Glossary - F

F

Facilities

Cables, poles, conduit, microwave, or carrier equipment, central office distributing frames, central office switching equipment, computers (both hardware and software), business machines, etc., used by a service provider to provide telecommunications services.

Facilities-Based Carriers

CLECs that own their own facilities. These facilities may be collocated in a telecommunications service provider's office. NOTE: CLECs may also lease facilities from service providers.

Facilities Management

Refers to the agreement between a wholesale customer and a telecommunications service provider to have the provider manage internal company facilities for the customer. NOTE: Facilities management does not involve transfer of facilities ownership to the service provider.

Fast Ethernet

A 100-Mbps technology based on the 10BASE-T Ethernet CSMA/CDNetwork access method for operating local area networks (LAN).

Fast Packet Services

Refers to the following high-speed data offerings: Frame Relay Service, Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS) and FDDI Network Services. Fast packet applications include real-time inventory control, credit verification, gathering marketing data, and sending or receiving customer information.

Fast Packet Switching

A generic term for improved packet-switching technologies such as frame relay and cell relay. Fast-packet techniques feature less functionality than traditional X.25 packet-switching; however, they provide higher speeds and lower processing costs. The following are feature groups for Fast Packet Switching:

1. Feature Group A--provides line side access to telephone company end office switches with an associated seven digit local telephone number for an Interexchange Carrier's use in originating or terminating communications.
2. Feature Group B--provides trunk side access to telephone company end office switches with an associated uniform 950-XXXX access code or an Interexchange Carrier's use in originating and terminating communications.
3. Feature Group D--provides trunk side access to telephone company end office switches with an associated 101XXXX access code for an Interexchange Carrier's use in originating or terminating communications; no access code is required for calls to an Interexchange Carrier over Feature Group D switched access service if the end-user's telephone number is subscribed to that Interexchange Carrier.

FCC

See Federal Communications Commission.

FDDI

See Fiber Distributed Data Interface.

Federal Access Charge

The Federal Access Charge is an access charge authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This charge defrays a portion of the fixed costs of providing access to the local network. This charge may also be call the Federal Subscriber Line Charge.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

A federal government agency authorized by the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate interstate and international telecommunications originating in the United States. The FCC plays a role in implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Federal Universal Service Fund (FUSF)

Surcharge instituted in July 2000 as a mechanism to recover Universal Service funding obligations as set forth in the FCC's Universal Service Order, CC Docket No. 96-45.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)

An ANSI-defined standard specifying a 100 Mbps token-passing network using fiber-optic cable. Uses a dual-ring architecture to provide redundancy.

Fiber Distribution Frame (FDF)

Termination point in a central office where fiber optic cable is available to the switch.

Fiber Link Around the Globe (FLAG)

An undersea fiber optic system. Using two fiber pairs, each operating at 5G bps, FLAG provides capacity along its route for 120,000 digital circuits operating at 64K bps.

Fiber-Meet

An interconnection architecture method whereby the incumbent local exchange carrier physically interconnects its network via an optical fiber interface (as opposed to an electrical interface) to the telecommunications network of a CLEC at any mutually agreed upon location.

Fiber Optics

Communications technology that uses thin filaments of glass or other transparent materials. Fiber optic technology offers extremely high transmission speeds, allowing for data-intensive services such as video on demand.

Fiber Optic Services (Verizon FiOS)

Verizon fiber-optic services offered over the fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. Verizon FiOS transmits signals using hair-thin strands of glass fiber and laser-generated pulses of light. When that light reaches your premises through the Verizon network, it is converted to electric signals in a box installed outside your premises called the Optical Network Terminal or ONT. That way, it can be "read" by your telephones and computers. Information that is sent from your premises will be converted from the electrical signals to light in the ONT and transmitted out to the telephone network and the Internet. Traditional telephone service uses copper wires to transmit communications signals. Learn more.

Fiber to the Building (FTTB)

Fiber optic access to end user residence for telephone, video and other multimedia services, where several users share the same fiber termination. FTTB access typically terminates in a basement from which access to multiple end users is implemented through an in-building Digital Home Network (DHN).

Fiber to the Curb (FTTC)

Fiber optic distribution of telephony, telecommunications, and multimedia and media services such as cable TV to a point outside the customer premise.

Fiber to the Home (FTTH)

Fiber optic access to the end user residence for telephony, video and other multimedia services where each home has a direct fiber connection.

Fiber to the Premise (FTTP)

Fiber optic distribution of telephony, telecommunications, and multimedia and media services such as cable TV to a point outside the customer premise.

Field Technician

The Verizon employee responsible for installation, repair and maintenance of the outside Verizon network.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

A file sharing protocol used as follows:

1. In LAN technology for user authentication, file transfer, list directories of the foreign host, etc.
2. As an Internet tool for accessing file archives from around the world that are linked to the Internet.

FiOS

See Fiber Optic Services.

FirmRate Advantage

One of Verizon's long distance plans, FirmRate Advantage offers one flat rate for outbound domestic calls (1+ dialing), inbound toll-free calls (direct-dialed), and calling card calls, no matter where or when the call is made. Learn more.

FirmRate Plus

One of Verizon's long distance plans, FirmRate Plus offers one low rate for all state-to-state direct-dialed domestic long distance calls, no matter where or when the call is made. Learn more.

First Point of Switching

The first telephone service provider location at which switching occurs on the terminating path of a call originating from the customer premises to the terminating end office. Also, the last telephone service provider location at which switching occurs. Also known as an Entry Switch.

FLAG

See Fiber Link Around the Globe.

Flat Rate

A method of pricing a service. Flat rate offers a fixed monthly charge to a subscriber for unlimited local calls. In some states, a consumer may have a choice between flat rate and measured service.

Flat Rate Local Calling Service

One of Verizon's local calling plans, Flat Rate Local Calling Service provides unlimited local calls within a designated local calling area for one flat monthly rate. A local calling area includes a home location and any EAS (Extended Area Service) locations that are available for that area. Regional toll calls (outside the local area, but within regional boundaries) are billed separately per minute.

FlexDistance

One of Verizon's long distance plans, FlexDistance offers one rate for in-state and state-to-state calls. Choices cover nine minimum spending levels. Learn more.

FlexGrow/T1

FlexGrow®/T1 allows you to integrate your voice and data services into one platform, so it's easier to manage and upgrade. This versatile package allows you to choose and customize the communications services and features you need for your business - high-speed Internet access, voice and data lines, and voice features. FlexGrow/T1 can be adjusted for four different speeds and channel settings. Verizon provides an Integrated Access Device (IAD) for easy upgrades. To add functionality, Verizon slides a circuit card into the IAD. Verizon retains responsibility for the entire circuit and maintains the IAD and the T1 line.

Flexible Automatic Number Identification (Flexible ANI)

An optional feature or Basic Service Element (BSE) that provides additional values for the information indicator digits available with the ANI feature on originating calls; these additional digits identify the type of line that is originating the call for billing, screening and routing purposes.

Footprint

The area in which a specific transmission can be received. Some footprints, such as those of satellite or cell systems, cover as much as one-third of the earth.

Foreign Exchange (FX) Service

Provides telephone service from a central office that is "foreign" to the local calling area. Typically used when a telephone presence is required in a location where no personnel are located.

Frame

A logical grouping of information sent as a link-layer unit over a transmission medium. The terms, packet, datagram, segment and message are also used to describe logical information groupings at various layers of the OSI Reference Model, and in various technology circles.

Frame Relay

High-performance interface or packet-switched networks. Considered more efficient than X.25 (which it is expected to replace). Frame relay technology can handle "bursty" communications that have rapidly changing bandwidth requirements. Learn more.

Frame Switch

A device, similar to a bridge, which forwards frames based on the frame's Layer 2 address (OSI Reference Model). Frame switches are generally of two basic forms: cut-through switch (for on-the-fly switching), or store and forward switching. LAN switches such as Ethernet, token ring, and FDDI switches are all examples of frame switches.

FTTB

See Fiber to the Building.

FTTC

See Fiber to the Curb.

FTTH

See Fiber to the Home.

FTTP

See Fiber to the Premises.

FUSF

See Federal Universal Service Fund.

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