Jargon Buster
Not sure what “That” means? Explore our Jargon Buster to gain better knowledge of industry terminology.
VOIP - Voice Over Internet Protocol
Phone calls sent over a data network or via the internet. Examples of VOIP are Cloud phones or a Hybrid system.
Cloud Phones/Hosted Telephony
A telephone system that’s controlled remotely from a call server – based in a data centre and not in the user’s physical location.
Hybrid Phone Solution
A combination of a traditional phone system with VOIP. The call server is on the user’s site, but instead of traditional phone lines they use SIP
SIP - Session Initiation Protocol
These are virtual phone lines, that are replacing traditional copper-wire ISDN. SIP lines are sent via the internet to an onsite hybrid VOIP solution. The system uses one SIP channel per phone call.
ISDN - Integrated Services Designated Network
Traditional digital phone lines. These come in two formats – ISDN2, with 2 channels (they can handle 2 concurrent phone calls) ISDN30, with between 8 and 30 phone channels
PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network
Analogue copper phone lines. Used to supply FTTC and ADSL2+ (see below) broadbands, alarm lines, faxes, and other services.
Call Hold
A feature that enables the user to keep one call, while accepting or making another call, using the same handset or phone device. The held call is tied to the handset that placed the call on hold, so can only be taken off hold from the same handset.
Call Park
A feature that allows the user to place a call on hold on one handset and then retrieve the call from another within the same network. The call is effectively placed in a ‘parking bay’, with an allocated parking bay number. To retrieve the call, the user simply types in the bay number on a second handset in the network.
Call Transfer
A feature that allows the user to place a call on hold whilst, transferring the call to another destination. The destination can be either an internal or external telephone.
Auto Attendant
An automated system which guides a caller through voice menu options. The Auto Attendant will be set to answer and route incoming calls.
PBX - Private Branch Exchange
This is a private telephone network used by a company or organization. Its users can communicate internally and externally, using different communication channels such as VOIP, ISDN or analogue.
Hunt group
This is the method of distributing phone calls from a single telephone number to a group of several phone lines.
DDI - Direct Dial Inbound
This technology allows users to rent individual phone numbers without the need to rent separate lines. DDIs are mapped onto specific ISDN lines. The PBX is then programmed to direct the incoming DDI call to the specific extension or ‘hunt group’ as required. Users can rent a large volume of DDIs, while renting an optimum number of lines.
IP Phones
Handsets that connect to either Cloud or Hybrid solution over a network.
POE - Power Over Ethernet
This is the power provided to network devices such as IP phones over their network connection.