Telecoms Glossary

The BT hiring team at Troi

The telecoms industry is a rapidly evolving and technology-driven sector that requires a strategic and data-driven approach to recruitment. At Troi, we specialise in helping leading telecom companies navigate the challenges of talent scarcity and high demand for candidates in this competitive industry.

Having previously been embedded within a global household telecoms provider our specialist telecoms talent team has navigated through the complexities within the hiring landscape for this sector and honed their skills in scaled hiring!

Our experience in recruiting for Tech, Data, and AI positions, coupled with our bespoke telecoms candidate database enables us to provide tailored solutions that support our client’s growth plans and digital transformation efforts.

The telecoms industry is one of the most exciting and dynamic fields out there. It’s a world that’s constantly evolving, with new technologies, standards, and services being developed all the time. We’re proud to be a part of this industry, and we know that staying on top of the latest trends and innovations is essential to our clients’ and candidates’ success.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive glossary of telecoms terms. It’s designed to help everyone from seasoned industry veterans to newcomers just getting started in the field.

MPLS

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a networking technology that adds a label to packets, enabling routers to quickly and efficiently forward them.

IP

IP (Internet Protocol) is a protocol used for sending and receiving data packets over the internet or other networks. It provides a standard way for devices to communicate with each other and to route packets to their intended destinations.

NetDevOps

NetDevOps combines network engineering with DevOps practices to automate and streamline network management. By using tools like infrastructure as code and continuous integration and deployment, organizations can improve network agility, reduce errors, and deploy network infrastructure more quickly and efficiently.

SDN

SDN (Software Defined Networking) is an approach to network management and operation that uses software to control the network infrastructure. It enables network administrators to programmatically configure, manage, and optimize network resources, making it easier to adapt to changing network demands. SDN provides greater flexibility, scalability, and control than traditional networking approaches.

Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and ease of use. It is widely used in web development, data analysis, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, and other areas. Python’s extensive library of modules and packages make it a powerful tool for a wide range of programming tasks.

Network Engineering

Network Engineering is the field of designing, implementing, and managing computer networks. It involves the planning, installation, configuration, and maintenance of network hardware and software, as well as troubleshooting network issues. Network Engineers also ensure network security, availability, and performance, as well as the integration of new technologies and applications into existing networks.

Packet Core

Packet loss occurs when packets of data traveling across a computer network fail to reach their intended destination. It can be caused by network congestion, hardware failures, software errors, or other factors. Packet loss can lead to poor network performance, increased latency, and reduced reliability.

LTE

LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals. It provides high-speed data transmission and low latency, enabling a wide range of mobile applications such as video streaming, online gaming, and real-time communication. LTE uses a packet-switched network architecture, which allows for more efficient use of network resources and increased capacity.

RAN - Radio Access Network

RAN (Radio Access Network) is a part of a mobile telecommunication system that connects mobile devices to the core network through radio connections. It includes base stations, antennas, and other network components that provide wireless access to mobile devices. RAN plays a critical role in delivering reliable and high-speed mobile data services, such as voice calls, messaging, and internet access.

EPC

EPC (Evolved Packet Core) is a system that provides the core network architecture for LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and 5G networks. It performs key functions such as authentication, mobility management, and packet routing, enabling the delivery of high-speed data services over wireless networks. The EPC consists of several network elements that work together to provide end-to-end data connectivity between mobile devices and the internet.

Public, Private, Hybrid & Multi Cloud

Public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud services are different deployment models for cloud computing. Public cloud services are provided by third-party providers and are accessible over the internet. Private clouds are operated by an organization for internal use, while hybrid clouds combine public and private clouds. Multi-cloud refers to the use of multiple cloud services from different providers.

AWS

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon that offers a wide range of services for computing, storage, and networking. It provides scalable and cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes, including startups, enterprises, and government organizations. AWS offers a variety of tools and services, such as EC2, S3, and RDS, that enable organizations to build, deploy, and manage their applications and infrastructure in the cloud.

OpenStack

OpenStack is a free and open-source software platform for cloud computing. It provides a range of services for computing, storage, and networking, allowing organizations to build and manage private and public clouds. OpenStack supports various hypervisors and technologies, making it a flexible and scalable solution for businesses of all sizes.

Public, Private, Hybrid & Multi Cloud

Public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud services are different deployment models for cloud computing. Public cloud services are provided by third-party providers and are accessible over the internet. Private clouds are operated by an organization for internal use, while hybrid clouds combine public and private clouds. Multi-cloud refers to the use of multiple cloud services from different providers.

Azure

Azure is a cloud computing platform provided by Microsoft that offers a variety of services for computing, storage, and networking. It provides a range of tools and services, such as virtual machines, databases, and storage, to help organizations build, deploy, and manage their applications and infrastructure in the cloud. Azure also provides tools for data analytics, artificial intelligence, and internet of things (IoT), making it a comprehensive solution for a wide range of cloud-based applications.

Embedded Engineering

Embedded engineering is a field of electrical engineering that focuses on designing and developing small computer systems, or “embedded systems,” that are integrated into larger products or systems. These systems can range from simple household appliances to complex industrial machinery, and often require expertise in hardware design, software programming, and system integration.

Embedded C/Linux

Embedded C/Linux is a combination of programming languages and operating systems used in embedded systems development. C is a popular programming language for embedded systems due to its efficiency and low-level hardware access. Linux is a commonly used operating system for embedded systems, providing an open-source, stable, and flexible platform for development.

Data Services (Engineering &Data Science)

Data Services is a field that encompasses both data engineering and data science. Data engineering involves designing, developing, and maintaining the infrastructure needed to store and process large amounts of data. Data science involves analyzing and interpreting data to gain insights and inform decision-making. Together, these services support data-driven organizations.

Performance Monitoring

Performance monitoring is the process of tracking and analyzing the performance of a system, application, or process to ensure it meets the desired level of performance. This involves collecting data on key metrics, such as response time, throughput, and resource utilization, and using this data to identify and troubleshoot issues.

Software Engineering

Software engineering is a field of computer science that focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining software systems. It involves the use of various methods, tools, and technologies to manage the software development life cycle, from requirements gathering and design, to coding and testing, to deployment and maintenance. Effective software engineering practices aim to produce high-quality software that is efficient, reliable, and scalable.

Network Security

Network security is the practice of protecting computer networks from unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or denial of service attacks. It involves the implementation of security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, virtual private networks, and encryption technologies, to secure data transmitted over networks.

Firewall

A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, such as the internet, to prevent unauthorized access and cyber attacks. Firewalls can be implemented as hardware or software, and can filter traffic based on various criteria, such as IP address, port number, and protocol type.

Juniper

Juniper Networks is a technology company that provides networking and cybersecurity solutions for enterprises and service providers. Its products include routers, switches, firewalls, and security management software, which are designed to deliver high-performance, secure, and scalable networks.

Palo Alto

Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity company that provides advanced security solutions to protect organizations from cyber threats. Its products include firewalls, cloud security, endpoint protection, and threat intelligence, which use machine learning and artificial intelligence to detect and prevent advanced attacks.

Cloud Security

Cloud security is the practice of protecting cloud computing environments from security threats and risks. It involves implementing security measures, such as access control, encryption, and data loss prevention, to safeguard cloud-based applications, data, and infrastructure from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents.

App Sec

Application security (App Sec) is the practice of securing software applications and protecting them from cyber attacks. It involves identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in software code, using techniques such as code review, penetration testing, and web application firewalls, to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents.

Red Team/Blue Team

Red Team/Blue Team is a cybersecurity testing methodology that simulates a cyber attack scenario. The Red Team acts as the attacker and attempts to breach the organization’s security defenses, while the Blue Team acts as the defender and monitors and responds to the attack. This testing methodology helps organizations identify vulnerabilities and improve their security posture.

Ethical hacking

Ethical hacking, also known as “white hat” hacking, is a practice of testing computer systems and networks for vulnerabilities and weaknesses in a legal and ethical manner. Ethical hackers use the same techniques as malicious hackers, such as penetration testing, social engineering, and vulnerability scanning, to identify security weaknesses and help organizations improve their security posture.

App Sec

Application security (App Sec) is the practice of securing software applications and protecting them from cyber attacks. It involves identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in software code, using techniques such as code review, penetration testing, and web application firewalls, to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security incidents.

Red Team/Blue Team

Red Team/Blue Team is a cybersecurity testing methodology that simulates a cyber attack scenario. The Red Team acts as the attacker and attempts to breach the organization’s security defenses, while the Blue Team acts as the defender and monitors and responds to the attack. This testing methodology helps organizations identify vulnerabilities and improve their security posture.

UCaaS

Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is a cloud-based communications solution that integrates multiple communication channels, such as voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools, into a single platform. UCaaS enables users to communicate and collaborate from anywhere and on any device, while providing advanced features such as call routing, voicemail, and presence.

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that enables voice communication over the internet. VoIP converts voice signals into digital data packets that can be transmitted over IP networks, making it a cost-effective and scalable alternative to traditional phone systems. VoIP also provides advanced features such as call forwarding, call routing, and voicemail.

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a signaling protocol used in VoIP communications to establish, modify, and terminate multimedia sessions, such as voice and video calls. SIP is an open-standard protocol that enables interoperability between different VoIP systems and devices.

Private Networks

Private Networks are computer networks that are isolated from the public internet and are used for internal communications within an organization or between multiple organizations. Private networks are often used to protect sensitive data and systems from unauthorized access and cyber attacks. They can be implemented as virtual private networks (VPNs) or dedicated private lines.

Neutral Hosting

Neutral Hosting is a wireless infrastructure model that enables multiple wireless service providers to share a common network infrastructure, such as cell towers and distributed antenna systems (DAS). Neutral Host networks are designed to provide coverage and capacity for wireless services in public venues such as airports, stadiums, and shopping centers.

Cloud communications

Cloud communications refers to the delivery of communication services, such as voice, video, and messaging, over the internet using cloud-based technology. Cloud communications enable organizations to reduce their infrastructure costs, increase scalability, and provide advanced features and functionalities, such as integration with business applications and analytics. Examples of cloud communication services include UCaaS, VoIP, and messaging apps.

Your Telecoms recruitment partner