Glossary of Industry Terms

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Calling CardA telecommunication credit card with an AuthCode for using a long distance carrier when the customer is away from their home or office (ANI).

CarrierA telecommunications provider which owns switch equipment.

Carrier Identification Code - CICA three digit number used with Feature Groups B and D to access a particular IEC's switched services from a local exchange line. One or more CIC codes are assigned to each carrier. (i.e. there may be multiple CICs per ACNA). See Bypass

Casual CallingAllow any ANI (including undefined ANIs) to access a given carrier. For example, if the originator is calling from a non-coin phone, they may dial 1010555+destination number and have the call routed through WorldCom and billed to the originating phone number.

Casual CustomerAny person or organization that dials any CIC Code. (Not necessary to presubscribe to the carrier.)

CentrexA service that is functionally similar to a customer-premise PBX, but provided by means of equipment located in a Central Office.

CICSee Carrier Identification Code (WorldCom = "555")

Class of Service - COSA special limitation on what numbers can and cannot be called. International, 809, 809 + Canada, 48 contiguous states, etc.

COCOTCustomer Owned Coin Operated Telephone

Coin PhoneA coin-operated pay phone with restricted access to some services (e.g. International calling). Coin phones have subclasses of Public, Semi Public, and Private.

CollectA call that is paid for by the receiving/destination phone number. Requires approval/authorization of the person being called.

Common CarrierA carrier that holds itself out as serving the public (or a segment thereof) indifferently (i.e., without regard to the identity of the customer and without undue discrimination). Common carriers may vary rates based on special considerations and may in fact serve only a small fraction of the general public.

ContractA legally-binding agreement between a vendor and a customer to provide Products, Services or Features in a specified quantity and quality, for a specified price, during a specified period of time.

Contract TariffsServices and rates based on contracts negotiated with individual customers, but theoretically available to all customers. AT&T has filed several hundred contract tariffs.

CONUS-CONtiguous United StatesThe 48 contiguous U.S. states. Used primarily to designate the operating range or authorization of a satellite or radio facility.

Country CodeTwo or three digit codes used for International calls outside of the North American Numbering Plan area codes. Dial: 011 + country code + city code + local phone number) (e.g. "011 + 91 + 22 + 123- 4567" 91 = India, 22 = Bombay)

Cut-Through Dialing"10"+CIC+" #" followed by an AuthCode for IntraLATA calls.

CutoverThe exact date/time that a phone number, circuit, etc. is scheduled to be (or was) moved from one implementation (carrier, etc.) to another. (e.g. moving an 800 number from MCI to WorldCom).