| All-A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z |
| Secure Socket Layer (SSL) - - Encrypted communications
path between two computers. Theoretically protects customer information. |
| Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) - - Protocol to
access the Internet using dial-up connections. |
| Slam - - An end user that is PICed without their
permission. An RBOC Slam Fee must be paid for each slam. |
| Smart Card - - A plastic phone-card with a stored cash
value in a micro-chip inside the card. |
| SMS - - Service Management System Also Simple Message
System Also Simple Message Service |
| SMS Customer Record - - All information related to one
800 number, effective date and time, etc. |
| Speed Dialing - - A service to abbreviate and
accelerate frequently dialed numbers. |
| State Tax - - A collection of tax types that each state
is allowed to charge. Tax jurisdiction (which state can charge tax for a call)
is based on the two-out-of-three rule: where it originates, where it
terminates, where it is being billed to - if two match, that state can charge
the tax. |
| Surcharge - - An additional charge on top of a base
rate for a specified reason. A fee charged against the card usually to cover
the companies costs. |
| Switch - - A device (like a DMS-250 or a PBX) that
responds to originator signals and dynamically connects the caller to the
desired communication destination. |
| Switched Access - - Nondedicated local access between
the customer's premise and the serving wire center which is interconnected to
the company's point-of-presence for origination or termination of service. |
| Switched Access Service - - A class of LEC services
that provides the link from the customer's premise to the IEC PoP for switched
circuits. |
| Switched Resellers - - Resellers that utilize their own
switching hardware (and sometimes their own lines) and the lines of other IXCs
to provide long-distance service to its subscribers. They provide their own
billing and service. |
| Switched Services - - All dial up long-distance
services including conventional residential and WATS (most have incremental use
charges). (See Message Toll Service) |
| Switching Fee - - A per-line fee (usually around 5$)
imposed by the LEC to reprogram their switching system to change your default
carrier. Subscribers must usually pay this fee when switching to a reseller. |
| Switchless Reseller - - A reseller of long-distance
services that does not utilize any of its own lines, or (switching) equipment.
All actual service and equipment is handled by the IXC. Billing is usually
done, by the reseller themselves, to the customer. |