'N' Glossary Terms

NAM - Number Assignment Module
Specific to CDMA phones, this module carries the serial number and assigned mobile number of the handset.

NAP - Network Access Point
An element of Internet infrastructure, NAPs are major connection nodes of the Internet, and can often be a point of congestion.

Narrowband
As its name implies this is a method of signal transmission that uses a narrow bandwidth to transmit its information. This, by its very nature, cannot carry the information that broadband can.

National Broadband Strategy
Governed by the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group Policy, this is the framework for broadband development in Australia, which is agreed upon by all levels of government. .

NCF - National Communications Fund
Former federal telecommunications funding program, the National Communications Fund (NCF) was a $50 million program to support significant telecommunications projects in the education and health sectors in regional Australia. The NCF aimed to help improve service delivery in these sectors, and also encourage the development of high bandwidth data services in regional communities.

NDD - National Direct Dialling
See STD.

Neighbourhood Call
No longer offered. Was the subsidy of local calls made within a local exchange area.

NetAlert
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) manage the NetAlert initiative. NetAlert is the Australian Government’s internet safety initiative which consists of a wide range of activities. Together, these activities provide a comprehensive response to the needs of the Australian community in protecting their families online.

Network
A telecommunications network is a network that exists between two or more devices for open communication between them.

Network type
Digital GSM, CDMA and 3G are the three types of mobile phone networks currently operating in Australia.

New Service
This is the activation of a service that has not previously existed between a device, exchange, landline, or port and the service provider.

NFF - National Farmers' Federation
Established in 1979, NFF is the voice of Australian farmers in the federal political arena and comments on many issues affecting farmers across Australia including telecommunications.

NiCAD - Nickel Cadium
Previous battery technology little-used in mobile phones but often used in cordless phones. A much less efficient battery providing minimal battery operation time and talk time and that can suffer from memory effect if not let to run down completely before charging.

NiMH - Nickel Metal Hydride
Mobile phone batteries that unlike NiCAD can be partially run down and charged without suffering memory effect.

No Answer Transfer
This is when a call is diverted due to a no answer or ring out response. The service provider can set the length of time before this happens.
See also Call Divert.

No Service
This refers to the inability to access a network when a mobile phone is out of the coverage area (often occurring in remote areas).
See also Coverage Maps

NOIE - National Office for the Information Economy
On 8 April 2004, the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) was established, replacing the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE).
Functions of the former NOIE relating to the promotion and coordination of the use of new information and communications technology to deliver Government policies, information, programs and services have been placed with AGIMO.
Functions of the former NOIE relating to broader policy, research and programs have been transferred to the Office for the Information Economy in the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA).

Nominated Carrier
Defined by the nominated career declaration under section 81 Telecommunications Act 1997.

Novelty antenna
A non-standard antenna used for aesthetic purposed attached to a mobile phone that can be jewelled, flashing, etc.

NRF - Network Reliability Framework
Under the Network Reliability Framework (NRF), the USO provider will be required to report regularly to the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) on the performance of its network at a number of levels, ranging from region based reports to reports on individual phone services. The ACA will also be able to issue directions requiring the USO provider to remedy individual services.

NRS - National Relay Service
A dedicated service for the speech and hearing impaired for access to telephone facilities through TTY or a live operator.
See also ACE.

Number Portability
See both Local Number Portability and Mobile Number Portability.

NUSC - Net Universal Service Cost
This is the recoverable cost of operation incurred by a carrier when providing access to the standard telephone service and payphones. To claim these costs the carrier submits a claim to the ACMA, which calculates operating and capital costs (including the opportunity cost of capital) for the loss-making services, less any revenue received for those services to determine the rebate.