Telecom Terms
Central Office
The site that contains the local telephone company's equipment that routes calls to and from customers. This site also contains equipment that connects customers to long distance services and internet service providers.
Centrex Service
A service offered by Bell Operating Companies that provides functions and features comparable to those provided by a PBX or a PABX. Note- “Centrex ® C.O.” indicates that all equipment except the attendant’s position and station equipment is located in the central office. “Centrex ® C.U.” indicates that all equipment, including the dial switching equipment, is located on the customer’s premises.
CLEC - (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier)
Provider of local exchange service in competition with the BOCs and other local exchange carriers.
ex. TW Telecom, One Communications, First Communications.
Collocation
The placement of competitors' equipment on telco premises so that they may interconnect directly (and cheaply) with the local telephone exchange.
Common Carrier
A government-regulated private company offering telecommunications services or communications facilities to the general public on a non-discriminatory basis under operating rules mandated by the appropriate state and/or federal regulatory authority.
Convergence
The merging of different technologies such as telephony, computers and cable.
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