Glossary
Digital infrastructure can sound technical — but it affects everyday things like video calls, streaming, online services, and how businesses operate.
This glossary explains common broadband and mobile terms in plain English, with links to related topics and projects across Oxfordshire.
Broadband & Internet Basics
Broadband
Always on internet access delivered via a fixed line (such as fibre or copper), cable, or wireless networks.
Download speed
How fast data is transferred to your device. Usually shown in Mbps or Gbps.
Upload speed
How fast data is transferred from your device to the internet (important for video calls and sending large files).
Bandwidth
The amount of data a connection can carry at once — higher bandwidth helps when multiple people or devices are online.
Latency
The time it takes for data to travel across a network (lower is better for video calls, gaming and real-time services).
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that sells internet access to homes and businesses (over fibre, copper, cable or wireless).
Gigabit-capable
A connection capable of average download speeds of at least 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps).
Universal Service Obligation (USO)
If you can’t get at least 10 Mbit/s download and 1 Mbit/s upload, you may be able to request an upgraded connection via the USO process.
Contention ratio
How many customers share the same network capacity in an area — higher contention can affect speeds at busy times.
Fibre & Fixed Broadband Technologies
Fibre-optic cable
Full fibre (FTTP)
Broadband delivered over fibre-optic cable all the way into a home or business; typically the fastest and most reliable fixed broadband.
Also known as: Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP)
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP)
A full fibre connection from the exchange/network to the end premises.
Also known as: Full fibre
Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC)
Fibre runs from the exchange to a street cabinet, then the final connection into the property uses copper phone lines.
Related: VDSL (often used to deliver FTTC)
ADSL
An older broadband service delivered over copper phone lines, using frequencies not taken up by voice calls.
VDSL
A faster DSL technology often used for FTTC services, with improved upload/download performance compared with ADSL
Copper network
Older telecommunications network based on copper phone lines. Many legacy broadband services (like ADSL and the last part of FTTC) rely on copper.
Next Generation Access (NGA)
A collective term for higher-performance broadband than traditional copper broadband, typically supporting access line speeds above 30 Mbps using technologies including FTTP, FTTC and fixed wireless.
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
Broadband delivered via radio links from a mast/antenna to equipment installed at a property — often used where fibre is difficult to build.
FTTP on Demand (FoD)
A built-to-order service that can provide FTTP for premises already in an FTTC area, usually involving an installation cost quote for the specific premises.
Cable broadband (DOCSIS)
Broadband delivered over cable TV infrastructure. Some cable networks can be gigabit-capable depending on the DOCSIS standard used.
Mobile Connectivity (4G & 5G)
Mobile data
Internet access provided via a mobile network (4G/5G) rather than a fixed broadband line.
4G / LTE
Fourth-generation mobile network technology; LTE is the global standard that supports faster mobile data services.
5G
Fifth-generation mobile network technology designed to increase capacity, reduce latency, and support more connected devices.
5G Standalone (SA) / Non-Standalone (NSA)
Two 5G deployment types: SA uses a dedicated 5G core; NSA uses a 5G radio layer alongside a 4G core.
Mobile Network Operator (MNO)
A provider that builds and operates mobile infrastructure (masts/base stations and core network) to deliver calls, texts and mobile data.
Mobile coverage
How widely a mobile signal is available across an area (coverage can differ for 4G vs 5G and by operator).
Not-spots
Locations where mobile coverage is weak or absent (for calls, texts, or data).
Radio Access Network
The “radio” part of 4G/5G networks that connects devices to the wider mobile network.
Small cells
Compact, street-level mobile units that improve coverage and capacity, especially in built-up areas
Transceivers
Active radio equipment that sends and receives signals in a mobile network.
Mobile Private Network (MPN)
A dedicated LTE/5G network for a business or organisation, designed for secure, reliable on-site connectivity and service-level guarantees.
Network Infrastructure & Physical Assets
Exchange
A telecoms site/building that houses network equipment and connects local lines into wider networks.
Street cabinet
A roadside cabinet that links local properties to the wider network (often used in FTTC areas).
Cabinet capacity
The number of connections a new FTTC cabinet can support. If take-up is higher than expected, additional equipment may need installing before new orders can be taken.
Ducting
Underground pipes used to route telecoms cables (fibre and copper).
Poles
Overhead structures used to carry telecoms cables where underground routes aren’t available or practical.
Backhaul / backbone (core network)
High-capacity connections that aggregate local access connectivity and link it to wider networks and the main internet gateways.
Point of Presence (PoP)
A location where a network operator connects into other networks or hands traffic off into a wider backbone.
Wayleave
A legal agreement allowing telecoms infrastructure to cross or be placed on private land, often needed for rural delivery.
Organisations, Regulation, Funding & Complaints
Ofcom
The UK regulator and competition authority for communications (including broadband and mobile).
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme
An independent route for unresolved complaints if you’ve followed your provider’s complaints process and the issue remains after the required timeframe.
Building Digital UK (BDUK)
A government body focused on improving broadband and mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
The government department responsible for policy and funding to improve fixed and mobile communications infrastructure.
State Aid / UK Subsidy Control
Rules that determine where public funding can be used to support telecoms rollout; State Aid has been replaced by UK Subsidy Control post-Brexit.
Intervention area
An area eligible for public funding because no commercial provider has confirmed coverage (or plans to build) there.
Commercial rollout
Broadband/mobile deployment paid for by private sector investment rather than public subsidy.
Public subsidy
Government funding used to help deliver connectivity where commercial build is unlikely to be viable.
Open access network
A network designed to be used by multiple service providers (helping choice and competition).
Oxfordshire & Programme Terms
Digital Infrastructure
The underlying technology and systems that enable communication, data exchange, and online services (such as fibre networks and mobile infrastructure).
Digital Infrastructure Programme (DIP)
Oxfordshire County Council’s programme that supports delivery and improvement of broadband, mobile and public Wi-Fi services, working with suppliers and government.
Better Broadband for Oxfordshire (BBFO)
A partnership programme that delivered superfast broadband across Oxfordshire and has now completed.
Businesses in Rural Oxfordshire (BiRO)
EAFRD-funded contracts that delivered ultrafast broadband to rural businesses and nearby residences in Oxfordshire.
West Oxfordshire Broadband Programme
A district-led broadband programme run by West Oxfordshire District Council (completed in 2022)
England’s Connected Heartland (ECH)
A regional partnership delivering 5G Private Mobile Network connectivity projects (including Harwell Campus and a section of new rail track between Bicester and Bletchley).
PSTN Switch-off & Digital Voice
PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
The traditional phone network that carried voice calls over copper lines. The UK is moving away from this legacy technology.
Digital Voice
A replacement for traditional landlines where calls are delivered over a broadband connection rather than the old copper phone network.