Glossary of electronic communication and postal services


ALPHABETIC ORGANIZATION

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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.
06.08.2008
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.
19.08.2008
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.
08.08.2008
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.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Accreditation Authority

Competent entity for the authorisation and supervision of the certifying entities.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Active Satellite

Operative satellite which receives and transmits or retransmits radio communication signals.
19.08.2008
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.
08.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Aerial Cable

Cable installed between posts or on walls.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Aerial Entry

Entrance of cables into a building, the passage of which is above ground level.
08.08.2008
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.
19.08.2008
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-route
19.08.2008
Latest 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: route
19.08.2008
Latest 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.
19.08.2008
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.
19.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Alphanumeric

Set of alphabetic (letters) and numeric characters (figures).
06.08.2008
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.
28.10.2010
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.
19.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
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''.
28.10.2010
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.
06.08.2008
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.
28.10.2010
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.
19.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Anonymous Call Rejection

Abbreviation: ACR. Service which blocks telephone calls from callers who withhold their telephone number.
19.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Artificial Intelligence

Capacity of determined computer programmes developed to have logic which is similar to human intellectual activity.
18.08.2008
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''.
06.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
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.
19.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

ATM Cell

Basic unit of ATM protocol, made up of 53 bytes (48 data and 5 headers).
08.08.2008
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.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Audiovisual

In a general way, refers to all information which includes at least sounds and images.
06.08.2008
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.
08.08.2008
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 network

Broadband 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 - ITUR

International 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

 
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