NEWS Attending IWCE? Come visit Michael at the Higgs Law Group booth. Got Towers? The stock market may be down and the credit markets tight, but tower consolidators are still spending on acquisitions. Call today to find out what your tower may be worth!
	Telecom Glossary This glossary is provided to acquaint our clients with some of the technical and legal terminology in general use in the telecommunications marketplace. Some commonplace terms, already familiar to many in the industry, have been included to assist investors or corporate officers who do not generally deal with the technical or engineering side of the business. In no way comprehensive, this glossary will be periodically expanded, and it will include more terms as emerging technology expands the telecommunications vocabulary. Amateur Service: A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigation carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without commercial interests. Amateur radio is also a vital component of civilian emergency response during natural disasters or catastrophes. Referring to the amateur service as "ham radio" is considered derogatory by some amateurs. Amplitude Modulation (AM): Transmitting information (voice or music, for example) by modulating, or varying, the amplitude (magnitude of voltage or current) of a carrier wave in proportion to a second signal that carries that information. Usually, the carrier wave is mixed with the modulating signal in a nonlinear device that produces discrete upper and lower sidebands, which are the sum and difference frequencies of the carrier and signal. The resulting AM wave is an analog of the modulating signal. Band: Any range of frequencies between a specified upper and lower limit. In casual use, a band may be referred to by rounding off the lowest frequency in the range (for example, "the 900MHz band") or as a specific range of frequencies (for example, "the VHF band"). Bandwidth: The capacity of a channel or line to carry signals without distortion or loss of information. Base and 10: Industry jargon for a rudimentary two-way radio system comprising one base station with 10 channels. Brick: A colloquial name for a hand-held radiotelephone unit. Broadband: A general descriptive term for digital technologies that provide a signal-switched facility to offer integrated access to voice, high-speed data, video-demand services and interactive delivery services. Broadcasting Service: A wireless telecommunications service whose transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public. This service may include sound transmissions, video transmissions or other types. Usually, broadcasting implies simultaneous transmission of signals to receivers that make no acknowledgement. Carrier Frequency: A specific-duration signal that is modulated or altered with a second signal that carries information. Carrier Wave: A single-frequency wave that is modulated by another waveform in order to transmit information. Carrier: Any company that delivers telecommunications signals or messages for hire. Cellular: A general descriptive term for a system of providing two-way radio coverage to a battery-powered handset that resembles and functions like a landline telephone. A cellular phone is, in fact, nothing more than a radio. There is no "cellular energy" or "cellular frequency." A cellular mobile communications system uses a combination of radio transmission and conventional telephone switching to permit telephone communication among mobile users within a specified area (or between a mobile unit and a conventional landline telephone). Large geographical areas are segmented into many smaller areas, or "cells." Each cell has its own radio transmitters and receivers and a single controller interconnected with the public switched telephone network. PCS phones also use cellular technology. Channel: For broadcasting, channel refers to the portion of the radio frequency spectrum assigned to a particular station in its license. For VHF and UHF TV signals, channel also refers to a numbered analog position where the receiving set accepts those signals. In mobile and cellular radio, a channel is the smallest subdivided width of a frequency range that will support communication, usually expressed in kilohertz. The bandwidth of a radio channel depends on the type of transmission and the frequency tolerance. A channel is usually assigned for a specified radio service to be provided by a specified transmitter. Clear Channel: A frequency assigned for the exclusive use of one entity, or a signal path that provides its full bandwidth for a user's service. Code-Division Multiple-Access (CDMA): A form of direct-sequence spread spectrum modulation. Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS): Access to mobile radio use that is provided by a licensee for hire to businesses and other users to support fleet operations, command and control, security and for many other purposes. Common Carrier: Any telecommunications company that provides communications transmission services for hire to the public. Also referred to as a "commercial carrier," "communications common carrier" or "interexchange carrier." Community Antenna Television (CATV): A service whose subscribers pay to have local television stations and additional programs brought into their homes from an antenna via a coaxial cable. Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC): A local exchange carrier (local telephone company) that competes outside its traditional operating territory or a "new" telephone company that competes for service in the same territory as an existing local exchange carrier using access to its wireline infrastructure. Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB): The FCC bureau charged with educating and informing consumers about telecommunications goods and services. CGB coordinates telecommunications policy efforts with industry and with other governmental agencies. Controller: A device that commands the radio transmitter and receiver, and that performs a variety of automatic processes such as automatic link establishment, channel scanning and selection, message store and forward and so forth. Coverage: The geographical area within which the service from a radio communications transmitter can be received. Cramming: An illegal practice whereby customers are billed for enhanced features such as voice mail, caller-ID and call-waiting that they have not ordered. Digital Television (DTV): An emerging technology for transmitting and receiving broadcast television signals. DTV provides clearer resolution and improved sound quality. Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS): Also known as "dish TV." A high-powered satellite transmits or retransmits signals intended for direct reception by the public. The signal is transmitted to a small dish antenna mounted on homes or other buildings and is connected to the receiver by coaxial cable. En Banc: A legal term for a meeting hosted by a regulatory body to hear presentations on specific topics, usually using a panel format. The agency questions presenters and often uses their comments and presentations to draft rules and policies on the matter under consideration. Public notice must be given that an en banc hearing will take place. Enforcement Bureau (EB): The FCC bureau charged with enforcing the Communications Act, as well as the Commission's rules, orders and authorizations. Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio (ESMR): An SMR service that is owned and operated by the licensee and offers commercial service similar to that of a cellular carrier. ESMR systems employ digital trunking technology and offer interconnection with the regular telephone network. Ex Parte: A legal term for any presentation in a rulemaking proceeding, oral or written, made to FCC decision-makers other than the party's formal filed comments. Also, an informal meeting where regulators hear presentations on specific topics by interested parties. Formally, "ex parte" refers to any proceeding or action brought by one person in the absence of another. For matters before the FCC, public notice must be given that an ex parte presentation was made, who the presenters were and what officials were present. Federal Communications Commission (FCC): An independent government agency, overseen by five presidential appointees, that regulates all non-Federal interstate telecommunications and all international communications that originate or terminate in the United States. Although the Commissioners are appointed by the President, who also designates which one is to be the Chairman, the FCC is directly responsible to Congress. No more than three Commissioners may owe allegiance to the same political party. The Commissioners delegate much of their day-to-day operational authority to numerous administrative offices, advisory committees and councils, and bureaus. The bureaus deal most directly with telecommunications businesses. They are: the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, the Enforcement Bureau, the International Bureau, the Media Bureau, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Wireline Competition Bureau. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, the FCC maintains three Regional, 16 District and nine Resident Agent offices across the United States, often collectively referred to as the "field offices." Federal Register: The official print (and online) publication of official actions taken by agencies of the Federal government. Generally speaking, any announced time frame before rules and regulations adopted by agencies such as the FCC become effective does not commence until notice of that action has been published in the Federal Register. For example, a requirement passed by the Commission on May 1 that is to become effective within 60 days, but is not published in the FR until May 20, becomes effective on August 20. Frequency coordination: The process of analyzing frequencies in use in various bands of the spectrum to locate the best possible assignment for new licensees and services. Coordination is intended to ensure reliable performance and interference-free operation for both the new service and incumbent services in the band. Years ago, this task was performed by the FCC for mobile radio services. It is now handled by authorized industry groups and associations. Frequency Modulation (FM): Transmitting information (voice or music, for example) by modulating the instantaneous frequency of a carrier wave, causing it to depart from the center frequency by an amount proportional to the instantaneous value of the modulating signal that carries the information. In FM, the carrier frequency is also called the "center frequency." Frequency: The number of repeating cycles of a waveform that occur in a specific amount of time. Frequency is usually given in cycles per second. In the old days of radio, this was referred to in terms of kilocycles (kc) or megacycles (Mc). The modern unit is hertz (Hz). The value of a frequency is the reciprocal of its wavelength, so the higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength. Higher-frequency signals can carry more information and require smaller antennas, but they are also more prone to absorption by the atmosphere, terrain and buildings. That is why frequencies at the microwave level (1 GHz and above) require line-of-sight conditions and highly directional antennas. Frequency-division multiple-access (FDMA): A process to allow multiple access to a transmission facility by assigning each transmitter its own discrete frequency band. Full-duplex: A circuit that permits simultaneous transmission in both directions. Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM): After reviewing comments on a NPRM, the FCC may choose to issue an FNPRM regarding specific issues raised by the comments. An FNPRM provides an opportunity for the public to comment further on related or specific proposals. Gigahertz (GHz): A unit of frequency denoting one billion (109) hertz. Global Positioning System (GPS): A U.S.-government-owned satellite system used by military and commercial ground-based receivers to pinpoint an extremely accurate geographic position for that receiver. GPS technology is an integral part of many Automatic Vehicle Location and E-911 location systems. Guard Band: Generally, a frequency band left vacant between two bands to protect users in those bands from mutual interference. Guard bands also may be licensed to services whose operating characteristics are dissimilar from those on either side. Half-duplex: Operation in which communication between two terminals occurs in either direction, but in only one direction at a time. Harmful Interference: Any emission, radiation, or induction interference that endangers the functioning or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a communications system operating in accordance with approved standards, regulations, and procedures. To be considered harmful interference, the interference must cause serious detrimental effects, such as circuit outages and message losses, as opposed to interference that is merely a nuisance or annoyance that can be overcome by appropriate measures. Hertz (Hz): The SI unit of frequency, equal to one cycle per second. High Definition Television (HDTV): An enhanced television system that provides about twice the vertical and horizontal resolution of existing NTSC television standards. The audio quality and video quality is comparable to compact disks and DVDs. Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS): A service using one or more fixed microwave stations operated by an educational organization that transmits instructional information to fixed locations. Interactive Video Data Service (IVDS): A short-range communication system for nearly instantaneous two-way responses using a hand-held device at a fixed location. Applications include viewer participation in game shows, distance learning and email on computer networks. Interconnection: Generally, the linking together of interoperable systems. Currently, "interconnection" most commonly refers to the connection of a wireless mobile network to the infrastructure of a landline local exchange carrier for purposes of call processing. International Bureau: The bureau of the FCC charged with representing the Commission in satellite and international matters. Internet Protocol (IP): Often used jointly with transmission control protocol, or "TCP/IP." IP is a common computer language that allows computers to communicate over the Internet, using a standard system of addressing data packets so that all routers know where to send them. A number of telecommunications systems are adapting IP to their own uses, resulting in new services such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). Internet: When spelled with a lowercase "i," any interconnection among or between private, industrial or governmental computer (digital communication) networks. When capitalized, the "Internet" refers to a specific, worldwide, digital communications network with protocols to allow connected networks exchange information. These networks are operated by governments, industries, academia and private parties. Originally a computer network designed to interconnect laboratories engaged in government military research, the Internet has grown over the past two decades to serve millions of users and thousands of purposes, such as email, computer conferences, file transfer and access to document library files. Land Mobile Service: A public or private radio service providing two-way communication, paging and radio signaling on land. Generally, any mobile system not involved with navigation or aviation. Landline: Traditional wired phone service. Also used to refer to the actual telephone line interconnected with a wireless voice or paging system. License: When required, an operating authority granted by the FCC for telecommunications services to use a specific frequency or range of frequencies. A license may specify operating frequency range, maximum operating power, shared or exclusive use of the channels, geographic coverage and other information. Licenses are generally subject to renewal at specific intervals and usually involve annual fees. Licenses for some frequencies and services are auctioned by the FCC under Congressional mandate. Litigation: A legal term referring to a lawsuit or a legal action, including all proceedings therein. Local Exchange Carrier (LEC): A local telephone company, that is a communications common carrier that provides ordinary local voice-grade telecommunications service under regulation within a specified service area. "Local exchange" is often used as a synonym for the local telephone company's central office. Local Exchange Loop: An interconnection between customer premises equipment and the telephone company central office. Low Power FM (LPFM): A broadcast radio service that permits the licensing of 50-watt to 100-watt FM radio stations with a service radius of no more than 3.5 miles or 1-watt to 10-watt stations with a service radius of no more than two miles. Low Power Television (LPTV): Broadcasting of program content or subscription service (or both) by means of television translators operating at low power. LPTV service operates on a secondary basis to regular television stations. Transmitter output is limited to 1,000 watts for normal VHF stations and 100 watts when a VHF operation is on an allocated channel. Media Bureau: The FCC bureau charged with regulating AM and FM radio and television broadcast stations, as well as Multipoint Distribution (cable and satellite) and Instructional Television Fixed Services. Megahertz (MHz): A unit of frequency denoting one million (106) hertz. Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O): In response to a Petition for Reconsideration of some Report and Order previously issued, the FCC will issue a Memorandum Opinion and Order, or an Order on Reconsideration, either amending the new rules or stating that the rules will not be changed. Microwave: Loosely, an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength from 300 mm to 10 mm (1 GHz to 30 GHz). Microwaves exhibit many of the properties usually associated with light waves, such as being easily concentrated into a beam. Mobile Service: A radiocommunication service between mobile and land stations, or between mobile stations. "Mobile unit" technically includes handsets, but in industry vernacular, "mobile" most often refers to a dash-mounted transceiver intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. Modulation: The process that changes the characteristics of a single-frequency carrier wave to convey information such as voice or data. The amplitude, frequency or phase of the carrier wave is varied in step with the instantaneous value of a complex, or modulating, wave (or samples of it). Multipoint Distribution Service: (MDS): A one-way, domestic, public radio service delivered on microwave frequencies from a fixed transmitting station to multiple receiving facilities located at fixed points. Must-Carry: Also known as "retransmission." Under the 1992 Cable Act, a cable system must carry signals of both commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations that are "local" to the area served by the cable system. Narrowband signal: Any analog signal or analog representation of a digital signal whose essential spectral content is limited to a voice channel of nominal 4 kHz bandwidth. Narrowband radio uses a voice channel with a nominal 3 kHz bandwidth. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA): The agency of the Federal government, within the Department of Commerce, that regulates all federally owned and operated telecommunications systems. The NTIA often works in cooperation with the FCC, but the two agencies are independent of each other. Notice of Inquiry (NOI): The FCC releases an NOI to gather information about a broad subject or as a means of instigating comment on a specific issue. NOIs are initiated by the FCC following an internal study or an outside request. An NOI may lead to a NPRM, or it may only be used to answer questions the Commission has about operational, technical or business practices in the industry. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): After reviewing comments from the public in response to an NOI, or as the first step in the rulemaking process, the FCC may issue an NPRM containing proposed changes to the FCC's rules and requesting public comment on these proposals. All NPRMs must include statements describing in detail the impact of the proposed rules change on small business. NTSC standard: Abbreviation for National Television Standards Committee standard. The North American standard (525-line interlaced, raster-scanned video) for the generation, transmission, and reception of television signals. In the NTSC standard, visual information is transmitted in vestigial-sideband AM and sound information is transmitted in FM. Number Portability: The capability of subscribing individuals, businesses and organizations to keep their existing telephone number when switching to a new local service provider, regardless of whether the service providers are mobile or landline carriers. Pager: A small personal radio receiver that gives an light, sound or vibration notification when it receives a radio signal containing its unit-specific code. Pagers can also reproduce sounds and display text messages. Some pagers (two-way pagers) are capable of transmit a radio signal acknowledging receipt of the message. Although the term has fallen into disuse, pagers are sometimes still referred to as "beepers," Paging: A one-way (generally) communications service from a base station to mobile or fixed receivers that provide notification or information by tones, voice, vibration, LCD text and so forth. Paging messages can be sent either to a specific receiver or simultaneously to designated group of receivers. Two-way paging involves a return signal from the receiver acknowledging receipt of the message. Personal Communications Service (PCS): Several types of wireless mobile and fixed station voice and data communications systems using digital technology, usually delivered to personal multifunction devices. PCS licenses are generally used to provide services similar to, and in competition with, advanced cellular, enhanced specialized mobile radio or paging services. Broadband PCS services include both voice and advanced two-way data capabilities. Narrowband PCS can be used to provide voice message paging, two-way paging and other data services. Petitions for Reconsideration: If you have an objection to how an issue is resolved in an FCC rulemaking Report & Order, you can file a Petition for Reconsideration within 30 days from the date the R&O appears in the Federal Register. The Petition must explicitly address the contents of the R&O and not introduce extraneous requests. POTS: Telecommunications industry jargon for basic, wired voice phone service without special calling features, or "Plain Old Telephone Service." Private Branch Exchange (PBX): A subscriber-owned telecommunications exchange that usually includes access to the public switched network. A private telephone switchboard that provides on-premises dial service and may provide connections to local and trunked communications networks. A PBX operates with only a manual switchboard; a private automatic exchange (PAX) does not have a switchboard, a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) may or may not have a switchboard. Private Mobile Radio Service (PMRS): A land mobile service that is used exclusively for the internal radio needs of a business, industry or land transportation fleet. Public Notice (PN): A statement issued by the FCC to notify the public of an action taken or an upcoming event. If comments are requested, a PN will generally contain comment-filing information including deadlines. Push-To-Talk (PTT): In speech telephone or two-way radio systems, a system in which the user is required to keep a switch operated while talking. In two-way radio, PTT operation must be used when the same frequency is employed by both transmitters. For use in noisy environments, or for privacy, some telephone handsets have push-to-talk switches that allow the speaker to be heard only when the switch is activated. Radiation: The emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or the outward flow of energy from any source that takes the form of radio waves. Radio Common Carrier (RCC): A telecommunications common carrier that provides radio communications services for hire but is not engaged in the business of providing landline local exchange telephone service. Radio: The process of telecommunication by modulation and radiation of electromagnetic waves. Or, specifically, a transmitter, receiver, or transceiver used for communication via electromagnetic waves. Report and Order (R&O): After considering comments to an NPRM or a FNPRM, the FCC issues a Report and Order. The R&O may develop new rules, amend existing rules or announce that the agency will defer making any decision at that time. Summaries of R&Os are published in the Federal Register, which announces when a rule change will become effective. RF: Abbreviation for radio frequency. Any frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum normally associated with radio wave propagation. Rural Radio Service: A public radio service rendered by fixed stations on frequencies below 1,000 MHz used to provide Basic Exchange Telecommunications Radio Service, public message communication service between landline central offices and different exchange areas, or private line telephone, telegraph, or facsimile service between two or more points. Shortwave: Colloquially, the high frequency (HF) band between 3 MHz and 30 MHz. "Shortwave" is not a term officially recognized by the international telecommunications community. SI units: International System of Units (SI). The modern form of the metric system that has been adopted by the United States and most other nations. Slamming: The illegal practice of switching a customer's long distance service from one service provider to another without the customer's permission. Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR): A commercial mobile radio service that is owned and operated by the licensee. The users or customers are charged a fee but are in occupations eligible for Part 90 radio system licenses. SMR systems generally, but not necessarily, employ trunking technology for spectral efficiency. Spectrum: As used in the telecommunications industry, spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic spectrum radio frequencies used in the transmission of sound, data, and television, ranging from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. Telecommunications: Any transmission, emission, or reception of signs, signals, writing, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. Time-division multiple-access (TDMA): Sending multiple voice and data channels over a single transmission path through a repeater to multiple receivers by the allocation of different time slots to different receivers. Trunking, Trunked System: Increasing the number of radio transceivers that can use a single channel by automatically assigning the next available channel in a pool of channels to the next user trying to access the system. Ultra High Frequency (UHF): Radio spectrum frequencies ranging from 300 MHz to 3,000 MHz. Frequencies above 1,000 MHz (1 GHz) are also considered microwave frequencies. Universal Service: A fund that compensates common carriers for providing access to telecommunications services at reasonable and affordable rates throughout the country, including rural, insular and high costs areas, and to public institutions. Common carriers are required by law to contribute to this fund, a cost that many pass on to their customers. Very High Frequency (VHF): Radio spectrum frequencies ranging from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. This includes TV Channels 2-13, the FM broadcast band and some of the marine, aviation and land mobile services. White Area: The area or population that does not receive interference-free primary service from an authorized AM station or does not receive a signal strength of at least 1 mV/m from an authorized FM station. Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: The bureau of the FCC charged with overseeing cellular and PCS phones, pagers and two-way radios. This Bureau also regulates the use of radio spectrum to fulfill the communications needs of businesses, local and state governments, public safety service providers, aircraft and ship operators, and individuals. Wireless: Any network or terminal that uses electromagnetic waves (including RF, infrared, laser, visible light-and acoustic energy) rather than wire conductors for telecommunications. Wireline Competition Bureau: The bureau of the FCC charged with overseeing rules and policies concerning telephone companies that provide interstate (and under certain circumstances, intrastate) telecommunications services to the public using wire-based transmission facilities.