P-MAC

packet media access controller

PAD

packet assembler-disassembler

PCB

printed circuit board

PDS

premises distribution system

Personal Communications

Personal communications provides at least one human operator with direct terminal access and real time or near real time interactive communications with a remote human opera tor or an information system resource. Personal communications can refer to a broad range of services, systems and equipment, e.g., facsimile machines, landline telephones, cellular tele phone systems and emerging personal communication system (PCS) adjuncts, and a variety of radio systems including pagers, hand-held remote data entry terminals, and autonomous citizen-band- like radio systems.

PHY

physical-layer protocol

PMD

physical-layer media-dependent

Point-of-presence (POP)

A POP is a physical location within a LATA that an IXC establishes for the purpose of gaining access to BOC/LEC networks within the LATA using LEC provided access services. An IXC may have more than one POP within a LATA and the POP may support public and private, switched and non switched services.