Boxx Communications Ltd

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Telephone jargon buster: Key telecoms terms explained

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Telephone jargon buster: Key telecoms terms explained

As jargon-heavy industries and sectors go, telecoms is one of the hardest to master.

Littered with acronyms and technical phrases that are impossible to decipher if you don’t already have some knowledge of what they refer to, finding and buying the best package can be a nightmare.

But not any more: our jargon buster brings you the most common and need-to-know terms, and explains them as simply as possible.

So without further ado, here we go…..

ADSL: An Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line refers to a standard telephone line being transformed into a broadband connection to transmit large amounts of data by putting a splitter into the telephone wall socket. It typically delivers fast download but slower upload speeds. ADSL2+ is a faster version of this that is now available across much of the UK.

Hunt Group: This rotates incoming calls through a group of lines associated with the same number until a free one is found. Perfect for sales teams or call centre as the caller only receives a busy signal if all lines are busy.

IP: Internet Protocol is the standard way of transporting information across the internet in packets of data.

IP Telephony: Internet Protocol Telephony is the standard setting out transmission of data and calls across the internet.

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network, often referred to as an ISDN line. ISDN is an international communications standard for sending voice, video and data over normal, copper telephone wires.

Non-Geographical Numbers: These are telephone numbers that do not include an area code, such as 0800 or 0845, and are often used for consumer call centres. What the number starts with depends what it costs, and not all are free on mobile packages, for example, so make sure you are clued up on costs.

Number Port: This allows you to move an existing telephone number to a new provider. The normal process is to request a port code and then give this to your new provider.

PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network, simply a standard telephone service. It is mostly digital these days, apart from the final part from the local exchange to a user’s phone where copper wires carry the analogue voice data.

Router: Either a device or computer software that directs IP packets to the next point towards their destination.

SDSL: A Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line works the same as ADSL (see above) but with equal speed/bandwidth in both directions.

SIP: Session Initiation Protocol allows worldwide free communication between people using computers and mobile devices on the internet. It harnesses VoIP (Voice over IP, see next entry) technology and is most commonly used to start and finish VoIP calls.

VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol translates speech into data packets for transmitting across the internet like any other file, transforming it back to its usual form on arrival. Much cheaper than traditional calls, communication can be carried out through any computer or phone that can connect to the internet. 

VPN: A Virtual Private Network is a way of creating a private communications network on an otherwise public system such as the web, using security including passwords and authentication to allow access.

If there is any other telecoms related jargon you need help with, please feel free to contact us.

Ofcom announce new pricing structure

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Ofcom announce new pricing structure

Major changes are being made to telephone call charges in a move that should benefit both businesses and consumers.

The plans, which will come into place in June 2015, cover numbers starting 08, 09 and 118 and are designed to clear up confusion amongst consumers about how much it costs to dial these non-geographic lines.

These numbers are used by many services, from finding out information to banking, directory enquiry and entertainment services, but users are often not told how much it costs to call them.

Under the new guidelines issued by Ofcom, each call will be broken down into an ‘access charge’ to the user’s phone company and a ‘service charge’ to the company or organisation they are calling.

Phone companies and the organisations using 08, 09 and 118 numbers will both be required to publicise their charges. Phone companies will have to make their charges clear on bills and to new customers signing up to contracts, and the service providers will be required to specify their charge on advertising or when asked.

Currently, for example, TV shows that offer phone voting usually tell users what the cost per minute is from a BT line, but say simply that calls from other phone providers and from mobiles may vary.

From 2015, Ofcom will expect them to use the format of Calls will cost x pence per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

The net result of this is that customers will be able to add both charges up and easily see what each call is costing them. It will also make comparing both phone and service providers much simpler.

The new move is not being brought in until 2015 to allow companies using these numbers time to adapt and will only initially apply to calls being made from residential numbers, although business lines are likely to follow suit.

As well as introducing new charges, Ofcom has also simplified some existing anomalies to boost consumer confidence.

  • Calls to freephone numbers starting 0800, 0808 and 116, which are usually free from landlines, will become free from mobile phones as well.

  • The service charge for premium rate 09 numbers will be capped, and 0845 numbers will no longer be used for geographic calls, functioning instead the same as any other 084, 087 or 09 number.

Ofcom will instead encourage organisations which want to offer a geographic-rate number to use the 03 range, which costs no more than a geographic 01 or 02 number, and must be included in customers’ inclusive minutes or discount schemes.

Ofcom is working with major landline and mobile providers to develop a major, national advertising campaign which will explain the changes to UK telephone users from next year.

You were called today at ………!

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You were called today at .........!

Are you a fan of the telephone service 1471? You know, the one where you can find out last number to call your telephone line, with the option of calling them straight back by pressing 3. Well this this service is currently, but quietly, being phased out. 

Don’t go and rush to buy an answering machine to fulfil your curious nature just yet though.. An alternative, similar
feature that might be of interest to you is 1571.  

Not quite as well know as it’s predecessor, this service allows callers to leave a voicemail message when you unable to answer the phone or are on another call. You are also able to record your own personal greeting for your phone and you can change this as often as you like.  

There are any more inbound telephone services available that you may, or may not know about – get in touch and we’ll talk you through them!

Your telephone number, your marketing tool!

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Your telephone number, your marketing tool!

After originating in the US, the first FREE TO CALL 0800 numbers were introduced to the UK (by BT) in 1985. These days there are many more types of numbers available, but do you know what they all are and what they offer…..?

The 3 most popular types of Non-Geographical Numbers:

0800 FREE to call telephone numbers remove all barriers to customers contacting you, attracting three times as many calls as standard geographic numbers!

0845 Extremely cost effective for number owners and callers also benefit from a local rated call, wherever they are within the UK.

0871 Substantial revenue share is available for number owners, callers pay between 6p and 10p per minute

There are many benefits of using these types of telephone numbers:

  • The absence of a local area code means that the telephone number gives a National rather than Local impression and makes for a more professional business image.
  • They can be diverted to any number (even a mobile number) and callers do not need to be aware.  This is great if you are often away from your business or even better if you run your business on the go!!
  • The number that your virtual line is diverted to can be changed at fairly short notice, so you never need to be unavailable
    again.

With any of our inbound services we can provide you with a host of features.  The possibilities are endless, there are literally hundreds of combinations so if you have problem, we almost certainly have a solution….!

It’s GOOD to TALK…!

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It's GOOD to TALK...!

Does your business operate over multiple sites…?

Is there a particular person that you spend way too much time talking on the phone to…?

One of the features of our telephone packages, is that you can talk to other Boxx customers for free.  Yes that’s right, FREE.

At a time when all businesses and individuals alike are conscious of keeping costs low, we offer a way to keep talking to customers, friends, family and those who you ‘need’ to talk to, that won’t break the bank.

By recommending Boxx Communications to others, not only can you TALK for FREE, you will also receive a credit on your bill too as a thank you!

If you’d like more info, just get in touch!

“Sorry, we can’t take your call right now”

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If you are a small business owner there are
going to be occasions when you cannot answer your phone, it’s inevitable.  How you deal with this though, can, make or
break your business.

How annoying is it when you call a business
yourself and the phone just rings out?

Equally frustrating is a bog-standard
answer phone message that leaves you wondering whether or not you have reached the
right person/company.

And worse still, have you ever made a call
(during standard opening hours) only to be greeted with an answerphone
message that states our opening hours are

These can all damage a
potential customer’s first impression of you and your business, but can easily
be avoided.

No
matter how small or large your business is, it is easy, yet not costly, to make
sure that you handle your incoming calls effectively, even when you cannot physically
answer them.

  • You may run a business where
    you are often out and about – we can provide you with a
    host of features including call forwarding – so your
    customers can always reach you!
  • If, for whatever reason, taking calls is sometimes difficult, we can set you up with some more advanced call handling options such as: inbound call recording or automated services
  • Or simply being able to place
    calls on hold will make you sound more professional and do wonders for
    your callers initial perception of you and the service/products you offer.

Whatever type or size of business you run,
there are many ways of making sure your inbound call services and telephone systems are allowing you to make the best of your telephone interactions with customers and….. that you never miss a call again!

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