ACMA - Glossary H

Information on our website often includes abbreviations, acronyms, technical language and jargon. To assist you, a glossary of commonly used terms is given here, with explanations.

The glossary is provided in the following alphabetical breakdown:

Commonly used terms	Explanation
HDSL	high-speed digital subscriber line See ADSL.
HF	high frequency Portion of the radiofrequency spectrum between 3 and 30 MHz.
HFC cable	hybrid fibre coaxial cable A network consisting of optical fibre on main routes, and supplemented by coaxial cable closer to the customer premises.
HiBIS	Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme An Australian Government program for subsidising ISPs that provide approved broadband services to consumers in rural and remote areas at less than specified prices.
HTTP	hypertext transfer protocol Protocol or process for downloading web pages from the internet
ICH	internet content host Provider of internet content.
ICNIRP	International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection International body for regulation of EME that publishes emission guidelines.
IDD	international direct dial Telecommunications system that allows caller to dial direct to an overseas number.
IEEE	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Professional association that develops international technical standards and is a leading authority in fields such as computer engineering and telecommunications.
IIA	Internet Industry Association Peak body for ISPs and other internet industry members, including carriers, content creators and publishers, web developers, e-commerce traders and providers, hardware vendors and systems integrators.
IMT-2000	International Mobile Telecommunications – 2000 Term adopted by the ITU to refer to third generation mobile telecommunications systems and services.
INHOPE	Internet Hotline Providers in Europe Association International forum for internet hotlines that deal with complaints about illegal internet content, particularly child pornography, to exchange information and experience. ACMA is an INHOPE member.
INMS	Industry Number Management Services Ltd Independent company established by carriers and carriage service providers to manage and allocate freephone and local rate numbers from a pool, under delegation from ACMA.
interim service	The universal service provider must offer customers access to an interim or alternative service when there is an extended delay in connection or repair of a standard telephone service. An interim service is a voice grade service using mobile, satellite or radio technology that delivers the same basic functions as a standard telephone service and is charged at the same rate.
IPND	Integrated Public Number Database Database of telecommunications customer information in Australia, arranged by number, for all carriers and carriage service providers.
IPNDe	IPND system introduced to enable authorised agencies to access IPND data with greater speed and a higher standard of request authentication.
IPTV	internet protocol television Television system whereby digital content is delivered via a network infrastructure, often in conjunction with video-on-demand and other non-television services such as VoIP and other internet services.
ISDN	integrated services digital network Digital data access technique, for voice and data. Digital alternative to an analog public switched telephone service.
ISP	internet service provider Service provider offering internet access services.
ITU	International Telecommunication Union United Nations agency that coordinates matters of international telecommunications concern.
ITU-R	ITU – Radiocommunication Sector ITU body dealing with international radiocommunications matters.
ITU-T	ITU – Telecommunication Standardization Sector ITU body dealing with international telecommunications standards.
IVR	interactive voice response Software application that accepts a combination of voice and touch-tone keypad selection to enable callers to select an appropriate response, including being connected to an operator. Common uses of this type of application include directory assistance, incoming call routing, telephone banking, telephone betting and other public information services.
KB	kilobyte(s) A thousand bytes. See byte(s).
kbit/s	kilobits per second Data communication rate of one thousand bits per second. See bit/s.
kHz	kilohertz One thousand Hertz (see also MHz and GHz).

Glossary H – K