Glossary of electronic communication and postal services
Cable
Set of isolated conductors, covered with a protective layer.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.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.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.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Cable Entry
Tubes or conduits which enable the entrance of cables.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Cable Network
Set of interconnected telecommunications cables and accessory devices (of connection, distribution and terminals).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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Cabling
Set of telecommunication cables and respective connection devices which in their entirety make up a system.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.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Call Duration
Period of time between the start and end of a call.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Call Forwarding
Rerouting of a telephone call to another chosen number.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Calling Line Identification (CLI)
Function which enables the caller's number to be identified.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
CD-I - Compact Disc Interactive
High capacity Compact Disc which enables interaction.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Cell
Area served by a radio base station in a cellular mobile communications system.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Central processing unit of any digital computer, responsible for the execution of programme instructions.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Centrex
Service provided through the telephonic network, as an alternative to switching equipment residing on the customer premise.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Certificate of Compliance
Document which certifies a product or service's compliance with rules and other applicable technical specifications.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.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Channel or Chimney
Hollow space which allows the passage and installation of cables.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.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.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.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
CLI - Calling Line Identification
Function which enables the caller's number to be identified.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Client's Private Network
Set of cables, equipment and other materials which are exclusively the property of the client.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Closed User Group
In telecommunications, this is the restricted group of users of a determined service.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Coaxial Distribution Frame
Device which allows the signal received at its entrance to be divided by its exits.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Coaxial Network
Network made up of active and passive elements interconnected by coaxial cables.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.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.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.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Collective Installation of the Subscriber
Set of collective networks of tubes and cables.Latest update: 18.08.2008
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.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.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.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.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.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.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).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.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Conduit Network
Set of subterranean conduits and manholes providing for the installation, replacement and maintenance of subterranean cables.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.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.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.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.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Consumer
Person or party to whom goods and services are supplied for private use.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.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Conventional Cable
Cable with metallic electric signal conductors (for example, copper).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.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.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.Latest update: 18.08.2008
CPU - Central Processing Unit
Central processing unit of any digital computer, responsible for the execution of programme instructions.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Cryptography
Process which protects information from unauthorised access by making it indecipherable through the use of secret codes.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.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.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.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.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