Telecommunications Operations Flashcards
Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)
A LEC is a company that provides telephone exchange service or exchange access, excluding commercial mobile service providers, routing local calls.
Competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC)
a telecommunications provider that competes with established local phone companies, known as “incumbent local exchange carriers” (ILECs), in a given area, offering similar local phone services but often at more competitive prices by leveraging unbundled access to the existing network infrastructure;
Originating Service Provider
OSPs are responsible for originating 911 calls to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs)
Interexchange Carrier
Interexchange Carrier (IXC) is a communications common carrier that provides telecommunications services between local access and transport areas (LATAs) or between exchanges within the same LATA. Inter-exchange carriers own or share the various high-bandwidth, fiber-optic trunk lines that cross the country and provide high-speed switched digital services for voice, data, and video communication.
local loop
a physical connection between a customer’s home or business and the telecommunications network
Area code overlay/split
An area code overlay adds a new area code to an existing geographic region, allowing multiple area codes to serve the same area, while a geographic split divides an existing area code into two or more areas, each with its own area code
N-1-1
N-1-1” refers to the abbreviated dialing codes in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), such as 211, 311, 511, 711, and 811, which provide access to specific services like community information, non-emergency government services, and more
VoIP Service Providers (VSP)
a company that offers services and products to enable businesses or individuals to make and receive phone calls over the internet instead of traditional phone lines
Copper
the use of copper wires for transmitting voice, data, and video signals
Fiber optic
a method of transmitting information using light pulses sent through optical fibers
Microwaves
a communication system that uses microwaves to transmit data between fixed locations
Coaxial cable
to convey data, video, and voice communications to customers
Telecommunications Quality of service
the overall performance of a network, focusing on measurable parameters like bandwidth, latency, and packet loss, to ensure efficient and reliable service delivery
Telephone Denial of Service (TDoS)
aims to make a telephone system unavailable by preventing incoming or outgoing calls, essentially flooding the system with malicious traffic to consume resources and prevent legitimate users from accessing it
Distrusted denial of service (DDoS)
a cybercrime where a malicious actor floods a target server or network with a large volume of traffic from multiple sources, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the service by overwhelming its capacity
Trunking Requirements
ensure adequate bandwidth, compatible equipment, and adherence to relevant standards and protocols for a successful implementation
Direct Trunked
a system where calls or data are routed directly between two points (like two offices) without going through a central switching hub, offering a dedicated and potentially more secure connection.
Tandem (Analog vs. Digital)
Analog communication uses analog signals for the transmission of information. Digital communication uses digital signals for the transmission of information. Analog communication uses signals that can be represented by sine waves. Digital communication uses signals that can be represented by square waves.
End Office Routing
the process of routing calls to their final destination, where the call is connected to the end user’s telephone line, after the call has gone through various network switches and routing points.
Alternate routing considerations
alternate routing, the load is allocated to high-usage and final routes in the most economical manner. In general, the direct or high-usage route is shorter and less expensive than the alternate-route path.
Grade of service/Blocking probabilities
Grade of Service (GOS) and blocking probability are closely related, representing the likelihood of a call being blocked or delayed due to network congestion or limited capacity. A GOS of 0.01 (1%) means 1 out of 100 calls might be blocked.
Wireless/PCS call routing and interconnects
PBX/PS ALI routing and interconnect
Private Branch Exchange may be a central system that provides service to remote locations that are geographically separated. Allows for internal communications between users within the organization and also provides connections to the public switched telephone network (PTSN)
Emergency services IP Network (ESInet)
provides the IP transport infrastructure upon which independent application platforms and core services can be deployed, including, but not restricted to, those necessary for providing NG9-1-1 services. ESInets may be constructed from a mix of dedicated and shared facilities. ESInets may be interconnected at local, regional, state, federal, national and international levels to form an IP-based internetwork (network of networks). The term ESInet designates the network, not the services that ride on the network. See NG9-1-1 Core Services.
Centralized Automated Message Accounting (CAMA)
A centralized automatic message accounting system (CAMA) has been developed so that the billing data can be recorded at a centralized crossbar tandem office for message unit and toll calls originated by telephone customers served by a large number of local dial central offices
Selective Router
The capability to route a call to the particular PSAP based on the geographical location from which the call originated. Selective routing is achieved by building telephone number/emergency service number translations in the tandem central office.
Trunk Concentration
the efficient use of network resources by routing multiple calls over a smaller number of lines or circuits, rather than dedicating a separate line for each call.
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF)
also known as “touch-tone” technology, is a telecommunications signaling method where pressing a key on a telephone keypad generates two simultaneous tones, one high-frequency and one low-frequency, to represent a digit
Integrated Services Digital Network Signaling System 7 (ISDN/SS7)
a telecommunications protocol that facilitates call setup, routing, and control in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), while the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) is a specific part of SS7 used for ISDN signaling.
Internet Protocol (IP)
a fundamental set of rules that allows devices to communicate across networks by assigning unique addresses (IP addresses) and routing data packets to their destinations
Frame Relay
a standardized wide area network (WAN) technology that specifies the physical and data link layers of digital telecommunications channels
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM
a telecommunications technology that transmits data in fixed-size cells, allowing for efficient and flexible integration of various traffic types, including voice, video, and data, over a network.
Multiprotocol Labeling switching (MPLS)
Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) is a traffic routing mechanism used in telecommunications networks to mold traffic flows when data is sent between network nodes
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
a signaling protocol used to establish, manage, and terminate multimedia sessions like voice calls, video conferences, and instant messaging over IP networks
Analog Transmission system
uses continuous signals, like varying voltage or frequency, to convey information
Digital Transmission system
uses digital signals (ones and zeros) to transmit information
Basic 9-1-1 system
an emergency telephone system that connects calls to a call center, where the caller must identify their location to the 911 operator, who then connects the call to the appropriate emergency response center
ANI only
Automatic Number Identification provides a phone number only, no location
ANI/ALI
Automatic Number Identification/Automatic Location Identification, provides a phone number and mapped location
Enhanced
a system that automatically provides the location and phone number of 911 callers to emergency dispatchers
NG9-1-1
911 system that uses internet protocol (IP) to allow digital information to flow between public, 911 networks and first responders.
Selective Routing
the process of automatically routing 911 calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the caller’s location, ensuring the quickest response to emergencies.
Alternate Routing
directs wireless 911 calls to the correct Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on the caller’s actual location, rather than the location of the cell tower
Default Routing
a fallback mechanism that directs calls to a designated Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) when normal routing fails due to issues like ANI (Automatic Number Identification) failures or other network problems.
Call Transferring
a dispatcher connecting a caller to another agency or department, often for a specific type of emergency or because the initial call was routed to the wrong center
ANI Resend
Router to Router Transfer
a situation where a call is misrouted to the wrong Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and must be transferred to the correct PSAP, delaying emergency response.
Geospatial Routing
uses Geographic Information System (GIS) data to pinpoint a caller’s location and route 911 calls to the most appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)
Policy Based Routing
technique that forwards and routes data packets based on policies or filters
Primary/Secondary PSAP
a primary PSAP receives calls directly from the 911 control office, while a secondary PSAP receives calls transferred from a primary PSAP
Single Jurisdiction PSAP
serves a specific jurisdiction. May serve police, fire, and EMS. Not unusual to find several single-jurisdiction PSAPs in a single county or state.
Multiple Jurisdiction PSAP
Consolidated PSAP
a single facility where multiple public safety agencies operate as a unified 9-1-1 entity, sharing resources and improving coordinated responses
Co-located PSAP
placing them in the same building or shared space to enhance communication and coordination between public safety and transportation agencies
Virtual PSAP
an operational model where telecommunicators handle 911 calls from geographically dispersed locations, leveraging cloud-based or remote call handling technologies
ANI Controller
a device that decodes and displays the Automatic Number Identification (ANI) information of a 9-1-1 call
ALI Controller
a device that decodes and displays the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) information of a 9-1-1 call
PSAP System Controllers
Uninterrupted power supply (USP)
a device that provides backup power to electrical systems during power outages or fluctuations
ANI Display
displays the caller’s phone number, known as the Automatic Number Identification (ANI)
ALI Display
displays the caller’s location, known as the Automatic Number Identification (ANI)
ACD
ACD (Automatic Call Distribution) is a technology that automatically routes incoming calls to the next available call taker.
Intelligent Workstations/computer Telephony Integration (CTI)
Computer-based 911 answering position equipment that includes computer telephony integration.
Call Handling Equipment (CHE)
Call-Processing Equipment (CPE), provides the tools for emergency telecommunicators to receive, process, and dispatch 911 calls
CHE On Premise
PSAP Gateway
a signaling and media interconnection point between the Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet) and legacy Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), facilitating the delivery of emergency calls routed via an ESInet to PSAPs that aren’t fully NG9-1-1 compliant
CHE Host/Remote
CHE Call Handling as a Service (CHaaS)
a service that allows PSAPs to outsource their 911 call handling operations, rather than managing the technology and infrastructure in-house.
PSAP Dispatch
PSAP Recording
PSAP Power Systems
PSAP CAD System
PSAP Records Management System
PSAP Mobile Data System
PSAP Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
systems designed for surveillance operations enable law enforcement to discreetly track and monitor vehicles. AVL systems can report vehicle information, such as location, speed, and stops, to investigators by obtaining data from global positioning system (GPS) satellites.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD/TTY)
special telecommunications equipment used by people who cannot use a regular telephone due to hearing loss or speech impairment
PSAP Time Synchronization
PSAP mapping systems
PSAP Management Information System (MIS)
Trunked radio
a two-way radio system that uses a control channel to automatically assign frequency channels to groups of user radios
UHF
Radio frequencies between 300 and 3 GHz, penetrates structures better
VHF
Mobiles/Portables
Repeater Systems
combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a signal and retransmits it
Satellite
form of microwave transmission where “the tower is in the sky”.
Radio over IP (RoIP)
PBX/PSP
Private Branch Exchange may be a central system that provides service to remote locations that are geographically separated. Allows for internal communications between users within the organization and also provides connections to the public switched telephone network (PTSN)
Private Switch ANI/ALI
This database contains information about phone numbers and their associated locations. When you dial an emergency number like 911, the PS-ALI database is quiried to retrieve the address linked to that phone number.
PBX/PSP Information Transport
PBX/PSP Routing
Wireless Devices
Wireless Network Routing
Wireless Methods for 911 Call Routing
Wireless Location Information
Wireless Interconnection Standards
Wireless Phase 2
allows call takers to receive both the caller’s wireless phone number and their estimated location information.
Wireless Long-term Evolution (LTE)
a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA standards
Wireless Non Service initialized (NSI)
Wireless Device Based hybrid
Wireless FirstNet
NG911 Core Services Architecture (i3)
NG911 terms
NG911 IP Networking
Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet)
A managed IP network shared by all public safety agencies used for emergency services communications
Emergency Call Routing Function (ECRF)
An NG9-1-1 functional element that takes a location, compares it to the GIS data, and determines which PSAP should receive the call
Emergency Services Routing Proxy (ESRP)
An NG9-1-1 functional element on the edge of the ESInet that looks for emergency calls and ushers the call through the ESInet (i.e., selects the next hop routing) based on the caller’s location and routing policy
Location Validation Function (LVF)
An NG9-1-1 functional element that validates a new subscriber’s civic address against the GIS data before a 9-1-1 call is ever made
Location Information Services (LIS)
An NG9-1-1 functional element that provides the locations for a Service Provider’s subscribers
Border Control Function (BCF)
Like a firewall that provides a secure entry into the ESInet for emergency calls presented to the network
Legacy Network Gateway (LNG)
NG9-1-1 Functional Element that provides an interface between a non-IP originating network and a Next Generation Core Services (NGCS) enabled network
Legacy PSAP Gateway (LPG)
A signaling and media interconnection point between an ESInet and a legacy PSAP. It plays a role in the delivery of emergency calls that traverse an i3 ESInet
NG911 Public Safety Answering Point
Emergency Incident Data Object (EIDO)
provides a standardized Javascript Object Notation (JSON) format to convey this information, including from call handling to Computer-Aided-Dispatch (CAD), from CAD to CAD, to field responders, and to other entities.
Spatial Interface (SI)
The purpose of the SI is to provision a functional element (e.g., the Emergency Call Routing Function) with GIS data. In contrast, this Data Model document describes the structure (e.g., field names, field data types, domains) of GIS data.
NG911 Forest Guide
NG911 Domain Name Service (DNS)
NG911 Location Data Base (LDB)
NG911 Legacy Selective Routing Gateway (LSRG)
Provides an interface between a 9-1-1 Selective Router and an ESInet, enabling calls to be routed and/or transferred between Legacy and NG networks
Additional Data Repository / Identity Searchable Additional Date Repository
NG-SEC
Local Access and Transport Area (LATA)
Geographical area within which a local telecommunications service provider may offer local or long distance service
Direct Inward Dialing (DID)
A telephone service that allows a phone number to ring directly to a specific phone at a business instead of going to a menu or a queue and needing to dial an extension
