Part of the Telecom glossary:

A carrier network is the proprietary network infrastructure belonging to a telecommunications service provider such as Verizon, AT&T or Sprint. Telecom carriers are authorized by regulatory agencies to operate telecommunications systems. Carrier networks are made up of large, complex configurations of hardware, interconnected to provide communications services to people spread over large geographic areas.

Next Steps

Specific device types served by a carrier network include telephony equipment, CATV (community access television) receivers, satellite television receivers, mobile computing devices, PCs (personal computers), and certain specialized items such as medical and surveillance equipment.

Carrier networks distribute massive quantities of data over great distances. The long-distance signal-conveying medium in a carrier network is sometimes called the backbone. Most of the backbone is built around fiber optics, although some portions of some networks still employ "copper" (cable). Internet service to individual end users can take place through fiber optics (in the best-case scenario) although cable, wireless, and satellite Internet modes are more common. In rural areas, some end users rely on twisted pair telephone lines for their Internet access.

This was last updated in August 2012
Contributor(s): Stan Gibilisco
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Related Terms

Definitions

  • telecom carrier

    - A telecom carrier is a company that is authorized by regulatory agencies to operate a telecommunications system. (SearchNetworking.com)

  • carrier detect

    - Carrier detect (see modem lights) is a control signal between a modem and a computer that indicates that the modem detects a "live" carrier that can be used for sending and receiving information. (SearchNetworking.com)

  • Carrier Ethernet

    - Carrier Ethernet is the use of high-bandwidth Ethernet technology for Internet access and for communication among business, academic and government local area networks (LANs)... (Continued) (SearchTelecom.com)

Glossaries

  • Telecom

    - Terms related to telecom, including definitions about telecommunication service providers and words and phrases about voice, video and Internet communication.

  • Circuit switched services equipment and providers

    - Terms related to circuit switched services equipment and providers, including dedicated communications channel definitions and words and phrases about telecommunications.

  • Networking and communications

    - Terms related to networking and communications, including definitions about network protocols and words and phrases about data transmission.

Dig Deeper

Fast References

People Who Read This Also Read...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.