| Abbreviated Dialing | A feature that permits the calling party to dial the destination telephone number in 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. |
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| Account Codes | Also known as Project Codes or Bill-Back Codes. Account Codes are additional digits dialed by the calling party that provide information about the call. Typically used by hourly professionals (accountants, lawyers, etc.) to track and bill clients, projects, etc. |
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| Agent | A person or organization that acts 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. |
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| Aggregator | An independent entity that brings several subscribers together to form a group that can obtain long-distance service at a reduced rate. Subscribers are billed by the original IXC. The aggregator only provides the initial set-up of the plan. He usually provides no service after that. Different than a reseller. |
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| Alternate Access | A form of local access where the provider is not the LEC, but is authorized or permitted to provide such service. |
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| 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. |
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| Alternative Operator Services | Operator services provided by a company other than a LECRBOC or AT&T that is authorized to provide such service. |
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| ANI | See Automatic Number Identification. |
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| Answer Supervision | The off-hook indication sent back to the originating end when the called station answers. |
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| ARI | Automatic Room Identification (Hotel/Motel room number) |
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| Automatic Number Identification | Originating Number(1) The 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 signalling protocol, and included in the Call Detail Record for billing purposes. (3) ANI may also be used to refer to any phone number. |
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