Premises for the switching equipment which allows for connection of calls. Switching occurs for local, STD, calls to mobiles and international calling. Also called, Telephone Exchange.

Special regional zone which allows for untimed local calls to neighboring zones and to a community service town various community services are accessed.

IP address of a computer on an external network - most commonly the internet. Computers use IP addresses to identify one another. Websites are held on servers, and are assigned a unique IP address. Mail servers also have a unique IP address. External IP addresses may also be called Public IP addresses.

Called a fax in common use. The digitisation of an image and then transmission of that image. Superseded the Telex.

Feature of a mobile phone which allows data to be sent and received as per fax protocols.

Telstra product. Duet refers to the addition of a second line which shares the same telephone line as an existing service. Line rental for the second line is minimal (around $6.00). Faxes may still be received while the line is busy, and are queued at the exchange until the line is free. FaxStream Duet has become a valuable tool for many small businesses.

US body for the Regulation of interstate communications: licenses, rates, tariffs, standards, limitations, etc.

A high-speed (up to 100Mbps) LAN ANSI standard for a fibre optic connection.

Multiplexing protocol where the available transmission frequency range is divided into separate channels. Data is segmented and transmitted over these various channels. Data is reconstructed at the destination.

Grouped glass, plastic or hybrid fibres which are used to transmit digital pulses of light for data transmission. High bandwidth solution which may carry voice, video and data. Commonly called `Cable`.

Delivery of calls to a user through multiple numbers at the same time such as desk phone, mobile phone and home phone simultaneously allowing the customer to pick up the call regardless of location. Available on Total Business Connect (TBC) Service.

Hardware and/or software designed to prevent unauthorized access to (or from) a private network. Firewalls are commonly positioned between the internet and all internal infrastructures (PCs, LAN, Intranet, etc.).

Is a fee that can be charged upon successful connection between a mobile and another phone. Flagfalls vary depending on the plan.

Delivery of calls to a user through an alternate network (while that user is out of range from their pre-selected network or whilst that user has requested the routing). See also Roaming.

Typically used for LAN to LAN data connection over distances, frame relays are prescribed connection paths. The end user experience is a (virtual) permanent connection between LAN sites. Frame relay is a protocol for variable-length packet transmission of data. Designed for use as a low-noise connection, redundant- and dark- data are not generally used, which leads to high transmission rates. Frame relays may transmit bursts of data at up to 45Mbps. Due to its transmission burst nature, frame relays are not ideal for transmission of continuous signals such as voice and video.

1800 Number. A FreeCall number is a Toll-Free number but with no connection charges. The call is charged to the owner of the number. As with all toll-free numbers, the call is routed to a nominated answering point. The answering point itself may be dynamic; it may be dependent on time of day (TOD), caller location, or calling traffic overflows.

Process for transferring files over the internet or another TCP/IP network. FTP is also often used to describe the software interface used for transfers. Files available to be shared are held on a server. Users may be required to logon to the server using either a secured username and password or by an `anonymous` logon (an unsecured and generic logon). Files may then be downloaded from the server (or uploaded, if permitted).

The ability to use a mobile phone overseas. Tri-band and Quad-band phones allow roaming through the USA. GSM and GPRS phones will provide roaming throughout most of the international community. CDMA phones do not (practically) offer international roaming. Roaming charges are substantial.

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service, this standard allows packet rather than circuit switch connections on cellular networks. This allows high-speed mobile access and the ability to connect to the mobile network when Internet access is required.

GPS is short for Global Positioning System, GPS refers to satellite-based radio positioning systems that provide 24 hour three-dimensional position, velocity and time information to suitably equipped users anywhere on or near the surface of the Earth (and sometimes off the earth). GPS technology is used in a wide range of applications, including maritime, environmental, navigational, tracking and monitoring.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a federal Government initiative and is a 10% tax on most goods and services supplied. Every business that supplies goods and services collects GST for the Australian Tax Office. This means that the price of their goods and services include a GST amount.

Overall, a handset is any hand-held device which is used to make and receive phone calls. Refers to mobile phones, cordless phones or landline handsets. However, usually refers to a mobile phone handset. Also called a mobile, cell, cell phone or cellular phone. Cordless handsets are also called portable phones, DECT phones (common-use language) or wireless phones. Landline handsets may refer to a stand alone handset directly connected to a socket or to a handset which is part of a phone system (eg. a handset connected to a PABX).

Mobile phone handset, which is included in the offer of a mobile phone contract. The handset may be subsidised, free or $0. Subsidised handsets may be bought outright or included as a monthly charge. Free handsets are free, with `no strings attached`. $0 (called `zero-dollar`) handsets are offered at no charge, so long as the customer remains in contract with the provider. After the contract period is finished, a $0 handset is owned by the customer.

The ability to converse on a mobile phone without using one`s hands to hold the handset.

Signals between two network nodes (eg. a mobile handset and a base station, a wireless laptop and a wireless router, etc.) which precede interoperation. Often a handshake will incorporate security authorisation.