1+ Long distance service. The calling party dials 1 (or 011 for international calls) followed by area code and phone number to reach a long distance number.
1010 Dial Around (or 1010xxx) an access code is dialed, in addition to the telephone number, to connect with a long distance carrier.
900 Information or entertainment calls accessed via a telephone number with a 900 prefix
ACD (Automatic Call Distributor) A specialized phone system designed for handling and routing large volumes of incoming calls and for making outgoing calls.
ALEC Alternative Local Exchange Carrier
ANI (Automatic Number Identification) The identification of a calling station by a switch, rather than an operator. The primary use of this equipment is to identify the telephone number of the line initiating a call in order to send this information to the message accounting apparatus.
AP (Access Provider) An AP is a telephone company, generally regulated by a state regulatory body, that provides local (intraLATA) telecommunications services.
ATIS (Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions) A membership organization that provides the tools necessary for the industry to identify standards, guidelines and operating procedures that make the interoperability of existing and emerging telecommunications products and services possible.
Audiotext Voice Information Services accessed by dialing a 900 number.
B&C (Billing and Collection) B&C indicates the process that may include rating, recording, invoicing and accounts receivable services provided by a LEC under contract to an interexchange carrier or third party.
BNA (Billing Name and Address)
BOC (Bell Operating Company) A BOC is a regulated telephone company providing local exchange services, directory services, customer premises equipment, cellular services and other approved ventures.
BTN (Billed Telephone Number) The primary telephone number used for billing regardless of the number of telephone lines associated with that number.
Call Blocking A feature, typically requested from the telephone company, which allows a consumer to block calls to specific numbers such as 900 or international calls.
CDR (Call Detail Record) A detailed data record containing the specific elements of a call event.
Call Duration The amount of time the call is connected from the originating party to the terminating party.
Carrier Memorandum A bform initiated by the LEC which informs a customer of an end-user dispute.
CIC (Carrier Identification Code) A CIC is a unique three-digit access identification code that is assigned to an AC for use with Feature Group B and/or Feature Group D switched access service.
CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) A CLEC is any company that competes for customers with a local exchange carrier by providing local service using all or some part of a network. (Resellers, CAPs, LECS)
Client Number A unique four-digit number assigned to a client by The Billing Resource's Client Services department for all tracking and reporting of client specific data.
CMDS (Centralized Message Data System) CMDS is the system used to transfer Exchange Message Interface (EMI)-formatted billing data between the recording/rating company and the billing company.
COCOT (Customer Owned Coin Operated Telephone)
CLID or (Calling Number Identification) is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, that transmits a caller's number to the called party's telephone equipment during the ringing signal, or when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. Where available, caller ID can also provide a name associated with the calling telephone number. The information made available to the called party may be displayed on a telephone's display or on a separately attached device.
Direct Billing Direct billing refers to the process of generating and delivering invoices directly to the end user of a service or product as opposed to via a billing aggregator such as a LEC or credit card company.
EMI (Exchange Message Interface) EMI is the industry-standard record layout for the exchange of call detail between customer and the LEC for the purpose of applying debit or credit amounts to the end-user accounts. The EMI standards are maintained and provided by Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS)
Enhanced Services Services offered over transmission facilities which may be provided without filing a tariff. Examples include voice mail, internet access, and faxing services.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission) The FCC is the federal agency empowered by law to regulate all interstate and foreign radio and wire communications services originating in the United States.
ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier or Independent Local Exchange Carrier)
IVR (Interactive Voice Response) is a technology that allows a computer to detect voice and dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) keypad inputs. LIDB is an acronym for Line Information Data Base, which is used by traditional telephone companies to store and retrieve Caller ID records. Local phone switches, also known as Class 5 switches, useSS7 signaling protocol to query these centralized databases and pass this information during call set up. IVR’s are often also used as the vehicle to look up these data based and present the associated information.
IXC (Interexchange Carrier) A telephone company that is authorized to provide service between LATAs but not within any one LATA.
Inter LATA Telephone communication services that originate in one and terminate in another Local Access and Transport Area (LATA).
Interstate Tephone communication services that originate in one state and terminate in another state.
Intrastate Telephone communication services that remain entirely within the boundaries of a single state.
Inquiry Center A telephone call center with database technology containing client specific information, the ability to handle inbound phone calls, and the ability to intelligently make outbound calls.
IP (Information Provider)A service provider specializing in information and /or entertainment services on a fee basis primarily using 900-dialed call events
LATA (Local Access Transport Area) LATA is a geographic area established by the telephone company for the provision and administration of communications service. An intraLATA long-distance call is one that both originates and terminates within the same LATA, but covers a greater distance than a local call. An interLATA long-distance call is one that originates in one LATA and terminates in another.
LEC (Local Exchange Carrier) A LEC is any telephone company (Bell or independent) engaged in the business of furnishing exchange services and access services in a franchised territory.
LIDB (Line Information Data Base) A public database used to verify call connectivity and provide certain premise information.
LNP (Local Number Portability) A public database used to identify line account owner or carrier.
LOA (Letter of Authorization) A written End-User authorization to order service.
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MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS (Short Message Service) capability which only allowed exchange of text messages up to 160 characters in length.
MTS (Measured Telephone Service) A telecommunication service based on metered usage such as toll-based calling
NPA (Numbering Plan Area) NPAs are areas covered by the North American Numbering Plan. The term "area code" is an abbreviation for Numbering Plan Area Code.
NXX (Numeric Numbering Exchange) NXX is the current general configuration for exchange codes within each area code.
OSP (Operator Service Provider) A company that handles operator-assisted calls, in particular Calling Card, Collect, Third Party Billed and Person-to-Person.
PIC (Primary Interexchange Carrier) A primary interLATA Carrier is an Interexchange Carrier designated by a customer to provide interLATA service automatically without requiring the customer to dial a carrier access code.
POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) Basic, single line telephone service provided by a local exchange carrier (LEC).
POP (Point of Presence) Physical place within a LATA where a long distance carrier or a cellular provider interfaces with the network of the local exchange carrier (LEC).
PUC/PSC (Public Utility Commission/Public Service Commission) State regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing utility services within their respective state.
RBOC (Regional Bell Operating Company) A term used to refer to one of the large LECs formed after the break-up of AT&T in 1984. Also referred to as a 'baby Bell'.
Reseller An individual or company that purchases wholesale telecommunications products for resale to end users. A reseller provides customer service, including billing, and is perceived by the end user as the telephone service provider
SMS (Short Message Service) is a form of text messaging communicating on phones and mobile phones
Sub-CIC A sub carrier listing that allows clients to have their company name appear on the telephone bill page as "Billed on Behalf of (client name)". The Sub-CIC name may be up to 20 alphanumeric characters. This feature helps to provide service provider name recognition for the consumer.
Switchless Reseller A reseller who buys long distance service in bulk from a long distance company and resells that service to smaller users. A switchless reseller owns no communications facilities.
Third Party Verification The use of an independent company to verify that a consumer would like to order a service such as switching long distance carriers. Third party verification can be live with an operator or digitally recorded.
Unbillables Call records that are unable to be billed by the billing aggregator or LEC. Records are deemed unbillable for a variety of reasons such as payphone, no billing contract or disconnected account among others.
Validation A means of determining if a call is billable for the type of service the caller is attempting to access.
WTN (Working Telephone Number) A telephone line under which charges can be incurred. May be linked to a BTN. For example, a 'teen' line could be a WTN linked to a main household number as the BTN. Linkage may only be known to the LEC and End-User
4250 In the USA this is often referred to as the 4250 billing format for miscellaneous charges. |
