Telecoms Glossary

Discover clear, explanations of technical industry terms and concepts with our telecoms glossary.

B

Broadband

High-speed internet access, crucial for business operations like cloud access, VoIP calls, and video conferencing. Business broadband often comes with priority support and guaranteed speeds.

Business Mobile

Mobile services tailored for business use, offering inclusive minutes, data, and texts, with flexible options like SIM-only, eSIM, or handset bundles.

C

Cloud Telephony

A phone system hosted in the cloud rather than on-site, allowing remote access, easy scaling, and lower maintenance compared to traditional landlines.

Contention Ratio

The number of users sharing the same data capacity. A lower contention ratio means more reliable performance — important for business broadband.

D

Data Allowance

The amount of mobile data included in a business mobile or SIM-only plan. Exceeding this may result in additional charges.

Download Speed

The speed at which data is received from the internet. Crucial for activities like streaming, loading websites, and downloading files.

E

eSIM (Embedded SIM)

A virtual SIM built into a device, enabling remote setup of a mobile plan without a physical SIM card. Ideal for modern business mobile devices.

Ethernet

A high-speed, dedicated internet connection typically delivered through a leased line. Offers guaranteed speeds and uptime — often used by businesses with high data needs.

F

Fair Usage Policy

A policy applied to “unlimited” data or broadband plans to prevent excessive usage. Breaching it may lead to throttled speeds or restrictions.

FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet)

A fibre broadband setup where fibre reaches a street cabinet, then copper cables complete the connection to the premises. Mid-range performance and cost.

FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)

A full-fibre broadband connection directly to your business location, providing faster and more reliable internet than FTTC.

H

Hosted VoIP

VoIP services provided and managed by a third-party host — removing the need for on-site hardware and simplifying upgrades and maintenance.

I

IP Address (Internet Protocol Address)

A unique identifier assigned to each device connected to a network, allowing it to send and receive data.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

A legacy digital telephone line system being phased out by 2027. Replaced by VoIP and cloud-based telephony.

L

Landline

A traditional fixed phone line, increasingly being replaced by digital phone systems.

Latency

The time it takes data to travel from source to destination. Lower latency is better, especially for video calls or real-time apps.

Leased Line

A dedicated, uncontended internet line used exclusively by one business. Offers guaranteed upload/download speeds and is ideal for high-demand users.

Line Rental

A fee paid for use of a traditional phone line. Often included in packages or eliminated with VoIP.

M

Minimum Guaranteed Speed

The lowest broadband speed a provider promises to deliver under your contract. If speeds fall below this, you may be able to exit the contract penalty-free.

N

Number Porting

Transferring your existing phone number(s) to a new VoIP or telephony provider, ensuring continuity for your business.

P

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

The old copper-based telephone network, being decommissioned by 2027. Businesses must switch to digital systems like VoIP.

R

Router

The device that connects your business to the internet and distributes Wi-Fi across the premises.

S

SIM-Only Plan

A mobile plan that includes data, calls, and texts but no phone — suitable for businesses that already own handsets.

SLA (Service Level Agreement)

A formal agreement with your telecom provider that outlines guaranteed performance, response times, and compensation if standards aren’t met.

Speed Test

A tool to check your current broadband speed. Helpful to compare actual vs. promised performance.

Static IP

A permanent IP address assigned to your connection. Required for some remote access services, VPNs, or hosted servers.

Switch-Off (PSTN & ISDN)

Refers to the UK’s planned retirement of copper-line services by 2027. Businesses must migrate to digital solutions like VoIP.

U

Unified Communications (UC)

Combines voice, messaging, video, and other tools into a single platform to improve team collaboration.

Upload Speed

The speed at which data is sent from your network (e.g., sending emails or uploading files). Important for businesses using cloud storage or video conferencing.