Hosted phone systems often come with a complex set of VoIP and SIP acronyms. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the most common ones, organized by category.
Communication Technology
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Technology that delivers voice and media over the internet.
- SIP (Session Initiation Protocol): Rules for routing telephony data over the internet for voice calls, messaging, and media transfer.
- IVR (Interactive Voice Response): Technology allowing interaction with phone systems via voice or keypad inputs.
- DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency): Keypad tones used in dialing, replacing rotary dialing.
- UC or UCaaS (Unified Communications or Unified Communications as a Service): Integration of voice, video, chat, email, and voicemail under a single interface.
- XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol): OnSIP's method for instant messaging.
Networking and Connectivity
- LAN (Local Area Network): Connects computers within a specific area like an office, enabling VoIP services.
- WAN (Wide Area Network): Networks covering large areas for business communication across regions.
- IP (Internet Protocol): Rules for formatting digital data packets for communication over the internet.
- FMC (Fixed Mobile Convergence): Unifies wireless and wired networks, enabling access to office phone lines from smartphones and computers.
Service and Providers
- ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider): Company providing internet-based telecommunications services.
- LEC (Local Exchange Carrier): Company responsible for delivering calls within a region, classified as incumbent or competitive.
- SLA (Service Level Agreement): Contract detailing service scope, metrics, responsibilities, and reporting.
Call Management
- ACD (Automatic Call Distribution): Routes incoming calls within an organization based on specific criteria.
- DID (Direct Inward Dialing): Assigns unique phone numbers to employees without additional physical lines.
- PBX (Private Branch Exchange): Manages calls and internal extensions, with options for on-premise or hosted systems.
Devices and Equipment
- ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter): Connects traditional phones to the internet for VoIP use.
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Allows customers or employees to use personal devices for business communication.
Emergency and Quality
- E911 (Enhanced 911): Ensures that VoIP calls to 911 relay location and callback information to dispatchers.
- QoS (Quality of Service): Measures VoIP network performance, affecting call quality.
Number and Identification
- CNAM (Caller ID Name): Database used to display caller names for calls.
- LNP (Local Number Portability): Allows retention of current phone numbers when switching providers.
Traditional Services
- POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service): Traditional phone service using copper wire.
- PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): Interconnected networks facilitating communication between various phone types.
Software and Applications
- CTI (Computer Telephony Integration): Technology coordinating interactions between phones and computers.
- SaaS (Software as a Service): Centrally hosted applications accessed via subscription.
