibre Distributed Data Interface

FDDL Frequency Division Data Link
FDM Frequency Division Multiplex(ed)
FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access
FEC Forward Error Correction
FEI Federation of the Electronics Industry (UK)
FES Fixed Earth Station
FET Field Effect Transistor
FF Fixed Frequency
FF Frequency Feedback
FFSK Fast Frequency Shift Keying
FGMDSS Future Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
FGS Fixed Ground Station
FH Frequency Hopping
FH/DS Frequency-Hopping Direct Sequence
FIAG Framework Interconnection Agreement Guidelines
Fll Failure Indication Information
FIM Field Intensity Meter
FITL Fiber In The Loop
FM Frequency Modulation
FM Frequency Multiplexing
FMC Fixed Mobile Convergence
FMH Function Management Header (SNA)
FPLMTS Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunications
Systems
FRAD Frame Relay Access Device
FRBS Frame Relay Bearer Service
FRC Fixed Radio Communication
FRF Frame Relay Forum
FRM Functional Reference Model
FRS Frame Relay Service
FS Frequency Shift
FSCE Free Space Communication Equipment
FSK Frequency Shift Keying
FSL Flexible Service Logic
FSL Free Space Loss
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 25

FSM Field Strength Meter

FSS Fixed-Satellite Service
FSS Frequency-Shift Signal
FST Frequency Shift Transmission
FT Frequency Tolerance
FTAM File Transfer Access & Management
FTDMA Frequency and Time Division Multiple Access
FTM Frequency Time Modulation
FTP File Transfer Protocol
FTTC Fibre to the Curb
FTTH Fiber to the Home
FUNI Frame User-to-Network Interface (ATM)
FVC Forward Voice Channel
FWS Fixed Wireless Station
GA General Assembly (ETSI)
GAP Generic Access Profiles
GATT Global Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GBSAS Ground-Based Scanning Antenna System
GCC Generic Conference Control
GCC Ground Control Center
GCRA Generic Cell Rate Algorithm
GFC Generic Flow Control (ATM)
GFI General Format Identifier (X.25)
GFPM Gated Frequency Position Modulation
GFSK Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying
GGE Ground Guidance Equipment
GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node
GIO Generic Interface for Operations (SMDS)
GIS Geographical Information System
GLONASS Global Navigation Satellite System
GMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
GME Group Modulating Equipment
GMF Geomagnetic Field
GMPCS Global Mobile Personal Communications System by
Satellite
GMS Geo-stationary Meteorological Satellite
26 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

GMSC Gateway Mobile Services Switching Centre

GMSK Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
GNCS Guidance, Navigation and Control System
GNP Gross National Product
GOES Geo-stationary Operational Environmental Satellite
GOS Global Observing System
GoS Grade of Service
GOSIP Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile
GPIB General Purpose Interface Bus
GPRS General Packet Radio Service
GPRT General Purpose Radio Transmitter
GPS Global Positioning System
GPSCS General Purpose Satellite Communications System
GRS Ground Receiving Station
GS Geo-stationary Satellite
GS Ground Station
GS Guidance System
GSA GSM System Area
GSL Ground-Space Link
GSLB Groupe spécial large bande (CEPT group on
broadband telecommunications)
GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
GSM MS GSM Mobile Station
GSM PLMN GSM Public Land Mobile Network
GSMA Global Scheduling Multiple Access
GSN GPRS Support Node
GSO Geo-stationary Orbit
GSS Geodetic Stationary Satellite
GSS Group Switching Subsystem
GTD Geometric Theory of Diffraction
HADM Hybrid Analog and Digital Modulation
HADTS High Accuracy Data Transmission System
HBS Home Base-Station
HCM High Capacity Multiplexing
HCSPR Hundred Call Seconds Per Hour
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 27

HCV High Capacity Voice

HDDV High Definition Digital Video
HDLC High-Level Data Link Control
HDML Handheld Device Mark-up Language
HDSL High-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line
HDT Host Digital Terminal
HDTM Half-Duplex Transmission Module (X.25)
HDWDM High Density Wavelength Division Multiplex
HDX Half-Duplex
HES Home Electronic System(s)
HF Height Finder
HF High Frequency
HFAA High Frequency Airborne Antenna
HFRDF High Frequency Radio Direction Finder
HFRT High Frequency Radio Transmitter
HFWB High Frequency Wire Broadcasting System
HG Harmonic Generator
HGA High Gain Antenna
HIPERLAN High performance local area network
HIPPI High Performance Parallel Interface
HLL High Level Language
HLR Home Location Register
HMSC Home Mobile Switching Centre
HNPA Home Number Plan Area
HOSTID Host Identifier
HPF Highest Possible Frequency
HPR High Performance Routing
HSC Hierarchical Cell Structure
HSCSD High Speed Circuit Switched Data
HSLAN High Speed LAN
HSPSD High-Speed Packet Switched Data
HSSI High-Speed Serial Interface (ANSI)
HTML Hypertext Markup Language
HTTP Hypertext Transfer Protocol (IETF)
I-ETS Interim European Telecommunications Standard
IACS Inegrated Access and Crossconnect System
28 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

IAFIS Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification

System
IAGC Instantaneous Automatic Gain Control
IAM Initial Address Message (SS7)
IANA Internet Address Naming Authority
IAPSK Independent Amplitude and Phase Shift Keying
IARU International Amateur Radio Union
IATCS International Air Traffic Communication Station
IAVC Instantaneous Automatic Volume Control
IBC Integrated Broadband Communication
IBCN Integrated Broadband Communications Network
IBN Integrated Broadband Network
IC Integrated Circuit
ICCB Internet Control and Configuration Board
ICD International Code Designator (ISO)
ICI Intercarrier Interface (SMDS)
ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol
ICP Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal (The
Portuguese Institute of Communications)
ICP Internet Control Protocol
ICR Interference-to-Carrier Ratio
ICS Integrated Communication System
ICS International Code of Signals
ICT Information and Communication Technologies
IDA Integrated Data Access or
Integrated Digital Access
IDI Initial Domain Identifier (ISO)
IDLC Integrated Digital Loop Carrier (Telephony)
IDN Integrated Digital Network
IDNX Integrated Digital Network Exchange
IDP Internet Datagram Protocol
IDVM Integrating Digital Voltmeter
IEC Interconnection Extension Circuit
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IES Information Exchange Services
IESG Internet Engineering Steering Group
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 29

IETF Internet Engineering Task Force

IFRB International Frequency Registration Board
IFS Interfering Signal
IFT International Frequency Table
IHL Internet Header Length (IP)
IIT Integrated Information Transport
ILBC Independent Local Exchange Carrier
ILF Infra-Low Frequency
ILS Instrument Landing System
IMCC ISDN Management and Co-ordinating Committee
IME International Mobile Station Equipment Identity
IMT Impulse-Modulated Telemetry
IMT International Mobile Telecommunications
IMTC International Multimedia Conferencing Consortium
IMTS Improved Mobile Telephone Service
IMUI International Mobile User Identity
IMUX Inverse Multiplexer/Intelligent Multiplexer
IN Intelligent Network
INAP Intelligent Network Application Part
INCA Inter Network Call Accounting System
INMARSAT International Marine Satellite Organisation
INMS Integrated Network Management System
INTELSAT International Telecommunications Satellite
Organisation
INTUG International Telecommunications User Group
IOC Inter Office Channel
ION Integrated Optical Network
IP Integrated Peripheral
IP Internet Protocol
IPA Intermediate Power Amplifier
IPNS ISDN PBX Networking Specification
IPNS Forum A body committed to accelerate the development of
the QSIG standard by providing co-ordinated input
to ECMA
IPR Intellectual Property Rights
IPS Instructions per Second
30 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

IPSS International Packet Switching Service

IPX Internetwork Packet Exchange
IRAS Internet Routing and Access Service
IRCS International Radio Call Sign
IRP Independent Routing Processor
IRPA International Radiation Protection Association
IRS International Radio Station
IRSG Internet Research Steering Group
IRT Integrated Rural Telematics
IRTA Integrated Regional Telematics Architecture
IRTF Internet Research Task Force
IS Information Systems
IS Interim Standard (ISO)
IS Intermediate System (ETSI TC BT)
IS-PBX Integrated Services Private Branch Exchange
ISA Industry Standard Architecture
ISB Independent Side Band
ISC International Switching Centre
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ISIS International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies
ISL Intersatellite Link
ISM ISDN Standards Management
ISN Information Systems Network
ISO International Organisation for Standardisation
ISOC Internet Society
ISP Internet Service Provider
ISTC International Satellite Transmission Center
ISTC International Switching and Testing Center
ISV Independent Software Vendor
IT Information Technology
IT&T Information Technology and Telecommunications
ITA International Telegraph Alphabet
ITC International Teletraffic Congress
ITN Independent Telecommunication Network
ITSTC Information Technology Steering Committee
ITU International Telecommunication Union
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 31

ITUSA Information Technology Users’ Standards

Association
IVDM Integrated Voice Data Multiplexer
IVDS Interactive Video Data Services
IVDT Integrated Voice and Data Terminal
IVN Intervening Network (ETSI TC BT)
IVR Interactive Voice Response
IVS Interactive Video Service
IWU Interworking Unit (ETSI TC BT)
JEEC Joint ECMA ETSI Programme Committee (ETSI)
JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group (ISO)
JPG Joint Presidents Group
(CEN/CENELEC/ETSI)
JRTIC Joint Radiophone Technical Interfaces Group
JTC Joint Technical Committee (EBU/ETSI and
ISO/IEC)
JTCG Joint Technical Co-ordination Group
JTM Job Transfer and Management
KCS KTL Certification Services
KTILA Development Centre for Telecommunications
(Greece)
KTS Key Telephone System
LAA Linear Array Antenna
LADS Local Area Data Service
LAI Location Area Identification or Identity
LAMs Line Adaptor Modules
LAN Local Area Network
LANS Local Area Network Services
LAP Link Access Procedure (X.25)
LAPF Link Access Procedure to Frame Mode Bearer
Services (FR, ISDN)
LAPM Link Access Procedure for Modems (V.42)
LAPX Link Access Procedure half-duplex (X.32)
LAS Low-Altitude Observation Satellite
LASS Local Area Signalling Services
LATA Local Access and Transport Area
LCM Line Concentrator Module
32 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

LCN Local Communication Network

LCN Logical Channel Number (X.25)
LD Loop Disconnect
LDDI Local Distributed Data Interface (ANSI)
LDM Linear Delta Modulation
LDN Listed Directory Number
LEC Local Exchange Carrier
LED Light Emitting Diode
LEO Low Earth Orbit
LEOS Low Earth Orbit Satellites
LHCP Left Handed Circular Polarization
LHPW Left-Hand Polarized Wave
LI Length Indicator
LIDB Line Information Database (ISDN)
LMC Land Mobile Communications
LMDS Local Multipoint Distribution System
LMI Local Management Interface
LMSS Land Mobile Satellite Service
LMT Local Maintenance Terminal
LNA Logarithmic Narrow-Band Amplifier
LORAN Long Range Navigation System
LOSRRS Line-of-Sight Radio Relay System
LPCM Linear Pulse Code Modulation
LPD Low Power Device
LPI Low Probability of Intercept
LRN Long-Range Navigation
LRRP Lowest Required Radiated Power
LSB Least Signifcant Bit
LSI Large Scale Integration
LSL Link Support Layer
LSPSD Low-Speed Packet Switched Data
LTE Line Terminating Equipment
LTM Line-Type Modulation
LTU Line Termination Unit
LUF Lowest Usable Frequency
LVD Low Voltage Directive
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 33

MAACS Multi-Address Asynchronous Communication

System
MAC Multiplexed Analogue Components or
Medium Access Control
MADS Multiple Access Data System
MAF Management Application Function (TMN)
MAI Mobile Allocation Index
MAN Metropolitan Area Networks
MAP Manufacturing Automation Protocol
MAP Mobile Application Part
MAR Memory Address Register
MARISAT Maritime Satellite Communication System
MARS Manned Astronautical Research Station
MARSAT Maritime Satellite
MAS Multiple Access System
MASK Multilevel Amplitude Shift Keying
MATSE Mobile Automatic Telephone System - Europe
MAU Medium Attachment Unit (Ethernet)
MBFT Multipoint Binary Transfer File
MBR Maritime Business Radio
MCC Mobile Country Code
MCF Message Communication Functions (TMN)
MCL Mercury Communications Limited
MCN Mobile Control Node
MCPC Multiple Channel Per Carrier
MCPR Multimedia Communication Processing and
Representation
MCR Minimum Cell Rate (ATM)
MCS Multipoint Communication Service
MCT Model Compatibility Test
MCU Multipoint Control Unit
MCVF Multi-Channel Voice Frequency
MDB Management Database
MDBS Mobile Database Station
MDF Main Distribution Frame
MDNS Managed Data Network Services
34 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

MDR Memory Data Register

MDS Multipoint Distribution Services
MDSL Moderate Speed Digital Subscriber Line
MDTRS Mobile Digital Trunked Radio Systems
ME Maintenance Entities (TMN) or
Mobile Equipment
MEF Maintenance Entity Function (TMN)
MEG Mobile Experts Group
MENL Maximum External Noise Level
MEO Medium Earth Orbit
MEOS Medium Earth Orbit Satellites
MExE Mobile station application Execution Environment
MF Multi Frequency or
Mediation Function Block (TMN)
MFC Multi Frequency Code
MFKP Multi-Frequency Key Pulsing
MFLOPS Millions of Floating Point Operations Per Second
MFS Multiple Frequency Shift
MHS Message Handling System
MIB Management Information Base (TMN)
MID Message Identifier (ATM, SMDS)
MID Multiplexing Identifier (ATM)
MIDA Multiple Integrated Digital Access (UK)
MIFR Master International Frequency Register
MIME Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
MIN Mobile ID number
MINIT Minimum Interference Threshold
MIPS Millions of Instructions Per Second
MIS Management Information System
MLC Multilink Control Field (X.25)
MLP Multilink Protocol (X.25)
MLS Microwave Landing System
MLS Multiple Listing Service
MMDS Multichannel, Multipoint Distribution System
MMS Maritime Mobile Service
MMSE Minimum Mean Square Error
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 35

MMSI Maritime Mobile Service Identities

MMSS Maritime Mobile Satellite Service
MOC Mobile Originating Call
MOL Manned Orbital Laboratory
MOP Maintenance Operations Protocol
MOS Manned Orbiting Station
MoU Memorandum of Understanding
MPASK Multiple Phase Amplitude Shift Keying
MPOA Multiprotocol Over ATM
MPSK Multilevel Phase Shift Keying
MRA Mutual Recognition Agreement
MRC Mobile Radiocommunications
MRCF Maximum Rate of exchange of Frequency
MS Mobile Station
MSB Most Significant Bit
MSC Mobile Switching Centre
MSIN Mobile Station Identification Number
MSISDN Mobile Station International ISDN
MSK Minimum Shift Keying
MSRN Mobile Station Roaming Number
MSS MAN Switching System or Mobile Satellite Service
MSS Mobile Satellite System
MSSC Mobile Satellite Switching Center
MSSHO Mobile Speed Sensitive Handover
MST Multi-Service Terminal
MTA Mail Transport Agent
MTA Message Transfer Agent
MTS Message Toll Service
MTS Message Transfer System
MUF Maximum Usable Frequency
MVDS Multipoint Video Distribution System
MVIP Multi Vendor Integration Protocol
MVS Multiple Virtual Storage
N-AMPS Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone System
NA Network Aspects
NACD Network Automatic Call Distribution
36 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

NACS NetWare Asynchronous Communication Services

(NetWare)
NAMAS National Measurement Accreditation Service
NAP Network Access Point (Internet)
NAS Network Application Support
NBFM Narrow Band Frequency Modulation
NBPSK Narrow-Band Phase-Shift Keying
NBPSKT Narrow Band Phase-Shift Keying Telegraphy
NBVM Narrow-Band Voice Modulation
NCCF Network Communication Control Facility
NCCN Network Charge Change Notice
NCFSK Non coherent Frequency Shift Keying
NCO Numerical Control Oscillator
NCOP Network Code of Practice
NCP NetWare Core Protocol (NetWare)
NCTE Network Channel Terminating Equipment
NDIS Network Device Interface Standard
NE Network Element (TMN)
NEF Network Element Function Block (TMN)
NEMKO Norwegian Board for Testing and Approval of
Electrical Equipment
NETC National Electronics Test Centre (Ireland)
NETID Network Identifier
NFM Narrow-Band Frequency Modulation
NFS Network File System
NHRP Next Hop Routing Protocol
NI Network Interface
NIC Network Identification Code
NIC Network Interface Card (LAN)
NICC Network Interoperability Consultative Committee
NICE Network Information and Control Exchange
NID Network Interface Device
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology
(USA)
NIUF North American ISDN Users Form
NL Network Layer
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 37

NLDM Network Logical Data Manager

NLPID Network Layer Protocol Identifier
NLSP NetWare Link Service Protocol
NM Network Management
NM Network Module
NMC Network Management Centre
NMP Network Management Protocol
NMRS National Mobile Radio System
NMS Network Management System
NMSI National Mobile Station Identification number
NMSS National Multipurpose Space Station
NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone System
NN Network Node
NNG National Number Group
NNI Network Node Interface (ATM)
NNI Network-to-Network Interface (FR)
NOAF Network Operator Facility
NOCC Network Operations Control Centre
NORC Network Operators Research Committee
NP Network Performance
NP Number Portability
NPA Numbering Plan Area
NPC Network Parameter Control (ATM)
NPDU Network Layer Protocol Data Unit
NPI Numbering Plan Identification
NRA National Regulatory Authority
NREN National Research and Education Network (USA)
NSAI National Standards Authority of Ireland
NSAP Network Service Access Point
NSAPA Network Service Access Point Address (ISO)
NSC Network Service Centre
NSOs National Standards Organisations
NSP Native Signal Processing
NSP Network Service Protocol
NSPC National Sound-Program Center
NSS Navigation Satellite System
38 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

NT Network Termination (ISDN)

NTA Telestyrelsen or National Telecom Agency,
Denmark
NTE Network Terminating Equipment
NTI National Telecom Inspectorate (Iceland)
NTIA National Telecommunications and Information
Administration
NTO Network Terminal Option
NTP Network Termination Point
NTRA Norwegian Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority
NTS Number Translation Service
NTU Network Termination Unit
NUI Network User Identification
ÖN Österreichisches Normungsinstitut or Austrian
Standards Institute
ÖVE Österreichischer Verband für Elektrotechnik or
Austrian Association for Electrotechnology
OBCS On-Board Communication Station
OC Optical Carrier (SONET)
OCC Other Common Carriers
OCHC Operator Call Handling Centre
ODA Office Document Architecture
ODA Omnidirectional Antenna
ODIF Open Document Interchange Format
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development
OEIC Opto-electronic Integrated Circuit
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OFDM Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplex
OFM Optical Frequency Multiplexing
OFTEL Office of Telecommunications (UK)
OID Object Identifier
OLC Optical Loop Carrier
OLI Optical Line Inlet
OLO Optical Line Outlet
OLO Other Licensed Operator
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 39

OLR Overall Loudness Rating

OLTE Optical Line Terminating Equipment
OMC Operations and Maintenance Centre
OME Operator Mobile Exchange
OMP Open Market Provision
ONA Open Network Architecture
ONC Open Network Computing
ONMS Open Network Management System
ONP Open Network Provision
ONU Optical Network Unit
OOE Organisation Outside ETSI
OQASK Offset Quadrature Amplitude Shift Keying
OQPSK Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
OQRSK Orthagonal Quadrature PSK
ORB Omnidirectional Radiobeacon
ORM Optically Remote switching Module
OS Operating System
OSF Operations Systems Function Block (TMN)
OSI Open System Interconnect(ion)
OSI/NMF OSI Network Management Form
OSINET OSI Network
OSIRM Open Systems Interconnection Reference Model
(ISO ITU-T)
OSITOP Open Systems Interconnecting/Technical and Office
Protocol
OSS Operation Support Systems
OTE Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (Greece)
OTE Operator Tandem Exchange
OTF Optimum Traffic Frequency
OWF Optimum Working Frequency
PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange
PAC Programme Advisory Committee (ETSI)
PACS Personal Access Communications System
PACT Public Access Cordless Telephony
PAD Packet Assembler/Disassembler
PAM Pulse Amplitude Modulation
40 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

PAMR Public Access Mobile Radio

PBP Packet Burst Protocol
PBX Private Branch Exchange
PC Path Control
PC Program Counter
PCA Position of Closed Approach
PCB Printed Circuit Board
PCB Process Control Block
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
PCI Pre-Connection Inspection or
Programmable Communication Interface
PCIA Personal Communications Industry Association
PCM Pulse Code Modulation
PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association
PCN Personal Communications Network
PCR Peak Cell Rate (ATM)
PCS Personal Communication Services
PCSN Private Circuit Switching Network
PCT Private Communication Technology
PCU Premises Control Unit
PDA Personal Digital Assistant
PDBM Pulse Delay Binary Modulation
PDC Personal Digital Cellular
PDF Portable Document Format (Adobe)
PDH Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy
PDM Pulse-Duration Modulation
PDMA Polarization Division Multiple Access
PDN Public Data Network or
Partial Distinguished Name (TMN)
PDOP Position Dilution Of Position
PDS Power Density Spectrum
PDU Protocol Data Unit
PEAN Pan-European ATM Network
PED Portable Electronic Devices
PEP Peak Envelope Power
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 41

PES Personal Earth Station

PET Planning Exercise in Telecommunications
technologies (forerunner of RACE)
PEV Peak Envelope Voltage
PF Presentation Function (TMN)
PFC Phase Frequency Characteristic
PFD Phase-Frequency Detector
PFD Power Flux Density
PFM Pulse-Frequency Modulation
PH Packet Handler (ISDN)
PHDM Phase Difference Modulation
PICS Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement
PIN Personal Identification Number
PINX Private Telecommunications Network Exchange
PITCOM Parliamentary Information Technology Committee
(UK)
PIXIT Protocol Implementation Extra Information for
Testing
PLC Programming Logic Controller
PLISO Plesisochronous
PLL Phase Locked Loop
PLM Pulse Length Modulation
PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
PLMTS Public Land Mobile Telephone System
PLP Packet Layer Protocol (X.25)
PLU Primary Logical Unit
PM Phase Modulation
PM Physical Medium
PMA Physical Medium Attachment
PMBS Packet Mode Bearer Service
PMD Physical Medium Dependent (FDDI)
PML Permitted Maximum Level
PMN Public Mobile Network
PMR Private Mobile Radio
PMS Permitted Maximum Signal
PMSN Public Mobile Satellite Network
42 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

PNM Pulse Number Modulation

PNNI Private Network Node Interface (ATM)
PNO Public Network Operator
PNT Private Network Termination
POC Point Of Connection (switch connection)
POCSAG Post Office Code Standards Advisory Group
POD Programmable Option Devices
POI Point Of Interconnect (network connection)
PON Passive Optical Network
POSI Promotion of OSI
POSIT Profiles for Open Systems Interworking
Technologies
POTS Plain Old Telephone Service
PPS Precise Positioning Service
PRI Primary Rate Interface (ISDN)
PRM Pulse Rate Modulation
PRN Pseudo Random Noise
PRS Premium Rate Service
PRSIG Pacific Rim SMDS Interest Group
PS Paging Systems
PSAR Programmable Synchronous/ Asynchronous
Transmitter
PSB Public Service Board
PSC Public Service Commission
PSD Phase Sensitive Detector
PSD Power Spectrum Density
PSDN Packet Switched Data Network
PSE Packet Switching Exchange
PSK Phase Shift Keying
PSM Pulse Spacing Modulation
PSN People with special needs
PSN Public Switched Network
PSPDN Packet Switched Public Data Network
PSPM Pulse Symmetrical Phase Modulation
PSTN Public Switched Telecommunications Network
PSU Power Supply Unit
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 43

PTI Packet Type Identifier (X.25)

PTI Payload Type Identifier (ATM)
PTM Packet Transport Mode
PTN Public Telecommunication Network
PTNX Private Telecommunications Network Exchange
PTO Public Telecommunication Operator
PTS Public Telecommunications System
PTT Post, Telephone, and Telegraph
PTTNS Public Telecommunications Transport Networks and
Services
PUC Public Service Commission
PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit
PVN Private Virtual Network
PVP Permanent Virtual Paths
PWM Pulse-Width Modulation
PWT Personal Wireless Telephone
PXML Private Exchange Master List
Q-bit Qualified data bit (X.25)
QA Quality Assurance or
Q-Adapter (TMN)
QAF Q-Adapter Block (TMN)
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
QASK Quadrature Amplitude Shift Keying
QCIF Quarter CIF
QDPSK Quaternary Differential Phase Shift Keying
QFM Quantized Frequency Modulation
QoS Quality of Service
QPM Quantized Phase Modulation
QPSX Queued Packet Synchronous Exchange
QUAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
QWA Quarter Wave Antenna
R&TTE Radio & Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
RA Radiocommunications Agency
RACE Research and Development in Advanced
Communications Technologies in Europe
RACH Random Access Channel
44 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

RACOM Random Communication

RADAG Radar Guidance
RADAR Radio Detection and Ranging
RADAT Radar Data Transmission
RADIC Radio Interior Communication
RADSL Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line
RAI Remote Alarm Indication
RAS Remote Access Server (Remote LAN)
RBBS Residential Broadband Service
RBN Radiobeacon
RBS Radio Beacon Station
RC Reference Configuration
RCC Reverse Control Channel
RCE Remote Channel Extenders
RCF Routing Control Field
RCM Radar Counter Measures
RCS Radio Command System
RCS Radiocommunication Service
RCSS Random Communications Satellite System
RD Routing Domain (ATM, ISO)
RDF Radio Direction Finder
RDF Route Designator Field
RDS Radio Data System
RDSS Radio Determination Satellite Service
RDT Remote Data Transmitter
RDTD Restricted Differential Time Delay
REE Radio Electronic Equipment
RegTP Regulierungsbehörde für Telekommunikation und
Post
REM Ring Error Monitor
REN Ringer Equivalent Number
RES Radio Equipment and Systems
RF Radio Frequency
RFA Random Fixed Access
RFCP Radio Frequency Compatibility Program
RFH Remote Frame Handler (ISDN)
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 45

RFI Radio Frequency Interference

RIC RACE Industrial Consortium
RIF Routing Information Field (Source Routing)
RII Routing Information Indicator (Source Routing)
RIM Request Initialisation Mode (HDLC)
RIO Reference Interconnection Offer
RIP Routing Information Protocol
RISE Retrieval and Interchange of Standards in Europe
project
RLR Receive Loudness Rating
RLS Radiolocation Service (Station)
RLSD Receive Line Signal Detector
RM Resource Management
RMC RACE Management Committee
RMON Remote Network Monitoring
RNC Radio Network Control
RNF Receiver Noise Figure
RNS Radio-navigation Service
RNSS Radio-navigation Satellite Service
ROH Receiver Of-Hook
ROMP Remote Operations Microprocessor
RoR Rate of Return
ROSE Remote Operation Service Element (Application
Layer)
RP Registration Point
RR The ITU Radio Regulations
RPC Radar Processing Center
RPC Remote Procedure Call
RPG Random Pulse Generator
RPM Random Phase Modulation
RPS Radio-Paging System
RPS Ring Parameter Server
RPSK Relative Phase Shift Keying
RRS Radio Relay Station
RS Remote Station
RSB Residual Sideband
46 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

RSCV Route Selection Control Vector

RSEMS Remote Sensing of the Electromagnetic Spectrum
RSM Remote Switching Module (telephony)
RSS Remote Switch Subsystem
RT Real Time
RT Remote Terminal
RTC Radiotelephone Communication
RTM Reference Test Method
RTR Radio Teletype Receiver
RTSC Regional Telematic Service Centre
RTSE Remote Transfer Service Element (Application
Layer)
RTU Remote Telemetry Units
RXLEV Received Signal Level
RXQUAL Received Signal Quality
S-DAB Satellite Digital Audio Broadcasting
S/N Signal to Noise ratio
SA Source Address
SAACH Slow Associated Control Channel
SAAL Signaling ATM Adaptation Layer (ATM)
SABM Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode (HDLC)
SABME Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode Extended
(HDLC)
SAC Service Access Code
SAM System Administration Module
SAMSARS Satellite-Based Maritime Search and Rescue System
SAP Source Access Point
SAPI Service Access Point Identifier (LAPD)
SAR Segmentation and Reassembly (ATM)
SARBE Search and Rescue Beacon
SARM Set Asynchronous Response Mode (HDLC)
SART Search and Rescue Radar Transponder
SAS Simple Attachment Scheme
SAS Small Astronomical Satellite
SATAN System Administrator Tool for Analysing Networks
SBAS Steerable-Beam Antenna System
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 47

SBS Satellite Business System

SBSVC Selective Broadcast Signalling Virtual Channel
(B-ISDN)
SCA System Communication Architecture
SCADA Supervisory Control And Data
SCAM Spectrum Characteristics Analysis Measurement
SCCP Signalling Connection Control Part
SCE Service Creation Environment
SCEF Service Creation Environment Function (TMN)
SCF Service Control Function (TMN)
SCFM Subcarrier Frequency Modulation
SCFS Subcarrier Frequency Shift
SCP Service Control Point
SCP Session Control Protocol
SCPC Single Channel per Carrier
SCR Sustained Cell Rate (ATM)
SCSI Small Computer Systems Interface
SCVF Single Channel Voice Frequency
SDDS Satellite Data Distribution System
SDF Specialised Database Functions (TMN)
SDF Spectral Density Function
SDH Synchronous Digital Hierarchy
SDK Software Development Kit
SDM Space Division Multiplexing
SDPLL Sampled Data Phase Locked Loop
SDPS Satellite Data Processing System
SDSL Single-line Digital Subscriber Line
SDSL Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line
SDSU SMDS Data Service Unit
SDTS Satellite Data Transmission System
SDU Service Data Unit
SE Support Equipment (TMN)
SEF Support Entity Function (TMN)
SEMKO Swedish Institute for Testing and Approval of
Electrical Equipment
SES Satellite Earth Stations
48 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

SEV Schweizerischer Elektrotechnischer Verein (Swiss

Electrotechnical Association)
SEWG Spectrum Engineering Working Group of CEPT
ERC
SEWS Satellite Early Warning System
SFM Space Frequency Modulation
SFS Start of Frame Sequence (LAN)
SFTS Standard Frequency and Time Signals
SGML Standard Generalised Markup Language
SHF Super High Frequency
SHOSAC Shore-to-Ship Distress Alerting Channel
SI Statutory Instruments (UK)
SIF Signalling Information Field
SIG Special Interest Group
SIM Subscriber Identity Module
SIMD Single Instruction stream Multiple Data stream
SINs British Telecom Suppliers’ Information Notes
SIO Scientific and Industrial Organisations (ITU-T)
SIP SMDS Interface Protocol
SIR Sustained Information Rate (SMDS)
SITA Société Internationale de Télécommunications
Aéronautiques
SITS Special Investigation Test Schedule (UK)
SJF Shortest Job First
SKL Station-Keeping Satellite
SLC Subscriber Loop Carrier
SLEE Service Logic Execution Environment
SLPR Stationless Packet Radio
SLR Send Loudness Rating
SLSA Single Line Switching Apparatus
SMAF Service Management Agent Function (TMN)
SMAP System Management Application Part
SMART Strategy for Mobile Advanced Radio
Telecommunications (initiative of DG XIII/D)
SMAX Satellite Multiple-Access Communication System
SMDS Switched Multimegabit Data Service
SMF Service Management Function (TMN)
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 49

SMG Special Mobile Group

SMI Structure of Management Information
SMIP Strategic Management Information Plan
SMP Simple Management Protocol
SMP Switching Module Processor
SMR Specialised Mobile Radio
SMRS Specialized Mobile Radio System
SMS Satellite Multiservice System
SMSC Satellite Mobile Switching Center
SMT Surface Mounting Technology
SMTA Single-line Multi-Extension Telephone Apparatus
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
SN Sequence Number (ATM, DQDB, SMDS)
SN Subscriber Number
SN Switching Network (SNA)
SNA Systems Network Architecture
SNAP Subnetwork Access Protocol
SNI Subscriber Network Interface
SNL Satellite Network List
SNP Sequence Number Packet (or Protection)
SNRM Set Normal Response Mode (HDLC)
SNRME Set Normal Response Mode Extended (HDLC)
SNT System Noise Temperature
SOGIT Senior Officials Group for Information Technology
SOL System Oriented Language
SONET Synchronous Optical Network
SOS Space Operation Service
SOUP Spectrum Orbit-Utilization Program
SP Signalling Point (ANSI)
SPACS Satellite Packet Communication System
SPADATS Space Detection and Tracking System
SPAG Standards Promotion and Application Group SA
SPAN Space Communications Network
SPARC Scalable Performance Architecture
SPC Stored Programme Control
SPCN Satellite Personal Communication Network
50 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

SPDC Spectral Density

SPDU Session Protocol Data Unit
SPID Service Profile Identifier (ISDN)
SPM Subscriber Private Meter
SPOC Single Point of Contact
SPOT Satellite Positioning and Tracking
SPS Signalling Protocols and Switching
SPTN Single Protocol Transport Network
SQFM Symmetric Quadratic Frequency Modulation
SQL Structured Query Language
SQPSK Shift Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
SRAM Static Random Access Memory
SREJ Selective Reject (HDLC)
SRES Space Research Earth Station
SRF Specialised Resources Function (TMN)
SRI SIP Relay Interface (SMDS)
SRT Source Routing Transparent
SRTP Sequenced Routing Table Protocol
SRTS Synchronous Residual Time Stamp
SS7 Signalling System 7
SS Spread Spectrum
SSAP Source Service Access Point
SSB Single Side Band
SSBM Single Sideband Modulation
SSF Service Switching Function (TMN)
SSM Single Segment Message (DQDB, SMDS)
SSMA Spread Spectrum Multiple Access
SSP Service Switching Point
SSP Switch-to-Switch Protocol
SSS Subscriber Switching Subsystem
SST Synchronous Service Transport
SSWAM Single Side Wideband Analog Modulation
ST Signalling Terminal
STAG Security Techniques Advisory Group (ETSI)
STD Subscriber Trunk Dialling
STDM Statistical Time Division Multiplexing
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 51

STE Signallling Terminal Equipment

STE Spanning-Tree Explorer (LAN)
STEM Strategic Telecommunication Evaluation Model
STES Small Transportable Earth Station
STM Synchronous Transfer Mode
STMR Sidetone Masked Loudness Rating
STP Signalling Transfer Point
STRATSAT Strategic Satellite System
STS Synchronous Transport Signal (SONET)
SVC Signalling Virtual Channel (ATM)
SVC Switched Virtual Circuit (Packet Switching)
SYNTRAN Synchronous Transmission
T-DAB Terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcasting
TD-CDMA Time Division Code Division Multiple Access
TA Terminal Adapter (ISDN)
TAC Telecommunications Administrations Centre
(Finland)
TACS Total Access Communications Systems
TAPI Telephony API
TARM Telephone Answering and Recording Machine
TASI Time Assigned Speech Interpolation
TB Transparent Bridging
TBB Trans-national Broadband Backbone
TBR Technical Basis for Regulation (ETSI)
TC Transmission Control
TC Transport Connection
TCAM Telecommunications Access Method (SNA)
TCAP Transaction Capabilities Application Part
TCIF Telecommunications Industry Forum
TCM Time Compression Multiplexing
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
TCU Telecommunications Control Unit (SNA)
TCU Trunk Coupling Unit
TDCP Time Division Circular Polarization
TDD Time Division Duplexing
52 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

TDDN Time-Division Digital Network

TDF Time Division Filtering
TDM Time Division Multiplexing
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
TDMS Time Division Multiplex System or Transmission
Distortion Measuring Set
TDRS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
TDS Time Division Switching
TE Terminal Equipment
TEDIS Trade Electronic Data Interchange Systems
TEI Terminal Endpoing Identifier (LAPD)
TELCO The generic name of telephone companies
throughout the world encompasses RBOC’s LEC’s
and PTT’s
TES Transportable Earth Station
TETRA Trans European Trunked Radio
TFD Time and Frequency Dissemination
TFTS Terrestrial Flight Telephone System
TGCS Transportable Ground Communications Station
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association (UK)
TIG Terminal Interoperability Group
TIM Transmitter Intermodulation
TINA Telecommunications Information Networking
Architecture
TIS Technical Information Sheets ( UK)
TJF Test Jack Frame
TLD Top-Level Domain
TLH Transport Layer Header
TLP Transmission Level Point
TLS Transparent LAN Service
TM Terminal Multiplexer
TM Transmission and Multiplexing
TMA Telecommunication Managers Association (UK)
TMN Telecommunications Management Network
TMS Time-Multiplexed Switch
TMSI Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
TMTI Temporary Mobile Terminal Identity
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 53

TMUI Temporary Mobile User Identity

TOPS Traffic Operator Position System
ToR Terms of Reference
TP Transaction Processing
TP Transport Protocol (ISO)
TP Twisted Pair
TPAU Twisted Pair Attachment Unit
TPDU Transport Protocol Data Unit
TPMR Trunk Private Mobile Radio
TR Token Ring
TRA Traffic Routing Administration
TRAC Technical Recommendations Application
Committee
TRAPI Transport API
TRAU Transcoder and Rate Adaption Unit
TSAP Transport Service Access Point
TSC Transit Switching Centre
TSM Time Switch Module
TSRM Telecommunication Standards Reference Manual
TSRRS Tropospheric Scatter Radio-Relay System
TSS Telecommunication Standardisation Sector (ITU-T)
TSS Trunk and Signalling Subsystem
TTL Time to Live (Internet)
TTP Trial Termination Point (TMN)
TTRS Transportable Transmit and Receive Station
TUA Telecommunications Users Association (UK)
TUG Telecommunication User Group
TWA Two-Way Alternate (HDLC)
TWS Two-Way Simultaneous (HDLC)
UA Unbalanced Asynchronous (HDLC)
UA Unnumbered Acknowledgement (HDLC)
UAN User Access Node
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter
UBR Unspecified Bit Rate (ATM)
UCA Utility Communications Architecture
UCD Uniform Call Distribution
54 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

UCS Universal Communications Standards

UDI Unrestricted Digital Information (ISDN)
UDP User Datagram Protocol
UET Unattended Earth Terminal
UHF Ultra High Frequency (within the range of
300-3000MHz)
UI Unnumbered Information (HDLC)
UISG Utility Industry Standards Group
UITS Unacknowledged Information Transfer Sercice
(ITU-T)
ULL Unbundling the Local Loop
UMB Upper Memory Block
UMS Unmanned Multifunction Satellite
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems
UN Unbalanced Normal
UNITE User Network for Information exchange on
Telecommunications in Europe
UNMA Unified Network Management Architecture
UOS Unmanned Orbital Satellite
UP Unnumbered Poll
UPC Usage Parameter Control (ATM)
UPCS Universal Personal Communications Services
UPS Uninterruptable Power Supply
UPT Universal Personal Telecommunications
UPTAA UPT Access Address
UPTAC UPT Access Code
URL Uniform Resource Locator
URM Usage Reference Model
USART Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver
Transmitter
USAT Ultra Small Aperture Terminal
USB Universal Serial Bus
USC Universal Service Contribution
USO Universal Service Obligation
USP Universal Service Provider
USRT Universal Synchronous Receiver/Transmitter
UTP Unshielded Twisted pair (Physical Layer)
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 55

UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access

UUS User to User Signalling
UWB Ultra-Wideband
VADS Value Added Data Services
VANS Value Added Network Services
VAP Value-Added Process
VAS Value Added Services
VBNS Very High Speed Backbone Network Service
VBR Variable Bit Rate (ATM)
VBR-NRT Variable Bit Rate-Non-Real-Time (ATM)
VBR-RT Variable Bit Rate-Real-Time (ATM)
VC Virtual Channel (ATM)
VC Virtual Circuit (PSN)
VC Virtual Container (SDH)
VCC Virtual Channel Connection (ATM)
VCS Virtual Circuit Switch
VDE Verein Deutscher Elektroingenieure (Society of
German Electrical Engineers)
VDSL Very High-speed Digital Subscriber Line
VDT Visual Display Terminal
VDU Visual Display Unit
VEWS Very Early Warning System
VF Voice Frequency
VHDSL Very High bit rate Digital Subscriber Line
VHE Virtual Home Environment
VHF Very High Frequency (within the range
30-300MHz)
VI Vector Identifier
VIP VINES Internet Protocol
VL Vector Length
VLAN Vitual LAN
VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry
VLBR Very Low Bit Rate
VLF Very Low Frequency
VLR Visitor Location Register
VLSI Very Large Scale Integration
56 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

VM Virtual Machine
VMS Voice Messaging System
VNS Vehicle Navigation System
VP Virtual Path
VPC Virtual Path Connection
VPDN Virtual Private Data Network
VPI Virtual Path Identifier
VPLMN Visited Public Land Mobile Network
VPN Virtual Private Networks
VRC Vertical Redundancy Check
VSA Vector Signal Analyser
VSAM Virtual Storage Access Method
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal
VSB Vestiginal Sideband
VT Virtual Terminal (ISO)
VTE Virtual Terminal Environment
VTOA Voice and Telephony Over ATM
VTP Virtual Terminal Protocol (ISO)
WACS Wireless Access Communications System
WAIS Wide Area Information Services
WAN Wide Area Network
WAP Wireless Application Protcol
WARC World Administration Radio Conference
WATS Wide Area Telecommunications Service
WB/BB Wideband/Broadband
WBDTS Wide Band Data Transmission System
WBFM Wideband Frequency Modulation
WBT Wideband Transmitter
WDM Wavelength Division Multiplex
WIN Wireless Intelligent Network
Winsock Windows socket API
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
WLL Wireless in the Local Loop
WLL Wireless Local Loop.
WM Wireless Manager
WPBX Wireless Private Branch Exchange
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 57

WPR Wind Profiler Radar

WRC World Radio Conference
WS Work Station
WSF Work Station Function Block (TMN)
WT Wireless Transceiver
WWW World Wide Web (IETF)
XA Exchange Access (SMDS)
XDF Extended Distance Feature
XDSL X-Type Digital Subscriber Line
XID Exchange Identification (HDLC)
XMS Extended Memory Specification
XPD Atmospheric Depolarization Effect
YIG Yttrium Iron Garnet
ZBTSI Zero Byte Times Slot Interchange
ZCS Zero Code Suppression
ZIS Zone Information Socket
ZIT Zone Information Table
ZNIIS Central Research Telecommunication Institute -
Russia
ZST Zone Standard Time
58 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

InterConnect Communications Ltd

InterConnect Communications Limited is an international
independent management consultancy specialising in
Telecommunication Regulations, Interconnection and Certification.
We maintain high quality and confidential standards and are
approved to ISO9001.
InterConnect Communications provides consulting, project
management, publications and training services to a worldwide
client base. As a result, we are able to offer specific expertise in the
United States, Western Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, the CIS
and African regions.
Our core services and expertise are aimed at working with our
clients to improve overall business performance through assisting:
● Governments, Public Administrations and Development
Banks in the developing Telecommunications Policy,
Laws, Licensing, Regulatory Structures, Privatisation,
Interconnection and Tariffing arrangements, setting an
environment which enables business to prosper in open
market conditions;
● Fixed and mobile Telecommunications operators in the
issues of increasing margins through effective network
development, corporate planning, management training,
business planning, financial control, and interconnection;
● Telecommunications and radiocommunications equipment
suppliers in getting to market quicker by gaining regulatory
approval for products in a wide variety of national markets
in rapid time.
The services provided by InterConnect Communications are
supported by a comprehensive range of publications, training
programmes, development tools and international conferences.
In addition to our own expert team of consultants and support staff,
InterConnect Communications can call on the expertise of
colleagues from our EU-based joint venture, Eurostrategies.
Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications 59

Global Certification and Approvals Services

InterConnect Communications Ltd specialises in
telecommunications compliance issues world-wide, and is Europe’s
leading independent approvals consultancy. Not only have we
assisted most of the major suppliers of radio and
telecommunications terminal equipment cost effectively to gain
approval of products world-wide, we have also advised
governments and national administrations on how they should
restructure their approval processes to bring them in line with the
European model.
ICC Certification and Approval Services is able to provide
comprehensive support in the following areas:
● Project management of multi-country certification projects;
● International compliance advice;
● Advice on liability under the new self-assessment schemes;
● Devising optimal test plans to reduce testing for global
certification;
● Advice on standards compliance and product design;
● Comparison of equipment standards world-wide;
● Ad-hoc advice and support;
● Tailored solutions to approvals problems;
● Translation and linguistic support;
● Assistance to governments and regulatory agencies to
modernise their approval regimes.

Interconnection Services
Effective interconnection between Public Telecommunications
Operators is essential to the development and growth of the
telecommunications market in any country. Since 1984
InterConnect Communications Ltd has developed a team of
consultants and project managers to assist both incumbent and new
entrant operators to maximise the impact of interconnection on the
bottom line.
The Interconnect Team at InterConnect Communications Ltd has
advised incumbent operators in both high and low teledensity
countries, directly assisting them to increase profit in newly
60 Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications

competitive markets whilst continuing to comply with licencing and

regulatory obligations. Interconnect Communications is also a
leading participant in a variety of international conferences on
interconnection and related issues.

Legal and Regulatory Services

The telecommunications environment is undergoing rapid and often
bewildering change, both in the European Union and the World at
large. Centralised control of the telecommunications resources is
giving way to a more dynamic and competitive sector, but one
which nevertheless remains regulated in many respects. The spread
of new technology and the trend towards increased liberalisation
have transformed and opened up telecommunications markets.
Our Legal & Regulatory specialists offer clients, the benefit of
substantial experience in the legal and regulatory aspects of
telecommunications. We have assisted Ministries and National
Regulatory Departments establish Policies, Laws and Regulations
which meet the requirements of the World Trade Organisation of
establishing open and competitive telecommunications regimes.

Contact ICC United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1291 620425
Fax: +44 (0) 1291 627119
Http://www.icc-uk.com/
e-mail: info@icc-uk.com
For further information on ICC’s full range of services and
publications please contact us by telephone, fax or, alternatively,
you can access our web page.

InterConnect Communications Ltd

01/06/99