B

Baby Bell

Level: 1

Definition: Refers to one of the original seven Regional Bell Operating Companies formed as a result of the divestiture of AT&T (i.e., Ma Bell) in 1984. (See also RBOC.)

Back Channel

Level: 2

Definition: Typically a narrowband link that takes advantage of unused bandwidth to send return signals from users back to a content provider. For example, at the same time that content providers are transmitting interactive television to their customers, users can connect through a back channel to a web site for additional information supplied from the original content provider or to an advertiser. A back channel can be used by customers to provide feedback, purchase goods and services, or access a wide variety of supplementary information. ...

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