Glossary of Long Distance Service Related Terms

Tariff

Documents filed by a regulated telephone company with the Federal Communications Commission or a state public utility commission. Tariffs are public documents that detail services, pricing, and equipment offered by a telephone company.

TDD Relay Service

Service that links hearing-impaired or speech-impaired customers with all other telephone users, enabling those with a Telecommunication Device for the Disabled to communicate with others who don't have a TDD.

TelAssistance Program

A program providing eligible consumers with a 65% reduction in the applicable tariff rate for qualifying services. These programs were instituted as part of the Modified Final Judgment that broke up the Bell System to ensure that a basic service level is available to anyone.

Telecommunications

Any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems.

Terminating Calls

Calls that you receive on your line.