Glossary of electronic communication and postal services
AAP - Alternative Approval Process
Fast-track approval procedure of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which allows for the approval of technical standards in a short space of time (eight weeks). The AAP was launched in January 2001.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Access Time
Time interval between the request of information from a system or a network and the moment in which the same is supplied.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Accessory Equipment
Set of devices or equipment associated with the subscriber's terminal equipment, with the aim of obtaining special usage conditions.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Accreditation
Act by which an entity which requests it and which acts as a certifying entity, is granted the recognition that it has fulfilled the requisites set out in the legal regime governing electronic documents and digital signatures, for the purposes stated therein.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Accreditation Authority
Competent entity for the authorisation and supervision of the certifying entities.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Active Satellite
Operative satellite which receives and transmits or retransmits radio communication signals.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Address
Identification of a point in a network, at local network (LAN) or WAN level. Although these are generally in digital format (bit sequence), they may also be associated with a more intuitive name (such as ''printer number 2''). They can also identify Internet users for the purpose of exchanging emails.Latest update: 08.08.2008
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
The most common asymmetrical transmission technology in the xDSL family. An ADSL connection offers a high bitrate downstream channel (1.5 to 9 Mbits/s) and a lower bitrate upstream channel (16 to 640Kbits/s), in addition to normal telephony service in the low frequency range.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Aerial Entry
Entrance of cables into a building, the passage of which is above ground level.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Aeronautical Mobile Service
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel Aeronáutico (MA). Mobile service between aeronautical stations and aircraft stations, or between aircraft stations, in which the survival craft stations may participate. Emergency position-indicating radio beacon stations may also participate in this service on designated sister and emergency frequencies.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Aeronautical Mobile Service (OR)
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel Aeronáutico (OR) (MAOR). Aeronautical mobile service reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flight, primarily along national or international civil air routes. OR: off-routeLatest update: 19.08.2008
Aeronautical Mobile Service (R)
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel Aeronáutico (R) (MAR). Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite service reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flights, primarily along national or international civil air routes. R: routeLatest update: 19.08.2008
Aeronautical Radionavigation Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radionavegação Aeronáutica por Satélite (RVA-S). Radionavigation satellite service in which Earth stations are located on aircraft.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Aeronautical Radionavigation Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radionavegação Aeronáutica (RVA). Radionavigation service intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of aircrafts.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Allocation (of a band of frequencies)
Entry in the Frequency Allocation Table of a given frequency band for the purpose of its use by one or more Earth or space radiocommunication services, or by the radio astronomy service, under specified conditions. This term also applies to the frequency band referred to.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Allotment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel)
Entry of a given frequency channel in a plan adopted by a competent conference, for use by one or more administrations for an Earth or space radiocommunication service in one or more identified countries or geographical areas and under specified conditions.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Alphanumeric
Set of alphabetic (letters) and numeric characters (figures).Latest update: 06.08.2008
Alternative Approval Process (AAP)
Fast-track approval procedure of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) which allows for the approval of technical standards in a short space of time (eight weeks). The AAP was launched in January 2001.Latest update: 28.10.2010
AM - Amateur Service
Radiocommunication service for individual training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest.Latest update: 19.08.2008
AM - Amplitude Modulation
Type of modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier wave varies in function of the signal transported. It is used, in particular, in the radio broadcasting service in the 526.5-1,606.5 Kilohertz (KHz) frequency range.Latest update: 06.08.2008
American Standard Code for Information Interexchange (ASCII)
Standardised code used in IT systems and data communications, which codes letters, figures, punctuation and control systems in binary numbers of 7 bits (''0's'' and ''1's''). For example, the capital letter "D" is represented by "1000100" and the number ''5'' by ''0110101''.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Amplifier
Device which produces an output signal of greater power than that of the input signal. May be used in telecommunications networks to restore signal levels which have been reduced as a result of attenuation on the lines.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Type of modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier wave varies in function of the signal transported. It is used, in particular, in the radio broadcasting service in the 526.5-1,606.5 Kilohertz (KHz) frequency range.Latest update: 28.10.2010
AM-S - Amateur Satellite Service
Radiocommunication service using space stations on Earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the amateur service.Latest update: 19.08.2008
ANACOM
National Authority of Communications - Is the regulator, supervisor and representative of the communications sector in Portugal (telecommunications and postal sectors), in accordance with its respective statutes, as approved by Decree Law No 309/2001 of 7 December.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Analogue
Direct representation of a wave which continuously varies in time (in communications for example, it may reproduce a sound or an image). For example a vinyl record stores information in analogue format, which records the sounds in their original non codified form, through a magnetic support. This contrasts to a CD in which the same recording is codified and is consequently stored in digital format. However, in both cases, it is obviously possible, by means of different equipment, to hear the original recording.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Anonymous Call Rejection
Abbreviation: ACR. Service which blocks telephone calls from callers who withhold their telephone number.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Antenna
Conductor, set of conductors or other devices which enable the reception and emission of electromagnetic waves though the air.Latest update: 06.08.2008
API - Application Programming Interface
Software used to provide access to the capacities of a communications operating system. Interpreted as a set of organised commands, for example, the presentation of a graphic or an image on a screen. The API allows the same applications to executed on different receivers, without the need to rewrite the application for each. In digital television, the API consolidates the operating system of the decoder of the receiver, which enables interactive applications to be managed. In particular it supports the Electronic Programme Guide.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Artificial Intelligence
Capacity of determined computer programmes developed to have logic which is similar to human intellectual activity.Latest update: 18.08.2008
ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interexchange
Standardised code used in IT systems and data communications, which codes letters, figures, punctuation and control systems in binary numbers of 7 bits (''0's'' and ''1's''). For example, the capital letter "D" is represented by "1000100" and the number ''5'' by ''0110101''.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Assignment (of a frequency or a radio channel)
Authorisation given by an administration to use a radioelectric station at a frequency or a radioelectric channel determined according to specified conditions.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Asynchronous Transmission
Method of data transmission in which the information is sent character by character, with time intervals between the same. For this reason a signal is sent at the beginning of the transmission and another at the end.Latest update: 19.08.2008
ATM - Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Communications protocol, which allows the transfer of multimedia (data, voice and video) over a single network infrastructure using, low-delay packet-switching and multiplexing technique. Technology chosen to support high-bandwidth ISDN. ATM is also the abbreviation used for Automatic Teller Machines.Latest update: 06.08.2008
ATM Cell
Basic unit of ATM protocol, made up of 53 bytes (48 data and 5 headers).Latest update: 08.08.2008
Attenuation
Weakening of the signal level, as it moves further away from its origin (for example, along a telecommunications cable). It is a particularly well-known and undesirable effect in very long cables, where the signal loses its intensity. The effects of attenuation may be compensated through the use of repeating devices which strengthen the signal level along as its route.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Audiovisual
In a general way, refers to all information which includes at least sounds and images.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Autonomous Residential Fraction
Fraction of a building which makes up an independent unit, irrespective of whether the building was built under horizontal property regime.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Glossary of electronic communications and postal services
- The definitions and acronyms presented should be understood in the scope of postal services and electronic communications, information and audiovisual technologies respectively.
- The definitions presented aim to facilitate the perception of concepts for citizens in general, and have, wherever possible, been given in a simplified form, not necessarily coinciding with the technical and legal terminologies which strictly speaking, prevail over these.
- Occasionally, to illustrate determined definitions, examples have been used which are in way exhaustive or cover all existing possibilities.
Online Services
Thematic Areas
Access and Interconnection
Information available in this area: Legislation; Determinations on ADSL offers from PT Comunicações; Statistical information to be provided by public telec.network operators; Interconnection; Traffic ownership; Significant market power; Reference interconnection offer; General and prior conditions to the negotiation of interconnection agreements; Interconnection agreements; Prices; Internet access; Selection and pre-selection of operator; Cost model for the fixed telecommunications networkBroadband area
This area contains a range of information on broadband Internet access, including ANACOM’s powers and initiatives, the national and community legislation in force, the complementary measures adopted by ANACOM, statistics, studies and several reports.Ducts Access
Obtain information on the applicable regime, consult adopted determinations and the offers of the concessionaire in this area and follow the respective developments through related information.Digital Television
Information available in this area: legislation; news and press releases on DT; licence granted; archive on Conference on Digital Terrestrial Television - DVB-T (2000).Electronic Commerce
Information available in this area: ANACOM's duties; Legislation (Portuguese and European Union Law); Relevant studies and work.Emergency Communications
A new area has been made developed on emergency communications with information about the varied remit of ANACOM and current Europena Union and national legislation, studies and reports and links of interest.Electronic communications - market analysis
This area comprises all the available information on each of the relevant markets identified by ANACOM, in compliance with Regicom and Commission Recommendation 2003/311/EC, of 11 February 2003.Electronic communications - regulatory framework
This area contains a wide range of information on the regulatory framework for electronic communications, both as adopted in the European Union in 2002 and as approved in 2009.ITED - ITUR
ITED - ITURInternational Activity
Find out about ANACOM's participation in international sectorial bodies, such as IRG, ERG, CEPT, ITU and UPU.International Roaming
Here you can get a range of useful information about roaming, in particular about what you will have to pay for calls or your voicemail when using your mobile abroad.Laboratories
Fully aware of the modernisation challenges faced by the industry and the need to ensure high quality products and services, ANACOM is endowed with three specialised laboratories, with which it helps further national technological development.Leased Lines
Information available in this area: legislation, complementary determinations on the PTC's cost accounting system; entities with significant market power, quality of leased lines service, reformulation and suspension of leased lines offer; information about prices; national and international studies and reports.Local Loop Unbundling
Information available in this area: Determinations of ICP-ANACOM; Reference Unbundling Offer (RUO) (PTC); EU and IRG Initiatives; Working Group; Public Survey on LLU; FAQ's.Mobile Networks and Services
Information available in this area: Legislation; determinations on IMT-2000/UMTS , voice mail , informative services , significant market power, adhesion contracts, portability - Information to consumers, survey on quality of service of mobile (QoS-GSM), other relevant information about IMT-2000/UMTS; ERMES, Mobile Communications in Portugal.Numbering, Names and Addressing
Information available in this area: legislation; complementary determinations on portability, selection and pre-selection, virtual phone cards, Portuguese numbering plan, public consultations; ETO; FAQ's.Online Services
Online Services - Access to interactive electronic Forms.Postal area
Information available in this area: national and EU legislation, CTT's development plan, quality of service and overall complaints; prices and postal tariffs for 2003; statement of compliance of CTT's cost accounting system; audit to the service quality indicators of CTT; conventions; quality reports; european studies; licences/authorizations.R&TTE Regulatory Framework
Information available in this area: R&TTE Regulatory Framework; reasons of the R&TTE framework adoption; applicable equipment; information about Essential requirements; conformity assessment procedures; notification to Anacom; publication of interfaces by operators; publication of technical specifications; inspection (market surveillance); spectrum authorities.Spectrum management
Information available in this area: Legislation; Electronic Communications Committee Decisions; Exposure to electromagnetic radiation and related issues; useful links; data base and useful information about audio broadcast operators; television broadcast operators; personal radio service - citizen band.Sector
Information available in this area: sector's organization; operators' list; licences/authorizations granted by ANACOM; codes of providers and telecommunications services.Telephone Service at a Fixed Location and Universal Service
Information available in this area: legislation; determinations on Fixed Telephone Service and Universal Service, public pay phones, adhesion contracts, public consultation; information on liberalization communications; consumer rights; FAQ's and Publications.URSI - Portuguese Committee
This area contains information on the Portuguese Committee of URSI - International Union of Radio Science. The work of this Committee is organised by ANACOM.Services and Useful Information
Universal Service
Tenders for the selection of provider(s) of universal service of electronic communications
ANACOM public consultations
Consultation on the draft decision on billing and collection of penalties applied to the beneficiaries of the Reference Poles Access Offer of PTC - comments until 21.06.2013
ANACOM Events
ANACOM Conference 2013 - Financing the future, 01.07.2013
World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15)
World Radiocommunication Conference 2015 (WRC-15), Geneva, 2-27.11.2015
Association of CPLP Communications and Telecommunications Regulators
ARCTEL-CPLPhttp://www.arctel-cplp.org/
Statements/clarifications
Positions, clarifications and statements issued by ANACOM between 2004 and 2013
Forms for electronic and interactive services
Access the services which we provide electronically
Frequently asked questions
FAQ on Audiotext, Digital Terrestrial Television - DTT, International Roaming, Licences for land mobile service private radiocommunications networks, Local Loop Unbundling, Message-Based value Added Services, National Numbering Plan, Operator Portability, R&TTE Regulatory Framework, Telephone Service at a Fixed Location and Universal Service, VoIP