---
title: "Definitions per Electronic Communication Act, Norway"
subject: "Telecommunications"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_8/telecommunications:electronic-communication-act-norway"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/electronic-communication-act-norway
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Definitions per Electronic Communication Act, Norway

Telecommunications · Chapter 1: Telecommunication Networks

- Asked in: 2080 Bhadra, 3+5 marks
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/telecommunications/electronic-communication-act-norway
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/telecommunications/chapter-1

## Question

Write a definition of electronics communication and electronics communication network, according to Electronics and Communication Act, Norway, 2003. What are the main components used in different kind of Telecommunication Network?

## Short answer

Electronic communication: transmission/reception of sound, text, images or data by electromagnetic signals in free space or cables. Electronic communication network: system of cables, switches and equipment for such transmission between defined termination points. Main components: terminal equipment, access network, transmission media, switching/routing nodes, multiplexers, signalling, management, and power.

## Answer

#### Definitions (Electronic Communications Act, Norway, 2003)
- **Electronic communication:** the transmission or reception of sound, text, images or other data by means of electromagnetic signals in free space or in cables (electrical, magnetic, radio or optical signals). In short, any exchange of information carried by electromagnetic signals.
- **Electronic communication network:** a system consisting mainly of cables and associated infrastructure, switches and other equipment (including passive elements) that is used to transmit sound, images, data or other information by means of electromagnetic signals in free space or in cables, between defined termination points. It covers fixed, mobile, broadcasting and Internet networks.

(The wording above follows the meaning of the Act's definitions section; the Act is technology-neutral.)

#### Main components of telecommunication networks
Every telecom network, whatever its type, is built from these components:

| Component | Examples / role |
|---|---|
| Terminal (end) equipment | Telephone set, mobile phone, modem, computer, fax |
| Access network (local loop) | Copper pair, coaxial, FTTH fibre, radio access (BTS/eNodeB), Wi-Fi |
| Transmission media | Twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical fibre, microwave, satellite |
| Switching/routing nodes | Telephone exchanges, MSC, routers, packet switches |
| Multiplexing equipment | FDM, TDM (PDH/SDH), WDM, statistical mux |
| Signalling system | Subscriber signalling, CAS, SS7, SIP |
| Network management and control | OSS/NMS, billing, databases (HLR) |
| Power and support | DC power plant, batteries, synchronisation clocks |

**By network type**
- **PSTN (fixed telephone):** telephone sets, local loop, local/tandem/toll exchanges, trunks, SS7.
- **Mobile (GSM/LTE):** mobile station, BTS/BSC (or eNodeB), MSC/core network, HLR/VLR, transmission backhaul.
- **Data/Internet:** hosts, switches, routers, modems, servers, links.
- **Broadcast:** studio, transmitters, antennas, receivers.
- **Satellite:** earth stations, satellite transponders, VSAT terminals.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Electronic communication (Norway Act 2003) means
   A. Only exchange of text by e-mail
   B. Only the broadcasting of radio
   C. Transmission or reception of sound, text, images or data using electromagnetic signals in free space or cables
   D. Only transmission over copper cables
   Answer: C. The definition is technology-neutral. (Key point: Definition)

2. An electronic communication network consists mainly of
   A. Only wireless transmitters
   B. Only computers connected to the Internet
   C. Only telephone sets
   D. Cables, infrastructure, switches and other equipment transmitting signals between defined termination points
   Answer: D. It covers fixed, mobile, broadcasting and Internet networks. (Key point: Network)

3. Which is part of the access network?
   A. Copper pair, FTTH fibre or radio access (BTS/eNodeB)
   B. Telephone exchange
   C. SS7 signalling
   D. HLR database
   Answer: A. Access links the terminal to the network; exchanges are switching nodes. (Key point: Components)

4. Which components belong to a GSM/LTE mobile network?
   A. Studio, transmitter and antennas
   B. Mobile station, BTS/BSC or eNodeB, MSC/core, HLR/VLR, backhaul
   C. Earth station and VSAT
   D. Hosts, routers and modems only
   Answer: B. The other lists describe broadcast, satellite and data networks. (Key point: Mobile network)

## Related in Telecommunications

- [Telecommunication definition and Nepal's history since 1913](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Atelecom-nepal-history-1913) — Telecommunications, chapter 1, asked 2×
- [Flow control in data communication network](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Aflow-control-network) — Telecommunications, chapter 8
- [Marconi transmitter, mobile vs nomadic, Telecom Act](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Amarconi-mobile-nomadic-act) — Telecommunications, chapter 1
- [CCITU definition, switching classes and Nepal history](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Accitu-definition-switching-nepal) — Telecommunications, chapter 1
- [Hybrid, balancing network and singing](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Ahybrid-balancing-singing) — Telecommunications, chapter 2
- [Network planning for remote area telephony](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Anetwork-planning-remote-area) — Telecommunications, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Analog communication components; distortionless transfer function](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Aanalog-components-distortionless-tf) — Communication Systems, chapter 1
- [Typical power system network and components](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fpower_system_analysis_i%3Atypical-power-system-network-components) — Power System Analysis I, chapter 1
- [Function of basic components of a digital communication system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Adcs-basic-components) — Communication Systems, chapter 1
- [Grouping circuits in electronic instrument design](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Finstrumentation_ii%3Acircuit-grouping) — Instrumentation II, chapter 7