Jargon buster

Third generation (3G) is the technology that enables high-speed data transfer. Data can be transmitted up to 50 times faster per minute compared with non-3G data speeds.

Fourth generation (4G) technology allows ultra-high-speed data transfer. In optimal conditions, 4G can enable data to be transmitted 10 times faster than via 3G.

Fifth generation (5G) is the latest technology in mobile data and is set to bring even faster data transmission up to 100 times faster than 4G meaning streaming and downloads will take a fraction of the time. 5G has already arrived in some parts of the world and is set to begin rolling out in the UK from late 2019.

see Auto Attendant

The action of permitting or denying admittance, e.g. a facial recognition camera or ID card reader terminal placed at the entrance of a building for security reasons. See also Flow Management and Density Control.

see Automatic Call Distribution

see Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

see Artificial Intelligence

An analogue device is anything that can be plugged into an ordinary analogue line, for example a telephone, fax machine, modem or franking machine.

An analogue line is a single copper cable run into a building by the line provider. Analogue lines were used for both voice and data before ADSL was available but they are now typically used for analogue devices as well as broadband connections, alarms and lifts.

Android is the mobile operating system for smartphones and tablets developed by Google. The latest release is called “Pie”.

Annex M is a feature available on ADSL connections which provides an increase in upload speed in exchange for some of the download bandwidth.