Bell Canada, 1998

G
General Tariff
French: Tarif général
The published volume of rates, rules and regulations concerning specific equipment and services provided by a telecommunications common carrier.

geostationary orbit
French: orbite géostationnaire
An orbit in which a satellite revolves about the earth's equator at the same rate at which the earth rotates on its axis. From the earth, the satellite thus appears to be stationary.

grade of service
French: qualité de service
A measurement of the quality of communications service in terms of the availability of circuits when calls are to be made. Grade of service is based on the busiest hour of the day and is measured as either the percentage of calls blocked in dial access situations, or average delay in manual situations.

H
high performance routing
French: acheminement optimisé
Dynamically controlled routing within the national long distance network of the owner companies of the Stentor Alliance. (See dynamically controlled routing.)

high speed
French: haute vitesse
Refers to data communications systems operating at speeds above 9,600 bits per second. (See low speed; medium speed.)

hybrid carrier
French: télécommunicateur hybride
A reseller that owns portions of its network and leases others from other telephone companies and other interexchange carriers. (See interexchange carrier; resale.)

I
IBDN
See Integrated Building Distribution Network.

IC
See integrated circuit.

Info Pro(TM)
French: Info Pro(MC)
A division of Bell Canada which acts as the company's consulting agent by marketing Bell expertise throughout Canada.

information highway
French: autoroute de l'information
A network, consisting of many connected networks, which has the capacity to carry high-speed, broadband services, including interactive and voice, data, image and video communication. The network will allow customers to reach offices, homes, schools, hospitals and a variety of other institutions.

infotainment
French: divertissement instructif; infodivertissement
The integration of information, education and entertainment services.

INPA
See interchangeable numbering plan area.

Integrated Building Distribution Network (IBDN)
French: réseau intégré de distribution d'immeuble (RIDI)
A universal cable system that provides voice/data within a building (e.g., key, PBX and Centrex telephone systems can be connected to one cabling system).

integrated circuit (IC)
French: circuit intégré (CI)
An electronic component which is used in most computers and other telecommunications equipment to reduce size and increase speed, capability and reliability.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
French: réseau numérique à intégration de services (RNIS)
Offers integrated voice, data, image and video services over the digital telephone network at high speeds allowing users to process a wide range of applications using a single telephone line. ISDN is based on a series of internationally accepted telecommunications standards.

interactive television
French: télévision interactive
The ability to communicate with a cable company via a television and thus select programs, participate in games, or purchase goods and services.

interchangeable numbering plan area (INPA)
French: indicatif régional commutable (IRC); indicatif régional permutable (IRP)
A long distance dialing plan in which customers must dial the area code when placing a long distance call -- even for calls placed within their own area code.

interexchange (IX)
French: intercirconscriptions (IC)
Services and channels furnished between one or more exchanges or rate centres.

interexchange carrier (IXC)
French: fournisseur de services intercirconscriptions (FSI); fournisseur de services interurbains; télécommunicateur interurbain
A company that owns its own transmission facilities and provides telecommunications services between exchanges that are not in the same toll-free calling area. Bell Canada and Unitel Communications Inc. are both interexchange carriers. (See alternate provider of long distance services.)

interexchange voice grade channel; IXVG channel
French: voie téléphonique intercirconscriptions
An analogue-dedicated channel between two exchanges primarily for the use of business customers.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
French: Union international des télécommunications (UIT)
The International Telecommunications Union is an organization established to promote worldwide standards and the development of interworking telecommunications networks throughout the world.

Internet
French: Internet
A wide-area network that connects tens of millions of computers worldwide. Originally implemented by the U.S. Defence Department, Internet is now administered by an independent organization. Members include: government agencies, educational institutions and large corporations.

interoperability
French: interfonctionnement
The seamless (direct) interconnection of distinct networks so that information and data can circulate efficiently in response to customer demands and service requirements.

intertoll trunk
French: circuit interurbain
A trunk between toll switching offices in different exchanges used to route long distance calls.

ISDN
See Integrated Services Digital Network.

ITU
See International Telecommunications Union.

IX
See interexchange.

IXC
See interexchange carrier.

IXVG channel
See interexchange voice grade channel.

K
key telephone system (KTS)
French: système multiligne; installation d'intercommunication (International French)
Designed primarily for small and medium businesses requiring from two to 130 multi-functional telephone sets and/or line combinations. The system resides on the customer's premises and can operate either on its own or in conjunction with a Private Branch Exchange (PBX). (See Private Branch Exchange.)

KTS
See key telephone system.

L
LAMA
See local automatic message accounting.

leased line
French: ligne louée
A telecommunications channel leased between two or more service points in one exchange or different exchanges usually at a monthly rate.

LEC
See local exchange carrier.

line
French: ligne
A communications channel. Also called a circuit, trunk or facility. It often refers to customer access to the public switched telephone network (e.g., residence line, individual business line).

line-side access
French: accès côté ligne
A type of access in which customers making long distance calls must dial extra digits (e.g., up to 17), in addition to the called party's telephone number. (See access.)

link
French: liaison
A transmission path between two stations, channels or parts of a communications system. For example, in a common control switching system, a link is a path which interconnects customer lines.

LMS
See local measured service.

local automatic message accounting (LAMA)
French: comptabilité automatique locale des appels (CALA)
An automatic message accounting (AMA) system in which billing data collection equipment is located in local switching centres (local offices). LAMA eliminates routing restrictions, allowing many long distance calls to be routed directly from one local office to another. This results in improved network efficiency because without LAMA, the call would have to be routed through a toll office for billing purposes. (See automatic message accounting.)

local dynamic routing
French: acheminement adaptatif - réseau local
Dynamically controlled routing (DCR) within a local calling area. (See dynamically controlled routing.)

local exchange carrier (LEC)
French: fournisseur de service local (FSL); télécommunicateur local
In the U.S., a telephone company which provides local and long distance services within defined operating regions (e.g., a state) known as Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs). (See interexchange carrier.)

local loop
French: ligne locale; ligne d'abonné
A channel connecting a subscriber to his or her local central office/switching centre.

local measured service (LMS)
French: service local tarifé à l'utilisation (SLTU)
A pricing structure for local calls which requires customers to pay according to usage, rather than simply paying a flat monthly fee. LMS generally combines access (fixed rate) and usage (variable rate) charges. The access charge is usually set at a rate substantially less than the prevailing flat rate and may include a usage allowance. Usage charge calculations are typically based on up to four variables: frequency (the number of calls placed); duration (how long calls last); the geographical distance the call covers; and the time of day or week the call was placed.

low speed
French: basse vitesse
Data communications systems operating at speeds of less than 2,400 bits per second (bps). (See high speed; medium speed.)

M
market-driven local service pricing mechanisms
French: tarification du service local en fonction du marché
Refers to the setting of local prices based on the interaction between customers and suppliers in a competitive market place, recognizing regulatory constraints (e.g., the CRTC's objective of ensuring the availability of universal local service at affordable rates). (See natural market.)

market sustainable rate of contribution
French: taux de contribution viable pour le marché
The level of contribution which leads to the highest sustainable contribution revenue over the long run (i.e., the level above which there would be a net revenue loss due to market forces, such as bypass). (See contribution.)

mean time to repair (MTTR)
French: moyenne du temps total de réparation (MTTR)
The average time taken from the time a trouble report is made until service is restored

MediaLinx Interactive Inc.
French: MédiaLinx Interactif Inc.
A new company created by Bell Canada and its Stentor partners as part of their Beacon initiative for the information highway. Launched in October 1994, MediaLinx Interactive Inc. will seek and develop interactive and multimedia services and applications. (See information highway; Section 2: Beacon.)

medium speed
French: vitesse moyenne
Refers to data communications systems operating at and above 2,400 bits per second up to the speed limit obtainable on a voice grade channel (i.e., 9,600 bps). (See high speed; low speed.)

memory
See storage.

message retrieval
French: recherche de message
The capability to retrieve a message at the time it has entered an information system.

microwave system
French: faisceaux hertziens
A high-capacity transmission system that transmits information via high-frequency radio signals called microwaves. Initially, microwave systems offered analogue transmission. Current systems offer digital transmission and complement fiber optic transmission systems.

mobile communications
French: radiocommunications mobiles; télécommunications mobiles
A wireless form of communication in which voice and data information is emitted, transmitted and received via microwaves. This type of communication allows individuals to converse with one another and/or transmit and receive data while moving from place to place. Some examples include: cellular and digital cordless telephones; pagers; telephone answering devices; air-to-ground telecommunications; and satellite-based communications.

modem
French: modem
A device which enables data to be exchanged by converting signals. For example, a modem can be used to convert a digital signal to an analogue signal to allow computers to transmit data, such as analogue signals, over telephone lines.

modulation
French: modulation
A process whereby a signal is transformed from its original form into a signal that is more suitable for transmission over the medium between the transmitter and the receiver.

MTTR
See mean time to repair.

multimedia
French: multimédia
A rapidly growing communications technology that allows people to communicate via computer using any combination of text, data, voice, graphics, photographs, video and audio simultaneously. Multimedia allows users to send, share, retrieve or create information of almost any kind from their desktop or portable computer.

multiplexer
French: multiplexeur
The equipment that simultaneously transmits two or more messages on a single transmission path.

multiplexing
French: multiplexage
A technique used to combine several communications channels into one facility or transmission path.

multipoint
French: multipoint
A line or channel connecting more than two different service points.

N
narrowband network
French: réseau à bande étroite
A network capable of carrying voice, video and data signals (e.g., telephone service, electronic mail, paging services and faxes). Technically, a narrowband network is capable of carrying up to 64,000 bits of information per second. (See broadband network; wideband network.)

natural market
French: marché naturel
A market in which market forces determine price, technology, investment decisions and the nature of services available.

network
French: réseau
A series of points interconnected by telecommunications channels.

Network Portability Access Service (NPAS)
French: accès pour services réseau personnels (ASRP)
A service which will make available to other network portability service providers (other telecommunications carriers) the central office equipment and facilities necessary for access to the public switched telephone network, enabling them to offer services similar to PrimeLine. (See Section 2: PrimeLine.)

network user identifier (NUI)
French: indicatif d'usager de réseau (NUI)
On a packet network, the identification code used by a customer on a public dial port to identify him/herself to the network for billing purposes.

newly competitive service
French: service nouvellement concurrentiel
A service that is characterized by open entry into the market and one that is subject to increasing competition but not yet viewed as fully competitive. (See fully competitive service.)

9-1-1
French: 9-1-1
The three-digit number designated for public use throughout North America to report an emergency or request emergency services assistance, such as police, fire department or ambulance. (See Section 2: Bell Neutral Answer Service.)

node
French: noeud
The point in a transmission system or network where lines or trunks from many sources meet (i.e., a point of concentration or switching).

Northern Telecom Limited
French: Northern Telecom Limitée; Northern Telecom
Northern Telecom is a leading global manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, providing products and services to telephone companies, cable television companies, corporations, governments, universities and other institutions worldwide.

NPA
See numbering plan area.

NPAS
See Network Portability Access Service.

NUI
See network user identifier.

numbering plan area (NPA); area code
French: indicatif régional (IR)
The first three digits of a telephone number in the North American Numbering Plan. It is also referred to as the "area code". Most NPA codes identify all telephone numbers within a defined geographical area.

NXX/NNX number; central office code
French: indicatif NXX; indicatif NNX; indicatif de central
In the North American Numbering Plan, the central office code (often called NXX, or formerly NNX), is the three digits of a telephone number that follow the area code. "N" can be any number from two to nine; "X" can be any number from zero to nine.

A to B
C
D to F
O to S
T to Z