VoIP glossary - D
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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Data — In the telecommunications sense, data is any information being passed over communication lines. Including voice and computer data.
Digital Phone — Is the process of transferring voice data over the public Internet. Digital phone is a more efficient, low cost way of communicating with others. Over the next few years, analysts predict that the digital phone market will increase exponentially. There are a variety of different industry terms for digital phone, such as: VoIP, Internet Telephony, Broadband Telephony, IP Telephony, Broadband Phone, etc.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) — DSL is a form of high speed Internet. It uses your already existent telephone wires and converts them for high-speed data transfer. Like other high speed Internet services DSL requires a DSL modem. DSL speed ranges from 128 kbps to 24,000 kbps, however speed is often determined by the distance from the Central Office; the closer in proximity to the Central Office, the faster the Internet connection. DSL originally stood for Digital Subscriber Loop but over time has adopted the new name of Digital Subscriber Line.
DSL Modem — Used to connect DSL subscribers to the Internet. To the consumer it appears very similar to an analog modem, however the technology used is quite different.
Duplex Communication — Is used to describe the ability to send and receive voice data simultaneously.
DS-1 — Is a type of high speed Internet connection, more commonly referred to as a T1 line. A single DS-1 loop is capable of providing 1.544 MB/sec of bandwidth or 24 simultaneous digitized phone lines. Purchasing an integrated line will provide a handful of phone lines and high-speed Internet access. A DS-1 connection can provide complete phone and Internet access to small and medium sized companies.
DS-3 — Is a type of high-speed Internet connection also commonly known as a T3 line. A single DS-3 loop is the equivalent of 28 T1 lines and capable of providing 672 simultaneous phone lines or 43.232 MB/sec of bandwidth. A single DS-3 connection can provide Internet and phone access for large sized companies and institutions. DS-3 lines can be bought as a fractional, integrated or burstable line.
