Glossary of electronic communication and postal services
Backbone
Set of circuits, usually high-speed, which form the main segments of a communications network, to which secondary segments are attached.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Bandwidth
Physical characteristic of a telecommunications system which indicates the speed at which information can be transferred. In analogue systems it is measured in cycles per second (Hertz) and in digital systems in bits per second (Bits/s).Latest update: 18.08.2008
Base Station
Terrestrial station in the land mobile service. For example, in cellular mobile communications systems each cell has its own base station, which in turn is interconnected to other base stations and the public switched telecommunications network.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Basic Access
Access to ISDN with two data channels of 64 Kbits/s and one of 16 Kbits/s for signalisation.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
Basic access interface to the ISDN network.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Basic Telecommunications Network
When providing a fixed telephone service this is a network which is made up of a subscriber's fixed access system, a transmission network and concentration, switching or processing nodes.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Baud
Unit to measure data transmission speed, calculated in number of elements/symbols exchanged per second. The speed in bauds is the rate at which computers can transmit data through a modem using communications software.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Bidireccionality
Characteristic of a transmission which is carried out in two directions.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Binary
Base-2 numbering system, which uses the figures ''0'' and ''1'', and forms the basis for all digital technology, it may be used to represent words.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Binary Information Unit (BIT)
Or Binary Digit - The smallest unit of digital information, used to measure volumes of information in digital format. Number with only one algorithm in base 2 (''0'' or ''1''), which could correspond, for example, to the existence or absence of a determined electric impulse. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits-per-second (bps).Latest update: 28.10.2010
BIT - Binary Information Unit
Or Binary Digit - The smallest unit of digital information, used to measure volumes of information in digital format. Number with only one algorithm in base 2 (''0'' or ''1''), which could correspond, for example, to the existence or absence of a determined electric impulse. Bandwidth is usually measured in bits-per-second (bps).Latest update: 06.08.2008
Bitrate
Transmission speed of a digital communication system. Measured in bits.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Bits/s (Bps)
Unit for measuring speed of binary transmission. Usually used in multiples, such as KBits and MBits.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Bluetooth
Short range wireless technology used voice and data transmission, which works in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Allows for non-line-of-sight wireless connections between devices within a range of approximately 10 metres and with a maximum speed of 1Mbps. In the future it should allow between 6 and 11 Mbps and a range of 100 metres.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Box
Generic term for component used to house and protect terminals and connection and distribution devices and with input and output of cables.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Bps - Bits/s
Unit for measuring speed of binary transmission. Usually used in multiples, such as KBits and MBits.Latest update: 06.08.2008
BRI - Basic Rate Interface
Basic access interface to the ISDN network.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Broadband
Used to describe services or connections which allow the high speed movement of considerable quantities of information, with upstream speeds in excess of 128 kbps.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Broadband Network
Description generally attributed to networks which enable high speed transmission of large quantities of information, related to voice, data and video signals.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Broadcast or Telebroadcast Telecommunications Services
Services in which communication is made simultaneously in only one direction, to various points of reception and without previous routing.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Broadcasting Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radiodifusão (RAD). Radiocommunication service whose emissions are to be directly received by the general public. This service may include sound transmissions, television transmissions or other general transmission.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Broadcasting-Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radiodifusão por Satélite (RAD-S). A radiocommunication service in which signals transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for direct reception by the general public. In the broadcasting-satellite service, the term ''direct reception'' shall encompass both individual reception and community reception.Latest update: 10.12.2009
Broadcasting2
Type of one-way transmission in which information originating from a transmitter can be captured by compatible receivers, such as in radio or television.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Browser
Software programme installed on personal computers used to consult, search and view information on websites.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Building Cable Network
Set of collective and individual cable networks.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Building Telecommunications Cabinet
In portuguese, Armário de Telecomunicações de Edifício (ATE). Device with restricted access which stores the various Main Distribution Frames (MDF) which can be situated in a building.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Building's Tubing Network
Set of collective and individual tubing networks in the same building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Bundling
Term which is often used to describe the aggregation of different services and products, often provided at a discount.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Bus Network
Network topology in which all extremes have access to the same bus session of the transmission support of the network.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Byte
BinarY Term - Set of ''bits'' which represent a single character. Each byte possesses eight bits, and may also be know as an octet.Latest update: 06.08.2008
B2B - Business to Business
Term used to define products, services or information exchange transactions over the Internet.Latest update: 06.08.2008
B2B Exchange
A computer platform which provides for goods and services to be bought and sold in an exclusively electronic market.Latest update: 06.08.2008
B2C - Business to Consumer
e-commerce between companies and consumers.Latest update: 06.08.2008
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 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