10G-PON	An evolution of G-PON (as defined below) capable of supporting download links of 10Gbps (most commonly referring to the XG-PON standard), although, it can refer to 10G EPON and XGS-PON (the latter supporting 10Gbps symmetrical speeds) [1]
3GPP	3rd Generation Partnership Project. Originally this group of organisations was established by the cellular mobile industry to agree third generation standards. However it evolved to develop and maintain 4G, 5G and related standards relating to core and access networks and terminals. [2]
4G	Fourth Generation (of digital mobile cellular). Unless the context indicates otherwise, most references to 4G in this report are to LTE.
5G	Fifth Generation (of digital mobile cellular)
5GTF	5G Technical Forum. This refers to a proprietary standard for 5G adopted by various operators wishing to deploy 5G before the
802.11ac	Wi-Fi standard. Ratified by the IEEE in November 2013, now retrospecively marketed Wi-Fi 5.
802.11ad “WiGig”	Wi-Fi standard. 7Gbps throughput, in 60GHz spectrum (used with 2.4 & 5GHz) [5]
802.11ah	A Wi-Fi standard. Operates at a lower frequency than traditional Wi-Fi (Sub 1GHz) [5]
802.11ay	Wi-Fi standard. Next Generation 60GHz (faster speeds for spectrum above 45GHz) – 20Gbps throughput [5]
802.11az	Wi-Fi standard. Next generation positioning (improvements to positioning). Due for approval in 2021. [5]
Active Ethernet	Optical fibre connectivity from a communication node in which each subscriber is allocated a dedicated fibre (defined by IEEE 802.3) (as opposed to GPON in which a single fibre is split to serve multiple subscribers). [BMIT definition based on common usage in South Africa]. The FTTH council refers to these and other options as “Access Protocols”.
AP	Access point (in the context of Wi-Fi service provisioning)
APAA	Active phased array antenna (used to support MIMO)
API	Application Programming Interface (for example between a customer or third party and a network operator)
AR	Augmented Reality. The augmenting of a person’s real-world experience with computer-generated perceptual information overlays.
Connect Rate	The uptake, measured as Homes Connected / Homes Passed
CPE	Customer Premises Equipment. This is a non-3GPP term for the equipment which terminates the customer side of a home or office broadband connection. The one side of the CPE connects to the operator’s network and the other side is accessible by the customer. [2]
Exclusive Access	Exclusive Access refers to the situation where a single retail service provider (who may or may not be the network operator) has exclusive use of the FTTH network. [1]
Fibre	The term for optical fibre, which is known as fiber in the United States.
FTTB	Fibre to the business. [This is a different definition from the FTTH Council definition (where FTTB refers to fibre to the building). In this case, BMIT has chosen to adopt the definition which is more common usage in South Africa at present].
FTTC	Fibre to the curb (for example to a distribution kiosk) or fibre to the cabinet (which is the same meaning). In some countries, the term fibre to the kerb is also used (FTTK). [4]
FTTdp	Used to refer to fibre to the distribution point, which is similar in concept to FTTC in cases where the distribution point is at a curb. This concept is used in explaining the G.fast technology over copper lines.
FTTH	An access network architecture in which the final connection to the subscriber’s premises is optical fibre. What is included in the definition is termination of the fibre within the boundary of the subscriber premises, or on an external wall or within 2m of such a wall. What is excluded is “architectures where the optical fibre terminates in a public or private space before reaching the premises and where the access path continues to the subscriber over a physical medium other than optical fibre (for example copper loops, power cables, wireless and/or coax)”.[1]
FTTT	Refers to fibre to the tower (or mobile highsite) [this definition, whilst common in SA and used by BMIT, is not a ‘standard’ definition]
FTTx	This is a generic term where optical fibre replaces copper in the access network (encapsulating the associated abbreviations: FTTB, FTTH and FTTx)
FWA	Fixed Wireless Access (fixed wireless access to broadband service), sometimes referred to as FWB (fixed wireless broadband)
G-PON	Gigabit Passive Optical Network: A passive optical network fibre technology offering Gbps data speeds, as defined in ITU-T Recommendation G.984 [BMIT’s re-phrasing of FTTH Council definition]
GSA	GSM Vendors Association (a global body representing GSM and other mobile equipment vendors)
GSMA	The GSM Assocation (global association of mobile operators)
HAPS	High Altitude Platform System
HTS	High Throughput Satellite
Homes Connected	The number of premises which are connected to a network. [1]
Homes Passed	The potential number of premises which a service provider has capability to connect to an FTTH/FTTB network in a service area. Typically new service activation will require the installation and/or connection of a drop cable from the homes passed point (e.g. fibre-pedestal, manhole, chamber, utility-pole) to the premises, and the installation of subscriber premises equipment at the premises. This definition excludes premises that cannot be connected without further installation of substantial fibre plant such as feeder and distribution cables (fibre) to reach the area in which a potential new subscriber is located. [1, BMIT]
ICT	Information and Communication Technology
IMT	International Mobile Telecommunications
IoT	Internet of Things. Refers to connected networks of MTC-type devices (sensors, controllers, machines and other devices).
IT	Information Technology (This is used in the report to distinguish the IT industry from the more telco-oriented ICT or telco industry.)
ITU	International Telecommunications Union. The ITU is an agency founded in 1865, and now the United Nations agency tasked with coordinating telecommunication operations and services throughout the world.[4]
ITU-R	International Telecommunications Union – Radiocommunication Sector is a key sector concerned with wireless communications. [4]
LAA	Licensed Assisted Access. The mechanism whereby 4G enhances throughput through use of licence-exempt spectrum bands.
LEO	Low earth orbiting (satellite)
LTE	Long Term Evolution. The most common version of 4G implemented.
LTE-AA	Uses licensed LTE spectrum as the primary bearer, but draws on licence-exempt spectrum in parallel, to boost throughputs.
M2M	Machine-to-Machine (communication). See also MTC and IoT.
MEO	Medium earth orbit (satellite)
MIMO	Multiple Input Multiple Output (with reference to antenna arrays).
MOCN Sharing	Multi-operator (or Multiple Operator) Core Network Sharing. This is a form of active and deep base station sharing where two or more mobile operators share a core network. Each operator can broadcast its own Mobile Network Code information to its subscribers.
MTC	Multi-operator Radio Access Network sharing.
NR	New Radio. A set of standards relating to the radio interface which form the basis for the improvements which 5G introduces.
Open Access	The generic term whereby a wholesale service provider allows multiple retail service providers to offer network-based services on an equable basis. [See the various levels of open access defined below) [1, BMIT]
Open Access (Duct)	Open Access (Duct) refers to the situation where multiple retail or wholesale service providers may share the use of infrastructure covering a substantial region by drawing or blowing their fibre cables through the shared ducts, and compete to offer their services. [1]
Open Access (Fibre)	Open Access (Fibre) refers to the situation where multiple retail or wholesale service providers may use the infrastructure by connecting at a physical layer (“dark” fibre) interface and compete to offer their services. [1]
Open Access (Layer2)	Open Access (Layer2) refers to the situation where multiple retail service providers may use the FTTH network on an equable base by connecting at a layer 2 Ethernet interface from OLT or an aggregation point and compete to offer their services to end users. [1]
Open Access (Layer3)	Open Access (Layer3) refers to the situation where multiple retail service providers may use the FTTH network on an equable base by connecting at a layer 3 IP or MPLS layer interface from OLT or an aggregation point and compete to offer their services to end users. [1]
Open Access (Packet)	Open Access (Packet) refers to the situation where multiple retail service providers may use the FTTH network on an equable base by connecting at a packet layer interface and compete to offer their services to end users. The packet layer interface may be implemented on layer 2 (Ethernet) or layer 3 (IP). [1]
Open Access flexibility point	Open Access flexibility point refers to the concentration point where multiple retail or service providers may connect via their feeder cables and access Layer1 feeder fibre connectivity to each household . This Concentration or flexibility point may be located at the building or cabinet or ODF. [1]
Open Access Wavelength / Lambda	Open Access Wavelength / Lambda refers to the situation where multiple retail or wholesale service providers may use the FTTH network on an equable base by connecting at a wavelength layer interface and compete to offer their services. [1]
Open Source	The generic term for a licensing model which allows public use without payment of royalties and (typically) including the right to amend the software code or hardware design. The goal of such licensing is typically to expedite development through open collaboration.
P2MP	Point-to-Multipoint: Fibre plant provides branching optical fibre paths from a communication node to more than one premises (or building) – such that a portion of the optical paths are shared by traffic to and from multiple premises. This branching is typically realised through power or wavelength splitters or active switches. [1]
P2P, Pt-Pt or PtP	Point-to-Point: Fibre plant provides optical fibre paths from a communication node located outside of the building to the single premises – such that the optical paths are dedicated to traffic to and from this single location. [1]
Premises	A home or place of business. In a multi-dwelling unit (also called a multi-tenant unit) each apartment is therefore counted as one premises.
QAM	Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. This is both a wireless modulation technique which conveys multiple bits of information in each transmitted symbol, so that (for example) 256 QAM (or 256-QAM) transmits 8 bits per symbol (2^8=256).
QoE	Quality of Experience
QoS	Quality of Service
SDR	Software defined radio
Site Sharing	The sharing by two or more mobile operators of a single base station site. Varying degrees of site sharing are defined in this Glossary and discussed in the Report, where relevant.
Subscriber	A premises that is connected to a network and uses at least one service on this connection under a commercial contract.
Subscriber	In FTTx, this is a premise that is connected to a network and uses at least one service on this connection under a commercial contract. In 4G or 5G, this is a SIM card with an active subscription.
TE	Terminal Equipment. Simply put, this is equipment that provides the functions on a UE which provide access for the user.
Terminal	This is a non-standard term used in this report, for simplicity, to refer to the device used by the customer to connect to a 5G or other mobile network. More specifically this would be the Terminal Equipment (TE) component of the User Equipment (UE).
TTI	Transmission Time Interval.
UE	User Equipment. For the purpose of this report, this is the equipment which allows the user access to a network over a wireless interface and is itself divided into different domains, one of which is TE.
VOD	Video on Demand: A service offering a user to select from a catalogue of videos (movies, live sports and other video content) and have it streamed live to one’s device [BMIT Definition]
VR	Virtual Reality. A computer-generated, immersive user experience including visual, and possibly audio and other sensory information.
WDM-PON	Wavelength Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (a non-standard technology)
Wi-Fi	A widely and generally used term for products and solutions that are based on the IEEE 802.11 family of technical standards and utilise licence-exempt radio spectrum. Such solutions were originally conceived for the wireless office, but today are primarily used to provision wireless, point-to-point data connections across boundaries, or to provide point-to-multipoint connectivity via what are commonly known as ‘hotspots’. Wi-Fi devices are certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Wi-Fi 6	Next generation Wi-Fi, also called 802.11ax. Wi-Fi 6 represents the first time the Wi-Fi Alliance has used generational naming of the evolution of its specifications.
Wi-Fi 6E	The extension of the Wi-Fi 6 standard for use in 6GHz spectrum
WISP	Wireless internet service provider or Wireless ISP.
WRC-xx	World Radiocommunication Conference held or to be held in the year specified by xx. The WRC is a meeting sponsored by ITU-R, held every 3-4 years to assist with global spectrum harmonisation and results in updated treaties between international telecoms regulators. [3]
XG-PON	A standard which is part of the G-PON evolution path and capable of downlaad speeds of 10GBbps (see also 10G-PON) [1]
XHS-PON	A standard which is part of the G-PON evolution path and capable of symmetrical (downlaad and upload) speeds of 10Gbps (see also 10G-PON) [1]
XR	Extended reality (i.e. virtual reality and/or augmented reality)

Source: Definitions are commonly-used terms or as defined by BMIT, unless otherwise acknowledged from the following sources: [1] FTTH Council – Definition of Terms. Version 5.0 – July 2016; [2] 3GPP definitions as per TR21.905v15.1 (Dec 2018) in www.3gpp.org; [3] ITU dd-T; [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_to_the_x ; [5] IEEE 802.11 standards website