UK Telecoms and ICT Index and Links - S
- SACOT - Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications
- SATELLITE PHONES
- SCREEN POPPING
- SDSL - SYMMETRICAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE
- SECURITY
- SERVER
- SIGNAL BOOSTER
- SMALL BUSINESS SERVICE
- SMARTCARD
- SMS - Short Message Service
- STD CODES
- SWITCH
- SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION
SACOT - Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications
Established by the Telecommunications Act 1984 to advise Oftel on matters relating to telecoms regulation in Scotland. Awaiting the revival of something similar under Ofcom.
| external links: | SACOT Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications became defunct after Oftel was absorbed by Ofcom |
| related index entries: | ACTs - Advisory Committees on Telecommunications |
SATELLITE PHONES
Inmarsat and low earth orbit (LEO) services.
| external links: | Globalstar Satellite telephone and data systems and services Intellect (an amalgamation of the Federation of the Electronics Industry FEI and the CSSA) The 'voice of the industry' with good links to information about mobile health issues among other techie stuff. |
| information sheets: | Improving Internet connectivity Introduction to telecoms technologies |
| features: | Using your mobile phone abroad |
| related index entries: | MOBILE TELEPHONY |
SCREEN POPPING
A facility which brings a contact database and a telephone system together - if a caller's details are on the database, they will automatically appear on the computer screen when the call is received.
| related index entries: | CTI - Computer Telephony Integration |
SDSL - SYMMETRICAL DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE
A digital broadband service over the 'local loop' copper wires which has the same data capacity upload as download - as opposed to asymmetrical ADSL. The suppliers side 'modem' can be incorporated in the local exchange or a 'raw copper' twin wire can be leased from BT which connects the customer to a suppliers 'point of presence' and hence to the Internet backbone.
| external links: | World of ADSL Information about ADSL roll-out in the UK including links to aggregation campaign sites. |
| information sheets: | Getting connected to the Internet Improving Internet connectivity |
| features: | Broadband - a Guide for Small Businesses |
| related index entries: | ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line |
| external links: | Equiinet Equiinet supply server appliances which make Internet connectivity, the administration of security and control of users easier for non-technical business managers. Mobile Equipment National Database (MEND) Database of mobile phones and similar equipment recording owners details alongside equipment serial numbers or other identifiers so that recovered stolen equipment can be returned to the owners. The MEND system and technology has now been fully integrated into the United Kingdoms officially approved national property register - Immobilise. Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF) MICAF represents the mobile phone networks and major handset manufacturers in the UK on matters of common concern in relation to handset security and crime. |
| information sheets: | Halt - Who goes there? A Guide to Network Security Mobile phone, iPod, MP3 player and handheld computer theft What is a server appliance - and why do you need one? |
| related index entries: | FIREWALL VIRUS |
SERVER
A powerful computer which may be located in-house or on the premises of a specialist company, such as an Internet Service Provider. Used to store communal data, network hardware and software among users, and also to host websites.
| information sheets: | Using a network in your office |
SIGNAL BOOSTER
An electronic device or amplifier situated between exchanges, or between the exchange and subscriber premises, which boosts a signal which would otherwise suffer too much degradation due to distance.
SMALL BUSINESS SERVICE
The Small Business Service (SBS) was formed in April 2000. It oversees the work of Business Links and other business support agencies throughout the UK.
| external links: | Small Business Service Now under the Business Link banner |
SMARTCARD
A plastic card incorporating a silicon chip. A smartcard is programmed with its user's contact details, including telephone number. It can be used in any compatible terminal to route calls to a particular number.
| related index entries: | CALLING CARD |
SMS - Short Message Service
SMS or text messages are short (up to 160 character) messages sent to a mobile phone using GSM, across mobile phone networks or even from a website offering this service. Useful to send quick messages at low cost.
| external links: | fax.co.uk email to fax and SMS services |
| information sheets: | Dumping and dating by text messaging Mobile phone tones and graphics |
| related index entries: | EMS - enhanced messaging service MOBILE PHONES |
| external links: | UK Telephone Code Locator |
| related index entries: | TELEPHONE NUMBERS |
SWITCH
An electro-mechanical device which physically connects and disconnects lines in order to route a call to its destination.
SYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION
Chat rooms and videoconferencing are examples of synchronous communication, where communication take place in real time, in the same way as a telephone conversation.
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