Glossary - W

W

WATS

See Wide Area Telephone Service.

WATS Access Line

A local channel from an end-user to a local exchange carrier switching system that provides a connection for volume discounted WATS and 800 Service calls.

Wavelength

The length of one complete wave of an alternating or vibrating phenomenon, generally measured from crest to crest or from trough to trough of successive waves.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Provides a way of increasing the data carrying capacity of an optical fiber by simultaneously operating at more than one wavelength.

WDM

See Wavelength Division Multiplexing.

Web Site

A collection of files on the World Wide Web that are arranged under a common address that allows for retrieval via hypertext-based software.

Webcasting

The use of the Web as a one-to-many medium to broadcast events or hold collaborative conferences among remote participants.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A network that links multiple locations together. A WAN encompasses a much larger geographic area than that of a Local Area Network (LAN).

Wide Area Telecommunications/Telephone Service (WATS)

Long distance service provided by various carriers that includes both intrastate and interstate service for outgoing and incoming (800) calls. WATS provides a bulk savings plan for companies with a high volume of toll calls, such as telemarketing. WATS charges include a flat rate for each hour of calling time, with cost per hour decreasing as toll usage increases.

Wire Center

This term is often used interchangeably with the terms central office and switch. Technically, the wire center is the location where the local exchange carrier terminates subscriber local loops, along with the testing facilities necessary to maintain them. A wire center can be a building or space within a building that serves as an aggregation point on a local exchange carrier's network, where transmission facilities and circuits are connected or switched.

Wireless

Refers to mobile or cellular telecommunications, for which part of the communications pathway includes transmission through radio links to land-based networks. Wireless communications products and services include cellular phones and pagers.

Wireless LAN

Wireless LAN uses radio waves that allow employees to access network data and applications throughout the office or work location (subject to distance limit) without being physically connected.

Wireless Service Provider

Provider of telecommunications services such as cellular telephone, pagers,or personal communications devices.

Wireline

Physical network with a serving territory.

WorkSmart

Offered by Verizon, WorkSmart calling features packages offer savings up to 20% off the individual monthly price of calling features such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding and Three-Way Calling.

World Wide Web or WWW or Web

An area of the Internet that allows for graphical information retrieval via hypertext-based software, such as a web browser like Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, in a point-and-click environment.

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