Industry Glossary

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is an international collaboration between various telecommunications standards organisations to create internationally recognised technical specifications and standards for mobile networks. 3GPP covers technologies such as GSM, UMTS (3G), LTE (4G) and 5G. 3GPP specifications ensure interoperability and global consistency across mobile networks, enabling seamless service delivery for users worldwide.

The fifth generation of mobile network technology, designed to deliver faster data speeds, lower latency and greater capacity compared with its predecessor, 4G / LTE. 5G networks support a wide range of applications, from enhanced mobile broadband and ultra-reliable low-latency communications to massive machine-type communications, making it foundational for future technologies like autonomous vehicles, smart cities and advanced IoT ecosystems.

A service provider other than the incumbent or traditional telecom providers. Altnets often focus on providing an alternative to broadband and internet services provided by major operators, often targeting underserved or niche markets. These networks can be fibre optic, wireless or hybrid, and play a crucial role in increasing competition and expanding connectivity.

The practice of selecting and integrating the best available solutions or products from different vendors for each specific function or service. Instead of relying on a single vendor's end-to-end solution, CSPs might choose the most advanced or suitable components from multiple vendors to build their network infrastructure, customer service platforms or other systems. This approach provides the flexibility to mix-and-match specialist systems but requires more complex integration and management than best-of-suite solutions.

The use of a decentralised, distributed digital ledger to record transactions across a network of computers, enhancing transparency, security and efficiency. Blockchain can secure and automate processes such as identity verification, fraud prevention, roaming agreements and billing. Blockchain maintains a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. It serves as the underlying technology for many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. Using blockchain, CSPs can reduce operational costs, improve trust among partners, and provide more secure and transparent services to customers.

Business Support Systems, a set of software applications and tools used by CSPs to manage their business operations. These systems help companies handle various customer-facing functions and streamline their business processes, including sales, order management, charging, billing and customer relationship management.

The delivery of BSS and OSS through a service-oriented, subscription-based model, allowing telcos access to their respective functionalities without having to own, maintain or manage the underlying infrastructure. BSS/OSS-as-a-Service helps CSPs to reduce upfront investments (CAPEX) and operational complexities.

The Charging Function is a component within the 5G core network architecture responsible for managing real-time / convergent charging processes. The CHF collects usage data, applies relevant charging rules and ensures that users are charged accurately for their service consumption. It interacts with other network functions to support complex charging scenarios, enabling CSPs to offer flexible pricing schemes and real-time balance management.

The design, development and deployment of applications and services specifically for cloud environments. Cloud-native applications take full advantage of the scalability, flexibility and resilience of the cloud. Cloud-native approaches are used to develop network functions, business applications and services that can be rapidly deployed, easily updated, and efficiently managed in a cloud environment, often using microservices, containers and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

The cloud neutral approach supports public cloud, private cloud and on-premises delivery, but without being tied to any one specific platform provider.

A design approach where system components are modular, flexible, and can be easily assembled, reconfigured or replaced, enabling telcos to adapt quickly to changing business needs and technological advancements. Services can be developed, deployed and scaled more efficiently, helping telcos innovate faster, reduce costs and improve service agility.

The practice of packaging and deploying software applications and their dependencies in isolated environments, known as containers. These containers are lightweight, consistent and portable across different computing environments, making them ideal for deploying applications in cloud-native environments.

A unified charging system for all service types, payment methods, customer segments and business models, as specified by 3GPP standards. CCS provides a consolidated view of a customer’s usage across different services, including online (real-time) charging, offline charging, balance management and the application of consistent policies. This approach helps CSPs to offer bundled services, implement flexible pricing models and enhance customer experience through real-time service controls.

Customer Relationship Management, the strategies, tools and technologies used by service providers to manage interactions with their customers throughout the customer lifecycle. CRM systems track customer data, manage service requests, handle complaints, personalise offerings and improve customer support. By leveraging CRM solutions, CSPs can enhance customer satisfaction, improve retention, increase revenue through targeted marketing, and gain insights into customer behaviour and preferences.

A business partner or intermediary that sells telecom products and services on behalf of a CSP. Dealers operate under a contractual agreement with the CSP, allowing them to resell services such as mobile plans, internet packages, hardware (phones, routers) and enterprise solutions. Dealers play a crucial role in aiding the expansion of a CSP's reach, particularly in markets or regions where they may not have a major presence. Dealers are compensated through commissions, margins on sales, or other incentives based on the volume of business they generate.

Diameter is a protocol used primarily for the authentication, authorisation and accounting (AAA) of services in IP-based networks. It serves as the successor to the older RADIUS protocol, and is used extensively in 3G, 4G and 5G networks. Diameter facilitates secure and reliable communication between different network elements, such as policy servers and gateways, ensuring that users are correctly authenticated and authorised for services, and then charged accurately for their usage.

Digital engagement refers to the ways in which CSPs interact with their customers through digital channels. This includes via web portals, mobile apps, social media, chatbots and other online platforms. Digital engagement encompasses activities such as personalised marketing, customer support, self-service options and social media interactions. The goal is to enhance customer experience by providing convenient, efficient and personalised services that meet customers' needs in real-time.

Embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without the need for a physical SIM card. An eSIM is embedded directly into the device and can be remotely provisioned by a carrier. This technology simplifies switching between carriers and is particularly useful in devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and IoT equipment where space is at a premium.

The enhanced Telecom Operations Map (now known as the Business Process Framework), describes the key business processes required to run an efficient digital business. Developed by TM Forum, it provides a comprehensive, standardised model that CSPs can use to design and manage their operations, including service development, customer management and network operations. eTOM helps CSPs to streamline processes, improve efficiency and ensure consistency across different parts of the organisation, ultimately leading to better service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Generative AI models are capable of creating new content, insights or solutions based on the data they are trained on. Popularised by the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in 2022, GenAI can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating personalised customer interactions, predicting network issues, automating service design or generating marketing content. GenAI helps CSPs to innovate faster, improve customer experiences and optimise operations by leveraging AI-driven automation and insights.

Global System for Mobile Communications (originally Groupe Spécial Mobile), a standard developed initially to describe the protocols for second-generation (2G) mobile networks. GSM was developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) in the late 1980s. It was originally intended for use in Europe but has since become the most widely adopted mobile network standard globally, used in over 200 countries.

The GSM Association, a non-profit industry organisation, founded in 1995, that represents the interests of mobile network operators worldwide. Originally founded to support the implementation and promotion of the GSM standard, the GSMA now supports over 750 mobile operators and a further 400 companies in the mobile ecosystem through industry programmes, working groups and industry advocacy initiatives.

The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a unique number associated with all GSM networks, used to identify the subscriber. Every user of a mobile network is assigned a 15-digit IMSI number, stored on the SIM card and used by the network to identify and authenticate the user. The IMSI is not the same as the phone number and is normally encrypted to protect user privacy.

Internet of Things refers to the network of physical devices, vehicles, appliances and other objects embedded with sensors, software and connectivity that enable them to collect and exchange data. In telecoms, IoT relies on network infrastructure to transmit data between devices and systems, enabling applications such as smart homes, industrial automation and connected healthcare.

The time delay, typically measured in milliseconds, between the initiation of an action and the occurrence of its effect, particularly in the context of data transmission and processing over computer networks. Factors affecting latency include the physical distance between sender and receiver, network congestion, size of the data package and type of connection.

Two approaches to software development that enable users to create applications with minimal or no coding required, reducing the need for extensive IT resources. Low-code platforms offer visual interfaces with drag-and-drop components, allowing developers to build complex applications quickly with a minimal amount of coding. No-code platforms are even more user-friendly, enabling non-technical users to develop applications entirely through graphical interfaces without any coding. These platforms often include pre-built templates, drag-and-drop tools and automated workflows that allow users to build functional apps without programming knowledge.

The practice of outsourcing certain network operations, IT services or business processes to a third-party provider. Managed services allow CSPs to focus on their core competencies while the managed service provider (MSP) handles tasks such as network monitoring, security management, BSS/OSS operations and infrastructure maintenance. Managed services can help CSPs reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure high levels of service availability by leveraging the expertise and resources of specialised providers.

An architectural approach where applications are built as a collection of small, independent services that communicate with each other through APIs. Each microservice is focused on a specific business function and can be developed, deployed and scaled independently. In the telecom industry, microservices allow for greater agility, scalability and resilience in managing network functions, enabling quicker deployment of new features and services while reducing the risk of system-wide failures.

Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number, a unique number used to identify the subscriber in a telecommunications network. It is the mobile number that a subscriber uses to make and receive calls and text messages, and it includes the country code, national destination code (area code), and the subscriber's unique number. The MSISDN is associated with a specific SIM card and is a critical component in the routing of calls and messages within and between telecom networks.

A Mobile Virtual Network Enabler is a company that provides the infrastructure and services necessary for an MVNO to operate without owning its own network. The MVNE manages the technical aspects such as network access, charging, service provisioning and customer relationship management on behalf of the MVNO. By partnering with an MVNE, an MVNO can focus on branding, marketing and customer acquisition, while the MVNE handles the backend operations, allowing the MVNO to launch and scale services more rapidly and cost-effectively.

A Mobile Virtual Network Operator is a wireless service provider that does not own the physical infrastructure of a mobile network but instead leases access to the network from traditional network operators. MVNOs offer their own branded services to customers, often targeting niche markets or offering competitive pricing, while relying on the infrastructure of larger carriers.

The Network Charging Function (Nchf) is a service-based (REST) interface to the Charging Function (CHF) used in 5G networks.

Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) is a network architecture concept that decouples network functions from proprietary hardware and runs them as software on standard servers. This approach allows CSPs to reduce costs, increase flexibility and rapidly deploy new services by virtualising network functions such as firewalls, load balancers and routers.

An Online Charging System (OCS) manages the real-time charging of services for subscribers. It plays a crucial role in both prepaid and postpaid scenarios, ensuring that usage is accurately accounted for and billed. OCS manages charging for various services such as voice calls, SMS, data usage and multimedia services. It monitors usage in real-time and deducts the appropriate amount from a prepaid balance or tracks charges for postpaid accounts, enforcing limits, applying discounts or triggering notifications when balances are low. OCS has been superseded by CCS in the latest 3GPP releases.

Open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are publicly available, standardised interfaces that allow different software applications to communicate with each other. TM Forum Open APIs are standard APIs for the telecoms industry which enable CSPs to integrate their systems with third-party applications, services and platforms in a seamless and flexible manner. This fosters innovation, as developers can create new services, applications, or enhancements by leveraging the functionality of existing BSS/OSS systems. TM Forum Open APIs are crucial for interoperability, allowing CSPs to expand their service offerings and improve customer experiences through easier integration with partners and technologies.

Open Digital Architecture (ODA) is an industry-standard framework developed by TM Forum to help CSPs transition from traditional, monolithic IT systems to more agile, modular and cloud-native architectures. ODA is designed to enable the rapid development, deployment and scaling of digital services by breaking down complex systems into smaller, reusable components. These components can be easily integrated and orchestrated through Open APIs. The ODA approach helps CSPs reduce costs, accelerate innovation and improve their ability to respond to market changes and customer demands.

Operations Support Systems, complementary to Business Support Systems (BSS), focus on the network-facing aspects of CSP operations. OSS deals with the back-end technical and network-related functions, including network inventory, service assurance and fault management.

A pre-integrated suite refers to a set of software applications or systems that have been designed, developed and tested to work together seamlessly out-of-the-box. This means that the components within the suite are already integrated, reducing the need for extensive custom integration efforts during deployment. In the telecoms industry, pre-integrated BSS/OSS suites often include various functions such as product catalogue, billing, charging, CRM, service fulfilment and self-service. Using a pre-integrated suite helps CSPs reduce implementation time, lower costs and minimise the risks associated with integrating multiple systems from different vendors.

Refers to the process of calculating a customer's charges based on the exact duration of service usage within a billing cycle. This typically occurs when a customer starts or changes a service plan partway through a billing period. Instead of charging the full monthly rate, the CSP calculates the charge proportionally, based on the number of days the service was used. Prorating ensures that customers are billed fairly for their services, whether they are subscribing to new services, upgrading, downgrading or cancelling services within the billing cycle.

Public Switched Telephone Network, the traditional circuit-switched copper network used for telephone communication. PSTNs are being phased out globally, replaced by modern fibre-based networks providing high-speed broadband and Voice over IP services.

Radio Access Network, the part of a mobile telecommunications system that connects individual devices like smartphones to the core network via radio signals. The RAN includes base stations, antennas and other radio equipment. With the evolution to 5G, the RAN is becoming more advanced, with technologies like Massive MIMO and beamforming improving coverage and capacity.

The accounting principle that dictates when and how revenue should be recorded in the financial statements of a company. In the telecom industry, revenue is typically recognised when a service is provided, and the company has fulfilled its contractual obligations. This can include services like mobile subscriptions, data plans and additional services such as roaming or device sales. Proper revenue recognition is crucial for ensuring that financial statements accurately reflect a company's performance and comply with regulatory standards.

Software-as-a-Service, a model for software delivery in which applications are hosted by a service provider and made available to customers on a subscription basis. SaaS applications in the telecoms industry can include CRM systems, billing platforms, analytics tools, and more. This model offers scalability, flexibility, and cost savings, as it reduces the need for on-premise infrastructure and ongoing maintenance.

Software-Defined Networking is an approach that uses software to manage and control network resources dynamically, rather than relying on traditional hardware-based controls. SDN allows for more efficient and flexible network management, enabling providers to optimise traffic, improve network performance and quickly adapt to changing demands.

Shared Information/Data Model (now known as the Information Framework) is a standard developed by TM Forum that defines a common data model for use across telecommunications services and systems. It provides a unified way to represent and manage data across various business and operational domains within a telecom company. The SID helps CSPs to streamline data integration, improve interoperability between systems, and enhance overall efficiency by providing a consistent and reusable data structure.

An urban area that uses various electronic methods, sensors and data analytics to improve the efficiency of services, reduce resource consumption and enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants. Telecom networks are crucial in smart cities, providing the connectivity needed for IoT devices, data collection and real-time communication between systems such as traffic management, energy grids and public services. Greenfield smart cities are entirely new urban developments built from the ground up with smart technology integrated into their design and infrastructure from the outset, while brownfield smart cities are cities that are retrofitted or upgraded with smart technologies and infrastructure.

The range of electromagnetic frequencies allocated for wireless communication. Spectrum is divided into bands, each suited for different types of communication, such as cellular networks, radio, television broadcasts and satellite communications. Efficient management of the spectrum is essential for mobile networks to ensure high-quality service and support the growing demand for wireless data.

Formerly the TeleManagement Forum, TM Forum is a global industry association focused on driving digital transformation and innovation within the telecoms sector. It provides a collaborative environment where CSPs, technology providers and industry experts can develop shared standards, initiatives and best practices to help improve CSP operations and adapt to changing market conditions. This includes standards such as the Business Process Framework (eTOM), Information Framework (SID) and Open Digital Architecture (ODA).

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows voice calls to be made over a data network instead of using a traditional telephone line.