ATA: ( Analog Telephone Adapter): A device used to connect one or more standard analog telephones to a digital and/or non-standard telephone system such as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) based network.

Broadband: High-speed networks that are able to transmit greater amounts of data, voice, and video than telephony networks.

Coaxial (Coax): Audio or video cable with a single center pin surrounded by cladding and a sheath. Commonly used in cable/satellite TV and broadband networks.

Demarcation Point: The location of the separation of network equipment from subscriber equipment. In telecommunications this is typically found outside the home.

DSL: (Digital Subscriber Line) a technology for bringing high-bandwidth data into homes over ordinary copper telephone lines.

EMTA: (Embedded Multimedia Terminal Adapter): A cable modem and a VoIP adapter (known as a Multimedia Terminal Adapter) bundled into a single device.

Fiber Optic: The medium and technology used to transmit information digitally as light impulses along a glass or plastic wire or fiber. Fiber optic cables have greater bandwidth than metal cables, so they can transmit much more data.

FTTP: (Fiber to the Premises) The installation of optical fiber from the carrier directly into the home. Also called “fiber to the home” (FTTH).

Gas Tube: An electron tube that contains gas or vapor at low pressure in which an electrical discharge takes place.

HomePlug: A powerline network that is designed to run Ethernet over the existing electrical system and use AC wall outlets as connecting points.

HPNA: Home networking standard developed by the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance which allows all components of a home network to connect over the existing home phone wiring without disturbing the existing signals. Also referred to as HomePNA.

IP: (Internet Protocol) The primary network protocol used on the Internet.

IPTV: (Internet Protocol Television) Digital television service delivered by using Internet Protocol over a broadband connection.

MSO: (Multiple System Operator) A cable TV organization that owns more than one cable system.

NID: (Network Interface Device) The demarcation point that can be either a device or functionality. A NID connects the local loop to the customer premises and includes the demarcation point.

POTS: (Plain Old Telephone Service) The standard, copper wire based telephone service that is legacy in many homes.

Surge Protection: Surge protection devices absorb any voltage transients over a circuit, which may result from lightning strikes, electrostatic discharges or other means. The high voltage could damage any electrical equipment in the circuit, the surge protectors are installed to protect them.

Triple Play: Also called bundled services. When a single communications provider (telco or cable) provides voice, video and data in a single access subscription.

Twisted Pair: The ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company.

VoIP: (Voice over Internet Protocol) Also known as IP telephony or Broadband telephony, this is the protocol that enables the transmission of voice over the Internet through a broadband connection.

WiFi: A wireless technology brand owned by the Wi-Fi Alliance intended to improve the interoperability of wireless local area network products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Common applications for Wi-Fi include Internet and VoIP phone access, gaming, and network connectivity for consumer electronics such as televisions, DVD players, and digital cameras