Conference Call Definitions
and Glossary

A

Attendee Head Count

The host can request the Attendee Head Count by pressing 8* on his or her telephone keypad anytime during a conference call. An audio prompt announces how many participants are on the line at that exact time.

Attendee Name Announce

The Attendee Name Announce feature requires each participant to record their name before gaining access to a conference call. The name of each new attendee is announced as they join the conference call. Also see Roll Call below.

Audio Conferencing

Audio conferencing connects three or more parties together to send and receive information via an audio conference. Although typically synonymous with telephone conferencing, audio conferencing can also refer to Internet phone calls or audio streaming.

C

Conference Bridge

The conference bridge is hardware used by telephone service providers to bring three or more participants together on a collective call.

Conference Code

The conference code is a set of six numeric digits used to direct callers into a specific conference call. Callers enter the conference bridge number after connecting to the conference call dial-in number.

Conference Call

A meeting via telephone that connects three or more parties on the same call using a conference code. Also referred to as telephone conferencing, audio conferencing and teleconferencing.

Conference Call ID

Used for reporting and tracking activity. It identifies specific conference calls, call details (date, time, number of participants, total number of minutes, etc.) and conference call recordings.

Conference Call Preview

Allows you to preview your recorded conference via MP3 files. You can stream them directly from the Web Manager, using a media player on your PC.

Conference Transcript

A conference transcript is a text version of your recorded call. Although Free Conference Calling does not provide this service, we can recommend qualified transcription service providers.

Conference Calling

Conference calling connects three or more parties on a telephone call at the same time, using a Conference Code.

Conference Recording

Record any conference call by enabling Conference Recording. The call begins recording after the host presses 5* on his or her telephone keypad. Recordings are converted to MP3 audio files for downloading and playback.

Conference Call Continuation

By default, call continuation is enabled which allows the host to leave a conference call without disconnecting their attendees. If you prefer the entire call ends when you have been disconnected, disable Call Continuation by selecting 3*.

Conference Web Manager

Free Conference Calling provides a web-based call manager (Web Manager) that enables conference hosts to manage their calls in real time over the web. Hosts can use the Online Conference Management to enable all conference calling features. For more details, see our conference calling features.

Conferencing

Conferencing is a telephone meeting with three or more participants.

Conversation Mode

Conversation mode allows each participant to talk and listen during a call. Although Conversation Mode is the default setting, the host can mute or unmute participants anytime during a conference call.

D

Dial-in Number

The telephone number participants use to attend a conference call.

E

Email Invite

An Email Invite is the electronic communication the host sends to request attendance on a conference call.

End a Conference Call

Simply hang up your telephone to end a conference. (If the host enables Conference Call Continuation, the call will end when the last caller hangs up.)

G

Guest Speaker

A guest speaker is an additional presenter on a conference call. After connecting to a call, guest speakers must enter a special five-digit code provided by the host. Guest Speakers are not muted when the host enables the Mute All feature.

H

Host Code

The four-digit security code required to access our reservationless conference calling service. It ensures that only the host can originate and control a conference call, using all the conference calling features in the Web Manager.

I

International Dial-In Number

An International Dial-in Number is provided for callers dialing in from outside the 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The host will incur the same per minute, per caller rate outlined in his or her calling plan. However, international callers will pay long-distance rates charged by their local telephone service provider.

L

Locking and Unlocking a Conference Call

A host can lock and unlock a conference call anytime during the call by pressing 2* on his or her telephone keypad.

M

Moderator

A Moderator is a person(s) who presides over a conference call or web meeting.

MP3

MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer 3, which refers to an audio technology that compresses CD-quality sound while retaining most of the original sound characteristics. Listeners can playback MP3 files on a PC, using media player software, or on a digital music player (like an iPod).

Mute

Mute allows a host to block the broadcast of audio during a conference call. Participants can self-mute a by pressing 4* on their telephone keypads. A host can also mute the entire participant group by pressing 1* on his or her telephone keypad.

N

New Participant Entry Tone

The New Participant Entry Tone announces new participants with an audio chime as they join a conference call. This feature is enabled by default, but the host can disable it by pressing 9* on his or her telephone keypad.

O

On-demand Conference Calls

These calls do not require advanced scheduling. You can host a call 24 hours a day, seven days a week without prior notice.

Optional Time Extension

Free Conference Calling's service has a six-hour time limit, however, the host can initiate an Optional Time Extension to continue the session when prompted five minutes before reaching the time limit.

Organizer

The Organizer (synonymous with host or moderator) is generally the person who schedules and hosts a conference call or web conference.

P

Participant

A Participant is a person who attends a host's web conference or conference call.

Podcast

A Podcast is a recording of a non-music audio broadcast (e.g. news, sports, presentations, discussions, etc.) in MP3 format. Listeners can playback podcasts on a PC or digital music player.

Podcasting

Podcasting is recording something in a multimedia file or audio program designed for distribution over the Internet and playback on a digital media player.

Presentation Mode

Presentation Mode allows participants to listen to a conference call or view a web conference without any interaction. This feature is generally used when a host is presenting material to a large group. For collaborative sessions with more attendee interaction, the host should use Conversation Mode. Also see Question-and-Answer Mode.

Q

Question-and-Answer (Q&A) Mode

Question-and-Answer Mode allows a conference call host to mute all participants and allow conference call guests to virtually raise their hands by pressing 5* on their telephone keypads. The host can then unmute callers with questions and allow them to speak. If a question has already been asked and answered, a participant can lower their hand by pressing 5* on their telephone keypad again. The host can also lower a hand by double clicking on it in the Web Manager. Also see Presentation Mode and Conversation Mode.

R

Reservationless

Reservationless means no scheduling, reservation or advanced notice is required.

Reservationless Conference Call

A reservationless conference call is one that does not require advanced scheduling. You can host a conference call 24 hours a day, seven days a week without prior notice.

Roll Call

Roll Call plays back recorded attendee names when the Attendee Name Announce feature is enabled. A host can listen to the Roll Call by pressing 7* on his or her telephone keypad.

S

Self Mute

Conference call participants can self mute by pressing 4* on their telephone keypads anytime during a conference call. Attendees can unmute themselves by repeating the command. (Note: this feature does not work when the host enables the Mute All feature.)

Start a Conference Call

Simply dial into the conference number and enter your conference code, followed by your host code.

T

Talk/Listen Mode

Talk/Listen Mode allows participants to talk and listen during a conference call (up to 25 participants at a time for Free Conference Calling) This mode is ideal for collaborative conference calls that require the exchange of information.

Teleconference

Teleconference is synonymous with telephone conference, conference call and audio conference, which connect three or more people on the same call. Also see Conference Call.

Teleseminar

A teleseminar is a workshop or lecture presented via telephone. It is usually a two-way interaction between the audience and the presenter(s).

Toll Call

A long-distance telephone call that requires the caller to pay long-distance rates. Long-distance rates are determined by each caller's long-distance service provider and specific calling plan.

Toll Conference Call

A meeting via telephone that requires a long-distance call. It connects three or more parties on the same call using a Conference Code. Participants, including the moderator, may incur long-distance charges, which are determined by each caller's long-distance service provider. Also see Toll Call, Audio Conferencing and Teleconference.

Toll-free Call

A Toll-free Call is free of charge, regardless of a caller's geographic location within the 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Toll-free service is typically identified by a telephone number with an area code of 800, 888, 866 or 877.

Toll-Free Conference Call

A toll-free conference call is a meeting via telephone that does not require a long-distance call. It connects three or more parties on the same call using a conference code. Each participant dialing from within the 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico can call free of charge. The meeting host pays for all participants on the call through his or her toll-free teleconferencing plan. Also see Toll-free Call, Audio Conferencing and TeleConferencing.

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