'P' Glossary Terms

PABX - Private Automatic Branch Exchange
This is a system that controls the sharing of phone lines, and allows phone calls to be made internally (extension calls) or externally, by connecting to the PSTN via trunk lines. They are often housed in a Central Office or sometimes hosted by another company. Best known features of a PABX are: extension dialling, call transfer, call holding, conference calling, DID (Direct In Dialling), CND (Calling Number Display) overwriting, CID (Caller ID) pass-through, and LCR (Least Cost Routing).
Packet Networks
This is the network technology that breaks up a message into small packets for transmission. Unlike circuit switching, which requires the establishment of a dedicated point-to-point connection, each packet in a packet-switched network contains a destination address. Thus, all packets in a single message do not have to travel the same path. As traffic conditions change, they can be dynamically routed via different paths in the network, and they can even arrive out of order. The destination computer reassembles the packets into their proper sequence. Network protocols such as IP and IPX were designed for packet-based networks.

Packet Protocols
This is the process by which data is broken down into smaller pieces of data that is able to be transported across a network. IP is the most common use of the protocol. Made up of a header and a small amount of the data, the packet is sent, often sequentially, via multiple sources from the same communications channel - ultimately creating an efficient method of data transport.

Packet Switching
Refers to protocols in which messages are divided into packets before they are sent. Each packet is then transmitted individually and can even follow different routes to its destination. Once all the packets forming a message arrive at the destination, they are recompiled into the original message. Most modern Wide Area Network (WAN) protocols, including TCP/IP, X.25, and Frame Relay, are based on packet-switching technologies. Packet switching is more efficient and robust for data that can withstand some delays in transmission, such as e-mail messages and Web pages.

Paging
A virtually redundant feature replaced by sms technology, paging is the delivery of a message to a wireless device called a pager.

Pair gain
This is the procedure that Telstra uses to double the number of lines available on an existing copper wire network without additional cabling. Commonly used in high density developments, one disadvantage of this technique is that is does not allow for ADSL Internet services.

PBX - Private Branch Exchange
See PABX.

PCS - Personal Communication Services
A PCS was an earlier version of a Personal Digital Assistant. See PDA.

PDA - Personal Digital Assistant
This is a handheld device that is used as an extension of a computer but is small and portable. Some handheld devices are equipped with technology that allows them to act as a mobile phone as well and sending an receiving emails, SMS, and downloading and viewing documents. A PDAs most efficient use is its ability to synchronise with a PC to ensure that emails, calendars, and appointments appear on both machines.

Peak / Peak Period
This refers to the period of time that the network traffic is higher than other times. Calls made during this period are often charged at a higher rate.
See Peak Rates

Peak Rates
This is the higher call rate charged when a user utilises a service provider's service during a Peak Period.
See Peak Period.

Pensioner concessions
This is a form of discounting for those belonging to the ageing population. These people are classified as Pensioners as they receive government rebates through Centrelink, Veteran's Affairs or similar.

PGS - Pair Gain System
See Pair Gain

Phone Card
This is a prepaid calling card that offers discounted rates to and from landline and mobile phones nationally and internationally.

Phone Plan
For telephone services, this is the contractual agreement between service provider and customer that dictates the contract period, service inclusions, and other additional services like call rates.

PIN - Personal Identification Number
This a unique identifying number that is selected by the user or dictated by the service provider that allows access to account information and service.

PING - Packet Internet Groper
Best understood as the sounding for a response, this is often used to test the availability of a network connection, IP address, or other destination. From a command prompt, an Internet Control Message Protocol is sent to the designated destination.

Pixel
Commonly associated with screen resolution (calculated by pixels per inch), this is the term to describe picture elements and is represented by the smallest element of a digitised picture.

Plan
See Phone Plan.

Plan Type (Mobile Phone)
Agreed upon at the beginning of a relationship between service provider and customer, a plan type can be pre-paid, post-paid, capped, or uncontracted.

PMTS - Public Mobile Telecommunications Service
European terminology.

Polyphonic Ringtones
Poly - meaning many, can produce a sound where more than one note can be played at the same time. Used commonly for incoming call alerts, polyphonic ringtones have a sound that is closer to the mainstream music played by a CD player or on the radio.

POP - Point Of Presence
Referring specifically to landlines, this is the point at which a phone carrier provides connection to a local exchange. For an Internet Connection - in particular dial up - this is also the point at which a carrier provides access to a local exchange. For a broadband internet connection, this point on the local exchange is referred to as a network node.

POP - Post Office Protocol
This is used as a protocol in email communications for the retrieval of email from a server. The third generation of this software, which is currently used, is displayed as POP3.
See also IMAP

Portable hands-free
See Handsfree kit.

Post-paid Mobile Phone Contracts
These are the more common types of mobile phone contracts, which refers to the invoicing of services after they have been used (usually on a monthly basis).

POTS - Plain Old Telephone Service
An amusing name for the description of a simple copper line telephone switched system.

PPP - Point to Point Protocol
Used in Internet connections, this is the protocol for connection to a TCP/IP network.

PPTP - Point to Point Tunnelling Protocol
An unsuccessful protocol used for VPN connections.

PRA - Primary Rate Access for ISDN
See PRI.

Predictive Text
This is the time saving feature of a mobile handset that automatically suggests completed words during text messaging. For example - pressing the keys 4663 will result in predictive suggestions of 'good' 'home', 'gone', 'hone' etc.

Prepaid Mobile Phone Contracts
This is a contract that requires the prepayment of money for the use of services. Users of this contract receive monetary credit to use with a service provider. Usually this credit expires monthly and does not roll over.
See also Post-paid Mobile Contracts.

Preselection
This is the routing of calls through a preselected or default service provider, often used in long distance calls domestically. Using override codes, this default selection process can be overruled.

PRI - Primary Rate Interface
See Basic Rate Interface or ISDN

Priority Assistance Service
This is an assistance service which ensures that those persons with a life-threatening or high risk illness can have access to reliable home telephone services, so that they are assured connection in the event of an emergency. Special service time frames of either 24hrs (metro) or 48hrs (regional) apply for fault repairs.

Private Network
A network, like an intranet, which is only accessible to those within the network or with appropriate authorisation.

Protocol (Communications)
These are rules that govern processes and formatting, so that all parties can interpret information correctly.

Provisioning (Telecommunications Services)
This is the process of requesting a communications service and will include ordering, authorisation and implementation stages.

Proxy Servers
This is a server, which acts as an intermediary between a client server, and a web server. A proxy server can either be used to reduce a web server's traffic by caching highly visited or can present a single IP address to the Internet to reduce the chance of direct access to the LAN.

PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network
This term is commonly understood to describe the telephone network that exists around the world. Comprised of twisted pairs of copper wire, calls are passed through a local exchange before being switched electronically to reach their destination.

Public Telephone
Often found in highly trafficked public areas, public telephones, or payphones, can be used to make timed calls by way or coin, credit card or debit card payment. Call rates from these phones are usually higher than most other methods.

PUK - Personal Unblocking Key
This is an 8-10 digit code used to unblock a SIM card that has been locked to a network. Also called a Pin Unblocking Key.

Pulse Dialling
Now superseded by tone dialling, pulse dialling was the method by which dialled numbers were converted into pulses that were interpreted by a switching centre as a phone number. The pulse tone was interrupted at certain intervals depending on the number it correlates to.

Push to Talk
This was a feature pushed buy some service providers that is now little used in Australia. Push to talk allowed mobile users to utilise their mobile handset in a similar fashion to a walkie-talkie or two-way radio. Technically it is a method of conversing on half-duplex communication lines, including two-way radio, using a momentary button to switch from voice reception mode to transmit mode. A typical Push to Talk connection connects almost instantly. One significant advantage of PoC is allowing a single person to reach an active talk group at a button press, thus users no longer need to make several calls to coordinate with a group. Intra-account calling has now replaced this.