CIRs

CIRs is an acronym used in different fields, and its exact meaning depends on the context. The two most common usages are in telecommunications and in finance.

In telecommunications and networking, CIR stands for Committed Information Rate. It represents the minimum sustained data rate that a network service provider guarantees for a given connection as part of a service-level agreement. CIR is a cornerstone of quality-of-service planning, helping ensure predictable performance for time-sensitive traffic. It is often discussed alongside related terms such as Peak Information Rate (PIR) and Excess Information Rate (EIR). Traffic within the CIR is typically prioritized and protected, while traffic above the CIR may be admitted at the provider’s discretion and could incur additional charges or reduced performance. CIR values are expressed in bits per second or kilobits per second and are used to dimension and manage network capacity.

In finance, CIR stands for Credit Information Report. This is a summary of an individual’s or organization’s credit history produced by credit bureaus. A CIR may include past and current loans, payment history, credit limits, outstanding balances, and public records. Lenders rely on CIRs to assess creditworthiness and to inform underwriting decisions. The content and format of CIRs vary by country and bureau, and consumers often have rights to access and challenge information contained in their reports.

Other uses exist across industries, but context is essential to determine the intended meaning of CIRs in any given case.