Glossary of electronic communication and postal services


ALPHABETIC ORGANIZATION

Show Glossary Notes


Cable

Set of isolated conductors, covered with a protective layer.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cable Chute

Closed wrapping with a moveable lid, with one or more compartments, visibly mounted, for the protection of the insulated conductors or cables which are installed or removed by a process which does not include threading.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cable Distribution Network

Telecommunications infrastructures used essentially for broadcasting. These carry out the transmission or retransmission of non-permanent images and sounds through coaxial cable, fibre optic or another equivalent physical means, to one or several points of reception, with or without addressing and with or without the encoding of information.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Cable Distribution Network Operator

Company authorised to install and develop a cable distribution network. The activity of a cable distribution network operator involves the installation and provision of the corresponding infrastructure for the transmission and retransmission of information, including the encoded and/or non-encoded distribution of their own radio and television broadcasts and that of third parties. Their activity also involves the supply of addressed services and data transmission services, as well as the provision of transmission capacity to third parties.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Cable Entry

Tubes or conduits which enable the entrance of cables.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Cable entry box

Compartment, normally in concrete, which serves for the passage of cables from the public telecommunications networks and which communicates through conduits or tubes with the space where the building’s distribution frames are stored.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cable Entry Tubes

In the case of aerial entry, these are the tubes for the intake of the connection cables in the ETS (Higher Telecommunications Space) or ETI (Lower Telecommunications Space). In the case of subterranean entry, they are the tubes which make the connection between the cable entry box and the Building’s Telecommunications Cabinet.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Cable ''head-end''

Control centre of a cable television network, which receives signals (for example, of satellite channels), processes them, and supplies them into the cable distribution network.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cable Network

Set of interconnected telecommunications cables and accessory devices (of connection, distribution and terminals).
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Cabled Dwelling

With respect to cable television, refers to a dwelling with access to the cable television network available at its entrance, thereby enabling the connection by cable for access to the cable television service.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cabling

Set of telecommunication cables and respective connection devices which in their entirety make up a system.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cabling systems or Cabling

Cabling is a set of telecommunications cables and the respective connection devices which in their whole make up a system.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Call Duration

Period of time between the start and end of a call.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Call Duration Tone

An automatic system which provides a caller with an audible signal at determined intervals during the length of a telephone call.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Call Forwarding

Rerouting of a telephone call to another chosen number.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Call Waiting

Function which puts the caller to a busy number on hold while signalling to the person being called that another caller is waiting on the line.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Call-by-Call Selection

On the spot choice of the supplier of a fixed telephone service through which a determined telephone call is to be made. It implies the dialling of an initial code which gives access to the desired provider. This code is ''10xy'', in which ''xy'' identifies the provider.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Calling card

Service which allows calls made from a telephone to be billed to another telephone account or credit card.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Calling Line Identification (CLI)

Function which enables the caller's number to be identified.
28.10.2010
Latest update: 28.10.2010

CATV - Community Antenna Television

Community Antenna Television - the term originally used to describe television distribution to households through coaxial cables. Today the term is applied to cable television in a generic way.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

CD - Compact Disc

Optically read Disc used to store information in a digital format, which can be read by an optical mechanism, such as a laser.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

CD ROM - Compact Disc Read Only Memory

Compact disc with read only memory and a capacity of about 660 Mbytes. Reading is optical.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

CD-I - Compact Disc Interactive

High capacity Compact Disc which enables interaction.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access

System providing multiple access to a determined resource, used, for example, in the digital transmission of 3G mobile communication systems. It allows simultaneous access, without interference, by a large number of users over a single band of frequencies, through the allocation of different user codes to each user.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cell

Area served by a radio base station in a cellular mobile communications system.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Central processing unit of any digital computer, responsible for the execution of programme instructions.
28.10.2010
Latest update: 28.10.2010

Centrex

Service provided through the telephonic network, as an alternative to switching equipment residing on the customer premise.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Certificate of Compliance

Document which certifies a product or service's compliance with rules and other applicable technical specifications.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Certifying Entity

In the scope of telecommunication infrastructures in buildings (ITED) this means the party authorised, pursuant to the respective legislation, to issue compliance certificates for the installation of the infrastructure in buildings, as well as its supervision. With respect to electronic documents and digital signature it means the authorised entity or party who creates or supplies means for the creation of keys, issues certificates of signature, ensures the respective publicity and supplies other services related to digital signatures.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Channel or Chimney

Hollow space which allows the passage and installation of cables.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Chatline

Service which allows more than two people, generally unknown to each other, to hold a simultaneous conversation between themselves.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Chip

Term which describes a miniscule plate of semi-conductive material, coated in substances on which the components and electronic conductors form integrated circuits.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Chronological Validation

A statement of assurance on the part of the certifying entity as to the date and hour of the creation, sending or receiving of an electronic document.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Churn

Term describing the rate at which subscribers switch from a provider's services or products, used, for example, by operators of terrestrial mobile communications to measure switching between operators by subscribers.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cipher, encipher or ciphering (common encryption)

Describes the process where, in accordance with a determined algorithm, a determined flow of information is made unintelligible to anyone who is not in possession of the appropriate key, being changed in such a way that it may only be accessed by authorised users, possessing the appropriate deciphering devices and the algorithm.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Circuit

Bidirectional transmission channel between two points.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Circuit Switching

Switching technique in which communication between extremities is established through one circuit at a time, keeping each circuit totally reserved for this purpose during the period of communication.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

CLI - Calling Line Identification

Function which enables the caller's number to be identified.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Client's Private Network

Set of cables, equipment and other materials which are exclusively the property of the client.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Closed User Group

In telecommunications, this is the restricted group of users of a determined service.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Coaxial Cable

Cable made up of a central copper wire, surrounded by a shield of braided copper wire, which is separated from the central wire by an insulating material separated by a material isolator (dielectric). This type of cable is suitable for carrying electrical signals with higher frequencies than those supported by a simple metallic wire. With a transmission capacity higher than that of an isolated conductor, it is often used, for example, to carry televised images between the external reception antenna and the television set.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Coaxial Distribution Frame

Device which allows the signal received at its entrance to be divided by its exits.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Coaxial Network

Network made up of active and passive elements interconnected by coaxial cables.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

System providing multiple access to a determined resource, used, for example, in the digital transmission of 3G mobile communication systems. It allows simultaneous access, without interference, by a large number of users over a single band of frequencies, through the allocation of different user codes to each user.
28.10.2010
Latest update: 28.10.2010

Collective Cable Network

Cable network to serve more than one subscriber. Upstream it is limited by the entry cable (which connects the main distribution frame of the building or private block of the subscriber) and downstream by the primary derivation device for exclusive use of subscriber.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Collective Derivation

Set of boxes and tubes or conduits normally placed horizontally which connect on each floor to the telecom riser, where it exists, or to the individual networks, or even to the cable entrance.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Collective Installation of the Subscriber

Set of collective networks of tubes and cables.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Collective System

Cabling system to serve more than one user.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Collective Tubing Network

Tubing network to serve several clients. Upstream it is limited by the entrance of cables, and downstream from the primary box (of blocks) for exclusive use of each subscriber.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Collocation

The provision of physical space and technical facilities necessary to reasonably accommodate and connect the relevant equipment of a third party. Said third party must be duly authorised in terms of Directive 97/13/CE or skilled to provide communications services under the cover of national legislation and eligible for the purpose of unbundled access to the local loop.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Communication

Connection through a transmission channel between two or more parties, which enables the emission/reception of information, in accordance with a series of predefined rules, and the knowledge of the entities involved. Communication can be one directional or bidirectional, according to whether the process is in one-way or two-way.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Compression

Process of reducing the space occupied by a determined quantity of information for transmission or storage, through for example, the elimination of redundancies.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Computer

Electronic equipment which receives and processes information mathematically, in accordance with a set of predefined commands, in order to present the results.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Concentration Nodes

These can be switching or processing nodes. The entire device or system which routes or processes information which originates in or is destined for the subscriber's system.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Concentrator

Equipment connecting several telephones, through their respective assigning pairs, in order to connect them to a switching exchange, making use of a smaller number of circuits (concentrating several assigning pairs onto a smaller number of circuits).
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Conditional Access

Measure or technical mechanism through which access to a protected service in an intelligible form is given to a previously authorised individual. As a general rule, systems of conditional access are used with pay television through encryption, but other methods may also be used to prevent unauthorised access.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Conditional Access Device

Equipment or computer programme conceived or adapted with the aim of allowing access to a protected service in an intelligible form.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Conditional Access System

Any technical measure and/or arrangement whereby access to a protected radio or television broadcasting service in intelligible form is made conditional upon subscription or other form of prior individual authorisation.
08.10.2008
Latest update: 14.10.2008

Conditions of Open Network Offer

Set of conditions governing open and efficient access to public telecommunications networks and to public telecommunications services, as well as their use.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Conduit Network

Set of subterranean conduits and manholes providing for the installation, replacement and maintenance of subterranean cables.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 01.02.2010

Confidentiality

Obligation of providers of fixed telephone services to keep a phone number and/or address confidential, not including them in telephone directories, nor divulging them through corresponding information services. This is provided at the express indication of the subscriber and without any additional cost.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Confidentiality

Obligation of fixed telephone service providers to take the necessary precautions to guarantee the confidentiality of communications made through this service, in accordance with current legislation. It is the obligation of employees of fixed telephone service providers not to reveal the content of conversations or other information referring to the users which they come to have knowledge of, either accidentally or in the course of performing their job functions.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Congestion

Situation preventing the establishment of a connection through a branch of telecommunications network, as a result of inaccessibility to one or several resources, which are otherwise normally available. May occur, for example, as a result of an excess of information in transit over the network.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Connection Point

Point in the building's telecommunication infrastructure which has the purpose of establishing a connection between the this infrastructure and a cable from the public telecommunications network.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Construction Hollow

Space existing in a structure or elements of construction of a building and accessible only in certain area. Cable chimney.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Consumer

Person or party to whom goods and services are supplied for private use.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Content

Information which makes up a web page. Good content is a key factor in the success of attracting users to a web site, maintaining their interest and encouraging future visits.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Conventional Cable

Cable with metallic electric signal conductors (for example, copper).
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Convergence

The Green Paper on the Convergence of the Telecommunications, defines convergence as the ability of different network platforms to carry essentially similar kinds of services, or the coming together of consumer devices such as the telephone, television and personal computer.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Copper Line (or metallic)

Main means of transmission on telephone networks to connect telephones or other customer devices to the operator's switches. Copper lines make relatively small bandwidth available, and as such have limited capacity to transport broadband services, such as video, except when combined with activating technology, such as ADSL.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

Country Code

Combination of 1, 2 or 3 digits, which make up the prefix of phone numbers from a determined country in accordance with the global numbering plan.
18.08.2008
Latest update: 18.08.2008

CPU - Central Processing Unit

Central processing unit of any digital computer, responsible for the execution of programme instructions.
06.08.2008
Latest update: 06.08.2008

Cryptography

Process which protects information from unauthorised access by making it indecipherable through the use of secret codes.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Customer Derivation Device

Passive device which makes the transitions between the individual copper pair cable network and the collective cable network or the operator’s network, through connection and distribution devices adapted to the respective Level of Quality.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Customer distribution frame

This is a passive terminal device, from which radio and television broadcasting of types A, B and CATV are distributed to the sockets.
19.08.2008
Latest update: 19.08.2008

Customer Premises Equipment

Abbreviation: CPE. Clients' equipment which is in their premises/residence, which is not part of the public telecommunications network to which it is directly or indirectly connected.
08.08.2008
Latest update: 08.08.2008

Ducts

Tubes, sets of tubes or similar structures, generally installed underground, for the purpose of installation and protection of cables.
06.08.2008
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 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 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

 
Validate RSS | Validate XHTML 1.1 | Validate CSS | Validate WAI-AAA-WCAG 1.0
 
This site has been developed to be accessible to users with special needs. Find out how to use access keys and other website features
 
 
© ANACOM 2013