UIS

　　Universal Information Services

　　UNE

　　Unbundled Network Elements (also known as UNE) are a requirement mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. They are the parts of the network that the ILECs are required to offer on an unbundled basis. Together, these parts make up a loop that connects to a DSLAM or a voice switch (or both). The loop allows non-facilities-based telecommunications providers to deliver service without laying network infrastructure (copper/fiber).

　　UNE-P

　　UNE-Platform - a combination of UNEs (loop + port is SBC's definition, port involves switching which is bought per minute at a "cost" rate from the RBOCs) that allow end to end service delivery without ANY facilities. Despite not involving any CLEC facilities, it still requires facilities-based certification from the PUC to deliver services via UNE-P.

　　Unguided Media

　　Unguided media is any medium in which boundary effects between "free space" and material substances are absent. The "free space" medium may or may not include a gas or vapor. Unguided media including the earth's atmosphere and outer space support terrestrial and satellite radio and optical transmission.

　　UNI

　　user-network interface

　　Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

　　UTP is a two wood pulp or plastic insulated copper conductors (wires), twisted together into pairs, capable of propagating electromagnetic waves. The twists, or lays, are varied in length to reduce the potential for signal interference between pairs, in multi-pair cables. Wire sizes range from 26 to l9 gauge (i.e., 0.016 to 0.036 inch in diameter) and are typically manufactured in cables of from 2 to 3600 pairs. Shielded twisted pair cable is similar to UTP, but the twisted pairs are surrounded by a cylindrical metallic conductor that is clad with an insulating sheath. See cable; conductor.

　　UTP

　　Unshielded twisted pair. See Unshielded Twisted Pair.

　　Uniform Resource Locator (URL) - The standard for giving an WWW Internet address

　　Universal Service Fund Surcharge - Telephone customers also may see charges on their local and long distance bills for universal service. Companies are required by the FCC to contribute to a federal universal service fund (USF). The USF helps to make phone service affordable and available to all Americans, including those with low incomes, those living in areas where the costs of providing telephone service is high, schools, libraries, and rural health care providers. These fees vary by amount and by company. USF surcharges may also be assessed at the state level.

　　UNIX - The most common multi-user operating system for servers on the Internet.

　　Upload - To transfer a file or information from your computer to another.

　　URL - See Uniform Resource Locator

　　User Name - Your user name, also called user ID or account name, is the same as your login name. This is the name by which you and your electronic mailbox are identified online.

　　USF - Universal Service Fund. The National Exchange Carrier Association administers the USF. This is a mechanism designed to keep local exchange rates at reasonable levels, especially in high-cost, rural areas. The fund gets money from a surcharge on phone lines and uses those funds to offset telecommunication expenses in the high-cost areas.

　　UseNet Newsfeed - A huge, world wide "Users Network" of discussion groups, or newsgroups, connecting and sharing information from hundreds of thousands of machines.

　　UUCP Service (UNIX to UNIX Copy Program) - A method of transferring files between UNIX computers that includes Electronic mail.