Abbreviated Dialing

A calling feature that enables the calling party to dial the destination telephone number using fewer than normal digits. Abbreviated Dialing numbers must be set up in advance of their use. Speed Dialing is a typical example of Abbreviated Dialing.

Access gateway

Equipment used to provide the electronic "bridge" from the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to an Internet protocol (IP) network.
See also: Gateway

Account Codes

Also referred to as Project Codes or Bill-Back Codes. Account Codes are additional digits dialed by the calling party that provide specific information about the call. - Typically used by hourly professionals (accountants, lawyers, etc.) to track and bill clients, projects, etc.

Agent

An  individual or organization acting on behalf of another. In the telecommunications industry, Agents typically are independent individuals or companies that market the services of a carrier as if they were employees of that carrier.

Aggregator

An independent entity that brings several subscribers together forming group that can obtain long-distance telephone service at a reduced rate. Subscribers are billed by the original IXC. The aggregator typically establishes  the initial set-up of the plan and  provides no service after that. Different than a reseller.

Alternate Access

A form of local access where the local service provider is not the LEC, but is authorized or permitted to provide such service. See CLEC

Alternate Access Carriers

Local exchange carriers in direct competition with the RBOCs. Normally found only in the larger metropolitan areas. Examples are Teleport and Metropolitan Fiber Systems. See CLEC

Alternative Operator Services

Operator services provided by a company other than a LEC, RBOC or AT&T that has authorization to provide such service.

ANI

See Automatic Number Identification.

Answer Supervision

The off-hook indication sent by the central office back to the originating end when the called station answers.

Area Code

See NPA, Numbering Plan Areas

See Also: Country Codes, NPA Split, North American Numbering Plan

ARI

Automatic Room Identification ( Hotel/Motel room number )
See Also ANI

See Also: Bill to Room

Authentication

Process of verifying with certainty the identity of a subscriber or ITSP through the use of a unique user identification number, password, PIN, or other method (i.e., verifying that subscribers or ITSP are indeed who they claim to be).

Authorization

Process of allowing a Subscriber or ITSP a certain monetary credit or time amount of IP Telephony. Authorization is the granting of permission to provide users the service they are requesting.

Authorization Number

See PIN.

Automatic Number Identification

Originating Telephone Number
(1) The telephone number associated with the telephone station(s) from which switched calls are originated (or terminated).

(2) A software feature associated with Feature Group D (and optional on Feature Group B) circuits. ANI provides the originating local telephone number of the calling party. This information is transmitted as part of the digit stream in the signaling protocol, and included in the Call Detail Record for billing purposes.

(3) ANI may also be used to refer to any telephone number.

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