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Backbone. The top level of a
hierarchical communications network. The main “pipes” along which data
are transferred.
Bandwidth. The amount of information
or data that can be sent over a network connection in a given period
of time. Bandwidth is usually stated in bits per second (bps),
kilobits per second (kbps), or megabits per second (mbps).
Broadband. A frequency band divisible
into several narrower bands so that different kinds of transmissions
such as voice, video, and data transmission can occur at the same
time.
Certification Authority. An entity
which issues certificates or provides other services related to
electronic signatures to the public.
Dedicated line. A telephone line
that is reserved for the singular purpose of providing a data
connection between two computers.
Dial-up. 1.A temporary connection
between computers established over a telephone line. 2. To establish a
temporary connection to another computer.
Digital. A device or method that uses
discrete variations in voltage, frequency, amplitude, location, etc.
to encode, process, or carry binary (zero or one) signals for sound,
video, computer data or other information. Digital communications
technology generally permits higher speeds of transmission with a
lower error rate than can be achieved with analog technology. When
analog signals are received and amplified at each repeater station,
any noise is also amplified. A digital signal, however, is detected
and regenerated (not amplified). Unlike amplification, any noise (less
than a valid signal) is eliminated digital regeneration.
Domain Name. The domain name is the
official name of computer (host) connected to the Internet.
Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS
maps Internet addresses. To function as part of the Internet, a host
needs a domain name that has an associated Internet Protocol (IP)
address record. The DNS is a database system that looks up host IP
addresses based upon domain names. For example, if you ask for
www.thisismyhost.com
it will return “123.45.67.89”.
Top Level Domains (TLD). Domain names
are derived from a hierarchical system, with a host name followed by a
top-level domain category. A top-level domain name can either be an
ISO country code (e.g., .th for Thailand) or one of the generic top
level domains (gTLDs).
Generic Top Level Domains (gTLD).
Generic top-level domain categories are .com (for commercial
enterprises); .org (for non-profit organizations); .net (for network
services providers); .mil (for the military); and .gov (for
government).
gTLDs weighted by Domain registrations.
Distribution of Internet hosts under Gtld (.com, .org, etc.)
registrations according to the number of gTLD registrations from the
respective countries (rather than allocating all hosts under gTLD
registrations to The United States).
Electronic signature. Signature in
digital form.
E-mail. Electronic mail, the
computer-based exchange of mail.
Host. A computer that allows users to
communicate with other host computers on a network.
Integrated Services Digital Network
(ISDN). A technology that allows for the rapid transfer of voice
and data.
Interconnection/Interconnection charge.
A charge levied by network operators on other service providers to
recover the costs of the interconnection facilities provided by the
network operators.
Internet. A worldwide network of
networks that all use the TCP/IP communications protocol and share a
common address space. First incarnated as the ARPANET in 1969, the
Internet has metamorphosed from a military internetwork to an academic
research internetwork to the current commercial internetwork. It
commonly supports services such as email, the World Wide Web, file
transfer, and Internet Relay Chat.
Internet Service Provider (ISP). 1. A
business that delivers access to the Internet, usually fir a monthly
fee. 2. Any business that provides Internet services such as web sites
or web site development.
Interoperability. The ability of
software and hardware on multiple machines from multiple vendors to
communicate meaningfully.
Kilobits per second (Kbps).See
“Bandwidth”.
Leased Line. A two-way link for the
exclusive use of a subscriber regardless of the way it is used by the
subscriber (e.g., switched subscriber or non-switched, or voice or
data). They can be either national or international in scope.
Local Area Network (LAN). A group of
computers at single location (usually an office or home) that are
connected by phone lines or coaxial cable.
Megabits per second (Mbps). See
“Bandwidth”.
Modem. A device that enables a
computer to send and receive information over a telephone line.
Internal modems are circuit cards that are plugged straight into the
computer’s motherboard. External modems are small electronic boxes
attached to the serial port with a cable.
Network. A configuration of data
processing devices and software connected for information interchange.
Packet. A unit of data sent across a
network. When a large block of data is to be sent over a network, it
is broken up into several packets, sent, and then reassembled at the
other end. Packets often include checksum codes to detect transmission
errors. The exact layout of an individual packet is determined by the
protocol being used.
Personal Computer (PC). A desk-top,
free-standing, or portable microcomputer that usually consists of a
system unit, a display, a monitor, a keyboard, one or more diskette
drives, internal fixed-disk storage, and an optional printer. PCs are
designed primarily to give independent computing power to a single
user and are inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or small
businesses.
Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN).
Most widespread type of telecommunications network. It was
originally set-up for voice telephony, which in its bandwidth, coding
techniques and switching capacity. Digitalization of the PSTN
significantly increases its capacity.
Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL).
Security protocol for encrypted transmission over the Internet. The
protocol allows client/server applications to communicate in a way
that cannot be eavesdropped upon. Servers are always authenticated and
clients are optionally authenticated. It sets up a secure end-to-end
link over which http or any other application protocol can operate.
SSL with third party certification.
Third party certification provides additional security
(authentication) to the SSL required for electronic commerce.
Self-generated certificates are not considered as providing the
necessary level of security. By making a survey of SSL-based sites,
excluding those without third party certification makes it possible to
get an indication of the number of these electronic commerce sites
(e.g., Netcraft Web Surveys, http://www.netcraft.com/Survey/)
Server. A computer that provides
information to client machines. For example, there are web servers
that send out web pages, mail servers that deliver email, list servers
that administer mailing lists, FTP servers that hold FTP sites and
deliver files to users who request them, and name servers that provide
information about Internet host names.
Telecommunications. The sending of
signals representing voice, video, or data through telephone lines.
United Nations Commission on
International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Established by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1966 to reduce or remove obstacles to
international trade created by disparities in national laws. Its
mandate is to work towards a progressive harmonization and unification
of the law of international trade.
Universal Access. Derivative from the
Universal Service concept, which states that every individual within a
country should have basic telecommunications service available at an
affordable price. The precise definition of this concept varies among
countries.
World Trade Organization (WTO).
International organization dealing with the global rules of trade
between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as
smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA).
WTO Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology
Products, Singapore, 13 December 1996. The Declaration provides for
the elimination of custom duties and other duties and charges on
information technology products.
WTO Basic Telecom Agreement. Results
of the 3-year WTO negotiations on market access for basic
telecommunications services. Annexed to the Fourth Protocol of the
General Agreement on Trade in Services. Includes market opening
commitments and commitments on regulatory principles of 72 countries
across the globe. WTO members were able to decide individually whether
or not to file an m.f.n. exemption on measures affecting trade in
basic telecommunications services.
WTO Standstill Agreement for Tariffs.
During the Geneva Ministerial Declaration on Global Electronic
Commerce held in May 1998, the Ministers declared that members would
continue their current practice of not imposing customs duties on
electronic transmissions, at least until the Third Session of the
General Council in December 1999. |
