Text A. Telecommunications (1)

Introduction

These methodical and practical guidelines intended for 2-3-year students are prepared in compliance with the Course syllabus and designed to help the learners develop professional language skills and competences. There will be no attempt to replace the content of themes and topics of the major specialties, but make it easier for future specialists to deal with foreign sources and partners, thus, use the English language in order to enhance their professional growth, to boost career development and always enjoy unlimited worldwide information resources and opportunities.

Much will depend on the students’ ability to work independently. Undoubtedly, there will be numerous textbooks, special teaching aids and recommendations, but real-life up-to-date information will always remain indispensable.

Unfortunately, we have to admit the fact, that the subject material of the present guide is rather limited, narrowed to quite a few topics, related, however, to the basic concepts of telecommunication systems, networks and convergence in telecoms and IT.

Unit 1. Telecommunications. Basic Concepts

Start-up

1.1 In pairs or small groups, discuss and suggest suitable answers to the following questions:

- What general problems can be solved with the help of computer networks?

- What types of computer networks do you know?

- What are communication protocols designed for?

Text A. Telecommunications (1)

The term “telecommunications” refers to the transmission of information over long distances using the telephone system, radio, TV satellite or computer links. Examples are two people speaking on the phone, a sales department sending a fax to a client or someone reading the teletext pages on TV. But in the modern world, telecommunications mainly means transferring information from one PC to another via modem and phone lines (or fiber-optic cables).

The global telecommunications network is the largest and most complex technical system that man has created. It makes up a substantial part of a country's infrastructure and is vital to the development of the country. Development in the field of telecommunications has been very rapid in recent years. By telecommunications we mean here all processes that render it possible to transfer voice, data and video with the help of some form of electromagnetic system, including optical transfer methods.

This rapid development points to new demands on knowledge and competence for everyone who takes an active part in modern telecommunications. Today the rate of change and innovation in the telecommunications industry is accelerating at a breakneck pace. New telecommunications technology enables companies to interface directly with their customers wherever on the globe they happen to be. The coming convergence of voice, data, and video technologies means that the media, entertainment, computer, and telecommunications organisations are all going to be merging and interoperating their activities. Even something so small as an individual strand of optical fiber today has the capacity to carry million television channels simultaneously. How will telecommunications technology evolve and with what impact in the coming years?

1.2 In text A find synonyms or equivalents for the following words and expressions.

Computer connections; transmission; make it possible; excessive speed; clients; coming closer (about services); occurring at the same time.

1.3 Find equivalents for the following Russian words and expressions.

Слияние (организаций); передача информации; стремительное развитие; взаимодействовать с клиентами напрямую.

1.4 Due to the new telecommunications technology companies do not need to cooperate with their clients directly (True or False?).

1.5 Find and present to the group information supporting the idea that “The global telecommunication network is vital to the development of the country”.

A two-three minute presentation will be welcomed and result in additional assessment points.

1.6 Read text B and give headings to the paragraphs.

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