Data access arrangement

The term data access arrangement (DAA) has the following meanings:

1. In public switched telephone networks, a single item or group of items at the customer side of the network interface for data transmission purposes, including all equipment that may affect the characteristics of the interface.
2. A data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) supplied or approved by a common carrier that permits a DCE or data terminal equipment (DTE) to be attached to the common carrier network.

Data access arrangements are an integral part of all modems built for the public telephone network. In view of mixed voice and data access, DAAs are more generally referred to as direct access arrangements.