Glossary

3G internet is a collective term for third-generation networks. The 3G standard offers wireless transmission of voice (phone calls) and data (UMTS) for internet access, video calling and mobile TV at speeds of at least 200 kbps. The current 3G network is followed by the more advanced 4G/LTE internet, which currently offers the fastest mobile connection.

4G/LTE is a network that enables very fast data transfers and the most reliable voice services. 4G is a mobile network technology that meets the IMT Advanced requirements defined by the International Telecommunication Union. These include a transfer speed of 1 Gbps for stationary or slowly moving devices and 100 Mbps for fast-moving devices, enabling full internet access, IP telephony, high-definition internet TV, video conferencing and 3D TV.

The fifth-generation network is a new telecommunications standard technology – a fast wireless connection with low latency. It has a higher capacity than the existing 4G network and, because it can use additional frequencies, it will also offer many times higher transfer speeds. Its lightning-fast response time, in the order of a few milliseconds, is also essential.

This allows the fifth-generation network to connect both mobile phones and all kinds of smart devices from the Internet of Things without any problems. The 5G network is expected to speed up the development of virtual reality, massively expand machine-to-machine communication, make autonomous driving easier and develop smart city projects.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), like VDSL, is a fixed internet connection over telephone cables. It is characterised by an asymmetric connection, where the speed of data transferred to the user (download) is higher than the speed of data going from the user to the internet (upload).

A bit is the basic and also the smallest unit of data. A bit can only take one of two values. These are most commonly represented as 1 and 0. It is written as a lowercase b, but “bit” is also used. The bit is often used to express transfer speed, which is then given in bits per second (bit/s, b/s or bps).

Bonding is the term for merging (combining) two DSL connections. This can make your internet speed at home up to twice as fast. For bonding to work, you need to use the Terminator device.

A bug is a programming error in a computer program or application. Such an error causes incorrect and unexpected behaviour. It may be, for example, a graphics error (such as when a character in a computer game cannot walk through an invisible wall) or an error in other parts of the program. In worse cases, a bug can make the application crash or cause a security problem. The solution is debugging, which means finding errors and fixing them.

Cache is the term for a hardware or software component of a computer that stores data so that later access to that data can be faster. Hardware cache can be found in microprocessors or hard drives. Software cache can be created in the main memory.

Catch-up TV is a special feature of internet TV that lets you go back in the TV broadcast by even tens of hours. Catch-up TV is available with all the TV services offered by ÚVT Internet. 

The cloud means renting services over the internet, where you use the provider's network of servers to store data or work with it. Cloud computing is an internet-based model for developing and using computer technologies. It can also be described as providing services or programs on servers accessible from the internet, which users can access remotely through a web browser or an email client. If the service is paid, users do not pay for the software itself but for its use on a monthly or annual basis, or they pay a one-off fee.

A coaxial cable (coax for short) is an electrical cable with one cylindrical outer conductor and one inner wire or tube conductor sharing the same axis. The outer conductor is often called the shield and the inner conductor the core. The outer and inner conductors are separated by a non-conductive layer. Its basic purpose is to keep the outer and inner conductors concentric. The inner and outer conductors can be used to carry direct current or to suppress (shield) low-frequency interference (cables for microphones and headphones), but the most common function of a coaxial cable is to transmit high-frequency electromagnetic waves (up to 10 GHz at most), which travel through the coaxial cable in a similar way to direct current.

In general, connectivity means the connection or interconnection of computers or other electronic devices in a computer network. The basic property monitored for connectivity is the transfer speed – it indicates how much information is transferred in the network per unit of time. For transfer speed, we distinguish between download speed and upload speed. Internet connectivity defines the ability of a server to connect to the internet.

The contention ratio (also called aggregation) is one of the parameters of an internet connection. It indicates how many users share the capacity of an internet line at a given moment and therefore share the internet speed. Specifically, this means sharing the fixed internet connection that you use via ADSL or VDSL. Aggregation is a common practice that allows providers to make better use of internet capacity and divide it among users. Internet providers usually express aggregation as a ratio that shows how many users share the line capacity.

Under the relevant legislation, cookies are small text files that websites visited by a user send to the user's device (usually to the browser), where they are stored and then sent back to the website when the user visits it again. When you browse websites, cookies can also be sent to your device by other web servers or websites (so-called third-party cookies) that provide some of the elements (e.g. images, maps, audio recordings, specific links to pages on other domains) displayed on the website you are currently viewing. Cookies are used for many different purposes: authentication, session monitoring, collecting information about specific configuration settings of users who visit the server, etc.

The darknet (dark web) is a hidden part of the internet that you can only access with special software or configuration.

A data centre is a building that houses computer servers and other information technology. The data centre ensures their non-stop operation, and the whole building is designed to provide maximum data security. This is exactly where all the data you upload, for example to the cloud, is stored.

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a protocol that translates website domain names from the confusing (numeric) form used by machines into a “domain name” – the name you see in the browser and type in when you want to visit a website. The task of a DNS server is to use the domain name entered by the user to find the numeric address (IP address) behind that name and “dial” it. This takes you to the website you want.

A domain or domain name can be simply described as the name of your website on the internet, e.g. uvtnet.cz. It points to the place on the server where the data you want to display is stored.

In fact, it is a text representation of the IP address of the server that the user connects to when browsing. It is much easier for people to remember a domain name than the numbers of an IP address. Information about which IP address each domain should point to is stored on DNS servers.

DVB-T is the abbreviation for digital terrestrial television broadcasting. It can be received free of charge by TVs equipped with a DVB-T tuner or a set-top box. In the Czech Republic, DVB-T broadcasting has been replaced by the newer DVB-T2 standard.

DVB-T2 is a new standard for digital television broadcasting via terrestrial transmitters. As with DVB-T, the first digital television broadcasting standard, the individual channels (frequencies) used for transmission are called multiplexes and can carry several TV stations at once. The frequency band is not unlimited, and besides TV broadcasting it must also accommodate mobile operators and high-speed internet. And because demand for fast internet is rising, and with it the amount of data transferred, more frequencies had to be freed up.

Although it is a collective name for computer networking technologies, the term Ethernet is now used mainly to refer to a cable (most often a twisted-pair cable) with an RJ-45 connector. Today, the vast majority of devices are connected to a local area network (LAN) with it. Ethernet can usually carry data at transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

Data comes into devices and goes out of them through what we call ports. A firewall decides what is – and, more importantly, what is not – allowed to pass through these ports. You can think of it as a security guard standing at the door and checking the ID of everything that tries to enter or leave.

Firmware is software that controls electronic devices. These can be mobile phones, digital cameras, or even traffic lights or calculators. Devices can only work with it.

Firmware is a relative term, because it can exist at several different levels within a single device. For example, in a mobile phone, the operating system itself is called firmware (i.e. Android, Windows Phone or iOS), but mobile phones also have firmware to control the GPS chip, the wireless Wi-Fi chip and others.

FUP (Fair Use Policy) is used for internet connections where the data bandwidth is shared between several users. Its purpose is to prevent one user from limiting other users by using their internet connection excessively.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is the EU regulation on the protection of personal data, which came into effect in EU countries on 25 May 2018. So far, it is the most comprehensive set of data protection rules in the world. The regulation must be followed by companies, institutions and individuals who handle personal data. It applies to information about their employees, customers, clients and suppliers.

GPS positioning is the process of determining the location of a device at a specific moment using data from the Global Positioning System (GPS).

This abbreviation stands for hybrid TV, where you receive part of the data from terrestrial broadcasting and part from the internet. The TV combines both channels and makes them complement each other. This means that by pressing the red button during a film, you can, for example, read something about the actors, buy a product from an advert straight away or play programmes from the channel's digital archive.

HBO Max is an American SVOD streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The service was launched on 27 May 2020, originally only in the United States. On 29 June 2021 it expanded to Latin America and on 26 October 2021 to six European countries. HBO Max offers original and premium content from the HBO and Warner Bros. film and television studios. You can get HBO MAX from us as part of selected TV packages.

HDMI (full name High-Definition Multimedia Interface) enables the transmission of digital video and audio. Cables with HDMI connectors are used to connect all kinds of devices to each other – for example, they often connect a TV to a DVD player, set-top box, camera, video camera or Blu-ray player. HDMI does not come in just one version. Different types of cables are made, which differ in the size of their end connectors.

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The HTTP protocol transfers objects of any type between a server and a browser. Thanks to this protocol, websites are displayed in the browser. The disadvantage of the HTTP protocol is that it is not secure.

This is a more secure, encrypted version of the HTTP protocol. The abbreviation HTTPS comes from HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, and it essentially enables protected access to a web server by encrypting all transmitted communication using SSL or TLS. Encryption is important when transferring sensitive information such as payment card numbers, etc.

The Internet of Things is currently one of the fastest-growing areas in the IT world. IoT (short for Internet of Things) covers modern devices that can be controlled remotely over the internet. For example, you can use your phone at work to switch on the air conditioning at home, turn off the lights in the bedroom or operate your home alarm and security system. Among the most widespread Internet of Things products are smart watches and fitness bands.

The Internet of Things enables remote monitoring, checking and control of all kinds of devices. But advanced technologies do not just help with running a household. The Internet of Things for business makes work easier in small businesses and large companies alike. Thanks to IoT, a company can, for example, easily collect and evaluate data from its premises, plan logistics or monitor production.

The transfer rate indicates how much data the connection can transfer to your computer per second. It is measured in bits per second – bps. The speed can be expressed in multiples of the basic unit (the bit), such as kbps (kilobits per second) or Mbps (megabits per second). The transfer rate depends on the provider and the type of connection. If you are wondering how fast an internet connection you need, it also depends on how demanding the tasks you will use it for are. For more information, take a look at our range of internet plans for different devices.

An IP address is a unique number assigned to any device that communicates via the Internet Protocol (IP). This means that not only computers, laptops and printers have their own IP address, but also every phone, tablet or even a new washing machine.

IPv4 is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP), which forms one of the basic communication frameworks of the internet. However, IPv4 transports data without guarantees, so it does not guarantee against duplicates, wrong order or failed delivery of data to its destination. These guarantees are provided by a higher layer, represented by the TCP protocol. Because IPv4 addresses were running out quickly, a successor version of the protocol, called IPv6, was developed.

IPv6 is the successor protocol for communication on the internet. Using IPv6 does not require any special preparation from users of modern operating systems. However, as with IPv4, the network devices (routers) must be set up appropriately and IPv6 must be supported by the internet service provider.

A LAN (Local Area Network) is a smaller computer network, typically in one specific place – for example, in a company, a school, a hotel and so on. The LAN administrator sets user rights, ensures the security of the local network and generally makes sure that it works properly. LANs are then connected to WANs (Wide Area Networks), which are extensive and cover a large area, such as the internet.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a high-speed internet technology for mobile networks. It is the successor to the 2G GSM standard. Compared to older 3G and 2G networks, it offers faster downloads and uploads. Although LTE is often classified as a 4G network, formally it still falls under 3G. This is because the speeds that define the 4G standard are still difficult to achieve in LTE networks under normal conditions.

A MAC address (Media Access Control) is a unique identifier of a network device, used by various protocols of the second (data link) layer of the OSI model. It is assigned to the network card directly during manufacture, which is why it is sometimes also called a physical address. An Ethernet MAC address consists of 48 bits and according to the standard it should be written as six two-digit hexadecimal numbers separated by hyphens (e.g. 01-23-45-67-89-ab), but it is often separated by colons (01:23:45:67:89:ab), and sometimes also written as three groups of four hexadecimal digits (e.g. 0123.4567.89ab). When converting it to a 48-bit number, each hexadecimal pair is converted to a binary number (e.g. 01(hex) = 00000001(bin), 23(hex) = 00100011(bin), etc.).

The term malware is a combination of two words – malicious and software. The malware category includes all malicious code, regardless of how it attacks computers, how it behaves or what the result of its activity is. Malware includes a wide range of different categories of malicious code, from Trojan horses, ransomware, viruses and worms to banking malware. In general, it is any software that was created with malicious intent.

Peer-to-peer, or P2P, is a type of computer network in which individual clients communicate with each other directly and do not need a central server as an intermediary. In a peer-to-peer network, each party has the same options and each party can start communication. The opposite is the client–server model, in which individual clients always communicate only with the central server and through it. Today, peer-to-peer mainly refers to file-sharing networks through which many users can exchange data.

Phishing is a form of attack using social engineering techniques, where the attacker pretends to be a trusted authority in order to obtain the victim's sensitive data. You may also have received an email that at first glance looked like an official message from your bank, but on closer inspection several things did not add up. The address was different, the text was full of language mistakes, or it even contained untranslated foreign words, with a request to enter your bank card details or internet banking password. If you have seen such an email, you have been the target of a phishing attack. The targets of such an attack are the user's sensitive data, which the attacker can later sell on the black market or use directly to blackmail the victim and get money.

The porting authorisation code (in Czech: číslo výpovědi opouštěného poskytovatele, ČVOP) is a fourteen-digit authorisation code used when you want to transfer your phone number from your current mobile service provider to a new provider. The ČVOP includes a code for the original provider (digits 1 to 3) and the earliest possible date for transferring your phone number in MM.DD format (digits 4 to 7).

A rack is a standardised system that allows various electrical and electronic devices to be neatly mounted and interconnected, together with the outlets of cable wiring, in columns one above the other in a steel frame or cabinet, in other words an enclosure for IT equipment.

In computer networks, a router is an active network device that forwards datagrams towards their destination through a process called routing. Routing takes place at the third layer of the ISO/OSI reference model (the network layer).

Server is a general term for a computer that provides certain services, or for a computer program that delivers these services. Servers are placed either freely or in a special room called a server room (with air conditioning, security equipment, UPS, etc.). To save space, they can be installed in special cabinets called racks.

A set-top box is a digital receiver that helps your device convert the digital TV signal, and it is usually connected between the TV and the aerial. Simply put, it translates the received signal so that your TV can display it and you can keep watching your favourite programmes without worry. However, if you have a Smart TV at home, you do not need a set-top box. Set-top boxes are distinguished by the type of TV channel they can deliver. We distinguish between terrestrial (DVB-T and DVB-T2), cable (DVB-C), satellite (DVB-S) and internet (IPTV) signals.

SLA (Service-Level Agreement) is the term for an agreement between a service provider and a service user. It is usually part of an IT services contract between an IT company and a customer, but it can also be introduced internally, within an organisation, as a definition of the services provided to the company by its own IT department. The SLA defines the parameters and quality of the services provided, along with penalties for failing to meet them.

A smart home, also called an intelligent or automated home, is a system of modern technologies that increase comfort and save time and money for its residents. These are devices that are connected to a power supply and can be controlled remotely via the internet. Smart homes are most often associated with adjustable blinds, intelligent lighting, automated heating or home security.

Like smartphones, smart TVs are equipped with an operating system, can connect to the internet and offer a wide range of additional features and apps. Smart TVs are essentially simpler computers that turn a TV set into an interactive tool. Thanks to smart TVs, viewers no longer have to watch only what is currently on TV, but can choose what to watch themselves. They can also surf the internet, install their favourite apps or play games.

Streaming is a technology for the continuous transmission of audiovisual content between a source and an end user using a data stream. Today, streaming is mainly used to transmit audiovisual content over the internet (webcasting). Webcasting can take place in real time (internet TV or radio) or as video on demand (e.g. YouTube). To stream video to multiple users at the same time, the operator needs not only the content but also a streaming server, which handles communication with the target computers and smooth data transmission.

SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) services give customers convenient access to a wide range of premium video content for a monthly subscription, whether films, series, documentaries or their own productions. This content is distributed over the internet and can usually be watched on many devices – Smart TVs, game consoles, smartphones, tablets, computers and more.

The term TCP/IP refers to the primary transmission protocols, a suite of protocols that control communication in a computer network. These are the main protocols of the Internet, a set of rules that ensure communication between the individual layers of different systems. The TCP/IP protocol family includes IP (IPv4 and IPv6), ARP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, SCTP and also all application protocols.

Terminator is the name of a new, modern end device for DSL connections. It is a modem which, in addition to bonding, supports all available technologies for fast and trouble-free internet. The Terminator has an RJ-45 connector, the standard Ethernet connector used across connection technologies, into which you can plug your own router to connect all the devices in your home.

A Trojan horse (“trojan”) is a general term for a type of malicious code that hides inside other programs. Unlike a virus, it cannot spread on its own or infect other files. It most often gets into the victim's device together with a useful-looking program, through an email attachment or an existing system vulnerability, by means of other malicious code or through social engineering.

Two-factor authentication is a process that increases security. With two-factor authentication, your identity is checked in two ways – for example, by entering your username and password and then entering a code sent to your mobile phone by text message.

A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply/Source) is a device that provides uninterrupted power, ensuring a continuous supply of electricity to appliances that must not be switched off unexpectedly. The term corresponds to the standard EN 62040 (in the Czech Republic ČSN EN 62040). The UPS is usually connected between the primary power source and the power input of the protected equipment. The most commonly protected systems include telecommunications equipment, computer systems, systems that keep airports running, hospital equipment and others.

Upscaling is a technology that converts image quality from a lower resolution to a higher one. The latest TVs and projectors with upscaling technology can display even material recorded in lower quality in high quality. For example, they can convert HD broadcasts to 4K resolution. During upscaling, the original input resolution is increased very naturally. In most cases, you will not even notice that the recording has been artificially enhanced. 

Websites have unique addresses that users can use to find them. On the internet, these addresses are called URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). The URL of a website, e.g. https://uvtnet.cz/en/internet, consists of the domain name (in this case uvtnet), the domain category (.cz) and, in some cases, other elements such as a subdomain or a path (/en/internet).

For each ad, you enter a display URL that will be shown with the ad, and a destination URL that determines where people go after clicking the ad.

VDSL (Very High Speed DSL) is a DSL technology that enables faster data transfer over existing telephone lines (flat untwisted cable or twisted pair), which makes it easier to deploy, because no new cables need to be laid. VDSL offers noticeably higher internet connection speeds and also much higher upload speeds than ADSL. Take a look at our range of fixed connections. 

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) means calling over the internet. This service is sometimes also called a software phone or VoIP phone. You can call from anywhere using a computer, laptop or tablet. In our range, you will find the VOIP service for home and business use. 

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. In IT, it is a tool that creates a secure and encrypted connection over less secure networks. As a result, a VPN provides a service that lets you hide your IP address, avoid censorship or tracking, encrypt your communication and get around geoblocking. Virtual, because it provides a notional direct connection (e.g. like a cable) with any computer or website in the world. Private, because all communication is encrypted and, unless you specify otherwise, it always takes place only between you and the websites you visit. And it is a network, because it uses an extensive network of VPN servers located all over the world.

The term Wi-Fi refers to a technology for wireless communication in computer networks. Wi-Fi provides wireless interconnection of portable devices, their connection to a local area network (LAN) and also wireless internet access. In 1997, the international standards institute IEEE published the specification of a wireless network standard under the name IEEE 802.11. Wi-Fi 6 is the name for the IEEE 802.11ax standard, the new generation of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6 provides a signal with more data and a 160 MHz channel, which offers a wider band and therefore faster Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6 will provide greater capacity, higher transfer speeds and the connection of more devices.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), sometimes also called Wireless LAN, is the term for a wireless local network that is typically found at home, in the office or at school. Most modern WLANs are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards, which are marketed under the Wi-Fi brand.