TELECOM Digest     Thu, 28 Jul 2005 15:11:00 EDT    Volume 24 : Issue 342

Inside This Issue:                             Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Telephone Excise Tax Apparently Declared Unconstitutional (Heinlen Law)
    Unauthorized Remote Access to Answering Machine (Choreboy)
    Telecom Act Update Proposed (USTelecom dailyLead)
    Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar? (stannc@gmail.com)
    Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar? (Steve Sobol)
    Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar? (David L)
    Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar? (Clark Griswold, Jr.)
    Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar? (J Kelly)
    Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones (Fred Atkinson)
    Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones (Tim@Backhome.org)
    Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones (Robert Bonomi)
    Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones (Steve Sobol)
    Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones (Clark W. Griswold, Jr.)
    Re: AT&T Customers Being Taken Over By AllTel (harold@hallikainen.com)
    Re: AT&T Customers Being Taken Over By Alltel (Steve Sobol)
    Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, Meets "Moscow Rules" (Steve Sobol)
    Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, Meets "Moscow Rules" (Fred Atkinson)
    Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, Meets "Moscow Rules" (Robert Bonomi)
    Last Laugh! Your Tel/Mobile Numbers Needed (hajia mariam)

Telecom and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Digest for the
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               ===========================

Addresses herein are not to be added to any mailing list, nor to be
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We must fight spam for the same reason we fight crime: not because we
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we do not want the kind of world that results when no one stands
against crime.   Geoffrey Welsh

               ===========================

See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details
and the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest.  

----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jonathan Marashlian <jsm@thlglaw.com>
Subject: The Front Lines - FET Refund Opportunity
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 13:30:37 -0400
Organization: The Helein Law Group


http://www.thefrontlines-hlg.com/
http://www.thlglaw.com/


Advancing The Cause of Competition in the Telecommunications Industry 
 

             SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

$6 BILLION IN TAX REFUNDS IS AT STAKE FOR TAXPAYERS OF ALL SIZES

If your company has been paying or collecting from its customers and
paying over to the IRS the 3% Federal Excise Tax on toll
telecommunications services, it is likely it or its customers are
entitled to a refund of those payments going back three years, plus
interest.

U.S. taxpayers pay almost $2 billion in federal excise tax ("FET") on
interstate long distance telephone calls.  In many cases, this tax
isn't owed!

The Internal Revenue Code imposes a 3% tax on amounts paid for toll
telephone service.  "Toll telephone service" consists of services for
which the charges vary in amount with the distance and elapsed
transmission time of each call.  Despite a strong defense by the IRS,
in a series of pivotal cases the courts have ruled that charges for
toll service that is not based on distance are not subject to the
excise tax.  In face of these consistent losses in the courts, the IRS
appears ready to accept the defeat of its position and begin
processing applications for refunds.

For taxpayers that believe they are entitled to a refund, the time to
act is NOW!  The rights to refund are subject to a statute of
limitations, the longest period allowed being three previous years.
Certain conditions must be met to qualify and there are other
limitations to be dealt with, but any taxpayer with significant FET
payments owes it to itself to investigate its rights to apply for a
refund.  THLG experts have guided others in this process and can guide
you or your company through the refund process.

In addition, these developments also mean that if you qualify, you
need to cease collecting, reporting and paying the excise taxes on
your toll services (the excise tax may still apply to other
communications service, essentially your local telephone service
charges).

If you contact us and decide to retain us, you will gain from our expertise
on these issues:

*	Why the tax code sections covering toll services doesn't cover
        today's long distance plans. 
*	Which services fall outside the tax code.
*	Whether or not you qualify for a refund.
*	What you need to document your case.
*	How and where to file for a refund.
*	How to size your claim.
*	How to complete the refund claim forms.
*	Statutory time and dollar limits.

If your company is interested in learning more, or if you believe your
customers would be interested in pursuing FET refunds, please contact us and
ask for Charles H. Helein.  

The Helein Law Group

8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 700
McLean, Virginia 22102
Tel: 703-714-1300
Fax: 703-714-1330
E-mail: mail@thlglaw.com

The Front Lines is a free publication of The Helein Law Group,
providing clients and interested parties with valuable information,
news, and updates regarding regulatory and legal developments
primarily impacting companies engaged in the competitive
telecommunications industry.

The Front Lines does not purport to offer legal advice nor does it
establish a lawyer-client relationship with the reader. If you have
questions about a particular article, general concerns, or wish to
seek legal counsel regarding a specific regulatory or legal matter
affecting your company, please contact our firm.

Pursuant to Treasury Regulations, any U.S. federal tax advice
contained in this communication, unless otherwise stated, is not
intended and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding tax-related
penalties.

------------------------------

From: Choreboy <choreboyREMOVE@localnet.com>
Subject: Unauthorized Remote Access to Answering Machine
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 02:51:27 -0400
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com


I've been doing chores for a vacationing relative.  Tuesday, I
answered his phone at 9 AM and got a series of beeps, perhaps half a
second long and three seconds apart.  I waited and hung up.  It
happened again two minutes later.

Two minutes later it rang a third time.  I didn't get to it in time.
When I walked past the answering machine, the display said it was
being remotely accessed.

If my relative had called to check his answering machine, I didn't
understand why he had kept beeping me instead of replying when I said
hello.  None of the messages had been erased.  I'd never known him to
leave messages on the machine after checking.

Was it somebody fooling around?  I asked another relative to phone and
try the machine manufacturer's default remote-access code, which was
incorrect.  With the wrong code, the display said only for a second
that it was being remotely accessed.  It had stayed on longer the
first time, as if the first caller really had checked the messages.

At 9 AM Wednesday morning it happened again.  I listened a minute or
so, until the other end hung up.  I realized the beeps were a pure
tone and not the sounds of a touchtone phone, so it wasn't my relative
trying to access his messages.  When they called two minutes alter,
the answering machine got it. There was no third call.

Call Return gave me a number.  It's not listed, but travel sites on
the web say it's the fax line of a fancy hotel hundreds of miles from
here.  My relatives have never had occasion to stay in that city.

I don't know anything about fax protocol.  When somebody answers, will
a fax machine emit a beep every three seconds or so for a minute or
so?  Will it keep calling if a human answers but stop calling if an
answering machine answers?  Can an answering machine mistake a fax
machine for a human with the access code?

Another possibility is that the Caller ID was faked and somebody is
using a machine to spy on my relative's telephone messages.  Is there
such a device?


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It could be a spy machine, but I think
it more likely that you/relatives are being terrorized by an incorrectly
programmed fax machine at the First National Bank of Chicago. That
very fax machine, or one of its ancestors has a long history (25 years
or more) of auto-dialing the wrong numbers, and continuing to do so 
until Illinois Bell has to threaten FNB with disconnection of the
phone line to get it to stop. 25 years ago, circa 1979-80 First
National Bank of Chicago's fax machine was programmed to call around
to various branches of the bank during early evening hours to 'poll'
for documents or deliver documents issued by the bank. Trouble was,
the humanoids in charge of the machine misprogrammed the dialing
string. They got an extra '01' in the string somewhere, so the machine
was calling _Germany_ during what would be the overnight hours in that
country. Religiously, several times per night, five nights per week,
that fax machine was calling a private family in Germany, and
terrorizing them. Just silence, then 'beep beep, etc', more silence
then more 'beep, beep'. After a week or two of this, the family, by
now frightened out of their wits, or really, more annoyed, ask for
intervention from Bundespost, and in due course Bundespost traced it
back to the idiotic Americans, and in turn asked AT&T to review the
problem. AT&T found it was coming from Illinois Bell territory, the
Wabash central office to be exact, and told those people to get the
problem cured. Like complaints made to the Illinois Commerce
Commission where the complaint is raised and the prissy old lady
secretary at the Commission makes a _single_ phone call of inquiry,
then folds her hands and announces self-righteously "I have called the
company and they _assure_ me it will be corrected" (and then it never
is), IB Telco tracked it down to the fax machine at the First National
Bank, made a phone call, said in essence to can the shit and get that
fax machine under control. But it was not cured, and the problems went
on for another month or so all night long. The German family inquired
further, Bundepost inquired again, and AT&T, more than a little
annoyed -- I guess Bundespost had really breathed on them a little
this time -- passed along their grief once again to Illinois Bell. 

This time, a manager in Illinois Bell's security unit made a 'courtesy
call' on the bank's Vice President-Telecom  and told him unless _he_
would cure it, telco was going to cut off the fax machine line. The
VP-Telecom for the bank went downstairs with the proverbial hatchet in 
hand, ready to do business on the spot, laid into his people and got
the fax machine reprogrammed on the spot. But, as Paul Harvey would
phrase it, 'the rest of the story is to follow'. Bank's telephone bill
arrived the next month, with page after page after page after page of
_LOTS_ of one-minute calls to the same number in Germany, one after
another, every couple minutes all night long. Since most employees of
First National Bank have the memory retention of a parrot or a tortoise,  
bank employees in charge of reconciling the phone bill assumed, this 
must be some screw up by the phone company, and by God, we are not
going to pay for a phone company mistake. Telco explained to FNB
(I assume with a straight face) what had happened. I do not know if
telco eventually wrote it off (as they used to do _everything_ that
a customer would not pay for) or not. 

I wonder if the people using the hotel public fax machine wherever in
your account also blamed the added charges on their bill on a screw
up by the hotel switchboard. Probably. Did you or will you tell your
relatives about this incident when they get back from their vacation?
PAT] 

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:40:45 EDT
From: USTelecom dailyLead <ustelecom@dailylead.com>
Subject: Telecom Act Update Proposed


USTelecom dailyLead
July 28, 2005
http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=23402&l=2017006

		TODAY'S HEADLINES
	
NEWS OF THE DAY
* Telecom act update proposed
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY WATCH
* Mobile search signals big business
* Analysis: Vodafone rings competition's bell
* Earnings report
USTELECOM SPOTLIGHT 
* McCormick Applauds Senate Bill Updating U.S. Telecom Laws
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
* Cable confab abuzz over wireless
* Verizon calls on Columbia U. to improve VoIP
REGULATORY & LEGISLATIVE
* FCC chief proposes to ease rules on DSL
* "Rewarding" Ebbers witness likely

Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others.
http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=23402&l=2017006

------------------------------

From: stannc@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar?
Date: 27 Jul 2005 23:07:31 -0700


Copied from the OnStar website:

Q. What different types of equipment do OnStar-equipped vehicles have?
A. All OnStar-equipped vehicles have one of three types of equipment:

Analog-Only: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog-only equipment were
designed to operate only on the analog wireless network and cannot be
upgraded for digital network compatibility. Vehicles with this
equipment will no longer be able to receive OnStar services beginning
January 1, 2008. At that time, service will be available only through
dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment. Analog-only vehicles cannot be
upgraded to digital equipment.

Analog/Digital-Ready: OnStar-equipped vehicles with
analog/digital-ready equipment operate on the analog wireless network,
but were designed to be upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital)
equipment when available for that vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2008,
OnStar service will not be available on these vehicles unless the
OnStar equipment has been upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital)
equipment.

Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital): OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode
(analog/digital) equipment operate on both the analog and digital
wireless networks and will not require an upgrade in connection with
the wireless industry's transition to the digital network.

------------------------------

From: Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net>
Subject: Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar?
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 23:20:39 -0700
Organization: Glorb Internet Services, http://www.glorb.com


John L. Shelton wrote:

> When OnStar (from GM) was announced some years back, it was said to
> operate on the analog cell phone network. GM claims that since 2004,
> they started using Digital/Analog radios.  So it seems there's a large
> fleet of cars out there that will be crippled with the coming death of
> analog cell phone service.

I doubt that'll happen. Only the REQUIREMENT to maintain analog is
going away. If OnStar is paying good money to certain cell carriers to
provide analog, I'm pretty sure they'll continue providing it until
OnStar migrates everyone to digital. Having said that, I don't know
what the migration plans are.


Steve Sobol, Professional Geek   888-480-4638   PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
Company website: http://JustThe.net/
Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
E: sjsobol@JustThe.net Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

------------------------------

From: David L <davlindi@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar?
Date: 27 Jul 2005 23:52:54 -0700


I wouldn't count on analog dying anytime too soon, until wireless
providers provide some alternative network and build out to all that
rural geography that is currently served by legacy analog equpment.

GM was just short sighted (or cheap) when they limited Onstar
installations to analog equipment.

 From what I understand, cellcos can turn off analog, IF they want
too, after a certain date, but waking up one morning with the plug
pulled is unlikely. Analog serves many small communities and rural
stretches, especially out west, quite well.

If it were easy and cheap to replace the analog towers in sparsely
populated areas, it would have been done already.  The city is a
different matter. There are plenty of paying customers to pay for
upgrades to the network.

The FCC doesn't allow wireline companies to not provide rural dwellers
with a dialtone just because the local phone carrier thinks it's too
expensive to run a line to their home.

If they try and drop analog a whole lot of rural customers are going
to be left without service. This is a potentially dangerous situation.
What good is an AGPS equipped digital handset, if it can't connect to
a far off tower to make a call?

Australia turned off analog and went CDMA . Apparently they used a lot
of "boomer" type cell towers.

As I see it, carriers don't want to spend the money to upgrade rural
networks where the chance of recovering costs from high density
traffic are non existant.  I hope the rural cellular users/travellers
get some protection against the bottom line, like the rural wireline
subscibers have been.

David  
Davlindi(AT)hotmail(DOT) com

------------------------------

From: Clark W. Griswold, Jr. <spamtrap100@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar?
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 08:00:23 -0600
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com


John L. Shelton <john@jshelton.com> wrote:

> When OnStar (from GM) was announced some years back, it was said to
> operate on the analog cell phone network. GM claims that since 2004,
> they started using Digital/Analog radios.  So it seems there's a large
> fleet of cars out there that will be crippled with the coming death of
> analog cell phone service.

Yep. But GM is offering a free upgrade if you sign a 3 year contract:
Other manufacturers may be offering similar deals. Details at
www.onstar.com

Q8: If my GM vehicle is capable of being upgraded, what is the process
for having upgrade equipment installed?

A8: Digital upgrade kits are now available for some GM
vehicles. Upgrades for these vehicles will be provided to OnStar
subscribers at no charge with the purchase of a nonrefundable, 3-year
OnStar subscription. To arrange for an upgrade or obtain more
information on digital equipment upgrades, please contact your local
GM dealership or call OnStar toll-free at 1.888.206.0031.

Interestingly, OnStar units from before 2000 used a handset style cell
phone and cannot be upgraded.

------------------------------

From: J Kelly <jkelly@*newsguy.com>
Subject: Re: Analog Cell Phone Service - What About OnStar?
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:06:01 -0500
Organization: http://newsguy.com
Reply-To: jkelly@*newsguy.com


On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 12:22:36 -0700, John L. Shelton
<john@jshelton.com> wrote:

> When OnStar (from GM) was announced some years back, it was said to
> operate on the analog cell phone network. GM claims that since 2004,
> they started using Digital/Analog radios.  So it seems there's a large
> fleet of cars out there that will be crippled with the coming death of
> analog cell phone service.

> John
> john@jshelton.com

Yes, many OnStar equiped vehicles will be crippled ... from OnStars
website:

INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VEHICLES WITH ONSTAR EQUIPMENT
Since it was launched in 1996, OnStar has relied on an analog wireless
network to provide communication to and from OnStar-equipped vehicles.
Today, the analog network continues to provide the most extensive
coverage across the United States and Canada. However, wireless
carriers in the U.S. and Canada are in the process of transitioning
their networks from analog to digital technology.

In November 2002, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
ruled that wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the
analog wireless network as of early 2008. As a result, beginning
January 1, 2008, OnStar service in the U.S. and Canada will only be
available through vehicles equipped with dual-mode (analog/digital)
equipment.

Q1.	What different types of equipment do OnStar-equipped vehicles
have?

A1.	All OnStar-equipped vehicles have one of three types of
equipment:

Analog-Only: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog-only equipment were
designed to operate only on the analog wireless network and cannot be
upgraded for digital network compatibility. Vehicles with this
equipment will no longer be able to receive OnStar services beginning
January 1, 2008. At that time, service will be available only through
dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment. Analog-only vehicles cannot be
upgraded to digital equipment.

Analog/Digital-Ready: OnStar-equipped vehicles with analog/digital-
ready equipment operate on the analog wireless network, but were
designed to be upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment when
available for that vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar service
will not be available on these vehicles unless the OnStar equipment
has been upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment.

Dual-Mode (Analog/Digital): OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode
(analog/digital) equipment operate on both the analog and digital
wireless networks and will not require an upgrade in connection with
the wireless industry's transition to the digital network.  Q2. What
kind of hardware does my OnStar-equipped vehicle have?  A2. To
determine the equipment type in an OnStar-equipped vehicle, you may:

    * Press the blue OnStar button in the vehicle and ask the OnStar
Advisor to identify which equipment type was factory-installed in the
vehicle.
    * Call OnStar toll-free at 1.888.206.0031, or to contact us
online, click here. (Please have your OnStar account number or your
vehicle identification number (VIN) available.)

Q3.	How does the transition to the digital network affect me right
now?

A3.	You don't need to do anything at this time. Your OnStar
equipment will function as it always has until January 1, 2008. The
analog network still offers the most extensive coverage available in
the U.S. and Canada. In addition, the FCC ruling requires wireless
carriers to support the analog network until early 2008.

Q4.	Will I still be able to get an OnStar subscription after
January 1, 2008?

A4. OnStar service will be available to vehicles with dual-mode
(analog/digital) equipment. If you currently have analog/digital-ready
equipment, it will need to be upgraded to dual-mode (analog/digital)
equipment to continue service as of January 1, 2008. (Refer to
Question #7 for additional information.) If your vehicle has
analog-only equipment, however, you will not be able to upgrade the
equipment nor will your vehicle be able to receive OnStar service as
of January 1, 2008. (Refer to question #2 to determine which type of
equipment was factory-installed in your vehicle.)

Q5.	Will my OnStar-equipped vehicle's analog-only system still
work after January 1, 2008?

A5.	No. As of early 2008, wireless carriers will no longer be
required to support the analog network. As a result, beginning January
1, 2008, OnStar will offer all services, including OnStar Hands-Free
Calling, only through dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment.

Q6.	Digital service has been around for a while - why does OnStar
still utilize analog service?

A6. When OnStar was launched in 1996, analog provided the most
extensive and reliable wireless coverage available for nationwide
service. Even today, analog continues to provide the widest range of
coverage across the U.S. and Canada. Vehicle manufacturers are now
producing most OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode
(analog/digital) equipment, and are expected to produce only dual-mode
(analog/digital) OnStar-equipped vehicles by 2006.

Q7.	Will a digital upgrade program be available for subscribers
with earlier versions of hardware?

A7.	Each vehicle manufacturer will determine whether it will offer
an analog-to-digital transition plan for subscribers who have
analog/digital-ready OnStar equipment and are interested in upgrading
to digital equipment. To learn more, click here.

Q8.	Where do I go with questions about the FCC ruling that
wireless carriers will no longer be required to support the analog
network?

A8.	For more information about the FCC ruling, visit fcc.gov, or
click here for a downloadable version of the ruling. For the latest
information about the OnStar analog-to-digital transition plan, please
continue to visit onstar.com/digital-transition.

Q9.	What is the FCC?

A9.	The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a U.S.
government agency charged with regulating interstate and international
communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The
FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 United States, the District of
Columbia and U.S. possessions.

Q10.	How does the FCC ruling impact OnStar in Canada?

A10.	Since most Canadians live within driving distance of the
U.S./Canadian border, OnStar needs to be able to provide the same
service in both markets. The FCC ruling is a U.S. regulation, and no
date has been set for ending analog service in Canadian provinces.
However, wireless carriers in Canada have made the determination to
follow suit and have begun their transition from analog to digital
networks as well. Therefore, beginning January 1, 2008, OnStar
services in the U.S. and Canada will only be available through
dual-mode (analog/digital) equipment.

Q11.	What are wireless carriers?

A11.	The independent wireless communication companies that hold
cellular broadcast licenses in various areas are called wireless
carriers or wireless service providers. OnStar relies on a nationwide
wireless network of these carriers to provide communication to and
from all OnStar-equipped vehicles.

Q12.	What is analog?

A12.	Analog wireless service transmits voice on a continuous radio
wave using frequency modulation similar to an FM radio, and operates
in the 800 MHz frequency range. All 800 MHz analog systems operate
under a common industry standard, known as Advanced Mobile Phone
Services (AMPS).

Q13.	What is digital?

A13. In a digital wireless system, voice is converted to a digital
signal and then transmitted over air. Digital wireless service
operates in both the 800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequency range. The three
dominant systems in the U.S. and Canada are CDMA, GSM and TDMA.
OnStar-equipped vehicles with dual-mode (analog/digital) hardware have
been engineered to work in the 800 MHz frequency for analog or CDMA
digital networks, in addition to the 1900 MHz CDMA digital networks.

------------------------------

From: Fred Atkinson <fatkinson@mishmash.com>
Subject: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 04:04:43 -0400


>> Johnny Smith has a new digital cell phone, but he relies on an older
>> analog bag phone when he travels the wide open spaces in the western
>> part of the state to line up cattle for sale at a local livestock
>> auction.

> I understand the older 'bag phones' can send out a much stronger
> signal.  There are plenty of fringe reception areas even in
> "developed" states all over the U.S.  If one looks closely at a
> carrier's map, they'll find lots of places with the different shade to
> indicate no or limited service.

That's probably always going to be true.  There are very sparsely
populated areas that it is not cost effective to provide service.
Since cellular never incorporated (and probably never will) universal
telephone service, what is the financial justification for doing it?
None.

> Clearly there is a need for such higher powered phones.

True, but these phones become resource intensive after a certain
amount of time.  I'd go into the technical details, but most of the
folks here are already clear on that point.  They are just going to
have to get something that is more current technology with a little
more power.

When I got the cellular installed in my current vehicle (which I bought
nine years ago, by the way), I asked if they could install a digital unit.
They said that none of the units that could be installed in cars were
digital.  As far as I know, there weren't any made.  I tried to get one to
replace it, but the cellular companies would only sell the little, hand held
units.

IMHO, the drawback to these units (since I primarily had mine in the
car in case of breakdown, if there was an accident, or I witnessed a
crime or something like that) is that when you really need them, it's
a problem that you left it sitting on the kitchen table or on your
desk at work.  What good does it do you then?  To that end, I prefered
a unit that was permanently installed in my humble vehicle.  But the
cell companies don't provide that any more.

My analog cellular is still in the car, but I discontinued service
when the economy went to hell a few years back.  Most carriers would
not want to support it, I strongly suspect.  If they do, I would
wonder about them.

> There are also those of us who have plain vanilla cell phones and
> call-plans who have no need or desire for fancy phones or services.
> Yet we are being pressured to spend our money to upgrade to stuff we
> don't want by forced obsolescence.

Forced obsolence is not done to make you buy new equipment.  It's done
to keep pace with the technology and get more subscribers in the same
amount of bandwidth (resources).  There are other reasons, but I won't
go into them.  It is a fact of life we can't get away from.

> Years back GM got hammered by its "planned obsolescence" of
> automobiles.  At least an automobile would physically wear out and had
> a limited life.  Telephones, especially when not used often, don't
> wear out.

I don't agree with you there.  I've had a bunch of telephones die on
me and have to be replaced over a period of years.  This is especially
true with all the 'brand X' phones that are manufactured with the idea
of getting your money by providing something that costs next to
nothing to manufacture.  For that reason, I now only go with good,
name brand phones (and most other things).

>> In rural areas where cellular towers are far apart, analog phones
>> often work when digital models can't get a signal. With the Federal
>> Communications Commission pushing the move to all-digital phone
>> service across the country, Smith and others in rural areas are urging
>> the agency to wait until more towers are built to improve service.

> Why is the FCC pushing this?  Is it really good for the country or
> actually good for the carriers to make more money selling replacement
> phones and fancier services and plans?

It is good for conservation spectrum, reducing costs, increasing
functionality, creating more competition, allowing the different
companies to have more opportunities to identify a marketing niche,
etc. and the list goes on and on.

>> According to current timelines set up by the FCC, wireless companies
>> can phase out analog service by 2008.

> I get offers from my carrier to "upgrade" to digital.  They'll sell me
> a crappy phone and double my monthly charge and give me LESS than I
> have now!

Tell them you'll consider it if you get a phone that is a good,
reliable name brand.  And educate yourself as to what those name
brands are.  And make them give you a plan that is comparable to what
you are currently paying.  They want to get you off the old
technology.  If you are firm on that point, they should find a way to
accomodate you.

You might also consider buying it on an AMEX card as I believe AMEX
extends the warranty on most purchases.  And it gives you recourse in
case of a dispute.

Some years back, I bought a cell phone from AT&T (only because my
employer required me to have it, I didn't want the thing for my own
use).  After about four months, a problem with the unit developed (I
won't go into the problem as it's irrelevant to the point I am trying
to make).  I called AT&T about replacing it.  The AT&T rep required me
to read her the numbers (model and other numbers) from the unit.

She told me that the unit was three years old and not under warranty.  I
told her that that was ridiculous because I had purchased it new from AT&T
only four months before.  I spoke to her supervisor and a number of other
folks, but AT&T  insisted the phone was three years old and they wouldn't
replace it.

I called AMEX and told them the story.  They immediately credited my
account for the full amount of the phone and I cancelled my service
with AT&T.  I demanded that AT&T waive the cancellation fee since I
was canceling due to the fact that they were not honoring the warranty
on my phone.  Miraculously, they did let me cancel without a
cancellation fee.

Using a credit card that extends the warranty on your phone does have
certain benefits.

>> The National Emergency Number Association, whose aim is to implement a
>> universal emergency telephone number system, opposes a blanket delay
>> in the move to the new digital phones, said Rick Jones, director of
>> operations issues for the organization. However, the group is also
>> willing to consider requests for waivers by individual companies in
>> areas where a delay might make sense, he said.

> Who the heck are these people?

That's a question I'd like to see answered myself.

> So my cell phone won't pinpoint me.  (Actually I kind of like that.)
> But I'm pretty good with geography and know where I'm at.

With the FCC mandates to incorporate this feature into all cell phones
(for 911 use), you may not enjoy that forever.

> [public replies please]

You got it.

------------------------------

From: Tim@Backhome.org
Subject: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 03:40:34 -0700
Organization: Cox Communications


hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:

> I understand the older 'bag phones' can send out a much stronger
> signal.  There are plenty of fringe reception areas even in
> "developed" states all over the U.S.  If one looks closely at a
> carrier's map, they'll find lots of places with the different shade to
> indicate no or limited service.

> Clearly there is a need for such higher powered phones.

> There are also those of us who have plain vanilla cell phones and
> call-plans who have no need or desire for fancy phones or services.
> Yet we are being pressured to spend our money to upgrade to stuff we
> don't want by forced obsolescence.

Those analog "heavy iron" puppies, when in an area that requires
step-up to the maximum of 3 watts became more broadcast units than
cellular units.  That analog, step-up concept was developed in the
late 1970s as part of Bell Labs development of AMPS (advanced mobile
phone service).  Those folks were replacing an "ancient" broadcast VHF
wireless telephone system with the technology available at the time.

Had we not gone digital, the system would have been exhausted several
years ago.

As to Cingular I don't believe they have an analog fallback option in
their system.  It might be down to Verizon now and I suspect they have
plans to cut away from that, but are being held back by GM's old
analog-based OnStar system.

The problem the cattle buyer has out in the boonies is the lack of
demand for service.  Small demand equals small investment in cell
sites.  What someone like that probably needs is to pony up the bucks
to be on a commercial two-way system with lots of rural coverage,
somewhat like the county mounties have in Big Sky country.

------------------------------

From: bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi)
Subject: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 10:56:11 -0000
Organization: Widgets, Inc.


In article <telecom24.341.10@telecom-digest.org>,
<hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote:

[[..  munch  ..]]

> Why is the FCC pushing this?  Is it really good for the country or
> actually good for the carriers to make more money selling replacement
> phones and fancier services and plans?

RF 'spectrum' *is* a limited resource.  Digital phones make _far_ more
efficient use of that scarce resource than analog ones do.

Being able to eventually 'turn off' the analog cell-phone system
*completely*, makes it possible to reassign that spectrum to other
uses.

> I get offers from my carrier to "upgrade" to digital.  They'll sell me
> a crappy phone and double my monthly charge and give me LESS than I
> have now!

Has anybody *EVER* accused the phone company of having the customer's
interests at heart?  <*grin*>

------------------------------

From: Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net>
Subject: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 23:30:35 -0700
Organization: Glorb Internet Services, http://www.glorb.com


hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Our local Cingular Wireless agency here
> in Independence tells me that all they are allowed to sell now for 
> use in the 620 area (that is, local service) are the newer GSM
> phones. 

Only the newer phones meet two FCC requirements -

-- The ability to handle Wireless Local Number Portability, meaning
the phone actually has to have a number unique to the carrier in
addition to the directory number. For example, I ported my
760-217-xxxx number from Verizon to Sprint last year. Before I ported,
my Sprint phone had a temporary number in a Sprint exchange,
760-486-xxxx. After I ported, Sprint still associated that number with
my phone's serial number, so that calls to me could be completed, but
only for call routing purposes. 760-217-xxxx came through on other
people's caller ID, and calls to my 217 number rang my phone.

This past month I ported out again, to T-Mobile. Since I had InPhonic
activate the phone and port my number at the same time, I have no idea
what T-Mobile uses as the MSID (Mobile Station ID -- Sprint's 486
number in this example, the number the carrier uses to ID the phone
for call routing purposes). But calls to my 217 number now ring my
T-Mo phone.

-- GPS capabilities, which are supposed to be used on calls to 911,
although I'm not sure how many 911 call centers have upgraded to
handle the GPS info.  A couple carriers, Sprint and Nextel, are also
offering location-based services that find you through GPS.

Older analog-only phones don't have these capabilities. Nor do some
older TDMA/analog phones. So since Cingular is now focusing on GSM,
what you were told is essentially correct.

> If a person _insists_ on having one of the older style phones
> it has to be in the 316 Wichita area; 620 is now strictly GSM. 

Interesting. Are you talking about analog-only phones here? Some newer
TDMA-only and TDMA/analog phones do have these capabilities and
Cingular wouldn't get spanked by the Feds for allowing them to be
used. None of the analog-only handsets have these features. It sounds
like Wichita is still largely TDMA and Cingular has not completely
migrated over to GSM there yet... This is not an issue with T-Mo; T-Mo
has been GSM worldwide from the start, and the US carriers bought by
Deutsche Telekom to form T-Mo USA were GSM-only.


Steve Sobol, Professional Geek   888-480-4638   PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
Company website: http://JustThe.net/
Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
E: sjsobol@JustThe.net Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

------------------------------

From: Clark W. Griswold, Jr. <spamtrap100@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Residents Fight to Keep Analog Cell Phones
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 07:54:15 -0600
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com


hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:

> Chet Brokaw wrote:

> I understand the older 'bag phones' can send out a much stronger
> signal. 

3W for the bag phones vs 600mW for the small handsets. 

> Why is the FCC pushing this?  Is it really good for the country or
> actually good for the carriers to make more money selling replacement
> phones and fancier services and plans?

More efficient use of the limited spectrum. The cell carriers can pack
3 digital calls in the same bandwidth used by 1 analog call. This is a
real issue in cities and urban areas. Wouldn't be a problem in the
country if the carriers would fill out the holes, but whether they do
that or not is yet to be seen.

------------------------------

From: harold@hallikainen.com <harold@hallikainen.com>
Subject: Re: AT&T Customers Being Taken Over By AllTel
Date: 28 Jul 2005 08:17:12 -0700


Your local Public Utilities Commission can probably also help. With
wireline, at least, you pay the disputed amount to the PUC and they
investigate the situation. I've always gotten immediate response from
telcos when the PUC comes knocking. Hopefully they have jurisdiction
over cellular.

Harold

------------------------------

From: Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net>
Subject: Re: AT&T Customers Being Taken Over By AllTel
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 23:19:00 -0700
Organization: Glorb Internet Services, http://www.glorb.com


Lots of good advice from Pat, but I have some additional info ...

Donna Eakins wrote:

> I just recently found out my husband's cell phone which was AT&T here
> in TX Collin County area was switched over to Alltel without
> notification.

> We have contacted Alltel; the account number is not valid with
> Alltel. They show no records of my husband being an AllTel customer
> and have stated the charges are excessive.

Well, the good thing about *that* is if they have no record of you,
they won't try to collect the bill from you. Get that in writing! In
reality, I suspect that might be rather difficult to do.

> AT&T or Cingular is unwilling stating it is an Alltel problem.

It'd be Cingular now -- AT&T Wireless no longer exists. And probably
won't be resurrected per AT&T's original plans either.

> If you have any contact info of someone we can contact would
> appreciate it.  Otherwise we just will not pay the bill. It will go to
> collections.

> We would rather not hurt our credit. But if that is what it takes we
> will.

Well, don't just ignore it. Pursue the issue with Alltel. Most of
ATTWS went to Cingular, but large chunks of the Texas network, in
particular, ended up bought by Alltel, probably due to anti-trust
concerns. Alltel's headquarters are in Little Rock, Arkansas - I'd
start there.

http://www.alltel.com/contact_us.html

General Correspondence
Building 4 Fifth Floor
One Allied Drive
Little Rock, AR 72202-2099

I'd address it to the Legal Department, and perhaps give your attorney
a copy. If you don't get any satisfaction from Alltel, try the
Attorneys General in AR and TX. But don't let it sit.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What you describe is a typical thing
> since AT&T Wireless went out of business. Much of it went to Cingular
> (for example, my AT&T Free to Go prepaid wound up with Cingular) but
> I understand other accounts went wherever. I do not know what the
> logic was behind that. 

Sure wasn't the FCC spectrum cap, which was eliminated a few years
ago. I'm sure it was due to anti-trust concerns, since Cingular is
owned in part by SBC and SBC has a huge presence in their home state
(Texas).

> Can AT&T tell you _why_ the account was sold to Alltel, and _why_ no
> advance notice was given?

No, because AT&T Wireless no longer exists.

>                Cingular Wireless/AT&T Free2Go
>                Attention: Management person
>                Post Office Box 68056
>                Anaheim Hills, CA 92807   
> 
> They have no phones there; no email nor fax, or so they claimed when
> the India 'customer care' people refused to give me any number to
> call. 

I think going after Alltel will be a better idea. Especially since the
$1100 bill was from Alltel. Cingular has no control over the bills
Alltel sends.

Contacting the FCC if necessary might help, but try bugging Alltel
first.  But do make sure they know you'll escalate to the state
Attorneys General and the FCC if necessary. Also, wireless phone
service isn't regulated in MOST states, but is regulated in at least a
few. Find out if the Texas Public Utilities Commission, Public Service
Commission or equivalent regulates wireless phone service, and if so,
they may be able to help you.

> In your case my suggestion would be _make copies of all paperwork
> Alltel sent you (the invoice for $1100 I assume) showing whatever
> account number was assigned to you -- the number Alltel now claims
> they do not recognize as an account of theirs -- and ask what is the
> meaning of the thing. Send it registered mail. 

Registered mail with return receipt, so you know when they signed for
it.  Also be aware that mail sent first class with return receipt will
cause the return receipt to be sent back in usually about a week or
so, but if you use Express Mail you will get the receipt back a day or
two after it's signed.

(I say one or two because although Express Mail is normally guaranteed
to arrive next day, there are some rural and semi-rural locations,
like ZIP code 92307 -- my ZIP code -- where Express Mail is only
guaranteed to arrive in two days.)

> for whatever your usual bill should be. And _do not worry_ about the
> very unlikely event your credit will be harmed any. Frankly put, that
> just sounds like a collection bluff. 

But when all is said and done, and resolved, pull a credit report
anyhow.  You are now entitled to one free report per year - that was a
law in certain states before, but it is now a *federal* law, with all
US citizens being entitled to the free report.

http://www.annualcreditreport.com/

If everything is fixed and they're still reporting stuff incorrectly
to the credit bureau, you'll need to go after them to correct the
information.

And remember -- as a debtor, you DO HAVE RIGHTS.

Hope this helps. Let us know how everything works out.


Steve Sobol, Professional Geek   888-480-4638   PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
Company website: http://JustThe.net/
Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
E: sjsobol@JustThe.net Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

------------------------------

From: Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net>
Subject: Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, meets "Moscow Rules"
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2005 23:31:11 -0700
Organization: Glorb Internet Services, http://www.glorb.com


panoptes@iquest.net wrote:

>> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes!! 'Clue' is the name of the game,
>> either from Parker Brothers or Milton Bradley. A wonderful game which
>> I still remember.  PAT]

> It's from Parker Brothers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.

> http://www.hasbro.com/clue/

Cool game. We have it here at the house and play it with the kids.

Steve Sobol, Professional Geek   888-480-4638   PGP: 0xE3AE35ED
Company website: http://JustThe.net/
Personal blog, resume, portfolio: http://SteveSobol.com/
E: sjsobol@JustThe.net Snail: 22674 Motnocab Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307

------------------------------

From: Fred Atkinson <fatkinson@mishmash.com>
Subject: Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, Meets "Moscow Rules"
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 04:08:32 -0400


> "Clue", perhaps?  As in: 'The butler did it, with the ice-pick, in the
> parlor.

There was never a suspect in Clue named 'The Butler'.  I seem to
remember Professor Plum, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, and a few others.
But there was never one called 'The Butler'.

And I seem to remember that the victim was someone named 'Mr. Boddy',
not Dr. Black.


Fred

------------------------------

From: bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi)
Subject: Re: Last Laugh! Spammer, age 35, Meets "Moscow Rules"
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 11:30:51 -0000
Organization: Widgets, Inc.


In article <telecom24.341.12@telecom-digest.org>, Paul Coxwell
<paulcoxwell@tiscali.co.uk> wrote:

>>> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Does anyone remember the old parlor
>>> game we used to play as kids? I think the name of the game was
>>> 'Murder'

>> "Clue", perhaps?  As in: 'The butler did it, with the ice-pick, in the
>> parlor.

> "Clue" was sold in Britain by Waddington's under the name "Cluedo."  I
> used to have the game as a kid, and I think it's still available in
> the stores.

> The murdered owner was Dr. Black.  The suspects were Colonel Mustard,
> Rev. Green, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlett, and Mrs.
> Peacock.  The potential murder weapons were a dagger, a candlestick, a
> rope, a revolver, a length of lead piping, and a spanner (wrench).  I
> know there were nine locations, including -- at least in the British
> version -- a library, a study, a billiard room, and conservatory.

There was one memorable day, with that game, where the cards got
somewhat co-mingled.  As a result, *all* of the 'valid' solutions got
eliminated.  Whereupon, checking the 'solution' cards, one found that
"Col. Mustard did it, in the library, with Miss Scarlett".  *grin*

------------------------------

Reply-To: hajiamariam001@sify.com
From: hajia mariam <hajia1313@hotmail.com>
Subject: Last Laugh! Your Tel/Mobile Numbers Needed
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 17:22:35 +0000



[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: While dumping out one of several loads
of trash this morning, this _important notice_ passed my line of view,
and I thought it important to show you, so you could get your numbers
ready to be given to to Ms. Mariam.  PAT]

          ==================================

Dear Beloved in Christ,
Due to the sudden death of my husband General
Abacha the former head of state of Nigeria in
June 1998, I have been thrown into a state of
hopelessness by the present administration.I have
lost confidence with anybody within my country.
I got your contacts through personal research,
and had to reach you through this medium.
I will give you more details when you reply.
Due to security network placed on my daily
affairs I cant visit the embassy so that is
why I have contacted you.
My husband deposited $12.6million dollars with
a security firm abroad whose name is witheld for
now till we communicate.
I will be happy if you can receive this funds
and keep it safe I assure you 20% of this fund.
I will need your tel/ fax numbers so that we can
commence communication. Please reach me via my
private email address:

hajiamariam001@sify.com

Please expedite action.

Yours,
Hajia Mariam


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I never realized I had so many friends
and was Beloved in Christ to so many Nigerian people. PAT]

------------------------------


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