What is a telecommunications network? This question may seem elementary, but a telecommunications network truly is anything and everything that connects different entities to one another. Technically, a telecommunications network can be anything that uses electrical or electronic means to transmit signals.
In a broad sense, this can extend to telephone, radio, television, personal computers, fax machines, modems, cordless phones, and other similar technologies. While the word has historically been used to describe just the array of wires and switches utilized by phone service providers to deliver audio connectivity to business and residential clients, today it is understood to encompass Internet, microwave, and wireless technologies.
As any individual with a rudimentary understanding of how electronic devices work understands, telecommunications networks are comprised of numerous components. The “links” that are responsible for passing digital information from point A to point B are called logically connected electronic devices. The physical network infrastructure consists of telephone switches, cable wires, fiber optic lines, electrical circuits, power circuits, relays, routers, and so forth. When all of these components work together in a well-designed system, the entire network infrastructure becomes what is known as a telecommunications network.
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Basics of how telephone communications are carried out
Before going any further, what is needed is a brief preview of the basics of how telephone communications are carried out. A standard circuit in the network consists of a transmitter that receives and sends electronic pulses and signals along a physical channel. At the receiving end of the physical channel is a receiver that receives these signals and pulses and converts them to an analog signal or voice. This basic concept is simple enough when compared to the various components that make up the actual telecommunication networks. One need only review a few pages of a basic course on networking or communications technology to grasp the essence of the problem.
Telephone networks, however, go much further than simply using telephones as their means of communication. To begin with, telephones themselves are not simply sets of equipment, but rather comprise several different components. For instance, one may find a traditional residential telephone inside the home; it may also be coupled to an answering machine and/or VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service (which enables voice calls to be made over the Internet and other internet based transmission systems). Furthermore, the telephone itself contains electric current, a diode (or photoresistor), and a protective case that allows the diode to alter its voltage in response to external electromagnetic fields such as radio waves, microwave radiation, or cell phone static. All of these electrical components combine to provide the basic functionality of a telephone call.
Even before delving into the more complicated telecommunications systems, it’s important to explain what all this electronics equipment looks like. Remember that each component mentioned above is designed to handle a particular task within the telephone system. This is generally done through what is known as an ‘ASocket.’ Within the ASocket, there are typically seven different components that are responsible for handling different functions, among them are an PHYLANIC adapter, a modem, a private line, an electronic circuit, an integrated circuit (OCS), and an output terminal. There are many other components that are often present, but for the sake of this article, we’ll simply be discussing the seven primary pieces of equipment that make up a typical telecommunication system.
Now, back to what is a Telecommunications network? With the advent of new telecommunications technologies, many parts of the country have experienced substantial improvements in their ability to conduct business. This has led to a booming in demand for telecommunication systems, which will likely only increase in the coming years. One reason for this increase in demand is the fact that telecommunications networks are quickly becoming outdated.
In order to ensure your company’s future success, you need to be able to plan ahead for this fact. This is where a telecommunication service provider can make a huge difference in your company. If you were to hire a provider who wasn’t well-experienced or well-educated about modern telecommunications networks, you could face a serious lack of competition. However, by hiring a qualified expert who can show you an overview of how different parts of your company could function with the help of modern telecommunication networks, you can ensure that you can benefit from this knowledge without spending a fortune on training your employees.
From an overview of the telephone network to a more detailed explanation of how electric power and communications are used in an electronic equipment installation, by the time you have finished reading this article you will be well on your way to having a basic understanding of how telecommunications work.
