Common Industry Messaging Terms
The following listing defines many terms used on the messaging industry. This is not an all-inclusive listing and it does not attempt to define all terms used in telecommunications. Since the terminology is ever-changing, this list should grow over time to include any new terms created by new technologies.

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3G - 3rd Generation Wireless architecture - evolved from 2G & 2.5G, this upgrades incrementally to max2Mb broadband over wireless using either GSM or CDMA nets. UMTS/IMT-2000 uses wide-band CDMA (WCDMA) to support high data rate and variable bit rate services with different quality of service (QoS) requirements. In WCDMA, all users share the same carrier under the direct sequence CDMA (DSCDMA) principle.

3GPP - 3rd Generation Partnership Project - Partnership of wireless companies working to create IP-based 3G architecture for GSM networks

3GPP2 - 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 - Partnership of wireless companies and standards bodies working to create 3G architecture for CDMA2000 networks

4G - 4th Generation Wireless architecture - evolves from 3G to entirely digital network to deliver max100Mb broadband over wireless

802.11a - Wireless LAN - 802.11a operates in the less-congested 5 GHz band, but is expected to increase to 54 Mb/s.

802.11b - Wireless LAN - Operates in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band, which can be affected by unlicensed radio interference from other users on the same band.

802.11g - Wireless LAN - 802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band (with 802.11b WiFi and short-range wireless technology Bluetooth), which can be affected by interference.

802.16 - WiMax - Advanced successor to WiFi, able to cover 1-3 Mile radius with anywhere from 134 Mb to 75Mb to 15Mb speeds, depending on the standard. 802.16a-RevD is being replaced by 802.16-2004 by the WiMax Forum for currently delivered products, but the Forum is working towards 802.16e, which adds mobility to the product mix.

AIN - Advanced Intelligent Network - The AIN features, including originating and terminating triggers, that allows intelligent services and features to be developed for the PSTN networks. Original definition of a smart telephone network using out-of-band signaling to carry all telephony signals and simple voice trunks to carry all conversations.

Alpha-Numeric Pager - Pager that allows a combination of tone alert with a small text screen of alpha and numeric characters.

AMIS Analog (AMIS-A) - The original AMIS specification, which defines how messages can be exchanged with other dissimilar voice mail system platforms, over the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Core services were very limited and addressing methods were implemented with difficult user-interface, so that AMIS-A has been little-used since its adoption.

AMIS Digital (AMIS-D) - The evolution of the AMIS specification, which defines how messages can be exchanged with other dissimilar voice mail system platforms, over data circuits. Core services were more expansive, allowing for new services, such as marking mail for high priority, exchanging receipt notifications, and providing spoken name verification. Addressing methods were implemented with easy-to-use user-interface, so that customers could address wide area network recipients just as easily as addressing mailboxes on the local system. AMIS-D was never adopted as widely as AMIS-A and the specification was so loosely-defined that voice mail systems supported that support AMID-D are largely incompatible with dissimilar systems also supporting AMIS-D.

AMPS - Advanced Mobile Phone Service - Original analog mobile services using AM/FM frequencies to carry full-duplex telephone conversations (no data is possible).

Analog Messaging Interface Specification (AMIS) - Specification created by voice mail vendors in early 1980's to define a method whereby voice mail subscribers on one voice mail system vendor's platform could exchange messages and replies with subscribers on a different voice mail system vendor's platform, typically in the same Enterprise company. Many voice mail system vendors accepted and supported AMIS specifications, which defined a core set of service protocols, but the specifications were loose enough to allow significant interpretation of the standards beyond the core protocols, and significant incompatibilities developed over time.

Answering Machine - Telephone Answering Device that connects to a telephone line to answer incoming calls.

API - Application Programming Interface - Program interfaces built into servers that allow a different, often remote, server or program to access data in the local server program. For messaging, this usually relates to allowing remote servers to get message information from another server. In advanced IP networks, it provides the way that many distributed servers and functions interact with each other.

A-PON - ATM-based Passive Optical Network - High-bandwidth delivery equipment used predominantly by telcos moving beyond DSL broadband to fiber-delivery.

AS - Application Server - Service Creation environment in multi-media resource manager

ATA - Analog Telephone Adaptor - CPE device inter-connecting a customer's standard analog telephone instrument to a VoIP-based internet service, so that user telephone calls over the internet can use existing telephone devices.

Attachment - The process of attaching a file to an electronic message (Enclosure, MIME).

Auto Attendant - A device that answers callers with a digital recording and prompts callers to enter an extension number or spell a name. After the caller enters the extension number, the automated attendant transfers the call.

Automatic Message Reply - Feature utilized to notify original sender of specific information such as vacation alerts.

Automatic Message Review - A feature of some voicemail systems that allows a mailbox owner to listen to new messages after login to the mailbox, without having to enter a message review session.

Automatic Password Entry - A feature of some voicemail systems that recognizes the mailbox owner dialing the server from the home (or office) telephone line and then logs the mailbox owner directly into the mailbox to retrieve messages without password.

Bearer links - In SS7 networks, these are the trunk channels that carry useful, non-signaling, information, typically voice conversations.

Billing Telephone Number - The number to which calls to a given location are billed. It is the seven- or ten-digit number with the area code followed by an alphanumeric code assigned by the local telephone company. It is a 10 or 7 (NPA implied) digit number optionally accompanied by a telephone company assigned Customer Code to distinguish between past and present users of a telephone number.

Bluetooth - A short range wireless protocol meant to allow mobile devices to share information and applications without the worry of cables or interface incompatibilities. The name refers to a Viking King who unified Denmark. Operates at 2.4 GHz

Border session controller - The Session Controllers enable Service Providers to manage two related communication planes:

B-PON - ATM-based Passive Optical Network - High-bandwidth delivery equipment used predominantly by telcos moving beyond DSL broadband to fiber-delivery.

Bulletin board - Voice messaging application that allows callers to access specific information by traversing menus (i.e. Press 1 to...)

CALEA - Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act - FCC rules requiring Telco providers, including wireless carriers and now VoIP providers, to provide call disposition and detailed call report information to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

Call Answering - Customer's called telephone number is forward into a voice mail system (call completion) and customer's personal mailbox. Caller leaves a message. Customer calls into voice mail system to listen to message.

Call Completion - A telephone call that reaches the intended party or Telephone Answering Device (i.e. Telephone Answering Devices increase occurrence of call completions in the case where the call would otherwise end in a disposition of "ring no answer"

Call Display - Same as Calling party ID and, alternatively, a box that displays calling number information.

Call Manager - Feature that allows a subscriber to navigate their mailbox in traditional method and place calls from within the mailbox. Some telephone companies use this term instead to define a bundle of CO features and services where CPE equipment can allow users to manage their incoming calls via a Caller-ID style CPE device with buttons for each management option.

Call Message Delivery - When Message Delivery Service is employed, messaging system places periodic out-calls to intended party to attempt delivery of message.

Call Return / Call Back / Boomerang Call - Customer invokes an out-call by the voicemail system, while retrieving voice mail messages, to call the sender of the message directly, without leaving the voicemail system. When completed with a conversation, the customer returns to the mailbox to listen to more messages or exit from voice mail.

Call Waiting Caller ID - The information provided to your phone screen or adjunct display device via your telephone company's central switch, which provides identification of a caller while a customer is on the line. The information will include name and/or telephone number of the person calling. A separate service from Caller ID.

Caller ID - The information provided to your phone screen or adjunct display device via your telephone company's central switch. The information will include name and/or telephone number of the person calling.

Calling Line ID - Also known as automatic number identification and Calling Party ID; A digital readout of dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) tones that identify the telephone number of the person placing a call.

Carrier Triggers - In the AIN network technology, various provisioned event "triggers" are programmed to provide for network responses based on the triggers, usually after a database lookup to get the next action. A line trigger, for instance, might be programmed to route a caller, who was calling a particular telephone number, to a different location. Much of 800 number dialing is based on this technology.

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access - A digital communication technology used by some carriers to provide service. Also known as IS-95A or cdmaOne.

Central office voice mail - Voice mail provided by a telephone company who locates their servers inside telephone company central offices.

CMTS - Cable Modem Termination System - The entire set of technologies relating to cable modem (cable TV industry) as a competitor to DSL modem.

Control Plane - Opens and closes media connections of the selected type and quality, determine user policies, and to access services associated with those connections ' for example conference bridges

Customer Code - The alphanumeric code that accompanies a 10 digit telephone number on customer bills and other documents to create a unique customer account number from a telephone number. This code is often used to somewhat increase security during a customer contact "may I have the account number from your last telephone bill, to verify your identity".

DBS - Direct Broadcast Satellite - Satellite-based high-bandwidth using a small Direct-TV like dish on the house, which provides 2-way internet and interactive content delivery.

Directory Name Service (DNS) - A hierarchical (tree-like) directory service developed for internet addressing, which allows any node on an internet-type network (e.g. Internet, Intranet, Extra-net) to be delivered to any other node on that network. DNS servers maintain pointers for the various parts of an internet address (e.g. and www.anathema.org) so that internet users can remember the common URL and Email address forms, rather than the IP address (e.g. 244.102.52.107).

Discussion Group - A term within Email technology that allows a closed community of members in a group list for collaboration communications. Not currently part of general voice mail technologies, but likely to be part of unified messaging technologies.

Distribution list - List that allows users to record a message once and send it to multiple, pre-determined voice mailbox destinations.

DOCSIS - Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification - Cable Modem specification which defines how high speed data can be carried over cable modem technology in parallel with TV and other CATV signals.

Dorm mailbox - Same as Family Mailbox.

DSLAM - DSL Access Module - CO equipment that terminates DSL lines. This equipment terminates the customers RJ11 telephone cable, splits the IP packet data from voice information, sends the data to an internet router and the voice call to a PSTN CO switch.

DSP - Digital Signal Processor - A device or program that converts data from one protocol to another. In some devices, computer processing is dedicated to this task. In others, a software program runs as one program on a computer and performs the data conversions. This is the method by which voice information, encoded as digital data, is changed from one of a group of voice protocols to a different protocol (e.g. VPIM).

Easy Access - The ability for a mailbox owner to call from the home telephone line into a voicemail system and logging directly into the mailbox with only the required password, because the voicemail system recognizes the calling line identity; ALTERNATIVELY, the ability for a mailbox owner to dial his own telephone number and press a digit during the recorded greeting to log into the mailbox for message retrieval.

Electronic Messaging Association (EMA) - A standards and marketing association that focuses on commercial aspects of electronic messaging (Email) and E-Commerce. The home of the VPIM working group, which developed the current VPIM standards.

Electronic Numbering Plan (ENUM) - Proposed specification defining a method to embed telephone number addressing into the existing internet domain name and numbering system (e.g. 21215554121@service-provider.com to reach a mailbox, 1-214-555-1212, on a voice server owned by 'Service Provider' in Dallas, Texas). Allows voice messages to be delivered by internet messaging routing to voice servers in other service providers in other global regions.

Endpoint - Devices in a VoIP network which are connected by the network (e.g. PC, server, wireless device, IP Phone, etc.)

Enhanced Services - Messaging services as described by the FCC and The Telecommunications Act that separates them from telecommunications services, such as dial tone, custom calling, and long distance calling.

Enhanced Services Provider - A company that provides voicemail services to customers by purchasing access services from a local exchange carrier.

Extended Absence Greeting - A customized greeting recorded by the user when the user will not be checking messages for an extended period. This greeting plays instead of a personal or standard greeting when the server answers calls.

Extension mailbox - Allows multiple users to share one telephone extension with a personal mailbox for each user. Callers select from a menu of names to reach a specific user's mailbox. In some voicemail systems, each extension mailbox is a fully-featured separate mailbox on the system.

Family mailbox - Voice mailbox shared by multiple subscribers. Family Mailboxes often have individual "compartments" and greetings for each subscriber. In most voicemail systems, the individual compartments are not fully-featured mailboxes, but rather sub-mailboxes of the main mailbox.

Fax Broadcast - The process of causing a messaging system to deliver a digitally-stored fax to a group of fax recipients.

Fax Mail - A fax image that is stored as a digital file in a voice mail system platform, usually integrated with the voice mail mailbox. The original Unified Messaging mailbox.

Fax Message - A fax image that is stored as a digital file.

Fax On Demand - An IVRU application, which allows callers to request one or more digitally-stored faxes to their fax machine or Fax Mailbox.

Fax Out-call - The process of causing a messaging system to deliver a digitally-stored fax to a fax machine.

Fax Overflow - Incoming fax calls are routed to a messaging system when intended fax machine is busy. Stored faxes are delivered to a fax machine via Fax Out-call.

Firewall - An internet server that provides special software which controls IP packet traffic, by allowing and disallowing certain types of packets to be gated through to an internal LAN from an external LAN, and vice versa. If the software is configured correctly, this effectively shields internal users from unwanted access and usage, protecting the network from illicit (hacker) attack.

Forwarded message - Electronic message that is sent to one or more recipients.

FSAN - Full Services Advanced Network - ITU-based standards consortium working towards standardizing fiber-delivered network systems.

FTTC - Fiber-To-The-Curb - Extends high-bandwidth fiber terminals to the curb terminal at each house, but extends the last 100' into the house with standard Telco cable or coax.

FTTH - Fiber-To-The-Hub // Fiber-To-The-Home - Extends high-bandwidth fiber terminals to hubs (terminal boxes) into a neighborhood or business location, such that the hub can serve a group of houses (e.g. street). Standard Telco cable or coax extends from the hub to the houses. // The term may also be used by some to mean the same as FTTP, or Fiber-To-The-Home.

FTTN - Fiber-To-The-Neighborhood - Puts high-bandwidth fiber terminal nodes in neighborhoods, so that each house lies within 12Kfeet from the node. This allows 50% of the homes to be less than 6Kfeet. Homes at 12Kfeet allow 1.5Mb downstream and 394K upstream, but homes under 6Kft will see 6Mb downloads and 1Mb uploads.

FTTP - Fiber-To-The-Premise - Extends high-bandwidth fiber terminals directly into the house (e.g. digital Cable TV coax), replacing the standard Telco cable or coax.

GGSN - GPRS Gateway Support Node - Supports the management and distribution of wireless GPRS-based data and other content services.

G-PON - Gigabit Passive Optional Network - High-bandwidth delivery equipment used predominantly by telcos moving beyond DSL broadband to fiber-delivery.

GPRS - General Packet Radio Service - An emerging technology standard for high speed data transmission over GSM networks.

GR-303 - Bellcore specification for interconnection between remote digital terminals and central office switches.

Greeting - Message identifying the location or the individual reached by the caller.

Group code - Address assigned to a Group List.

Group list - Feature that allows users to create, edit, delete, or list names in a user-created list that is used to send messages simultaneously to a number of other subscribers. Other subscribers typically may access this list.

GSM - Global Standard for Mobile - A communication technology used by some carriers to provide service.

GW - Gateway - Internet network router devices that sit between two different networks. Normal router gateways are used to separate different sub-networks on a multiple-segment LAN/MAN/WAN. Specialized gateways sit between internet networks and PSTN networks, allowing calling and messaging to transfer between these networks.

H.248 - MegaCO - ITU specifications for softswitch definition, which creates a CO switching capability on IP network devices, so that the PSTN telephony functions can be created on the internet, using IP networks, rather than physical circuit facilities. Softswitch representing the distributed IP telephony network components that mirrors the functionality of switching equipment within the PSTN.

H.323 - ITU protocol for transporting calling across internet networks

Hands-Free - A feature of some voicemail systems that allows a mailbox owner to call the voicemail system, log directly into the mailbox, and review new and saved messages without entering any menu-control digits, sometimes with voice-control prompts. This is especially useful for cellular mailbox operations.

Head-end - Device in cable TV system network where the cable system receives programming from various content programming sources, assigns the programming to cable channels and retransmits it into the cable distribution system out to residences. This would be relatively synonymous with the switching system in a PSTN. Head-End devices are becoming more digital, based on IP, and part of the VoIP network architecture created by cable broadband technologies.

HTML - Hyper-Text Markup Language - Text-based programming language that makes internet WWW web pages possible; provides simple commands that provide extensive command structure for web page (and other IP-based message functions) development.

IAD - Initial Address Packet - ISDN packet that contains routing and user information, which can be used by ISDN, SS7, and PSTN switches to determine how to route calls and provide signaling. This is also being used to interface new internet network telephony calling to these legacy networks and to create the routing and signaling necessary to route IP "calls."

IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force - Standards organization that creates, defines and publishes technology standards for the internet networks. Is currently at the forefront of defining most messaging and internet telephony standards.

IMAP - Internet Message Access Protocol - IP protocol for Email and other messaging forms across internet networks. IMAP4 is one protocol definition for handling Email messages on message servers, usually in opposition to POP3.

IMS - IP Multi-Media Subsystem - ???

INAP - Intelligent Network Application Protocol - Network protocol produced by ETSI (European Standard European Telecommunications Standards Institute) Technical Committee for Services and Protocols for Advanced Networks (SPAN) addresses VoIP connectivity and service definitions across European networks.

Instant Messaging - A function of network collaboration technology; allows a member of a network group to be notified when another member is online and a direct network connection to be established with that member for online chat purposes.

Integrated mailbox - (versus non-integrated messaging only mailbox) - Mailbox integrated to a switch or PBX such that Calling Line ID and Called Party are passed from the switch or PBX to the messaging system. Full integration also dictates that a form of Message Waiting Notification be supported. Recent evolution in the computer telephony world has expanded the definition to include a mailbox connected to a LAN.

Integrated Messaging (IM) - Sometimes incorrectly referred to as Unified Messaging, IM allows users to receive voicemail from multiple sources through a single mailbox. Does not specifically, but may, include the features of Unified Messaging, which unifies MEDIA, including fax mail, E-mail, voicemail, and eventually video mail, into a single access point, often through desktop client or browser access.

Intentional messaging - A subscriber composes a message from within their mailbox and sends it to a destination which may be another subscriber's mailbox or a non-subscriber's telephone number.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR) - A voice processing system that interfaces with a database and gives callers specific data based on unique information they have given it, either by entering certain digits on the touch tone phone or via speech recognition. Banking by phone is an example of an IVR application.

International Telecommunications Union (ITU) - A global standards body which creates and publishes all technology standards for the telecommunications industry, primarily wireline and wireless network protocols.

Internet Call Waiting - A service of the internet that creates a PC screen pop to notify a mailbox owner that a new call is coming in while the mailbox owner is online; allows for a choice of accepting, ignoring, or sending the call the voicemail. This is intended to allow people who use their telephone line for dial-up access to the internet to forego a 2nd telephone line or number.

Internet Technology Forum (IETF) - A standards forum for developing emerging standards for acceptance by the various internet industries. Current home of the VPIM Working Group and publisher of VPIM, LDAP, and ENUM protocol standards.

Internet Telephony - Employs VoIP, but takes it an important step further. Not only does it help assure quality of service (QoS), but as a voice-based application suite it provides the same end-user functionality, features and interfaces as a traditional voice network plus much more. And, within this software application (generally) space, advanced telephony features can be easily added, such as conferencing and collaboration.

IP - Internet Protocol - Refers to a specific networking protocol within the OSI physical layer model of IP networks, which transports packet information across a network to another device or server program; BUT also generally refers to internet networks; the term is used synonymously, and incorrectly.

IP Core - In the context of internet and VoIP technologies, this is the core network of the internet, consisting of the wireline global network.

ISUP - ISDN User Part - Data packets exchanged between ISDN devices and networks that carry intelligent information about the call (e.g. call history information).

ITSP - Internet Telephony Service Provider - Provider of telephony services, either in competition with or as a Telco service provider, using internet (VoIP) technologies.

ITU - International Telephone Union - International standards organization that creates, sets, and enforces standards for the global telecommunications industry.

JAIN - JAVA Integrated Network - AIN-like service creation environment on Java platforms, carried forward by the Java program group, specifically the JAIN working groups. Java is a platform-independent programming language with a set of publicly available source code and program interfaces which developers can use to create telecommunications services quickly and easily over internet networks.

LAN - Local Area Network - Networking term that defines networking of computers over a small area, typically a company facility, though now they're common in small businesses and homes. The global public internet is a "LAN," but this term specifically refers to networks that companies build within the confines of a building or a group of buildings, to connect their user computers together for file sharing and communications. Typical company facilities consist several or numerous LAN groups, connected together with bridges and routers. This is the middle-sized area, in a hierarchy with Wide Area Network (WAN) and Metropolitan Area Network (MAN).

LDAP - Lightweight Directory Addressing Protocol - Simple file structure database that allows data to be stored in networks and servers that can be used for a variety of DB functions, without all the overhead of the DB software, such as Oracle or MS Access. LDAP forms the technology to create user directories for IP Telephony and Messaging. Specifically, in messaging, LDAP is the directory-of-choice for storing user mailbox information and spoken names for VPIM intentional messaging.

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) - A simple database architecture, designed as an evolution from x.400, directory of network users on messaging system networks. Contains many more database elements (e.g. objects) than x.400, such as embedded spoken-names, which define user profiles. Developed coincident with development of Voice Protocol for Internet Messaging (VPIM) standards. Being expanded in form and function to be useful for many more user applications. Part of the current addressing structure of a Wide Area Messaging network.

Mailbox address - A location on the server for receiving and storing voice and fax messages.

Mailbox number - The number that identifies a voice-messaging mailbox.

Mailbox-to-mailbox messaging - A subscriber composes a message from within their mailbox and sends it to another subscriber's mailbox.

Mailing List - Same as distribution list, though it points more to an Email form of listing, rather than voicemail listing.

MAN - Metropolitan Area Network - Networking term that defines networking of computers over metroplex regions, typically large cities. This term specifically refers to networks that companies build to connect their work sites spread across large cities. This is the middle-sized area, in a hierarchy with Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN).

Media gateway - Foundation for next-generation networks - offering the intelligence and reliability of the circuit-switched network (TDM trunk interfaces) with the speed and economy of the packet-switched network (IP interfaces). DSP resources perform critical voice processing functions such as echo cancellation and compression. The Media Gateway supports existing voice services like CLASS 4/5 features and evolving applications such as integrated access, VPN, Internet call waiting, click to dial, unified messaging, and enhanced roaming. The Media Gateway, together with the SS7/IP Signaling Gateway and the Media Gateway Controller (softswitch), represent the distributed IP telephony network components, which mirrors the functionality of switching equipment within the PSTN.

Media Plane - Provides reliable end-to-end transmission of media streams associated with particular connections

Media server - Server and software applications in an internet network that provides for media services for the users on that network.

Message Delivery - Fax message is composed and delivered by a desktop, fax machine, or Fax messaging system, by addressing a fax machine telephone number or Fax messaging system mailbox number (Fax Mail). Voice message is composed on a desktop or voice mail system and delivered by out-calling the telephone number and playing a recipient notification script and then the message (Message delivery out-call, call message delivery, Message Delivery Service). Voice or Fax message is composed on a desktop or in a voice mail system and delivered to a mailbox on the same or different voice mail server by sending the fax or voice data file into the recipient's voice mail system mailbox (Messaging). Message is composed and put into storage, and then a notification to the recipient is sent to check for the message. (Meet-me messaging, message park, store-and-forward). Deliver a message by sending a recorded voice file to a voice pager (voice paging). Deliver a voice message by sending the voice as a file attached to an Email message (Uni

Message Delivery Out-call - The process of causing a messaging system to dial the subscriber at a predefined location to deliver messages.

Message Delivery Service - Messaging system creates a temporary voice mailbox for telephone numbers that do not have voice mail. The messaging system takes a message from the caller and delivers it to the unavailable party.

Message Notification - Notices to a mailbox owner that a message has arrived; could be a stutter dial-tone, light, pager call, pop-up window on PC screen, or an out-call to a pre-defined telephone number.

Message Reply - Voice mail feature that allows users to reply to voice mail messages they receive when the sender of the message also has a mailbox.

Message Response - The content of a message reply.

Message Sending - Sending an "Intentional Message." Customer calls into voice mail system mailbox, composes a message, addresses it to a recipient, and sends it (intentional messaging, voice messaging). Customer calls into voice mail system mailbox, composes a message, address it to a group list, which has a group of recipients, and either sends it or posts it for future delivery to the group (broadcast, group send). Customer composes a message on a computer desktop, logs into the internet, intranet, or unified messaging system, addresses the message to one or more recipients with an internet protocol address, telephone number, or domain name and sends the message (internet voice messaging).

Message Waiting Indicator - Form of message notification provided by service providers using central office switch-based signals, either stutter dial-tone or indicator lights on a CPE device.

Messaging Access Number - The telephone number that identifies an entry point into a voice mail system for purposes of message retrieval, messaging, and mailbox management. Often coincides with the access number customers program as call forward numbers to re-direct callers to their mailbox.

Messaging address - See Mailbox Address.

Messaging server - Server and software applications in an internet network that provides for messaging services for the users on that network. These could be Email messages, and lately could also include voice mail, fax mail, instant mail, and video mail messaging services.

MGC - Media gateway controller - Softswitch representing the distributed IP telephony network components that mirrors the functionality of switching equipment within the PSTN

MGCP - Media Gateway Controller Protocol - Also known as H.248 and MegaCO, is a standard protocol for handling the signaling and session management needed during a multimedia conference. The protocol defines a means of communication between a media gateway, which converts data from the format required for a circuit-switched network to that required for a packet-switched network and the media gateway controller. MGCP can be used to set up, maintain, and terminate calls between multiple endpoints. MegaCO and H.248 refer to an enhanced version of MGCP. The standard is endorsed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as MegaCO (RFC 3015) and by the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T) as Recommendation H.248. H.323, an earlier UTI-T protocol, was used for local area networks (LANs), but was not capable of scaling to larger public networks. The MCGP and Megaco/H.248 model removes the signaling control from the gateway and puts it in a media gateway controller, which can then control multiple g

MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions - Most well-known as binary attachments to emails, this messaging protocol definition actually provides a range of capabilities that allow a message sender application (e.g. Outlook Express) to tell a message recipient application (e.g. Netscape Mail) what it can do and how to interpret the data within the message and attachment. This is critical to the invention of VPIM messaging, since VPIM is defined to allow voice and other media to be exchanged as "Email" attachments.

MPLS - Multi-protocol label switching - MPLS provides a traffic engineering capability that enables the creation of fully defined, fixed paths through a network. Lets network service providers create Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that offer the flexibility of IP and the Quality of Service (QoS) of ATM. MPLS provides the traffic engineering tools that service providers need to deliver quality IP services.

MRFC - Media Resource Function Controller - A device in the proposed multi-media cellular architecture, which performs resource management of multi-media content over IP networks.

MRFP - Media Resource Function Processor - A device in the proposed multi-media cellular architecture, which processes multi-media content for delivery to cell phones and wireless devices.

MSC - Message Service Center - Wireless network servers that route SMS text messages to wireless devices, typically from other wireless users, but now from internet-connected text messaging devices.

MSCML - Media Server Control Markup Language - An XML-based protocol used in conjunction with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to enable the delivery of advanced multimedia conferencing services over IP networks.

MTA - Messaging Transfer Agent - (MTA, Mail Transport Agent) The program responsible for delivering e-mail messages. Upon receiving a message from a Mail User Agent or another MTA it stores it temporarily locally and analyses the recipients and either delivers it (local addressee) or forwards it to another MTA (routing). In either case it may edit and/or add to the message headers. The most widely used MTA for Unix is sendmail, which communicates using SMTP.

Multi-Media Messaging - Enables users to communicate using integrated media: audio, video, text, graphics, fax and telephony. The benefit is more powerful communication. The combination of several media often provides richer, more effective communication of information or ideas than a single media such as traditional text-based communication can accomplish.

Multi-part Internet Messaging Enclosure (MIME) - Attachments (enclosures) to internet Email messages. The form of packaging that will allow voice mail messages to be connected to Email messages for delivery across internet-like (Internet, Intranets, Extra-nets) networks. A key component of VPIM protocol, Wide Area Messaging, and Unified Messaging.

NAS - Network Access Storage - Network server device dedicated to file sharing, such that the storage of data and information does not have to be put on an edge-device (server or software application), but rather can be stored on a data base server located at some unknown location in an available internet network.

NAT - Network Address Translation - A technology in internet network routers that allows internal private networks to be shielded from the effects of public internets or intranets, forming a kind of base-line firewall. This consists of translation tables within the routers that separate different LAN segments, which take incoming internet packets and read the destination IP address, and forwarding that packet to a different internal, usually private, IP address.

NFS - Network File System - A disk format that defines storage of data in servers that are connected to networks, which allowing easy management of client-server applications across that network. Most of the servers on internet networks are formatted in NFS and most activity, such as browsing, is handled through client-server applications. Email is a client-server app, and the function of intentional messaging will essentially be a client-server application.

NGMS - Next Generation Messaging System - Term referring to new class of messaging protocols and systems which use IP broadband for delivery and allow for an increase in the number of messaging services to customers; could also refer to any change from legacy to a newer technology messaging system.

Non-Messaging Mailbox - Mailbox that performs Telephone Answering but not Intentional (mailbox-to-mailbox) Messaging.

ODBC - Open Data Base Connectivity - A standard DB access method across all commercially available databases, such that database applications can be written to pull data from any kind of database, regardless of storage or organization method.

Out-call notification - The process of causing a messaging system to notify a subscriber via pager, SMS, or voice message of new messages received.

Out-dial - The voice mailbox can be set up to dial an outside line such as a pager, at the request of the caller.

Packetization - Function in any digital network system or application which converts a stream of data, such as a voice or video conversation, into a series of data packets through a digitizing function, effectively breaking the continuous stream of data into many small pieces for transport and use within networks. This is the basis of digital telephony and the basis for transmission and information sharing across internet networks.

Page - Transmission of information (tones, characters, numbers, or text) to a hand-held paging device.

Pager Notification - The process of causing a messaging system to notify a subscriber of new messages received via pager.

PARLAY - Inter-vendor network standards group proposing next generation network API standards, most notably those that will allow the creation of telecommunications services across internet networks. PARLAY has joined with the JAIN working group to move the entire suite of intelligent network protocols towards a common set of standard programming interfaces.

Personal distribution list - Distribution lists created in a user's individual mailbox for personal use. These lists allow a message to be recorded once and sent to multiple destinations. Other subscribers may not access this list.

Personal greeting - A customized greeting recorded by a subscriber.

Personal mailbox - Same as Family mailbox used by some providers.

PLMN - Public Land Mobile Network - Current cellular networks

PON - Passive Optical Network - High-bandwidth delivery equipment used predominantly by telcos moving beyond DSL broadband to fiber-delivery.

PRI - Primary Rate Interface ISDN - ISDN technology which uses a T-1 span to carry 23 ISDN bearer channels +1 Data signal channel (23B+D). The most prevalent use of ISDN in the PSTN and many commercial applications. Part of an ISDN hierarchy that includes BRI, Basic Rate Interface. This 2B+D technology is the ISDN service that most home or office users purchase from the local telephone companies.

PTM - Push-to-Media over cellular - Feature of cell phone allowing user to push a button to connect to multi-media content.

PTToC - Push-to-Talk over Cellular - Feature of cell phone allowing user to push-to-talk to use phone like a walki-talkie and carry on a conversation with another phone without dialing or using the public network.

Real-time delivery - A technology that allows messages to be exchanged between mailboxes or caller-called parties in real-time. Messaging systems generally exchange messages between mailboxes in non-real-time.

Real-time messaging - Same as Instant Messaging, and unlike voice mail messaging.

Recipient confirmation - An option that allows a user to receive a confirmation of receipt or non-receipt of a message that was sent.

Reply to sender - Voice mail feature that allows users to reply to the sender of the message by using the reply to sender command. The sender could be another mailbox owner or a non-subscriber telephone user.

Ring No-Answer - The term used for the final call disposition when a telephone call is not answered. This is normally not a billable event. In the case where a Telephone Answering Device should have answered the call, this term ("ring no answer") is used to described the symptom of a trouble condition.

Roommate mailbox - Same as Dorm Mailbox.

RTP - Real-time Transport Protocol - Technology which creates the immediate transport of internet packet data across internet networks, such that there is no latency (delays) in the transmission. This is important to create the perception of real-time voice communications across internet networks.

RTP transcoding - Real-time transport protocol (RTP) is a payload format used for Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) and Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband (AMR-WB) encoded speech signals, which are available on legacy and wideband networks.. The payload format is designed to be able to interoperate with existing AMR and AMR-WB transport formats on non-IP networks. Transcoding enables the server running RTP to convert between these speech formats.

Screen Pop - A windows application on a PC that receives a message waiting signal from a voice server and places a window on the PC screen to notify the mailbox owner that a message has arrived; usually associated with unified messaging services.

S-CSCF - Serving Call-state Control Function - Component application within an IP Multi-media System (IMS) which controls other devices or applications (MRFC & MRFP)

SCTP - Stream Control Transmission Protocol - Technology that allows for stream-like data information (e.g. songs, messages, movies) to be carried across internet networks, which do not provide physical connections, but rather break up data into small packets of data.

Service Provider - A company that provides voice mail services to customers.

SGSN - Serving GPRS Support Node - Supports the management and distribution of wireless GPRS-based data and other content services.

Shared mailbox - Allows multiple users to share one telephone extension with a personal mailbox for each user. Callers select from a menu of names to reach a specific user's mailbox. See Family Mailbox.

Short Message Service (SMS) - Short Message Service message - SMS enables you to send and receive short text messages on your cellular telephone.

Short Text Message - Message received on cellular telephone as you would a page.

Signaling gateway - Provides interworking between different networks that use different switching and signaling protocols (often refers to Switched Circuit Network (SCN) and IP networks). Since the Gateway is the central point of signaling information, not only does it provide transportation of signaling from one network to another, but it can also provide additional functions such as protocol translation, security screening, routing information, and seamless access to Intelligent Network (IN) services on both networks. May also be used in a variety of other similar ways to indicate a bridge between dissimilar technologies.

Signaling links - Communications channels within a network, such as the SS7 network, which carry signaling information about calls. In SS7, the A-Links that connect a central office to a Signaling Transfer Point (STP) are signaling links in the network. Voice content is carried across the bearer links in this network.

SIP - Session Initiation Protocol - HTML-like text protocol for processing IP phone calls across internet networks. This technology is part of a suite of new technologies that allow for IP phone calling and many new network software applications will use this communications method, and many different internet technologies are being brought together to create the capability to do this type of communications. Subsequent enhancements to this provide extended capabilities.

SIP Proxy - One application running in a VoIP network architecture is the SIP Proxy server. This could be a dedicated server or a software client/server application that acts as the gateway switch between two IP call operators, either "phones" or user agents (UA). The SIP contains user directory information and acts like the CO switch in a PSTN to find, signal, and connect the two users, so that each user doesn't have to hold a user information database. The SIP proxy is essentially a blind-transfer (to each user) that connects the users without each knowing the exact IP address information of the other user.

SIP+ - Session Initiation Protocol Enhanced - SIP further enhanced with added telephony capabilities. Often synonymous with SIP-T.

SIP-BPC - Session Initiation Protocol - Synonymous with SIP-T (Telephony)

SIP-T - Session Initiation Protocol - Telephony - SIP technology enhanced to interface with SS7 networks to create telephone calling capabilities between users and computers on internet networks and those on PSTN networks.

SMNP - Simple Network Management Protocol - Protocol that provides management of internet networks. Provides for alarming and intelligent monitoring and the subsequent management messages that sends commands to internet network-connected devices.

SMPP - Short Message Peer-to-Peer - Instant Messaging protocol using SMS text messaging to provide the ability for users on wireless handsets to carry on real-time text communications with other users. This technology is being expanded to use this IM capability on a wider range of user devices and network applications.

SMS - Short Messaging Service - The technology that defines wireless text messaging protocol that fills the screens of wireless handsets.

SMTP - Simple Messaging Transport Protocol - Basic messaging protocol standard underlying all Email send/receive functionality.

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) - Makes sophisticated Web Services possible and SIP allows them to be presented within integrated communication applications that include Voice Services.

Softclient - Software applications performing various functions, typically on a PC or user device. This term is used in the SIP RCF-3261 protocol specification and other VoIP network documents to refer to clients that use the VoIP network architecture as a user application, such as windows pop-up, network meeting interface, or messaging application (e.g. Email, VMS, etc.).

Softswitch - Softswitch representing the distributed IP telephony network components that mirrors the functionality of switching equipment within the PSTN. Defined by H.248/MegaCO technology definitions.

Spoken Name Announcement - A recording of the subscriber's name used by the system in place of the subscriber mailbox number.

Sub-mailbox - Child of a parent mailbox. Callers may hear greeting in parent mailbox to "Press 1 to.". When caller presses 1, they are routed to child or "sub-mailbox." The server technology that creates Family, Dorm, Roommate, and extension mailboxes.

SyncML - SyncML, an abbreviation for synchronization markup language, is the common language for synchronizing all devices and applications over any network. Networked information can be synchronized with any mobile device, and mobile information can be synchronized with any networked applications. It also enables synchronization over fixed networks, infrared, cable or Bluetooth. Geared toward the broadband and wireless environments, it is considered transport-independent

System distribution list - Distribution lists created by the system manager that enables users to send the same message to multiple mailboxes.

TCP/IP - Transport Control Protocol / Internet Protocol - Technology that defines physical and transport layer applications in internet networks, which are responsible for almost all transmission of internet packets in almost all applications.

TDM - Time Division Multiplex network - The technology that defines how analog voice and data can be converted into digital signals and carried across digital networks and facilities. This generally provides the current PSTN digital network.

TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access - A digital communication technology used by some carriers to provide PCS service.

Telephone address - See Telephone Number.

Telephone Answering Device - Any mechanism that allows a message to be left in the event the intended caller is unavailable.

Telephone answering message - Recorded message identifying the location reached by the caller.

Telephone answering messaging - Incoming callers are immediately directed to the called party's voice mailbox and are prompted to leave a detailed message.

Telephone Number - The 10-digit number that provides access to a given telephone unit/line.

Text message - Message containing alphanumeric characters.

Text Page - Message appearing on pager as text characters, usually allowing 256 to 1024 characters.

Tone Page - Activation of a tone on a pager when the pager is called.

Unified Communications (UC) - An evolution from Integrated Messaging and Unified Messaging, allows a customer to point all sources of telephone calls to a single telephone number and set up profiles that re-direct the calls, under customer or caller control, to another number or to a message store. Allows a customer to maintain only one contact number for all callers and customize the UC handling of those calls according to customer preferences.

Unified Messaging (UM) - Sometimes referred incorrectly as Integrated Messaging, unifies multiple MEDIA, including fax mail, E-mail, voicemail, and eventually video mail, into a single access point, often through desktop client or browser access.

Visual Mailbox - Messaging Mailbox that allows the user's PC to display voice, fax and e-mail messages in a list and also perform administration of the mailbox.

VoD - Video-on-Demand - Technology allowing customers to get video content over broadband pipes on their own schedule and interest.

VoDSL - Voice over DSL - Telco DSL service allowing telephone calls to be carried over existing DSL broadband pipes.

Voice Mail - A technology that provides a communication link to allow voice messages to be left either on an answering machine or voice mail system. A voice mail system not only allows the message to be left; it allows handling of the voice message as you would a paper message - copy, store, send it on to others with or without your comments.

Voice Mail (VM) - Refers to a server platform or a service that provides voice mail applications.

Voice Mail Association (VMA) - A standards and marketing association that focuses on commercial aspects of voice mail. Focused on global perspectives with heavy emphasis on European and Asian service providers, primarily wireless companies, but including global wireline industry members.

Voice Mail Hell - Inability to reach a live person by pressing a key while in a voice mail application.

Voice Mail Jail - Same as Voice Mail Hell.

Voice Mail System (VMS) - Same as Voice Mail Machine.

Voice message - Spoken messages received in one's voice mailbox.

Voice messaging - Recording, storing, playing and distributing phone messages. Essentially voice messaging takes the benefits of voice mail (such as bulk messaging) beyond the immediate office to almost any phone destination you select. Voice messaging is often done through service bureaus.

Voice page - Message received on a pager in spoken word.

Voice paging - The process of causing a messaging system to notify a subscriber of new messages received via voice pager.

Voice Processing System (V P S) - Same as Voice Mail System, though it could also refer to any server application that provides speech technology to customers.

Voice Profile for Internet Messaging (VPIM) - The evolution of Analog Messaging Interface Specification (AMIS) that corrects all the deficiencies in the earlier specification and standards system. VPIM defines how messages can be exchanged with dissimilar voice mail system platforms, over data circuits and especially over internet-like networks (e.g. Internet, Intranets, Extra-nets). Core services are all-inclusive, allowing for all messaging services, such as marking mail for high priority, exchanging receipt notifications, and providing spoken name verification. Addressing methods are implemented with easy-to-use user-interface, so that customers can address wide area network recipients just as easily as addressing mailboxes on the local system. Adopted as Version 2 standard by IETF in 1999, such that voice mail system vendors that assert support for VPIM in their documentation and marketing collateral must first certify, with the IETF VPIM Working Group, that their implementation passes a set of defined protocol tests.

Voice Response Unit (VRU) - Same as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVRU).

VoIP - Voice Over IP - General technical term for processing telephone calls over internet networks, most often the public internet. More specifically, it defines a set of technologies that allow for routing, signaling, and carrying real-time voice conversations over an internet connect, which does not have real-time, physical circuit connections, but rather uses small discrete packets of data to transport information. However, VoIP is the basic transport function of carrying voice calls across an internet network. The end-user devices are more likely to be PSTN telephones connected to PSTN CO switches, which are connected to the internet via PSTN-gateways.

VPIM Desktop (VPIMv3) - Voice Profile for Internet Messaging specification defined for messaging exchanges between PC desktops and other desktops, internet unified messaging service providers, and voice mail system platforms in Enterprises and service provider networks. Uses the internet Email paradigm for user-interface and transport. Linked very closely with definitions of Unified Messaging.

VPIM Server (VPIMv2) - Voice Profile for Internet Messaging specification defined for messaging exchanges between voice mail system platforms.

VPN - Virtual Private Network - Internet data technology that allows a user or company to set up private, encrypted and secure connections through the public internet to a secure intranet, such as a company LAN.

VXML - Voice XML - XML extensions for implementing voice transmission over internet networks.

VXML - Voice XML - XML extensions for implementing voice applications for transmission over IP networks

W3C - World Wide Web Consortium - WWW standards organization that develops acceptance for standard technologies used in WWW.

WAN - Wide Area Network - Networking term that defines networking of computers over wide areas, as large as global. The public internet is a WAN, but this term more specifically refers to networks that companies build to connect their work sites spread across large geographic regions. This is the widest area, in a hierarchy with Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) and Local Area Network (LAN).

Wide Area Messaging (WAM) - A subscriber composes a message from within their mailbox and sends it to a another subscriber's mailbox on a Wide Area Network, created by the messaging industry service providers, and eventually by individual desktop users. A network function that allows mailbox subscribers in any locality and on any type of server platform to send, receive, and reply-to messages from any other mailbox in the Wide Area Network, and eventually the world.

WiFi - Wireless LAN (WAN) technology used in public locations to provide internet access for users of laptops and PDAs, generally using 802.11b or 802.11g wireless transceivers to cover a radius of a few hundred square feet.

Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) - A wireless protocol that allows wireless devices (e.g. cellular, PCS, pagers, palmtops) to receive text and graphic displays on a limited-area display screen, including text messages, Emails, and text-converted voice mails.

x.400 / x.500 Directory Services - The original address directory protocol and infrastructure allowing messaging within wide area messaging networks. Provided simple address resolution between nodes on the network. Primarily developed to support Digital AMIS and other proprietary network protocol applications on voice servers.

XDSL - Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL, VDSL, SDSL) - Different DSL technologies that provides various high-speed data capabilities over normal telephone wiring. The differences are large, but generally ignored by the public, which uses the term DSL as the general term. Most public applications use ADSL, Asynchronous DSL for internet access. Others are Video DSL and Synchronous DSL, which are used in specific applications.

XML - Extensible Markup Language - Enhanced language for document interchange, following on the popularity of HTML as a WWW document definition language for web sites. Provides much more definition flexibility, standardization, and usability, so that XML can be used for many more data and internet applications beyond web pages.