Glossary of telephony terms

A

Analog telephony

The original form of telephony that transmits voice as continuous electrical signals over copper wires. Analog lines are prone to noise and eavesdropping and are being replaced by digital systems.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of tools and rules that allows software systems to communicate. In telephony, APIs connect apps to calling, messaging, or contact-management services (e.g., Twilio, MySudo).

App-based calling

Voice calls made through an app instead of a carrier network. These calls use data/Wi-Fi and can include encryption or virtual numbers for privacy.

Attack vector

An attack vector is the method or pathway a cybercriminal uses to gain unauthorized access to a system or network to deliver a malicious payload or exploit a vulnerability.

B

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transmitted per second over a network. Higher bandwidth enables clearer calls and better video quality in VoIP telephony.

Base station

A fixed radio tower that connects mobile phones to the carrier’s cellular network. Every mobile call routes through a base station in the local area.

Bluetooth calling

Wireless calling via Bluetooth connection between a phone and headset or car system. Convenient but not encrypted end-to-end, meaning call data can be intercepted at the device level.

C

Caller ID

Displays the caller’s number (and sometimes name) on the receiver’s device. Spoofing caller ID is a common scam tactic. Privacy tools like MySudo can mask or randomize caller ID.

Carrier

A telecommunications company providing mobile or fixed-line phone service (e.g., AT&T, Verizon). Carriers manage SIM cards, towers, and billing systems.

Circuit switching

Traditional telephony technology that creates a dedicated line for each call. Once standard in the PSTN, it’s largely replaced by packet switching (used in VoIP).

Cloud telephony

A system where phone services (calling, voicemail, messaging) are hosted on the internet rather than physical phone lines. MySudo’s secure calling runs on similar cloud principles.

Contact identity

The specific information (like a phone number or email) you use to communicate. In privacy-first telephony, this is decoupled from your real identity—the model MySudo uses.

D

Data breach

An incident where sensitive information is accessed or stolen. When phone numbers appear in breaches, they can be linked to personal identities and used for scams.

DID (Direct Inward Dialing)

A virtual number assigned within a VoIP or PBX system that lets external callers reach a specific extension directly without going through a receptionist.

DID (Decentralized Identifier)

In modern identity tech, a DID is a unique, cryptographically verifiable digital identity that you control. MySudo is aligned with this concept—users manage multiple independent digital identities.

Dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF)

The tones generated when pressing keys on a phone (used for navigation menus).

E

E2EE (End-to-End Encryption)

Security method ensuring that only the sender and receiver can access call or message content. MySudo uses E2EE to protect communication data.

E.164 standard

The international numbering plan defining how phone numbers are formatted globally (e.g., +1 for U.S., +44 for U.K.).

eSIM

An embedded SIM chip built into devices that can be reprogrammed digitally. Convenient, but still tied to carrier accounts—unlike virtual numbers that bypass SIM identity.

F

Fixed line

A wired telephone connection that’s physically installed in one location (e.g., home or office phone).

Firewall

A security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. Firewalls help prevent unauthorized VoIP or telephony access.

Fraudulent call (spoofing)

When scammers disguise their caller ID to appear legitimate. Common in phishing, tech-support scams, and robocalls.

G

Gateway (telephony gateway)

A device or service that connects different types of networks (e.g., converting analog voice calls into digital VoIP packets).

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

A standard for mobile networks used by most of the world’s carriers. GSM defines how calls, SMS, and data are transmitted over cellular networks.

H

Hybrid telephony

A mix of traditional and cloud-based systems; for example, a business that uses landlines and VoIP together during a transition phase.

HTTP(S)

The protocol for transmitting data over the web. HTTPS adds encryption and is relevant for securing telephony APIs and VoIP connections.

I

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)

A unique identifier stored in your SIM card that ties your mobile number to your account and personal data. MySudo avoids IMSI exposure by not using carrier SIMs.

IP address (Internet Protocol Address)

A digital identifier assigned to each internet-connected device. VoIP calls depend on IP routing, which can be anonymized or protected for privacy.

IP telephony

The use of the internet protocol to transmit voice, video, or fax. Also known as VoIP, it underpins modern calling apps and enterprise systems.

J

Jitter

Variations in packet delivery time during a VoIP call, which can cause audio distortion. Stable bandwidth and QoS (Quality of Service) reduce jitter.

K

Key exchange (cryptography)

The process by which two parties securely share encryption keys for E2EE communication. MySudo automatically performs this for every secure call or message.

L

Latency

The delay between sending and receiving voice data in a call. High latency leads to lag or talk-over. VoIP systems optimize routing to minimize it.

Local Number Portability (LNP)

The ability to transfer (port) your phone number between carriers or providers.

M

Metadata

Information about communication—such as who called, when, and how long—not the content itself. Traditional phone networks store metadata extensively. MySudo minimizes it for privacy.

Mobile Network Operator (MNO)

A company providing wireless service infrastructure (e.g., T-Mobile, AT&T).

Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO)

A company that provides mobile service using another carrier’s infrastructure. MySudo operates independently of both, offering internet-based telephony.

Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

A security process requiring more than one method of verification. Avoid SMS-based MFA when possible, due to SIM swap risks.

N

NAT (Network Address Translation)

A network process that allows multiple devices to share a single IP address. Important for routing VoIP calls within private networks.

Number masking

A privacy feature that hides one party’s real phone number. Used in apps like MySudo, Uber, and Airbnb to protect user identity during calls.

O

OTP (One-Time Password)

A temporary code used for authentication. Often sent via SMS but safer through encrypted apps or hardware tokens.

Over-the-Top (OTT) communication

Voice or messaging services delivered over the internet, bypassing traditional carriers (e.g., WhatsApp, MySudo, Signal).

P

Packet switching

Modern data transmission method that breaks information into packets sent individually over a network. Used by VoIP systems.

PBX (Private Branch Exchange)

A business telephone system that manages internal calls and routes external ones. Cloud PBX platforms are now common.

Phishing (voice & SMS)

Fraud attempts through deceptive messages or calls (vishing, smishing) that trick users into sharing information.

Privacy-first telphony

Communication systems designed to minimize data exposure and metadata retention. MySudo exemplifies this model.

PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

The world’s traditional circuit-switched telephone system, still in use but gradually being replaced by internet-based telephony.

Q

QoS (Quality of Service)

A network feature that prioritizes real-time traffic like voice over data to ensure call quality.

R

RCS (Rich Communication Services)

The modern upgrade to SMS offering multimedia and encryption features, though adoption varies by carrier.

Robocall

An automated phone call delivering a prerecorded message, often for scams or spam marketing.

Router

The network device that directs VoIP traffic. A misconfigured router can cause call drops or poor audio.

S

SIP (Sesion Initiation Protocol)

A protocol that sets up, manages, and terminates VoIP sessions. It’s the backbone of most IP-based calling systems.

SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module)

A small chip linking your phone to a carrier. MySudo avoids SIM dependency, reducing SIM swap and identity risks.

Smishing

Phishing via SMS text messages that try to lure users into revealing credentials or clicking malicious links.

Spoofing

Impersonating a trusted number or caller ID to deceive recipients.

Softphone

A software-based phone that uses a computer or mobile app instead of physical hardware.

Spam calling filtering

The process of detecting and blocking unwanted or fraudulent calls.

T

Telephony

The technology and processes that enable voice communication over a distance. Once analog and wired, now digital and internet-based.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

An extra layer of security requiring a password plus a secondary method like a code or app. Avoid SMS-based 2FA due to phone number exposure risks.

TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Encryption protocol that secures VoIP traffic between servers.

U

Unified Communication (UC)

Integrated platforms combining voice, video, chat, and email in one interface (e.g., Microsoft Teams).

Unlisted number

A phone number not publicly available in directories; early analog equivalent of digital number masking.

V

Virtual number

A phone number that operates over the internet without being tied to a SIM or physical line. MySudo provides virtual numbers for secure, private communication.

Vishing

Voice phishing — fraudulent phone calls where attackers impersonate trusted entities.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

Technology that sends voice over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. Foundational to MySudo’s secure calling model.

W

WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication)

An open-source technology enabling voice, video, and data sharing directly between browsers or apps. Used in many privacy-focused platforms.

Whitelisting

Allowing only approved contacts or domains to reach you. MySudo users can control communication on a per-identity basis.

Wi-Fi calling

Making calls over Wi-Fi rather than a cellular connection, improving coverage indoors and abroad.

Z

Zero-knowledge encryption

A privacy model in which even the service provider cannot read or access user data. MySudo employs a similar principle for message and call privacy.