VoIP glossary - A
The HipTel VoIP dictionary (VoIP glossary) was created to help our users understand common VoIP terminology. Use the search feature to look up VoIP terms, or look up terms alphabetically. Have a question, still unsure what something means? Feel free to
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Analog - A continuous signal of information represented by slight changes in amplitude. Generally representing physical variables such as resistance, voltage, current, etc.
Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) - An ATA takes the current analog signal your phone provides, converts it into a digital signal and vice versa. An ATA can be used to convert just one phone to a digital phone or to convert an entire house's phone jacks into a digital phone system.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) - Converts your already existing telephone wires into a high speed data path for data and media communications. ADSL uses a DSL modem to connect to the Central Office. A single ADSL line can transmit data at a rate of up to 6 Mbps, however actual speed of the line may vary depending on physical distance from the Central Office.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) - Is part of an international cell relay standard that specifies cells to a fixed length of 53-bytes. Having fixed-length cells reduces delays in transit by permitting cell processing in the hardware directly. This is used for video, voice, data and more.
