Access Provider (AP)
A company (e.g., telephone company) that provides a circuit path between a service provider (SP) and the client user. An AP also can be the SP.
The operator of any facility that is used to convey telecommunications signals to and from a customer premises. See also service provider (SP).

Access Service Request (ASR)
A form used by the CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) to request that the ILEC (Incumbent LEC) provide Special Access or Switched Access Services as specified in the various Access Service Tariffs. Some services that can be requested are: Feature Group A, WATS Access Line; Feature Groups B, C, D Forms; special access circuits; multipoint service legs; additional circuits; testing service; and 800 database access. The ASR has been used for many years between the RBOCs (regional Bell operating companies) to order special circuits that extend into other telcos’ serving areas.

Backbone Cabling
Cable and connecting hardware that provide interconnections between telecommunications rooms, equipment rooms, and entrance facilities.

Carrier
See Access Provider.

Central Office (CO)
A common carrier switching center office (also called central office or public exchange) that is conveniently located in areas to serve subscriber homes and businesses.

Channel
The end-to-end transmission path connecting interfaces of any two pieces of application-specific equipment. Equipment cords and work area cords are included in the channel.
In frequency division multiplexing, a segment of the frequency spectrum that is assigned to a specific logical connection.
In time division multiplexing, a time that is assigned to a specific logical connection.

Circuit
The electrical or optical path used for communications between two devices.

Cross-Connect
A facility enabling the termination of cable elements and their interconnection or cross-connection. (TIA)

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)
The new local exchange carrier that is attempting to compete outside its traditional operating territory.

Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
Telecommunications equipment located on the customer’s premises. (TIA)

Demarcation Point
A point where the operational control or ownership changes. (TIA)
The point of interface between service providers and customer facilities.

End User
The ultimate consumer of a delivered good or service.

Forced Entry
The local access provider is allowed mandatory access to install a demarcation point within a building’s premises despite the building owners’ preference for a specific telecommunications company.

Form Order Confirmation Date (FOC Date)
An FOC is a confirmation that a telephone company received an order from a customer, has processed it, and has provided a due date back.

Internet Service Provider
A company or organization that provides connections to the Internet to companies or individuals via dial-up, ISDN, yyT1, or other connection.

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC)
The incumbent or existing franchised local exchange carrier in any given area.

Interexchange Carrier (IXC)
A communications common carrier authorized to provide interexchange telecommunications services within world zone 1 using the North American numbering plan. [After T1.104-1988] 2. A telecommunications common carrier authorized to provide telecommunications services between LATAs. [After T1.502-1988] [T1.508-1998] Note: The term “interexchange carrier” is also used to refer to any other entity that connects to the exchange access network at a point of termination (POT). [After T1.506-1989] 3. A carrier that provides connections between LATAs, where the calling or called customer is located in the United States.

Local Exchange Carrier (LEC)
A telecommunications company that provides public switched network access service. (TIA). Can be referred to as incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC).

Local Loop
The physical connection from the subscriber’s premise to the carrier’s POP (Point of Presence). The local loop can be provided over any suitable transmission medium, including twisted pair, fiber optic, coax, or microwave. Traditionally and most commonly, the local loop comprises twisted pair or pairs between the telephone set, PBX or key telephone system, and the LEC (Local Exchange Carrier) CO (Central Office). As a result of the deregulation of inside wire and cable in the United States, the local loop typically goes from the demarc (demarcation point) in the phone room closet, in the basement or garage, or on the outside of the house, to the CO. The subscriber or building owner is responsible for extending the connection from the demarc to the phone, PBX, key system, router, or other CPE device.

Local Service Request (LSR)
A form used by a CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) to request local service form an ILEC (Incumbent LEC). LSR Definition: A term that was spawned by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which formalized competition in the local exchange domain. A LSR is a form, or series of forms, used by the CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier) to request “local service” from the ILEC (Incumbent LEC). Specifically, the LSR is used by the CLEC to request a local loop from the ILEC, meaning that the CLEC wants the ILEC to provide a local loop from the customer’s premises to the CLEC’s termination equipment, which typically is housed in the ILEC’s (CO) Central Office. A LSR also is used to request that the ILEC port the subscriber’s telephone number to the CLEC.

Managed Service Provider (MSP)
Typically an information technology (IT) services provider, who manages and assumes responsibility for providing a defined set of services to their clients either proactively or as they (not the client) determine that the services are needed.

Master Agent
Individual or organization who provides telecommunications services on behalf of service providers typically within a specified region or area. A master agent may manage multiple agents as part of their business model.

Media Converter
Same as Converter. 1. A device that changes a signal from one transmission medium type to another (e.g., from copper to optical fiber). 2. A device that changes from one signaling type to another (e.g., analog to digital).

Minimum Point of Entry (MPOE)
Either the closest practicable point to where the carrier facilities cross the property line or the closest practicable point to where the cabling enters a multi-unit building or buildings. (TIA)

Minimum Point of Presence (MPOP)
See Minimum Point of Entry (MPOE).

Network Interface Device (NID)
The point of connection between networks. (TIA)

Outside Plant (OSP) Cables
Typically used outside of a building but also may be routed into the entrance facility.

Point of Contact (POC)
The person or persons identified in a record. Sometimes this information is referred to as “Person Objects.”

Point of Presence (PoP)
In wireline, the physical demarcation or access point of control and billing at an interexchange carrier, local exchange carrier, competitive local exchange carrier, customer premise equipment, or service provider.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)
A domestic telecommunications network usually accessed by telephones, key telephone system, private branch exchange trunks, and data arrangements.

Repeater (Extender)
An analog device that amplifies an input signal regardless of its nature, i.e., analog or digital. 2. A digital device that amplifies, reshapes, retimes, or performs a combination of any of these functions on a digital input signal for retransmission. Note: The term “repeater” originated with telegraphy and referred to an electromechanical device used to regenerate telegraph signals. Use of the term has continued in telephony and data communications. 3. A fixed transmitter that retransmits the signals of other stations.

Riser Cable
See Backbone Cabling.

Service Delivery Point (SDP)
The Minimum Point of Entry (MPOE), where the commercial carrier establishes a demarc (demarcation point). The demarc draws the line between the local loop, which is the responsibility of the carrier, and the inside wire and cable system, which is the responsibility of either the end user or the building owner. See also MPOE.

Service Provider (SP)
The operator of any service (e.g., application programming interfaces) that furnishes telecommunications content (transmissions) delivered over access provider facilities. (TIA) See also access provider (AP).

Smart Jack
Industry term for the device to test integrity of T-1 circuits remotely from the central office. Installed on the customer premises in the form of a semi-intelligent demarcation point (demarc), the smart jack is completely passive until activated remotely by a digital code, typically something like “FACILITY 2,” sent down the T-1. This code activates a relay that breaks the T-1 circuit and closes a receive-to-transmit loop across the T-1 at the customer end, sending the signal back to the central office (CO). This allows the CO to confirm the integrity of the loop without having to dispatch a technician to the site.

TIA 568 Standard
Commercial Building Telecommunications Wiring Standard typically used in North America.