Glossary of terms

API

Application Programming Interface An API is a clearly defined method used by programmers to make requests of a computer operating system or another application. In the Java™ programming language, the API is a set of standard runtime libraries that allow access to the resources of a host computer.

ARPU

Average Revenue Per User

ASP

Application Service Provider An ASP deploys, hosts and manages access to a packaged application to multiple parties from a centrally managed facility. The applications are delivered over networks on a subscription basis.

AWT

Abstract Window Toolkit Provides the Java GUI. Contained in the java.awt package. (A package is a collection of importable classes.)

CA

Credit Advantage. This is a credit reference-checking bureau.

CC

Customer Care Functions within the telecommunications operation map which interact with the actual customer including sales, order handling, problem handling, customer QoS management and invoicing and collection of payments.

CDR

Call Detail Record Computer record containing data unique to a specific call. (This information is processed as a unit and contains such details as originating switch, terminating switch, call length and time of day.) (2) Processing of call-specific information — start time, elapsed time, number dialled, date, and other pertinent customer data — to provide call detail reports and invoices.

CORBA

Common Object Request Broker Architecture is an enterprise software architecture designed to allow disparate applications on different operating systems to operate together, transparently to the client software.

CSP

Carriage Service Provider means as per section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

CSP ID

CSP ID means an identification code allocated to a CSP.

CSR

Customer Service Representatives answer consumer questions and resolve customer problems.

Customer

Customer means a person to whom an MSN is Issued.

EJB

Enterprise Java Beans is a component architecture for the development and deployment of object-oriented, distributed, enterprise-level applications. Applications written using the Enterprise JavaBeans architecture are scalable, transactional, multi-user and secure.

ESN

Electronic Serial Number The unique identification number embedded in a wireless phone by the manufacturer.

FW

An abbreviation for "framework" that is used wherever appropriate.

GPRS

General Packet Radio System A means of delivering a packet-based data network to mobile handsets using a GSM network.

GSM

Global System for Mobile communication is a digital mobile telephone system that uses a variation of time division multiple access.

GUI

Graphic User Interface A graphic based interface between a "user" and a computer.

HLR

Home Location Register Database in a cellular network that contains subscriber information; used in handing off calls to networks outside the subscriber's local area (roaming).

HTML

Hyper Text Markup Language The standard mark-up language used for documents on the World Wide Web.

IN

Intelligent Network An architecture defined in the ITU-T Q12xx recommendations which supports the provision of value-added services in a communications network environment through the use of off-switch logic initiated via a Service Control Point.

ITU

International Telecommunications Union The ITU is an agency under the United Nations charged to define standards for international telecommunications. The ITU is the parent organ for ITU-T (formerly CCITT) and ITU-R (formerly CCIR).

JAIN

Java Advanced Intelligent Network Integrated network application programming interfaces for the Java platform.

MDN

Mobile Directory Number A 10-digit directory number used to call a wireless phone.

MMS

Multimedia Message Service

Mobile Carrier

Mobile Carrier means a carrier that operates a mobile network.

Mobile Network

Mobile Network means the facilities operated by a carrier for the purposes of providing public mobile telecommunications services.

MSC

Mobile Switching Center A switch that provides stored program control for wireless call processing. Identifies the switching office that processes the cellular call.

MSN

Mobile Service Number means a number, other than an analogue AMPS number, that has been allocated under the Numbering Plan to a CSP for the provision of a PMTS. Although all allocated MSNs used for a PMTS are portable, the customer can port only those numbers issued to the customer.

Network

Network means a carrier's or CSP's system, or series of systems that carries, or is capable of carrying, communications by means of guided or unguided electromagnetic energy.

Network Provider

Network Provider means an OASD, a TrSD or a PSD.

OSA

Open Service Architecture, Open Service Access

Parlay

An application programming interface created by the adoption by the JAIN community of the Parlay API for use by service providers outside the telco-trusted domain or value-added service providers with the telco domain.

PPA

Prepaid Application

Public Mobile Telecommunications Service

Public Switched Telephone Network

PSTN

Public Mobile Telecommunications Service has the meaning given by the Act.

QoS

Quality of Service refers to the measure of service quality provided to the user.

RDBMS

Relational Data Base Management System

ROI

Return Of Investment

RTBS

Real-time Billing System

RTRE

Real-time Rating Engine

SCF

Service Capability Function

SCP

Service Control Point A computer database that holds information on IN services and subscribers and is separated from the switch, making it easier to introduce new services on the network.

SCS

Service Capability Server

Service Order

The command sent to the network to action changes to the services available as part of the subscription. Typical examples are service orders to connect, disconnect, bar, unbar, and so on.

SGSN

Serving GPRS Support Node A serving GPRS support node (SGSN) is responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its geographical service area.

SIM

Subscriber Identity Module The means to identify a subscription. The SIM number is a 19 or 20 digit number always beginning '89', followed by some manufacturers' codes, a unique serial number, and check digits. Details of the subscription are held on the handset using a SIM card — a smart chip — which can be moved between different handsets if required. Also on the SIM card is the IMSI number.

SLA

Service Level Agreement An agreement between a service provider and a customer's company, guaranteeing a certain level of service.

SMS

Short Message Service A service in GSM mobile networks allowing the transmission of short text messages (<160 characters) between mobile stations using a store-and-forward principle.

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer

SSP

Service Switching Point A switch that can recognise IN calls and route and connect them under the direction of an SCP.

Standard Hours of Operation

Standard Hours of Operation means 8 am to 8 pm (Standard Time) from Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 6 pm (Standard Time) on Saturday, unless otherwise agreed between CSPs on a bilateral basis.

Subscription

A contract between a subscriber and the network. The person(s) to whom services are provided. May also be referred to as the handset.

Swing

The Java Swing package of classes is used to create GUI components for applets and applications.

Tariff

The set of rules defined to price the airtime used by the subscription.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

UI

User Interface

VAS

Value Added Service A service provided by a network that exceeds merely transporting user-originated information, such as message storage for later delivery, code conversion, electronic mail, etc.

VisiBroker™

A CORBA-compliant object request broker that provides an environment for the development, deployment, and management of complex, distributed applications written in C++ or Java.

VLR

Visiting Location Register

WebLogic

User modeling and workflow environment for BEA WebLogic Collaborate.

XML

Extensible Markup Language is a flexible way to create common information formats and share both the format and the data on the World Wide Web, corporate intranets, and elsewhere.

XSL

XML stylesheet for formatting XML documents.