Acronyms and Abbreviations in Telecommunications
Updated 6 December 2000
Other lists of acronyms and abbreviations may be found at:
(These are just telecommunication acronyms – about 1700 entries, which tend to be hardware-oriented.)
(18,000 entries, from all areas. It searches for you. I tried some obscure German acronyms, and found them.)
(primarily, but not exclusively, French)
For help in generating web-related phrases, see
I’ve taken out the diacritical marks, since they generate garbage when transmitted over the net.
2B1QTwo Binary One Quaternary
3-GThird-generation mobile standard
3GThird-Generation licences
3G3P3G Patent Platform Partnership
3GPPThird-Generation Partnership Project
3DThird generation mobile systems
4GLFourth Generation Language
A2Go Applications2Go
AAATEAssociation for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe
AACAugmentative and Alternative Communication
ABMAsynchronous Balances Mode (HDLC)
ACCCAustralian Competition and Consumer Commission
ACCESSDevelopment Platform for Unified Access to Enabling Environments (TIDE project)
ACDAutomatic Call Distribution
ACECAdvisory Commission on Electronic Commerce
AceSAsia Cellular Satellite
ACIFAustralian Communications Industry Forum
ACITSAdvisory Committee on Information Technology Standardisation (SOG-IT)
ACMAssociation for Computing Machinery
ACTEApprovals Committee for Terminal Equipment (EC)
ACTSAdvanced Communications Technologies and Services Satellite
ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act
ADLActivities of Daily Living
ADPCMAdaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (Digital compression technique used to process audio on DC-ROM CA and CD-I.)
ADSLAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
AECMAAssociation Europeenne des Constructeurs de Materiel Aerospatial
AERAssociation for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
AESAdvanced Encryption Standard
AFBAmerican Foundation for the Blind
AFIMl'Association Francaise d'Internet Mobiles
AFNORAssociation Francaise pour la NORmalisation
AHCIETAsociacion Hispanoamericana de Centros de Investigacion y Empresas de Telecomunicaciones
AIMAdvanced Informatics for Medicine (DG XIII)
ALDICTAccess of Persons with Learning Disabilities to Information and Communication Technologies
ALECAlternate Local Exchange Carrier
AMPSAdvanced Mobile Phone System
ANIAutomatic Number Identification (ISDN)
ANSIAmerican National Standards Institute
APApplication Program
APCNAsia Pacific Cable Network
APDUApplication Protocol Data Unit
APNAccess Point Name
APNGAsia-Pacific Networking Group
APPSNApplication Pilot for People with Special Needs (RACE project)
APRSAutomatic Packet Reporting System
ARCSAstra Return Channel System
ARINAmerican Registry for Internet Numbers
ARLAkamai Resource Locator
ARMAsynchronous Response Mode (HDLC)
ARPANETAdvanced Research Projects Agency NET
ARTAutorite de Regulation des Telecommunications
ASCIIAmerican Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASDLAssymetric Digital Subscriber Line
ASIAlternate Space Inversion
ASICApplication Specific Integrated Circuit
ASLAmerican Sign Language
ASNAInternet Assigned Numbers Authority
ASOAddress Supporting Organization
ASPAdvanced Speech Processor; Applications Service Provider
ASPICApplication Service Provider Industry Consortium
ASRAutomatic Speech Recognition
ASPApplication Service Provider
ATAssistive Technology
ATDMAsynchronous Time Division Multiplexing
ATMAsynchronous Transfer Mode or Automatic Teller Machine
ATRAdvanced Telecommunications Research (Institute)
ATRCAdaptive Technology Research Center
ATTTAfrican Telecommunicatiions Think Tank
ATUGAustralian Telecommunications Users Group
AUDETELAudio Description of Television for the Visually Disabled and Elderly (TIDE project)
AURORAProject to develop safety equipment systems for disabled and elderly persons (TIDE project)
AVLAcailable
AVMAudio Visual Management
B2Bredbandsbolaget AB
B2BBusiness-to-Business
B2CBusiness to Consumer
BABTBritish Approvals Board for Telecommunications
BAICBarring of All Incoming Calls
BAOCBarring of All Outgoing Cells
BAPBandwidth Allocation Protocol
BAPTBundesamt für Post und Telekommunikation
BBSBulletin Board System
BCAPBandwidth Allocation Control Protocol
BCDBinary Coded Decimal
BDTTelecommunication Development Bureau of the ITU
B-ICIBroadband Intercarrier Interface (ATM)
BIOSBasic Input/Output System
BIPTBelgian Institute for Posts and Telecommunications
BISBusiness Intelligence Software
B-ISDNBroadband Integrated Services Digital Network
BLECBuilding (or Basement) Local Exchange Carrier
BLSRBidirectional Line Switched Ring
BMPTBundesamt fuer Post and Telekommunikation
BMSBroadband Management System
BNTGroupe Belge des Normes de Telecommunications
BOTZBuild Operate Transfer
BRIBasic Rate Interface (ISDN)
BRITEBasic Rate Interface Transmission Equipment
BRITE/EURAMBasic Research in Industrial Technologies for Europe/European Research in Advanced Materials
BSCBase Station Controller (Wireless/GSM(
BSCBinary Synchronous Communications (IBM)
BSIBritish Standards Institution
BSICBase Transceiver Station Identity Code
BSSBase Switching System
BTBusiness Telecommunications (as used by ETSI) or British Telecom
BTAMBasic Telecommunications Access Method (SNA)
BTRBritish Telecom Requirement
BTSBase Transceiver Station
BWABroadband Wireless Association
BWLLBroadband Wireless Local Loop
CACertificate Authority
CALEACommunications Assistance for Law Enforcing Agencies
CAMELCustomized Application for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic
CAPSCommunication and Access to information for Persons with Special needs (TIDE project)
CASTCenter for Applied Special Technology
CATVCable Television also Community Antennae Television
CBCitizens Band
CCIRComité Consultatif International des Radiocommunications (ITU-R)
CCITTComite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique
CcTLDCountry-code Top Level Domain
CDCall Deflection; Compact Disc
CDGCDMA Development Organization
CDMACode Division Multiple Access
CDNContent Delivery Network
CDPDCellular Digital Packet Data
CECCommission of the European Communities
CEE Central and Eastern Europe
CENComite Européen de Normalisation
CENELECComite Européen de Normalisation Electronique
CEPTConference of European Postal and Telecommunications Administrations
CFBCall Forward Busy
CFNRCall Forward No Reply
CHTMLcompact HTML
CICCarrier Identification Code
CISCComplex Instruction Set Computer (i.e., can perform multiple operations per instruction)
CIXCommercial Internet eXchange
CLECCompetitive Local Exchange Carrier
CLICalling Line Identity/Identification
CLIPCalling Line Identity Presentation
CLIRCalling Line Identification Restriction
CLPCell Loss Priority (ATM)
CMCCChina Mobile Communications Corporation
CMRCellular Mobile Radio
CNAECustomer Network Access Equipment
CNCChina Netcom Corporation
CNETCentre National d'Etudes des Telecommunications
CNMCustomer Network Management
COLPConnected Line Identification Presentation
COLRConnected Line Identification Restriction
COMCommon Object Model
COMACCommittee On Medicine And Computers (DG XII)
COMESACommon Market for Eastern and Southern African States
COMETTCommunity Programme in Education and Training for Technology
CopernicusCo-operation in Science and Technology with Central and Eastern European Countries
CORBACommon Object Request Broker Architecture
COREConsensus creation and awareness for research and development activities in technology for disabled and elderly people (TIDE project)
Also: Council of Internet Registrars
COSTEuropean Cooperation in the field Of Scientific and Technical research
CPCommunications Protocol
CPECustomer Premises Equipment
CPICCommon Programming Interface Communications
CPPCalling Party Pays
CPSCarrier Pre-Selection; Communications Service Providers
CRESTScientific and Technical Research Committee (of the EU)
CRMCustomer Relationship Management
CRTCCanadian Radiotelevision and Telecommunications Commission
CSOCommittee of Senior Officers
CSDNCircuit Switched Data Network
CSPConverged Service Provider
CSPDNCircuit Switched Public Data Network
CSSCascading Style Sheet
CT-2Second generation Cordless Telephone, UK
CT1European analogue cordless telephone system
CTIComputer Telephony Integration
CTIACellular Telecommunications Industry Association
CTRCommon Technical Regulation (EU)
CTUCzech Telecommunications Office
CWCall Waiting
CYTACyprus Telecommunications Authority
D-tagDescriptive text link
DABDigital Audio Broadcasting
DACSDigital Access and Cross-connect System
DAIDigital Audio Interface (104 kbit/s)
DAMPSDigital Advanced Mobile Phone System
DANNData Networking Association
DARSDigital Audio Radio Satellite Service
DASSDigital Access Signalling System
DBSDirect Broadcast Service
DCCData Communication Channel
DCN Data Communications Network
DCS Digital Cellular System
DECTDigital European Cordless Telecommunications
DELTADeveloping European Learning through Technological Advance (DG XIII)
DECDisputes.org/eResolution Consortium
DESData Encryption Standard
DFIDDepartment For International Development
DGPSDifferential Global Positioning System
DHTMLDynamic HTML
DiffServDifferentiated Services
DISDraft International Standards
DNSDomain Name System
DNSODomain Name Supporting Organization
DOCSISData Over Cable Service Interface Specification
DOMDocument Object Specification
DPLDigital PowerLine
DRBDigital Radio Broadcasters
DSDirect Spread
DSLDigital Subscriber Line
DSLAMDSL Access Multiplexer
DSRRDigital Short Range Radio
DTD Document Type Definition file
DTHDirect-To-Home
DVB Direct digital Video Broadcasting
DWDMDense Wave (or Wavelength) Division Multiplexing
E&DElderly and Disabled
EARNEuropean Academic Research Network
e-B2Belectronic business-to-business
EBUEuropean Broadcasting Union
ECEuropean Community, European Commissions
ECARTEuropean Conference on Advances in Rehabilitation Technology
ECDCElectronic Commerce in Developing Countries
ECMAEuropean Computer Manufacturers Association
ECOWASEconomic Community Of West African States
eCRMelectronic Customer Relation Management
ECTAEuropean Competitive Telecommunications Association; Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority
ECUMNEuropean Conference on Universal Multiservice Networks
EDFEuropean Disability Forum
EDGEEnhanced Data for GSM Evolution; Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution
EDIElectronic Data Interchange
EECEuropean Economic Community
EEMAEuropean Forum for Electronic Business
EESSIEuropean Electronic Signature Standardization Initiative
EFEIEuropean Federation of Electronic Industries
EFFElectronic Frontier Foundation
EFTAEuropean Free Trade Association
EFTPOSElectronic Funds Transfer Point of Sale
EHIMAEuropean Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association
EIAElectronic Industries Association
EIDDEuropean Institute for Design and Disability
EIFEuropean Internet Foundation
EIIAEuropean Information Industry Association
EITAACElectronic Information Technology Access Advisory Committee
EMCElectromagnetic Compatibility
EMIElectromagnetic Interference
ENEuropean Norm (Term within CEN and CENELEC)
ENSOETSINational Standardisation Organisations (ETSI)
ENUMElectronic Numbering
EOTCEuropean Organization for Testing and Certification
E-OTDEnhanced Observed Time Difference
EPEuropean Parliament
EROEuropean Radiocommunications Office
ERPEnterprise Resource Planning
ERPSEnhanced Reference Picture Selection
ESEuropean Standard or End Systems (ETSI TC BT)
ESBEuropean Standardisation Board
ESCEuropean Standardisation Council
ESOEuropean Standardisation Organisation
ESPRITEuropean Strategic Programme for Research and Development
ETANEuropean Technology Assessment Network
ETISEuropean Telecommunications Informatics Services
ETNOEuropean public Telecommunications Network Operators association
ETOEuropean Telecommunications Organization
ETPEuropean Telecommunications Platform (Brussels-based policy monitoring group)
ETR ETSI Technical Report
ETTEuropean Telecommunications and Technology
ETSEuropean Telecommunications Standard
ETSIEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute
EUEuropean Union
EUREKAEuropean Research Co-operation Agency
EURESCOMEuropean Institute for Research and Strategic Studies in Telecommunications
EuroISPAEuropean Internet Service Providers Association
EVAEconomic Value Added
EVCAEuropean Venture Capital Association
EVUAEuropean Virtual Private Network Users Association
FCCFederal Communications Commission
FEDMAFederation of European Direct Marketing
FDMAFrequency Division Multiple Access
FEIFederation of the Electronics Industry
FIPSFederal Information Processing Standards
FLAGFiberoptic Link Around the Globe
FMCFixed Mobile Convergence
FP6the EU's 6th Framework research Programme
FSSFixed Satellite Service
FS-VDSLFull Service-Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line
FTPFile Transfer Protocol (IETF)
FTCFederal Trade Commission
FTSEFinancial Times-Stock Exchange
FWAFixed Wireless Access
GAC(ICANN's)Government Advisory Committee
GAITGSM MAP Network/ANSI-41 Interoperability Team
GAMGlobal Account Management
GANGlobal Area Network
GATTGeneral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GBDeGlobal Business Dialog on electronic commerce
GEOGeosynchronous Earth Orbit
GGRFGSM Global Roaming Forum
GGSNGateway GPRS Support Node
GISGeographical Information System
GMCFGlobal Mobile Commerce Forum
GMPCSGlobal Mobile Personal Communication Systems (or Services)
GNSGlobal Network Strtegies
GNXGlobalNet eXchange
GPRSGeneral Packet Radio Service
GPSGlobal Positioning System
GPRSGeneral Packet Radio Services
GPSRGeneral Packet Switched Radio
GSAGSM System Area
GRXGPRS Roaming Exchange
GSMGlobal System for Mobile telecommunications
GSPGlobal Service Provider
gTLDgeneric Top-Level Domain (e.g., .com. .edu)
GTSGlobal TeleSystems Group
GUIBGraphical User Interfaces for Blink people (TIDE project)
HACHearing Aid Compatible
HAPSHigh Altitude Platforms
HDLCHigh-level Data Link Control (ISO)
HDMLHandheld Devices Markup Language
HDSLHigh-rate Digital Subscriber Loop
HDTVHigh Definition Television
HDVSHigh Definition Video System
HEARTHorizontal European Activities in Rehabilitation Technology (TIDE project)
HELIOSHandicapped people in the European community Living In Open Society (DG 5)
HFHuman Factor (One of ETSI's Technical Committees)
HKTUGHong Kong Telecommunications Users Group
HSCDHigh Speed Circuit Switched Data
HSCSDHigh Speed Circuit Switched Data
HTTPHypertext Transfer Protocol (IETF)
HVACHeating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (smart homes)
IABInternet Architecture Board
IAHCInternet Ad Hoc Committee
IANAInternet Assigned Numbers Authority
IASPInternet Access Service Provider
IBInternational Bureau (of the FCC)
IBCIntegrated Broadband Communication
I-CANIntegrated Customer Access Network
ICANIntegrated Control of ´All Needs (TIDE project)
ICANNInternet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
ICCInternational Chamber of Commerce
ICDInternational Classification of Diseases
ICIDHInternational Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps
ICTInformation and Communications Technology
ICTAInternational Commission on Technology and Accessibility
IDATEInstitut de l'Audiovisuel et des Telecommunications en Europe
IDNIntegrated Digital Network
IDPInternational Data Post (organization of 17 postal authorities)
iDSNinternationalized Domain Name System
IECInternational Electrotechnical Commission
IEEEInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IEGMPIndependent Expert Group on Mobile Phones
IETFInternet Engineering Task Force
IFHOHInternational Federation of Hard of Hearing People
ILECIncumbent Local Exchange Carrier
ILETSInternational Law Enforcement Telecommunications Seminar
IMInstant Messaging
IMAPInternet Managed Application Provider
IMPInterface Message Processor
IMSInformation Management System
IMSOInternational Maritime Safety Organization
IMTInternational Mobile Telephony
IMTCInternational Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium
INIntelligent Networks
INCLUDEInclusion of Disabled and Elderly in Telematics
INMARSATInternational Marine Satellite Organization
INMSInternational Network Management System (DT + 12 Eastern carriers)
INTELSATInternational Telecommunications Satellite Organisation
INTUGInternational Telecommunications Users Group
IOPInput/Output Processor
I/PInternet Protocol
IPInternet telephony Providers; Internet Protocol; Intellectual Property
IPDRInternet Protocol Detail Record
IPLCInternational Private Leased Circuit
IPOInitial Public Offering
IPRIntellectual property rights
IPSNIIntegration of People with Special Needs by IBC (RACE project)
IPv4Internet Protocol version 4
Ipv6Internet Protocol version 6
IP VPNInternet Protocol Virtual Private Network
IrDAInfrared Data Association
IRGIndependent Regulators Group
IRUIndefeasible Right of Use
ISCInternational Switching Centre
ISDNIntegrated Services Digital Network
ISFInternational Sensitivity Forum
ISISInformation Society Initiative for Standardization
ISMIndustrial Scientific-Medical (frequency band)
ISOInternational Organisation for Standardisation
ISOCInternet Society
ISPInternet Service Provider
ISPAInternet Service Poviders Association
ISTInformation Society Technologies
ISTAGIST Advisory Group
ISVsIndependent Software Vendors
ITInformation Technology
ITMInformation/Transaction Machine
ITMCInternational MultimediaTeleconferencing Consortium
ITSIntelligent Transport Systems
ITSPInternet Telephony Service Provider
IT&TInformation Technology and Telecommunications
ITUInternational Telecommunications Union
ITU-RITU Radiocommunication standardization sector
ITU-SITU Standardization bureau
ITU-TITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector
IUDDInfrastructure and Urban Development Department
iVADintegrated Voice and Data
IVRInteractive Voice Response
JAINJave APIs for Integrated Networks
JCGJoint Coordination Group (CEN/CENELEC/ETSI)
JPEGJoint Photographics Expert Group
JTCJordan Telecommunications Company
JUSJapan-U.S. Cable Network
KMKnowledge Management
KPNTelecom formerly PTT Telecom BV
LANLocal Area Network
LANSLocal Area Network Services
LAPLink Access Protocol
LAS-CDMALarge Area Synchronized Code Division Multiple Access
LCNLocal Communication Network
LDAPLightweight Directory Access Protocol
LDSLocation Dependent Services
LECLocal Exchange Carrier
LEOLow Earth Orbit
LIMSLaboratory Information Management System
LMDSLocal Multipoint Distribution System (wireless microwave cable service)
LTLietuvos Telekomas
LRICLong Run Incremental Cost
MACMedia Access Control
MADMMultiple Add/Drop Multiplexer
MANMetropolitan Area Network
MAPManagement Application Protocol
MARTMaximising the Market for Telecommunications-Based Rehabilitation Technology (TIDE project)
MATHSMathematical Access for Technology and Science for visually disabled users (TIDE project)
MCMulti-Carrier
MCPAMulit Carrier Power Amplifier
MDAMobile Data Association
MDDMedical Device Directive
MDFMain Distribution Frame
MIMEMultipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (IETF)
MLAMutual Legal Assitance
MMACMultimedia Mobile Access Communications
MNOMobile Network Operators
MOBICMobility Of Blind and elderly people Interacting with Computers (TIDE project)
MoUMemorandum of Understanding
MOWLANMobile Operator Wireless LAN
MPEGMotion Picture Experts Group (ISO)
MPLSMulti-Protocol Label Switching
MSDLMPEG-4 Syntactic Description Language
MSNMultiple Subscriber Number; Microsoft Network
MSOMultiple Systems Operator
MSSMobile Satellite Service; Mobile Satellite Systems
MTSMobile Telecommunications Services
MVAMarket Value Added
MVNOMobileVirtual Network Operator
NAFTANorth American Free Trade Agreement
NAFNational Arbitration Forum
NAPTRNaming Authority Pointer
NASSCOMNational Association ofSoftware and Service Companies
NBARNetwwork Based Application Recognition
NCAMNational Center for Accessible Media
NCTANational Cable Television Association
NETNorme Europeene de Telecommunications
NNTHNordic Forum for Telecommunication and Disability
NGINext Generation Integration
NGONon Governmental Organisations
NLSPNetWare Link Services Protocol
NMSINational Mobile Station Identification number
NMTNordic Mobile Telephone
NRANational Regulatory Authority
NSHNor Cooperation on Disability
NSINetwork Solutions Incorporated
NSONational Standards Organisations
NSPNetwork Service Protocol
NTIINational Tele-Immersion Initiative
NTIANational Telecommunications and Information Administration (USA)
NTSNumber Translation Services
NTSCNational Television System Committee
OCNOperational Carrier Number
ODSIOptical Domain Service Interconnect
OECDOrganisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
OECSOrganization of Eastern Caribbean States
OEMOriginal Equipment Manufacturer
OFDMOrthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
OFTELOffice of Telecommunications (UK)
OHGOperators Harmonization Group
OIFOptical Internet Forum
OLEDOrganic Light Emitting Diode
OMTNOperation and Maintenance for Telecoms Networks
ONAOpen Network Architecture
ONPOpen Network Provision
OOPSObject-Oriented Programming System
OPENOrientation by Personal Electronic Navigation (TIDE project)
ORBITOpen Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommuinications
OSCEOrganization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
OSIOpen Systems Interconnect(ion) (ISO, ITU-T)
OSRPOptical Switching and Routing Protocol
OSSOperating Support Systems; Operations Systems and Software
PABXPrivate Automatic Branch Exchange
PACProgramme Advisory Committee (ETSI)
PACSPersonal Access Communications System
PAIXPalo Alto Internet Exchange
PATUPan African Telecommunication Union
PBXPrivate Branch Exchange
PCCWPacific Century Cyber Works
PCGPacific Century Group
PCIProgrammable Communications Interface
PCMPulse Code Modulation
PCNPersonal Communication Network
PCSPersonal Communications Services
PDAPersonal Digital Assistant
PDFPortable Document Format
PGPPretty Good Privacy
PHAREPoland-Hungary Assistance on Economic Reconstruction
PHAREalso Programme for Harmonised Air Traffic Management Research in Eurocontrol
PKIPublic Key Infrastructure
PMRPrivate Mobile Radio
POPPoint of Pressure
POTSPlain Old Telephone Service
POSPoint Of Sale (network)
POTSPlain Ordinary Telephone Service
POVESPortable Opto-electronic Vision Enhancement System for visually disabled persons (TIDE project)
PPMPrice Per Minute