Mobile Service Number- the number associated with your phone and account.

The CO (Central Office) that controls the activities in a mobile phone network. A computerised system which maintains mobile calls, defines the current base-station for all its mobile devices, coordinates handoffs, notes drop-outs and provides billing information.

Method used to transmit data from several sources along a single communications path, and be able to retrieve the intact information from any point along the path also.

Distinct from a mobile service provider who acts as a reseller of mobile network services, a MNVO buys wholesale capacity from a mobile network carrier and retails its own services. Telaustralia acts as a MVNO,

Internet infrastructure element where IAPs connect to other IAPs, or where IAPs connect to their ISPs. NAPs are major connection nodes of the internet. Often a point of congestion, an efficient NAP leads to a faster service.

As compared to Broadband, which uses a broad bandwidth for signal transmission, Narrowband uses a much narrower bandwidth and is therefore unable to carry information at broadband rates.

Policy framework for broadband development in Australia, agreed by all levels of government. Overseen by the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group.

Term used for both landline calls and mobile calls. Landline: See STD. Mobiles: Any call to a domestic fixed line which is not a service number or premium number.

Subset of Local Calls, a neighbourhood call was made within a local exchange area and was cheaper than a standard local call.

NetAlert is a not-for-profit internet safety advisory body established in late 1999 by the Australian government to provide independent advice and education on managing access to online content.

Telecommunications: Network is a telecommunications connections infrastructure which enables telecommunications between two or more devices. Computers: Network is a data communications connections infrastructure between three or more computers.

Mobiles: New Service is the connection of a new mobile phone to a network, with a new number applied. Porting of a service to a new carrier is not considered a new service. Landlines: New Service is the new connection between a customer`s premises and the local exchange. Activating an in-place number is not considered a new service even though that customer may be new. A new service will involve at least some physical work between premises and exchange. Sometimes a new service will involve trenching a new group of copper lines onto the premises site.

Diversion of an unanswered call to another number or a message service. The number of rings before a call diverts can be set by the service provider. See also Call Divert.

A mobile phone which is out of range of its service provider`s coverage area (and any associated roaming service providers` coverage areas also) is said to be in a No Service area. Remote regional areas are No Service areas for most providers. See also Coverage Maps, for No Service areas from each mobile carrier.

A carrier in respect of whom a nominated career declaration is in force under section 81 Telecommunications Act 1997.

Each USO provider is required to report regularly to the ACMA (incorporates the former the ACA) on the performance of its network at a the FSA, ESA and individual phone services level. The ACMA may issue directions requiring the USO provider to remedy individual services.

A telephone access service for communications to or from hearing or speech impaired individuals. Relay may be through a live operator or through direct means such as TTY services. See also ACE.

The ability for a customer to retain their existing phone number when changing service providers. Term applies to both Local Number Portability and Mobile Number Portability.

Retrievable cost of a carrier providing access to the standard telephone service and payphones. The carrier is required to submit a claim to the ACA (now ACMA) for these NUSCs in order to be reimbursed. The calculations examine operating and capital costs (including the opportunity cost of capital) for the loss-making services, less any revenue received for those services.

Rate plan feature from Service Providers. Off Peak rates are discounted rates designed to encourage the use of a service provider`s communications services at a time which is convenient to them - their off-peak traffic times. Off Peak times are generally nighttimes and weekends. See also Economy Rates.

Internet connection using a satellite download link and a landline for the upload link. Often used in conjunction with the an ISDN2 connection to provide a 64kbps or 128kbps upload link. This connection has generally become superseded in regional areas, with the introduction of the Two-way Satellite connections (offering 256kbps uploads, for example, without the monthly connection costs).

Public areas which provide user internet access, with user equipment supplied. Libraries are a good example of an Online Access Centre.

Phone calls which are made between users of the same network. For example: Calls between Optus mobiles are OnNet, but a call from an Optus mobile to a Vodafone mobile are OffNet. Also called Same Network Calls, or branded (eg. Virgin2Virgin Calling). Calls within the same account are OnNet calls, but are called Intra-Account Calls.

Glass, plastic or hybrid fibres which are used to transmit digital pulses of light for data transmission. High bandwidth, high integrity (low data loss) solution which is used carry voice, video and data signals.

An extension which is located remotely from a PABX. OPX was an expensive service offered by service providers and was little used in the past. OPX is gaining great interest with the introduction of IP telephony and VoIP. OPX allows secondary office phones (and employees at home) to use their handset as though they are connected to the PABX. Extension dialling, call transfers, etc. become available with OPX.