Use of a fibre optic cable (the same used for pay-TV connections) to deliver internet connections at up to 10 Mbps.

The barring of outgoing calls, to selected numbers or groups of numbers, may be applied to both mobile phones and fixed services. This is a network feature.

A call centre (or Call Center) is a business unit whose purpose is to handle inbound/outbound telecommunications traffic for a company. A Contact Centre is more highly integrated and such a unit might handle various forms of correspondence between the company and its customers.

The saturation of the available simultaneous connections on a communications channel by users. Applies to both Fixed Lines services and Wireless services (including Mobile services).

Often also called Call Forward, Call Divert is the ability to divert an incoming call to a designated number or service. Usual call charges often apply (however some of these charges might be reduced or removed by some Mobile service providers). Available to both Mobile and Fixed Line services. Call diversion products typically offer many conditional options (eg. Divert All Calls, Divert on No Answer, Divert on Unreachable, Divert on Busy, etc.).

The ability to alert the user to the presence of a second incoming call to their current connection. The user has the option to retrieve the second call, while maintaining their initial connection. Either party may then be disconnected by the user, at their discretion. This feature is available for both Fixed Services (although not all types of Fixed Services) and for Mobile Services.

Also referred to as CID. This feature provides the caller`s telephone number information whilst the call is ringing. The CID information is usually contained between the first and second ringing tone. CID may be blocked (on landlines) by the caller by dialling 1831 before the number, or by requesting a permanent block from the service provider. This information is obtained by using the relevant parts of CLI (Caller Line Identification) information.

Often referred to as Rebillers or Resellers of telecommunications services. These are service providers who are not carriers themselves such as telaustralia.

Telecommunications Carriers are the owners/maintainers of a telecommunications network (either Mobile or Landline). Not all Telecommunications Providers are Telecommunications Carriers; some are resellers of a Carrier`s network.

CDMA (code-division multiple access) refers to any of several protocols used in so-called second-generation (2G) and third-generation (3G) wireless communications. A CDMA service with Optus means that you have a handset that uses this technology and is carried on the Telstra network. A CDMA handset may be an option for those that do not have Optus digital coverage in their area.

Term to denote the switch of a customer between telecommunications service providers.

The provision of the calling party`s number, called party`s number, time of call, routing information, duration and other minor information between service providers. Often billed as CLIP - Calling Line Identification Presentation. Part of this information may be used to provide CND (Calling Number Display) to the called party.

The display of the calling party`s number as the call is ringing. CND is typically sent (as an inaudible signal) between the first and second dial tones of a call. The caller may elect to have their CND information blocked on a per call basis (by prefixing the called number by 1831) or permanently blocked through their service provider. Also called Calling Name Display, Caller ID (or CID) and CNI (Calling Number Identification). CLI differs from CND and the others. See also CLI (Caller Line Identification).

A one-time fee for the set up your phone service. Not to be confused with a Flagfall, which is the connection cost of an individual call.

For Telecommunications: As communications transmission and storage has become digitised, consolidation of various forms of communications (eg. voice, data and video) has become a possibility. Convergence is the likely joining of two or more communications forms into a single user product. The advantages for consumers are: convenience and cost savings. The advantages for service providers are: cost savings (through reduced operational expenses and capital expenditure) and increased customer loyalty.

The Australian telecommunications network mostly remains a simple copper network. Also know as POTS (Plain Old telephone Service) This describes copper lines connected to premises from local exchanges and then switched through other exchanges, for ultimate delivery to another premises. Telecommunications transmissions travel over these lines. Today, there are other methods of telecommunications transmissions such as IP networks, satellite networks, wireless networks (including Mobile Phone Networks).

The dialling prefix used to reach international destinations. To access IDD (International Direct dialling; dialling internationally without operator assistance) the access code 0011 must be used. The format for IDD is: 0111 + country code + area code + local phone number.

A performance standard created by the ACMA. Provides financial compensation, of a prescribed amount, to end customers who are affected by delays in service connections and fault repairs. For a full description, with compensation amounts and timetables, please visit our Customer Service Guarantee page.

Often referred to as Rebillers or Resellers of telecommunications services. These are service providers who are not carriers themselves.

Consumer and community organisation representing the interests of residential customers throughout Australia.

The moment when a service, or element of infrastructure, is moved from one service provider to another. See also Port, for mobile phones, and see ULL, for fixed services.