Call costs are calculated (in part, at least) using the number of seconds, multiplied by the billing rate. Per second billing increment phone plans typically save approximately 3.5% more than a 30 sec billing increment plan.

Call costs are calculated (in part, at least) by finding the number of billing increments used (in this case 30 seconds), and multiplying by the billing rate per increment. For example: 30 second billing increment phone plans will charge the same amount for call durations 6 sec, 14 sec, and 30 sec. They will also charge the same for calls which are 31 sec, 44 sec and 60 seconds.

The ACCC is an independent body which provides general consumer protection and competition regulation across all industries. It administers the Trade Practices Act. The ACCC also regulates competition in the telecommunications industry through administration of the Telecommunications Access Regime (the ability to choose alternate providers of telecommunications services) and regulation of anti-competitive conduct.

Monthly charge from a service provider for provision of that service. Call charges are additional to this charge. Also may be referred to as a Service Fee or Connection Fee. Distinct from a Connection Charge, which is the charge for connection of an individual call.

A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring that those who are deaf or have a hearing, speech or communication impairment, can obtain access to the telephone and other telecommunication networks.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content. Incorporates the former ABA (Australian Broadcasting Authority) and ACA (Australian Communications Authority).

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a form of DSL, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines.

A technology for the delivery of faster ADSL. Exchanges must be ADSL2+ enabled. Speeds available start at 24000/3000 kbps and reduce with distance from the exchange, hardware used, quality of the copper pair used, etc.

A representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organisations. Or, a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission. In Australian telecommunications an agent is typically a person or company who has a contractual agreement with a Service Provider, whereby they will obtain commission or similar for bringing new customers to that provider.

The AMPS network in Australia was the first mobile phone network. This network was subsequently replaced by digital networks, such as GSM, and is no longer operational. Security and capacity were limiting factors of the AMPS network. The AMPS network is sometimes referred to as the 1G Mobile network; where 1G indicates `First Generation`.

AMTA is an industry body representing and promoting the interests of organisations involved in the supply and provision of mobile telecommunications services and products. Members include: mobile phone carriers and service providers, handset manufacturers, retail outlets and associated business such as those that provide network equipment and specialised consultancy services.

The technology originally used to transmit radio (including mobile phone) and TV communications. Superseded in many communications areas today. Digital communications are now being used in mobile telephony and TV delivery is broadcast using both analog and digital methods.

Prefix added to a phone number to denote the location of that number. In Australia, interstate calling often requires an STD area code. Follow this link for a list of all Australian area code an prefixes.

Verification of the identity of a user to a network, or a network to the user. Passwords, digital certificates, smart cards and biometrics can be used to authenticate a user. In the case of mobile phones, a user may be authenticated to the network to ensure that they are `activated` - with an account and credit on that network. Conversely, Mobile networks may authenticate themselves to a user`s mobile phone to ensure that the phone is locked to their network.

Commercial term meaning Business-to-Business commerce, as distinct from Business-to-Consumer or Retail Business.

The electronic `spine` of a telecommunications network which joins slower and dispersed network elements. A common telecommunications backbone in Australia carries network traffic between Melbourne and Sydney and is a private, managed network. Telstra, Optus and AAPT all have such networks.

The account number attached to a service(s). Most often a customer will only have a single BAN from a service provider. However, customers may elect to have several BANs; to designate between sites, for example.

Refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits per second (bps) or bytes per second.

These are the letters, which appear on your bill beside the calls you have made, eg. O for off peak and P for peak.

Blocks of time, usually 1 second or 30 second blocks, which are used by a service provider to calculate the cost of a call. Example: If a mobile phone plan states that calls are billed per 30 seconds, then calls lasting 3 sec, 14 sec and 30 sec will all be billed the same; as one 30 second billing increment. However, a 31 sec call will be billed as two billing increments. Example: If a mobile phone deal states that calls are to be billed in 1 second increments, then all calls are billed per second. Typically, billing in 1 sec increments will be approximately 3.5% cheaper than billing in 30 second increments.

The smallest unit of information on a computer, a bit, is expressed by a 1 or a 0. A kilobit equals 1,000 bits. A megabit, 1 million bits.

The BlackBerry is a handheld wireless device providing e-mail, telephone, text messaging and web browsing and other wireless data access. In Australia, BlackBerry operates mostly on the GPRS network. However, BlackBerry will begin operating at higher speeds as networks are upgraded.

Bluetooth® complements wireless LAN perfectly by providing a quick and easy way of connecting one Bluetooth®-enabled device to another without going through your network. For example, you could print a document at a satellite office from your laptop to any Bluetooth®-enabled printer within range (Bluetooth®, products work over shorter distances than wireless networks - approximately 10 metres). In addition, by creating a temporary network, (also known as a personal area network - PAN) you can exchange files at informal meetings - say, around a client`s conference table. Put simply, Bluetooth®, provides the opportunity for flexible, spontaneous working, especially if you don`t have the time to connect to a fixed or wireless network.

Bits per Second. A measurement of data transfer speed. Rates are the number of bits that are transmitted per second. See also Kbps

see VoIP