BT 2007 Annual Report Download - page 173

r21CN: an end-to-end, next-generation IP network, designed to transform the customer experience by delivering new, converged
services rapidly and cost effectively. It is one of the largest investments in the UK’s communications infrastructure by a private
sector company.
r3G: in mobile telephony, third-generation, or 3G, protocols support much higher data rates, intended for applications other than
voice. 3G wireless is digital and includes such enhanced features as high-speed transmission, global roaming and advanced
multimedia access.
ractive (voice) customers: BT telephony customers who are actively using the service
rADSL: asymmetric digital subscriber line – transforms the existing copper wires between the local telephone exchange and a
customer’s telephone sockets into a high-speed digital line
rARPU: average revenue per user
rATM: asynchronous transfer mode – is a packet switching network protocol designed to support transmission of data with a
number of guarantees relating to quality
rbackhaul network: the network linking a communication provider’s network with the BT exchange
rbroadband: comes from ‘broad bandwidth’ and is used to describe a high-capacity, two-way link between an end user and an
access network supplier – capable of carrying a wide range of applications
rBT Conferencing: a business within BT Enterprises offering global audio, video and web collaboration services
rBT Directories: a business within BT Enterprises offering directory enquiries, operator services and the phone book, as well as
more recently developed on-line and CD-ROM services
rBT Enterprises: a business unit within BT Retail encompassing BT Conferencing, BT Directories, BT Expedite, BT Payphones, BT
redcare and dabs.com
rBT Expedite: a business within BT Enterprises offering specialist store integration solutions and services
rBT Global Services: BT’s line of business providing global services (including managed networks, outsourcing and systems
integration on an agile IP infrastructure) to multi-site organisations, such as corporate and government customers across Europe,
the Americas and the Asia Pacific region. It also serves wholesale customers outside the UK.
rBT Ireland: a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group plc, and a fully integrated division of BT Retail. It operates in the consumer,
business, major business and wholesale markets throughout the island of Ireland.
rBT Payphones: a business within BT Enterprises providing street, managed and private payphones and card services
rBT Pension Scheme (BTPS): The BTPS is the group’s main final salary pension scheme, where benefits are based on employees’
length of service and final pensionable pay.
rBT redcare: a business within BT Enterprises offering secure intelligent monitoring and tracking services, including alarm
monitoring, CCTV, machine monitoring, secure mobile data solutions and vehicle tracking
rBT Retail: a BT line of business offering a wide range of retail products and services to the consumer and small to medium
business markets
rBT Retirement Plan (BTRP): a defined contribution-style pension arrangement that was introduced for new BT employees from
1 April 2001
rBT Wholesale: a BT line of business providing network services and solutions within the UK. It services more than 700
communications companies, including other BT businesses.
rBusiness in the Community: an organisation of more than 700 of the UK’s top companies committed to improving their positive
impact on society
rChildline: the UK’s free, 24-hour helpline for children in distress or danger
rConsult 21: the programme through which BT is working closely with the industry to agree the 21CN roll-out plan
rconvergence: has various interpretations. It can mean the delivery of voice, video and data across all networks. It also refers to
the integration of fixed and mobile solutions, sometimes on a single handset.
rCP: customer premises
rCPS: carrier pre-selection enables customers to choose to have certain call types carried by another network operator
rCRM: customer relationship management
rCSR: corporate social responsibility
rdabs.com: a business within BT Enterprises, it is one of the UK’s leading internet retailers of IT and technology products
rDow Jones Sustainability Index: assesses 2,500 companies worldwide on their performance in areas such as corporate governance
and ethical practices, investor relations, environmental management, community investment, human rights, health and safety,
diversity, supply chain and risk management
rDSL: digital subscriber line – a broadband service similar to ADSL, but with upload and download transmission rates the same
rEMEA: Europe, the Middle East and Africa
rEMP: Equivalence Management Platform – Openreach’s transactional platform that underpins all its interactions with
communications providers. It can process up to 100,000 orders a day.
rEPS: earnings per share
rESIP: Employee Share Investment Plan – a plan under which BT can provide free shares to employees, and employees can buy
shares in BT from pre-tax salaries
rFASB: Financial Accounting Standards Board – the board which sets US GAAP accounting standards
rGb: gigabits (per second)
rGCTO: BT Group Chief Technology Office – responsible for creating BT’s innovation strategy
rGSM: global system for mobile communications – the standard for digital cellular communications that has been widely adopted
across Europe and other territories
rIASB: International Accounting Standards Board – the board which sets International Financial Reporting Standards
rICT: information and communication technology
Shareholder information
Glossary of terms
172 BT Group plc Annual Report & Form 20-F