Glossary of electronic communication and postal services
Magnetic card
Type of card which contains a strip with a cover of magnetised material, on which data can be stored, for example, related to its personal user.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Main Building Distribution Frame
In portuguese, Repartidor Geral do Edifício (RGE). Device which allows interconnection between the operator networks and the cable networks of the building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Main Coaxial Cable Distribution Frame
In portuguese, Repartidor Geral de Cabo Coaxial (RG-CC). Device which makes the interconnection between the coaxial cables of several operators and the coaxial cable distribution network of the building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Main Copper Pair Distribution Frame
In portuguese, Repartidor Geral de Par de Cobre (RG-PC). Device which interconnects the copper pair cables of several operators with the copper pair cable network of the building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Main Copper Pair Distribution Frame (RG-PC+)
In portuguese, Repartidor Geral de Par de Cobre (RG-PC+). Device which makes the interconnection of the copper pair cables of several operators (in copper pair, coaxial cable or fibre optic) to the copper pair cable network of the building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Main Fibre Optic Distribution Frame
In portuguese, Repartidor Geral de Fibra Óptica (RG-FO). Device which interconnects the fibre optic cables of several operators to the fibre optic cable network of the building.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Main Riser Box
Riser box which allows the connection from the entry box or the cable entry when that does not exist.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Main Telephone
Telecommunications equipment connected by one or more network lines to the switching equipment of an exchange. Includes telephone, telex and data communication type equipment.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mainframe
The main central computer of a system, which has a large storage capacity and high processing speed. Terminals are connected to this machine.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Maintenance
Activity which aims to conserve or repair a system to a state which allows it to perform its functions in a suitable way.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Malleable Tube
Tube which can be bent by hand, requiring reasonable force and which is not desigtned to be bent frequently.Latest update: 19.08.2008
MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
High speed communications network in a metropolitan area. Implemented in closed form in fibre optic cable. Covers an area larger than a LAN and smaller than a WAN.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Manhole
Subterranean compartment, usually made of concrete, which provides access to conduits and facilitates the passage of cables and storage of their connection joints.Latest update: 08.08.2008
Maritime Mobile Service
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel Marítimo (MM). Mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations or between associated on-board communication stations. Survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radio beacon stations may also participate in this service.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Maritime Mobile-Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel Marítimo por Satélite (MM-S). Mobile-Satellite service in which mobile Earth stations are located on ships. Survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radio beacon stations may also participate in this service.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Maritime Radionavigation Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radionavegação Marítima por Satélite (RVM-S). Radionavigation satellite service in which Earth stations are located on ships.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Maritime Radionavigation Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Radionavegação Marítima (RVM). Radionavigation service intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of ships.Latest update: 19.08.2008
MBit/s - Megabits/s
Millions of bits per second. Unit to measure the transmission speed of digital information.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mbytes - Megabytes
Millions of bytes. Unit to measure the quantity of digital information.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Memory
Device supported on a disc or magnetic band, among others, which allows the storage of information which is to be processed by an information system.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Memory Capacity
Storage capacity of an information system, measurable for example in characters or bytes.Latest update: 06.08.2008
Message Service
Service which allows users to exchange messages among themselves through mailboxes incorporated in network equipment. These message services are available in voice and text, with the latter being commonly known as electronic mail or email.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Message-Based value Added Services
Message-based value added services are information society services provided by means of messages supported by electronic communications services. The use of these services requires the payment by the users, in immediate or deferred form, of a value which is additional to the price of the electronic communications service, as consideration for the provision of the transmitted content by the information, entertainment or other service.Latest update: 18.03.2010
Meteorological Aids Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Auxiliares de Meteorologia (METAX). Radiocommunication service used for meteorological, including hydrological, observation and exploration.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Meteorological-Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço de Meteorologia por Satélite (MET-S). An earth exploration-satellite service for meteorological purposes.Latest update: 10.12.2009
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
High speed communications network in a metropolitan area. Implemented in closed form in fibre optic cable. Covers an area larger than a LAN and smaller than a WAN.Latest update: 28.10.2010
MFN - Multifrequency Network
Describes a network whose broadcasting stations transmit on distinct radioelectric channels.Latest update: 19.08.2008
MFRW - Municipal fee for rights of way
Fees due for rights and charges related to the deployment of, passage within or crossing of systems, equipment and other resources of providers of publicly available electronic communications networks and services at a fixed location, of a public or private municipal domain.Latest update: 30.01.2009
MHEG - Multimedia and Hypermedia Experts Group
Group of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) which developed a set of standards for encoding multimedia and hypermedia information, known by its own abbreviation, e.g. MHEG-5.Latest update: 18.08.2008
MHz - Megahertz
Multiple of the Hertz unit of frequency, equalling a million Hertz (a million cycles per second).Latest update: 25.08.2008
Microcomputer
Small reasonably priced computer, generally known as a personal computer, able to be used in an autonomous way or as a terminal on a more powerful information system.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Micro-Electronics
Technology for manufacturing circuits and electronic devices with very small dimensions, obtained by large scale integration technologies.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Microphone Transmitter
Transmitting microphones attached to clothing - body worn - or handheld with an integrated transmitter.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Microprocessor
Very small dimension processor used in integrated circuits.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Microwaves
Electromagnetic waves with wave lengths in the order of microwaves which correspond to Gigahertz frequencies. These are used for atmospheric transmission of analogue or digital voice signals, data or image, in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connections.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mixed Socket
Client's socket which allows the simultaneous connection of several of the client's terminal equipment from different technologies.Latest update: 19.08.2008
MM WG - Mobile Market Working Group
Working Group of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG) on Mobile Markets.Latest update: 18.08.2008
MMDS - Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service
Communications system which uses omni-directional microwaves to carry diverse services, such as video programmes, to subscribers.Latest update: 18.08.2008
MMS - Multimedia Messaging Service
Text, image, animations and sound messages.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mobile Audio Connection
Audio transmission systems using transmitters installed on motorbikes, bicycles, cars, racing cars or boats. One or both terminals can be used while moving.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mobile Cellular System
Terrestrial mobile telephone system, in which the channels attributed to the service are divided into various geographic ''cells'', which cover a determined service area. A cellular system can reuse the same channels in different cells within the same service area. The use of many small cells with low transmission potential in a determined area allows the intensive reuse of channels thereby increasing the capacity of the system.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Market Working Group (MM WG)
Working Group of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG) on Mobile Markets.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Mobile Phone
Wireless telephone which can be used on a mobile communications network.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Portability
Ability of a customer of a mobile operator's services to retain a phone number when switching to another mobile operator.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mobile Service
Communications service between non determined points.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Service with shared resources
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel com Recursos Partilhados (SMRP). Mobile communications system via radio with a tariff independent of the time of conversation, so as to allow the constitution of groups of users in which all the radios communicate with each other. All radios are permanently accessible.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Telecommunications Services
Telecommunications service in which the subscriber's access is made through a non-fixed type of system, using radioelectric propagation through the air.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Telephone Network
Public telephone network in which the terminal points are not fixed.Latest update: 19.08.2008
Mobile Video Connection in Vehicles
Video transmission systems using transmitters installed on motorbikes, bicycles, cars, race cars or boats. One or both terminals can be used while moving.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mobile Video Connection on Board Aircraft
Video transmission systems using transmitters installed on helicopters or other aircraft.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Mobile-Satellite Service
In portuguese, Serviço Móvel por Satélite (MV-S). A radiocommunication service: - between mobile earth stations and one or more space stations, or between space stations used by this service; or - between mobile earth stations by means of one or more space stations. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation.Latest update: 10.12.2009
MODEM
Modulator / DEModulator - Equipment which modulates and demodulates digital signals. In modulation it modifies the signal to be sent, so that it may be transmitted in the desired way. In demodulation it reconstructs the received signal, so that it may be understood by the user. It is often used in the conversion of digital signals from computers into analogue signals and vice versa, so that data may be sent and received through analogue telephone lines (such as in Internet connections).Latest update: 18.08.2008
Modulation
Process of modifying determined characteristics of a carrying wave to that of another wave, so as to adapt a signal being sent by a communications network to the means of transmission to be used. Modulation may be used to transmit data coming from information systems through telephone lines (using a modem).Latest update: 18.08.2008
Moving Picture Experts Group
Abbreviation: MPEG. Group of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) which developed a set of standards for the codification of audio information and digital video, which became known by the same abbreviation. The most famous of all is MP3, MPEG Audio Layer 3.Latest update: 18.08.2008
MPEG-2 Compression
Abbreviation: MPEG. Standard for compression of digitalised video images, reducing the bit rate necessary for transmission.Latest update: 06.08.2008
MPEG-4
Technical standard of compression of visual signals used in the national digital terrestrial television system, produced by the MPEG expert group, which also developed the MPEG-2 standard, among others. The MPEG-4 standard allows an enhanced compression and a higher capacity to transmit programmes, as well as better conditions to transmit HDTV.Latest update: 06.04.2009
Multifrequency Network (MFN)
Describes a network whose broadcasting stations transmit on distinct radioelectric channels.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Multimedia
Information available in the format of sounds, data, and images for various means of transmission.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Multimedia and Hypermedia Experts Group (MHEG)
Group of the International Standards Organisation (ISO) which developed a set of standards for encoding multimedia and hypermedia information, known by its own abbreviation, e.g. MHEG-5.Latest update: 28.10.2010
Multiple-play
A commercial offering involving a package of 2 or more services provided using an integrated tariff and a single bill.Latest update: 08.06.2010
Multiplexer
Device that assembles elements of several sources of information over a shared physical channel (television programmes and data services), i.e., the device that groups several television program services (known as television channels) and broadcasts them over a specific radio frequency or channel, resulting in the output of one digital signal.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Multiplexing
Process which describes the grouping of elements referring to diverse sources of information, including signalisation, on the same physical channel, divided by frequency (FDM), time (TDM) or wavelengths (WDM).Latest update: 18.08.2008
Multipoint
Term usually applied to the transmission from one point to several points.Latest update: 18.08.2008
Must Carry
The obligation imposed on television platform operators to transport and broadcast/distribute determined television channels.Latest update: 18.08.2008
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