Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) also named IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network.

Is the transmission of telephone calls over a data connection. Often perceived as voice-over-internet, several types of `managed` VoIP exist. Internet Calling is therefore a mere subset of VoIP. VoIP over internet often has severe limiting quality issues, due mainly to packet delays and packet losses. The quality issues can be decreased by use of an appropriate internet connection, use of a Qos Router, use of a quality VoIP service provider and use of appropriate hardware. See QoS Router (Quality of Service) also.

A virtual private network, or VPN, uses the Internet to connect users to their work or personal networks or servers through a secure `tunnel`. This means you can connect to your office network securely wherever there`s access to the Internet. For example, you could set up a VPN at any one of the hundreds of Hotspots located in airports, hotels and conference centres around the UK and the rest of Europe.

A secure network connection between users of differing LANs. A VPN may be constructed over private or public IP networks (such as the internet). VPNs are becoming an essential tool for mobile employees, and for employees wishing to work from home.

Data network where the distance between units prohibits the use of a LAN (Local Area Network) solution. WANs are high-speed, long-distance technologies to connect nodes of the network.

Set of protocols which enable mobile devices to access online content. WAP will be extended and superseded by the introduction of 3G technology into the online content market space.

The 3G wireless communications standard which evolved from CDMA. Also called UMTS.

The global network of servers on the internet, which allow access to html and other resources. The web uses the http protocol. Also called www and the World Wide Web.

A user interface for interaction on the web. The web browser fetches html and other documents from web servers and displays them for the user.

A computer connected to the internet that stores webpages and other files. These HTML documents and other files can be retrieved using a Web browser.

Wi-Fi is a non-profit organization created to provide an interoperability certification for Wireless LAN products based on the 802.11 standard.

Specified as 802.11b by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Wi-Fi is wireless technology for creating networks up to around 100m, at 2.4 GHz. Wi-Fi is used to create LANs without the physical connections.

Transmission medium which is not land-based. Refers to the parts of the EMR spectrum which can be effectively used for telecommunications transmission. RF, IR, FM, AM, UV and microwave are all used for telecommunications.

Broadband services which are non land-based (and non satellite-based).

Wireless Local Area Networks or WLANs provide cable-free connection between notebooks, desktop PCs, printers, PDAs and your office network via wireless access points. This provides a simple way of expanding your network (and your business) without the hassle and expense of installing additional cabling.

Data encryption specification for Wi-Fi networks. Higher security than WEP. It improves on WEP by using dynamic keys, EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) to secure network access, and an encryption method called Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP).

Information and communication network using the Internet to access hypertext documents. Hypertext documents (often webpages) contain text, images, video and other hypertext items.

Collective name for the various classes of digital subscriber lines. ADSL, SDSL and SHDSL (and the outmoded HDSL) are collectively referred to as xDSL products. See DSL.