Glossary

A

A2P Messaging: Application-to-Person Messaging; the process where a software application sends messages or notifications to individuals or end-users.
ACD: Average Call Duration (ACD) is the average length of time a call lasts, used to measure call activity and efficiency in telecommunications.
AI: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that enables machines to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making. In telecommunications, AI is used for the delivery and analysis of call recordings, providing insights into inbound, outbound, and internal calls.
Alphanumeric: A combination of letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9) used to represent data or identifiers. In telecommunications, alphanumeric sender IDs are commonly used in messaging to display a brand name or custom text as the sender of an SMS, enhancing brand recognition and trust.
Amazon Chime SDK: A set of real-time communications components provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that developers can use to add audio capabilities to their applications.
API: Application Programming Interface; a set of protocols and tools for building software applications, allowing integration with DIDWW services.
API Keys: Unique identifiers used to authenticate requests associated with your DIDWW account, ensuring secure access to the API.
App: Application is a software program designed to perform specific tasks or provide functionality on a device, such as a computer, smartphone, or web platform. In telecommunications, apps often include tools for facilitating communication, such as softphone apps.
ASR: Answer-Seizure Ratio (ASR) is a metric indicating the percentage of successfully answered calls compared to the total call attempts, used to evaluate call quality and network performance.
Asterisk: An open-source framework for building communications applications such as IP PBX systems, VoIP gateways, and conference servers.

B

Batch actions: A functionality that allows users to perform multiple operations or updates simultaneously on a set of items, such as DIDs, configurations, or routing settings. Batch actions streamline workflows by reducing the time and effort required for repetitive tasks, enabling efficient management of large-scale telecommunications resources.
BGP Anycast: A routing technique in which multiple servers share the same IP address, and incoming traffic is routed to the nearest or best-performing server based on the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP).
Billing: The process of invoicing and charging customers for services provided, including tracking usage and payments.
Billing Cycles: The regular intervals at which service usage is measured and invoices are generated. Each cycle defines the period covered for charges and payments.
Blocklist: A list of phone numbers that are explicitly blocked from accessing or interacting with a service. In telecommunications, blocklists are commonly used to prevent unwanted calls.
Bulk Messaging: The process of sending a large volume of messages simultaneously to multiple recipients, commonly used for marketing campaigns and notifications.
BYOC: Bring Your Own Carrier; a service model allowing businesses to use their own preferred carrier with third-party communication platforms.

C

Call Events: DIDWW Events API enables customers to receive realtime Call Events and CDRs to customers designated HTTP Endpoint. This web-hook mechanism provides flexibility to develop applications for near real-time call processing, CDR receiving, billing and tracking purposes.
Call Flow: The predefined sequence of actions or routing logic that a telecommunication system follows to handle an incoming or outgoing call. Call flows determine how calls are processed, including steps like IVR interactions, call routing, voicemail handling, and failover mechanisms. Properly designed call flows enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Call Forwarding: The process of redirecting incoming calls from one phone number to another.
Call Logs: Detailed call history, with optional date filters.
Call Queuing: A telephony feature that places incoming calls in a virtual queue when all available agents or endpoints are busy. Callers are typically provided with hold music, estimated wait times, or announcements while waiting for the next available agent. Call queuing is commonly used in customer service environments to manage high call volumes efficiently.
Capacity: The maximum number of simultaneous inbound calls per Direct Inward Dialing (DID) number.
CDR: Call Data Record (CDR) consists of detailed information about a telephone call, including duration, time, and parties involved.
CDR Export: The process of exporting Call Data Records for analysis, reporting, or record-keeping purposes.
CDR Streaming: An Application Programming Interface (API) that provides real-time access to Call Detail Records (CDRs) as calls are processed. This enables efficient tracking, monitoring, and analysis of call data for purposes such as billing, reporting, and operational insights. CDR Streaming APIs are particularly useful in environments requiring near-instantaneous updates on call activity.
CLI: Calling Line Identification; a feature that identifies and displays the telephone numbers of incoming calls.
Cloud Storage: A service that allows users to store, manage, and access data over the internet instead of on local hardware. In telecommunications, cloud storage is often used to archive call recordings.
CNAM IN: Enables the delivery of the caller’s name to the customer’s endpoint set in trunk settings.
CNAM OUT: Assigns a caller’s name to the DID number, which will be displayed for the receiving party during the call, if the destination operator is performing CNAM lookup.
Codec: Short for “coder-decoder” a codec is a device or software that compresses and decompresses digital media, such as audio or video. In telecommunications, codecs are used to encode voice signals for transmission over IP networks and to decode them at the destination. Common voice codecs include G.711, G.729, and Opus, each balancing factors like bandwidth usage and audio quality.
Concurrent Calls: The number of simultaneous active calls that can be handled by a telecommunication system or service at any given time. Concurrent call capacity is a critical metric for systems like SIP trunks, PBXs, or VoIP platforms and is influenced by factors such as bandwidth, licensing, and system configuration.
Configuration Profiles: Predefined settings that allow for the easy distribution and configuration of multiple DID numbers requiring the same settings.
CPC: Calling Party Category is a parameter in telecommunications signaling that identifies the type or classification of the calling party. CPC information is used to influence call treatment, such as prioritizing emergency calls or routing calls based on their origin. Examples of CPC values include “ordinary subscriber,” “payphone,” or “emergency services.”
Credentials: Authentication information, such as usernames, passwords, API keys, or tokens, used to verify a user’s identity and grant secure access to systems, services, or applications. In telecommunications, credentials are critical for accessing services like SIP trunks, APIs, and user portals.
CRM: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a system used by businesses to manage interactions and relationships with current and potential customers.

D

DID: Direct Inward Dialing; a local telephone number in a selected country or city, also known as DDI in Europe or a virtual number.
Digest Authentication: A security protocol used in telecommunications and web applications to verify a user’s identity by exchanging hashed credentials instead of transmitting plain-text passwords. In SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) systems, digest authentication ensures secure communication by requiring the client to provide a hashed response to a server’s challenge, using shared credentials and a nonce value.
DTMF: Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) is a signaling system used in telecommunication to send digits or commands via distinct tone pairs, commonly used for dialing and interactive voice response systems.

E

E.164: E.164 is an international phone number format ensuring global uniqueness, consisting of a + prefix, country code, area code, and subscriber number (e.g., +1 212 555 1234).
Emergency Calling: The ability to make calls to emergency services, such as 911 in the United States or 112 in many European countries.
Endpoint: A device or application that serves as a termination point for communication in a network. In telecommunications, endpoints can include SIP phones, softphones, or any other devices capable of sending or receiving voice over a network. Endpoints are integral to establishing and managing VoIP or other communication sessions.
Environments: The various settings and URLs used to access different stages of the DIDWW API, such as production, and sandbox environments.
ESME: External Short Messaging Entity (ESME) is an external application that connects to an SMSC to send and receive SMS messages.
Extension: A short, internal number assigned to an individual user, device, or department within a private telephony system, such as a PBX. Extensions enable users to make internal calls within the organization without dialing a full phone number and can also be used in conjunction with external numbers for direct routing.

F

Failover: A redundancy mechanism that automatically reroutes calls or services to a predefined backup destination when the primary endpoint or route becomes unavailable. Failover ensures service continuity and minimizes downtime in telecommunications systems, making it a critical feature for reliable call handling.
FAX: The telephonic transmission of scanned-in printed material (text or images), usually to a telephone number associated with a printer or other output device.
FOC date: Indicates the date your previous carrier is expected to finalize porting your phone number(s), enabling them for use with your new carrier.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a server over the internet or a private network. In telecommunications, FTP is commonly employed for exchanging configuration files, logs, or reports between systems.

G

Geographical Number: A local number belonging to a particular area or city within a country.

H

Host: A server, device, or system that provides services or resources to other devices or users in a network. In telecommunications, a host often refers to the system managing SIP endpoints, PBX services, or API endpoints.
Hosted PBX: A cloud-based Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system managed by a service provider, reducing the need for on-premises hardware.

I

Identities: Verified information associated with a user or entity, used for authentication and authorization purposes.
Integrations: The process of connecting DIDWW services with third-party applications or platforms to enhance functionality.
Interlink: A feature that allows separate instances of phone.systems™ to be simply and securely interconnected, enabling remote offices and users to behave as a single telephone network.
Internal Numbers: Phone numbers used within an organization’s private telephony system, such as a PBX, to facilitate communication between employees or departments without requiring external dialing. Internal numbers are often shorter than public phone numbers and are not accessible from outside the organization.
IOT: Internet of Things (IOT) is a network of interconnected physical devices, sensors, and software that communicate and exchange data over the internet without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction.
IP-based Authentication: A security mechanism that allows access to a service or system based on the originating IP address. In telecommunications, IP-based authentication is commonly used for SIP trunking and VoIP services to validate incoming requests from trusted IP addresses, eliminating the need for username and password credentials.
IPSec VPN: Internet Protocol Security Virtual Private Network is a secure communication method that uses the IPSec protocol suite to encrypt and authenticate data transmitted over a virtual private network (VPN). IPSec VPNs are commonly used in telecommunications to establish secure connections between endpoints, ensuring confidentiality, data integrity, and protection against unauthorized access.
ISP: Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company or organization that provides access to the internet for individuals, businesses, and other entities. ISPs offer various services, including broadband, fiber-optic, DSL, and wireless internet connections, as well as ancillary services like email hosting and domain registration.
IVR: Interactive Voice Response; an automated telephony system that interacts with callers through voice prompts and keypad inputs.
IXP: Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is a physical infrastructure that enables different internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), and other network operators to exchange traffic between their networks. IXPs improve internet performance by reducing latency and bandwidth costs through direct interconnection.

L

Latency: The time delay between the initiation of a communication signal and its reception at the destination. In telecommunications, latency is a critical metric for assessing the performance of voice and data networks, as excessive latency can degrade call quality and user experience. Low latency is particularly important for real-time services such as VoIP conferencing.
LNP: Local Number Portability; the ability to transfer a phone number from one service provider to another.
LOA: A document granting permission to port phone numbers from one carrier to another, required by DIDWW to process number transfers.
Load Balancing: A method of distributing network traffic or service requests across multiple servers, endpoints, or routes to ensure efficient resource utilization, reduce latency, and prevent system overload. In telecommunications, load balancing improves the reliability and performance of services such as VoIP, messaging, and API operations by managing traffic dynamically based on demand.
Local Routes: Telecommunication routes that prioritize local carriers or networks for terminating calls, typically within the same geographic region or country as the destination number. Local routes are often used to improve call quality, reduce latency, and minimize costs by leveraging infrastructure close to the call’s endpoint.
LOI: is a document that outlines the preliminary understanding between parties intending to enter into a formal agreement.
Long-code: A standard 10-digit phone number used for person-to-person (P2P) and application-to-person (A2P) messaging or voice communication. Long codes are commonly used for two-way communication, such as customer service, notifications, and marketing, and are ideal for lower-volume messaging due to regulatory and throughput limitations.
Lost Calls: Calls that were initiated but not successfully connected.

M

Messaging Platform: The DIDWW Messaging Platform enables users to send mass messages through multiple channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, and email, directly from the DIDWW user interface. This platform provides a streamlined, efficient way to reach your audience across various communication mediums.
Metered Number: A Direct Inward Dialing (DID) number charged per minute.
Microsoft Teams Direct Routing: A feature that allows the integration of external telephony services with Microsoft Teams, enabling users to make and receive calls.
MMC: Minimum Monthly Commitment (MMC) refers to the amount that needs to be deposited every month to qualify for particular pricing.
MO: MO (Mobile-Originated) messages sent from a mobile device to a server or another mobile.
Mobile Number: A number from the mobile numbering plan, which differs by country.
MRC: Monthly Recurring Cost; an ongoing monthly fee applied for service renewal.
MT: MT (Mobile-Terminated) messages sent to a mobile device, such as notifications or alerts.

N

National Number: A telephone number not restricted to a particular city or area within a country, also known as a nomadic number.
NPA: Numbering Plan Area (NPA), commonly known as the area code, the NPA is a three-digit code that designates a specific geographic region within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It is the first part of a 10-digit telephone number and is used to route calls to the appropriate region.
NRC: Non-Recurring Cost; a one-time setup fee applied for service activation.
NXX: Exchange Code (NXX) is a three-digit code that follows the NPA (area code) in a phone number and identifies a specific telephone exchange or central office within the area code. It plays a crucial role in routing calls within the NANP.

O

Omnichannel: A platform that integrates multiple communication channels like SMS, whatsapp, and email.
Opt-out: The process by which a recipient declines or unsubscribes from receiving further communications, such as SMS, email, or calls.
Order: A purchase or renewal of any service.
OS: The software that manages hardware and software resources on a device, providing a foundation for applications to run. Common operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In telecommunications, the OS is critical for managing applications such as softphones, PBX systems, and communication tools.

P

P2P Messaging: Person-to-Person Short Message Service; the exchange of SMS between individuals.
Payment: A transaction made by credit card, wire transfer, or PayPal.
Payphone: A public telephone, typically coin or card-operated, that allows users to make calls without requiring a personal telephone line or mobile device.
PBX: Private Branch Exchange (PBX) is a private telephone system used within organizations to manage calls internally and externally, enabling features like call routing, voicemail, and conferencing.
phone.systems™: The phone.systems™ PBX offers a user-friendly, cloud-based PBX with drag-and-drop setup. This guide covers everything from system basics to advanced settings, helping you manage users, call flows, analytics, and more. Start with the introduction and explore specific sections as needed for full system optimization.
POP: Point of Presence (POP) refers to a physical or virtual location where DIDWW physically connects to the internet or another network.
Prefix: A numerical code at the beginning of a phone number that identifies a specific geographic region, service provider, or type of service. In telecommunications, prefixes are used for call routing, billing, and determining the destination of a call. For example, in international dialing, country codes serve as prefixes to indicate the destination country.
Prepaid Balance: A certain amount of money on the customer’s account used to pay for services.
PSAP: Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is a facility responsible for receiving and processing emergency calls, such as those made to 911 in the United States or 112 in Europe. PSAPs route calls to the appropriate emergency services, such as police, fire, or medical responders. In telecommunications, ensuring accurate call routing and location information to PSAPs is critical for effective emergency response.
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network; traditional phone lines, both fixed and mobile.

Q

QoS: Quality of Service (QoS) is a set of technologies and policies used to prioritize and manage network traffic to ensure optimal performance for critical applications, such as voice services. In telecommunications, QoS is essential for maintaining call quality, minimizing latency, and preventing packet loss in VoIP and other real-time communications.

R

Rate Limits: Restrictions placed on the number of API requests a user can make within a given time period to ensure fair usage and prevent abuse.
Ring Group: A feature in telephony systems that allows multiple phone lines or extensions to ring simultaneously or in a specific sequence when a single number is called. Ring groups are commonly used to ensure that calls are answered promptly by routing them to a team or department, such as customer support or sales.
RTP: Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is a standardized network protocol used for delivering audio, and other types of real-time data over IP networks.
RUN: Routing User Number (RUN) is a unique identifier used in telecommunications to facilitate the routing of calls, often within private or specialized networks. The RUN ensures that calls are directed to the correct endpoint without relying solely on traditional numbering systems.
RUT: Routing Universal Table (RUT) is a centralized table or database used in telecommunications to manage and determine the routing of calls and messages. The RUT simplifies call handling by storing routing information, including destination numbers, carriers, and priority rules.

S

SAP: Services Aging Pool; refers to DID numbers that are expired or removed and no longer active but can be restored to a customer’s account.
SBC: A network device that manages and secures VoIP communications, controlling signaling and media streams.
SFTP: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure protocol for transferring files over a network, leveraging SSH (Secure Shell) to encrypt data during transmission. SFTP ensures confidentiality and integrity, making it a preferred choice for transferring sensitive files such as configuration data, logs, or reports in telecommunications and other industries.
Shared Cost Number: A number that enables sharing call costs between the caller and the number owner.
Short Code: A short, numeric code used for sending and receiving SMS messages, typically for marketing or alerts.
SID: Sender ID (SID) is an identifier that represents the sender of an SMS message. SIDs can be alphanumeric, displaying a brand or company name, or numeric, such as a long code or short code. In telecommunications, the Sender ID is used to establish the identity of the sender and enhance trust and recognition among message recipients. The availability and formatting of Sender IDs may vary by country due to local regulations.
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used in telecommunications to establish, manage, and terminate real-time communication sessions.
SIP Account: An account that allows a device or application to register with a SIP server to make and receive VoIP calls.
SIP Trunk: A service that allows businesses to connect their private branch exchange (PBX) to the internet, enabling voice over IP (VoIP) calls.
SKU: Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is a unique identifier for each distinct product or service that can be purchased.
SLA: Service Level Agreement; a contract between DIDWW and the customer, stipulating and committing to a certain level of service.
SMPP: Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) is a protocol used by the telecommunications industry for exchanging SMS messages between Short Message Service Centers (SMSC) and/or External Short Messaging Entities (ESME).
SMS: Short Message Service; a text messaging service component of most telephone, internet, and mobile device systems.
SMSC: Short Message Service Center (SMSC) is a network element in the mobile telephone network which delivers SMS messages.
Softphone: A software-based phone that allows users to make calls over the internet using a computer or mobile device.
SRTP: Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol (SRTP) is an extension of RTP that provides encryption, authentication, and integrity for securing real-time voice communications.
SSL: A cryptographic protocol designed to secure communication over the internet by encrypting data transmitted between a client and a server.
STIR/SHAKEN: A framework used in the telecommunications industry to combat robocalls and caller ID spoofing by verifying call authenticity.
Switch: A device that connects calls by routing voice or data traffic between endpoints within a network.

T

TCP: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is a reliable, connection-oriented transport protocol that ensures data delivery in the correct order.
TDM: Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting multiple signals over a single communication channel by dividing the signal into multiple time slots. TDM is widely used in telecommunications for voice and data transmission, particularly in traditional circuit-switched networks like the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Third-Party: An external entity, organization, or service provider that is not directly affiliated with DIDWW but interacts with its systems or services. In telecommunications, third-party providers may supply software, integrations, or services such as carriers, and analytics platforms, extending the capabilities DIDWW.
Threshold Amount: Identifies a certain amount of money in the prepaid balance which triggers automatic refill.
Time Schedule: A predefined configuration that controls the activation or routing of telecommunication services based on specific time periods. Time schedules are often used in call routing to direct calls to different destinations during business hours, after hours, or holidays, ensuring efficient handling of calls based on organizational needs.
TLS: Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a cryptographic protocol that secures data transmission over networks by encrypting and authenticating communication channels.
Toll-Free Number: A phone number that allows callers to reach businesses or individuals without incurring charges for the call.
Trunk: Defines the connection between a DID and its call destination.
Trunk Group: Trunk Group is a logical grouping of multiple trunks.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security mechanism that enhances account protection by requiring users to verify their identity using two distinct authentication methods. It adds an extra layer of security beyond just a username and password, making unauthorized access significantly more difficult.

U

UCaaS: Unified Communications as a Service; a cloud-based delivery model for communication and collaboration tools such as voice and messaging.
UDP: User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is a lightweight, connectionless transport protocol used for fast data transmission without guaranteeing delivery, commonly employed in real-time applications like VoIP.
UI: User Interface (UI) is the visual and interactive elements of a software application or system that allow users to interact with and control the service. In telecommunications, the UI typically refers to dashboards, control panels, or mobile app interfaces that enable users to manage features such as call routing, messaging, and account settings.
UIFN: Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN) is a global toll-free telephone number that allows callers from multiple countries to reach a business or organization without incurring any charges for the call.

V

VAT: Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax applied to goods and services at each stage of production or distribution, typically levied by governments. In telecommunications, VAT is often added to invoices for services provided, depending on the customer’s location and applicable tax regulations.
Voicemail: A system that records and stores audio messages from callers for later retrieval.
VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol; a technology that allows voice communication over the internet instead of traditional phone lines.

W

WebRTC: Web Real-Time Communication is an open-source technology enabling real-time calls between web browsers or applications without additional plugins.