Lexicon

5G

5th generation mobile networks, the successor to the current 4G network, enabling even faster mobile Internet.

Active access

In the case of active access, another operator has access to the providing operator’s network (usually at a more centrally located interconnection point), involving equipment of the providing operator. Contrary to passive access, see “passive access”. More information can be found on this page.

Backbone

The backbone is the part of the communications network connecting the most important nodes, transmitting all data from subnetworks connected to the backbone at very high speeds. This is also known as the core network.

Backhaul

Backhaul is the part of the communications network connecting the access network (reaching the end-users) to the core (or backbone) network.

Bandwidth

A connection’s bandwidth indicates the maximum speed of the data it can transmit. An Internet connection will typically be subdivided into downstream (the speed at which data can be sent in the direction of the end-user) and upstream (the speed at which data can be sent in the direction of the Internet).

BCRD

BCRD or Broadband Cost Reduction Directive is a European Directive containing measures to facilitate the roll-out of networks. More information can be found on this page.

BEREC

BEREC or ‘Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications’ is the association of European telecom regulators.

Bit

A 0 or a 1; digital signals are composed of bits.

Bluetooth

A wireless protocol for exchanging data between devices at a short distance.

Cable network

See coax network.

Coax network

A coax network or a cable network is the network of a cable operator (Telenet, Voo or Brutélé): this is the former television distribution network that also usually allows Internet services today. More information can be found on this page.

Connectivity toolbox

The connectivity toolbox is the result of a European recommendation and comprises good practices to speed up the roll-out of VHCN and 5G. More information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Copper network

A copper network is the former telephone network (of Proximus in Belgium) now allowing Internet services as well for the most part. More information can be found on this page.

Core network

See backbone.

Download speed or downstream bandwidth

The speed at which data are transmitted from the Internet to the user (usually expressed in Mbps or Gbps).

EECC

The European Electronic Communications Code is a European directive containing numerous provisions on telecom networks. More information can be found on this page.

Fiber

(American spelling)

Fibre

(British spelling)

FTTA

FTTA or Fibre To The Antenna.

FTTB

Fibre To The Building (block).

FTTC or FTTCb

Fibre To The Cabinet.

This can also mean Fibre To The Curb: in this case fibre reaches up to a distribution point that is even closer to the end-user.

FTTH

Fibre To The Home: fibre to the end-user’s home. More information can be found on this page.

FTTO

Fibre To The Office. More information can be found on this page.

FTTx

Fibre To The X is a collective for telecom networks existing of fibre up unto a given point (X). More information can be found on this page.

Gbps

Internet speed is expressed in number of bits per second (bps). Gbps stands for gigabit per second or 1 billion bits per second.

Gigabit network

A network enabling 1 Gbps Internet speeds (download/upload).

HFC

Hybrid Fibre Coax is the television distribution network of which the core of the telecom network is made of fibre and the connections to the end-customers are coax connections. Also see “coax network”.

In the cloud

“In the cloud” means that files are stored or programs are executed on the Internet (or on Internet servers), and not locally on private computers.

Latency

The delay of a connection. A low latency can be very important for real time (video) calling or gaming.

LED

An LED or Light Emitting Diode is a type of light source. LEDs are used to transmit bits by means of light pulses.

LEX

Local Exchange: this refers to the old telephone exchanges serving all customers in a certain area. These still serve as the main buildings of Proximus’s network. More information can be found on this page.

Mbps

Internet speed is expressed in number of bits per second (bps). Mbps stands for gigabit per second or 1 million bits per second.

Passive access

In the case of passive access another operator has access to the providing operator's network (typically fibre to the end-customer) in a way that the operator is completely free to use his own equipment. Contrary to active access, see “active access”. More information can be found on this page.

Point-to-multipoint (PtMP or P2MP)

In the case of point-to-multipoint connections, multiple end-users use the same original fibre. More information can be found on this page.

Point-to-point (PtP or P2P)

In the case of point-to-point connections, each end-user has his own connection up to a central distribution point. More information can be found on this page.

PON

A PON or Passive Optical Network is a fibre network with a point-to-multipoint topology, using passive equipment ("splitters" requiring no energy) that splits the signal of one fibre over multiple fibre lines. The PON technology can also be used across a point-to-point fibre network, in which case the splitters are situated no further than the point where the point-to-point fibre leaves towards the customer.

PoP

Point of Presence: with point-to-point FTTH fibre networks this is the distribution point from where the fibres leave towards the end-customers.

Protocol

A protocol lays down the rules for communication among the equipment. Using protocols, equipment from different providers can function properly together.

QoS

Quality of Service. This may regard different types of traffic (e.g. telephone calls) with a higher priority than others, certain result-related commitments (e.g. a guaranteed availability of the network of X%), etc.

SC

Street cabinet: the street cabinets used by Proximus, from which copper cables leave towards the end-users.

Symmetric connection

With a symmetrical connection the upload and download speed are the same.

Unbundling

Disconnecting a fibre going to an end-user in order for it to be used by another operator (than the owner of the infrastructure), who can connect his own equipment to set up a connection with his own telecommunications network.

Upload speed or upstream bandwidth

The speed at which the user transmits data in the direction of the Internet (usually expressed in Mbps or Gbps).

VDSL2

VDSL2 or Very High Bitrate Digital Subscriber Line 2 is the technology used by Proximus today to provide speeds up to 100 Mbps on its copper network. It is the successor to VDSL and ADSL.

VHCN

Very High Capacity Network or very high capacity network is a telecom network enabling (among other things) very high speeds. More information on what exactly a VHCN is, can be found on this page.

WDM

WDM stands for Wavelength-Division Multiplexing and means that different signals are transmitted simultaneously with a different wavelength (or light colour).

Wholesale-only

Wholesale-only operators are operators who only sell (passive or active) access to their network to other operators and not directly to the end-users.

Wi-Fi

A collection of wireless network protocols, usually applied to local wireless Internet.