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Teleconferencing Terms and Definitions

The following is a brief list of teleconferencing terms and their definitions.

Audio Teleconferencing: Phone meetings (conference calls) consisting of three or more remote participants. There are two general types of audio teleconferencing: Operator-assisted and “reservationless.”

International Conference Calling: Conference calling services that allow international participants to join a meeting. Many international conference calling plans provide free access for outside parties, but charge added fees to the host company.

Leader Pass Code: Pass code assigned to the moderator of a “reservationless” conference call. Participants generally hear only “on hold” music until the moderator has entered into the meeting using the leader pass code.

Operator-Assisted Conference call: Conference call in which all logistics are handled by an outside service. Participants are required to make reservations, security measures are put in place, and interactive tools such as voting and polling can be used. Generally more expensive than “reservationless” conference calls, but also more reliable.

Participant Pass Code: A pass code that allows outside parties to gain access to a conference call. A single pass code can be generated for all participants, or multiple codes can be generated for added security. In the case of an operator-assisted conference call, participants will need reservations along with their pass codes.

“Reservationless” Conference Calls: Conference calls in which the logistics of the meeting are handled by the moderator or the host company. A leader pass code is given to the moderator and a participant pass code is assigned to outside parties. “Reservationless” conference calls require no prior planning, so they can take place on the spur of the moment. They are generally less expensive than operator-assisted conference calls, but they don’t offer the same variety of options.

Teleconferencing: Any meeting conducted by multiple remote parties that utilizes telecommunications technology such as phones, Internet, or video. Teleconferencing allows businesses to open lines of communication with clients and traveling employees throughout the world.

Toll Free Conference Calling: Conference calling services that allow remote parties to access meetings without paying a long-distance charge. Toll-free conference calling ensures that clients won’t have to pay to be part of a meeting.

Video Teleconferencing: Teleconferencing that enables remote participants to engage in face-to-face real-time interaction. As with conference calling, “reservationless” and operator-assisted services are available. All parties involved must have the proper equipment in order for video teleconferencing to take place.

Web Teleconferencing: Teleconferencing service that combines both audio and visual elements with the power of the Internet. Participants can communicate as they would during a conference call or video conference, but they can also share documents, write or draw on common white boards, send private or public instant messages, view PowerPoint presentations, and more. Web conferencing has proven effective for business, but it has also grown into an educational tool for schools of all grade levels.

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