The ability for a customer to retain their existing landline number when changing service providers. This may occur in two circumstances: either the number is retained by the carriage service provider and simply rebilled, or the number is actually ported from one carrier to another. As with mobile number porting, the approximate time where the number is unavailable through either of the carriers is 15 minutes.

Long distance calls are also called STD calls, NDD (National Direct Dialled) Calls or Trunk Calls. (Technically, international calls are also long distance calls, but this is not a common use of the term.) These are domestic calls which extend beyond local billing zones.

Refers to a communication medium which must have an unimpeded (or nominal) line-of-sight between transmitter and receiver.

The MAC address is the physical address of a device connected to a network. This unique hardware identity can be used to allow devices access to networks such as a wireless area network (WLAN) via an access point.

Megabits per second (a million bits per second) is a unit used to measure the rate of information transfer. [A bit, short for binary digit, is the smallest unit of information a computer can hold]

The series of 019 numbers which allow national dial-up internet access at the cost of a local call from almost anywhere in Australia.

Using the phonebook features of a phone handset to retrieve and call a number. Speed dial is one example of this. Dialling using number recall features is another.

Loss of capacity of Ni-Cad (Nickel-Cadmium) or NiMH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) rechargeable battery. Recharging the battery before it is completely discharged, or using the battery before it is completely recharged, can result in that battery losing the ability to reach its original capacity. This effect may be reduced through several full discharge and charging cycles. Nowadays NiCd and NiMH batteries are not in prevalent use.

Also called ICO (Intermediate Circular Orbit), denotes satellites placed in an orbit greater than LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and less than GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit). The satellites for the global navigation system GPS (Global Positioning System) operate in MEO.

Telstra product brand name for a voicemail service. For landlines: Callers can be directed to MessageBank when their call is unanswered or if the phone is busy. For mobiles: Callers offered by Telstra for its fixed-line customers. You can check your messages from any phone by calling your MessageBank and entering your secret PIN. There is a monthly fee added to your phone bill for this service.

Telstra product. Callers may use a non-connected (virtual) number to leave messages.

Microwave telecommunications is the use of microwaves as a communication medium. Microwave communications are restricted to line-of-sight only.

Different to a Flagfall cost, the minimum call cost is the minimum charge for an individual call. Difference: Whilst the Flagfall is charged at the connection of a call and then rate charges added, the minimum call cost is only applied if the call cost does not exceed minimum amount.

Term used to describe the total commitment amount of a contract. For early termination of a contract, payment of the minimum commitment will often be enforced. See also Minimum Monthly Commitment.

The agreed monthly charge for available connection of a service to a network. This minimum charge will still be applied, irrespective of usage. For instance: A $99 Cap plan, with $700 of included calls and a minimum commitment of $70, will cost $70 per month even when the phone is not being used. Also called a Connection Fee, Minimum Commitment, Monthly Access Charge, Monthly Access Fee, Monthly Connection Fee, etc.

See Minimum Monthly Commitment

Wireless broadband alternative to the local loop (traditional copper connections) and permits a high bandwidth traffics up to 10 Mbps.

An EMS (Electronic Messaging System) used to deliver text, images, sounds and limited video to mobile handsets. Platform built to expand SMSs.

The ability for a customer to retain their existing mobile number when changing mobile service providers. Mobile numbers are assigned to SIM cards and a mobile number port occurs like this: Usually a new SIM is issued, with a temporary mobile number imprinted on it. Then, when `the port` happens, the existing number is written over the new SIM`s temporary number and the old SIM is left inactive. During the mobile number porting, the mobile number is unreachable through either carrier for approximately 15 minutes.

The locations in which a user can connect to and use a mobile service from a nominated mobile phone network. The Australian carriers all supply generalised Coverage Maps of their coverage areas.

A call type denoting a domestic call made from one mobile to another. For the purposes of billing, call rates between mobiles are often charged at a different rate to other call types. (Sometimes mobile to mobile call rates are segregated further; according to OnNet calls and OffNet calls.)

Amalgamating the terms: MOdulator and DEModulator, a Modem is a hardware device used to convert communications signals between analog and digital, or to modify digital signals between two parts of a network. Modems are commonly used to connect a PC to the internet.

Simplistic ringtones which are made up of monophonic beeps. Monophonic means: Capable of producing only one note at a time.

A set fee paid for available connection to a network. May apply to both mobiles (see Minimum Monthly Spend) and landline connections (see Line Rental). Separate to usage charges.

Occurs when normal operations of a carriage service provider are significantly disrupted by circumstances beyond that carrier`s control.