Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS)

WATS Wide Area Telephone Service Telecommunication Business Communications Long-Distance Calls Cost Reduction WATS Line
Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS) is a specialized telecommunication service used primarily by businesses for making long-distance calls over a large geographic area at reduced rates.
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Definition of Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS)

Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS)

Wide Area Telephone Service (WATS) is a dedicated telecommunications service provided by telecommunications companies that allows businesses to make and receive long-distance calls within a predefined geographic area at a lower cost. WATS lines are specially designated telephone lines that facilitate this service. There are typically two types of WATS: Inward WATS (INWATS) and Outward WATS (OUTWATS).

  • Inward WATS (INWATS): This allows businesses to receive toll-free calls from a wide geographic area.
  • Outward WATS (OUTWATS): This facilitates making long-distance calls at a reduced rate.

Examples

  1. Call Centers: A company with a nationwide customer service call center uses INWATS to allow customers to call for free from anywhere within a specified area.
  2. Sales Departments: A business’s sales department uses OUTWATS for outbound cold calling campaigns across multiple states at a lower per-call rate than standard long-distance service.
  3. Help Desks: A technical support desk subscribes to INWATS to offer free support to users across a multi-state region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main benefit of using WATS for a business? WATS lines can significantly reduce long-distance communication costs for businesses that need to make or receive a high volume of calls over a large geographic area.

What is the difference between INWATS and OUTWATS? INWATS allows businesses to receive calls toll-free from a wide area, while OUTWATS is designed for making long-distance calls at reduced rates.

Is WATS still relevant with modern communication technologies? While the use of WATS has declined with the advent of internet-based communication tools, it remains relevant for specific applications where landline telephony is still critical.

Does WATS cover international calls? Typically, WATS is designed for national long-distance calling; however, some service providers may offer international WATS in specific service packages.

  • Toll-Free Number: A telephone number that allows the caller to reach the business without incurring any long-distance charges.
  • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): A technology that allows for voice communication and multimedia sessions over the Internet.
  • Telecommunication: The transmission of information over significant distances to communicate.
  • PBX (Private Branch Exchange): A private telephone network used within a company or organization.

Online References

Suggested Books for Further Studies

  1. “Telecommunications Essentials: The Complete Global Source” by Lillian Goleniewski
  2. “The Communications Handbook” edited by Jerry D. Gibson
  3. “Introduction to Telecommunications Network Engineering” by Tarmo Anttalainen
  4. “Telecommunication Networks: Protocols, Modeling and Analysis” by Mischa Schwartz

Fundamentals of Wide Area Telephone Service: Telecommunications Basics Quiz

### What does WATS stand for? - [ ] Wide Automated Telephone Service - [x] Wide Area Telephone Service - [ ] Wide Area Transmit Service - [ ] Wide Access Telecommunication System > **Explanation:** WATS stands for Wide Area Telephone Service, a specialized telecommunication service for long-distance calling. ### What are the two main types of WATS services? - [x] INWATS and OUTWATS - [ ] Toll and Toll-Free - [ ] Internet and Telephone - [ ] PBX and VoIP > **Explanation:** The two main types of WATS services are Inward WATS (INWATS) and Outward WATS (OUTWATS). ### Which WATS service allows businesses to receive toll-free calls? - [ ] OUTWATS - [ ] Toll-Free WATS - [x] INWATS - [ ] VoIP > **Explanation:** INWATS is designed to allow businesses to receive toll-free calls from a wide geographic area. ### Can WATS services be used for international calls? - [x] It depends on the service provider. - [ ] No, WATS is for national calls only. - [ ] Yes, all WATS services include international calls. - [ ] Only OUTWATS can be used internationally. > **Explanation:** While typically WATS is for national calling, some service providers may offer international WATS under specific packages. ### What modern technology has reduced the use of WATS lines? - [ ] PBX - [ ] ISDN - [x] VoIP - [ ] DSL > **Explanation:** VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has reduced the use of traditional WATS lines by offering a cheaper and more flexible alternative for communication. ### What is the primary advantage of using WATS? - [ ] Better call quality - [ ] Easier to set up - [x] Reduced long-distance call cost - [ ] Unlimited calling > **Explanation:** The primary advantage of using WATS service is a significant reduction in long-distance call costs. ### For what type of businesses is INWATS particularly useful? - [ ] Small local shops - [ ] International conglomerates - [x] Call centers - [ ] Internet cafés > **Explanation:** INWATS is particularly useful for call centers that receive a high volume of incoming calls from a wide geographic area. ### What does OUTWATS service facilitate? - [ ] Toll-free incoming calls - [x] Reduced rate outbound calls - [ ] Internet connectivity - [ ] Video conferencing > **Explanation:** OUTWATS service facilitates making long-distance outbound calls at reduced rates. ### Are WATS services still widely used today? - [ ] Yes, by most individuals. - [ ] No, they are completely obsolete. - [x] Yes, mainly by specific businesses. - [ ] Only for local calls. > **Explanation:** WATS services are still used today primarily by specific businesses with relevant needs, although their use has declined with the rise of newer technologies. ### Which type of telecommunication service allows businesses to use a private telephone network internally? - [ ] WATS - [ ] INWATS - [ ] OUTWATS - [x] PBX > **Explanation:** PBX (Private Branch Exchange) is a type of telecommunication service that allows businesses to use a private telephone network internally.

Thank you for learning about Wide Area Telephone Service and taking our quiz! Keep exploring the fascinating world of telecommunications!

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