In the communications industry, there are a lot of big words, acronyms, and abbreviations that can be difficult to understand at times. Today on National Big Word Day, check out this brief list of common telecom terms and acronyms:

• ISP/BSP: Internet Service Provider/Broadband Service Provider
  • A company that provides and maintains the infrastructure and equipment needed to access the internet, like Clear Creek Communications.
• WiFi: Wireless internet
  • It’s not wired, it’s WiFi! This is the wireless transmission of internet data. WiFi is a pun on Hi-Fi, and was coined by a marketing firm, according to Wikipedia, because it sounded snappier than “IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence.” Hard to argue with that!
• Modem:
  • A modem is a piece of equipment that connects a subscriber’s home network to the internet and allows it to receive data signals.
• Router:
  • A router is a piece of equipment that lets devices connect to the internet either through a wireless or wired connection.
• SSID: Service Set Identifier
  • This is the name of your WiFi network.
• VoIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol
  • A VoIP line allows a telephone to use the internet to make and receive calls rather than traditional phone lines.
• LAN: Local Area Network
  • Also known as Ethernet, you’ll find one or more ports on the back of your router where you can physically connect a device to your home network using an Ethernet cord, like a computer, gaming console, or smart TV.
• WAN: Wide Area Network
  • This port can also be found on the back of your router. The WAN connects your router to the internet so that it can transmit wireless or wired data signals to your devices.
• USB: Universal Serial Bus
  • A USB cable allows computers and other devices to connect to external devices. They can also be used to provide power to certain devices.