Definitions

Administrative Module (AM) - A component of and the common interface for the host switch that handles global switch maintenance, administration and network management and sets up billing and administrative data.

Automatic Messaging Accounting (AMA) - The network functionality that generates, measures, collects and outputs subscriber network usage data into a single entry record that contains all the necessary information about the call needed for billing and stores the record on disk in real time.

Common Channel Signaling System 7 (CCSS7) - Also known as Signaling System 7 (SS7). A separate, high-speed, out-of-band, packet-switched data communications signaling network architecture that uses SS7 protocol to convey, by means of labeled messages, signaling information relating to many circuits or call and other information, such as that used for network management. The SS7 protocol is an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard that replaces single frequency and multi-frequency in-band telephone signaling systems.

Communications Module (CM) - A component of and the central office switch for the host switch that interconnects switching modules, switches network data and voice, controls messages, and distributes timing and synchronization.

Custom Local Area Signaling Service (CLASS) - A collection of custom call management services offered to local area residential and business customers on a prescribed basis through stored program switches and CCSS7, e.g., automatic call return, automatic recall, caller ID, customer originated trace, preferred call forwarding and selective call acceptance and rejection.

Digital Network Unit Synchronous Optimal Network (DNU-S) - A peripheral unit in the SM of the host switch that uses SONET transmission infrastructure to interface with the host switch and remote switch. SONET transmits digital signals, converts STS (electrical) signals to and from OC (optical) signal, ensures interconnectivity and compatibility of transmission products by multiple vendors and provides for enhanced operations, administration, maintenance and provisioning. The DNU-S uses an STSX-1 interface for transmission beginning at 155.52 megabytes per second and can support up to 8,064 digital trunks.

Extended Module (EXM) - The remote switch. An optically extended version of the SM that provides the same services as the SM but from a different geographic location. It can be located up to 600 miles from the host switch, facilitating entrance into new territories. It supports the DNU-S using the same engineering configurations as the host switch and supports 10,752 trunks.

Distinctive Remote Module (DRM) - This remote switch is basically identical to the EXM but is not optically connected to the Host. It's interconnection to the Host is via a single DS1 circuit. It does all its administrative functions by this medium.

Host Switch - The Lucent Technologies 5ESS-2000 switching system. It simultaneously supports any combination of wireline, wireless, voice, data and video services off the same switch, including local and long distance, custom and national Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) services, Internet access, wireless Personal Communications Services (PCS), Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services, interactive video and multimedia services.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) - An all-digital network in which the same digital switches and digital paths are used to establish connections for a wide range of voice, data and video services, e.g., videoconferencing, E-mail, call waiting and credit card calling. The host switch supports two kinds of ISDN: (1) 2-wire and 4-wire Basic Rate Interface (BRI) local loop of 144 kilobytes per second and (2) 4-wire Primary Rate Interface (PRI) of 1.544 megabytes per second.

Local Automatic Message Accounting (LAMA) - A combination of AMA equipment and automatic number identification equipment in the central office that provides control, collection, and recording of billing information and transmits the AMA records to magnetic tape. Local

Local Number Portability (LNP) - The ability of a customer to change their (1) local service provider, (2) physical location or (3) calling services without having to change his or her telephone number.

Master Control Center (MCC) - The central place in a stored program control central office from which system configuration and trouble testing are controlled. The MCC displays systems status data and alarm information, provides fro manual diagnostics and routine exerciser diagnostics, subscriber loop and instrument measurements, automatic line insulation testing, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) maintenance, automatic progression testing and monitors recent and global changes.

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) - The worldwide telephone network which uses circuits switching and is accessible to all those with telephones and access privileges.

Service Control Points (SCPs) - Also call Signal Control Points. A network node that contains network configuration, customer-specific and call control information in its centralized database. Upon receiving data queries from an SSP, the SCP accesses its database to determine the proper routing for a call and then forwards this information back to the requesting SSP.

Signal Transfer Points (STPs) - Highly reliable packet switches that translate and route CCSS7 signaling messages between SCPs and SSPs on the network at 56 kilobytes per second.

Switching Module (SM) - A component of the host switch that links subscribers to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and provides local switching functions such as call processing, routing, termination, and line and trunk management. It terminates analog, digital TR308/08 standard network interfaces, ISDN lines and SONET engine asynchronous trunks, converts analog into or from digital traffic, contains highly intelligent processors that perform over 95% of the call processing functions, perform time division switching of time slots and performs service functions.

Transmission Equipment - The combination of various high speed telephone equipment operating at various transmission speeds ranging from DS0 to OC12 in both optical and electrical formats. Components include DNU-SONET, SONET Optical Terminal Equipment and Digital Cross-Connects DS1 and DS3.

Trunk and Line Work Station - Physically identical to the MCC, but only performs trunk and line maintenance functions.