Help & SupportGlossary
Glossary
A
Electronic or mechanical outgoing call management without human intervention.
B
The frequency range specific to a particular activity or device. The range of signal frequencies within the electromagnetic spectrum used to spread signal and measured in Hertz. Another way to describe it is the quantity of information that can be spread through network connection for a given time period. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits per second.
Alternative operators’ access to the network of the former monopolist in spots that are different from network endpoints in order to grant broadband access for end-users.
In bitstream access, DSLAM is provided by the infrastructure operator and alternative operators receive access and connectivity through that point: in other words, they are located further from the end-users by renting out broadband access infrastructure from the former monopolist. The service provider provides only content and does not provide a subscription line to the end-user. He pays for data traffic to BTK.
The line functions through a broad frequency band which allows for high speed data transfers. This makes it possible to use just one line for the transfer of multiple services—voice, video and data. In Bulgaria, ADSL is such a service. At the moment it is available only for internet, but in the future it will be available for other services too.
C
Telecommunications networks are connected in such a way that each network subscriber can talk to every other subscriber. Every time a call is made out to another service subscriber, there is a point of connectivity through which all calls take place. This switch causes both operators to incur expenses which are then paid according to predetermined pricelists. Each party pays the price set by the other operator.
D
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL for short) is a technology enabling high-speed internet access where data transmission takes place through regular telephone lines. The signal can be divided in such a way that standard low frequencies are used for voice transfer and higher frequencies are used for data transfers. The main difference between DSL and dial-up (where the model receives an analogue signal and transforms it into digital) is that in DSL, digital data travels through copper cables without making such a switch. In contrast with dial-up, this type of connection line allows people to talk on the phone and access the internet at the same time.
This technology provides the user with a fast connection to the global network through already existing copper cables to their office or their home. Initially, DSL networks used separate cables from the telephone networks. Currently, they can be used simultaneously with your telephone via asymmetric access speed (ASDL) or via an independent line with symmetric access speed (SDSL).
Fast and convenient simultaneous internet access and telephone service 24 hours a day.
Widespread technology enabling broadband internet access via copper cabling (also known as last mile broadband)
ADSL is different from other DSL technologies in that the speed of transmission and receiving are different. The user can download information with a much higher speed than that at which they can upload.
An important characteristic of ADSL technology is the ability to simultaneously use telephone services and high-speed internet using the same cable. That is possible thanks to the fact that ADSL does not use low frequency cables which are usually used by telephone services. In order to ensure smooth data flow between the services at either end of the line (at the BTK center and your home or office), the ADSL service provider installs devices called splitters as a part of their service.
Digital connection through a regular telephone line technologies family where data is transferred at 1.5 Mbps through about 7.5 km. It is a symmetric DSL which uses two telephone lines and gives a main incoming and outgoing speed of 1544 kbps. With three telephone lines, the speed goes up to 2048 kbps. SDSL (Symmetric DSL) is the newer version of HDSL, where speed remains 1544 kbps but requires only one telephone line. Currently, there are versions of the HDSL technology which allow traffic at 2048 kbps through only one set of copper cables.
Hybrid between ISDN and DSL—IDSL speed is higher than that of ISDN but much lower than DSL. In contrast to ISDN-BRI which provides 2x64 kbps, IDSL provides symmetric 1440 kbps. The technology has very limited application. Its major advantage is that it works well on large distances (up to 12 km away from the center).
DSL providing the highest available speeds (about 52 Mbps). It requires a smaller than standard distance between the user and the center—no more than a kilometer and a half. Initially, VDSL was developed as asymmetric, but currently it supports symmetric options as well. VDSL is most commonly used within the range of one building or organization. It is meant to replace the need for developing optic paths between the ground-floors of office buildings and their upper-floor routers, by using existing copper cables and thus saving a significant amount of resources.
F
Using laser or light data transfer through cable made of glass or plastic. Speed is practically unlimited, highly reliable. More information.
Optical cable to your home—a concept through which the last mile (copper cable) from the closest center to your home is replaced by an optic path. Allows for high access speed for end-users.
Measures the number of occurrences of a single event for a unit of time. To calculate frequency, you determine time intervals and count the number of event instances within the interval. You then divide the number of events by the length of the interval.
H
HSDPA is high-speed download of data packages: the technology allows for the provision of 3G services, mobile and broadband access. Best for downloading applications such as video, music, etc.
I
Using this protocol, the email client can not only receive mail from the server but also view and use it while on the server.
Communications network protocol that has enabled the development of the internet. More information.
Digital network with integrated services is standard for digital voice, data and video transfer services. Data is transferred via copper cables and guarantees higher speed and quality of service.
ISDN BRI (Basic Rate Interface) provides two data channels (also called B channels) each of 64 kbit/s and one signaling channel (D channel) of 16 kbit/s. The total speed when using the two channels is 128 kbit/s.
ISDN PRI (Primary Rate Interface) provides 30 data channels (also called B channels) each of 64 kbit/s and one signaling channel (D channel) of 64 kbit/s.
L
“Last mile” describes the access of telecommunications operators to the end-user. For telephone companies—former market monopolists—that is the cables connecting the telephone center with the end-user. Alternatives include cable and LAN operators who create alternative paths to the clients and WiMax operators who provide alternative access to the end-user.
M
Developing a virtual local network for the purposes of data transfer. A metropolitan network is a service that allows for the connection of various segments of a local network or different networks for one particular client within one virtual network—VLAN.
The ability to publish articles or upload images to your blog while on the move, through your mobile phone (which, however, needs to be a smart-phone—a combination of telephone and computer).
N
A single network for voice, data, and video transfer using a single line. All these services are provided through an integrated IP-based platform.
O
Open source software is available for further development and enhancements by anyone who believes they can contribute to its quality. The Firefox browser is perhaps the most popular example of this type of software within the context of the web.
P
Peering is a connection between two or more independent networks for the purposes of traffic exchange between the various network users. Traditionally, parties do not pay for the traffic. In Bulgaria, the term has been used to signify direct connections between different internet providers and denotes traffic in the Bulgarian internet space.
Networks created using the technology Point-to-Multipoint enable various telecommunication services—voice and data transfers, internet access, multimedia applications and so forth. The main advantage of this type of network is that it is especially appropriate for remote locations and very urbanized areas where cabling is economically inefficient.
POP3 is client-server type email protocol.
Regular telephone line.
The user determines which operator his long-distance and/or international calls should be going through. The switch is managed by the user’s primary operator in their center and his calls automatically go through the operators they have pre-selected without having to enter any codes.
R
Interconnection type solution. RIO manages interconnections between incumbent and other operators’ networks.
Unbundling subscriber access solution. RUO regulates unbundling access to incumbent subscription lines (i.e., last mile)
S
Users can choose through which telecommunications operator to make their calls despite the fact that they are only physically connected to one of them. Selection is made by entering your selected operator code. In Bulgaria, codes look something like this: 010XY. When dialing a number via selection, the user only makes a payment to their selected operator.
The company with the largest market share within the particular market.
Agreement between the provider and the user of a particular service that determines the specific bylaws of the agreement and sanctions should any of the bylaws be violated by either party. The purpose of the document is to guarantee the quality of the provided services.
A protocol that regulates email server exchange.
A platform that provides next generation telephone services. More information.
T
An international standard of digital mobile trunked networks created for the needs of public safety and security agencies and state administration. Information exchange improves the work of the employees of these organizations by enabling them to access databases via TETRA terminals.
U
Enables the package transfer of voice, text, video and multimedia, provides mobile high-speed access to the internet and global roaming. This is a third generation mobile communication, which allows not only for telephone calling but also for high-speed data exchange between mobile network subscribers, as well as video-connection, video-conferencing and so forth via a mobile phone.
UMTS networks also support the new HSDPA standard. No other technology—wireless or fixed-line—provides such speed for end-users.
V
VPN technology allows for the development of unified cryptic computer networks. That enables access to corporate databases and enables computers to exchange files regardless of their physical location. In other words, VPN allows people from different cities (offices) to work as if they are in adjacent rooms.
Voice through the internet. The abbreviation describes the technology of internet telephony. In this particular case, voice is transformed and is transferred through cable similar to the packets of data exchanged between two computers. The terms can refer to the connection between two computers, two telephone posts, or a computer and telephone post, as long as the signal is transferred at least partially through IP packets.
W
WiMAX transmitting tower
WiMAX are high-speed wireless networks, derivative of the WiFi network. WiMAX is based on the WiMAX wireless technology standard which enables very fast broadband connection for large distances and compatibility between equipment made by different producers.
WiMAX technology provides fixed-line and mobile access through the same infrastructure. Through WiMAX one can provide wireless connection aimed at a wide spectrum of users via fixed-line, nomadic or mobile access to voice, data, and video transfer services.