From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jun 20 21:16:19 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id VAA03051; Thu, 20 Jun 1996 21:16:19 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 21:16:19 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606210116.VAA03051@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #301 TELECOM Digest Thu, 20 Jun 96 21:16:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 301 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Andrew C. Green) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (lr@access2.digex.net) Re: Phone History Question (John Shriver) Re: Phone History Question (Ed Ellers) 4-Prong vs. Modular Plugs (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Future of X.25 Networks vs Internet (Garrett Wollman) Re: Caller ID with Pre-Paid Calling Card? (Jeffrey Rhodes) Re: International 800 Numbers (Bob Goudreau) Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers (John Higdon) Re: Modem For Use in Greenland (Lars Poulsen) Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail (Keith W. Brown) Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail (Gordon McFadden) Re: New Nevada Area Code (Daryl R. Gibson) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 16:02:38 -0500 From: Andrew C. Green Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? John Hall writes: > Could someone who has seen a PCS site describe it? Certainly. Here in the Chicago area, Ameritech ran an 18-month test of a PCS network in areas of Chicago and northwest suburban Arlington Heights in 1992-1993. I was a participant in the trial with about 500 other people and wrote a series of articles here in the Digest at the time. This is my non-technical opinion only: From what I saw of the visible hardware and what was shown on the instructional videotape accompanying the PCS phone, a typical site involves a straight rod antenna about two feet long, clamped in the middle by a small mounting arm to attach vertically about 20 feet off the ground on whatever's handy. Cables lead to what the videotape showed to be a shoebox-sized cabinet tucked out of sight nearby. It would presumably need a phone line and perhaps an AC power hookup. In the course of wiring up the downtown Arlington Heights area, they had to deal with various architectures. The train station sprouted an antenna at one end of its roof. A local tavern had one on the corner of the building right over its front door. Supermarkets had them hidden in the suspended ceiling, for indoor PCS service. It's safe to say that no one noticed the hardware unless it was pointed out to them, and in most cases it was completely out of sight anyway. > Does it have a "mini" antenna? Certainly; it was less obtrusive than a home satellite dish. > Would you want one in your back yard? I'd have no problem with that, but the wording of this question still seems to imply that it would require three trucks and a bulldozer to install, whereas in actual fact I think they would simply hang it on the nearest telephone pole and no one would be the wiser ... Andrew C. Green (312) 266-4431 Datalogics, Inc. 441 W. Huron Internet: acg@frame.com Chicago, IL 60610-3498 FAX: (312) 266-4473 ------------------------------ From: lr@access5.digex.net (Sir Topham Hatt) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 20 Jun 1996 22:27:21 GMT Organization: Intentionally Left Blank John Hall (john@kodak.com) wrote: > Here in the Rochester NY area, there have been recent cases where > suburban and rural residents have opposed the building of tall, > "unsightly" cellular antenna towers in their neighborhoods. > Now PCS is often described as having "mini-cells", compared to > existing cellular services. That would mean more antennas would need > to be built, but they would each cover a smaller area and so might not > be so intrusive. It's a blatent lie perpetrated by the local PCS industry. The towers are in fact no smaller. I regullarly get to hear the local PCS scum pleading their case for 100-200' monopoles in front of the county planning commision. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps get a resolution on the differences? PAT] ------------------------------ From: John Shriver Subject: Re: Phone History Question Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 18:55:45 -0700 Organization: Shiva Corporation Jon Parro wrote: > Does anyone know when they stopped hardwiring phones and started > installing phone jacks (in Southern California, particularly)? Telephone jacks have been there for a very long type. Yes, the modular jack was sometime after 1970. Before that was the four-pin jack (the 404B), which dates from roughly the mid 1930's. There was a real quarter-inch "phone" (tip, ring, sleeve) jack that was used for portable extensions before the four-pin jack. The plug was like a switchboard jack, but the wiring was done in a large square block. That was probably the original plug and jack used in houses. (I've never seen one in the flesh.) Of course, back when you rented a phone, you probably also had to pay extra every month for every non-hardwired phone. The "portable" phone was a billable feature. (However, a long cord on a phone was a one-time charge.) That's why plugs and long cords are unusual to find on old pre-modular phones. You usually find the short three foot cord with three spade lugs (red, green, yellow). By the way, before the one-peice phones (302), the jack went between the desk set (20, 40, 50, 150, 102, or 202) and bell box (534, 584). A given home was NOT to be wired with a mix of 302's and the older type phones on phone jacks, as the wiring of jacks for these different applications were quite incompatible. ------------------------------ From: Ed Ellers Subject: Re: Phone History Question Date: Thu, 20 Jun 96 16:11:38 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Jon Parro writes: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The first two phones I had in my own > name (1961 through 1965 I think) were hardwired. The first one was > 'installed in place' having been there from a previous subscriber. > My parents phones were hardwired. I honestly cannot remember but I > think my third phone in 1967 was modular. I know the ones I had in > the early 1970's were modular. It was quite common to see older > installations that were hardwired around the same time, but it was > also common to see 302 type phones from the 1940's still around also > in older installations. My best guess would be the change in standards > probably was about 1965-68. Other ideas or facts on this? PAT] As best I can tell, the present modular connectors were introduced by AT&T in the early 1970s -- several years before the FCC adopted Part 68 and the USOCs. WECo did have a different, earlier modular system starting with the Trimline sets in 1965 that allowed handsets, bases and mounting and handset cords to be assembled quickly to suit each installation, but it was only used on a few sets introduced after then. (The Trimline mounting cords had *five* wires -- the fifth was white -- to allow party-line and other such reconfigurations without actually rewiring the set, by just hooking up the wires differently in the connecting block or four-pin plug.) The new 4- and 6-pin modular connectors were deliberately made small enough that the older Trimline and other sets' handset cords could be replaced with new modular ones with adapters; replacing the base cord, with that weird wiring, was more difficult. I had two main gripes with the modular system at the time, one that the new mounting cords were clear rather than the same color as the phone -- which I thought (and still do) looked cheap and tacky -- and secondly that the modular-converted 500 and 2500 sets were poorly handled, with those ugly gray connectors on the base and the punched-out handset cord holes. And of course the modular plugs, which (I was told by installers at the time) were *not* designed for repeated removal and insertion cycles, break far too easily. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 16:52:20 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Four-Prong vs. Modular Plugs I would assume that four-prong plugs (in a trapezoidal arrangement) go back to the 1950's and maybe even the late 1940's. Years ago, you always seemed to pay extra, either one-time or monthly, depending on your local telco's tarrifs, for 'extra features' such as a 'portable' phone with a plug, extension jacks and phones, color instead of basic black, extra ringer boxes, coiled handset cords instead of straight ones, handsets (WECO/NECO 202 phones) instead of 'stand-up' candlestick phones back in the 1920's and 30's, 'officially' issued shoulder rests, 'official' directory binders or covers, longer line or handset cords, etc. My parents' house was built in 1959, in a new subdivision. My dad told me that he wanted *one* telephone that could be moved between the kitchen and their bedroom. There were (still are) four-prong plugs in those rooms. The other two bedrooms used to have a plate with a small hole in them, flush against the wall. There was an old-style (bakelite) ringer box hardwired in the attic with a ringer used in 302 phones. A single rotary dial 500 set (ivory) had been used for over fifteen years in the house, moved every morning into the kitchen, and every evening into their bedroom. If there was an incoming call while the phone wasn't plugged in (such as moving between rooms), you'd still know about it since the ringer box was clanging. The subdivision was developed in the late 1950's and throughout the 1960's. I remember that some neighbors had a standard 500 desk set in their kitchen, but the line cord went into a little hole in a plate mounted flush to the wall. So at least here, Bell was still installing phones hard-wired to the wall in the 1960's. I saw articles on 'modular' equipment: phones, handset cords, line cords, jacks in {Bell Labs Record} and {Bell Telephone Magazine} in the early to mid 1970's (1972 to 74 period). These articles mentioned that WECO was going to manufacture modular connectors exclusively. One day in 1976, the old hardwired coiled handset cord had split, with exposed wires on my parents' circa 1959 ivory 500 desk set. SCBell Repair came by to replace the phone. The telephone man brought in an ivory phone from the truck, with modular connections on the handset cord and line cord. BUT he wanted to change over the four-prong outlets in the kitchen and bedroom to modular outlets. Knowing how the little plastic tab is sometimes difficult to manueuver, and also eventually weakens and breaks off after a lot of use (that phone was going to be moved between the kitchen and bedroom every day), I protested that we wanted to keep four-prong jacks, but use a 'converter' modular-to-four-prong plug. He snapped one of those on to the end of the modular line-cord. Now, for an even older piece of nostalgia ... When looking through an old telephone directory from the 1930's, I saw some sketched promotional ads for Bell services and equipment. One of them was for a 'portable' phone. It was the 'French' 202 model phone which you could move from room to room! It had a 'phono' jack type of plug on the end of the line cord, something like the larger plugs used on an operator's switchboard plug. So plug-in portability dates back to the 1930's! MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: wollman@halloran-eldar.lcs.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Subject: Re: Future of X.25 Networks vs Internet Date: 20 Jun 1996 12:10:39 -0400 Organization: MIT Laboratory for Computer Science In article , albert pang wrote: > In article , Jean-Francois Mezei > wrote: >> I would like opinions on what will happen to worldwide X.25 networks >> such as TYMNET, SPRINTNET and national X.25 nets connected via X.75 >> with the Internet becoming so popular. > One of the advantages of X.25 over TCP/IP is the inherent capability > for accounting since each X.25 connection (call setup and call clear) > is tracked. These events are recorded by most switches and can be > reported for billing purpose. This is a rather dubious "advantage". It often costs more to collect, manage, and bill all this accounting information than it would actually cost to simply sell the service at a flat rate. After all, the most significant advantage of packet networks over circuit networks is the ability to do statistical multiplexing over a large number of independent overlapping connections. This suggests that the current Internet model of charging customers for available bandwidth rather than for the total amount of data transferred makes more economic sense; in essence, all the costs of service provision are "fixed costs" with respect to the amount of data users actually exchange, in a properly-provisioned network. (The unfortunte thing right now is that many important choke-points in the current Internet are dramatically underprovisioned. This indicates poor planning on the part of the ISPs, however, rather than a failure of the economic model.) > Therefore, I don't think the Internet will be replacing public X.25 > network entirely (although, some corporation will migrate some of > their data traffic to the Internet). However, what will happen is > that you will see applications who used X.25 networks are migrating to > public Frame Relay or eventually to ATM networks. Of course, one major provider's Frame Relay network is already implemented on top of IP. >> Or will corporations simply go with the actual Internet and concentrate >> on encryption of the data? > It really depend the size of the corporation and how critical the > network applications are. It also depends to a great deal on the ability of major service providers to give service guarantees and live up to them. If I'm a major corporation, I would have no more difficulty handing my inter-campus network traffic over to AT&T, MCI, or Sprint, than I would to give them my telephone traffic, if I could buy the same sort of service guarantees from their data operations that I get from their voice operations. Certainly I might want to encrypt some of my data traffic; this is a service I should be able to purchase from my ISP and have him install it in his on-site routers. Garrett A. Wollman wollman@lcs.mit.edu ------------------------------ From: jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com Subject: Re: Caller ID with Pre-Paid Calling Card? Date: Thu, 20 Jun 96 09:30:54 PDT Organization: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. In article , writes: > If you call a 800 number for one of the companies that offer a > Pre-Paid Calling Card what number displays on a Caller ID box once > your call is put through? Does it matter who the company is that > carries the call? When you dial *671800+seven digits (and the call completes) then either "Private/Anonymous" or "Out of Area" shows on the translated number's Caller ID display. The ANI of the calling terminal will be available to the 800 provider and can be displayed separately. When you dial 1800+seven digits (and the call completes) then either "Out of Area" or the calling terminal's number shows on the translated number's terminal caller id display. The displayed calling number may or may not be the ANI that can be displayed separately. When the call completes with companies that provide ISUP SS7 signaling end-to-end the display is able to show the calling number or the privacy indication. When the call does not complete with ISUP SS7 signaling end-to-end then the display is "Out of Area" even though the calling ANI is available to 800 providers separately. Calling ANI is not equivalent to Calling Number. Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 10:53:59 -0400 From: goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) Subject: Re: International 800 Numbers benlev@aol.com (BenLev) writes: > In either case you all see how confusing this is. What is remarkable > is that 800 service has expanded from regional to statewide to > national to North American but when it was finally going international, > all of a sudden AT&T and MCI do nothing to help people who currently > have 800 numbers keep those numbers. You now run the risk that > someone else will get your 800 number for international use. Nonsense. For one thing, the number of digits in the two numbering spaces is different: +800 must be followed by eight digits, while 1-800 (and 1-888) numbers have only seven digits. Even if someone wanted to get, say, +800-FLOWERS, it won't be a valid number. > For some reason they would rather have a whole new numbering plan > for international 800. Well, yeah. That's rather the whole point, isn't it? The current situation is that every country has its own separate free-phone number space, which is usually not even reachable from outside that country. Even if every such number space were opened up to allow international charge-back, how are users supposed to be able to keep track of what's free and what isn't? (I.e., how likely is it that a North American would realize that "+44 800" would hypothetically lead to a toll-free number in the UK, or that "+33 5" (??) would do likewise for France? Not to mention Europeans having to know that +1-800 and +1-888 are North American toll free numbers...) The point of country code 800 is to provide a single easy-to-remember access code that the whole world can use to dial international toll-free numbers. This is no way replaces or obsoletes any intra-national free phone numbering spaces that countries may already have (or choose to introduce in the future). Bob Goudreau Data General Corporation goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com 62 Alexander Drive +1 919 248 6231 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA ------------------------------ Organization: Green Hills and Cows Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 15:37:58 -0700 From: John Higdon Subject: Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers At 13:13 on 6/18/96, TELECOM Digest Editor noted: > **And I feel > certain it is just a bluff -- just an idle threat.** You who have > been in this business for years with many sophisticated contacts in > the industry would have to spend some time looking for a way to get > your billing tapes over to an agency for conversion to chargeback to > the caller. I've been around for years and I right now could not put > my finger on the exact process for getting this accomplished although > we all know it *can* be done, illegally of course. 800 charges via the Third Number or Collect route are now very much in disfavor. While it is technically possible to use this mechanism, to do so without the prior approval of the billee is an almost certain way to have any LEC or other end-billing arrangements cancelled. No provider offering 800 facilities is going to risk having those arrangements threatened. Furthermore, the whole show is over if the billee in question has "billed number screening". All of the major operators (like the ones who would have such billing arrangements in place to begin with) honor the LIDB lookup. Even the not-so-major players subscribe to and honor this information. It should be noted, however, that the particular scam in question does record the number of the calling party and uses this information to create a dynamic "reject" database. I discovered this when placing my own inquiry. This prevents, for example, someone from calling in repeatedly from the same telephone over and over again. I have used this mechanism myself on some facilities that I set up years ago. John Higdon | P.O. Box 7648 | +1 408 264 4115 | FAX: john@ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | +1 500 FOR-A-MOO | +1 408 264 4407 | http://www.ati.com/ati/ | [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Thank you very much for this additional confirmation, John. Generally I would say when you see spam with a threat made to charge callers you should just ignore it. In fact, I am almost in a frame of mind to say that if the spammers are going to try to insult our intelligence that much they deserve whatever financial ruin comes their way as a result of calls to their 800 number. Now comes the tricky part however and a bit of psychology: if you call those numbers and leave nasty messages, you can probably be assured that your number will be blacklisted and you will need to use other phones on subsequent calls. On the other hand if you merely listen to their complete message and say something nice and sweet like 'gee, I really want to think about it for a day or and I will get back to you' it is unlikely they will block your number. After all, you are still a prospective customer in their mind. So string them along and stall them as long as you can. See if you can get five or six calls of inquirty into them (each call as long as possible of course) before they finally give up on you and block you out, if they ever do. And if you have to move to a different phone at some point go ahead and do so. What are they going to, eventually block out every phone belonging to a netter? Remember, the community goal for Jeff is a hundred thousand dollars in charges during June to the 800 carrier he is using. I beleive someone said that was LCI. Perhaps someone able to pull the record could look at his account for this month and let me know -- in complete confidence of course -- how close we are to reaching that goal now two thirds of the way through the month. I would like to see him have to mortgage his home (or get a second mortgage) just to pay telco and avoid litigation with them over his bill. And don't forget there are many other spammers worthy of attention also but I know each of you can only do so much. Still, a call here and a call there, each one of two or three minutes in length to inquire about their products should not be too much of a sacrifice for anyone and those calls do mount up! If there are not at least several thousand netters each 'chipping in' a couple dollars to Jeff's phone bill this month I would be very surprised. Finally, remember not to harass the spammers since that is illegal. Just simple calls of inquiry from day to day will be fine. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 16:10:23 -0700 From: lars@anchor.RNS.COM (Lars Poulsen) Subject: Re: Modem For Use in Greenland Organization: RNS / Meret Communications In article is written: > I am looking for a modem suitable for use in Greenland. > I understand that this is the same spec as in Greenland and is V27. Did you mean to say "same as in Denmark" ? V.27 is a FAX specification. > The real problem is that it must go in a rack (it cannot be a PC > internal) and there is only 48 volts available. This sounds like something for installation into a telephone switching office. There's obviously a story here. You are installing some kind of FAX system in a telephone central office in Greenland, and the telephone company ought to be able to recommend you a modem that is compatible with the system and the application. If they aren't cooperative, is that because you are a co-locating competitor? Lars Poulsen Internet E-mail: lars@RNS.COM RNS / Meret Communications Phone: +1-805-562-3158 7402 Hollister Avenue Telefax: +1-805-968-8256 Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Internets: designed and built while you wait [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Leave it to Lars to pick up real quick on a scent somewhere and begin following it! That reference to 'same as Greeland' was a typo that missed my eye, sorry. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Keith W. Brown Subject: Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 16:30:12 -0700 Organization: AllCom International Marone Giuseppe wrote in article : > I wonder if there is any products (hardware /software) to use a > standard fax machine as a scanner connected to a PC; the application > would be to get files in proper formats (.TIF, .GIF, .JMP or whatever) > to be sent as e-mail attachment out of plain paper documents; the fax > machine, anyway, should also be connected to PSTN to be able to send > and receive standard faxes. Does anybody know of some trick to do > that? The software I prefer is Delrina WinFax PRO. Once the fax has been received into the computer, you have the option to export it into to four different formats; tiff, bmp, pcx and winfax's fxs format. Simply export it into the directory of your choice, log on to the internet, and e-mail your fax attachment to the destination of your choice ... what could be simpler? Keith Brown AllCom International kwbrown@allcom.com ------------------------------ From: Gordon McFadden Subject: Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail Date: 20 Jun 1996 21:42:40 GMT Organization: TeleLink Technologies Inc Marone Giuseppe wrote: > I wonder if there is any products (hardware /software) to use a > standard fax machine as a scanner connected to a PC; the application > would be to get files in proper formats (.TIF, .GIF, .JMP or whatever) > to be sent as e-mail attachment out of plain paper documents; the fax > machine, anyway, should also be connected to PSTN to be able to send > and receive standard faxes. Does anybody know of some trick to do > that? A company I used to work for in Vancouver BC did this pretty well. The company name is TGI Technologies, and I believe the number is (still) 604 872 6676. The root part of TGI's e-mail is XXX@tgivan.wimsey.bc.ca so you might try sales@... or info@.... Hope this helps. Gordon McFadden Manager, Software Development Telelink Technologies Inc gmcf@telelink.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 15:23:02 -0600 From: Daryl R. Gibson Subject: Re: New Nevada Area Code > The division is likely to be along geographic lines, possibly dividing > the north and the south and almost certainly will trigger a pitched > battle over who retains the 702 area code. The losers will be throwing > away outdated business cards, stationery and advertisements. Hey ... they could just make it Las Vegas, and use "666" as the area code. Oddly enough, a few years ago, I called one of the big hotels in Vegas to make some reservations, and their 800 number was mostly sixes. When I commented to the reservations operator about their "evil" 800 number, she said that there were a few other hotels there that were even closer to the proverbial bibical "666" string ... I can only assume they had asked for it, or that someone in the phone company who assigned the numbers had a real sense of humor. Daryl (801) 378-2950 (801) 489-6348 drg@du1.byu.edu 71171.2036@compuserve.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well back in the late 1960's when the City of Chicago and the Chicago Police Department dumped their old cordboards (312-RAndolph-6-8000 and 312-WAbash-2-4747 respectively) to go with a centrex serving all city departments some clown at Illinois Bell had the correct number in mind for them. You will recall this was the Vietnam era; the tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The police hated everyone and everyone hated the police. War protestors demonstrated daily in the streets and had numerous plans to disrupt large corporations, etc. At the time Illinois Bell had more phreaks and protestors in their employment than you could count but they were all pretty closety about it for good reason. So the centrex for all administrative departments of the City of Chicago was assigned 312-744 ... thats 7-4-4 as in P-I-G as in a very derogatory name for police officers in those troubled times in America. The wicked part was no one put it together at all until about a year after it was up and running. No one apparently even noticed. Then one day one of the 'underground' newspapers had an interview with 'an anonymous employee of Illinois Bell' who admitted that 744 had been deliberatly selected 'by a couple of co-workers' who were ROFL as they say in computer chat (rolling on the floor laughing) as they contemplated their selection. Later editions of the same paper (and soon some of the other undergound papers) ran bogus 'city directories' in which when mentioning the Police Depart- ment they would note, "to reach the pig of your choice just dial PIG and the four digits of the pig's extension. If you do not know or care which which pig you speak with then call the Pig Switchboard at PIG-4000." (Which is even today the main number for the City Hall centrex operators). For awhile the city fathers were annoyed by it and made a few threats to Illinois Bell, but eventually it all died down. After all, what were they going to do, change all the numbers at that point? Things have expanded so much now that the city also uses 745 and 747 as part of its network. At the time though it was all quite humorous to many of us. Now we are all watching eagerly to see if the convention here next month is as much fun -- a real riot! -- as the one in 1968. We got cheated out of a good riot when the Bulls had the nerve to win on a rainy weeknight instead of a warm and balmy weekend night but maybe the thousands of peculiar visitors who plan to be here the entire week of the convention will remind us of our heritage and encourage one and all to act out and sufficiently frustrate the Democrats enough to cause them lose the election again this year. Two losses in a row when Chicago was the convention site and you know they would never come back to this town again. Have a nice weekend! PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #301 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jun 21 12:10:41 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA02481; Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:10:41 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:10:41 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606211610.MAA02481@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #302 TELECOM Digest Fri, 21 Jun 96 12:10:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 302 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Overlay Area Code Chosen for Pittsburgh (Tad Cook) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Eric Friedebach) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Mike Fox) Re: Nynex <-> Sprint Cross Usage Agreement (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: 900 MHz Cordless Telephones (Steve Schear) Re: 911 Call From my Phone Number (Greg Abbott) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: Overlay Area Code Chosen For Pittsburgh Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 01:03:50 PDT Regulators Approve New "Overlay" Area Code for Pittsburgh By Michael L. Rozansky, The Philadelphia Inquirer Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jun. 21--Pennsylvania regulators Thursday approved a new "overlay" telephone area code for Pittsburgh. This means that homes and businesses in what has been the 412 area code will get numbers in the new area code when all numbers in the 412 area have been given out. Establishing the "overlay" area code avoids carving the Pittsburgh region into two geographic areas with different codes and changing thousands of phone numbers. That was the sort of upheaval that hit the Philadelphia area two years ago when it was divided into the 215 and 610 area codes. But the new code also means that phones with different area codes may be found in the same neighborhood, on the same block or even in the same house. The new code -- needed because of the coming competition in local phone services and the explosive growth in the use of cell phones, fax machines, modems and pagers -- will add 7.9 million phone numbers within the boundaries of the 412 area. The actual number of the new code isn't yet known. Local phone competitors say the overlay favors Bell Atlantic because people who choose a new phone company would get stuck with a new area code. "There is no option that is without inconvenience," said Robert K. Bloom, a member of the state Public Utility Commission, which approved the plan 3-2 and rejected two alternatives that would have split the region. Bloom called the overlay "the least inconvenient." The new code will go into operation by January, and become mandatory in July 1997. The new code is Pennsylvania's first since the 610 area code came into use in January 1994. Within two years, at least three more area codes -- in the 215, 610 and 717 areas -- will be needed, observers said. The PUC's choice of an overlay in Pittsburgh suggests it will favor that elsewhere, too. In a separate move Thursday, the PUC released a management audit of Bell Atlantic Corp. that said the phone company could save $200 million yearly through efficiency moves. The $2.3 million study by Liberty Consulting Group, of Baltimore, also said Bell's plans for building a high-speed phone and video network across Pennsylvania by 2015 were "wholly inadequate." Bell Atlantic vice president Bill Mitchell disputed the auditor's estimates and said the company would not implement some of its recommendations. For example, he said, the auditor projected saving $100 million by cutting wages fixed in union pacts. Mitchell said the criticism of Bell's network plans used out-of-date information (although some PUC officials said Bell was to blame for refusing to cooperate promptly). One common problem with an overlay is that callers might have to dial 10 digits for all calls, even those within an area code. But the PUC did not require 10-digit calling, and Thursday, Bell Atlantic executives were evaluating whether to let consumers continue to dial seven digits for calls within an area code. The overlay was opposed by Pennsylvania's consumer advocate and its small-business advocate, who said it could stifle competition. They said people would be unlikely to switch to a competitor if they had to move to a new area code. "We're disappointed," said Jay Young, a regional director of public policy for MCI, which plans to ask the PUC to reconsider its ruling. The two dissenting PUC commissioners, John Hanger and David Rolks, said they could not support an overlay system until the technology is available to let consumers take phone numbers with them if they switch phone companies. Bell Atlantic contends that an overlay is not anti-competitive. "We're pleased, because we think this is a pro-consumer ruling," Mitchell said. "It causes the least disruption to customers." --------------- ON THE INTERNET: Visit Philadelphia Online, the World Wide Web site of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Point your browser to http://www.phillynews.com ------------------------------ From: aerostar@ccia.com Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 01:30:56 EDT Subject: Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn chris@kosh.punk.net (Christopher Ambler) wrote: {Chris sends a fax to a spammer and}: > Today, I got an unsolicited fax from an unrelated company. I called them > and asked them why it was sent, and they told me that someone at my fax > number had requested to be put on their list. I assured them that nothing > of the sort had been done. The gentleman on the other end insisted that > I was wrong, and offered to fax me a copy of the request. Upon receiving > the request, I immediatley understood the situation. > The request said, "Please send me more information on your offerings, and > add me to your regular fax list," and was signed with the false name that > I had given the original spamming firm. The identifier on the sending > machine had been taken off and my fax number hand-written on the request. In 1987 I got my first fax machine: a big 'ole Ricoh 5000 that took up the same space as a small Xerox machine. Not too long after, I would get spam faxes (to update the term) telling me if I would fax back one hundred additional fax numbers, I would receive *FREE* a boom box radio. I guess the thinking went that some _seceretary_ would be there to intercept the fax before giving it to her boss. She could go over to her Rolodex, dig out a bunch of fax numbers, send it in and get the reward without anyone knowing the better. The thing was, fax numbers were a valuable commodity at the time. Having a fax number to send solicitations to was a great step forward, since a fax at the time was something to be dealt with with more urgency than a telephone call or piece of mail. Well, it seems those guys are up to the same tricks. But now they have somehow been able to "qualify" you as an individual/company that is seeking information by fax. I've always had some fascination with the direct mail industry: I reply to a piece of junk mail using a coded name. I still receive totally unrelated solicitations to an item that my *coded* name responded to years ago. You see, a so-called list of qualified names is very valuable. A less-than-honest company will offer mailing addresses of people to a company that wishes to target a certain demographic, but fail to purge their list of useless names. Chris, you may get a few more faxes of the same type. But remember a few points: The fax was sent on their LD nickel. Your cost amounts to small change if you use cheap fax paper. I would _hope_ that the DO NOT CALL law would apply: tell 'em to quit it. Per FCC regs, all faxes must identify the faxee's number on top, if not, there are some actions to be taken. Eric Friedebach aerostar@ccia.com ------------------------------ From: Mike Fox Date: 21 Jun 96 8:28:16 EDT Subject: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn So, to summarize: > 1. I did a stupid thing in giving them my fax number; > 2. They did a dirty thing in spamming in the first place, and sending > a forged request in the second place; > 3. Watch out. Someone really wants to make your life miserable, they can > give your fax number to fax spammers, and since there was a request, > USC 47 probably doesn't apply (due diligence and all that, IANAL). I know that when you're bored you may not want to go through a lot of preparation when you do something like you did, but you if you're willing to do some preparation, you can do this kind of thing with impunity. Just make use of Ringmaster, or Distinctive Ring, or whatever. Here in BellSouth territory, they haven't been charging hookup fees for Ringmaster. So it can be used to get disposable phone numbers. Order a Ringmaster number for your fax line, give the Ringmaster number to the scammer, get the fax you want, and drop the service. You will only be out the $3.50 fee for one month, or even less if you only keep it for a couple of days and they pro-rate it. Subsequent scam faxes will get the "we're sorry, the number you have reached is no longer in service" intercept. It may not be worth doing this just to get one spam fax, and it's probably terribly wasteful of NANP resources, but I have found it useful when selling things thru classifieds or on bulletin boards. Once you sell the item drop the Ringmaster number to avoid getting calls for the next couple of weeks from people who look up old newspaper classifieds in the library. (Before I figured this out, I once sold a used car and kept getting calls for it for weeks after I had sold it even though I only ran the ad once). Later, Mike ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 09:52:32 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Nynex <-> Sprint Cross Usage Agreement Danny Burstein wrote: > Calls made with a Nynex card, if inside a Nynex LATA, will be handled > by Nynex. If crossing a LATA, _or_ if in a non-Nynex area (i.e. if > you're using the card in Denver) will be handled via Sprint (which > will, I'm guessing, pay up something to the LEC). Someone mentioned to me that this NYNEX/Sprint Calling Card arrangement is a NYNEX 800 (or 888) number access. From what I gathered, NYNEX will be (now is?) going to promote an 800 toll-free access number to use NYNEX cards and operator services, similar to AT&T's 800-CALL-ATT or the 800 (and seven-digit 950) access used by MCI, Sprint, etc. Since divestiture and equal-access, many independent telcos have applied for and been granted fg.B (950-xxxx) and/or fg.D (10-XXX/101-XXXX+) codes. I know that EATEL (East Ascension Telephone), an independent in the Baton Rouge LATA has such a code. I don't think that they have their *own* network facilities outside of their own territory, except for a small perimeter into the BellSouth LATA, therefore they are re-selling network services of BellSouth and/or AT&T and other carriers. Even the two "semi" Bell telcos (Cincinnati Bell and Connecticut's SNET) have a "long-distance" service using 950-xxxx and/or 10-XXX/101-XXXX and/or 800/888- access codes and numbers. AT&T also has "USA Direct" from many locations outside of the NANP, and promotes 800-CALL-ATT to access an AT&T operator/switch from Canada. AT&T also has 800-USA-ATT-1 from many NANP Caribbean locations. Canada has "Canada Direct" using toll-free codes from individual countries outside of the NANP and 800-555-1111 from the US. MCI and Sprint have similar toll-free access codes from countries outside of the NANP. Other countries have their own "country direct" using 800/888- numbers from the US, and amongst other countries around the world. GTE's Hawaiian Telephone markets International outbound, even though they are the local and intra-LATA carrier in Hawaii. AT&T has their own IDDD from Hawaii. GTE Hawaiian Telco has their own 10-XXX/101-XXXX code. Alascom is now owned by AT&T, but even though they were the intra-LATA carrier in Alaska, they have their own access codes and numbers. The other major compeitor in Alaska is GCI, which has had their own access codes. As to the NYNEX/Sprint card arrangement, if it is by an 800- access number, I don't know if it goes to a NYNEX switch/operator or a Sprint switch/operator. It might depend on the ANI and location of the party calling the 800 number. And it could answer as "NYNEX", even though it will be a "resale" of Sprint. Most every Interexchange Carrier (MCI, Sprint, etc.) accepts fourteen digit line-number-based calling cards issued by the LEC. AT&T is probably *still* going to accept these LEC cards. The real fuss is that AT&T doesn't want the LEC's accepting AT&T issued cards for intra-LATA calls placed over the LEC's LATA networks. LEC-issued line-number-based cards and RAO-based (non-line-number) cards are all included in the network of "LIDB's", which the various LEC's, AT&T, "other" common carriers (MCI, Sprint, etc), *and* most A-O-Slime have access to. If you are in BellSouth's territory and place an intra-LATA call via the BellSouth network, and bill it to a NYNEX issued card (line-number-based or RAO-based), BellSouth will check it in a part of the interconnected network of LIDB's. The call will be billed at BellSouth intra-LATA rates. It will probably show up on your NYNEX bill on the NYNEX intra-LATA page of charges, but in a separate section there as "connecting" or "participating" carriers billed via NYNEX. It might even show up on a page *all to itself* as a "participating LEC" charge, just like the Long-Distance company card charges do. Even though you might have chosen AT&T as "your" LD company, you can still have charges from MCI, Sprint, etc. including A-O-Slime on their own pages included in your local telco monthly billing. The above paragraph describes calls which would be dialed as traditional 0+ or the 10-XXX/101-XXXX+0+ of an interexchange carrier such as AT&T. But if you use this new NYNEX 800- access number, you would be billed and routed according to this new NYNEX/Sprint joint-venture package, probably on the NYNEX pages of the bill, *as* a NYNEX (or NYNEX/Sprint) charge. So much is changing these days, and it might even happen that the various LEC's will begin feuding with each other, as they all begin to invade each others' territories, so the above descriptions might even become obsolete in the near future! BTW, I've heard of a "BellSouth Long Distance". The BellSouth (wireline) service reps have heard of the name, but don't know much about it (yet). It is a BellSouth Mobility service plan you can choose if you have a BellSouth Mobility cellphone. Presently, I have AT&T as my main LD company on my cellphone, and I get a separate billing from AT&T for their handled calls. But if I choose BellSouth Long Distance, I can get all of my (default without a 10-XXX+) toll calls from a cellular on the same monthly bill from BellSouth as their local airtime charges. I think that MCI is the carrier which actually handles the network routing of BellSouth Long Distance inter-LATA calls from BSM cellphones. And eventually, BellSouth wants to market inter-LATA toll on its traditional POTS wireline as well! MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 06:15:12 -0700 From: azur@netcom.com (Steve Schear) Subject: Re: 900 MHz Cordless Telephones Thanks for your informative survey of user experience with 900 MHz phones. I have some experience in this market, having led development at Cylink Corp. of the chip family used in both the Escort and Uniden phones. I hope the following information is of some benefit. There are three modulation technologies used in 900 MHz phones: analog, digital and digital spread spectrum. The analog models are similar in design to the 47-49 MHz units and operate under FCC Part 15.249 (low-power) rules, their major benefit is the generally lower noise levels in the 900 MHz band. The digital units (e.g., AT&T/Tropez) also operate under 15.249, but digitally encode the audio (using either 64 kbps PCM or 32 Kbps ADPCM, same as digtial PBXs). If properly designed digital units exhibit excellent audio characteristics. They also feature better security since current consumer scanners cannot listen in (look for that to change soon.) Link encryption is straightforward, but (mainly due to lack of obvious consumer demand) isn't available. Due to unavoidable inefficiencies, digital units suffer from a 10 dB reduction in radio link performance (all other things being equal) against analog models and will generally have shorter range. Digital models will also exhibit sharp cut-offs in operation when approaching their range limits, as opposed to analog models which tend to more gracefully and predictably degrade. Spread spectrum models operate under FCC Part 15.247 (high-power) rules. All current models use the same digital audio encoding as in the digital models. Their main advantage is that they can operate at considerably higher power levels (typically 100 mW vs. about 1 mW for the Part 15.249 devices) to overcome the 10 dB digital penalty. This extended range comes at the expense of either larger/heavier batteries or shorter talk/standby time. Security is increased over digital models as designing scanners to eavesdrop on spread spectrum is much more difficult. Sharp cut-off problem same as digital models. Cost for the 900 MHz models is still well above 47-49 MHz units. Look for continued reductions in street prices as new models, using more integrated technology (e.g., Rockwell's chip set) are designed in. PGP Fingerprint: FE 90 1A 95 9D EA 8D 61 81 2E CC A9 A4 4A FB A9 Steve Schear | Internet: azur@netcom.com Lamarr Labs | Voice: 1-702-658-2654 7075 West Gowan Road | Fax: 1-702-658-2673 Suite 2148 | Las Vegas, NV 89129 | ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 01:39:15 -0500 From: Greg Abbott Subject: Re: 911 Call From my Phone Number > Tuesday afternoon when I returned to my home from work, my voice mail > contained a number of 'blank' messages (10 seconds of silence) all > about 5 minutes apart, followed by a message from the Pasco County 911 > operator stating that they had received a call from *my* telephone > number. He continued to state that the call was completely silent, and > that if no one picked up the phone, he would be forced to dispatch a > Sheriff to investigate. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think I will place the blame on your > cordless phone also, and suggest that you get rid of it or at the very > least see about new batteries and an overhaul for it. I'd have to place the blame on the cordless too. We get a couple of these a week. Just last week I spoke with one very nice elderly lady who had a similar instance, however, she WAS at home and just didn't make it to the phone before our 9-1-1 operator hung up on ring back (she said she was in the basement and didn't hear the phoen and then when she finally did, it took her too long to get up the stairs to get to it) and we dispatched a police unit to check it out. To make a long story short, she didn't think it was the cordless either, but I explained the situation to her and she agreed to change her batteries in the cordless. As luck would have it, while she was out buying the new batteries, another 9-1-1 call came from her residence. I happened to be in the dispatch center, standing near the console where the call was coming in and recognized the address. Of course, we had to send a unit again to check it out since no one answered, but there was nothing wrong. In the next few minutes before she got back home we got about three or four more calls. Just as soon as she put the new battery in the cordless, the problem stopped. Some cordless phones just start to chatter and like Pat said, they just hit the right sequence and the next thing you know, you've got 9-1-1! GREG ABBOTT 99999 11 11 http://www.uiuc.edu/ph/www/gabbott 9-1-1 COORDINATOR 9 9 1 1 KB9NBH 99999 == 1 == 1 INTERNET: GABBOTT@uiuc.edu 9 1 1 COMPUSERVE: 76046,3107 METCAD 9 1 1 VOICE: 217/333-4348 1905 E. MAIN ST. 9 111 111 FAX: 217/384-7003 URBANA, IL 61801 PAGER: 800/222-6651 PIN #9541 ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #302 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jun 21 12:43:27 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA06152; Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:43:27 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:43:27 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606211643.MAA06152@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #303 TELECOM Digest Fri, 21 Jun 96 12:43:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 303 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Stu Jeffery) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (NTC/Dallas) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Jim Hopkins) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Lee Hardiman) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Henry Baker) Public Meetings on New 415 NPA (Tad Cook) Public Hearing Notes - 714 split (Dave Close) Monaco Switches Tonight to 377 Country Code (Patrick Raffin) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 01:04:08 -0800 From: stu@best.com (Stu Jeffery) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? In TELECOM Digest V16 #301, Andrew Green writes: > but the wording of this question still > seems to imply that it would require three trucks and a bulldozer to > install, whereas in actual fact I think they would simply hang it on > the nearest telephone pole and no one would be the wiser ... while Sir Topham Hatt writes: > It's a blatent lie perpetrated by the local PCS industry. The towers > are in fact no smaller. I regullarly get to hear the local PCS scum > pleading their case for 100-200' monopoles in front of the county > planning commision. thus our Esteemed Editor writes: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at > odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment > here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps > get a resolution on the differences? PAT] I think I can help, but it won't be short! There is a lot of confusion as to what PCS means. The original term was Personnel Communications Service and it was meant to mean an advanced cordless telephone. This advanced cordless phone had the following key features: 1. It was cheap (the instrument cost about $100 2. It had very long battery life (couple of days between charges) 3. It was small and light. 4. It had toll quality voice (as good as your wired phone) 5. It could be use away from your home, on the streets, etc. Several radio technologies have been developed that meet these requirements. The more well know include: a. CT-2 (Cellular Telephone Rev 2) This is the system that Andrew Green trialed in Chicago. (Hi Andrew!) This is also called Bibop in France, Green in Holland, and was a roaring success in Hong Kong. b. DECT (Digital European Cordless Telephone) growing slowly in Europe. c. PHS (Personnel Handiphone System) growing rapidly in Japan d. PACS (Personnel Access Communication System) a technology developed by Bellcore; now being aggressively pushed by Hughes, Siemens but so far without wide deployment. If you flip though current wireless trade journals you will see ads for the PACS EDGE. Now here comes the problem. If you carefully look at the list of features, (1 to 5) you will notice it does not include a requirement to operate in your car. That omission is not an oversight. The requirement for vehicular speed operation was specifically dropped from the wish list, because this one factor causes tremendous additional complications that in turn translate into increased costs. If the radio technology is going to work with cars, then coverage range has to be increase from several hundred feet to at least several thousand feet and most likely a few miles. Why must the range increase? If the range is short (200 feet), then you have to have 12 to 15 site per linear mile of highway. This gets expensive. Also if a car is moving along the highway at 60 miles per hour, the network will have to switch the call between cell sites 12 to 15 times per minute or every 4 to 5 seconds. All in all not very practical. So if you want to work with moving cars, you need a technology that can support bigger radial coverage. That means more power in the mobile unit, which conflicts with long battery life and light weight (the systems - a to d above - use about 10 millwatt transmit power) In addition to needing more power, the larger radius cell sites and moving mobiles result in much more complex communication channel than the smaller radius and slow moving mobile. The larger cell sites mean longer multipath spread and the moving mobile means the path length (in wavelengths) is changing. At 60 miles per hour and 1800 MHz the change is about 200 wavelength per second. All of these complexities can be address, but at a complexity cost. Usually equalization, diversity and channel coding are added. And more DSP are put in the unit, and the power consumption goes up. In addition, a portion of the transmission time is used to support either channel coding or equalization, meaning user data rate goes down. So when the dust settles, if you want a system that will work at vehicular speeds, you end up with the technology that is used in cellular today. The main cellular type technologies being deployed in PCS today are: a. PCS-1900 (This is GSM shifted to 1900 MHz) b. Upbanded IS-136 (North American TDMA) This is what you get today if you have a digit cellular phone. c. Upbanded IS-95 CDMA. This is the spread spectrum technology that has been experiencing a slow and often delayed birth. It is supposed to be commercial late this year. d. IS-661 - This is Omnipoints technology that won them a pioneer preference. Omnipoint considers their technology also a cordless type as described at the beginning of this memo. Within the technical community, the first group (the cordless telephone type) are called Low Tier and the last group (the cellular type) are called High Tier. There is one more factor that differentiates the and Low and High Tier group and that is data rate per talk channel. The Low Tier systems have low power and small cell site and thus can reuse the frequency every thousand or so feet. Thus they can get a lot of users in the same radio band. This means they can afford to give each user a more data bandwidth. A typical Low Tier system allocate 32 Kbps per second per user. The conversion from audio to digital is usually ADPCM, which is commonly used in PABX. Thus you get wireline quality, and you can plug a fax machine or modem into the phone and it will work. The High Tier systems use high power and large cells and thus have a much lower frequency reuse per unit area. Typically cell sites must be separated by miles before they can reuse the same frequency. In addition, because these radio technologies use equalization, channel coding, etc. data rate is used for those functions. This means these systems can not afford to give a user anymore bandwidth than absolutely necessary. Therefore these systems use 8 or 13 Kbps Vocoders. While Vocoders are getting better each year (and consuming more power - battery life!), they still produce artifacts. Vocoder operate on some sort of predictive assumptions on what a voice sounds like. When you input a signal that has not been anticipated, strange things can happen. The world is full of unanticipated signals, like music, two people speaking at the same time, modems, fax, etc. Thus Low Tier means: 32 Kbp ADPCM, or equilvant no vehicular speed very low power (1 to 10 mWatt) small cell size And High Tier means: Vocoder voice vehicular speed medium power (50 to 600 mWatt or more) large cell size The defining issue is that the High Tier supporters claim they can do everything the low tier systems can, and more (ie. work in cars). The Low Tier supporters claim their hand units are cheaper and talk sound better (32 ADPCM versus 8 or 13 KBps Vocoders). What this all means is the North American PCS band is going to have High Tier systems (which is what Sir Topham Hatt is describing) and may have Low Tier systems (which is what Andrew Green is describing). The FCC is issuing 6 PCS licenses in each area. (three have been auctioned and three are still to go). There are already 2 operating cellular operators, and there are several SMR systems being built (Nextel, Geoteck). Thats a lot of spectrum for operators and thus a lot of choices for the consumer. So who is deploying what technology today? In PCS bands A, B and C High Tier has been selected by about 90 percent of the winners. The specific High Tier technology choices are: CDMA - the big winner as to selection, but no one has commerical PCS operation PCS-1900 (North American GSM) and IS-136 (North American TDMA) are close to being tied for second place. So far only a few operators have announced a Low Tier selection, but the D, E and F bands haven't yet been auctioned and they are good candidates for the Low Tier, as they have less spectrum. When will we see these systems? The first systems with commerical operation are all PCS-1900 technology. APC is on the air in Washington DC and Western Wireless is on in Hawaii. Several more PCS-1900 operators are planning to launch this fall. PacBell Mobile Systems will be in San Diego supporting the Republican Convention with PCS. The CDMA systems are supposed to be on late this year as are the IS-136. So quite a few late this year and a lot next year. BTW, there are more PCS technologies than just these that I have mentioned. Stu Jeffery Internet: stu@best.com 1072 Seena Ave. voice: 415-966-8199 Los Altos, CA. 94024 fax: 415-966-8456 ------------------------------ From: Osman Rich Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Fri, 21 Jun 96 07:40:00 PDT John Hall said: > Here in the Rochester NY area, there have been recent cases where > suburban and rural residents have opposed the building of tall, > "unsightly" cellular antenna towers in their neighborhoods. > Now PCS is often described as having "mini-cells", compared to > existing cellular services. That would mean more antennas would need > to be built, but they would each cover a smaller area and so might not > be so intrusive. PCS installations can range from the size of existing cellular installations down to a big breadbox on the wall. In densely populated areas (urban, not suburban) these smaller cell facilities make technical sense. > Could someone who has seen a PCS site describe it? Does it have a > "mini" antenna? PCS antennas tend to be physically smaller than the equivalent AMPS service antennas, but you are not likely to notice the difference. > Would you want one in your back yard? My answer doesn't count. I'm an amateur radio operator who just bought a new house and I'm in the permitting process to erect a tower to support my hobby. That said, I suspect that you'd seriously consider putting up with the installation for the ground lease payments the provider offers. The fact is that these installations are needed to provide economical coverage of an area. Many are present that you never notice because they are very effectively camouflaged when that is possible. They are necessary to provide service, just like overhead high voltage lines. It _is_ possible to bury some high voltage services, but the cost is prohibitive. Burying PCS (or conventional AMPS cellular) is not possible. The industry is getting better at making it less obtrusive. Many cities are trying to concentrate all services on a small number of towers. This helps a lot, but isn't practical for all cases. Oz ------------------------------ From: hopkins@dfw.dfw.net (Jim Hopkins) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 21 Jun 1996 03:01:15 GMT Organization: DFW Internet Services - DFWNet: 800-2-DFWNet (some discussion of PCS sites deleted...) > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at > odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment > here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps > get a resolution on the differences? PAT] There's a PCS company here in the Dallas area that's using existing high-voltage electric towers for at least some of its sites. They have a small 8 by 10 foot or so building at the base of the tower and an array of flat panel antennas at the top, up about 80-120 feet. So no, you probably don't want one in the backyard. I assume that they are constructing a conventional tower, monopole, etc. in places where they need coverage and there's no existing power structure. Hopkins ------------------------------ From: hardiman@airmail.net (Lee Hardiman) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Fri, 21 Jun 96 04:37:00 GMT Organization: Internet America In article , John Hall wrote: > Here in the Rochester NY area, there have been recent cases where > suburban and rural residents have opposed the building of tall, > "unsightly" cellular antenna towers in their neighborhoods. > Now PCS is often described as having "mini-cells", compared to > existing cellular services. That would mean more antennas would need > to be built, but they would each cover a smaller area and so might not > be so intrusive. > Could someone who has seen a PCS site describe it? Does it have a > "mini" antenna? Would you want one in your back yard? Here in the Dallas, TX area one of the Primeco is installing their PCS towers in or on existing high voltage power line towers. The towers look ugly but the basic structure was already present. I actually do have one in my backyard. Lee Hardiman ------------------------------ From: hbaker@netcom.com (Henry Baker) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 03:08:01 GMT I've seen some 'mini' antennas that are mounted on cables strung between telephone poles. The antenna & repeater looks about the same size as some of the smaller transformers, except that they are mounted _between_ two poles instead of on a pole. This sausage-looking thing also has perhaps 2 short antennas sticking out of it. I believe that the cable is actually part of a CATV cable TV system, and the PCS 'borrows' some of the CATV channels. 'Intrusive' is a matter of taste. Do you want a few major eyesores, or a whole bunch of minor eyesores? In Japan, one company mounts their PCS antennas on the tops of their phone booths (which they own). In the Middle Ages, people built very pretty pager antennas -- they were called church bell towers, and operated on sound instead of radio. So there's some precedent for building prettier antennas! www/ftp directory: ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/hb/hbaker/home.html ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Public Meetings on New 415 NPA Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 20:25:11 PDT Public Meetings Next Week On New Area Code For 415 Region; Consumers Can Comment On Three Relief Alternatives At Three Bay Area Sessions SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 1996--Residents of the 415 area code, please lend an ear. Three public meetings will be held next week where the public can comment on three options for adding a new area code in the Bay Area region now served by 415. "A new area code is needed in 415 to keep up with the increasing demand for new telephone numbers," said Bruce Bennett, California area code relief coordinator, noting the new area code needs to be introduced as early as December 1997. "The need for a new area code in 415 is a foregone conclusion," Bennett added. "The question still remaining is what option will be used to implement that new area code. These meetings will give the public an opportunity to comment on the three alternatives under consideration." The telecommunications industry has proposed three alternatives for adding an area code in the 415 region -- two using a geographic split, the other using an overlay. The 415 area code currently serves San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin counties, the northern portion of Santa Clara County and a small portion of Santa Cruz County. Dates and locations of the meetings are: Monday, June 24 San Francisco Noon to 2 p.m. California Public Utilities Commission Auditorium 505 Van Ness Avenue Monday, June 24 San Rafael 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Marin County Civic Center Board of Supervisors Chambers, Rm. 322 3501 Civic Center Drive, Third Floor Tuesday, June 25 San Mateo Noon to 2 p.m. San Mateo City Council Chambers 330 West 20th Avenue Bennett said 415 is not alone in its need for a new area code. Plans call for doubling the number of area codes statewide from 13 to 26 in the next five years to keep up with the phenomenal growth in number usage. `Californians are using phone numbers at a record pace,` Bennett said, explaining that the high-technology explosion of cellular phones, fax machines and pagers is driving the rapid growth. The opening of local telephone service to competition this year is also fueling the growth, he added. At the meetings, telecommunications industry representatives will present the three alternatives -- two using a geographic split to add the area code, the other using an overlay. A public comment period will follow. In a geographic split, the area served by the existing area code is divided with roughly half the customers being required to change the area code portion of their phone number and the remaining customers keeping the old area code. In an overlay, the new area code is placed over the existing area code. Both have the same geographic boundaries. The new area code would be given to people who request a new phone number. Existing customers would keep their present area code. None of the alternatives would impact the price of calls. Call distance determines call price and is not impacted by the creation of a new area code. The options under consideration for the 415 area code are: -- Geographic Split -- Option 1. In this option, the city and county of San Francisco, the northern portion of San Mateo County including the cities of Brisbane, South San Francisco, the eastern portion of Daly City, the northern half of Millbrae and most of the city of San Bruno (including the San Francisco International Airport) would stay in the 415 area code. The remaining 415 area including Marin County, the rest of San Mateo County, the northern part of Santa Clara County and a small portion of Santa Cruz County would receive a new area code. This would create a non-contigious area code, with Marin County and most of San Mateo County in the new area code, but separated by the city and county of San Francisco which would stay in the 415 area code. -- Geographic Split -- Option 2. This option is identical to Option 1, with the exception that Marin County would also stay in the 415 area code. While fewer customers would change to the new area code in this option, the reconstituted 415 area code would run out of telephone numbers again in about four years. -- Overlay -- In the overlay option proposed for 415, the new area code would be placed over the existing 415 area code. The two codes would have the same geographic boundaries. The new area code would be given to people requesting a new phone number. Existing 415 customers would keep their area code. If an overlay is chosen, the CPUC has determined that 1 + 10-digit dialing (1+the area code and the seven-digit telephone number) will be required for all calls within and between the new and old area codes. -0- Under state law, the telecommunications industry is required to meet with customers and consider their input before a final area code relief plan is filed with the Commission. The Commission makes the final decision on area code relief. Customers unable to attend a meeting can send written comments to: Chief, Telecommunications Branch Commission Advisory and Compliance Division California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness San Francisco, CA 94102 For information on the 415 area code public meetings and any other updates, customers may call 1-800-544-0355. ------------------------------ From: Dave Close Subject: Public Hearing Notes - 714 split Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 23:28:35 -0700 Organization: Compata, Costa Mesa, California Thursday night I attended the third of three public meetings held at the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission to receive public comments on possible solutions to the exhaustion of phone numbers in NPA 714. 714 is essentially equivalent to Orange County, though some of those present were very concerned about the few exceptions. Tonight's meeting was held in the council chambers of the city of Huntington Beach. The meeting was chaired by Laura McDaniels who introduced herself as "with the CPUC." I found out after the meeting that she is a summer intern with the Commission. Nonetheless, she ran a very well organized meeting with good cheer. Also present was Bruce Bennett, the California Code Administrator, whose position is sponsored by the telco industry and not by the CPUC. In attendence on the dias were representatives from PacBell and GTE (the two LECs), Airtouch, Sprint, and a cable TV trade group. Comments indicated that industry attendance was not the same at each of the meetings. The Code Administrator, after consultation with the industry, has proposed three alternative plans. The plan which is eventually recommended to the CPUC may be one of them, or may be different. The plans presented have been described here previously. One plan is an overlay of the entire NPA. The other two plans were slightly different splits. Both splits assign 714 to the northern portion of the county and a new code to the southern portion. According to the Administrator, option #1 leaves about 53% of the existing numbers in 714 while option #2 leaves about 60%. Geographically, the northern portion of the county left in 714 is obviously much smaller than the southern portion given to the new code. It was asserted that, although population growth is heaviest in the southern portion of the county, phone number growth is greater in the northern portion. Thus if a split is adopted, this makes it likely that the area keeping 714 would have to split again in a few years, sooner for option #2, and sooner than the new code area for either split. Ms. McDaniels began the meeting by declaring that the CPUC wanted public input to "minimize the adverse impact" of whatever plan was adopted. The unspoken assumption was that all plans would have adverse impacts. Aside from the negative benefit of not running out of numbers, there were no expressed positive attributes assigned to any of the plans, except in comparison to the other plans. No one was engaged in any long-term planning; everyone seemed afraid of the "vision thing." It was obvious to this observer that, by presenting two plans for splits, the Administrator has focused the debate almost entirely on where the line should be drawn. Almost no one, other than myself, made any mention of the overlay plan. Even representatives from the Orange County government and from the city of Santa Ana, the county seat, who complained bitterly that both split plans would move them to the new area, and wanted all county offices, county wide, to remain in the same area, did not even mention that the overlay plan would accomplish their desire completely. Nor did any members of the official panel ask these speakers if they would back an overlay as a way to meet their concerns. The representative from Sprint did ask one speaker to consider that putting more territory into the area keeping 714 would force that area to split again sooner. But he didn't ask, and neither did anyone else, if the overlay would be acceptable. Instead, almost all comments about the overlay were directed to the fact that it would force all calls to be dialed with 1+10D and that neighbors and other household members might have numbers with different area codes. Several speakers advocated creating an overlay code solely for new technologies. The panel explained that the FCC has prohibited that solution and that it wouldn't do more than delay the problem anyway. But some speakers wanted fax machines and pagers, not merely cell phones, placed in separate areas. No one explained to those speakers that telco does not now ask the purpose of a line nor prohibit customers from later attaching a fax machine to what was previously a voice line. Although technologically impractical and a straight-jacket for consumers, the idea was respectfully accepted. Several people commented that, if "the people" wanted such a solution, the FCC was wrong to prohibit it, and promised to petition for changes to the rules. One industry representative commented that their group had considered and rejected 7-9 additional plans, mostly splits. But no one said that any of those plans had called for more than one new code and no one in the audience suggested that idea. It seemed clear to this observer that we will all be back again every two to four years to re-hash all these issues again because no one is willing to take the initiative to propose a solution with longer life. Just as with CPID, the CPUC is toadying to the know-nothing reactionaries in their constituency. I hope that, just as with CPID, the FCC or some other body will be able to force the CPUC to open their eyes, even against their will. The lady from PacBell told me after the meeting that the NANP committee on which she serves expects the entire NANP to run out of numbers, even with the new "interchangable" NPAs, by about 2025. She expects that 1+10D dialing will be a mandated national standard within five years, making the objections to the overlay plan mostly moot. And the industry is counting on that conversion to reclaim the initial 1 for other purposes, such as extending the length of a standard NANP number. Of course, by 2025 we may all be using domain names and IP numbers instead of NANP numbers anyway! Dave Close, Compata, Costa Mesa CA "Politics is the business of getting dave@compata.com, +1 714 434 7359 power and privilege without dhclose@alumni.caltech.edu possessing merit." - P. J. O'Rourke ------------------------------ From: P.Raffin@frcl.bull.fr (Patrick Raffin) Subject: Monaco Switches Tonight to 377 Country Code Date: 21 Jun 1996 16:09:47 GMT Organization: Fluctuqt nec mergitur This Friday 21 June, at 21h local time (CET), Monaco switches to its own country code: 377. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #303 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jun 24 14:31:25 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id OAA10729; Mon, 24 Jun 1996 14:31:25 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 14:31:25 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606241831.OAA10729@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #304 TELECOM Digest Mon, 24 Jun 96 14:31:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 304 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Proposal For LEC Internet Access (Stephen Satchell) Carpet Capital [Dalton, GA] - Cellular and Coin (Stanley Cline) Small Firm Stung By Bad 800 Calls (Tad Cook) Book Review: "Web Publishing with Word" by Dornfest (Rob Slade) Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today (TELECOM Digest Editor) Another AOL Teenage Runaway Gets Caught (TELECOM Digest Editor) The Virtual Institute of Information (Shameless Self Promotion) (A Wolfson) 1-700-555-1212 on ISDN (Kurt A. Melden) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) Subject: Proposal For LEC Internet Access Organization: Satchell Evaluations Date: 24 Jun 96 00:55:05 GMT Several telephone companies have been looking at getting into the internet access business. Internet access would consist solely of the ability to connect to the net; other services such as DNS, mail, news, and server support would be supplied by others. Most of the RBOCs have been screaming for years that modem usage screws up their message traffic models, and as a consequence the cost of providing telephone service is increased because of us people who stay connected for hours or even days at a time. BellSouth has even made a formal statement that Internet access pricing is going to have to be measured service in order to reduce the abuses. ISDN data rates are surcharged in many areas just for this reason. The proposed overlay of the 415 area code in Northern California has been proposed because the growth in data services has put pressure on telephone numbers in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Marin Counties, the counties served by 415. When you consider that room-mate living is the norm there, and that each person is ordering telephone service for phone, fax, and modem, you can see why the growth is such that Pacific Bell estimates that they will be out of numbers by December 1997. All the current telco product offerings for data suffer from the same malady: inappropriateness to Internet users. Existing switched and leased-line data service tariffs include guaranteed uptimes and guaranteed channel capacity. Internet users don't need absolute availability, nor do they need guaranteed channel capacity. The PSTN is not the best avenue for data connections, because the typical usage is such that a lot of channel bandwidth is wasted: even in FTP and Gopher one side of the conversation is virtually silent while the other is running full-tilt-boogie to transfer the data. I propose a shared-access leased-line service for Internet access which does *not* guarantee 100 percent availability, and guarantees 4000 bps (that's right, four thousand bits per second) transfer rate in the worst case. The only thing the customer would "own" is the access box (nothing more than a simple router with 10 base T connector for the user's computers) and the first link from the house or business to a concentrator. From the concentrator on, the equipment is shared all the way to the point of presence for the Internet backbone provider. Borrowing some cellular termonology, the user would be linked using leased ISDN 2B bonded, ADSL, HDSL, or other high-speed technology to a neighborhood concentrator. The backhaul starts at the concentrator and continues to the final connection point into the Internet itself. That backhaul can be composed of frame relay links, dedicated T1/T3 links, SONET rings, whatever. In one model of the backhaul, a single T1 link can serve 256 homes and meet the guaranteed-channel requirement specified above. Two T1 links in a ring configuration can continue to offer service to 512 homes even if one link is broken by a backhoe. Interestingly, 512 homes is above the limit in reach in a densly-built neighborhood of single-family homes from a concentrator if you don't want to put repeaters or "range entenders" in the local loop. This is also close to the size of a moderately-sized apartment complex or small high-rise building. These neighborhood concentrators can be brought via T1 to routers in the central office, not unlike the way that speech circuits are brought into the COs. Routers in the CO can then bridge the data onto high-speed circuits (such as T3s) to a toll office, at which point everything is bridged into an Internet backbone provider and out on the net. Other models can have neighborhood concentrators bridging data into channels of a SONET ring, while others can use other technology such as coax. The access box would have an Ethernet 10 base T connection. This is because the cheapest high-speed interface available for personal computers today is the UTP Ethernet card. These can be purchased for as low as $50 complete with patch cable. The communication between the computer and the access box would be PPP over Ethernet. Neighborhood concentrators don't need extensive battery backup because the tariff for this service would specify that access would be on a best-effort basis -- although I'd expect the concentrators to have at least 5 minutes of battery so as to bridge brownouts and power company switching transients. The central office concentrators and routers could use the regular -52V battery bus; equipment already exists that can live on existing telco power. Why high-speed links and Ethernet? THe idea is to provide a service that will be significantly better than PSTN solutions -- ISDN and voice-grade modems -- to get them off of the PSTN. By promising fractional-T1 rates like 384 kbits/s during light usage, people will be willing to pay for the new service. Some back-of-the-envelope estimates of eventual costs: terminal adapter would run around $300, existing local loops could be reused, and the shared cost for the backhaul including capital equipment would be roughly $30 per month per user. In one model of this system, routing would be simple and based on electrical geography. IP addresses would be associated with an electrical path at the router at the Internet point of presence; the terminal adapter need not know the exact path up to the IPOP router which simplifies that interface. It's possible that at some point IPOP-to-TA communications would follow a broadcast model instead of a point-to-point model in order to further reduce costs. This could be done, for example, by having the neighborhood concentrator broadcast all data to each of its 256 TAs, and have the TAs select the packets destined for them. Security concerns could outweight any simplification that might enable. Telcos would need to restrain themselves from charging by the packet or by the minute -- the goal is to have customers share the bandwidth in the same manner as the Internet itself does. Remember, when you are sitting starting at a Web page, the only resources that this system has you using is the physical loop, the concentrator input card, and the TA. NO OTHER RESOURCES ARE CONSUMED WHEN NO DATA IS BEING TRANSFERRED. A further rationale for using a monthly-billing model is that children would then be encouraged to explore the Internet without worries about cost. By the way, there is a method to boost revenue: you can sell additional guaranteed capacity for a certain amount per month. If basic Internet access (4kbit/s) is $30 a month, you can guarantee 8 kbit/s for $10 more, for example. In short, a person wanting to surf the net faster can pay more money to do so, up to some limit like 128 kbit/s. This is useful for roommate situations, and also for business access. Copyright 1996, Satchell Evaluations, all rights reserved. Permission to republish, but not for profit, the above proposal is granted. Persons wishing to republish this proposal in for-profit magazines should contact the author at satchell@accutek.com for permission. Stephen Satchell, Satchell Evaluations http://www.accutek.com/~satchell ------------------------------ From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: Carpet Capital [Dalton, GA] - Cellular and Coin Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 02:20:41 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services If any of you have been through north Georgia, especially Dalton, you probably have noticed one thing -- carpet, carpet everywhere -- carpet MILLS, carpet STORES, and carpet EVERYTHING! Well, Dalton has some other, *telecom-related* things worth note -- "new" cellular service and (worse) mangled payphones -- including a COCOT at BellSouth Mobility's local office. The Cellular: United States Cellular has FINALLY pulled out of Georgia RSA 1, which includes Dalton -- it is now controlled (on the A side) by Palmer Wireless. They are switching traffic out of Columbus [GA], rather than going through GTE's switch in Chattanooga (which is what I expected they'd do.) They're charging their newly-obtained customers 25c/min throughout Georgia and in the Chattanooga-Ocoee corridor, and 49c/min in all of Alabama, Florida, and the rest of Tennessee. NACN is available, both in and out. BUT -- right now, Palmer has not made a very smooth break with the past -- their store still has a "United States Cellular" sign over it; the roamer access number [that used to work] for Dalton now does not work (they told me to use the one for Columbus for now!); and GTE has no earthly idea what we Chattanoogans (who use CellOne) will pay to roam in Dalton ... they STILL told me to "switch to B" (which I already know to do, since I have a line with BellSouth as well. I will know what Palmer charges when I get my CellOne bill next month. ARRRRGH!) I may have been CLONED over the past few days -- ever since I got back from Atlanta (yesterday), incoming calls (when my phone is turned off) have been misbehaving -- some going to voice mail, others going to BellSouth recordings in Birmingham, AL (note: I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE!), all doing an excessive amount of clicking and ringing (up to seven rings to VM -- VERY unusual) ... to everyone at BellSouth [so far] this is a mystery. (Come Monday, this WILL get taken of ... I have had to turn off voice mail AND call delivery for now :( ) The Payphones: Coming back from Atlanta yesterday, I stopped at a convenience store in Dalton to refuel both body and car -- while there, I noticed a bank of odd-looking ALLTEL (LEC) payphones nearby. The phones, by Nortel, have a display and card slot, as well as the usual coin slot, etc., and are presubscribed to AT&T. I thought I'd try my BellSouth calling card to see if it worked -- lo and behold, it didn't. (I could not use my LCI card in the slot; LCI's have no magstripe for the phone to pick up.) The phones seem to be programmed to accept *ALLTEL*, major IXC (ATT/MCI/Sprint), and Visa/Master cards, but *not* those issued by other LECs. (AT&T's card phones do NOT reject LEC cards, from what I can remember. I haven't used one of THOSE since I dumped AT&T -- in 1992.) With the Olympics coming to Atlanta next month, I would expect those phones to honor BELLSOUTH (and other LEC) calling cards! (The number format is the same -- 10 digits + PIN, etc. I assume the magstripe coding format is the same across LECs, too -- am I right?) This same phone also tried to charge me $2.55 for a LOCAL call (interLATA -- to Ringgold, GA) -- the "standard" ALLTEL/Automatic Electric "GTE leftover" payphone next door wanted NO money for the call, which should have cost 25 cents! (Ringgold's telco payphones, all AE's, also do not want money for calls to Dalton. The interLATA/local call is just too much for the phones, ACTS, etc. to handle, perhaps?) To their (rare) credit, COCOT's DO handle the situation correctly, demanding 25 cents. As for COCOT's, there is one sitting right in front of BellSouth Mobility's new Dalton office, just across the street from the convenience store mentioned above. The previous lessee of the building (only BellSouth is housed there now, and they obviously didn't holler "OUT OUT DAMNED COCOT!") apparently didn't have the COCOT owner pull the phone! If this had been a *BellSouth* LEC area and not ALLTEL, I would not be amused -- I don't think BellSouth divisions should house COCOTs (but with the telecom law deregulating coin service as it does, who knows what will happen -- a BELLSOUTH payphone in ALLTEL territory, maybe?!) Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Small Firm Stung By Bad 800 Calls Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 15:58:04 PDT Small Firm Stung by Calls After Computer Giant Prints Wrong Number SEMINOLE, Fla. (AP) -- A wrong number in a computer manual has caused headaches and a huge phone bill for a small educational toy distributor. Compaq Computer Corp., the world's biggest personal computer maker, printed the toll-free number for Play 'n Learn Sales Inc. in manuals as the help line for a WordPerfect program that is installed on its Presario 7100 machines. As a result, dozens of calls a day come into the family-run Play 'n Learn, sometimes through the night, from people who have a question about the program WordPerfect Works. Some callers turn angry when they realize the tiny firm can't help. "On top of the nuisance of it, we're losing business because our lines get tied up and our customers can't get through," said owner Kathleen Henn. She sued Compaq earlier this week, seeking payment for the more than $6,000 in erroneous calls to her company's toll-free line. The problem first began in January 1995 when operators for Novell Inc., which then owned WordPerfect, occasionally gave people the wrong number. It snowballed last fall when the Compaq manuals were distributed with the wrong number. The help line for the software is not a toll-free number. It has the area code 801, which is the area code for Utah where Novell and WordPerfect are based. Play 'n Learn's 1-800 number is the same as the software help line's 1-801 number. Novell runs the help line even though it sold Word Perfect to Corel Inc. earlier this year. Henn said her attempts to get any of the companies to fix the problem have produced no concrete response. "It's impossible to get hold of anybody at Compaq, Word Perfect or Novell," she said. The lawsuit she filed in state court against Compaq alleges negligence, invasion of privacy and emotional harm. Yvonne Donaldson, a spokeswoman for Compaq, declined comment on the lawsuit, saying she was unfamiliar with the mix-up. Play 'n Learn represents about 30 manufacturers and sells wholesale to about 1,400 stores, specializing in science and nature toys. Three rooms in Henn's home have been converted to offices and three friends and her daughter work at the company. Henn has ordered a new toll-free number, but she doesn't want to drop her old one because some customers still use it and and it's listed in lots of flyers and trade catalogs. "The worst thing you can do is change your 800 number," she said. "I'm going to be answering WordPerfect's calls forever." Her attorney, Lee Atkinson, said he suggested that Compaq put out a message on its Internet home page, or send out new manuals. "They have not been very responsive," Atkinson said. "Their basic response was `Change your 800 number,' as if her business wasn't as important to her as their business is to them." ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 12:27:25 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Web Publishing with Word" by Dornfest BKWPWORD.RVW 960523 "Web Publishing with Word", Asha Dornfest, 1996, 0-7821-1807-0, U$24.99 %A Asha Dornfest %C 2021 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501 %D 1996 %G 0-7821-1807-0 %I Sybex Computer Books %O U$24.99 510-523-8233 800-227-2346 Fax: 510-523-2373 jjigarjian@sybex.com %P 296 %T "Web Publishing with Word" The Internet Assistant add-on module for MS Word is a very simplistic HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tool, and this book fits very neatly with the IA target audience. It is a simple, lock-step, keystroke by keystroke guide to the HTML production portion of Internet Assistant. This approach only works well, of course, with the page markup aspect of Web page production. The sections on forms and CGI (Common Gateway Interface) programming really only tell half the story, and even the creation of anchor links is a slightly more complicated task than the book makes out. Unlike Ross, in "The Underground Guide to Microsoft Internet Assistant" (cf. BKMSINAS.RVW), Dornfest does not delve deeply into the intricacies of the use of IA as a browser and so forth. On balance this is a good thing, since it allows the book to concentrate on a field independent approach, and the simple page layout where IA is strongest. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKWPWORD.RVW 960523. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca rslade@vcn.bc.ca slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca The best defence is a good non-sequitor Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 12:18:28 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Subject: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today The InterNIC organization says it has gotten tired of asking people to pay the bill for their domain name, and in some cases has asked several times without getting a response or payment. As a result, they have decided to remove the non-paying sites from the 'White Pages' beginning today, June 24. About 25,000 sites are involved in the purge which will begin today and continue until it has been completed. An assumption being made which may or may not be accurate is that the glamour of a WEB page and the love affair with the Internet may be over. InterNIC believes many of the delinquent / non-paying sites have been abandoned, or at least the WEB pages are now abandoned. You will find a large number of 'home pages' are inacessible on a permanent basis beginning today as InterNIC cleans out the files of those sites which have not responded to demands for payment of its fee. No doubt at least a few will hastily get their bill paid when they discover no one is able to reach them electronically any longer. PAT ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 13:09:13 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Another AOL Teenage Runaway Gets Caught Call it love at first byte I guess. James Wilson, 15, of East Dundee, Illinois is the latest America On Line teenage chat user to run off to meet a new friend from online. He rode his bicycle to Chicago, bought a $149 Greyhound bus ticket to Boston and then *walked* twenty miles to Hingham, MA -- just to meet a girl he corresponded with on his computer. This time it really was an actual female -- a fifteen year old Hingham girl he had chatted with for four months every Friday and Saturday night via America Online. During that four months he had saved up money from his paper route and from mowing lawns. She was expecting him and they planned to meet at her home last Wednes- day afternoon, although she had no idea of the pains he went through to meet her. Later she expressed amazement at the effort he had gone to for the planned meeting. James, an honors student at St. Edward High School in Elgin, Illinois originally planned to ride his bike all the way, but he gave up on that after about a forty mile bike ride from his home to the Greyhound Station at the junction of Interstates 90, 94 and 57 on the south side of Chicago. He finally got to Hingham and a mere half-block from the girl's house Wednesday morning at 3:00 a.m. (he left home Monday morning; boarded the bus later Monday and arrived in Boston Tuesday in the late afternoon) when he was stopped by the Hingham police for being out after their curfew. It did not take long for police to find out the kid was already listed as missing by his parents back in Illinois. By 6:30 a.m. just three hours later James was on a plane from Boston back to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago where Chicago Police met the plane with his parents when it arrived later that morning. James never did get to meet his computer pal. Hingham police Lt. John Kichler said James had planned to wait until a decent hour in the morning to actually go to the door of the house. Police did confirm that the planned meeting was 'legitimate', i.e. the person he planned to meet was a girl his own age. Kichler noted that, "This is our first Internet love affair in Hingham, and I am sure it does not happen to many people across the country." James now complains that he has been 'severely' grounded. He is not permitted to leave his house, his AOL account has been cancelled and the money from his paper route and lawn mowing job have to be turned over to his parents entirely to help pay for the plane ticket from Boston back to Chicago. He said he still hopes to meet his online friend face to face but agrees it will probably not be in the near future. The girl and her parents were embarassed by the whole situation and she has been warned by her parents about giving out addresses and phone numbers to people over the computer. Call it a modern day Romeo and Juliet story I guess, but one which had a safe if not altogether happy ending for Romeo. PAT ------------------------------ From: Alex Wolfson Subject: The Virtual Institute of Information (Shameless Self Promotion) Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 17:11:16 -0700 Organization: Columbia University I would like to take a moment to invite your evaluation of The Virtual Institute of Information, a research tool on the World Wide Web for locating and finding information on Communications and Mass Media. The V.I.I. was created by the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information at Columbia University. The site is unique in the sense that we have combined links to communications and mass media sites, academic papers, original works, events, interactive forums, and much more into an easy to use research tool. I have not yet come across a site on the Internet that offers the type and quality of original information coupled with existing information before. (of you know of other site I would be very interested in checking them out. The V.I.I. is located at: http://ctr.columbia.edu/vii I would appreciate any imput you might have to offer. I hope that this has not offended any users, but I thought that some people might be interested. (We only came on-line last week.) Thank you, Stephen Messer Assistant Director Columbia Institute for Tele-Information Please direct all comments to: smesser@claven.gsb.columbia.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 10:42:21 -0400 From: Kurt A. Melden Subject: 1-700-555-1212 on ISDN I have an analog phone and 2B (two voice and two data) ISDN service from NYNEX. Except for the higher than promised install charges (future topic), the service is very reliable and fast. I am on the 508-870 switch (DMS-100) in Westboro, MA. When I use the 700-555-1212 from my analog phone, I get ATT as the subscribed service. When I use it from the ISDN POTS lines on the back of a Bitsurfer Pro., I always get NYNEX directory assistance. I ask the operator to call up the number that they think I called and it is 508 555-1212. Am I trying something that is not supposed to work? Thanks, Kurt Melden kam@interramp.com Church of Eternal Profit - Westborough MA [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think the number you should actually be dialing for the function you want is 700-555-4141 rather than 1212. You might try it that way and see what happens. I have a few questions of my own about this number: When I dial it or any 700 number from my cellular phone which is via Frontier (which is reselling Ameritech here in the Chicago area) I always wind up in the voicemail box of some person by the name of John Freeling (?). It does not matter what 700 number I dial, I always get him. Any ideas why? PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #304 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jun 24 23:00:49 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id XAA28805; Mon, 24 Jun 1996 23:00:49 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 23:00:49 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606250300.XAA28805@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #305 TELECOM Digest Mon, 24 Jun 96 23:00:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 305 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation (Tad Cook) Heartline and Excel Fined by FCC For Slamming (Barry Mishkind) Getting Spammed to Death (Ken Levitt) Pacific Bell Files CPUC Complaint Against AT&T (Mike King) BellSouth Signs Long Distance Agreement With AT&T (Mike King) 888 Deployment Not (Bob Frankston) Part of NPA 704 to Move to 910 (Bob Goudreau) Discount Long Distance Services (kavedoggie@aol.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 15:39:26 PDT Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation Among Public, Phone Companies By Michael L. Rozansky, The Philadelphia Inquirer Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News PHILADELPHIA--Jun. 23--When Philadelphia's area code was carved in half two years ago, dividing towns and streets, Bell Atlantic Corp.'s experts predicted that the split of the 215 and 610 area codes could last for 30 years. It has been just 30 months -- and the phone company says both area codes are in danger of running out of numbers by 1998. So the question is: How to cut up the region again? It's a question that has spurred angry debate in state after state, where two options are discussed. One is a geographic split, which fragments an area into ever-smaller zones that, some joke, will eventually resemble zip codes. The second choice is to "overlay" a new area code atop the old one, which means that phones in a region may be assigned either area code. Phone numbers in the new area code would be given out when none is left in the old one. A geographic split would require thousands of businesses and homes to change numbers. But an overlay offers the prospect of phones in the same neighborhood, even in the same house, with different area codes. And it quite likely means requiring 10-digit dialing -- an area code plus a number -- for all telephone calls, even local calls that remain within an area code. One option would carve the region into tinier area codes every few years -- and the other could require dialing a brain-straining ten digits for all calls. "What you're really dealing with here is the lesser of two evils," said Irwin A. Popowsky, Pennsylvania's consumer advocate, who favors the geographical split. The code crunch was created in part by the remarkable growth of cellular phones, fax machines, computer modems for Internet access and second home lines. But another cause is new: The coming of local phone competition, hastened by this year's federal telecommunications law. In the Philadelphia area, five companies that have been given approval to offer local phone service have reserved nearly one million phone numbers, although they have barely begun to sign up customers. "We're at a stage in the industry that is unlike anything we've ever experienced before," said Josephine Gallagher, a Bell Atlantic employee who works for an impartial industry group that coordinates the area code system. "There was never local competition before, and it's putting a strain on the numbering resources around the country." The original 144 U.S. area codes lasted from 1947 until 1995; since then, 35 more have been assigned. In Pennsylvania, four of the five area codes will be exhausted within two years. In years past, the phone industry would quietly decide how to set up a new area code. But that backroom approach has disintegrated into war between the regional Bells and their competitors, creating debates everywhere that state regulators are asked to resolve. The Bells prefer the overlay codes, saying it is the least disruptive. Their local-phone competitors, including cable-television companies and long-distance giants, such as AT&T and MCI, prefer geographic splits because they say overlays put them at a competitive disadvantage. If Bell Atlantic gets to keep its huge base of customers in the old area code, and its competitors must assign its customers numbers in a new area code, that would deter people from moving to a competitor, they contend. The telephone industry says 10-digit dialing is an inevitable standard, though experts who study human behavior say it will be disastrous. "Certainly, going to 10-digit dialing is a problem," said Tom Landauer, a psychology professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder who worked at Bell Labs and Bellcore, two industry research organizations. "That exceeds most people's ability to remember a telephone number by a fair margin ... "It will be harder to dial, you'll get a lot more wrong numbers for a while, and people are justified in thinking that will be terrible." Arnold Glass, a psychology professor at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, says that with 10-digit dialing, more people will need directory assistance, more people will choose to pay the phone company to complete calls, and children will find it harder to learn their own phone numbers. He said an area code is one of the crucial pieces of information people use to order their world. "There will be real consequences of ripping this little bit of information away from people," Glass predicted. "It'll affect people's lives, degrade it in certain ways." In the Philadelphia region, there are two plans. One calls for area-code overlays in the 610 and 215 areas. The other, calling for a geographic split -- which would follow the boundaries of telephone switching offices rather than political lines -- would divide Philadelphia. It would put Center City and North, West and South Philadelphia in the 215 area code, and assign the city's northeast and northwest sections, along with parts of Montgomery and Bucks Counties, to a new area code. In the current 610 area, the western suburbs nearest the city, including Delaware County and much of Montgomery County, would form one area code and the outlying areas would compose a second. There's been no decision on which would keep the 610 designation. The state's Public Utility Commission hopes to decide between the plans by the end of the summer, according to a staff lawyer. He said the PUC wanted to give the public time to comment on the plans. The PUC made its preference clear last week, when it narrowly approved an overlay plan for Pittsburgh's 412 area code. PUC Commissioner Robert Bloom called the overlay the "least inconvenient." Andy Stofan, president of the Latrobe Area Chamber of Commerce outside Pittsburgh, agreed. "If you have an overlay, it would probably save a lot of businesses a lot of money from switching over stationery, business cards, advertising and so forth," he said. The PUC's action made Pennsylvania, after Maryland, the second state to recently approve an overlay. In most cities -- from Los Angeles to Houston, Chicago to Atlanta -- regulators have opted for geographic splits. Chicago tried to use an overlay solely for wireless devices such as cellular phones and beepers, but the Federal Communications Commission killed that plan as discriminatory. Pennsylvania's consumer advocate and small-business advocate had opposed the overlay, saying it would deter local-phone competition. Bell's competitors say the playing field will be leveled once consumers can take their numbers with them when they switch local phone companies, but they say that won't be possible for several years. The Bell companies prefer overlays now "because of the confusion it injects in the marketplace," said Paul Kouroupas, a regulatory vice president with Teleport Communications Group, which offers local phone service in Pittsburgh. "You can just picture their telephone ads. Things are swirling around the distraught consumer and they say: 'Don't worry, just sit still and everything will be OK.' Overlay plans are anticompetitive on their face." Bell Atlantic vice president Bill Mitchell counters that his competitors want to see Bell Atlantic carve up areas geographically precisely because it will annoy people. In the ensuing confusion, he said, customers might decide that if they have to switch area codes they may as well switch phone companies. "They see it as a marketing opportunity," he said. Until late last week, Bell Atlantic had said it would switch to 10-digit dialing for everyone in Pittsburgh if the overlay was approved. But in its ruling, the PUC said Bell and other local phone companies could still use customary seven-digit dialing for local calls if they wanted. Bell Atlantic said it would consider that. The telephone-number shortage is both real and fictional. When the King of Prussia Chamber of Commerce started in 1987, "We had just two phone lines," said its president, Albert Paschall. "Today, there's nine, plus two cellular units. That's 11 lines we require for our basic needs." Everywhere, the use of phone equipment is booming. Cellular-phone companies have reported 40 percent growth in customers. Bell Atlantic sold 205,000 secondary phone lines in the first quarter. Even so, those figures don't quite explain the mystery: What happened to more than seven million phone numbers that were added when the 610 area code began in 1994? To understand that, you must realize that the number drought doesn't mean that every phone number has been assigned. Instead, the problem is a shortage of exchange codes, the three-digit prefixes that begin a seven-digit number. There are 792 exchange codes in an area code and each comes with a set of 10,000 phone numbers that can be formed from it. Once a three-digit exchange code has been assigned to a local calling area, its 10,000 phone-number combinations are stuck in that local area. It doesn't do any good if there is a nearly unused exchange available in Center City if new numbers are needed in Doylestown. Consider what's happening in Pittsburgh, where the Teleport Communications Group decided to offer local phone service in competition with Bell Atlantic. It obtained 20 three-digit local exchange codes, locking up 200,000 phone numbers. It doesn't have anywhere near that number of customers. In fact, in one exchange of 10,000 numbers, it may have just 100 customers. But it needs that exchange to provide service in that local area. "We hope to grow into that, obviously, and fill them up," says Teleport Communications' Kouroupas. ON THE INTERNET: Visit Philadelphia Online, the World Wide Web site of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Point your browser to http://www.phillynews.com ------------------------------ From: Barry Mishkind Subject: Heartline and Excel Fined by FCC For Slamming Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 10:03:48 -0800 Organization: The Eclectic Engineer COMMISSION FINDS HEARTLINE COMMUNICATIONS APPARENTLY LIABLE FOR FORFEITURE OF $200,000 FOR SLAMMING AND ISSUES NOTICE OF FORFEITURE AGAINST EXCEL FOR $80,000 (Report No. CC 96-15, Common Carrier Action) The Commission has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability finding Heartline Communications, Inc. apparently liable for a forfeiture penalty of $200,000 for willful or repeated violations of the Commission's telephone slamming rules. In addition, the Common Carrier Bureau assessed a forfeiture of $80,000 against Excel Telecommunications,Inc. for its violations of the Commission's slamming rules. The practice of changing a consumer's long distance company without that consumer's express approval is commonly known as "slamming." Action by the Commission June 20, 1996 by NAL for Forfeiture (FCC 96-272). __________________________________________ Barry Mishkind Tucson, AZ http://www.broadcast.net/~barry ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 96 16:47:02 EDT From: levitt@zorro9.fidonet.org (Ken Levitt) Subject: Getting Spammed to Death In a recent development in spamming, my Internet to Fidonet Gateway is taking a big hit. Someone is selling Internet mailing lists with thousands of names. About 100 of them point to my gateway. About 30% of the addresses are to non-existent Fidonet nodes, so my system bounces them back. They bounce back to non-existent addresses, or get mail box full messages. This causes bounce messages to come back to me. My effective transfer rate for messages is about 400 cps and I have to manually delete each of these messages from my system. So this is really bogging me and my system down. Fidonet, this gateway and my agreement with my ISP do not allow commercial messages, so I have to keep updating my filter program to block passing these messages on. If this goes on much longer, I will have to shut down this gateway and hundreds of people will loose E-Mail access to the Internet. I am just getting the third set of these in the past month. This one is is the first that can be traced to someplace real. They came with several different sources and reply to addresses on idt.net and aol.com, but the messages refer people to a web page that has a real mail address and a toll free number to call. The address is hardwear@icanect.net and the toll free number is 888.427.3932. Today (Saturday) I called the toll free number and got a live answering service. The answering service was very nice, but didn't understand a thing about what I was saying. I left a message to stop sending E-Mail to Fidonet.org. Maybe other readers would also like to leave messages with them about spamming the net with unsolicited mail messages. If you call, please be polite if you get the answering service. They are just doing their job. Speak slowly when leaving your message, they have to type all of your message into their computer. Here is what they are sending out: > Authenticated sender is > From: "Neil" > To: hardwear@idt.net > Subject: Jewelry for Computer Lovers > Reply-To: hardwear@idt.net > Hello, > If you like jewelry and computers check out the WEB site > http://hardwear.com > You will not receive any more messages from us > Thank you Ken Levitt - On FidoNet gateway node 1:16/390 levitt@zorro9.fidonet.org [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Please make a note of the number Ken is passing on and let them know your feelings about this: 888.427.3932. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Pacific Bell Files CPUC Complaint Against AT&T Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 12:48:41 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 06:17:46 -0700 Reply-To: NEWS-LIST@list.pactel.com From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Pacific Bell Files CPUC Complaint -- AT&T Starts Billing Program Without Approvals June 20, 1996 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jerry Kimata (415) 394-3739 jerry.kimata@pactel.com Pacific Bell Files CPUC Complaint -- AT&T Starts Billing Program Without Approvals SAN FRANCISCO -- Pacific Bell today filed a complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) charging AT&T with illegally starting a program to begin billing residence customers directly for its services in California, without getting all the necessary approvals. "This end run around the CPUC is not acceptable," said John Gueldner, Vice President-Regulatory. "AT&T is ignoring the Commission's explicit instructions and their own customers' convenience," he said. "On top of that they're not giving people a real choice. "We've already had complaints from customers reporting that when they call AT&T to tell them they want to continue receiving one bill instead of two, they're being wrongly told that Pacific Bell doesn't want to do the billing anymore. Customers are not being offered the option by AT&T representatives to continue being billed by Pacific Bell. That's deceptive, anti-competitive and untrue." Gueldner said that as many as one million customers could be receiving the letter which announces the change. He said that in 1994 when AT&T asked the CPUC for permission to do its own billing and collection in place of local phone companies, the Commission required AT&T to "provide 60 days written notice to its affected customers if the LEC will no longer be providing the bill rendering and collection functions for AT&T-C. Such a notice shall be reviewed and approved by the Commission's Public Advisor's office prior to mailing." (PUC Decision 94-05-021, May 4, 1994) "We understand that the Commission's Public Advisor's Office never even saw the notice prior to its mailing," Gueldner said. AT&T just ignored the Commission's order. "The change means that AT&T customers will get two bills, one from us with local charges, and one from AT&T with long-distance charges, and lots of AT&T promotional material. "If customers do nothing, their billing will automatically change, so they get two bills instead of one," he said. "If customers call AT&T and say they'd prefer to continue to receive one bill from Pacific Bell, AT&T should not be allowed to mislead the customers about Pacific Bell's willingness to continue to provide a single bill. Pacific Bell would be happy to continue this service." Gueldner said that Pacific Bell's complaint seeks to prevent AT&T from switching their customers' billing without their informed authorization and asks that AT&T submit a new notice to the Commission for its approval. In the meantime, customers should continue to receive one bill from Pacific Bell, since AT&T's notice was improper. He said the new notice should clearly describe the alternatives a customer has. "In short," Gueldner said, "Pacific Bell is trying to prevent AT&T from teeing these customers up for a new twist on slamming." ----------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Signs Long Distance Agreement With AT&T Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 12:54:41 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 19:52:22 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BellSouth Signs Long Distance Agreement with AT&T Reply-To: press@www.bellsouth.com BellSouth .......................................June 21, 1996 BellSouth Signs Long Distance Agreement with AT&T ATLANTA -- BellSouth Long Distance Inc., a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS), announced today it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for purchasing wholesale long distance services from AT&T. BellSouth made its selection after completing an intensive analysis of the capabilities and proposals of a broad range of long distance carriers earlier this year and additionally, jointly evaluating the proposals of five interexchange providers in conjunction with the long distance subsidiaries of SBC Communications Inc. and Pacific Telesis Group. The agreement covers the pricing, services and transport components BellSouth will use to complete an end-to-end long distance service that will be primarily comprised of BellSouth's own extensive fiber-optic network and its all-digital switching systems. The MOU may be broadened to include the long distance service BellSouth's cellular companies are already providing and which its PCS (personal communicatons service) subsidiary will begin offering this summer. "From the beginning our goal has been pretty striaghtforward -- to provide our customers with the highest-quality package of end-to-end long distance services at the best price and performance levels, as quickly as possible," said William F. Reddersen, group president of long distance and video. Over the past several months, we have scrutinized every detail of each of the proposals to be sure they would help us meet that goal. All of the proposals were very competitive. But in the final analysis, we selected the package of prices, services, features and capabilities that will meet our needs and those of our customers. "The joint RFP process was a significant success in that it allowed us to establish a new price level for the industry, while still meeting our aggressive timetable for entry into the long distance business," said Reddersen. "We intend to satisfy the necessary regulatory requirements, and to be offering wired long distance services within our region to a number of states early next year, and to all nine states within our operating region by the end of 1997." BellSouth expects to finalize the details of the agreement and sign a definitive contract with AT&T this summer. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, and information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. ### For Information Contact: Tim Klein (404) 249-4135 Al Schweitzer (404) 249-2832 -------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Bob_Frankston@frankston.com Subject: 888 Deployment Not Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 14:5:00 -0400 I don't know if it is Best Western's problem or more global but the last two I stayed in (Brooklyn Pk, Minn and Hillsoboro, Or) can't place 888 calls. Is there a legal requirement that 888 be supported like 800? Is there a standard number for reporting 888 problems? What's frustrating is that operators can't or refuse to place such calls. Where does one report these problems? What is a work-around? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 14:18:47 -0400 From: goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) Subject: Part of NPA 704 to Move to 910 The following notice appeared in my latest bill from BellSouth: DAVIDSON COUNTY MOVES TO 910 AREA CODE On August 1, 1996, all telephone numbers in Davidson County currently in the 704 area code will move to the 910 area code. The change involves the cities of Lexington, Churchland, Reeds, Southmount, Welcome and Denton. Thomasville is currently in the 910 area code and will not be affected. The change was requested by Davidson County customers and approved by federal regulators. In addition to the area code change, some telephone prefixes will also change: Lexington -- 246 will change to 248 -- 352 will change to 357 -- 858 will change to 853 Churchland -- 762 will change to 752 Denton -- 869 will change to 859 The last four digits of telephone numbers beginning with these prefixes will not be affected. This raises a number of questions in my mind: 1) Who were the "federal regulators" (the FCC)? 2) And why was their approval necessary? Was similar approval required, say, to move the Bronx from 212 to 718 a few years ago? 3) Why wasn't this change made years ago, if it's what Davidson County customers really wanted? Surely it would have been just as easy to move that part of the county into NPA 919 ten or twenty years ago (before 910 was split off from 919 a few years ago) as it is to move these exchanges into 910 today. Sure, some or all of the prefixes might have had to change, but that's happening even with the current switch. Until 919 started approaching a jeopardy situation in the late 1980s/early 1990s, there should have been no major obstacle to realigning the 919/704 boundary in this fashion. Bob Goudreau Data General Corporation goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com 62 Alexander Drive +1 919 248 6231 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA ------------------------------ From: kavedoggie@aol.com (Kavedoggie) Subject: Discount Long Distance Services Date: 24 Jun 1996 13:13:27 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: kavedoggie@aol.com (Kavedoggie) I am a telecommunications consultant in California and New York working with small to medium sized customers. I've noticed over the last year that the second tier carriers are offering rates and great service for a fraction of the cost of the big three. In particular, two companies, Frontier Communications and LDDS/Worldcom, seem to be the most competitive. This probably does not come as a surprise to most of you, but what I've found most interesting is that dealing with either one of those two companies direct does not always get you the best deals. Each one of these companies has in place what they refer to as a Direct Agent Program. What this essentially means is that they've subcontracted with a third party to sell their services. Unlike a reseller however, these agents sell the services for Frontier and then Frontier takes over the accounts. The agents receive a percentage of the monthly billing and Frontier services the account. Working with a Direct Agent gets you the best price that Frontier has to offer because of the volume of business the Agents do with Frontier. This is an advantage to the customer by providing them with even lower prices without having to sacrifice service. If this is something of interest, one of the best agents I've worked with is a company called Pacific Coast Communications. Their main office is in California, but they have representation nationwide. They currently rep for Frontier Communications. Should you desire more information on Pacific Coast Communications, they can be reached on 818-705-5955. kavedoggie@aol.com for questions ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #305 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jun 25 14:45:11 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id OAA04784; Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:45:11 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:45:11 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606251845.OAA04784@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #306 TELECOM Digest Tue, 25 Jun 96 14:45:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 306 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Book Review: "HTML: The Definitive Guide" by Musciano/Kennedy (Rob Slade) BellSouth Remote Call-Forwarding (Chris Telesca) BellSouth Opposes Delays in Competition (Mike King) BellSouth Asks Georgia Public Service Commission to Reconsider (Mike King) Can Call Go to an RCF to POTS Line With CF-DA to DID on DMS100 (Costello) Jun 30, 1996 Last Day to Redeem AT&T Points For Value (Joel M. Snyder) Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (David Whiteman) Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software (Jim Bachesta) Experiences Wanted With Lindsay, Other Emergency Cellular? (Howard Gayle) Slamming Article in Daily Oklahoman (Wes Leatherock) Life in Prison For Phraud Phone Calls (Jorene Downs) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 12:11:43 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "HTML: The Definitive Guide" by Musciano/Kennedy BKHTMLDG.RVW 960522 "HTML: The Definitive Guide", Chuck Musciano/Bill Kennedy, 1996, 1-56592-175-5, U$27.95/C$39.95 %A Chuck Musciano cmusciano@aol.com %A Bill Kennedy %C 103 Morris Street, Suite A, Sebastopol, CA 95472 %D 1996 %G 1-56592-175-5 %I O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. %O U$27.95/C$39.95 800-998-9938 707-829-0515 fax: 707-829-0104 nuts@ora.com %P 410 %S Nutshell Handbook %T "HTML: The Definitive Guide" If you are serious about designing documents and Web pages with HTML (HyperText Markup Language) then you *must* have this book. First of all, it *is* definitive. Graham's "HTML Sourcebook" (cf. BKHTMLSR.RVW), though much longer, doesn't begin to match the depth of this current work. Musciano and Kennedy cover the standard HTML 1.0 and 2.0 (and explain why there *isn't* any 3.0) and include the non-standard extensions of Netscape and Internet Explorer. The basics, text, rules, multimedia, links, lists, forms, tables, frames and more are all thoroughly covered, point by point and attribute by attribute. There is even the SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) DTD (Document Type Definition) for HTML 2.0. (This must be definitive: it's the definition of the language.) Second, it *is* a guide, and a very good one. Lemay's "Web Publishing With HTML" (cf. BKWPHTML.RVW) still holds an edge as the most approachable beginner's introduction to Web page creation, but Musciano and Kennedy can easily welcome the newcomer as well. The structure is logical and the explanations are crystal clear. In spite of all this, the book contains even more. Web design is not given a separate section, but seamlessly permeates every section of the book. Readers are constantly reminded that while extensions may be fun, not everyone in the world has the same browser. Alternative methods are suggested for non-standard effects and functions. Shortcuts, suitable to only one browser or server, are recommended against in order to ensure the utmost compatibility with all systems. The authors apologize for the lack of coverage they give to CGI (Common Gateway Interface) programming, but their illustration of the basic functions is clearer than in any specialty text I've reviewed to date. All this, and readable, too. The content is straightforward and lucid. While you might not read this book for laughs, it is not the tome to choose to put yourself to sleep at night, either. I can recommend this book, without reservation, to anyone who wants to learn HTML programming and use. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKHTMLDG.RVW 960522. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. ============= Vancouver roberts@decus.ca | "Metabolically Institute for rslade@vcn.bc.ca | challenged" Research into slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca | User rslade@vanisl.decus.ca | politically correct Security Canada V7K 2G6 | term for "dead" ------------------------------ From: Chris Telesca Subject: BellSouth Remote Call-Forwarding Date: 25 Jun 1996 06:32:43 GMT Organization: CampusMCI Can anybody help me out with this? I have had Remote-Access Call-Forwarding for the last three years. When I first signed up for it, I had some troubles and did some testing (forwarding my phone number to various other numbers - including long- distance numbers) to see how it worked. When I called the phone company to complain about how the service worked some of the time, the phone company techs seemed to know where and when I forwarded my calls. I didn't have a problem with it then - I just wish they could do it now! It seems as though someone else had gotten hold of my pin number, and was forwarding my local phone number to various out-of-town locations. I caught on to it through dumb-luck (they remotely call-forwarded my phone while I was at home), and my neighbor came over to tell me what happened - and I know I didn't forward my phone that night. I immediately tried to get BellSouth to change my pin number. It only took them two tries over two weeks. Then when I try to find out which of my LD calls were the result of forwarded calls, they first tell me that they have no way of knowing which LD calls were made due to call-forwarding. After I point out to them that their own rate code for calls (on the back of page one) lists rate code F - for Call Forward-ed calls, they then say that I didn't get charged for any forwarded calls - except that I know I made some on my last phone bill. Clearly BellSouth has buggy software. Does anybody know a technical term or special phone company code for trying to find out what I'm looking for? Chris Telesca PO Box 98102 / Raleigh, NC 27624-8102 Voice/Fax (call first for fax): (919)676-2597 Check out the NOREDNC web page at - http://www.angelfire.com/pages0/norednc ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Opposes Delays in Competition Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:09:19 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 11:28:11 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH OPPOSES DELAYS IN COMPETITION Reply-To: press@www.bellsouth.com BellSouth .......................................June 18, 1996 BELLSOUTH OPPOSES DELAYS IN COMPETITION Asks Commission to Facilitate Negotiations with AT&T MONTGOMERY, AL., June 17, 1996 Indicating it is completely frustrated with the lack of progress in local interconnection negotiations with AT&T, BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) filed with the Alabama Public Service Commission today requesting the Commission to mediate negotiations to move the companies toward agreement. BellSouth and AT&T began negotiations in March as allowed by the national telecom act. Congress intended that competitors would negotiate in order to facilitate competition in local service, and further competition in long distance, as soon as possible. "We've been meeting almost daily with AT&T since early this year and we're not anywhere close on the major issues needed for a comprehensive agreement," noted Charlie Coe, Group President of Customer Operations for BellSouth. This request for mediation will help to bring the issues up for discussion with an objective third party in order to move the process along, indicated Coe. He noted that even as the talks with AT&T have been slow, BellSouth has been able to to sign comprehensive interconnection agreements with two national competitors including TimeWarner. BellSouth has also signed other agreements as well including a regional, 14 point agreement with Hart Communications, which has received permission to offer local service in Alabama. There are also several more agreements which are very close to closure. "Our position is very clear," stated Coe. "We're in favor of competition developing immediately because the sooner this happens, the sooner we'll be able to begin offering our customers one stop shopping for their telecommunications needs including long distance -- a service they've indicated they want us to provide. AT&T has plans to enter BellSouth's markets soon. On the other hand, in remarks attributed to AT&T's CEO Bob Allen, AT&T does not believe that BellSouth will be in the long distance business before the turn of the century because of AT&T's 'birddogging' of the FCC and state regulatory commissions. This is a policy to slow competition down, not promote it as the legislation intended," Coe stated. The national telecom legislation enacted earlier this year set up the mediation process as a way to resolve differences between competitors on local negotiations. BellSouth has asked for mediation at this time only in Alabama because the key issues are the same state to state, and therefore mediation in all nine of its states would be redundant. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing and other information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. Its telephone operations provides service over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world for approximately 21 million telephone lines in a ninestate region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For Information Contact: Joe Chandler, BellSouth Telecommunications (404)529-6235 Bill Todd, BellSouth Telecommunications (205)972-2984 ------------------ Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What *is* AT&T doing lately? It seems like they have taken numerous actions designed to alienate them from the local telcos and the customer base. Refusing to honor calling cards, setting up their own isolated billing programs, dragging their feet on local service, and where they do have some modicum of local service in place such as Chicago, the deals they are offering customers is really nothing to brag about and in Chicago at least, more expensive than what Ameritech -- the established company with the customer base -- is offering. I think this strategy may backfire and AT&T will find out all the customers they expect to come flocking to them abandoning the traditional local carriers just won't be there. They are not reporting any real measure of success here in Chicago in grabbing Ameritech customers where 'local-toll' is concerned. I do not know what success they are having elsewhere. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Asks Georgia Public Service Commission to Reconsider Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:01:13 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 19:50:52 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BellSouth Asks Georgia Public Service Commission to Reconsider BellSouth .......................................June 21, 1996 BellSouth Asks Georgia Public Service Commission to Reconsider Ruling on Discount Rates Atlanta, GA.,June 21, 1996 Today BellSouth asked the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to reconsider its June 12th order establishing the level of discounts applied to the resale of BellSouth services. BellSouth believes that the Commission's order on resale is wrong and cannot be supported either on the law or the facts presented to the Commission, and will not help the development of competition in this state. Instead, the high discount rates will only serve to stall the development of facilities based competition in Georgia. As a result, the Company is asking the PSC to reevaluate its decision based on the evidence submitted during recent proceedings on this issue. According to Carl Swearingen, president of Georgia operations for BellSouth, "If the discount rate is set excessively high, it will only serve to allow a few local exchange competitors to profit at BellSouth's and its customers' expense. In addition, artificially steep discounts will discourage the capital investment and job creation that was the intent of both the state and national telecommunications legislation." Further, the PSC ordered the provision of electronic interfaces to BellSouth's operational support systems. This requirement is both unrealistic and untimely, since parties have been working at length for an orderly, coordinated implementation to meet competitors' needs and to ensure that our customers' records are properly protected," said Swearingen. BellSouth supports competition and looks forward to the day when it will be allowed to provide a full range of local and long distance services to the citizens of Georgia. BellSouth's efforts to support full and fair competition is further evidenced by the fact that comprehensive local interconnection agreements have been signed with national communications companies, most notably TimeWarner, as well as agreements with regional competitors. As of this date however, BellSouth is unaware of any agreement that AT&T has produced or entered into with any local exchange company in this state, or for that matter, in this region, to provide local service either on its own or as a reseller. "Our position is very clear," stated Swearingen. "We're in favor of competition developing immediately. All we ask is that the rules of competition be set fairly without favoring any one competitor or one form of competition." We hope that the PSC chooses to act in a positive manner on our motion which would serve to encourage resale where it is economic to do so, but which encourages AT&T, and other carriers, to develop their own facilities to provide telecommunications services for the benefit of all Georgians." For Information Contact: Lynn Bress, BellSouth-Georgia (770)391-2484 --------------------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:26:11 -0700 From: E. Thomas Costello Subject: Can Call go to an RCF to POTS Line With CF-DA to DID on a DMS100? In San Diego, PAc Bell "experts" just told me that a call going to a Remote Call Forwarding (RCF) number which terminates in a POTS (or any other line) will not activate Call Forward-Don't Answer. They quickly threw this response out when I brought the problem to their attention so I have my doubts about their real understanding. My doubts are further increased because this process works on the 5ESS swtich. I know because I recently moved my offices and am using it! They didn't know it worked on the 5E. When they regained their composure, they wisely pointed out that the DMS100 is a different switch than the 5ESS. (That must be why they have different names and different manufacturers.) Now that I know they are different switches, I'd like to have the answer to the really hard question of how to get the call to the RCF to a POTS line forwarded in the Don't Answer situation. Thanks. ------------------------------ From: jms@tennis.opus1.com (Joel M Snyder) Subject: June 30, 1996 Last Day to Redeem AT&T Points For Value Date: 25 Jun 96 07:08:27 -0700 Organization: Opus One, Tucson, Arizona For those of you who are accumulating AT&T True Rewards points, remember that 30-June-1996 is the last day you can redeem them for cash or cash-like value (long distance certificates, wireless messaging certificates, credit card credit). For more info: 800-869-9900. After that, you're limited to wonderful opportunities such as Gevalia Kaffee (the equivalent of $40 in points for 2 pounds of coffee) or Travelpro luggage (the equivalent of $65 for a tote bag). Effectively, the discount appears to have been halved with the new "bigger, better, and more rewarding" program, standard practice for most of these programs. There are still a few loopholes which retain the original $0.05/point value, but these are hidden among overpriced Disney prints and 5-disk Commemorative Olympic Music collections. I just wish they wouldn't lie to us about how much "better" it is getting. Joel M Snyder, 1404 East Lind Road, Tucson, AZ, 85719 Phone: +1 520 324 0494 (voice) +1 520 324 0495 (FAX) jms@Opus1.COM http://www.opus1.com/jms Opus One [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The only thing I thought was really good about the True Rewards program or whatever it was called were the gift certificate checks they would send out whenever you wanted to redeem your points. A little over a year ago they announced a short lived program where you could transfer your points to someone else if you wished to do. There were quite a few people 'enrolled' in the program who never specifically asked to be and who cared less what happened to the points in their account. At that time those people called AT&T and had the points transferred to my account and I wound up with a few thousand points which when converted into those 'Pay to the Order of the Telephone Company' vouchers generated about $200 in credits on my Ameritech account and got my billed paid up to current status. May I respectfully suggest that those of you with lines defaulted to AT&T check in the next couple days to see what if anything remains in your account and have it cashed out in the form of gift certificates at the rate of five dollars per a certain number of points. Why leave good money sitting there to be forfeited? I do not think they any longer allow transfer of points between accounts but if you do not want whatever they send you please forward it to me for use. Remember, it has to be done this week since the program is ending. PAT] ------------------------------ From: aardvark@ni.net (David Whiteman) Subject: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 23:14:13 -0700 Organization: Network Intensive This evening I was trying to send a fax to my parents who are on a cruise in the Alaska sea area. Believing that the Alaska sea was in the Pacific Ocean, and wanting to use AT&T I dialed 10288 (for AT&T) 011 (for international) 872 (for Pacific Ocean) and then the seven digit number for the ship's fax number. This connection failed, so I called the AT&T operator for help (10288 0). I was transferred to another operator who told me to use 10222 (MCI) instead of 10288, and to call 1 800 MARISAT if I have any more trouble. I never heard of AT&T refering business to MCI before. The call still failed, so I called 1 800 MARISAT and got the same operator. He reconfirmed the seven digit fax number for the ship, and then asked me whether I was sure that the ship was in the Pacific Ocean. I told him that it was an Alaskan cruise -- guess what, my geography lessons to date have been wrong -- Alaska is in the Indian Ocean. I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. Third surpising thing: Out of curiosity I called the MARISAT operator (the same one answered) again to get the rates; he told me to dial 10222-0. The MCI operator told me to dial 10288-0. The AT&T operator subsequently transferred me back to that same MARISAT operator who quoted the rate. Fourth surprise: the total cost of sending the fax (about $35) is cheaper than sending the documents to the next scheduled stop for the cruise ship by courier, mainly because none of the US courier service ship there directly and a second Alaskan courier would be need. Furthermore, faxing to the next port, even though it is still a landline direct call, would be more expensive because the port agent charges a fee for receiving faxes which my parents would be charged -- the ship itself charges no direct fee. [TELECM Digest Editor's Note: How could the water around Alaska be considered part of the Indian Ocean? To the south/southwest of the Alaska coast would surely be the Pacific Ocean; what about the water off the north/northwest coast, in the Arctic region? How could the Indian Ocean possibly fit into this? I guess my geography knowledge must be poor also. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Jim Bachesta Subject: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:14:26 -0700 Organization: Tera Computer Company I'm looking for a network monitoring software package. We have a medium sized, mostly Unix network and probably don't require anything extravagant. 99% TCP/IP with some Mac and Window machines. Anyone have suggestions. A Cabletron salesman said their $3400 package for Windows is great. Any comments on this? Are there any free packages under Unix? Thanks, Jim Bachesta ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Jun 96 07:56:25 PDT From: Howard Gayle Subject: Experiences Wanted With Lindsay, Other Emergency Cellular? Reply-To: howard@hal.com I want cellular service with low per-year cost, for emergencies. I want to be able to call any number, not just 911, and I don't want to give a credit card number on the air. In a message last year, Keith Jarett mentioned Lindsay Communications. They have service for $35 per year, $45 activation, and $3.77 per minute airtime, including tax. Emergen-Cell Communications offers a similar plan for $75 per year. Does anyone have any experience with these companies? Does anyone know of any other companies that charge less than $100 per year in fixed charges? I'm also looking for a hand-held phone that will run on primary (non-rechargeable) batteries. The Motorola Flip phones have an accessory battery pack for AA batteries. Does anyone know of any other, preferably smaller, phones that do this? I'm not interested in building a battery pack. As usual, please reply directly to me by email. I'll mail a summary to the mailing list if response warrants. ------------------------------ Subject: Slamming Article From Daily Oklahoman From: wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu (Wes Leatherock) Date: Tue, 24 Jun 96 10:47:00 GMT Organization: The University of Oklahoma From _The Daily Oklahoman_ (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) for June 19, 1996; by Bob Vandewater, Staff Writer: Southwestern Bell Telephone and the Tulsa Better Business Bureau are trying to protect customers from "slamming." Slamming is the unauthorized change in a consumer's long distance company by long distance carriers, resellers or affiliated promotional companies. Bell and the bureau want to educate customers about slamming by distributing a free brochure that details consumers' rights and offers tips on how to guard against slamming, Bell said. Bell official Richard Dietz said, "Slamming is a growing problem for our customers. In 1995, Southwestern Bell interceded on behalf of more than 350,000 customers in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas who had been victimized in slamming schemes." Bell each month gets more than 470,000 legitimate requests to change customers' long-distance carriers, but there are another 30,000 customer-disputed changes, he said. Wes Leatherock wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com ORIGINS BBS E-Mail, SysOps (Mike Shipp/Troy Carpenter), (405)325-5883 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 10:58:34 PDT From: Jorene Downs Subject: Life in Prison for Phraud Phone Calls [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The final item in this issue should serve as an example and inspiration for phreaks everywhere. PAT] China Technology Newsbriefs 06/20/96 BEIJING, CHINA, 1996 JUN 20 (NB) Man Sentenced To Life Imprisonment For Illegal Phone Calls A 61-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a city of Hebei province for phone theft. The Shijiazhuang City Intermediate People's Court announced the temporary doorkeeper of a traffic police station made 180 international calls to sex lines during the period from April 8 to May 10, 1995, while he was on night duty. He got the phone numbers from overseas radio broadcasts. His employer paid more than RMB51,000 (US$6,144) for his international calls. (Chih-Ho Yu & Ning Huang/19960620) Newsbytes Pacifica Headlines [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: In Iran until a year or two ago, the same crime would have been punished by getting your head chopped off, however they have apparently liberalized things there a lot and become 'soft on crime' in that middle eastern country. A year ago this month, about 250 people had been beheaded for various crimes; this year to date the total number of beheadings is less than a hundred and none at all were due to toll phraud. China was never big on beheading people, with firing squads more to their liking in the event life in prison was considered too soft. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #306 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jun 25 16:42:08 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id QAA16877; Tue, 25 Jun 1996 16:42:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 16:42:08 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606252042.QAA16877@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #307 TELECOM Digest Tue, 25 Jun 96 16:42:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 307 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Ericsson And Pacific Bell Mobile Services Win Award (Mike King) Book Review: "Web Publishing with HoTMetaL" by Jaworski (Rob Slade) Overload / Congestion Questions (gkarmi@qualcomm.com) New Cellular Phone w/o Service? (John Starta) Cellular vs Pager; Better Information Wanted (Jason) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Robert Jacobson) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Ed Kleinhample) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (SJSlavin) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Stu Jeffery) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Jim Gottlieb) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (John McGing) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Marty Bose) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Eric Kammerer) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mike King Subject: Ericsson And Pacific Bell Mobile Services Win Award Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 09:41:47 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 08:24:09 -0700 Reply-To: NEWS-LIST@list.pactel.com From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: NEWS: Ericsson And Pacific Bell Mobile Services Win National Access Award From Self Help For Hard Of Hearing People (SHHH) FOR MORE INFORMATION: Linda Bonniksen, Pacific Bell Mobile Services (213) 975-5061 Kathy Egan, Ericsson (212) 685-4030 Ericsson And Pacific Bell Mobile Services Win National Access Award From Self Help For Hard Of Hearing People (SHHH) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC -- Ericsson Inc. and Pacific Bell Mobile Services (PBMS) received the National Access Award for their innovation in developing technologies that allow hard-of-hearing people to use new digital wireless telephones. The award was presented by the Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) organization at its national conference in Orlando, Florida on June 21, 1996. Some people with hearing aids experience interference from many electronic devices, including wireless phones. Hearing aid users want to take advantage of the newest digital wireless technology, so Ericsson and Pacific Bell Mobile Services collaborated in developing solutions based on Ericsson's PCS 1900 digital wireless mobile phones. These solutions are being tested with hearing aid users under the assistance of SHHH. Techniques that prove successful will be offered by Pacific Bell Mobile Services when it launches its Personal Communications Service (PCS) in January 1997 in California. Some prototype models will be demonstrated at the Republican National Convention in San Diego in August. Mike Farese, Vice President of Global Product Management at Ericsson, said, "We are very pleased that SHHH has chosen us for this award. Ericsson's researchers and engineers in the U.S. and Sweden worked with both PacBell Mobile Services and representatives from SHHH to develop solutions that will help hearing aid users enjoy the benefits of mobile communications. It has been a real joint effort." Some of the most recent developments and solutions include: * Special circuitry that reduces magnetic output that interferes with hearing aids. * Special speaker that increased magnetic coupling of the telephone to a hearing aid. * Remote and swiveling antennas that reduce RF interference. * A handsfree kit with a noise-canceling microphone and aninductive coil that is compatible with ITE and BTE hearing aids. "We want hearing aid users to be able to enjoy the security and convenience of advanced digital wireless communications, just like everyone else," said James Tuthill, vice president and general counsel for Pacific Bell Mobile Services. "We are grateful for SHHH's assistance in helping us understand the needs of hearing aid users and test Ericsson's modified handsets. Hearing loss varies among individuals, and we believe that a range of solutions is needed to help hearing aid wearers use wireless phones. We expect that these new handsets will be a good first step in making our phones more usable for people who wear hearing aids." Ericsson and Pacific Bell Mobile Services will continue working on ways to reduce or eliminate interference. Other companies are also expected to develop means for enabling hearing aid wearers to use wireless phones without interference. Ericsson's 85,000 employees are active in more than 100 countries. Their combined expertise in switching, radio and networking makes Ericsson a world leader in telecommunications. Pacific Bell Mobile Services is the wireless subsidiary of Pacific Bell. Pacific Telesis Group, the parent company of Pacific Bell and PBMS, is a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco. -------------------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:13:25 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Web Publishing with HoTMetaL" by Jaworski BKWPHMTL.RVW 960523 "Web Publishing with HoTMetaL", James Jaworski, 1996, 0-7821-1691-4, 24.99 %A James Jaworski %C 2021 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501 %D 1996 %G 0-7821-1691-4 %I Sybex Computer Books %O 24.99 510-523-8233 800-227-2346 Fax: 510-523-2373 jjigarjian@sybex.com %P 325 %T "Web Publishing with HoTMetaL" HoTMetaL is a more professional HTML (HyperText Markup Language) editor than the simple page layout assistants. Therefore Jaworski's text carries more explanation than simply "push this button to get that tag". Each section introduces the concept and HTML before walking you through the keys and buttons for that specific markup. It doesn't replace a full HTML handbook, but it provides enough information to decipher an HTML file. While HoTMetaL relieves much of the tedium of marking up a Web page, it isn't WYSIWYG. Therefore, you need a browser to view your creations. The CD included with the book provides a browser--but not the one recommended or used for all the examples and screen shots. On second thought, this might be a good thing. It'll get young webmeisters used to the fact that not all browsers, or screen displays, are created equal. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKWPHMTL.RVW 960523. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. ============= Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca | "Remember, by the Institute for rslade@vanisl.decus.ca | rules of the game, I Research into Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/ | *must* lie. *Now* do User .fidonet.org | you believe me?" Security Canada V7K 2G6 | Margaret Atwood ------------------------------ From: gkarmi@qualcomm.com Subject: Overload / Congestion Question Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 18:55:25 -0700 Organization: QUALCOMM I'm interested in information on overload detection / processing algorithms in switches. Any references to algorithms and/or existing performance requirements would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, e-mail: gkarmi@qualcomm.com ------------------------------ From: starta@primenet.com (John Starta) Subject: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? Date: 25 Jun 1996 01:01:00 -0700 Organization: Primenet Services for the Internet I recently dropped my Motorola cellular phone and need to replace it. Obviously I already have service so I only need the phone itself. Are there companies (i.e., mail order) where I can purchase a new Motorola cellular phone at a reasonable price? john [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: One thing you might consider is that if you can drop out of your existing service without any penalty at this point (because you met any agreement you had with the carrier where the first phone is concerned) it would be perfectly legal to go to a dealer and get a new phone with a new one year contract or whatever is required to get the new phone for free or at some reduced price. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Jason Subject: Cellular vs Pager; Better Information Wanted Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 12:22:30 -0400 Organization: IBM I've just begun to look into purchasing either a cell phone, pager, or both and I'm surprised that real meaty and complete info is difficult to find. Questions like the following linger ... What is the battery life and discharge period for a pager? for a cell phone? (Under what conditions/mode?) I've heard stray comments about pagers available at various frequencies ... and that this may effect range and penetration. Where's the definitive info? Can the same pager handle both frequencies? Which penetrates better, a cell phone or pager? Is the penetration function on a cellphone different for initiating calls verses waiting for calls? Are cellphone/pager hybrids available? Attractive? I've heard of calling regions and local regions, etc. Why is it so hard to get info on what my local paging/cellular regions are? Why? ------------------------------ From: cyberoid@u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 25 Jun 1996 10:21:31 GMT Organization: University of Washington, Seattle In article , Sir Topham Hatt wrote: > John Hall (john@kodak.com) wrote: >> Now PCS is often described as having "mini-cells", compared to >> existing cellular services. That would mean more antennas would need >> to be built, but they would each cover a smaller area and so might not >> be so intrusive. > It's a blatent lie perpetrated by the local PCS industry. The towers > are in fact no smaller. I regullarly get to hear the local PCS scum > pleading their case for 100-200' monopoles in front of the county > planning commision. There are two phases to PCS expansion. The first, conveniently called "digital cellular," uses new digital technologies to replace or supple- ment existing analog cellular systems. The same tall masts are used for transmitters as before (or new ones are added). The second phase will use "microcell" technology, with much smaller basestations tucked away in all sorts of improbable spaces -- on roofs, in office windows, under the front stairs, wherever. The unsightly tall masts will now be replaced by other problems, like possible ambient EMF (non-ionizing radiation) right nearby. It's a good question whether these two phases represent the growth of the same technology or rather two technologies that will coexist and even compete with each other. Another good question might be not how "mini," but how "many": a recent estimate put the number of PCS microcell sites, in North America, in the year 2000, at one million. That's 250,000 basestations installed each year, or 5,000 a week, or 1,000 each work day, from here on out. The source was one of the major PCS service providers, so they should know. Believe it or not. Bob Jacobson ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 07:59:37 -0700 Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? John Hall said: > Here in the Rochester NY area, there have been recent cases where > suburban and rural residents have opposed the building of tall, > "unsightly" cellular antenna towers in their neighborhoods. > Now PCS is often described as having "mini-cells", compared to > existing cellular services. That would mean more antennas would need > to be built, but they would each cover a smaller area and so might not > be so intrusive. In the Tampa area, the GTE "telego" PCS system has been available for about a year. A friend who lives in Pasco County invested in one of the "TeleGo" phones and was rather disappointed. This phones is the combination "cordless"-like unit that behaves much like a cordless when it can contact it's basestation, or like a cellular when it is beyond the range of it's base. My friend's experience is that the coverage in south Pasco (which is about 20 miles from downtown Tampa) was very spotty, with poor voice quality and many dropped calls. Also, GTE only provides coverage within a limited area surrounding Tampa. In an area that has two major cellular carriers (GTE and AT&T), the past two years have seen a proliferation of cellular towers all over the Tampa area. At one particular site near the intersection of Interstates 4 and 75 (east of Tampa) there are no less than 4 cellular-like antennae within about a 4 square mile area. Two area obviously 800Mhz AMPS sites, the third is also of the cellular-like triangle design with antennae at each of the verticies, but the antennae are smaller than the typical AMPS design. The fourth tower was erected recently, and consists of an hexagon shaped rigging with a several very short antennae at each vertex. While I agree that competition is a good thing, I hate to think that competition in the cellular (more generic - wireless) market is going to mean more of these unsightly antennae structures dotting the landscape. There is already talk in numerous communities in the area to prohibit the construction of additional towers of this type -- in fact one community near Tampa successfully blocked the construction of a cellular tower some months ago. The carrier involved (who shall remain nameless), simply located the tower in an adjacent community -- a hundred yards away. Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ From: sjslavin@aol.com (SJSlavin) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 24 Jun 1996 20:58:17 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: sjslavin@aol.com (SJSlavin) First of all, there are variations. There is no one type. I have spec's from at least three major PCS licensees who are installing on our properties. Ours operate at a height (clearly the local terrain would affect this) of 150'. In two caes thay are on/in a building; a third rural location is adjacent to Hwy 99 in central Calif. on a 150' pole/tower. The antennae are boxes 9" wide, 5" deep, and 36" in ht. - they look like a church public address speaker. They are mounted in a radial pattern, circular if on a (150') pole, on the sides of the building in that case, and are rather unobstrusive in that installation. If covering a 360 degree pattern there are about 12; 3 facing toward each 1/4 sector. Steve Slavin, Sr. Regulatory Analyst San Ramon, CA 510-842-4757 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 13:33:53 -0800 From: stu@best.com (Stu Jeffery) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? hardiman@airmail.net (Lee Hardiman) said: > Here in the Dallas, TX area one of the Primeco is installing their PCS > towers in or on existing high voltage power line towers. The towers > look ugly but the basic structure was already present. I actually do > have one in my backyard. and hbaker@netcom.com (Henry Baker) said: > I've seen some 'mini' antennas that are mounted on cables strung between > telephone poles. The antenna & repeater looks about the same size as some > of the smaller transformers, except that they are mounted _between_ two > poles instead of on a pole. This sausage-looking thing also has perhaps > 2 short antennas sticking out of it. > I believe that the cable is actually part of a CATV cable TV system, and > the PCS 'borrows' some of the CATV channels. A High Tier system needs a high antenna location and high power (Macro Cells) if it is going to have a large radius cell; if your technology is inherently short range (Low Tier) then you can readily put the base stations on lamp post, telephone booths, etc. But if you are trying to do large area coverage, as is typical with High Tier, then you will need to get your antennae up in height to lower the path loss. For these larger radius cells you will want 100 to 150 foot towers, tall buildings, high voltage power towers, etc. Lee Hardiman describes Primco's installation. Primco has picked CDMA (IS-95) for their technology and I am sure they are planning on cell radius of two to ten miles, at least at first until they get some customers on their system. [All PCS -- and cellular systems -- are initially coverage limited. As an operator you dream for the day when you become capacity limited!] This is not to say that the High Tier won't also use want to use mini cells, as is common today with cellular. By installing mini cells at low heights, the High Tier operator can do cell splitting and get more capacity on his system. Henry Baker, in describing boxs on cable television, could be describing either a Low or High Tier System. [I suspect he is describing a CDMA base station, as most of the CATV operators who are deploying PCS are using CDMA. It works very well when there is a lot of signal contamination from multiple radiating cell sites in the same area. He also could be describing a PCS-1900, Omnipoint IS-661, PACS, or DECT. Some of these are High Tier and some are Low Tier.] While High Tier will use both Macro Cells and Mini Cells, this is not true for Low Tier. Low Tier will NOT use high towers and high power base station, because their technology can't work with one to three mile cell radius. This leads to the situation where the High Tier supports say their technology can do everything the Low Tier technology can do: a. run at lower power in high density areas; b. support a lot of users by cell splitting; while offering something the Low Tier can not do: a. offer vehicular mobility and large area coverage. Vehicular mobility is considered extremely important in the US and it is the key reason why most of the operators have selected a High Tier technology. Consumer acceptance of a Low Tier technology (in the US) is a giant unknown. However in some markets in the Far East it has been very successful. CT-2 proved very popular in Hong Kong and Singapore. It is now being deactivated in Hong Kong because -- from what I have heard -- of the technical limitations of CT-2. CT-2 will not support hand off between base station, you cannot call the subscriber -- the subscriber must call you. (They get around this problem by putting a pager in the phone. (You page the subscriber and he calls you back). CT-2 is going to be replaced by a more robust Low Tier technology -- PHS, PACS, or maybe DECT (or in Hong Kong maybe all of them!) In addition, PHS in Japan seems to be a roaring success. A report from the Asian Technology Information Program ( ATIP96.043m, 8 May 199) states that there are now 1,500,000 customers on PHS in Japan and a report from Comline Telecommunications Wire states that by year end 80% of the population in Japan will be covered by this service. Here in the US we are seeing an exciting situation unfold. The FCC has (or will grant) 120 MHz of PCS spectrum, allocated to six licenses. This is plenty of spectrum and both High Tier and Low Tier can be deployed. And in some markets both will be deployed. If you, as a consumer, are lucky enough to live in one of those cities, you will have an opportunity to chose either, or both, and find out for yourself which is best for you. Stu Jeffery Internet: stu@best.com 1072 Seena Ave. voice: 415-966-8199 Los Altos, CA. 94024 fax: 415-966-8456 ------------------------------ From: jimmy@denwa.info.com (Jim Gottlieb) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 25 Jun 1996 10:10:12 -0700 Organization: Info Connections, San Diego, California In article hbaker@netcom.com (Henry Baker) writes: > In Japan, one company mounts their PCS antennas on the tops of their > phone booths (which they own). Another has arranged to use Coca-Cola vending machines, which can be found nearly everywhere on the streets of Japan. These machines are labeled with a "Coke and Talk" sticker. Jim Gottlieb | E-Mail: jimmy@denwa.info.com | In Japan: jimmy@denwa.linc.or.jp V-Mail: +1 619 260 6912 | Fax: +1 619 558 1113 Snail: 2405 Juan Street, San Diego CA 92110-2805 USA My Home Page URL: http://www.info.com/~jimmy/ ------------------------------ From: jmcging@access.digex.net (John McGing) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 24 Jun 1996 22:49:39 -0400 Organization: Digital Express, Maryland Reply-To: jmcging@access.digex.net Geeze, after all this sturm and drang I'm more confused than ever. Sprint Spectrum is up and operating here in Balt/Wash. I can't tell what technology they use, but if it doesn't work in a car then they've certainly spent too much making sure that every major highway along with Skyline Drive is covered. jmcging@access.digex.net JOHN.PF on GEnie Team OS/2 http://www.access.digex.net/~jmcging ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 11:41:26 -0800 From: Marty Bose Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? > It's a blatent lie perpetrated by the local PCS industry. The towers > are in fact no smaller. I regullarly get to hear the local PCS scum > pleading their case for 100-200' monopoles in front of the county > planning commision. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at > odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment > here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps > get a resolution on the differences? PAT] Well, as someone working on the installation of a PCS CDMA network, I'd say the truth, as always, is somewhere in between. Although I have heard of big towers being put up in the midwest for some of the other MTA's, the monopoles that I'm responsible for range from a 30 foot "hiding" behind a tree near an airport to avoid FAA/FCC hassles to a max of 100 footers out in the boonies in a couple of places. Most of the ones in cities are in the 40-60 foot range. The base station equipment (we're using Lucent stuff) is a minimum of a pair of 30" x 30" by 6' cabinets on a pad; no huts needed, they're water- and bullet-proof. We usually leave room for a second radio cabinet for future expansion, plus a generator pad for backup. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 09:50:58 PDT From: erick@sac.AirTouch.COM (Eric Kammerer at Sac Net) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at > odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment > here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps > get a resolution on the differences? PAT] A lot of variables come into play with tower size/intrusiveness. The height required can vary significantly. Some sites may need to be about 40 feet high, some may need to be 200 feet high. A 40-foot height can easily be done on a wood pole (typical power poles are 60-feet high). A 200-foot tower is either a monopole, a self-supporting lattice, or a guyed lattice. None of those is very inconspicuous. Second issue: type of antenna. In the best case, an omnidirectional transmit and receive configuration can be used. This means two whip antennas, which could be mounted one above the other. Worst case, a fully sectored site, with a requirement for receive diversity antennas, and multiple transmit antennas. Now you're talking about a triangular platform about 15'feet on a side -- pretty annoying in your backyard. In some cases, the carrier may be able to mount antennas directly on the side of a building, which makes them a lot less intrusive. If you don't look for them, you probably won't see them. Some antennas have been installed to look like trees, others like parking lot lights. At least one has been built into a church steeple. The PCS equipment tends to be pretty small, usually no worse than your local electrical transformer or telephone enclosure for subscriber loop equipment. Some are even installed in underground vaults. So the basic answer is that PCS is no different than any other RF technology. The specific site requirements will determine the necessary site configuration. Eric Kammerer erick@sac.AirTouch.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #307 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jun 25 19:15:26 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id TAA02307; Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:15:26 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:15:26 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606252315.TAA02307@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #308 TELECOM Digest Tue, 25 Jun 96 19:15:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 308 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson ICSLP'96 Conference Update (Jim Polikoff) Multi Operators Numbering Plan Questions (Philippe Hanot) Telephones With Intercom For Home Use (Rakesh Mehta) Major CellTalk Update (Eric Litman) Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? (Steven D. Ligett) Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? (Ed Kelinhample) Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? (John Duksta) Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring (Ed Kleinhample) Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring (Jeff Brielmaier) Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring (John B. Rose) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Bill Newkirk) Re: Nationwide PRI Shortage (Barbara Nibling) Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access (Tony Pelliccio) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (John Cropper) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: polikoff@asel.udel.edu (Jim Polikoff) Subject: ICSLP'96 Conference Update Date: 25 Jun 1996 15:38:59 -0400 Organization: AI duPont Institute ICSLP 96 -- Update and Reminder Fourth International Conference on Spoken Language Processing October 3-6, 1996 Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel Philadelphia, PA, USA We would like to announce the availability of the preliminary program for ICSLP 96 on our WWW site at http://www.asel.udel.edu/icslp. This site will provide up-to-date listings of the full contents of the preliminary program and allow authors and prospective attendees to search the ICSLP 96 abstract database by content. Visitors may use this web site to locate the session assignments of papers and to read abstracts of papers accepted for presentation (if available in machine readable form). If you would like to receive a printed copy of the preliminary program, please email your full surface-mail address to ICSLP96@asel.udel.edu Please note that the deadline for early registration is July 1, 1996. The registration form and hotel accommodation information are available at the ICSLP 96 web site. The registration form (in postscript) can be copied, printed and returned by post with payment enclosed. If fees are to be paid by credit card, the form may also be returned by FAX. _____________Registration Information_____________________ Full registration includes: Admission to technical sessions, Reception, Banquet, Proceedings (printed & CD-ROM) Limited registration includes: Admission to technical sessions, Reception, Proceedings on CD-ROM Early Registration fees: Member* Non-Member Student Full $425 $525 $250 Limited $300 $400 $150 Late registration: After July 1, add $60 After August 9, add $100 Additional Tickets: Banquet $60 Reception $50 Additional Proceedings: Printed $125 CD-ROM $15 * Sponsoring and Cooperating Organizations: The Acoustical Society of America The Acoustical Society of Japan American Speech and Hearing Association Australian Speech Science and Technology Association European Speech Communication Association IEEE Signal Processing Society Incorporated Canadian Acoustical Association International Phonetic Association Linguistic Society of America ICSLP 96 A.I. duPont Institute P.O. Box 269 Wilmington, DE 19899 E-mail: ICSLP96@asel.udel.edu URL: http://www.asel.udel.edu/icslp Phone: +1-302-651-6830 Fax: +1-302-651-6895 ------------------------------ From: Philippe Hanot Subject: Multi Operators Numbering Plan Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 16:37:41 +0200 Organization: ALCATEL TELECOM I try to get a better understanding of numbering plans, in the case of a non monopolistic regulation. I think this is actually the case is the US, and explanations about how it works there could help. Here are some very basic questions: 1) Subscribers are connected to access networks provided by various suppliers (operators). Is there a way to infere the operator from a subscriber's phone number? (In other words is there a pattern in the numbering plan corresponding to the supplying operator?) 2) when two subscribers (say a and b) are connected to two different suppliers (say A and B) : can "a" dial directly "b" or does he/she need to get through some gateway (ie. calling B then dialing b)? 3) when various suppliers offer long distance calls, can a subscriber choose one and if yes how? e.g. let's consider that our "a" and "b" subscribers (see above) are connected through long distance that can be offered by operators D or C, how can "a" dial "b" telling he/she wants be routed via D or C? 4) If one can choose its supplier (Cf. 3) how services are charged and by whom? (one bill per operator or all charges are issued by the access operator?) TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I will try to answer your questions in the order presented. There are basically three types of networks in the USA: local, long distance, and cellular. The local networks are pretty much a monopoly held by one company in each geographic area and so if you have a phone number which consists of area code-exchange-four digit suffix you can infer the carrier where the local network is concerned since the area code and exchange identify a specific geographic area and for all intents and purposes at this time there is but one local carrier for each geographic area. There are exceptions where 'competitors' have started to operate in geographic areas which traditionally had been one telco in the past. Where long distance calls are concerned, there are at present several dozen carriers in the USA, consisting of what we call the Big Three, (i.e. AT&T, Sprint and MCI) and many, many smaller carriers. Each subscriber is free to choose from a number of these carriers for long- distance service, and nothing can be inferred from the phone number as can be done with the local network. In the case of cellular, there are generally two carriers in each area of the USA and the area code and prefix (that is, the first six digits of the phone number) allow one to infer the name of the cellular carrier since certain numbers are assigned to one, and other numbers to the other carrier. Regarding your second question, all connections are established in a transparent way to the subscriber. There are arrangements between carriers as to how they will handle the calls made by subscribers of other carriers, but this is of no concern to the subscriber who simply dials the desired number. In your third question, the answer would be that subscribers may choose whatever *long distance* carrier they desire. The operator of the local network (because all calls must begin with the local network on their way to the long distance network) acts as agent for the long distance carriers for routing/transit purposes and frequently as billing and collection agent for the long distance carriers as well. As a convenience to the subscriber, the one single long distance carrier of his choice -- the one he has indicated he is most likely to use for long distance calls -- is attached to his line on the local network by default. That is, he can make long distance calls and have them routed or handed to his carrier of choice without having to ask for this each time around. When he wants to make an exception to this and place a call over the network of some different carrier (than his usual one) he needs only to indicate this exception to his standing instructions by prefacing his call with the digits of the carrier he wishes to use. For example, MCI uses 10222, Sprint uses 10333, and AT&T uses 10288. You dial one of these sets of digits at the start of your call if you wish to use that carrier instead of the one which is normally (per your earlier request and standing instructions) handed your call by the local network. The answer to your final question is that both methods are common. It has been in the past that generally the local network operator was billing and collection agent for the long distance operators but in recent times many long distance carriers have begun doing their own billing and collection. Likewise in the past, all the long distance carriers would honor the credit arrangements made by the local carriers via calling cards, third-number billing, reverse charge calls, etc. Now this is not necessarily the case. I hope this answers your questions. I assume things are somewhat different in France. Thanks very much for writing me. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Rakesh Mehta Subject: Telephones With Intercom For Home Use Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 15:54:42 -0400 Organization: Voyager Information Networks, Inc. I'm looking for a telephone system that can be used in my house without having to rewire (existing two pair twisted). I need at least five phones (could use ten). I've heard that Panasonic makes one, but have no details. Any info would help. Thanks. ------------------------------ From: Eric Litman Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 16:19:38 -0400 Subject: Major CellTalk Update Reply-To: Eric_Litman@Viaduct.COM Organization: Viaduct, Inc. We have just finished a major overhaul of CellTalk, including addition of a new PCS carrier (VoiceStream), an overhaul of the FAQs, and regurlarly updated feature stories of various PCS interests. To check out CellTalk, point your browser to: http://www.celltalk.com/ As new PCS carriers offer service throughout the US, we'll add them to the carriers section of the site. Eric A. Litman, CEO, Viaduct, Inc. http://www.viaduct.com/ Internet security and commerce consulting. PCS: (301) 254-0200 ------------------------------ From: Steven.D.Ligett@Dartmouth.EDU (Steven D. Ligett) Subject: Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? Date: 25 Jun 1996 13:26:29 GMT Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH In article Bob Baxter writes: > There are two incoming lines to a Data General computer. On each line > is a Multitech modem. Starting last week, the modem on line one was not > picking up calls. The TD and RD lights would flicker, but the modem > would not pick up. Did you recently download and flash your modems with the new firmware? We've had several Multitech modems fail as you discribed soon after flashing them (not a large percentage -- we have about 200 Multitech modems.) ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 07:59:32 -0700 Subject: Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? Bob Baxter writes: > We placed the second modem on line one, and we were able to dial in > once. Subsequent retries resulted in a ring/no answer. I had NYNEX > in to check the quality of both lines, which passed with flying > colors. The modem from line one was pulled off again, and > reprogrammed to pick up on the third ring. Calls to the first line > were still not being picked up. It sounds to me like the modem is not being set up correctly - i.e. not correctly setting the behavior of the CTS or DCD line to the host computer (this hypothesis based completely on a similar problem that I encountered on a Linux-based system that I have been working on). When you switched modems, did you take the modem connected to PORT 2 and LINE 2 and move it to PORT 1 and LINE 1 -- if so then you are probably looking at a modem setup problem -- check the software on the host that sets up the first modem port -- look at the hayes "AT" commands sent to the modem (if this is a UNIX-like system, these are probably in your /etc/default directory). Try simply flipping the phone line connections (don't change the DTE-DCE cabling to the modems), and then check if modem 2 will answer a call placed to line 1. Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ From: John Duksta Subject: Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:24:37 -0400 Organization: Xyplex Bob Baxter wrote: > At this point, I'm not sure where the problem is. A phone attached to > the modem line rings. A third modem hooked up to line one does not > pick up. Are there any conditions where a telephone line would test > okay, and sound fine, but still be incompatible with the modems? Is the DG asserting DTR to the modem? The modem could be set to Auto-Answer, but if it is not seeing DTR from the DG, it most likely will not pick up the call. You should be able to see DTR on the front panel lights of the modem. If not, invest in an RS-232 breakout box, they're incredibly helpful. John C.C. Duksta | email: jduksta@xyplex.com New Products Introduction Engineer | phone: 508/952-5614 Whittaker Xyplex, Littleton, MA | fax: 508/952-4880 ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1996 07:59:23 -0700 Subject: Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring sbsmith@megahits.com writes: > I'm struggling with trying to setup two internal modems to monitor two > separate phone lines both with voice/fax incomming. I can't seem to > differentiate the IRQ for COM1 and 3 or COM2 and 4. Someone has > suggested a DIGI board with external modems but I'm looking for the > cheapest functional soultion. I have a Robotics 28.8 voice/fax > internal and a Motorola 14.4 voice/fax internal and I'm running Windows > 95. After I solve the hardware problems, then I have the software > issues. I thought of running two different fax/voice monitoring > packages (Quicklink and WinFAX Pro) -- one for each modem. Your problem is likely the sharing of interrupts between devices. The PC-standard scheme of sharing interrupt levels for two ports worked (relatively) well in the single-tasking world of DOS, but when Windows (which simulates multi-tasking) entered the picture, things got more complex. It is common for COM1 and COM3 to share interrupt level 4 (similarly COM2 and COM4 share interrupt level 3). This will behave most of the time IF you have a slower device on one or both of the ports (i.e. serial printer or a slow (9600bps or less) modem. Try putting two 28.8kpbs modems or a 28.8 modem and a printer feeding at 38.4k, and problems will occur. The simplest solution is don't try to use COM3 for your second modem - put it on COM2. If this isn't practical, you will probably have to change the interrupt level of your COM3 modem -- most internal modems have jumpers that define the port interrupt. If you are running on a 286 or higher PC, you should be able to switch to interrupt level 5 (commonly used for secondary printer ports). You will of course have to adjust your software to account for this change. This shouldn't be a problem with most Windows-based software. I run a Linux-based system with two dial-in lines and two local serial terminals. When I first installed the modems (on COM3 and COM4), the system would run for a few minutes and then shut down the GETTYs for the COM1 and COM2 ports (the terminals) a look at the syslog showed numerous RX overruns on these ports - probably caused by the system trying to receive from two devices on the same interrupt. My solution to the problem was to remap the interrupts of the modems - COM3 went to level 5 and COM4 went to level 7 (note that the printer port interrupts are rarely used unless you have some bidirectional device connected to your parallel printer port -- an external tape drive or hard drive). The system has worked perfectly since this change. Good luck, Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring From: jeff.brielmaier@yob.com (Jeff Brielmaier) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 04:32:00 -0600 Organization: Ye Olde Bailey BBS - Houston, TX - 713-520-1569 Reply-To: jeff.brielmaier@yob.com (Jeff Brielmaier) > I'm struggling with trying to setup two internal modems to monitor two > separate phone lines both with voice/fax incomming. I can't seem to > differentiate the IRQ for COM1 and 3 or COM2 and 4. Someone has > suggested a DIGI board with external modems but I'm looking for the > cheapest functional soultion. I have a Robotics 28.8 voice/fax > internal and a Motorola 14.4 voice/fax internal and I'm running Windows > 95. After I solve the hardware problems, then I have the software > issues. I thought of running two different fax/voice monitoring > packages (Quicklink and WinFAX Pro) -- one for each modem. If you are running unders Windows, Goto Control_Panel/Ports and set the port address/IRQ to what your hardware is using. If addition, you will probably want the verify the "Flow Control" setting for the ports is set to 'Hardware'. Hopefully, one (or both) of your internal modems allow to choose the IRQ to use because Windows does not like to share IRQ between multiple devices. Ye Olde Bailey BBS Zyxel 713-520-1569(V.32bis) USR 713-520-9566(V.34/FC) Houston,Texas yob.com Home of alt.cosuard ------------------------------ From: cables@hamptons.com (John B. Rose) Subject: Re: Two Line Voice/Fax Monitoring Date: 25 Jun 1996 01:12:15 GMT Organization: Rose Business Systems Inc. Reply-To: cables@hamptons.com (John B. Rose) In , sbsmith@megahits.com writes: > I can't seem to differentiate the IRQ for COM1 and 3 or COM2 and 4. COM1 and COM3 come wired to IRQ4. COM2 and COM4 come wired to IRQ3. Windows hates that. You should grab an unassigned IRQ for COM3 or COM4. Try IRQ 5. Or, if you're willing to disable your printer, IRQ 7. Unfortunately, most modems won't let you assign an IRQ number above 7. > I thought of running two different fax/voice monitoring packages > (Quicklink and WinFAX Pro) -- one for each modem. Did you try installing two copies of WinFAX in separate directories? JBR ------------------------------ From: Bill Newkirk Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 15:37:28 -0400 Organization: General Aviation Publications Osman Rich (sic) wrote: > The fact is that these installations are needed to provide economical > coverage of an area. Many are present that you never notice because > they are very effectively camouflaged when that is possible. They are > necessary to provide service, just like overhead high voltage lines..... I've been telling people that the rules for such structures are: 1) It's got to be safe and sound. 2) It's got to work properly. And after you have an installation design that is safe and works then we can worry about "pretty". There's a lot of houses that weren't very safe or sound during Andrew a couple of years ago ... but before the storm they sure were pretty ... Regards, bill newkirk wnewkirk@iu.net wenewkirk@rodes.cca.rockwell.com ------------------------------ From: Barbara Nibling Subject: Re: Nationwide PRI Shortage Date: 22 Jun 1996 01:48:01 GMT Organization: GTE Intelligent Network Services, GTE INS kph@cisco.com (Kevin Paul Herbert) wrote: > In article , stephen@clark.net > (Stephen Balbach) wrote: >> Is this true? Are PRI's really that hard to get in other parts of the >> country? I look forward to hearing of others experiences, thanks. > My Sprint salesrep told me that there is an industry-wide shortage of > PRI interfaces for the DMS250. I have no information on other switches, > however. For Lucent Technology's 5ESS, the PRI circuit is identical to Eas/Toll circuits. A packet handler is required for the D channel of the PRI, but certainly there is no chortage of packet handlers. The difficulty comes when the telco must either order all new digital trunk units to satisfy the need for PRI, or retrofit existing digital trunk units with packet handlers, which also requires a "loaded" configuration on the switching module because of the application. Telcos are somewhat reluctant to retrofit older switching modules and therefore requests for PRI are frequently given a fairly long due date. Lucent's 1AESS is hopelessly expensive to attempt to retrofit. For Nortel's DMS-100 or 100/200, a complete change-out of circuit is required, an expensive proposition to say the least. Nortel has been accommodating with come telcos in offering to "trade out" new PRI circuits for older circuits, a "trade out" which does involve some capital on the part of the Telco. At the end, the Telco is left with the prospect of providing service to a PRI customer, offering 64 KB clear channel, but potentially few network facilities which are capable of carrying the signal. The majority of routes do not have the correct transmission equipment to pass the 64 KB signal; therefore, routes to major IXCx were planned first, since it was presumed most PRI calls would be traveling inter-LATA toll. It may be more accurate say that there is not only a nationwide PRI shortage but also a network shortage of 64 KB capable routes. Barbara Nibling bnibling@gte.net ------------------------------ From: kd1nr@anomaly.ideamation.com (Tony Pelliccio) Subject: Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access Date: 25 Jun 1996 14:30:25 -0400 Organization: Ideamation, Inc. In article , Stephen Satchell wrote: > Most of the RBOCs have been screaming for years that modem usage screws up > their message traffic models, and as a consequence the cost of providing > telephone service is increased because of us people who stay connected for > hours or even days at a time. BellSouth has even made a formal statement > that Internet access pricing is going to have to be measured service in > order to reduce the abuses. ISDN data rates are surcharged in many areas > just for this reason. Ahem - the switch can handle it just as well as it can handle voice calls. The only reason the RBOC's have griped is because they couldn't figure out an easy way to make money off it. I for one am so happy that competition is finally coming around to bite companies like Nynex in the hindquarters. > I propose a shared-access leased-line service for Internet access which > does *not* guarantee 100 percent availability, and guarantees 4000 bps > (that's right, four thousand bits per second) transfer rate in the worst > case. The only thing the customer would "own" is the access box (nothing > more than a simple router with 10 base T connector for the user's > computers) and the first link from the house or business to a > concentrator. From the concentrator on, the equipment is shared all the > way to the point of presence for the Internet backbone provider. This is what some cable companies are already doing. For example, here in Rhode Island our local cable company is going gangbusters at upgrading their network to handle high speed shared data and telephone services. That company is Cox Communications and the system they're building belonged to Dimension Cable a few years ago. Dimension anticipated the breakdown of the telecom barriers and started building up a mostly fiber based network. Not to mention improving customer services to the point where they were knowledgeable and available at the most convenient times for the customer. At the rate we're going I see gray skies ahead for Nynex. Yipppeee! Tony Pelliccio, KD1NR As offensive as I wanna be. kd1nr@anomaly.ideamation.com ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship Date: 25 Jun 1996 20:25:56 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA On Jun 24, 1996 23.14.13 in article , 'aardvark@ni.net (David Whiteman)' wrote: > The call still failed, so I called 1 800 MARISAT and got the same > operator. He reconfirmed the seven digit fax number for the ship, and > then asked me whether I was sure that the ship was in the Pacific > Ocean. I told him that it was an Alaskan cruise -- guess what, my > geography lessons to date have been wrong -- Alaska is in the Indian > Ocean. I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: How could the water around Alaska be > considered part of the Indian Ocean? To the south/southwest of the > Alaska coast would surely be the Pacific Ocean; what about the water > off the north/northwest coast, in the Arctic region? How could the > Indian Ocean possibly fit into this? I guess my geography knowledge > must be poor also. PAT] Alaska may border the Pacific, but with the expanse of it (the Pacific) as well as what was already assigned there, it may have been easier to group it with the Indian Ocean with respect to routing. Who knows for sure? Maybe there _is_ something fundamentally wrong with the planet after all... :-) John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It occurred to me after I wrote the earlier note that perhaps the vessle was *registered* or normally on duty in the Indian Ocean and that this voyage near Alaska was a special situation, with the vessle to be returning soon to its normal place or port. It would be understandable if they did not want to change the phone numbers and radio equipment, for the one special voyage out of its regular territory -- if that is the reason. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #308 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jun 25 20:58:08 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id UAA11413; Tue, 25 Jun 1996 20:58:08 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 20:58:08 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606260058.UAA11413@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #309 TELECOM Digest Tue, 25 Jun 96 20:57:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 309 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Whitewater Report: Coverup and Sprint Phone Records (Steve Hancock) Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (Phil Stanley) Re: Phone/Internet Service To/From Bosnia (Lars Poulsen) Re: Question Concerning Protocols (Lars Poulsen) Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users (turmoil@animal.blarg.net) Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users (David Crowe) Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users (Thomas Tonino) Re: Phone History Question (73114.3146@compuserve.com) Re: Phone History Question (Wes Leatherock) Re: Routing on ISDN With Windows NT (John N. Dreystadt) Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' (John Dearing) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: steveh@nntp1.best.com (Steve Hancock) Subject: Whitewater Report: Coverup and Sprint Phone Records Date: 25 Jun 1996 01:56:34 GMT Organization: Best Internet Communications [ Article crossposted from alt.current-events.clinton.whitewater ] [ Author was Max Kennedy ] [ Posted on Thu, 20 Jun 1996 05:18:34 GMT ] An example: [...] After additional inquiries, the Special Committee discovered that the White House was mistaken. Sprint indeed retained some records of individual telephone calls placed through the White House switchboard. The Special Committee thus issued a subpoena on November 20, 1995, to obtain such records and was initially advised that the records reflected the destination number to which a telephone call was placed, but not the extension in the White House from which the call originated. Sprint subsequently advised that its records only reflect the first six digits of the destination number, that is, the area code and prefix, and not the last four digits of the destination number. Because the Governor's mansion does not have an exclusive prefix, it is not possible to determine from the records produced by Sprint to the Special Committee when Ms. Dickey placed the phone call. ------------------------- (Note inserted by writer of above message) Are these guys seriously trying to tell me that they did NOT create a list of ALL calls going out of the White House that night, and narrow it down by exhaustion? This is just playing games. Or incompetence. I assume of course they have the phone number that the troopers claim the call came IN to. On the other hand, I don't see it in the report. If I had it, *I*d do the work. PLEASE. -------------------------- (Original text continues) After further inquiry by the Special Committee, however, the White House advised that "[w]e have confirmed that a call to Ms. Dickey's father's telephone number in Georgia was made at 10:06 p.m. on July 20, 1993, from one of the private lines in the Residence." Ms. Dickey testified that she called her father before calling the Arkansas Governor's mansion. Ms. Dickey also denied that she told the troopers that Vincent Foster had gone to his car in the parking lot and shot himself in the head. According to Ms. Dickey: "That's absolutely not true ... I never heard that, I never would have said that because that's not the facts as I knew them at that time. I'm absolutely positive of the timing of this." ----------------- [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Anyone besides me notice the many similarities between Whitewater and Watergate which was now some 22 years ago when Tricky Dick was president? Back then, a third rate burglary which was covered up caused Nixon to resign on the day before Congress planned to impeach him. Although Watergate was in the news all the time, it never did come to a boil until after Tricky got re-elected; the stink finally forced him to resign with the presidency held in trust by Mr. Rockefeller until the next election because the vice-president -- Agnew, that other crook who had been Governor of Maryland and wound up going to prison -- had already been run out of office. The Democrats made such a fuss about getting Tricky put out to pasture at the very least, and sent to prison as the optimal solution. Now notice this time around the Democrats are being very quiet as things become more and more grim for the resident president now in power and her husband. A third rate burglary back then and who cares about a few shady deals in an Arkansas bank and law firm a dozen or more years ago ... pull the old Watergate clippings and look at the similarities in the things Tricky said and the way he tried to worm out of his role in the mess, and compare those statements with things the Clintons have said. Word for word, phrase for phrase, this is almost an exact reply of 1972-74. Those old tape recordings of Nixon's came back to haunt him forever; now watch the telco billing records do the same for the Clintons. Note how an 'accidental erasure' on the tape left several minutes of the most critical part unavailable in Nixon's case; this time around, some incomplete telephone billing records cause some unanswered questions. It is almost unheard of for a seated president not to be offered his party's nomination for re-election, but in my opinion the Democrats would be wise find someone else to run in November so that they don't lose in the event Whitewater boils over completely sometime around the end of October. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Phil Stanley Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:27:05 GMT Organization: MagicNet, Inc. Reply-To: travlr@magicnet.net Tad Cook wrote: > Long Distance Phone Companies Vie for Customers; It Pays to Review the Plans > By John Finotti, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville > Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News > Don't pick up that phone -- not just yet anyway. > Even you dyed-in-the-wool AT&T customers-for-life may be able to save > money by reviewing your phone usage and matching it with the AT&T plan > that best suits your calling needs. If AT&T really wanted to keep their customers, they would insure that they received the best plan. Has an AT&T representative ever called to ask if you would like to review you plan and compare to other plans they may have? Don't think so! You will only hear from them after you switch. > And there is certainly a switching frenzy going on. I know one company that has gained over 300,000 customers a month for the past three months. By the end of the year, they will be the number three carrier. You will then hear Wall Street and everyone else refer to them as the Big Four. > In response to the switching craze that has been sweeping the country > over the past few years, Sprint offered the first "commitment plan." Make sure you read the fine print! You may be signing a long term commitment which is a big mistake. Once they have you, what would keep them from raising your rates! > The first thing you need to know is that a calling plan -- any calling > plan -- will save you money. Yes, check out http://www.comparison.com/ > Customers not currently in a plan are paying basic rates, and wasting > money, said Jill Straus, a spokeswoman for the Telecommunications > Research & Action Center, a non-profit group based in Washington, D.C. > "It's the same as walking into a car dealer and paying the sticker > price for a car," Straus said. > Moreover, basic rates are continuing to rise. Earlier this year, the Big Three all raised their rates. My discount long distance service did not. People should take a look at the discount companies. They have the same quality but usually better rates. > They're up about 17 percent over the past two years, according to > Consumer Reports. > Calling plans offer discounts of 10 percent to 30 percent off a phone > company's basic rates. My company offers up to 54% off AT&T rates. It use to be 50% but, as I said earlier, the Big Three raised there rates therefore, producing a higher discount. > Additionally, the so-called Big Three -- AT&T, MCI and Sprint -- each > offer a programs that provide extra discounts to customers in the form > of reward "points" based on the amount of usage. You also may need to hire an accountant to see if you are getting what you are suppose to be. > The Big Three control about 83 percent of the long-distance market, > according to the FCC. Not for long. As you said, the battle is just beginning! And the company most likely to gain the most market share will not be AT&T, MCI or Sprint! > consumer advocates say you should be sure to ask what incentives the > company is offering. > For example, some companies have been offering as much as $75 to > customers who switch, Straus said. I was offered $100 by AT&T but still said no thanks! The savings was only for six months and then wammo! > Also, make sure that by signing up for any bonuses, you are not > precluded from joining the calling plan of your choice. Also make sure you aren't commiting to a singe or multi-year contract too! > One thing you can count on: your phone probably will be ringing off > the hook as long-distance companies try to get your business. Yes, but you will most likely receive a call from a friend or relative who has joined the fastest growing Long Distance Company in America as one of their Independent Representatives. Yes, thats right! Excel Telecommunications is moving up very fast. From the #11 residential long distance carrier last year to #4 right now! If they visit you, don't turn down the offer to save you money! They have a great service with great rates and its free to switch. They also give you 90 day guarentee plus other incentives! > "The competition in long-distance will heat up within the next year," > Atlantic-ACM's Smith said. Yes indeed! It's going to be smashing!!!! [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ummm, with all the glowing things you have to say about Excel, I wonder if you would care to comment on the FCC action taken against them recently due to slamming of customers? Anyone could go from number eleven to number four if they did not bother to get the permission of the people they switched over! I am surprised Excel is not in first or second place! And here are a few more exclamation points to match all of yours!!!!!!!! PAT] ------------------------------ From: lars@anchor.RNS.COM (Lars Poulsen) Subject: Re: Phone/Internet Service To/From Bosnia Date: 24 Jun 1996 18:04:17 -0700 Organization: RNS / Meret Communications In article robert@manta.nosc.mil (Robert M. Anderson) writes: > Is there an Internet provider that service Sarajevo or anywhere else > in Bosnia (if so, they can talk by email). (1) I would be very surprised if the military did not provide Internet service (or at least e-mail) to the troops. Since they need the network hookup for administrative traffic, anyway, it would seem to be fairly easy to provide personal access. (2) At a workshop in Poland last fall, I talked to an American living in Germany who spent most of his time traveling around the former Yoguslavia to set up BBS systems for public access; generally in the public libraries. This allowed those still in the war zone to exchange e-mail with friends and family members on the other side of the front line as well as in refugee camps throughout Germany and Scandinavia. Since telephone traffic between the Balkan republics was severely restricted, the UUCP mailhub was in Germany. He told many great stories about how to deal with rationed electricity: Running the PCs off UPS's built out of truck batteries, recharged whenever electricity was available. While this latter service is clearly of great humanitarian value, I suspect that the military authorities would frown on soldiers making use of it. This service - as well as the workshop in Warzaw -- is heavily subsidized by the Soros Foundation and its Open Society Foundations. For more information on the Soros Foundations, see "www.soros.org". Lars Poulsen Internet E-mail: lars@RNS.COM RNS / Meret Communications Phone: +1-805-562-3158 7402 Hollister Avenue Telefax: +1-805-968-8256 Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Internets: designed and built while you wait ------------------------------ From: lars@anchor.RNS.COM (Lars Poulsen) Subject: Re: Question Concerning Protocols Date: 24 Jun 1996 18:13:24 -0700 Organization: RNS / Meret Communications In article Naima Benmansour writes: > I would be very grateful if you could tell me what is the difference > between X.21 and V.35 telecommunication interfaces. Does the V.35 > protocol offer more transmission security than X.21? V.35 and X.21 are both electrical interface specifications. V.35 is intended for use on data ports from 56000 bits per second to 2,048,000 bits per second. The data and clock signals are differential with a voltage swing of +-0.5V peak-to-peak. The ITU has declared V.35 to be obsolete, but it is still widely used in the USA. A rectangular connector, about 25 mm x 40 mm is conventionally used. X.21 is intended for similar applications. Signalling is differential, +-5V pp. In Europe, X.21 has been widely used, both for leased point- to-point circuits, and for circuit switched data networks such as the German Datex-L. In the circuit-switched configuration, a call setup signalling was used, ubnlike anything I have ever seen elsewhere. For a variety of reasons, the circuit switched networks are disappearing. The leased-line version can be described as a subset of RS-422 with a D-15 connector. I fail to see how security enters into this picture. Lars Poulsen Internet E-mail: lars@RNS.COM RNS / Meret Communications Phone: +1-805-562-3158 7402 Hollister Avenue Telefax: +1-805-968-8256 Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Internets: designed and built while you wait ------------------------------ From: turmoil@animal.blarg.net (Turmoil) Subject: Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users Date: 24 Jun 1996 18:34:37 -0700 Organization: A Red Hat Commercial Linux Site There is a website at www.xypoint.com that presents some related information. tim turmoil's seattle music web http://www.blarg.net/~turmoil ------------------------------ From: David Crowe Subject: Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:24:30 GMT Organization: Cellular Networking Perspectives Ltd. Reply-To: crowed@cadvision.com John, It is hoped that it will be possible to determine the location of a mobile within 125 meters, without modifying phones. In fact, that is a basic assumption of the standardization work. There is quite a bit of work going on in this area. However, even given this, the costs could still be fairly high for updating systems with new equipment that might have to be installed in all cellsites. On the other hand, if something like triangulation were to prove sufficient, minimal new hardware would be required. Regards, David Crowe, Wireless Standards Consultant ------------------------------ From: ttonino@bio.vu.nl (Thomas Tonino) Subject: Re: 911 Locator for Cellular Users Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 18:23:12 +0200 Maybe it is done through the timing of some signal. I believe that for GSM, people talk of 15 meters accuracy of location. This would be relatively easy with the phse-locked nature of a GSM network, by keeping track of the exact timing. An analog network would be harder I guess, but not impossible to derive the exact timing of some signalling tone. Thomas ------------------------------ From: Jim in San Francisco <73114.3146@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: Phone History Question Date: 25 Jun 1996 06:05:48 GMT Organization: CompuServe, Inc. (1-800-689-0736) I don't remember seeing modular telephones until about 1976 or so, and even then, only in Bell System areas. I once had a fully-modular WE 2500 set that had all of its parts marked with a manufacturing date of 11/73, indicating that it may have been brand-new and not reconditioned. The area I lived in during the 1970's was served by GTE. Their equipment was still hard-wired at the time. They did use alot of four-prong, which seemed to be mainly in new apartments and houses. I don't recall seeing any GTE modular telephones until 1978, and even then they were modular only on the line cord. I remember my mother ordering pushbutton sets, but when the installer came out, he brought rotary-dial ones instead. (He explained that the area we were in was not set up for them yet.) We also didn't have DDD until about 1976. I remember dialing "120" until 1976, and then having 1-plus DDD with an operator intercept to complete calls between '76-'79. God, how did we live back then? ------------------------------ From: wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com (Wes Leatherock) Subject: Re: Phone History Question Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 01:22:55 GMT John Shriver wrote: [ ... text deleted ... ] > Of course, back when you rented a phone, you probably also had to pay > extra every month for every non-hardwired phone. The "portable" phone > was a billable feature. (However, a long cord on a phone was a > one-time charge.) Again someone is assuming all the Bell LECs followed the same rules. In Southwestern Bell territory (at least in the states I'm familiar with) a long cord carried a monthly charge. The theory behind that was that they were much more likely to be damaged (as by someone tripping over them) and so would generate many repair visits. > That's why plugs and long cords are unusual to find on old pre-modular > phones. You usually find the short three foot cord with three spade > lugs (red, green, yellow). > By the way, before the one-peice phones (302), the jack went between > the desk set (20, 40, 50, 150, 102, or 202) and bell box (534, 584). > A given home was NOT to be wired with a mix of 302's and the older > type phones on phone jacks, as the wiring of jacks for these different > applications were quite incompatible. And, as has been noted, if all your phones were portable, you were required to have a separate ringer in the house so that the phone line would ring even if the phone was not plugged in anywhere. (That was when the tariff did not permit you to disconnect or disable the ringer on all the telephones on a line.) Wes Leatherock wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu ------------------------------ From: johnd@mail.ic.net (John N. Dreystadt) Subject: Re: Routing on ISDN With Windows NT Date: 25 Jun 1996 03:11:35 GMT Organization: Software Services In article , Gill.Ruidant@gate71. be says: > I'm searching a solution to replace an access router (CISCO 2511 for > example) by a software solution on Windows NT. It is possible with a > com port card with eight ports, a terminal adapter and a software ... > but wich software? Can somebody give me more informations on this > subject? NT Server can act as a low end router for TCP/IP. I do not recommend it for reasons explained below. But how to do it? 1. Be sure you are using NT Server 3.51. 2. Make sure your card is on the HCL (hardware compatibility list) or that you have checked that the card vendor has an NT driver and you trust them to take the card back when (not if) it doesn't work. 3. In the Network icon in the control panel, go to advanced options and make sure that the IP forwarding option is turned on. If this is not turned on, the Server will listen and send packets but will not forward between interfaces. 4. Configure IP addresses and subnet masks on each interface. Note that on the advanced options window, the interface is selected by using a drop down (my memory suggests near the top of the window). 5. Configure only one default route on only one interface. 6. If you need additional routes, use the "route -p add" option from the command line (a.k.a. msdos in the main menu) to add persistent routes. If you forget the -p, the routes will fade away during the next reboot. What's wrong with NT 3.51 as a router? 1. Routing is static. No support for RIP, BGP, or anything similar. I believe that some support is coming in 4.0 which is in beta. 2. Limited support for hardware options. Few cards are supported and some of the hardware folks are shipping drivers that are less than beta quality (at least some of the async people, I have no personal experience of the ISDN cards). 3. Poor support for administration. Not horrible, but poor. NT is a file and application server, not a router. My personal opinions, your mileage may vary. John Dreystadt ------------------------------ From: jdearing@netaxs.com (John Dearing) Subject: Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' Date: 25 Jun 1996 17:13:10 GMT Organization: Philadelphia's Complete Internet Provider Tom Graham (tgraham@internetmci.com) banged upon his keyboard thusly: > Hi -- I am trying to remember what "iky pic" is cable slang for. > "Pic" is "plastic insulated cable"? And, "iky" is the jelly that > water proofs the cable? Been too long since I worked for WE at the > Hawthorne Works; any of you Pioneers out there give me the real story > here? Yep, that's it. "Icky PIC" is installer-speak for Gel-filled PIC cable. This type of cable is typically used in direct buried applications (like a new housing development with all underground facilities). The "icky" part keeps water and moisture out (up to a limit of course). It **REALLY** is "icky" to work with. The gel gets all over everything and is a hard job to remove. Many splicers have a separate set of hand tools (cutters, pliers, knife, etc...) just for "icky pic" work and will use latex gloves while working on it. Just my $.02 John jdearing@netaxs.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #309 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jun 25 23:02:22 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id XAA22829; Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:02:22 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:02:22 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606260302.XAA22829@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #310 TELECOM Digest Tue, 25 Jun 96 23:02:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 310 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson How Do I Get Technical Support From USR? (Jerry Tenenbaum) Re: Arrogant Internet Providers (Fred Atkinson) Re: Arrogant Internet Providers (Robert Casey) PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone (David Yewell) Re: International 800 Numbers (Judith Oppenheimer) Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers (Robert Casey) Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers (Stan Brown) Re: It Ain't Like it Used to Be (Stan Schwartz) Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail (Richard Shockey) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jetcon@astral.magic.ca (Jerry Tenenbaum) Subject: How do I Get Technical Support From USR? Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:56:23 -0400 Organization: JetCon Systems Last October (1995) based on problems with some US Robotics Sportster 14.4 kbit/s modems (more on this later) I "convinced" the Canadian distributor Keating Technology to loan me a pair of Sportster 28.8 kbit/s modems. The application is a "host" end of an AppleTalk Remote Access (ARA) connection supporting a user community of mixed modems (Apple ExpressModem , Global Village PowerPort, Supra and USR, almost all 14.4 kbit/s) After several attempts I was able to access the ARA script for the 28.8 and I found that I had the same problem with the 28.8 that I had with the 14.4 Sportster. The problem can best be described as follows (Sorry no sound clip): - the calling modem (must be a 14.4) acquires dial tone and dials the number (always DTMF). - the remote line rings once and the modem answers the call. - on the speaker of the calling party is heard: * the initial answer back tone (a pure tone with a bit of a bum, bum, bum to it); * the normal rushing tone (shuuuuuh aproximatly two seconds); * then it goes to a pure tone again (with no beat to it). This pure tone goes on forever (well that is a bit of an exaggeration since ARA times out after a while). Well you are probably saying to yourself by now "replace the defective modem and get on with life." Well the first problem with that is that it does not always happen, it occurs approximately 50% of the time. And here are some additional facts: - both 28.8 evaluation modems exhibit the exact same problem; - a third loaner with the new 33.6 code from USR also exhibited the same problem; - The called "host" modem at one point was a 14.4 Sportster which exhibited the same problem. The 14.4 was replaced 3 times, same problem with all; - The calling modems are a mixture of local and long distance calls. All can see the problem, however the worst problems are seen for users calling long distance from about 30 miles away; - the problem appears to be "triggered" by placing a non-modem call (i.e. a wrong number) and then hanging up after listening to the answer back tone for several seconds, but, it can also happen without this trigger (in other words who knows what causes it?); - the problems can be reproduced when the local loop is: * normal telephone lines both standard and data conditioned six different ones at the host; * Basic rate ISDN using both Northern Telecom and Motorola TAs. - The data loops have been tested by the telco for frequency response (they are unloaded) and there is no significant bridge tap. The switches in Canada are all typically DMS-100; - When the host modem is a Supra 14.4 or a Motorola 28.8 absolutely no problems are seen from anywhere; - The host modems and PCs have been both from normal AC and UPS sources; - The host platform has been a Mac IIcx, a Centris 650 and a PowerPC 7500 (no difference); - The problem is seen on all versions of ARA (currently 2.01); - The ARA script has been replaced with virgin copies from different Stuffit archives uploaded from different sources; - All long distance calls were made using PCM facilities with various carriers (but the problem can be seen in and out of the same central office as well); Now even more facts: - The problem can be seen calling into the CompuServe hunt group in Toronto using CIM; - The problem was seen on four consecutive calls to a BBS recommended by Keating Technology as a showcase account; - The problem is also seen intermittently by a network control center calling from a USR PC internal modem to remote devices; - Calling in to the 28.8 with ARA and a no-name 28.8 I see consistently lower connect speeds than with a Motorola Lifestyle (backed up with throughput tests - i.e. file copies using both FirstClass and the Mac Finder). Keating Technology technical support has been no help and their managers keep on repeating words to the effect that technology is not perfect (so why do Motorola and Supra work then??) I have been asking since November (1995) for senior technical support at USR to call me with no success. Note also that most of the people who used these lines did not even ask what my real problem was. With the 14.4 USR modem, technical support just shook their head and gave me RMA numbers. And now my questions: 1. USR and their distributor quote me their sales figures, the lab test results from their ads and attaches the line that "no one else is reporting the problem." Is it REALLY true that none of YOU have seen this? 2. How do I get the attention of a high level technical support person (I have already talked to level 1 and 2 at USR and All possible levels at Keating Technology) or someone who will really look in to my problem rather than quoting me marketing hype? Management at Keating is unable or unwilling to put me in touch with them. 3. Is there a test I missed to isolate the problem? 4. Should I forget the whole thing and just boycott USR for the rest of my life? (I should add that my nickname SHOULD be Don Quixote so that this option pains me deeply.) Please cc: any responses (gee I sure hope you can do that) to my E-mail address (jetcon@astral.magic.ca) as I am more religious about reading my E-mail than I am about reading the newsgroups and my Internet provider seems to only keep about 1 days worth of each group and I cannot always get on every day. ------------------------------ From: Fred_Atkinson/SkyTel_at_SkyTelNotesPO@mtel.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 10:24:00 CST Subject: Re: Arrogant Internet Providers This is a subject that I can empathize with. I'm in agreement that *some* ISPs are very arrogant. I recently terminated service with my *personal* ISP for abusive behavior (on their part). They had been having a lot of problems with disconnects during transmission. Quite frequently, I would get cut off (disconnected) several times in the course of ten to fifteen minutes. This is a problem when one is trying to do graduate research on the Web. Rarely could I complete downloading of Web pages. This problem went on for months. I often had to spend much time at the University doing research when I could have done it from my computer at home. They had sent out a notice months ago saying that their dial up lines were the cause of the problem due to the type of carrier the local exchange carrier was providing them. They were getting copper lines into the building, but this would take time because they had to get a conduit run under the parking lot to their building so telco could get the cabling into their facility. In addition to disconnects, the news server would frequently time out when I was trying to download articles from it. The Web server experienced similar crashes. I begged and pleaded for help in improving the situation repeatedly asking what the best modem string was (for a Hayes Smartmodem Optima 288 V.34) to use with their system. When I did get a reply, all they did was point the finger at the local exchange carrier saying that *everything* was caused by the problems with the dial up lines. They made no attempt to answer my question about the initialization string. I was patient, as the service had been good before these carrier lines were installed. Finally, the day of the big cutover came and went. I signed on and got cut off four times within ten minutes. When I called their customer service to confirm that the cutover was complete, they said it was. I asked to speak to a manager. They said he would call me. When I got email from the manager (in complete disregard for my request for a phone call), he suggested I go to another ISP. He dodged my questions about the problems with the news and web server. I was absolutely shocked at the suggestion to change providers and again requested to speak with him on the phone. He said he would do that 'later'. He also denied what his customer service people had told me about the lines being cut over, telling me that this was not true. When I pointed out that his customer service people were telling me that the lines were cut, he said they were not saying any such thing (it appears that I can't believe my own ears). I was so shocked by his behavior that I (as politely as I could) suggested he sign up for and take a professional customer service course of the same type that everyone from my organization was required to take. I pointed out that my company would discharge any employee who spoke to a customer like that regardless of whether the customer was right or wrong (especially suggesting that a customer go to another company). His reply was that he was 'not an employee' (I later found out that he was one of the owners). Considering that I was paying a rate that is considerably more than other ISPs charge in this area and that this service was sold to me as a 'we provide better service and support than the others' service, a little bit of professional customer service was expected. The owner I spoke to conveniently denied that they promised above average support. When I canceled because of his conduct, he openly called me an 'abusive user'. My reaction to that is that an abusive user does not patiently hang around for months trying to give them every chance to clear up problems of such severity. It only turned into such a disaster because of the way he spoke to me on email and refused to speak with me on the telephone (to this day I've never heard his voice). I had repeatedly pointed out that the news and web servers were experiencing problems that appeared to be unrelated to the dial up lines and asked them to look at the problems. Never did I get an acknowledgement or a reply for this except 'we are waiting for the local exchange company to cut over the lines'. In a later email correspondence with another one of their co-owners, an apology was expressed for this person's behavior saying that he was one of the most 'even tempered' people she knew and that his nerves had just been shattered by all the customer complaints (due to all the problems with the dial up lines). I replied saying that while I didn't believe he was even tempered, her courteous conduct was certainly appreciated and it was too bad the other owner didn't have her manners. I pointed out that I had been patient with them for months and had also gotten them five other accounts. I asked that she see that these other people were properly cared for. She wished me well with my new ISP and I wished her well in return. It turned into a lose-lose situation for everyone. It is a problem when someone who has no real customer handling experience gets into a business like providing Internet service. Customers expect reliable service (especially when they are paying higher rates for 'better service'). An arrogant attitude because 'I am the owner, not an employee and I don't *have* to express any courtesy' is a one-way ticket to disaster because an end user senses this immediately when this person speaks to them. End users don't care *who* the owner is. What they look at is the quality of service they get and quick resolutions when problems occur. My suggestion to all ISPs is to be sure the ones on the phones to your customers (and yourselves) are properly trained in customer service methods. When rumors of behavior such as this spread, your business may go right down the tubes. A customer would not be upset with your service if he had given up on you. Take the fact that he bothered to call you at all as an expression that he believes you *can* get the problems solved. When you react with a positive manner, upset customers often calm down in record time. I am now with a carrier who doesn't have these types of problems. While they do have *some* problems, they are not nearly of the magnitude of that other 'better quality' ISP. Additionally, I've spoken on the phone to a number of their people and I've not had any problems from them. Their rate (for comparable service) is about sixty per cent of what the old ISP charges (who says that more expensive is better?). They are also very easy to work with. The lesson that I have learned is that you shouldn't be so patient with an ISP for that long. If the service is bad, promises towards *future* resolutions don't mean very much. Pull up 'The List' at 'http://www.thelist.com' and select a new one. Where my part of the fault lies is that I believe too much in 'brand loyalty'. Once I had found a good provider, I would have tried to stay with him through the rough times. It appears that this logic doesn't work with ISPs. It's discouraging when this patience doesn't pay off. In the future, continuing bad service will yield a new provider. I won't try to discuss it to avoid cancellation. It will avoid a lot of unpleasantry. Incidentally, my old email address is forwarded to my university address. A few day ago, I got a broadcast message from them saying that the cutover hadn't solved all the problems and that they were *still* working towards a resolution. Fred ------------------------------ From: wa2ise@netcom.com (Robert Casey) Subject: Re: Arrogant Internet Providers Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 21:53:09 GMT I've been using Netcom for about three years now, and have had no real problems. Nothing specific to my account. Maybe I'm not that demanding. There's been the usual busy signals every so often, occasional netnews server being down, and occasional system crashes, and a few mysterious phone-line disconnects. But not too often. I've occasionally called tech support, and never been blown off because I'm a shell account user. I use netcom mostly for reading newsgroups, and occasional ftp and lynx world wide webbing. Hey, they're a lot better than IDT was. ------------------------------ From: David Yewell Subject: PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 20:16:29 GMT Organization: Netcom I subscribe to telco provided voicemail (The Message Center), and I also use the same line for my pc modem. My modem will not dial when the stutter dial tone is present. Does anyone know a way to get around this problem (other than clearing all the messages and removing the stutter dial tone?) Is there a modem I can use which will dial anyhow? What do alarm company modems do when they are attached to a line which is also on a voice mail line? How do they seize the line? Thanks, Dave [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think your modem should have a provision for what is known (used to be known?) as 'blind dialing'. That is, instead of waiting for what it recognizes as dial tone, it simply goes off hook and after some preset period of time -- usually four or five seconds -- it just starts dialing. In lots of places there is still what I would call a non-standard dial tone -- behind some PBXs for example -- and this blind dialing is needed to overcome that. PAT] ------------------------------ From: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) Subject: Re: International 800 Numbers Date: 25 Jun 1996 14:03:38 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) Bob Goudreau writes: > The point of country code 800 is to provide a single easy-to-remember > access code that the whole world can use to dial international > toll-free numbers. This is no way replaces or obsoletes any > intra-national free phone numbering spaces that countries may already > have (or choose to introduce in the future). If we've learned anything from 888, it might be that users of toll-free numbers attach a BRAND value to those numbers. Even the FCC recognized this by granting 800 users unprecedented direct access to DSMI for replication requests this past winter. Telecom is a tool for users -- your customers -- not an end unto itself. Judith Oppenheimer, President, Interactive CallBrand A leading source of information on 800 issues. CallBrand@aol.com, 1 800 The Expert, (ph) 212 684-7210, (fx) 212 684-2714 http://www.webcom.com/longdist/icb/ ------------------------------ From: wa2ise@netcom.com (Robert Casey) Subject: Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 21:19:46 GMT > Now on the other hand suppose someone was *not* selling the product in > question. Suppose they just wanted to keep the Internet in an uproar > all the time the way it is now so as a 'joke' they found some piece > of totally worthless advertising for some completely junk product -- > something so transparently bogus anyone with an IQ above 80 could see > through it and they fed it to the news stream with bogus mail headers > and bogus phone numbers, etc. Then they sat back and watched the fire- > works as the netters found and examined this junk and clucked their > tongues about it for days on end and on the other end of the line some > legitimate and innocent third party 800 subscriber was caught in the > crossfire as netters everywhere gave him a piece of their mind. ("When > you call my 800 number be sure and mention that you saw my advertisement > on the internet, and what news group you saw it in.") > I don't think though, Clarence, that there is much of this. The header > information can usually be expected to be wrong; the phone number will > very seldom if ever be wrong unless the spammer got a typographical > error in it and did not even both to proofread his masterpiece before > releasing it. PAT] I can imagine one sequence of events that might cause someone to spam with a bogus 800 or 888 number: Imagine you ordered something and you feel you get ripped-off, or some such feeling of total dis-satisfaction. You might decide to "get even" with that vendor by causing his 800 phone bill to be run up from irate users of the internet newsgroups. He might post some annoying spam everywhere and give the above vendor's 800 phone number, as well as using a tempoary account (to avoid e-mail bombs). You might get a law suit though ... Wonder if I could get 1-888-888-8888 for a personal "800" phone number? :-) And don't put tax-free bonds in your IRA account! [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: While not a 'joke' -- and certainly not funny, your scenario of someone doing this to 'get even' with some company he was angry with pretty much falls in the category I mentioned I think. That is, somone doing something just to stir up the pot and watch the excitment. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 14:57:29 -0400 From: Stan Brown Organization: Oak Road Systems, Cleveland, Ohio, USA Subject: Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers Our Esteemed Editor noted: > To me it is a stretch > of the imagination to think of some person trying to sell his product > on the internet not only providing false mail headers but a deliberatly > wrong phone number as well. What would be the point? PAT, I think you are overlooking this possibility: Mr. A has a grudge against company B (or even Mr. B). A happens to know that B has an 800 number, and says to himself, "Aha! I can cost B some money, and there will be no way to prove I'm the guilty party.) A then writes (or copies) a spam and insert B's phone number in it, depending on lots of folks calling to express their outrage. As you pointed out, B will have to pay for the calls, so this would be a way for A to cost an innocent party some money. Assuming A has forged the message headers, A could not be traced but fortunately most A's don't know how to forge all the necessary headers. Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Cleveland, Ohio USA email: stbrown@nacs.net Web: http://www.nacs.net/~stbrown/ Can't find FAQ lists? See my Web page for instructions, or email me. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well some people *think* that false mail headers cannot be traced but with some patience it can be done. You can put whatever you want in most of the header, but a difficult thing to deal with is the path line. Now everyone knows if you originate something, your site is going to be the first place shown in the path line. Depending on where the item is seen, the path line at that point will be different than if it was seen elsewhere, but at some point, all copies of the message have some site name-in-common listed. People think they can be smart and dummy up the path line to make it look as though there was some earlier originating site but when more than one site name in common appears in the path line (in most cases the further to the right on the line you go, the more likely you will see the same site on two different copies of the message) but what you do in that case is read the line back to the left and look for where the paths start diverging. Reading to the left on the path line what is the last site name in common shown on all copies? I'll bet you that's where it originated. Now if the admin at that site is a friend of the community you can go to him and ask him to check his logs looking to see *what actual user name* invoked a news posting script at the time shown in the time stamp. Or the user thought he was smart and instead of using something like 'Pnews' which is always going to fill in the header the way it wants or overwrite what the user put there in some categories (after presumably validating the user) instead he went right out and telnetted to some site with an open news server and dumped his mess right in the stream there, replete with bogus header information galore there is still going to be a record in the path line when that site deals with it. So if it was not a user posting at his own site but rather telnetting to somewhere else to do it you can still go to that admin if he is cooperative and ask him to check his log and see who connected to his NNTP socket at the time in question. Forget whatever time the user put on the line for the date ... you take the next site in the path line and find out when they got it then go back to the admin where you suspect the offending message started and ask him to check his logs around the same time period. Oh look, here is a connection into this machine from Joe Blow's site thirty seconds or a couple minutes before my site handing the garbage on to the next one. Now we go to Joe Blow and ask him which one of his users invoked telnet or NNTP or whatever at that particular time. It is far from perfect but you would be amazed how many people who forge message headers in order to dump their trash on the net forget to make each little item in the header go in perfect synch with everything else. Is it worth the trouble to trace down every one of those fools? Nah ... usually not. And the worst offenders like Slaton are well known already so why bother? You are essentially correct: not that many non-professional spammers know how to trick the mail, and of those who do, even fewer know how to do it *right* if indeed there is a right way that someone somewhere will not be willing to spend the time to investigate. As for me, I don't ready Usenet anyway, so why do I care as long as they stay out of here. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 12:51:53 EDT From: "Stan.Schwartz@IBMMAIL" Subject: Re: It Ain't Like it Used to Be In TD #299, Mark J. Cuccia discussed his problem reaching a long distance number that was apparently out of order, and wondered why it didn't warrant an intercept message. May I relate my own story (which includes an answer): My parents live in a ranch house in a late-50's era Levitt-style development in NYNEX/NY land. About once a year, some too-tall truck will drive past the house and forcibly disconnect their phones from the rest of the world. I was i n the house (with my cell phone) when this happened last year, and I got on the phone with NYNEX repair. The tech told me that a repair would take a week. I was willing to lend them my cell phone, and I asked if NYNEX could put an intercept on the line so that calls to the house don't get an endless "ring-no-answer". The tech told me that they didn't like to do that, because that took two trouble tickets (one to place the order, and one to remove the intercept), and many times the intercepts don't get removed correctly. The tech then said, "Let me ask you - do you have very young children in the house?". I said, "No." He said, "Let me ask you again, do you have small children in the house?" Seeing where he was going with this, I said, "No, but there are two senior citizens in the house." He said, "OK, that's what I needed to hear." The repair truck was at the house later that afternoon. A postscript to that story is that two months later, another truck tore the drop down. NYNEX says they can't hang it any higher. Stan (stan@vnet.net) ------------------------------ From: rshockey@ix.netcom.com (Richard Shockey) Subject: Re: Sending Faxes as Attachment to E-Mail Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 02:56:43 GMT Organization: Netcom Keith W. Brown wrote: > Marone Giuseppe wrote in article > : >> I wonder if there is any products (hardware /software) to use a >> standard fax machine as a scanner connected to a PC; the application >> would be to get files in proper formats (.TIF, .GIF, .JMP or whatever) >> to be sent as e-mail attachment out of plain paper documents; the fax >> machine, anyway, should also be connected to PSTN to be able to send >> and receive standard faxes. Does anybody know of some trick to do >> that? > The software I prefer is Delrina WinFax PRO. Once the fax has been > received into the computer, you have the option to export it into to > four different formats; tiff, bmp, pcx and winfax's fxs format. > Simply export it into the directory of your choice, log on to the > internet, and e-mail your fax attachment to the destination of your > choice ... what could be simpler? Personally I hate WinFAX especially in its V.7 version ... I deleted it from my drives months ago. But to the question of Internet FAX it is a good idea but how does the E-Mail client at the other end view the file? There are some standards issues here that have not been totally resolved. I have been tracking this Internet Fax concept for some time and it should explode in less than six months. Fax is perfect for the internet. Fax is inherently store and forward not real time. The basic concept from point to point is you mine encode the ITU T.4 TIF file and send the fax the way you would any Internet Mail Binary attachment. But it does require the Client E-Mail system to be able to view the file. Most new scanners have options for saving as T.4 or T.6 files. But ... what some clever folks have been working on is a Intellegent FAX POP or Point of Presence where the fax transmission would be intercepted locally the POP would be instructed on where the fax is to be sent ... and then actually delivered over the Internet to another POP where it would be transmitted as a regular local fax transaction. One out of every ten phone lines installed is fax dedicated. 45 percent of all Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific calls are fax. There is some serious money to be made here. The carriers have petitioned the FCC to stop Internet Voice ... not realizing that the real threat will the the elimination of fax from the PSTN. I know of at least two companies getting ready to do FAX plugins for Netscape Navigator. Richard Shockey Developers of Fax on Demand Solutions President For Business, Media, Industry and Nuntius Corporation Government. 8045 Big Bend Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63119 For a Demonstration Call our Voice 314.968.1009 CommandFax Demonstration Line FAX 314.968.3163 at 314.968.3461 Internet: rshockey@ix.netcom.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #310 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 13:02:04 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA19207; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:02:04 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:02:04 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606261702.NAA19207@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #311 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 13:02:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 311 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Help BellSouth Figure My Problem (Ron Schnell) Power For Telephones (Jean-Francois Mezei) Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls (Bill Garfield) On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? (Steve Scott) Control of 888 NXXs (rms.globalnet@sandrose.com) Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? (Mark Crispin) Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? (Steven Lichter) Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? (David Whiteman) Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm (Eric Litman) Re: Getting Spammed to Death (Kevin R. Ray) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Dana W. Paxson) Re: Carpet Capital (Wes Leatherock) Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (Rich Szabo) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Michael Franz) Re: 888 Deployment Not (benlev@aol.com) Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access (John R. Levine) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (John R. Levine) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ronnie@twitch.mit.edu (Ron Schnell) Subject: Help BellSouth Figure My Problem Date: 26 Jun 1996 01:32:39 GMT Organization: MIT I'm having a very strange problem with one of my phone lines, and BellSouth can't seem to figure it out. I'll bet one of you guys can do it before they can. I've had people complain recently that they have called, and there hasn't been an answer, and my machine has not picked up. I can reproduce the problem, about 1 out of 15 times, if I call the line from another line in the house. Let's say the problem line is Line A, and the normal line is Line B. When I call Line A from Line B, the LED for Line A is lit steadily, as it would be if the phone were just off-hook (as opposed to flashing another color while it is ringing). Line B hears normal ringing sounds, but the answering machine, of course, never picks up. None of the gazillions of phones in the house even chirp. Attempting to pick up a phone on Line A gets no voltage at all. Can't hear myself, can't hear any line noise, nothing. I originally assumed that this was a C.O. problem, and connecting a BUTTSET to the line hears absolutely no ringing noise, *BUT* the Caller ID tones come through between what would be the first and second ring! To me that part is totally bizarre, and now I don't know what to think, and neither do the phone guys that BellSouth keeps sending over. In the meantime, when the phone guys aren't here, I've been call-forwarding my Line A to Line B, and there has been no problem, except that I have my business voicemail on Line B. I appreciate any help anyone can offer! Ron ------------------------------ From: Jean-Francois Mezei Subject: Power For Telephones Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 20:17:20 GMT Organization: Vaxination Informatique Reply-To: jfmezei@istar.ca Since standard conventional home pots telephones rely on basically uninterruptible power supplied by the telco, the telephone is often regarded as an emergency device that works even during power failures. With the advent of fiber to the home and the use of coax cable for telephony, I am wondering how this "emergency use" will be handled when power for the telephone will no longer be supplied by the telco. Will the interface devices have built-in rechargeable batteries ? What sort of stand-alone ability in terms of hours would they be expected to have in order to rival the current telephone system's robustness and availability? ------------------------------ From: bubba@insync.net (Bill Garfield) Subject: Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 03:38:20 GMT Organization: Associated Technical Consultants Reply-To: bubba@insync.net I received a postcard today informing me about a change that's going to be made to my SPRINT FONCARD effective July 1st. Quoting now from the back of the postcard ... SOT "If you want to make international calls with your FONCARD, talk to us first. Sprint wants to make sure no unauthorized international calls are made with your FONCARD. So, beginning in July, 1996, your Sprint FONCARD will be limited to calls made to points within the United States and Canada. (If you are outside the United States, you will still be able to make calls to other countries or back to the United States.) This small but important security measure should eliminate the possibility of unauthorized international calls being made with your FONCARD. Of course, should you ever need to place international calls from the United States with your Sprint FONCARD, simply contact a Sprint Customer Service Associate at 1-800-877-4646. We will be happy to provide you with the ability to make these international calls." EOT Appears SPRINT is getting tired of being stung for credit card international toll fraud =originating from= the United States. Actually the plan makes good sense. I travel, but never ever place calls to =international destinations= with my credit card. I think if we took a straw poll, mine would fall in line with the lion's share of responses. Therefore I certainly don't mind if Sprint wants to "restrict" my FONCARD to strictly domestic calling. I support any reasonable plan to reduce exposure to toll fraud. Sprint's plan sounds fine to me. Actually, removing the paystations altogether from the Newark airport would probably make a hell of a dent in toll fraud losses, but that plan isn't reasonable. Enclosing the paystations (fully) and using dark tinted high-reflective glass on the doors might be another step toward encouraging the shoulder-surfers to move on. =================================================== 7-Year-Old Jessica Dubroff would be alive today if her parents had only learned to say, "No." =================================================== ------------------------------ From: sscott@airmail.net (Steve Scott) Subject: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 02:22:19 GMT Does anybody know if there is an on line reverse telephone directory for Austin, TX? I guess it doesn't have to be on-line, though. Can I call Southwestern Bell and ask for this information? Thanks, sscott@iadfw.net [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note. SWB would be unlikely to help you with this unless they happen to publish reverse directories like Ameritech does, in which case they would urge you to purchase their books. You might check with the public library in Austin; I am sure they have a local 'criss-cross' directory. Also the phone listings on Compuserve and switchboard.com might be of assistance to you. PAT] ------------------------------ From: rms.globalnet@sandrose.com Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 16:56:57 EDT Subject: Control of 888 NXXs Pat: Is the NANPA doling out 888 NXX's the same way it doled out 800 NXXs? Specifically, do you know if there is a list anywhere of which IXCs control which 888 NXXs? GLOBALnet(TM) A Division Of The Sandrose Group, Inc. 2870 Peachtree Road, Atlanta GA 30305-2918 USA +1 770 801-1998 Fax: +1 770 434-7569 Hey! We will be on the web in July! Watch this space! [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Wow are you going back a long time! There has been no geographical distinction on 800-NXX for many, many years. It used to be AT&T assigned 800-NXX based on location and on type of 800 service (i.e. intrastate and interstate, etc) but for a number of years now, it has been wide-open with anyone getting the 800 number they were able to obtain from various sources, etc. Judith Oppenheimer will correct me if I am wrong, but I think since 888 opened up it has been on a first come, first served basis with all numbers available to everyone with a few exceptions. Now you just go to your carrier and ask for the number you want. If it is available, you get it. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Mark Crispin Subject: Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 16:06:43 -0700 Organization: Networks & Distributed Computing On 25 Jun 1996, John Starta wrote: > I recently dropped my Motorola cellular phone and need to replace it. > Obviously I already have service so I only need the phone itself. Are > there companies (i.e., mail order) where I can purchase a new Motorola > cellular phone at a reasonable price? Contact your cellular company first. They may have a free exchange policy where they take in your damaged phone and give you a replacement; they send the damaged phone to Motorola for repair and when it comes back it's someone else's replacement. If you think about it, you can see that they'd rather have you replace your phone that way than get a new one on their dime ... Mark DoD #0105, R90/6 pilot, FAX: (206) 685-4045 ICBM: N 47 39'35" W 122 18'39" Science does not emerge from voting, party politics, or public debate. ------------------------------ From: slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu (Steven Lichter) Subject: Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? Date: 25 Jun 1996 16:16:16 -0700 Organization: GINA and CORE+ Services of The California State University starta@primenet.com (John Starta) writes: > I recently dropped my Motorola cellular phone and need to replace it. > Obviously I already have service so I only need the phone itself. Are > there companies (i.e., mail order) where I can purchase a new Motorola > cellular phone at a reasonable price? Most carriers would replace the phone with a new one for little or nothing if you agree to their current offering. Last year my phone either was stolen or just plan vanished and I went to Air Touch and was able to get a new and much better one with the cost being very little since I was only charged the tax which my insurance company picked up. All I had to do was agree to another two year contact and since I was happy with the service I saw no problem with that. I'm sure the same would be with a damaged phone. SysOp Apple Elite II and OggNet Hub (909)359-5338 2400/14.4 24 hours, Home of GBBS/LLUCE Support for the Apple II and Macintoch computers. slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:54:32 -0700 From: aardvark@ni.net (David Whiteman) Subject: Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: One thing you might consider is that if > you can drop out of your existing service without any penalty at this > point (because you met any agreement you had with the carrier where > the first phone is concerned) it would be perfectly legal to go to a > dealer and get a new phone with a new one year contract or whatever > is required to get the new phone for free or at some reduced price. PAT] Last year my car was broken into and my mom's cellular phone was stolen, three months into a one year contract. My mom called Airtouch directly, and they gave her a new phone free for extending the year contract a second year. They even waived the $49 charge that would have been charged if she were to have started a new contract fresh. ------------------------------ From: elitman@viaduct.com (Eric Litman) Subject: Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm Date: 25 Jun 1996 19:55:26 GMT Organization: Viaduct, Inc. On Thu, 20 Jun 1996, Vittorio Gorrini (gorrini@ulb.ac.be) wrote: > alt.config I would like to have some feedback about: > 1) The real interest for such group [comp.dcom.gsm], > 2) Should be in alt.* or in comp.* ? > 2) Should be in alt.* or in comp.* ? I think this is the foundation for a good idea, but is limited in its scope. Of increasing interest both within the telecom newsgroups/mailing list and commercial marketplace are the breadth of PCS technologies and services, of which GSM is only one. More appropriately, the newsgroup should encompass each of the PCS technologies and would better serve its readership named *.pcs, not *.gsm. I put in my vote for comp.dcom.pcs. True, it's a break from the comp.dcom.telecom hierarchy, but given the growth potential for this group, it would be prudent to plan for an eventual split. comp.dcom.telecom.pcs.handsets is too long to type on a regular basis. > If someone more competent in the field that me (and with a better > English ...), is interested in being proponent (and helping in > writing RFD) I'll bw glad to cooperate with him. I'll be glad to help put this together, and will even step up to the job of maintaining the FAQ(s) once the groups are active. Eric A. Litman, CEO, Viaduct, Inc. http://www.viaduct.com/ Internet security and commerce consulting. PCS: (301) 254-0200 ------------------------------ From: kevin@eagle.ais.net (Kevin R. Ray) Subject: Re: Getting Spammed to Death Date: 26 Jun 1996 01:23:14 GMT Organization: American Information Systems, Inc. Ken Levitt (levitt@zorro9.fidonet.org) wrote: > In a recent development in spamming, my Internet to Fidonet Gateway is > taking a big hit. Someone is selling Internet mailing lists with > thousands of names. About 100 of them point to my gateway. > If this goes on much longer, I will have to shut down this gateway and > hundreds of people will loose E-Mail access to the Internet. > The address is hardwear@icanect.net and the toll free number is > 888.427.3932. Today (Saturday) I called the toll free number and got a > Here is what they are sending out: > > Authenticated sender is > > From: "Neil" > > To: hardwear@idt.net > > Subject: Jewelry for Computer Lovers > > Reply-To: hardwear@idt.net > > Hello, > > If you like jewelry and computers check out the WEB site > > You will not receive any more messages from us > > Thank you I too have been taking a hit with my site (UUCP fed). Since my site is considered "low volume" and billed as such too many hits of spamming could bump me up a class of service (in which case I will cancel). I will be going to a PPP connection (on demand) or a 56k leased line in the near future (UUCP will be going anyway). At that time I already have my filters setup to block well over 500 nets that are associated with spamming. That is what the net is coming to. Piss me off and your net doesn't exist to me anymore. The beginning of the breakdown is at hand... (and AOL will be the first to go I hope :-) BTW, hardwear has had their account deleted as I conversed with their upstreem feed (ios.com) on this exact email message coming in to my site recently. I have also been getting a LOT of traffic from gnn.com and aol.com. I have verbally talked with the administrative, technical, and zone contacts on overly obvious spams (ie: when they hit MY mailbox) on the affending sites and their feeds. It is worth my dime as a polite phone call goes further than email complaints and knowing that their account has been terminated helps. That or calling collect as Mr. I. Nic helps too (they answer that one :-). And when I get bored I will pick up the phone and inquire about the spammed product at their expense from every pay phone I see until the number is disconnected or someone else owns the number. I'm still calling about the hair re-growth a few times a day now... :-) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 10:19:08 EDT From: dwpaxson@servtech.com (Dana W. Paxson) Subject: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn Mike Fox wrote: > Just make use of Ringmaster, or Distinctive Ring, or whatever. Here in > BellSouth territory, they haven't been charging hookup fees for Ringmaster. > So it can be used to get disposable phone numbers. Order a Ringmaster > number for your fax line, give the Ringmaster number to the scammer, > get the fax you want, and drop the service. You will only be out the > $3.50 fee for one month, or even less if you only keep it for a couple of > days and they pro-rate it. Subsequent scam faxes will get the "we're sorry, > the number you have reached is no longer in service" intercept. > It may not be worth doing this just to get one spam fax, and it's > probably terribly wasteful of NANP resources ... A neat idea, and it'll work for you, but there's a possible problem. Depending on how long the phone company takes to recycle the number you used, the subsequent assignee of that number can catch the fallout. Hardly fair. My wife inherited the phone number of a deadbeat, and continued for over a YEAR to receive harrassing calls from Citibank, looking for their money. Her number was unlisted/non-pub, and she didn't want to reissue it to all her family and friends. Rochester Tel was sympathetic but unhelpful. Citibank was, well, incapable of stopping its own representatives from continuing to make calls; apparently their database people (or maybe it was one of the big credit bureau's database people) couldn't find it in their hearts to correct things. Your suggestion is usable by deadbeats too. Dana Paxson [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Depending on the *exact nature* of what the phone was used for detirmines how long the number has to remain out of service before it can be used again. In one notorious case here in Chicago back in the 1950's a house of prostitution had a phone number assigned to it for more than thirty years (the operation had opened back about 1920 as a Speakeasy joint -- a place which sold alcohol in violation of Prohibition -- with male and female prostitutes available). It finally shut down for good when we had a reform mayor in 1952 by the name of Martin Kennelly. He made the police quit taking bribes from the proprietor (in cruder language we would say the 'madam') to stay open all those years. He did it because both the Republican and Democratic conventions were being held here that year on July 7 and July 21, 1952 respectively and Mayor Kennelly wanted things to 'look nice' when the bigshot politicians were here. Now this place got a hundred or more phone calls per day and the number was known around the world. Even some of the convention delegates remembered the place from the summer of 1944 when both political parties had convened here that year and they were looking forward to availing themselves again of the discrete services offered by a gracious staff of young men and ladies to their out of town visitors, offering relief from the tension and boredom of long winded political speeches, etc. But many of the Good Citizens felt that having a house of prostitution right across the street from the conventions (in those days the conventions were at the Chicago Stadium on Madison Street) was not a good thing, so Mayor Kennelly told the police to shut it down at least for the month of July, and the police raided the joint a few days before the Republican conventioneers were due to arrive. The {Chicago Tribune} the next day had pictures of the raid, showing the prostitutes being escorted into waiting police wagons, etc. Their liquor license was revoked and several illegal coin operated gambling devices were smashed up and hauled away. The madam was quoted in the {Tribune} saying "I always made my payments and I was never late a single month; why are they doing this, do the police want more money?" For *years* afterward, that phone number (now going to intercept) got a huge number of calls daily. Not only did the conventioneers that summer wonder what happened to the place, but so did businessmen all over the world. A businessman from Japan in Chicago in 1975 had that phone number in his address book; he said he had gotten it from other businessmen in Europe who had been to Chicago twenty or more years before that. A fellow in New York who published a book about 'places for tourists to visit' included that phone number in a book several years after the place had already been raided and shut down. I don't think Illinois Bell ever did reassign the number, at least not for probably thirty years or more. PAT] ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Carpet Capital From: wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu (Wes Leatherock) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 20:24:00 GMT Organization: The University of Oklahoma scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) wrote: [ ... much text deleted ... ] > As for COCOT's, there is one sitting right in front of BellSouth > Mobility's new Dalton office, just across the street from the > convenience store mentioned above. The previous lessee of the > building (only BellSouth is housed there now, and they obviously didn't > holler "OUT OUT DAMNED COCOT!") apparently didn't have the COCOT owner > pull the phone! If this had been a *BellSouth* LEC area and not > ALLTEL, I would not be amused -- I don't think BellSouth divisions > should house COCOTs (but with the telecom law deregulating coin service > as it does, who knows what will happen -- a BELLSOUTH payphone in > ALLTEL territory, maybe?!) I have seen Southwestern Bell pay phones in GTE territory in Texas. Wes Leatherock wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com ORIGINS BBS E-Mail, SysOps (Mike Shipp/Troy Carpenter), (405)325-5883 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 22:30:07 EDT From: Rich Szabo Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ummm, with all the glowing things you > have to say about Excel, I wonder if you would care to comment on the > FCC action taken against them recently due to slamming of customers? > Anyone could go from number eleven to number four if they did not > bother to get the permission of the people they switched over! I am > surprised Excel is not in first or second place! And here are a few > more exclamation points to match all of yours!!!!!!!! PAT] ROFL ROFL ROFL !! -----------------------------^^^^^^^^ [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Why, thank you! Seriously, we do have one regular participant here who is an Excel agent and I gather a rather good one. I've been hoping to find in my mail something from him giving either his own or the corporation's response to the action by the FCC. I am interested in Excel's response if any is going to be given. PAT] ------------------------------ From: franz@uci.edu (Michael Franz) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 00:17:53 -0700 Organization: UC Irvine In article , Nancy Gold wrote: > My Caller-ID box sits in wait, as it has since May 20th. Even better: my caller-ID box sits in wait, but last Friday I received this very nice letter from PacBell stating that due to old exchange equipment, CID would not be offered in my area. Michael Franz (714 856 xxxx) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So what *are* they doing about Caller-ID in California now. What is the latest word as of today, June 26? PAT] ------------------------------ From: benlev@aol.com (BenLev) Subject: Re: 888 Deployment Not Date: 25 Jun 1996 09:59:23 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: benlev@aol.com (BenLev) Sounds like an old PBX to me. There is no legal requirement to support 888, and some of the old PBXs can't support it. The work around is to go outside, or to call the operator and ask her to dial for you. Otherwise you can get an outside line with MCI and then dial from there. This is an old story. Many PBX's couldn't handle the new area code that don't have a 0 or 1 as the middle digit. They required "forklift" upgrades. ------------------------------ From: johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) Subject: Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg, N.Y. Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 01:00:00 GMT > Most of the RBOCs have been screaming for years that modem usage screws up > their message traffic models, and as a consequence the cost of providing > telephone service is increased because of us people who stay connected for > hours or even days at a time. BellSouth has even made a formal statement > that Internet access pricing is going to have to be measured service in > order to reduce the abuses. ISDN data rates are surcharged in many areas > just for this reason. This serves to remind us that the RBOCs are dinosaurs with their heads stuck in the sand. (An appealing if mixed metaphor.) Do data users really need to be hooked to their network providers 24 hours per day? Of course not. They need bursts of bandwidth, typically separated by long periods of quiet. For example, my wife's Mac has a permanent connection, but uses only a few seconds of network traffic every 20 minutes to check for e-mail. Recall that an ISDN BRI line provides two 64Kb bearer "B" channels and a 16Kb packet switched "D" channel. Connections on the B channels are set up by exchanging messages on the D channel, and setup is supposed to be quite fast, like a second or less. ISDN PRI is the same except there are 23 B channels and the D channel is 64Kb. So for your typical Internet user, you could sit there with both B channels idle until there are some packets to send, at which point you connect a B channel and start sending data. If the first B channel gets saturated, you could turn on the other B channel as well. After a period of quiescence, say 30 seconds, you turn off a B channel. For low packet rates (pings or keep-alives, for example) you don't even need a B channel, since the D channel has considerable spare capacity beyond that needed for the setup messages. This brings the hold time for the B channels down from the length of an entire on-line session (hours) to the length of a network transaction (seconds for most WWW and e-mail, minutes for FTP). Note that this works equally well for server systems as for client systems, since the ISP can open a B channel when a request comes in as easily as the client can open one when a request goes out. This is technically very straightforward. But nobody does it. Why? Because the bozos at the RBOCs have provided and priced ISDN to make it maximally unattractive. Call setup is slow, D channel traffic is unavailable or grossly overpriced, and B channel traffic is often charged per call and per minute unless you turn all of your ISDN users into a Centrex group, in which case the per-call and per-minute charges magically go away. A sensible RBOC would price B channel traffic at, say, $0.0001/minute with six second charging, and D channel packets at a comparably low price. Then they'd colocate a router with a bunch of PRIs next to the phone switch and offer all the local ISPs demand ISDN dial-up service. The ISPs could get out of the thankless job of maintaining modem banks, customers would see better service than they have now (since they could stay virtually connected all the time), and the telco could make some money. Once you have this in place, the upgrade from ISDN to xDSL is relatively straightforward since you have the router to handle the xDSL traffic. But nooooo ... they'd rather treat ISDN as overpriced POTS, and whine when people don't want that. John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 johnl@iecc.com "Space aliens are stealing American jobs." - Stanford econ prof ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 96 23:51:00 EDT From: johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg, N.Y. > The call still failed, so I called 1 800 MARISAT and got the same > operator. He reconfirmed the seven digit fax number for the ship, and > then asked me whether I was sure that the ship was in the Pacific > Ocean. I told him that it was an Alaskan cruise -- guess what, my > geography lessons to date have been wrong -- Alaska is in the Indian > Ocean. I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. I don't think there's anything wrong with your geography. My understanding is that INMARSAT uses three satellites, and the "ocean code" tells it which satellite to route the call to. Sounds like Alaska (or at least that part of Alaska) is in the footprint of the Indian Ocean satellite. This makes some sense since the south Indian ocean is pretty much empty, while the south Pacific is full of Australia, New Zealand, and a bunch of islands, so the Indian ocean satellite is probably aimed to cover a more northerly range than the Pacific one. Why they told you to route the call via MCI is a mystery to me; AT&T has offered INMARSAT service (for a low, low $10/minute) for many years. Perhaps they wanted to save you some money, since MCI charges only $9.99. John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 johnl@iecc.com "Space aliens are stealing American jobs." - Stanford econ prof ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #311 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 13:48:07 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA23436; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:48:07 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:48:07 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606261748.NAA23436@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #312 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 13:48:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 312 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (Mark Propp) Re: Phone History Question (Ed Kleinhample) Re: Technical Support From USR (Ed Kleinhample) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (Jeff Hersh) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (Gary Morris) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (Markus Aberg) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (Steve Bagdon) Re: International 800 Numbers (Steve Hagar) Re: International Dialing 1960's Style (turner7@pacsibm.org) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mpropp@advtech.uswest.com (Mark Propp) Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers Date: 26 Jun 1996 10:41:12 -0600 Organization: U S West Technologies, Inc. Reply-To: mpropp@cris.com Stuff about Excel deleted ... > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ummm, with all the glowing things you > have to say about Excel, I wonder if you would care to comment on the > FCC action taken against them recently due to slamming of customers? > Anyone could go from number eleven to number four if they did not > bother to get the permission of the people they switched over! I am > surprised Excel is not in first or second place! And here are a few > more exclamation points to match all of yours!!!!!!!! PAT] Pat, From what I read this slamming involved two customers in California. Given 100,000+ Excel Independent Reps, and three million some customers, the slamming of two customers is unfortunate, but hardly a real big deal or surprising. It is hard to control the actions of every independent rep. It is not like Excel itself was doing or encouraging the slamming. I have seen other FCC actions for slamming against other phone companies more than once this year already (including at least two of the so-called "big three"), and some of it sounded more "systematic" rather than the actions of independent reps. Mark Propp mpropp@cris.com US West Advanced Technologies; Boulder, CO email: mpropp@uswest.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ummm, I think a few more than two were involved. The FCC does not take action when two customers are involved. They usually require a very large number of subscribers. And if there were only two, don't you think $80,000 is a bit steep for a fine? PAT] ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:46:15 -0700 Subject: Re: Phone History Question The first modular installations that I remember seeing where in the house that my parents had built in Brandon, Florida (GTE land) in 1975. The phones (leased from GTE) where of the Automatic Electric "styleline" (or something like that) series - two-piece compact units with the dial (touch-tone) in the handset and a base containing some electronics and the ringer. The phones where completely modular - base to wall, and base to handset. One of the three units even had a modular socket in the base for the connection to the wall. The other units were hard-wired to the wall cord (which was terminated with a modular plug). Even though the installed phones where of the touch-tone variety, and actually did produce DTMF, the local switch converted these tones to pulses to actually dial the number. My parents didn't have true touch-tone dialing until several years later - about 1982 if memory serves. This quite a shock to us in 1975, as we had moved from the boondocks of western Pennsylvania (Laurelville, PA), where the local cooperative telco (Laurel Highlands Telephone Cooperative) had provided full touch-tone service for several years. It was also surprising to me that our telephone service in PA had survived year after year of wicked snow storms in the winter and torential rains in the summer with very few outages - The GTE service in Brandon went out everytime it rained. Thank God GTE has improved (?) its quality of service in 20 years. Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:46:28 -0700 Subject: Re: Technical Support From USR jetcon@astral.magic.ca (Jerry Tenenbaum) writes: >- the calling modem (must be a 14.4) acquires dial tone and dials the > number (always DTMF). > >- the remote line rings once and the modem answers the call. > >- on the speaker of the calling party is heard: > > * the initial answer back tone (a pure tone with a bit of a bum, bum, > bum to it); > * the normal rushing tone (shuuuuuh aproximatly two seconds); > * then it goes to a pure tone again (with no beat to it). The signalling sequence that you describe does not sound like the typical V.32/V.32bis handshake - there are typically several blips, bleeps, and chirps during the various handshakes to establish a high-speed connection. The pure tone followed by the "rushing" tone is more typical of a 2400 or 1200 bps handshake. Based on this, I would start by resetting the modem to factory default settings (send an ATZ3) and verifying the DTE-DCE baud rates (host to modem) - for a 14.4kbps modem, your DTE-DCE rate should be at least 19,200 baud (38,400 if your hardware will support it). The remote end should be set similarly. Although it is the default setting, I would issue an "AT&B1" to both modems to lock the DTE-DCE rate (as opposed to adjusting to match the DCE-DCE rate negotiated with the remote modem). I have used numerous USR Sportster modems of the 14.4 and 28.8 variety. While the 28.8 Sportsters have been a little flackey - earlier ones required a ROM or flash upgrade to operate reliably at v.34 rates, the 14.4s have given good service. One thing to keep in mind is that the answer timeout value (S7) should be set to at least 90 seconds when dealing with USR modems. This is because most USR 14.4s still try the old USR Courier proprietary handshake sequences before trying the standard handshakes. Good Luck, Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:38am From: Hersh Jeff Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship On June 24, David Whiteman wrote: > This evening I was trying to send a fax to my parents who are on a cruise > in the Alaska sea area. Believing that the Alaska sea was in the Pacific > Ocean, and wanting to use AT&T I dialed 10288 (for AT&T) 011 (for > international) 872 (for Pacific Ocean) and then the seven digit number for > the ship's fax number. Could the phone number/area code assigned to the ship depend on where the ship is registered, home-ported, or where the cruise line's home office is? ------------------------------ From: garym@cts.com (Gary Morris) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 09:12:14 -0700 Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship In comp.dcom.telecom is write: > This evening I was trying to send a fax to my parents who are on a cruise > in the Alaska sea area. Believing that the Alaska sea was in the Pacific > Ocean, and wanting to use AT&T I dialed 10288 (for AT&T) 011 (for > international) 872 (for Pacific Ocean) and then the seven digit number for > the ship's fax number. > I told him that it was an Alaskan cruise -- guess what, my > geography lessons to date have been wrong -- Alaska is in the Indian > Ocean. I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. > [TELECM Digest Editor's Note: How could the water around Alaska be > considered part of the Indian Ocean? The "country codes", 872 (Pacific Ocean) and 873 (Indian Ocean) select a particular geosynchronous satellite, not a land (or sea) political boundry (as with other country codes). What matters is the coverage areas of the satellites, not the name of the body of water they were in. The satellites are over the equator, with two over the Atlantic Ocean, one over the Pacific Ocean and one of the Indian Ocean. The coverage area of adjacent satellites overlap. Gary Morris RACES DRO/Digital Comm Internet: garym@races.sandiego.ca.gov Emergency Planning Detail Packet: KK6YB @ K6JCC.#SOCA.CA.USA.NA San Diego Sheriff's Department WWW URL: http://www.cts.com/browse/garym ------------------------------ From: Markus.Aberg@iki.fi (Markus Aberg) Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship Date: 26 Jun 1996 06:42:21 GMT Organization: Putadas S.A. Reply-To: Markus.Aberg@iki.fi > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It occurred to me after I wrote the > earlier note that perhaps the vessle was *registered* or normally > on duty in the Indian Ocean and that this voyage near Alaska was > a special situation, with the vessle to be returning soon to its > normal place or port. It would be understandable if they did not want > to change the phone numbers and radio equipment, for the one special > voyage out of its regular territory -- if that is the reason. PAT] This would certainly contradict the information printed in the Helsinki phone company phonebook under "Satellite phonecalls": "The caller has to know in which satellite area the inmarsat-phone is". There is also a small picture showing the different areas and their numbers: 874 Western Atlantic (approx between USA west coast and Italy) 871 Eastern Atlantic (approx between Texas, USA and Pakistan) 873 Indian Ocean (approx between Portugal and Japan) 872 Pacific Ocean (approx between Indonesia and Mexico) The areas overlap and I remeber seeing a recommendation somewhere to just dial the different zone numbers until the call gets through. If the more-or-less official limit for the 873 zone is Japan, then a ship cruising from Alaska could be quite near this zone. Markus.Aberg@iki.fi ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 07:42:12 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship > This evening I was trying to send a fax to my parents who are on a cruise > in the Alaska sea area. Believing that the Alaska sea was in the Pacific > Ocean, and wanting to use AT&T I dialed 10288 (for AT&T) 011 (for > international) 872 (for Pacific Ocean) and then the seven digit number for > the ship's fax number. This connection failed, so I called the AT&T > operator for help (10288 0). I was transferred to another operator who > told me to use 10222 (MCI) instead of 10288, and to call 1 800 MARISAT if > I have any more trouble. I never heard of AT&T refering business to MCI > before. > The call still failed, so I called 1 800 MARISAT and got the same > operator. He reconfirmed the seven digit fax number for the ship, and > then asked me whether I was sure that the ship was in the Pacific > Ocean. I told him that it was an Alaskan cruise -- guess what, my > geography lessons to date have been wrong -- Alaska is in the Indian > Ocean. I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. > Third surpising thing: Out of curiosity I called the MARISAT operator > (the same one answered) again to get the rates; he told me to dial > 10222-0. The MCI operator told me to dial 10288-0. The AT&T operator > subsequently transferred me back to that same MARISAT operator who > quoted the rate. > Fourth surprise: the total cost of sending the fax (about $35) is > cheaper than sending the documents to the next scheduled stop for the > cruise ship by courier, mainly because none of the US courier service > ship there directly and a second Alaskan courier would be need. > Furthermore, faxing to the next port, even though it is still a > landline direct call, would be more expensive because the port agent > charges a fee for receiving faxes which my parents would be charged -- > the ship itself charges no direct fee. > [TELECM Digest Editor's Note: How could the water around Alaska be > considered part of the Indian Ocean? To the south/southwest of the > Alaska coast would surely be the Pacific Ocean; what about the water > of the north/northwest coast, in the Arctic region? How could the > Indian Ocean possibly fit into this? I guess my geography knowledge > must be poor also. PAT] I went through InMarSat heck about two or three years ago trying to learn about this to explain to management what the problem was, and am finally glad I can share my misery! There are four InMarSat Satellites - AOER (Atlantic Ocean East Region), AOWR (Atlantic Ocean West Region), POR (Pacific Ocean Region) and IOR (Indian Ocean Reagion). The name of the satellite 'generally' refers to the location of where the satellite is, in geosynchronous orbit. I used to have maps, but it's pretty accurate. For reference, AOER and AOWR are both serviced just outside of New York City, POR is serviced somewhere around San Deigo, CA, and IOR is serviced by a facility in Turkey. AOER, AOWR and POR are 'directly' linked to the US phone system -- since they are physically in the US. IOR (in Turkey) is linked via fiber optic to New York(?). I don't believe it goes through the Turkey phone system, except for whatever Turkey is involved in the fiber optic run. BTW, one thing you didn't mention is that each of the four satellites has it's own code - 871, 872, 873, and 874, I believe, but forget which code goes with which satellite. Please note -- break out your globe, hold a golf ball a few feet from the globe, and you'll realize that a boat in the Alaska sea has a 'line of sight' to two or three of the four satellites. Last I checked, most earth station terminals have either 'best signal' or 'preferred signal' capability -- you can take the strongest signal, or the preferred signal. If the IOR satellite was the preferred and *not* the best, that was a big mistake for faxing -- a few times the fiber optic line from Turkey to the US has dropped, and the call took two (!) satellite hops to get to the US (boat, satellite, Turkey, satellite, New York) -- death for faxes, caused by the time delay from the two satellite hops. Last time this happened, I had to tell Marisat they had a problem. I would hold out for POR until the signal degraded badly enough, even if the IOR signal was better, to make sure that the signal was going to a relay earth station *physically* in the US. OK, every country has it's own service provider and is welcome to use the satellite, but not every country does and might route their calls through the service provider of another country. There is both a 'preferred' landline service provider (to get the call from a landline to the relay earth station), and a 'monopolized' relay service provider (to get the call from the relay earth station to the satellite. There is only one service provider from the satellite to the earth station on the boat, drilling rig, portable or other earth station equipment - itself. For countries with government monopolized telecommunications organizations, the landline and relay earth stations bodies might be the same. In the US, the 'preferred' landline service provider is (was?) AT&T, but might have been open to competition in the last two years. Previously, you *could* use MCI to make an InMarSat call, but it would go from your landline to MCI, from MCI to AT&T, from AT&T to Marisat, then to the satellite and then to the earth station on the boat. No matter who you used, you ended up going through AT&T -- some carriers might have struck a good deal, to charge 80% of what AT&T would have to the customer, then pocketed the other 20%. So what happens if you are in another country, trying to call the boat in Alaska, such as Canada? People making calls while 'physically' in Canada will use a 'preferred' landline providoe (probably Bell Canada), and a 'monopolized' relay service providor (probably Marisat, or it's Canada subsidiary). But there are smaller countries in other continents (Europe, Africa, South America) that don't have relay earth station capability. I believe that Belgium was one of these countries, but they might have finally gotten their InMarSat realy earth station up -- you would place a call in Belgium, it would be forwarded to another country (England or France, last time I checked), and the realy earth station in *that* country would link it up to the InMarSat satellite. If you are on land, it's relatively easy. All calls from land to the boat go through the 'customer preferred' land-line carrier (eg: MCI), then to the 'InMarSat perferred' land line carrier (eg: AT&T), then to that country's InMarSat-M relay earth station (eg: Marisat in the US), then to the satellite, then to the earth station on the boat. BUT, if you are on the boat, you can *really* screw yourself up. You can force any call going *out* (from the boat to land) to go through a particular country (and hence a particular relay providor). For instance, you probably wouldn't care about incoming calls -- the person placing the calls gets charged, not you. But calls going *out* you get charged for -- so if you can pinch some pennies, you can pass the charge along to the customer on the boat and pass the savings along to the agent (on the boat). So all calls going *out* can have the 'country of relay' specified either from the earth station terminal, or from the DTMF dialing strings when dialing. I believe one particular example was that Marisat (using AT&T) in the USA would charge $10/minute, but the InMarSat-M providor in Australia (using an unknown land-line providor) would only charge $7/min. So you would be using the same satellite (AEOR, for instance), but would specify the 'country of relay' (which could be on the other side of the world), and save yourself $3/min. To answer your questions, it is entirely possible that the ship in the Alaska sea would be using the IOR (Indian Ocean Region) satellite. I'd have to break out my old maps of the InMarSat system, and cross-reference them to the world land map. It might not have been the best signal, but it *might* have been the best signal, and the earth station on the boat might have gone 'best signal', not 'preferred signal'. You should have been able to contact the cruise company, and they should have an up to the minute location (longitude and lattitude) of the boat, as well as which InMarSat satellite they are using at the time (POR or IOR). As per carriers, the last time I checked, *everything* goes through AT&T, so you can use any provider you want. You might actually have saved some money using MCI over AT&T, if the MCI negotiated rate is good enough (in bulk purchases by MCI from AT&T). The office I was at wasn't using AT&T, and they had to tell the bargain carrier specifically to permit InMarSat calls. They basically didn't sound like they knew what they were talking about. The first question they should have asked was 'which satellite ocean region is the boat in'. *Not* what water ocean region the boat is in, but which satellite ocean region the boat is in. InMarSat must have come down in the last few years, if you were charged 'only' $35 for the fax. Last time I used it, it was $10/minute, with no per-minute billing. A good sized fax would cost $100 (10 minutes). Steve B. bagdon@rust.net (h) USFMDDKT@ibmmail.com (w) http://www.rust.net/~bagdon Katharine aNd Steve (KNS) ------------------------------ From: sdhagar@aol.com (SDHagar) Subject: Re: International 800 Numbers Date: 26 Jun 1996 12:07:52 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: sdhagar@aol.com (SDHagar) The international service that is being discussed (IAC+800-XXX-XXXX) is known as UIFN: Universal International Freephone Number, and is described in detail in ITU-T Recommendation E.169. Introduction of the UIFN service also includes a reservation process for those people who may now have a toll-free number that they wish to expand to international locations. The initial plan was for the ITU registrar to begin accepting requests on 2-Jan-97; this date may be changing. If you have a number that you want to register, contact your 800 service provider to get all the details of the reservation process, and have your service provider prepare the appropriate submission to the national ROA, and on to the ITU. Steve Hagar shagar@attmail.com ------------------------------ From: turner7@pacsibm.org (TUrner-7) Subject: Re: International Dialing 1960's Style Date: 26 Jun 1996 16:19:06 GMT Organization: PACS IBM SIG BBS It was typical in the old Bell System to phase in technological improvements by a trial run in one location before rolling it out nationwide. Changes could be made based on the results of the experiment. For instance, around 1960 Bell wanted to try electronic ringers, as they'd use less ringing power than mechanical ones, and would be helpful in the new ESS they were developing. They converted a part of town in Illinois (ironically served by a manual exchange), giving the subscribers phones with electronic ringers. The experiment showed problems with the ringers of that time. For long distance dialing, operators got the ability first, then customers. For example, after WW II, local operators got the ability to dial long distance instead of forwarding the call to a special long distance operator who would "build" the call using trunk circuits. The experienced gained was important to customer dialed long distance Likewise, as Mark notes, local operators got the ability to dial directly overseas calls rather than using a special overseas operator. Interestingly, a look at Bell Labs RECORD of the early 1970s shows a lot of small developing nations being added to the overseas service -- before then, such places couldn't be reached apparently. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #312 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 15:32:12 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id PAA04988; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 15:32:12 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 15:32:12 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606261932.PAA04988@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #313 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 15:32:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 313 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (James Madsen) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Bob Goudreau) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (David Breneman) Telego Correction (Gary Navitsky) Re: Phone History Question (Marc Haber) Re: PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone (Kevin R. Ray) Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today (Christopher Ambler) Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access (Stephen Satchell) Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (John Higdon) Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization (msal765@aol.com) Train Telephones (turner7@picsibm.org) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:21:25 -0700 From: jmadsen@nextwavetel.com (James Madsen) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? stu@best.com (Stu Jeffery) wrote: > In TELECOM Digest V16 #301, Andrew Green writes: >> but the wording of this question still >> seems to imply that it would require three trucks and a bulldozer to >> install, whereas in actual fact I think they would simply hang it on >> the nearest telephone pole and no one would be the wiser ... > while Sir Topham Hatt writes: >> It's a blatent lie perpetrated by the local PCS industry. The towers >> are in fact no smaller. I regullarly get to hear the local PCS scum >> pleading their case for 100-200' monopoles in front of the county >> planning commision. > thus our Esteemed Editor writes: >> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your reply seems to be completely at >> odds with that of Andrew Greene who participated in a PCS experiment >> here in Chicago in 1993, as per the earlier message. Can we perhaps >> get a resolution on the differences? PAT] > I think I can help, but it won't be short! There is a lot of confusion as > to what PCS means. The original term was Personnel Communications Service > and it was meant to mean an advanced cordless telephone. This advanced > cordless phone had the following key features: > 1. It was cheap (the instrument cost about $100 > 2. It had very long battery life (couple of days between charges) > 3. It was small and light. > 4. It had toll quality voice (as good as your wired phone) > 5. It could be use away from your home, on the streets, etc. > Several radio technologies have been developed that meet these > requirements. The more well know include: > a. CT-2 (Cellular Telephone Rev 2) This is the system that Andrew > Green trialed in Chicago. (Hi Andrew!) > This is also called Bibop in France, Green in Holland, and > was a roaring success in Hong Kong. > b. DECT (Digital European Cordless Telephone) growing in Europe. > c. PHS (Personnel Handiphone System) growing rapidly in Japan > d. PACS (Personnel Access Communication System) a technology developed > by Bellcore; now being aggressively pushed by Hughes, Siemens > but so far without wide deployment. If you flip though current > wireless trade journals you will see ads for the PACS EDGE. > Now here comes the problem. If you carefully look at the list of features, > (1 to 5) you will notice it does not include a requirement to operate in > your car. That omission is not an oversight. The requirement for vehicular > speed operation was specifically dropped from the wish list, because this > one factor causes tremendous additional complications that in turn > translate into increased costs. If the radio technology is going to work > with cars, then coverage range has to be increase from several hundred feet > to at least several thousand feet and most likely a few miles. In a long reply comment to Stu Jeffery's e-mail of the roaring success of CT-2, I would offer that CT-2 has been a roaring *failure* in both Canada, UK, Germany and Hong Kong. Specifically, England had four but they are not operational anymore. Several operators in Canada were licensed in Canada but gave CT-2 up. Germany had plans to start one but gave it up. For Hong Kong ... Back in the November 1994 Teleresources Newsletter there was an interesting article titled: "The Shine Comes off TELEPOINT in Hong Kong". Teleresources, a Sydney based newsletter discusses an interview with Mike Pilgrim, the CEO of Pacific Telelink, the operator of a Hong Kong TELEPOINT system, one of three 'low-tier' based services operating in Hong Kong. In this article Pilgrim is very critical of Hong Kong CT2 deployments (including his own system!). Some key comments: Teleresources: "Despite having reached 175,000 users, the largest group of CT2 users in the world, the Hong Kong market has almost stalled...". "The problem is that this [high rate of] churn is not between the telepoint operators but rather from CT2 to Cellular". Teleresources, on subscriber equipment subsidies: "This has lead to the ridiculous situation [in Hong Kong] where a numeric pager now costs more than a CT2 handset. To achieve this level Pilgrim claimed that the operators were subsidizing CT2 handsets by between 50 and 80 percent". Pilgrim/Pacific Telelink describes what he perceives as the basis for the problem: "Customers want more coverage and they want it everywhere. Yet the high cost of providing blanket coverage using microcell technology is prohibitive at least in Hong Kong. Renting base station sites is expensive, so are line rental charges, depreciation costs and so on ..." Teleresources: "The other and more fundamental problem has been the failure of Pacific Telelink's positioning of their telepoint system as the 'personal phone booth' ..." The article also points out the serious limitiations of CT2 in the area of ubiquitious coverage: Pilgrim/Pacific Telelink: "A paged message can be received anywhere in Hong Kong inside and outside. If a customer receives a paged message, they instinctively try to respond with their CT2 handset. There are bound to be times therefore that they can't respond to a paging call because there's no telepoint base station. Telepoint then loses its value and customer resentment sets in". Pilgrim then states, that despite agressive marketing by Japanese vendors, he views the same problems as besetting the Japanese PHS systems. Then, in what seems like a final nail in the CT2 coffin, Pilgrim discusses the costs of providing full coverage, as well as the costs of relocating base stations. This is significant as Hong Kong has a tremendous telephony infrastructure. Backhaul lines for CT2, even though costly, at least exist in HK. Contrast the comments below with the infrastructure issues inherent in an Indian or Brazilian deployment: Pilgrim: "Because of the volatile property market and a booming construction industry, we're having to relocate something like 10 percent of our base stations every year - and that's without the problems of overlap between cell sites and frequency planning. On average, it takes three months to relocate a site during which time a hole exists in coverage. Whilst this is undesirable from a CT2 perspective, it could prove a major disadvantage to future telepoint operators that promise blanket coverage with handoff and an incoming call facility". At the moment, [Hong Kong] telepoint operators support anything between three and five thousand base stations each and that is not enough. For a service to provide more extensive coverage and overlap between cell sites for handoff, a far greater number of base station sites will be required, probably between 10,000 and 15,000". If a low-mobility, microcellular solution is not viable in a Hong Kong, with extremely high population densities, as well as developed infrastructure, it seems even less likely to be successful in the United States. Further, on February 9, 1996, Reuters reported ... Hutchison Whampoa Ltd is considering options for its CT2 mobile phone unit including shutting the unit down, a spokeswoman said on Friday. utchison unit Hutchison Telecom has around 60,000 subscribers to CT2, a mobile phone that only makes outgoing calls in limited zones. It has recently lost about 20,000 CT2 subscribers who have migrated to other companies or to Hutchison's other mobile technology, the spokeswoman told Reuters. "They (management) are considering the future of CT2," she said. "We have no exact plans on when to shut down CT2," she said. Hutchison has around 70,000 subscribers to its Global System for Mobile (GSM) cellular system and around 11,000 CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) mobile phone system. ------------------ In regard to PHS, it has grown to 2% penetration (certainly not dramatic by US standards of 14%), and already the spectral inefficiencies of PHS are showing, so that Wireless Business & Finance reported on May 8, 1996, that Japan may adopt CDMA for its future wireless services: Japanese telecom authorities have decided to take a look at whether to adopt code division multiple access (CDMA) as an air interface standard -- a surprising move for a country that has prided itself on developing its own standard for wireless voice communications. The action reflects renewed concerns that the fast-growing cellular market will hit capacity constraints within a few years. The popularity of Japan's personal handyphone system services (WB&F, March 13) may put a further strain on capacity. Against this backdrop, an arm of the government's Telecommunications Council last week recommended that the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications consider adopting CDMA because of the capacity gains it is said to afford over other technologies, including Japan's own 1.5 GHz personal digital cellular standard. ----------------- That leaves PACS as the sole standard bearer of low-tier PCS. Unfortunately for PACS, the A, B, & C block PCS winners in the USA have collectrively bid over $17 billion for the equivalent of 750 million POPs. Only GCI which won 0.2 million of the 750 million total has indicated any likelihood of using PACS. If this 0.026% penetration of PACS holds, then it may by a bit difficult for vendors supporting PACS to obtain meaningful manufacturing economies of scale. Stu Jeffery goes on to write: > So when the dust settles, if you want a system that will work at vehicular > speeds, you end up with the technology that is used in cellular today. > The main cellular type technologies being deployed in PCS today are: > a. PCS-1900 (This is GSM shifted to 1900 MHz) > b. Upbanded IS-136 (North American TDMA) This is what you get today > if you have a digit cellular phone. > c. Upbanded IS-95 CDMA. This is the spread spectrum technology that's > been experiencing a slow and often delayed birth. It is supposed > to be commercial late this year. > d. IS-661 - This is Omnipoints technology that won them a pioneer > preference. Omnipoint considers their technology also a cordless > type as described at the beginning of this memo. > So who is deploying what technology today? > In PCS bands A, B and C High Tier has been selected by about 90 percent of > the winners. The specific High Tier technology choices are: > CDMA - the big winner as to selection, but no one > has commerical PCS operation > PCS-1900 (North American GSM) and IS-136 (North American TDMA) > are close to being tied for second place. New digital technologies have seen slow initial roll-outs. Specifically, IS-136 is *not* what one has gotten in the US with a digital cellular phone. The TDMA flavor available has been IS-54 which suffers from notorious weak voice quality, so much so that it has been frequently marketed at a discount to analog in order that subscribers will use it. IS-136 promises to bring a digital control channel to TDMA and improve its voice quality. Time will tell. Unfortunately for those who've invested in a IS-54 TDMA handset, they are not forward compatible to IS-136. It's notable among A, B, & C license winners, only AT&T Wireless and SBC have announced any intention to deploy IS-136. BellSouth, who has significant IS-54 TDMA experience, chose not to deploy IS-54/IS-136 TDMA for its PCS licenses. CDMA was not commercially available in 1995 as many predicted, but as of June, 1996, CDMA *is* commercial in several markets. Hutchison's Hong Kong network will have 60,000 CDMA subs by 7/96; Korea Mobile Telecom and Shinsegi have both launched commercial CDMA networks in Korea, each with 10K+ subs. BANM announced its initial CDMA service in Trenton NJ/Bucks County PA in 4/96. AirTouch launched its CDMA service on the PowerBand name in Los Angeles 5/96. Unlike TDMA launches, AirTouch sees CDMA digital as a premium service to analog. As noted above, high tier PCS appears to be the choice of 99.98% of the PCS POPs won to date. Best Regards, Jim Madsen NextWave Telecom, Inc jmadsen@nextwavetel.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 12:59:17 -0400 From: goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? > Ed Kleinhample (edhample@sprynet.com) writes: > In the Tampa area, the GTE "telego" PCS system has been available > for bout a year. A friend who lives in Pasco County invested in one of > the "TeleGo" phones and was rather disappointed. This phones is the > combination "cordless"-like unit that behaves much like a cordless > when it can contact it's basestation, or like a cellular when it is > beyond the range of it's base. I think that you have fallen victim to GTE's propagandistic attempt to confuse people about what "PCS" means. The local GTE Cellular One franchise here also talks a lot about "PCS" in its advertisements, but when you read the smaller print, you see that all they mean is "Personal Communications Solutions", which is just an empty-headed feel-good marketing weasel phrase that encompasses all their cellular offerings, including TeleGo (which some friends of mine tried and hated). The mobile technology used in TeleGo is nothing more than the usual [N]AMPS standard used in ordinary bread & butter cellular phones. The "PCS" under discussion in the Digest stands for (I think) "Personal Communications System", and refers to a number of completely new digital wireless technologies. Not the same thing at all as GTE's misuse of the abbreviation. Bob Goudreau Data General Corporation goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com 62 Alexander Drive +1 919 248 6231 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA ------------------------------ From: david.breneman@attws.com (David Breneman) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: 26 Jun 1996 17:44:20 GMT Organization: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. In article hbaker@netcom.com (Henry Baker) writes: Deletions ... > 'Intrusive' is a matter of taste. Do you want a few major eyesores, or > a whole bunch of minor eyesores? In Japan, one company mounts their PCS > antennas on the tops of their phone booths (which they own). > In the Middle Ages, people built very pretty pager antennas -- they were > called church bell towers, and operated on sound instead of radio. So > there's some precedent for building prettier antennas! This isn't a snide remark, I'm genuinely curious: Why is a church steeple inherently "prettier" than an antenna tower? Why is it more or less desirable in your neighborhood? I don't think an antenna tower would be any more attractive if it were decorated with a bunch of added-on filligree, which is how the otherise plain masonry towers of old cathedrals were "prettied-up." Would a Roman Revival, Tudor, Rococo or Art Noveau antenna tower be more attractive than a functional steel mast? David Breneman Unix System Administrator AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. david.breneman@attws.com Ph: +1-206-803-7362 Fx: +1-206-803-7410 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 96 12:36:48 -0400 From: Gary Navitsky Subject: Telego Correction I just wanted to make a correction to a statement one of the readers made in an earlier Digest concerning Telego. It is NOT a PCS system. It simply works as a regular analog cellular phone when out of range from the base unit in the home. I think the problems he mentioned are because of the phone, and not necessarily the Mobilnet system. *** My views here do not represent those of my employer *** Thanks, Gary Navitsky CS-CBSS DBA/DMM x3127 ------------------------------ From: s_haber@ira.uka.de (Marc Haber) Subject: Re: Phone History Question Date: 26 Jun 1996 10:57:51 GMT Organization: University of Karlsruhe, Germany In article , Jon Parro wrote: > Does anyone know when they stopped hardwiring phones and started > installing phone jacks (in Southern California, particularly)? I hope this will be a matter of interest for you, but in Germany they started installing phone jacks in the mid 80s. There was legislation before that stated that if you had a telephone, you had to be reachable at all times, so you had to have one telephone hardwired. Other telephones could be movable. They used ADO phone jacks that were rather clumsy to handle and converted to the current TAE jack in about 1986. Modular jacks aren't used by German Telekom. Phone manufacturers use modular jacks to connect the phone cable to the phone and to connect the receiver to the phone as it is done in the U.S. BTW, up until the early 90s, you couldn't buy phones -- you had to rent them from the telco (which was and still is one company in a monopoly situation). We _have_ modular jacks for ISDN :-) Greetings from Germany, Marc Haber s_haber@ira.uka.de Karlsruhe, Germany Fon: *49 721 966 32 15 Nordisch by Nature Fax: *49 721 966 31 29 ------------------------------ From: kevin@eagle.ais.net (Kevin R. Ray) Subject: Re: PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone Date: 26 Jun 1996 15:28:55 GMT Organization: Bob Ray & Associates, Inc. Reply-To: kevin@bobray.kray.com David Yewell (yewell@ix.netcom.com) wrote: > I subscribe to telco provided voicemail (The Message Center), and I > also use the same line for my pc modem. My modem will not dial when > the stutter dial tone is present. Does anyone know a way to get around > this problem (other than clearing all the messages and removing the > stutter dial tone?) > Is there a modem I can use which will dial anyhow? > What do alarm company modems do when they are attached to a line which > is also on a voice mail line? How do they seize the line? > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think your modem should have a provision > for what is known (used to be known?) as 'blind dialing'. That is, > instead of waiting for what it recognizes as dial tone, it simply goes > off hook and after some preset period of time -- usually four or five > seconds -- it just starts dialing. In lots of places there is still > what I would call a non-standard dial tone -- behind some PBXs for > example -- and this blind dialing is needed to overcome that. PAT] You can blind dial with the modem but in cases this will also limit the modem in seeing "NO ANSWER", "NO CARRIER", and "BUSY". You didn't specify if it was a Hayes Compatible modem (I'm assuming it is :-) Being a Hayes type modem you can modify register S06 which by default is set to '2' (ie: wait 2 seconds for dial tone before dial). Bump this up to 8 or 10 (ie: ATS6=8) and if you do not have messages waiting it will dial as normal (it saw the dialtone quicker). If you do have messages waiting it will wait 8 seconds for a solid dialtone before dialing. I've used just about every brand of modem (Hayes, Practical Peripherals, Zoom, Microcom, USR, etc) with the stuttered dialtone with no problems after changed S6. You will want to change the init string for what ever program you are using to dial to include S6=8 -or- issue ats6=8&w to save the profile as the default (which could depend on your Y register). Read the manual for more information or email me if needed. ------------------------------ From: chris@kosh.punk.net (Christopher Ambler) Subject: Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today Date: 26 Jun 1996 05:32:01 GMT Organization: Punknet Secret Headquarters and Day Care Centre ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) wrote: > The InterNIC organization says it has gotten tired of asking people > to pay the bill for their domain name, and in some cases has asked > several times without getting a response or payment. I'll tell you what, PAT, the Internic has received over $4,000 from my firm for domain registrations (I own a web design firm). I anticipate that they will receive over $30,000 from us before the end of the year, asssuming that they don't change their fees. They still insist upon payment for two or three that I've never received a bill for. They send email now and again, but have yet to send a paper bill. They've threatened to shut them off if we don't pay, and I've told them I'd be happy to pay if I would just get a bill. The IRS won't take email as a business expense receipt -- I need documentation. I've told them that if they shut off domain service to any of the names we've not yet paid for, there would be legal action. I still await either action or a bill. I hope it's a bill. I said it before, and I'll say it again: if there were competition, they'd have my business. The InterNIC is a de-facto monopoly and I'm personally disgusted with how they do business. I inquired as to what it would take to start my own NIC, even going as far as to find an investor with a seven-figure willingness. The answer from "those in the know" was that it just wouldn't be allowed. I find myself frustrated and disgusted, but with no apparent remedy. (C) Copyright, 1996 Christopher Ambler, Director, Punknet Internet Cooperative chris@punk.net <- Preferred Email Address http://www.punk.net/~chris <- Home Page (everyone's got one) http://www.rhps.org <- Zen Room Presents the RHPS.ORG web site! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 22:21:35 -0700 From: satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) Subject: Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access John, At the Nevada Public Service hearing on Nevada Bell's rather large rate case, I managed to get the attention of some Nevada Bell people to the idea of setting up a shared leased-line service that extends the Internet model to the neighborhood. I'll be posting the proposal I submitted to everyone later in the week. First, some comments. ISDN call setup is slow because ISDN calls go through the same least-cost routing that analog calls use. This takes time because of complex traffic-balancing algorithms used in a number of the networks. Also, remember that you have PPP establishment time, which frankly is slow as the hills in the current implementations. ISDN-on-demand also means you have to have some way to determine when the link is no longer needed, at least for a significant length of time. This is not simple, and has driven more than one remote-link-product engineer batty. My proposal tries to solve two problems: lowering the cost of Internet access and removing over-long calls from the PSTN switches. While I agree that data users don't need to be hooked to the network 24 hours a day, it's much cheaper in the long run to require the subscriber to "own" only the local terminal adapter, short local loop, and a line card in a concentrator. Everything else from the concentrator back to the internet point of presence would be shared. Because the loop would be dedicated AND short, you could use ADSL or HDSL for the up to 3000 feet between house and concentrator. Indeed, there would be no problem having a single T1 backhaul handle a 12-block neighborhood -- a T1 can handle roughly 480 Web servers comfortably, even if they are on-line at the same time. ISPs have served 3000 users with a pair of T1 circuits, and that includes keeping news servers up to date. By the way, using very pessimestic cost estimates for the equipment, the telco could provide the service for about $30/month flat rate and make money on the deal. Users would see up to 384 kilobits/s transport during shoulder hours, and perhaps 30-100 kilobits/s during peak demand times given a reasonable digital backhaul to the Internet backbone. With ISPs out of the modem-bank business, they could provide DNS, news, and Web storage for far less, so in my case I would pay the same $45/month for all Internet services, and get much better service to boot. I agree that ISDN *could* have been a solution. But it isn't. Stephen Satchell, Satchell Evaluations http://www.accutek.com/~satchell for contact info ------------------------------ Organization: Green Hills and Cows Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 10:09:42 -0700 From: John Higdon Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers Phil Stanley writes: > If AT&T really wanted to keep their customers, they would insure that > they received the best plan. Has an AT&T representative ever called > to ask if you would like to review you plan and compare to other plans > they may have? Don't think so! You will only hear from them after > you switch. Most people reading this would agree that I am no great fan of AT&T (I use another company for my own major business long distance), but fair is fair. AT&T is PIC'ed on my residence lines, and I have had a number of calls from AT&T suggesting that I drop or add various plans. In checking with some of my clients who are still using AT&T for business, I find that AT&T is in constant touch with them, adjusting rates and services. Granted, I have sixteen residence lines and my clients are connected to AT&T via PRI, but to make the blanket statement that AT&T NEVER calls customers until after they "switch" is simply not true. John Higdon | P.O. Box 7648 | +1 408 264 4115 | FAX: john@ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | +1 500 FOR-A-MOO | +1 408 264 4407 | http://www.ati.com/ati/ | ------------------------------ From: msal765@aol.com (MSal765) Subject: Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization Date: 26 Jun 1996 12:04:48 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: msal765@aol.com (MSal765) Does anyone in this group have any information they could impart to me on the following French Telecom Organization. It is called L'OBSERVATOIRE MONDIAL DES SYSTEMES DE COMMUNICATION (also known as Omsyc). I have not been able to find them on the Internet so an address or phone/fax number would be very helpful. I appreciate any assistance any of you could render. Thank you in advance for your reply. Sincerely, MSal ------------------------------ From: turner7@pacsibm.org (TUrner-7) Subject: Train Telephones Date: 26 Jun 1996 16:19:08 GMT Organization: PACS IBM SIG BBS Speaking of portable telephones ... Starting in the 1930's, luxury trains provided a telephone connected to the city system while the train was berthed in a major station. It was connected simply through a plug from the train. Some interurban trains had a phone for the motorman where he plugged in to a jack on an adjacent pole. In 1969, when the Penn Central introduced the Metroliner high speed train service, dialed direct touch tone phones were placed on the train. While we take it for granted today, back then touch tone and dialed direct coin service was a new innovation. Calls could also be made TO a Metroliner -- the bar car attendant would page the passenger. I believe the Pennsylvania Railroad's postwar Congressional trains offered radiotelephone service between NYC and Washington. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #313 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 17:49:01 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id RAA19041; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 17:49:01 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 17:49:01 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606262149.RAA19041@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #314 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 17:48:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 314 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson FCC Issues Order: Right of First Refusal (TELECOM Digest Editor) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Eric Tholome) Re: Control of 888 NXXs (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Power For Telephones (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' (Louis Boyd) Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? (Glen L. Roberts) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Steven Lichter) Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software (Dan Halverson) Book Review: "Local and Metropolitan Area Networks" (Rob Slade) Re: Full Text of Story on Peter Piper (David K. Bryant) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: FCC Issues Order: Right of First Refusal Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 16:00:00 EDT This bulletin was just received via fax from Judith Oppenheimer: On June 24, 1996, Regina M. Keeney, Chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau directed Database Services Managment Inc. (DSMI) to ... "release into the general pool of toll free numbers, any 888 number currently in the unavailable pool created by the Commissions's action in which an 800 subscriber no longer wishes to assert an interest in that number." The letter goes on, "We also require that DSMI not release any 888 number until it has received a letter from the Responsible Organization (Resp Org) authorizing DSMI to release that particular 888 number along with a copy of the letter the current 800 subscriber sent to its Resp Org or Toll Free Service Provider declining the private interest in the corresponding 888 number. "Finally, we emphasize that the Bureau is not addressing, at this time, the issue of whether any toll free numbers ultimately should be accorded any special protection or the customers afforded any special right." -------------------------------- Ms. Oppenheimer adds a footnote: The FCC does not instruct how Resp Orgs and Toll Free Service Providers are to contact 800 subscribers to ascertain their wishes in this matter. PAT ------------------------------ From: tholome@francenet.fr (Eric Tholome) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 21:43:22 +0200 Stu Jeffery has given a very interesting (and long) answer to this question, which was about various PCS systems. I can give you another answer (my knowledge is in PCS1900 but I bet it would be applicable to other standards): - first of all, there is the size of the equipment. This is shrinking as technology improves, but there is still some correlation between the size of the equipment and the cell capacity. It ranges from a few big cabinets to the size of a shoe box. - second of all, there is the size of the tower, which will be big if you want a big cell (rural environment), but small to non existent if you want a small cell (urban environment). So the bottom line is: it depends on the type of cell. Eric Tholome private account 23, avenue du Centre tholome@francenet.fr 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux phone: +33 1 30 48 06 47 France fax: same number, call first! (if calling, remember that France is 6 to 10 hours ahead of the U.S.A.!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 14:35:53 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Control of 888 NXXs rms.globalnet@sandrose.com asks: > Is the NANPA doling out 888 NXX's the same way it doled out 800 NXXs? > Specifically, do you know if there is a list anywhere of which IXCs > control which 888 NXXs? to which PAT responds: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Wow are you going back a long time! > There has been no geographical distinction on 800-NXX for many, many > years. It used to be AT&T assigned 800-NXX based on location and on > type of 800 service (i.e. intrastate and interstate, etc) but for a > number of years now, it has been wide-open with anyone getting the 800 > number they were able to obtain from various sources, etc. Judith > Oppenheimer will correct me if I am wrong, but I think since 888 > opened up it has been on a first come, first served basis with all > numbers available to everyone with a few exceptions. Now you just go > to your carrier and ask for the number you want. If it is available, > you get it. PAT] It *has* been about fifteen years since "The Bell System" (AT&T) had a geographic and service distinction of Inward WATS Toll-Free based on the 800-NNX code. Sometime around 1981/82, AT&T introduced CCIS#6 signalling and a network of databases which among other things (such as automated calling card service and automated coin toll service) allowed a 'limited' form of portability with an 800 number. AT&T (and the monopoly LEC's) was the only game in town (as far as 800) at that time, so the portability was strictly geographic. AT&T (and the Canadian LEC telcos of Telecom-Canada, now Stentor) had something like 200 individual NNX codes in use in Toll-Free 800. They did *not* 'expand' the remaining available NNX (or NXX) codes to the 'max' of 792 possible codes. In the mid 1980's, after divestiture, the FCC/DOJ/Greene/Courts/etc. authorized Bellcore to *temporarily* assign remaining 800-NXX codes to the competing LD carriers and even the LEC's for 'intra-LATA-only' 800 service. When SS#7 signalling and LIDB's were more-or-less in place in the LEC's networks, the 800-NXX code assignment scheme would be discontinued in favor of 'full' portability'. This occurred around the Spring of 1993, in the US. Canada joined in the 'general' US portability pool in early 1994. When Bellcore began 800-NXX assignments to carriers in the mid-80's, they reserved the following: 800-N02, 800-N12 (sixteen codes total) for state-by-state assignments to the RCC's, Radio Common Carriers (paging, cellular, mobile, etc). These codes are *still* assigned/reserved as such, but the line-number portion is included in various parts of the databases. 800-555 was reserved for specific line-number assignments by Bellcore to special functions. We are all familiar with 800-555-1212 for Toll-Free Directory Assistance. And then there was 800-555-5000, which for several years just prior to and just after divestiture was the "Bell Answer Line". AT&T has had 800-555-8111 for CPE customer service for many years. There probably have been several other special assignments in 800-555, and *all* of them routed over AT&T (or the LEC) in the US, and the Stentor companies and networks in Canada. In late 1994 (after portability came into use), 800-555 went into the general portability pool, for not yet assigned line numbers. We are now seeing *many* 800-555-xxxx numbers in advertisements these days for general use. 800-855 was reserved for specific line-number assignments by Bellcore to services for the hearing impaired using TTY/TDD modems. There is 800-855-1155 for operator assisted calls, using a TTY/TDD modem. I know that there have been some additional line-number assignments for TTY/TDD as well. 800-855 calls were always routed over AT&T and Stentor. I think that 800-855 is still reserved for TTY/TDD functions, but I don't know if there is any form of carrier portability yet. The eight 800-N11 codes were *not* going to be assigned by Bellcore NANPA back in the mid-80's. Last year, all of the 800-N11 codes *except* 800-911 were assigned as 'general portable' codes. With the inclusion of seven of the eight N11 codes, there are 799 possible NXX codes being used in 800. There are also about a dozen 800-NXX codes which are assigned to *specific* (NANP) Caribbean countries/islands. I think this is for intra-island or intra-Caribbean toll free only. The line-number assignments are *not* included in the regular US/Canada number portability LIDB-databases, although Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands' LIDB's might have them, as these are both US *and* Caribbean. Now along comes 888. I've been told that there are no more new 'Caribbean specific' NXX codes, so there won't be any in 888. And 888 is to be *just* as portable as 800. The N02 and N12 codes are also to be used in 888 for RCC's just as they were used in 800. All of the N11 codes (except 911) are to be used in 888 for 'general portability', as well as 555. I think that 855 is going to be reserved for TTY/TDD services in 888 as well, but I don't know the 'portability' status of 888-855 as to the carrier. At the present time, there aren't any written plans to eventually introduce 800-0XX/1XX or 888-0XX/1XX codes, although the matter has been discussed in the industry forums over the past few years. Many switches would need a major reprogramming or even replacement to handle 0XX/1XX format customer dialable central office codes, even in 800/888/etc. I would assume that the above descriptions for 800's and 888's NXX codes will also apply to the NXX codes within 877, 866, 855, 844, 833 and 822, when those toll free special area codes are going to be needed. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:28:34 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Power For Telephones Jean-Francois Mezei aska: > Since standard conventional home pots telephones rely on basically > uninterruptible power supplied by the telco, the telephone is often > regarded as an emergency device that works even during power failures. > With the advent of fiber to the home and the use of coax cable for > telephony, I am wondering how this "emergency use" will be handled when > power for the telephone will no longer be supplied by the telco. Many telcos are already providing fiber and co-ax in the local loop distribtution. Many rural areas began using microwave as part of the local loop for about fifteen years ago. From what I understand, where alternatives to copper in the local loop have been used, telco has 'interface boxes' in a neighberhood which probably draw power from the commercial electric power company as well as backup batteries in the 'remote interface boxes'. > Will the interface devices have built-in rechargeable batteries ? What > sort of stand-alone ability in terms of hours would they be expected to > have in order to rival the current telephone system's robustness and > availability? If you have an answering machine or cordless phone, *you* as the customer are responsible for the 'extra' electrical power for those devices. These days, many of the newer answering machines and cordless base units have battery backup in addition to a standard AC electric cord. The same goes for Caller-ID boxes. In the case of answering machines, many do not use the batteries for powering the device for 'normal' use in the event of a commercial power outage, but rather to keep the 'controls' in sync, such as how many new messages have been recorded, etc. Some of the new digital storage answering machines, which have no moving tape but rather store the outgoing announcement and incoming messages in electronic circuits use the battery back-up *only* for 'saving' the user's info into its 'RAM-like' chips. My parents' answering machine is an AT&T digital storage model, uses AC power to operate, and has batteries for backup, but will *NOT* operate during an AC power failure. I checked with BellSouth sometime last year about residential ISDN, and among other things, was told that the *customer* is responsible for providing power. They also recommend *battery backup* power in the ISDN customer side equipment, as well as keeping at least *one* traditional analog POTS voice line, since if the commercial AC power goes out and there are not batteries, your *entire* ISDN line goes dead. It also will have to be 'reconfigured' by telco when the power is restored before being fully functional again. I don't know how other Bell or LEC telcos tariffs handle ISDN power in their operating territories. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:39:41 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls bubba@insync.net (Bill Garfield) writes: > I received a postcard today informing me about a change that's going > to be made to my SPRINT FONCARD effective July 1st. (snip) Well, isn't *THAT* a 'great' security measure (sarcasm intended) -- Sprint telling you about new special security matters on a *POSTCARD*! If there is a concern about FON-card fraud, you'd think that they would mail the info in a *SEALED envelope*! And if the receipient doesn't get around to opening it, and then tries to place an international call and can't get through, well that's *their* problem. I haven't had a Sprint account for quite some time, so I don't know how much detail would be included in their mailings. I would hope that your *telephone* number or *Sprint account* number isn't indicated on that postcard! Not too long ago, when I was calling some NANP Caribbean locations from the PBX here at work, using my AT&T Calling Card (as 800-321-0288 access), I was 'intercepted' when calling Jamaica and *certain* other 809 (some soon-to-be former 809) NANP islands. I got an AT&T "interna- tional" operator (the usual current AT&T style recordings came on first) who asked me some additional personal info before allowing my card-call to go through, as there was a lot of fraud associated with those countries. For each country which needed additional verification, I was told that further calls to those countries would go through without any more 'intercepts'. But additional countries dialed for the first time would get me one of these 'intercepts'. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: Louis Boyd Subject: Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' Date: 26 Jun 1996 18:03:38 GMT Organization: Fairborn Observatory Tom Graham wrote: > Hi -- I am trying to remember what "iky pic" is cable slang for. > "Pic" is "plastic insulated cable"? And, "iky" is the jelly that > water proofs the cable? Been too long since I worked for WE at the > Hawthorne Works; any of you Pioneers out there give me the real story > here? The P is for polyethylene. IKY does not simply mean messy. The "jelly" resembles a thicker and stickier version of Vaseline. When PIC cable was originally introduced in the air core version it was called "waterproof" and it even had some water in it from the manufacturing process used to cool the plastic. Unfortunately poly cable develops hairline cracks and then the moisture produces high resistance shorts and crosses. Woodpeckers and gophers help to let more water in. So jelly filled cable was invented. FIlling the low dielectric space (air) with jelly lowered the capacitance so thicker plastic had to be used. Most new direct buried cable is filled PIC. The stuff is difficult for the splicers as the insulation is stiffer in 19 gauge used for long rural runs. There are solvents to clean the jelly off but in cramped closures and vaults it's impossible to work without ruining your clothes. Hence Ickey. That by the way is the NICE name. I won't go into other names. ------------------------------ From: glr@ripco.com (Glen L. Roberts) Subject: Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? Reply-To: glr@ripco.com Organization: Full Disclosure Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:33:16 GMT sscott@airmail.net (Steve Scott) wrote: > Does anybody know if there is an on line reverse telephone directory > for Austin, TX? I guess it doesn't have to be on-line, though. Can I > call Southwestern Bell and ask for this information? There are a number of online phone books for the USA. A number of them have reverse look-up. I have a number compiled at: http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html Purity of Opinion through force of Intimidation: http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/rogue The Stalker's Home Page! What the hell? Are you listed? http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html ------------------------------ From: slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu (Steven Lichter) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: 26 Jun 1996 10:59:46 -0700 Organization: GINA and CORE+ Services of The California State University franz@uci.edu (Michael Franz) writes: > Even better: my caller-ID box sits in wait, but last Friday I received > this very nice letter from PacBell stating that due to old exchange > equipment, CID would not be offered in my area. > Michael Franz (714 856 xxxx) > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So what *are* they doing about > Caller-ID in California now. What is the latest word as of today, > June 26? PAT] They are now saying by 7/1, but I wonder what year. To make things faster at least for me I told them to just install it without calling me back since their lists are so long. I guess when my box works I'll know it is up. As to your exchange not having CID, what are you in a Step or Crossbar, those are the only ones that it might not work in and even if you were, there are computer supported systems that work to provide that service even in those. GTE years ago had a electronic director system before upgrading to digital switches in some of thir offices, it gave true tone dialing and electronic translation, which made the conversion a lot easier since the trunking was in place. I don't think PacBell has any step left, at least I have not heard of any and crossbar if is still around must be in some small areas or in a CO that is to be replaced. SysOp Apple Elite II and OggNet Hub (909)359-5338 2400/14.4 24 hours, Home of GBBS/LLUCE Support for the Apple II and Macintoch computers. slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu ------------------------------ From: danh@tbc1.tbcnet.com (Daniel W. Halverson) Subject: Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software Date: 26 Jun 1996 18:03:14 GMT Organization: TBC On-Line Data-Net We have been using SNMPc by Castlerock Software for most of our network monitoring. We are also looking into another package I saw at comdex that would monitor all the major Internet functions (sendmail, www, gopher, ftp, etc.) that we are looking at right now. I don't remember the name, will re-post when I find it again. SNMPc costs ~$800. The enterprise version of the other software (multiple severs, etc) was ~$1200. I know there are some Unix utilities that can work also, but I haven't done much with them. Dan tbcnet.com - The 815 area's best Commercial Internet Provider. - 28.8K V.34 all the way. For info call 815-758-5040. danh@tbcnet.com -Check out http://www.tbcnet.com/linkusage to see a example of SNMP to HTTP.- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:48:42 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Local and Metropolitan Area Networks" by Stallings BKLANMAN.RVW 960524 "Local & Metropolitan Area Networks", William Stallings, 1997, 0-13-190737-9 %A William Stallings %C One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 %D 1997 (!) %G 0-13-190737-9 %I Prentice Hall %O +1-201-236-7139 fax: +1-201-236-7131 800-576-3800 416-293-3621 %P 605 %T "Local & Metropolitan Area Networks" Stallings work is the definitive textbook on data communications concepts and technologies for networks within a local calling area. This is a "ground up" treatment of the subject, starting with the basic requirements for data communications over distance, and working up to performance issues on the latest high speed networks. The material is suitable for courses which mix theory with the practical. Topics covered include media, protocol architecture, traditional technologies, high speed LANs, wireless communications, performance, bridges, internetworking, and management. Current topics such as fibre and ATM are well covered. (The next generation of the Internet Protocol is not, but is not as important at the level the book covers.) copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKLANMAN.RVW 960524. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. ====================== DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca BCVAXLUG Envoy http://www.decus.ca/www/lugs/bcvaxlug.html ------------------------------ From: dbryant@netcom.com (David K. Bryant) Subject: Last Laugh! How Stupid People Can Be Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 06:10:08 GMT Pat: This falls into the category of "manufactured news". The "I'm so stupid and I want the world to know it" type. In the SF BAy Area a couple of years ago some woman was on TV complaining about the $2000 cell phone bill she got. She was a sales-type and had come to the Bay Area but forgot her cell phone. So, rather than have HER phone FedEx'd to her, she rented one. She proceeded to moan and whine about all the charges she was getting stuck with ... roaming, rental, etc. Then she made the mistake of showing the bill ... the camera focused in on the $2222 in charges. Also in focus was the 1111 minutes of airtime she had. Get a dime lady. Pull over and use a pay phone and quit complaining that you hogged the airwaves. Thank you for letting me rant. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Rant: You are quite welcome. So thatr comes out to about two dollars per minute, *including the rental fee, the roaming charges, etc.* That's still not a very good deal, but you'd think she would have known to be frugual in her use of the phone at least until her own got sent to her. Speaking of dumb people, I see this lady around from time to time who is convinced the only reason 'the telephone company' adds new area codes is to increase 'what they make on long distance calls'. She tells that to anyone who will listen, and sadly, quite a few people do believe her. She insists that calls to another area code are always long distance, with a toll charge. So the more of them there are, the more toll charges there will be. Then -- and this one surely ranks up there with the all time classics along with the "I cannot find a key marked 'ANY' on the keyboard" story -- there is the one about the man who had fax software in his computer but could not get it to operate correctly. He finally decided that to send a fax what you do is take the sheet of paper to be faxed and press it against the front of the computer screen for a couple minutes. (You don't see any smile on my face when I say this do you?) The great comedian from early in this century, W.C. Fields had a cute remark about people. He said, "the dumber they are, the better I like them ...". Fields was talking about and describing the kind of women he wanted for girl friends. I do not think many customer service reps in these technically complex times would agree with him however where their customer base is concerned. One reason the Internet and computers will never really saturate America and become part of every home the way telephones and televisions are now is because is because of their relative complexity compared to these earlier forms of entertainment. And lot's of Americans are very dumb, and in my opinion it seems to be getting worse, with the chasm widening all the time between what is needed to survive and what people actually possess of that. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #314 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 18:07:51 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id SAA21081; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:07:51 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:07:51 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606262207.SAA21081@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #314 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 18:07:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 314 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson FCC Issues Order: Right of First Refusal (TELECOM Digest Editor) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Eric Tholome) Re: Control of 888 NXXs (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Power For Telephones (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' (Louis Boyd) Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? (Glen L. Roberts) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Steven Lichter) Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software (Dan Halverson) Book Review: "Local and Metropolitan Area Networks" (Rob Slade) Last Laugh! How Stupid People Can Be (David K. Bryant) ** SPECIAL NOTE: Due to a mailing list error some users will recieve two copies of this issue. The mailing aborted about one-third of the way through and it was impossible to tell who did and who did not get this issue, thus it is resent to all. This mailing is the 'official' version of the issue, since a couple other minor changes were made as well before it was remailed to the entire list a second time. ** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: FCC Issues Order: Right of First Refusal Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 16:00:00 EDT This bulletin was just received via fax from Judith Oppenheimer: On June 24, 1996, Regina M. Keeney, Chief of the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau directed Database Services Managment Inc. (DSMI) to ... "release into the general pool of toll free numbers, any 888 number currently in the unavailable pool created by the Commissions's action in which an 800 subscriber no longer wishes to assert an interest in that number." The letter goes on, "We also require that DSMI not release any 888 number until it has received a letter from the Responsible Organization (Resp Org) authorizing DSMI to release that particular 888 number along with a copy of the letter the current 800 subscriber sent to its Resp Org or Toll Free Service Provider declining the private interest in the corresponding 888 number. "Finally, we emphasize that the Bureau is not addressing, at this time, the issue of whether any toll free numbers ultimately should be accorded any special protection or the customers afforded any special right." -------------------------------- Ms. Oppenheimer adds a footnote: The FCC does not instruct how Resp Orgs and Toll Free Service Providers are to contact 800 subscribers to ascertain their wishes in this matter. PAT ------------------------------ From: tholome@francenet.fr (Eric Tholome) Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 21:43:22 +0200 Stu Jeffery has given a very interesting (and long) answer to this question, which was about various PCS systems. I can give you another answer (my knowledge is in PCS1900 but I bet it would be applicable to other standards): - first of all, there is the size of the equipment. This is shrinking as technology improves, but there is still some correlation between the size of the equipment and the cell capacity. It ranges from a few big cabinets to the size of a shoe box. - second of all, there is the size of the tower, which will be big if you want a big cell (rural environment), but small to non existent if you want a small cell (urban environment). So the bottom line is: it depends on the type of cell. Eric Tholome private account 23, avenue du Centre tholome@francenet.fr 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux phone: +33 1 30 48 06 47 France fax: same number, call first! (if calling, remember that France is 6 to 10 hours ahead of the U.S.A.!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 14:35:53 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Control of 888 NXXs rms.globalnet@sandrose.com asks: > Is the NANPA doling out 888 NXX's the same way it doled out 800 NXXs? > Specifically, do you know if there is a list anywhere of which IXCs > control which 888 NXXs? to which PAT responds: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Wow are you going back a long time! > There has been no geographical distinction on 800-NXX for many, many > years. It used to be AT&T assigned 800-NXX based on location and on > type of 800 service (i.e. intrastate and interstate, etc) but for a > number of years now, it has been wide-open with anyone getting the 800 > number they were able to obtain from various sources, etc. Judith > Oppenheimer will correct me if I am wrong, but I think since 888 > opened up it has been on a first come, first served basis with all > numbers available to everyone with a few exceptions. Now you just go > to your carrier and ask for the number you want. If it is available, > you get it. PAT] It *has* been about fifteen years since "The Bell System" (AT&T) had a geographic and service distinction of Inward WATS Toll-Free based on the 800-NNX code. Sometime around 1981/82, AT&T introduced CCIS#6 signalling and a network of databases which among other things (such as automated calling card service and automated coin toll service) allowed a 'limited' form of portability with an 800 number. AT&T (and the monopoly LEC's) was the only game in town (as far as 800) at that time, so the portability was strictly geographic. AT&T (and the Canadian LEC telcos of Telecom-Canada, now Stentor) had something like 200 individual NNX codes in use in Toll-Free 800. They did *not* 'expand' the remaining available NNX (or NXX) codes to the 'max' of 792 possible codes. In the mid 1980's, after divestiture, the FCC/DOJ/Greene/Courts/etc. authorized Bellcore to *temporarily* assign remaining 800-NXX codes to the competing LD carriers and even the LEC's for 'intra-LATA-only' 800 service. When SS#7 signalling and LIDB's were more-or-less in place in the LEC's networks, the 800-NXX code assignment scheme would be discontinued in favor of 'full' portability'. This occurred around the Spring of 1993, in the US. Canada joined in the 'general' US portability pool in early 1994. When Bellcore began 800-NXX assignments to carriers in the mid-80's, they reserved the following: 800-N02, 800-N12 (sixteen codes total) for state-by-state assignments to the RCC's, Radio Common Carriers (paging, cellular, mobile, etc). These codes are *still* assigned/reserved as such, but the line-number portion is included in various parts of the databases. 800-555 was reserved for specific line-number assignments by Bellcore to special functions. We are all familiar with 800-555-1212 for Toll-Free Directory Assistance. And then there was 800-555-5000, which for several years just prior to and just after divestiture was the "Bell Answer Line". AT&T has had 800-555-8111 for CPE customer service for many years. There probably have been several other special assignments in 800-555, and *all* of them routed over AT&T (or the LEC) in the US, and the Stentor companies and networks in Canada. In late 1994 (after portability came into use), 800-555 went into the general portability pool, for not yet assigned line numbers. We are now seeing *many* 800-555-xxxx numbers in advertisements these days for general use. 800-855 was reserved for specific line-number assignments by Bellcore to services for the hearing impaired using TTY/TDD modems. There is 800-855-1155 for operator assisted calls, using a TTY/TDD modem. I know that there have been some additional line-number assignments for TTY/TDD as well. 800-855 calls were always routed over AT&T and Stentor. I think that 800-855 is still reserved for TTY/TDD functions, but I don't know if there is any form of carrier portability yet. The eight 800-N11 codes were *not* going to be assigned by Bellcore NANPA back in the mid-80's. Last year, all of the 800-N11 codes *except* 800-911 were assigned as 'general portable' codes. With the inclusion of seven of the eight N11 codes, there are 799 possible NXX codes being used in 800. There are also about a dozen 800-NXX codes which are assigned to *specific* (NANP) Caribbean countries/islands. I think this is for intra-island or intra-Caribbean toll free only. The line-number assignments are *not* included in the regular US/Canada number portability LIDB-databases, although Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands' LIDB's might have them, as these are both US *and* Caribbean. Now along comes 888. I've been told that there are no more new 'Caribbean specific' NXX codes, so there won't be any in 888. And 888 is to be *just* as portable as 800. The N02 and N12 codes are also to be used in 888 for RCC's just as they were used in 800. All of the N11 codes (except 911) are to be used in 888 for 'general portability', as well as 555. I think that 855 is going to be reserved for TTY/TDD services in 888 as well, but I don't know the 'portability' status of 888-855 as to the carrier. At the present time, there aren't any written plans to eventually introduce 800-0XX/1XX or 888-0XX/1XX codes, although the matter has been discussed in the industry forums over the past few years. Many switches would need a major reprogramming or even replacement to handle 0XX/1XX format customer dialable central office codes, even in 800/888/etc. I would assume that the above descriptions for 800's and 888's NXX codes will also apply to the NXX codes within 877, 866, 855, 844, 833 and 822, when those toll free special area codes are going to be needed. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:28:34 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Power For Telephones Jean-Francois Mezei aska: > Since standard conventional home pots telephones rely on basically > uninterruptible power supplied by the telco, the telephone is often > regarded as an emergency device that works even during power failures. > With the advent of fiber to the home and the use of coax cable for > telephony, I am wondering how this "emergency use" will be handled when > power for the telephone will no longer be supplied by the telco. Many telcos are already providing fiber and co-ax in the local loop distribtution. Many rural areas began using microwave as part of the local loop for about fifteen years ago. From what I understand, where alternatives to copper in the local loop have been used, telco has 'interface boxes' in a neighberhood which probably draw power from the commercial electric power company as well as backup batteries in the 'remote interface boxes'. > Will the interface devices have built-in rechargeable batteries ? What > sort of stand-alone ability in terms of hours would they be expected to > have in order to rival the current telephone system's robustness and > availability? If you have an answering machine or cordless phone, *you* as the customer are responsible for the 'extra' electrical power for those devices. These days, many of the newer answering machines and cordless base units have battery backup in addition to a standard AC electric cord. The same goes for Caller-ID boxes. In the case of answering machines, many do not use the batteries for powering the device for 'normal' use in the event of a commercial power outage, but rather to keep the 'controls' in sync, such as how many new messages have been recorded, etc. Some of the new digital storage answering machines, which have no moving tape but rather store the outgoing announcement and incoming messages in electronic circuits use the battery back-up *only* for 'saving' the user's info into its 'RAM-like' chips. My parents' answering machine is an AT&T digital storage model, uses AC power to operate, and has batteries for backup, but will *NOT* operate during an AC power failure. I checked with BellSouth sometime last year about residential ISDN, and among other things, was told that the *customer* is responsible for providing power. They also recommend *battery backup* power in the ISDN customer side equipment, as well as keeping at least *one* traditional analog POTS voice line, since if the commercial AC power goes out and there are not batteries, your *entire* ISDN line goes dead. It also will have to be 'reconfigured' by telco when the power is restored before being fully functional again. I don't know how other Bell or LEC telcos tariffs handle ISDN power in their operating territories. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:39:41 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Sprint Shuts Down Foncard For International Calls bubba@insync.net (Bill Garfield) writes: > I received a postcard today informing me about a change that's going > to be made to my SPRINT FONCARD effective July 1st. (snip) Well, isn't *THAT* a 'great' security measure (sarcasm intended) -- Sprint telling you about new special security matters on a *POSTCARD*! If there is a concern about FON-card fraud, you'd think that they would mail the info in a *SEALED envelope*! And if the receipient doesn't get around to opening it, and then tries to place an international call and can't get through, well that's *their* problem. I haven't had a Sprint account for quite some time, so I don't know how much detail would be included in their mailings. I would hope that your *telephone* number or *Sprint account* number isn't indicated on that postcard! Not too long ago, when I was calling some NANP Caribbean locations from the PBX here at work, using my AT&T Calling Card (as 800-321-0288 access), I was 'intercepted' when calling Jamaica and *certain* other 809 (some soon-to-be former 809) NANP islands. I got an AT&T "interna- tional" operator (the usual current AT&T style recordings came on first) who asked me some additional personal info before allowing my card-call to go through, as there was a lot of fraud associated with those countries. For each country which needed additional verification, I was told that further calls to those countries would go through without any more 'intercepts'. But additional countries dialed for the first time would get me one of these 'intercepts'. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: Louis Boyd Subject: Re: Please Explain 'iky pic' Date: 26 Jun 1996 18:03:38 GMT Organization: Fairborn Observatory Tom Graham wrote: > Hi -- I am trying to remember what "iky pic" is cable slang for. > "Pic" is "plastic insulated cable"? And, "iky" is the jelly that > water proofs the cable? Been too long since I worked for WE at the > Hawthorne Works; any of you Pioneers out there give me the real story > here? The P is for polyethylene. IKY does not simply mean messy. The "jelly" resembles a thicker and stickier version of Vaseline. When PIC cable was originally introduced in the air core version it was called "waterproof" and it even had some water in it from the manufacturing process used to cool the plastic. Unfortunately poly cable develops hairline cracks and then the moisture produces high resistance shorts and crosses. Woodpeckers and gophers help to let more water in. So jelly filled cable was invented. FIlling the low dielectric space (air) with jelly lowered the capacitance so thicker plastic had to be used. Most new direct buried cable is filled PIC. The stuff is difficult for the splicers as the insulation is stiffer in 19 gauge used for long rural runs. There are solvents to clean the jelly off but in cramped closures and vaults it's impossible to work without ruining your clothes. Hence Ickey. That by the way is the NICE name. I won't go into other names. ------------------------------ From: glr@ripco.com (Glen L. Roberts) Subject: Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? Reply-To: glr@ripco.com Organization: Full Disclosure Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:33:16 GMT sscott@airmail.net (Steve Scott) wrote: > Does anybody know if there is an on line reverse telephone directory > for Austin, TX? I guess it doesn't have to be on-line, though. Can I > call Southwestern Bell and ask for this information? There are a number of online phone books for the USA. A number of them have reverse look-up. I have a number compiled at: http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html Purity of Opinion through force of Intimidation: http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/rogue The Stalker's Home Page! What the hell? Are you listed? http://pages.ripco.com:8080/~glr/stalk.html ------------------------------ From: slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu (Steven Lichter) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: 26 Jun 1996 10:59:46 -0700 Organization: GINA and CORE+ Services of The California State University franz@uci.edu (Michael Franz) writes: > Even better: my caller-ID box sits in wait, but last Friday I received > this very nice letter from PacBell stating that due to old exchange > equipment, CID would not be offered in my area. > Michael Franz (714 856 xxxx) > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So what *are* they doing about > Caller-ID in California now. What is the latest word as of today, > June 26? PAT] They are now saying by 7/1, but I wonder what year. To make things faster at least for me I told them to just install it without calling me back since their lists are so long. I guess when my box works I'll know it is up. As to your exchange not having CID, what are you in a Step or Crossbar, those are the only ones that it might not work in and even if you were, there are computer supported systems that work to provide that service even in those. GTE years ago had a electronic director system before upgrading to digital switches in some of thir offices, it gave true tone dialing and electronic translation, which made the conversion a lot easier since the trunking was in place. I don't think PacBell has any step left, at least I have not heard of any and crossbar if is still around must be in some small areas or in a CO that is to be replaced. SysOp Apple Elite II and OggNet Hub (909)359-5338 2400/14.4 24 hours, Home of GBBS/LLUCE Support for the Apple II and Macintoch computers. slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu ------------------------------ From: danh@tbc1.tbcnet.com (Daniel W. Halverson) Subject: Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software Date: 26 Jun 1996 18:03:14 GMT Organization: TBC On-Line Data-Net We have been using SNMPc by Castlerock Software for most of our network monitoring. We are also looking into another package I saw at comdex that would monitor all the major Internet functions (sendmail, www, gopher, ftp, etc.) that we are looking at right now. I don't remember the name, will re-post when I find it again. SNMPc costs ~$800. The enterprise version of the other software (multiple severs, etc) was ~$1200. I know there are some Unix utilities that can work also, but I haven't done much with them. Dan tbcnet.com - The 815 area's best Commercial Internet Provider. - 28.8K V.34 all the way. For info call 815-758-5040. danh@tbcnet.com -Check out http://www.tbcnet.com/linkusage to see a example of SNMP to HTTP.- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:48:42 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Local and Metropolitan Area Networks" by Stallings BKLANMAN.RVW 960524 "Local & Metropolitan Area Networks", William Stallings, 1997, 0-13-190737-9 %A William Stallings %C One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 %D 1997 (!) %G 0-13-190737-9 %I Prentice Hall %O +1-201-236-7139 fax: +1-201-236-7131 800-576-3800 416-293-3621 %P 605 %T "Local & Metropolitan Area Networks" Stallings work is the definitive textbook on data communications concepts and technologies for networks within a local calling area. This is a "ground up" treatment of the subject, starting with the basic requirements for data communications over distance, and working up to performance issues on the latest high speed networks. The material is suitable for courses which mix theory with the practical. Topics covered include media, protocol architecture, traditional technologies, high speed LANs, wireless communications, performance, bridges, internetworking, and management. Current topics such as fibre and ATM are well covered. (The next generation of the Internet Protocol is not, but is not as important at the level the book covers.) copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKLANMAN.RVW 960524. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. ====================== DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca BCVAXLUG Envoy http://www.decus.ca/www/lugs/bcvaxlug.html ------------------------------ From: dbryant@netcom.com (David K. Bryant) Subject: Last Laugh! How Stupid People Can Be Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 06:10:08 GMT Pat: This falls into the category of "manufactured news". The "I'm so stupid and I want the world to know it" type. In the SF BAy Area a couple of years ago some woman was on TV complaining about the $2000 cell phone bill she got. She was a sales-type and had come to the Bay Area but forgot her cell phone. So, rather than have HER phone FedEx'd to her, she rented one. She proceeded to moan and whine about all the charges she was getting stuck with ... roaming, rental, etc. Then she made the mistake of showing the bill ... the camera focused in on the $2222 in charges. Also in focus was the 1111 minutes of airtime she had. Get a dime lady. Pull over and use a pay phone and quit complaining that you hogged the airwaves. Thank you for letting me rant. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Rant: You are quite welcome. So thatr comes out to about two dollars per minute, *including the rental fee, the roaming charges, etc.* That's still not a very good deal, but you'd think she would have known to be frugual in her use of the phone at least until her own got sent to her. Speaking of dumb people, I see this lady around from time to time who is convinced the only reason 'the telephone company' adds new area codes is to increase 'what they make on long distance calls'. She tells that to anyone who will listen, and sadly, quite a few people do believe her. She insists that calls to another area code are always long distance, with a toll charge. So the more of them there are, the more toll charges there will be. Then -- and this one surely ranks up there with the all time classics along with the "I cannot find a key marked 'ANY' on the keyboard" story -- there is the one about the man who had fax software in his computer but could not get it to operate correctly. He finally decided that to send a fax what you do is take the sheet of paper to be faxed and press it against the front of the computer screen for a couple minutes. (You don't see any smile on my face when I say this do you?) The great comedian from early in this century, W.C. Fields had a cute remark about people. He said, "the dumber they are, the better I like them ...". Fields was talking about and describing the kind of women he wanted for girl friends. I do not think many customer service reps in these technically complex times would agree with him however where their customer base is concerned. One reason the Internet and computers will never really saturate America and become part of every home the way telephones and televisions are now is because is because of their relative complexity compared to these earlier forms of entertainment. And lot's of Americans are very dumb, and in my opinion it seems to be getting worse, with the chasm widening all the time between what is needed to survive and what people actually possess of that. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #314 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 20:00:10 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id UAA00900; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:00:10 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:00:10 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606270000.UAA00900@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #315 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 20:00:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 315 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Telecom Archives CD-ROM Ordering Details (TELECOM Digest Editor) Rupert Murdoch Gives Indians a Fright (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) I Saw an International Calling Number ID (Jeffrey Rhodes) How to Convert a 64Kbit PCM to 2048Mbit PCM-30? (Tore Nestenius) Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access (Bill Sohl) Re: Power For Telephones (Bill Sohl) Re: Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization (Steve Bunning) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Raymond Hazel) Re: International Dialing 1960's Style (Jock Mackirdy) Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (Mark Propp) Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers (Jim Cooper) Last Laugh! Amusing Sound File (Pointer to Binary) (Linc Madison) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:21:38 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Telecom Archives CDROM Ordering Details People have been asking how to order the Telecom Archives CDROM by mail order. Not everyone has been able to find it in a store as of yet. If you can find it in a store, you will save on the shipping charges, however it might simply be easier for you to order it direct from the publisher, so details are given below. The Telecom Archives is a fifteen year collection of the stuff which has appeared in TELECOM Digest since 1981 along with a few hundred other files of telecom related material. There are a lot of technical files, historical files, etc. Everything that was there through the end of 1995 is included. The cost is $39.95. Please buy a copy, as the royalties will help me a lot. Also, if sales are good, there will be an update with the 1996 material on it at some future point. ============================================================================ shipping information: ============================================================================ Shipping is $5 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico for First Class. Overseas is $9 PER ORDER. There is an additional $3 COD charge (USA Only). UPS Blue Label (2nd day) [USA Only] is $10 PER ORDER, UPS Red Label (next day) [USA Only] is $15 PER ORDER. Federal Express (next day) [USA Only] is $20 PER ORDER. For overseas courier rates, please email us. Ordering Information: You can order by sending a check or money order to Walnut Creek CDROM Suite E 4041 Pike Lane Concord CA 94520 USA 1 800 786-9907 (Toll Free Sales) [open 24HRS] +1 510 674-0783 (Sales-International) +1 510 603-1234 (tech support) [M-F 9AM - 5PM, PST] +1 510 674-0821 (FAX) orders@cdrom.com (For placing an order) info@cdrom.com (For requesting more information or for customer service questions) support@cdrom.com (For technical questions and technical support) majordomo@cdrom.com (Info Robot-automated product information and support) We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Diner's Club. ALL credit card orders MUST include a phone or fax number. COD shipping is available for $8.00 in the US only, NO COD shipping to P O Boxes. Checks and Money Orders payable in US funds, can be sent along with ordering information to our normal business address. California residents please add sales tax. Shipping and handling is $5 (per ORDER, not per disc) for US, Canada, and Mexico, and $9 for overseas (AIRMAIL) shipping. Please allow 14 working days ( 3 weeks ) for overseas orders to arrive. Most orders arrive in 1-2 weeks. -------------------- Therefore, unless you want next day delivery by FedEx which would make it quite expensive you would send $39.95 plus $5 to Walnut Creek at thier address above, or authorize them to charge your credit card, etc. As noted also, customers outside the USA need to pay additional shipping costs. Write to Walnut Creek at the addresses above. If you can find it in a retail outlet then you save shipping and handling charges. In any event, please buy one today! PAT -------------------- The Telecom Archives remains a free resource for the Internet and is available using anonymous ftp massis.lcs.mit.edu. ------------------------------ Subject: Rupert Murdoch Gives Indians a Fright Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 13:34:55 PDT From: rishab@dxm.org (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) Reply-To: rishab@dxm.org The Indian Techonomist: bulletin, June 26, 1996 Copyright (C) 1996 Rishab Aiyer Ghosh. All rights reserved Rupert Murdoch gives Indians a fright June 26, 1996: Last week, Rupert Murdoch visited India's new Prime Minister, H D Deve Gowda, and left a swarm of rumours in his wake. He reportedly told Mr Gowda that he would like to invest $1 billion in Karnataka - Mr Gowda's home state - and hinted that he would appreciate uplinking facilities for News Corp's STAR television network in India. Opposition parties made angry noises, demanding why the government was considering allowing a foreigner to do what Indian companies cannot - break the state monopoly over the airwaves. The government denied everything, and pointed out that the same week had seen discussion of relaxing government control over electronic media: the effectuation of decades-old promises to make state- owned Doordarshan TV "autonomous"; and the implementation of a year-old Supreme Court verdict. The rumours would not stop, and finally, in a front-page report today, the Times of India all but asked the Communists to save the country from foreign devils. In India's media battles though, nothing is what it seems. The Communists are quiet because they support the confused government, a coalition of parties just right of centre to well on the left. Besides, they know that the government is bound to implement the Supreme Court's verdict in favour of privatisation (about which nobody talks, hoping that it will be forgotten); and also, though this is less obligatory, an ancient proposal for a state-owned broadcaster free of governmental interference (the so-called Prasar Bharati bill, a topic of animated discussion at every change of government). As for the foreign devils and their much predicted invasion from the skies, it has been a damp squib. The "invasion" is mostly Indian language programming, competing with Doordarshan's entertainment channels for the lowest common denominator in the country's vast and diverse audience. "Baywatch" is available - on Murdoch's STAR network, in fact - but not very profitable in comparison with Hindi film songs and game shows. According to the Times of India, "within 24 hours, all bureaucratic hurdles were reportedly cleared" for a vast $1.3 billion studio, post-production centre and uplinking facility for STAR TV in Tumkur, Karnataka, where - again according to this, the country's largest- selling newspaper - Rupert Murdoch plans to shift the network's headquarters after Hong Kong joins China next year. The newspaper goes on to flatter Mr Murdoch's political prowess - he has acquired a dominant role in American, Australian and British politics, it writes; and, quoting various (unnamed) officials, sources and reports argues that Mr Murdoch would seriously hurt India's national interest if permitted to invest in the country. Behind the more obvious fallacies in these reports - Mr Murdoch after having negotiated a joint venture with Chinese state-owned media is unlikely to worry about the future of STAR TV in Hong Kong - is the Times' real worry. Mr Murdoch likes newspapers. India's policy towards foreign media is strange. Foreign investment is not allowed in Indian (non- academic, periodic) publishers or broadcasters. Yet the import and distribution of print publications proceeds more-or-less unhampered, newspapers rely heavily on foreign wire service reports, and satellite and cable channels are received everywhere. As telecom companies will eventually be able to run television over their networks, their permitted 49% foreign-ownership effectively applies to the cable TV business. Foreign broadcasters already source much of their programming for India from India, and could easily have local partners invest in uplinking facilities as an when they are allowed. The real losers are the Indian readers of foreign publications, who would save a lot if they were printed locally. Worries about "national sovereignty" have banned foreign investment in the press for decades (not soon enough to stop Reader's Digest, though, which happily prints and sells large quantities of its Indian edition). Moves by the reform-minded Congress government - and the present one, for Mr Gowda is known for favouring foreign investment in general - have been blocked by jingoistic politicians, it is true, but also by a cartel of large publishers among which Bennett Coleman & Co - Times of India - is the biggest. The Times of India's paranoid reaction to foreign investment in the Indian press led it to effectively squash a joint venture between a smaller media group and the Financial Times, London, by swiftly registering a Financial Times of its own - protecting group publication Economic Times, whch leads the market. Bennett Coleman shouldn't be so frightened. It has been celebrating the Sunday Times of India's ABC-certified crossing of 1 million circulation. Surely quality, not simply a lack of sufficient competition, had something to do with it? On why television and radio is officially a state monopoly in India, and how this will change thanks to a Supreme Court verdict see http://dxm.org/techonomist/regu.html#IBA See also "Indian Parliament wants private broadcasters", April 1, at http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/01apr96.html The Indian Techonomist: weekly summary. http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/ Copyright (C) 1996 Rishab Aiyer Ghosh (rishab@techonomist.dxm.org) A4/204 Ekta Vihar 9 Indraprastha Extension New Delhi 110092 INDIA May be distributed electronically provided that this notice is attached ------------------------------ From: jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com Subject: I Saw an International Calling Number ID Date: Wed, 26 Jun 96 13:59:09 PDT Organization: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. I saw my first international calling number id display "44+9digits INTL" on an AT&T 7406 digital terminal from an AT&T Definity PBX with ISDN PRIs. The call was from a GSM cellphone in Munich, so I guess the country code did not come thru unless the UK got involved with the call somehow and GSM uses 9 digit MINs. This is quite an achievement considering the number of versions of SS7 ISUP signaling needed to make it happen. First there is the caller's national version of ISUP, then there's the international version of ISUP and finally there's the US version of ISUP. The Calling Party Number (CPN) parameter that delivers the privacy indication and number is first marked as a national CPN, then converted to an international CPN (you'd think that the originating country's country code would be prepended during this process), for delivery within another country's network as an international CPN. I'm quite excited. I worked on international SS7 ten years ago and this is the first evidence first-hand I've had to confirm that SS7 signaling for voice trunks is being used between 24-channel and 30-channel countries. Please feel free to E-mail any anecdotal confirmations of other country combinations of Calling Number ID delivery and display to me directly (especially using wireless cellphones). Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com ------------------------------ From: dt93tn@pt.hk-r.se (Tore Nestenius) Subject: How to Convert a 64Kbit PCM to 2048Mbit PCM-30? Date: 26 Jun 1996 17:30:10 GMT Organization: X-Philes Corp Can anyone tell me what's needed if i want to build a converter from a standard 64 Kbit PCM channel to a standard 2Mbit (HDB3 or AMI or NRZ) coded 32 slots (PCM-30) that are compatible the G.7xx standards? Are there any application notes/ Schematics available? What parts do I need? Is a E1 framer and transciever all I need? Tore ------------------------------ From: billsohl@planet.net (Bill Sohl) Subject: Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 19:56:49 GMT Organization: BL Enterprises johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) wrote: >> Most of the RBOCs have been screaming for years that modem usage screws up >> their message traffic models, and as a consequence the cost of providing >> telephone service is increased because of us people who stay connected for >> hours or even days at a time. BellSouth has even made a formal statement >> that Internet access pricing is going to have to be measured service in >> order to reduce the abuses. ISDN data rates are surcharged in many areas >> just for this reason. > This serves to remind us that the RBOCs are dinosaurs with their heads > stuck in the sand. (An appealing if mixed metaphor.) > Do data users really need to be hooked to their network providers 24 > hours per day? Of course not. > Recall that an ISDN BRI line provides two 64Kb bearer "B" channels and > a 16Kb packet switched "D" channel. Connections on the B channels are > set up by exchanging messages on the D channel, and setup is supposed > to be quite fast, like a second or less. ISDN PRI is the same except > there are 23 B channels and the D channel is 64Kb. All the above is totally correct. > So for your typical Internet user, you could sit there with both B > channels idle until there are some packets to send, at which point you > connect a B channel and start sending data. If the first B channel > gets saturated, you could turn on the other B channel as well. After > a period of quiescence, say 30 seconds, you turn off a B channel. For > low packet rates (pings or keep-alives, for example) you don't even > need a B channel, since the D channel has considerable spare capacity > beyond that needed for the setup messages. Using only the D channel could easily handle most email also in that email is typically relatively short messages. You could have a software defined choice set up that redirected email that was over a certain length (in bytes) to a B channel connection while having most of the email take the D channel path. I suggested that to people several years ago, but there was no interest in the propect at the time. Frankly, the D channel is still looking for a decent application to make good use of the D channel capability that is built in with all ISDN lines. For most applications today, the D channel is an idle bystander. The D channel could also probably handle most newsgroup data flow for most people as that is largy ascii text files also of relatively short length. Bill Sohl (K2UNK) billsohl@planet.net Internet & Telecommunications Consultant/Instructor Budd Lake, New Jersey ------------------------------ From: billsohl@planet.net (Bill Sohl) Subject: Re: Power For Telephones Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:06:13 GMT Organization: BL Enterprises Jean-Francois Mezei wrote: > Since standard conventional home pots telephones rely on basically > uninterruptible power supplied by the telco, the telephone is often > regarded as an emergency device that works even during power failures. > With the advent of fiber to the home and the use of coax cable for > telephony, I am wondering how this "emergency use" will be handled when > power for the telephone will no longer be supplied by the telco. > Will the interface devices have built-in rechargeable batteries ? What > sort of stand-alone ability in terms of hours would they be expected to > have in order to rival the current telephone system's robustness and > availability? The deployment of ISDN has already departed from the Central Office powering of home telephones. Today, there's no requirement for any back-up battery in an ISDN set. The choice is left up to the customer. Remember too, any interface device is not owned or provided by the telco as part of the basic line charge. The customer is always provided the choice (at least in the USA) of using whatever interface devices they want from those available on the market. Bill Sohl (K2UNK) billsohl@planet.net Internet & Telecommunications Consultant/Instructor Budd Lake, New Jersey ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 16:54:37 -0300 From: Steve Bunning Subject: Re: Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization > Does anyone in this group have any information they could impart to me > on the following French Telecom Organization. It is called > L'OBSERVATOIRE MONDIAL DES SYSTEMES DE COMMUNICATION (also known as > Omsyc). I have not been able to find them on the Internet so an > address or phone/fax number would be very helpful. I appreciate any > assistance any of you could render. Thank you in advance for your > reply. Using the electronic edition of the French Phone directory, http://www.epita.fr:5000/11, which was mentioned a few days ago in the TELECOM Digest, entering Omsyc or Observatoire Mondial as the last name and Paris as the city yields the following number +33 1 40 62 6857. Steve Bunning | ACE*COMM | 301 258-9850 (voice) Product Manager | 209 Perry Parkway | 301 921-0434 (fax) TEL*COMM Division| Gaithersburg, MD USA 20877 | bunning@acec.com ------------------------------ From: razel@net.com (Raymond Hazel) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 14:42:40 -0800 Organization: N.E.T. In article , franz@uci.edu (Michael Franz) wrote: > In article , Nancy Gold > wrote: >> My Caller-ID box sits in wait, as it has since May 20th. > Even better: my caller-ID box sits in wait, but last Friday I received > this very nice letter from PacBell stating that due to old exchange > equipment, CID would not be offered in my area. > Michael Franz (714 856 xxxx) > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So what *are* they doing about > Caller-ID in California now. What is the latest word as of today, > June 26? PAT] I called to have the service turned on (6/26 2:30PM PDT). Spoke with a service rep, (name not disclosed to protect the innocent) and she informed me that the service was not available and there was no date set when it would be available. However, if I was willing, I could be set up to be notified by Pac Bell when service was available and have the service activated for $6.50 per month and $5.00 activation charge. I agreed to all of this, she told me that I would need to purchase a readout device, which I have, and thanked me for choosing Pacific Bell. Now I'll wait for the phone call as well as keeping an eye on the newsgroup. Wonder where I'll get the information of availablity first? (No bets...) Ray ------------------------------ From: Jock Mackirdy Subject: Re: International Dialing 1960's Style Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 22:23:00 GMT turner7@pacsibm.org (TUrner-7) wrote: > Likewise, as Mark notes, local operators got the ability to dial > directly overseas calls rather than using a special overseas operator. I was working for the UK PO in the late 60's when international dialing was in its infancy. I found it fascinating that the UK end of TAT-1 used a two-wire cord board with four-wire auto switches whereas the US end at White Plains used manual four-wire switching using double plugs and cords on the manual board. Jock Mackirdy Business Advisory Services, Luton (UK) E-mail: jockm@basluton.demon.co.uk Tel/fax: +44 (0)1582 597878 Independent telecomms. and business advice ------------------------------ From: mpropp@advtech.uswest.com (Mark Propp) Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers Date: 26 Jun 1996 14:12:51 -0600 Organization: U S West Technologies, Inc. Reply-To: mpropp@uswest.com Pat, My source of information for my claim that only two customers were slammed is none other than the FCC press release of 6-24, found on the DLD Digest web issue 69. I quote: "The Bureau determined that Excel violated the Commission's rules by substituting itself as the primary long distance carrier for two consumers without the consumer's authorizations. The consumers both stated that they did not authorize the changes, and that the authorization forms that Excel produced bore forged signatures ..." Unlike the Heartline reference, I see no mention of "willful or repeated volations ..." etc. Other places I have read that the two customers were slammed by a single representative, who has since been terminated from Excel. Again, hard to hold Excel responsible for the actions of 100,000+ independent reps -- they only thing they can do is train reps properly, and terminate offenders, which apparently they have done in this case. I thought the $80,000 fine was a bit steep for two customer slams also. But I've seen bigger fines levied against the other LD companies in the past. If you think about it, $80K is probably chicken feed for any successful LD company. Mark Propp mpropp@cris.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 12:59:21 PDT From: Jim Cooper Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie for Customers Pat, Any company can have it's bad apples, as far as spamming goes. I seem to remember that AT&T was fined some months back for the same offense. And, of course, no LD company is immune from this either. However it seems that when you're a company that's making a name for itself, then people pay more attention to you than to the rest of the pack. As long as there are people who don't play by the rules, we'll all continue to suffer the consequences of their incompetent actions. Regards, Jim Cooper (cooper@edsug.com) | No matter what happens, no matter how rough Independent Representative | it gets, no matter how impossible it Excel Telecommunications, Inc | becomes -- always keep the dream alive!! (714) 952-5568 (V) (5758 Fax) | Deke Slayton, Are U walking past a fortune? | Author & Mercury Seven Astronaut ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 12:50:02 -0700 From: Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com (Linc Madison) Subject: Last Laugh! Amusing Sound File (Pointer to Binary) I just found this sound file on alt.binaries.sounds.tv, and thought it would be of interest to TELECOM Digest readers. I've included the Message-ID header so that you can search for it. The file is a clip from the NBC TV show "Third Rock from the Sun." The character Sally is saying: "Aw, sshh! Don't cry sweetheart. This part's easy. Just wait 'til you have to choose a long distance carrier." > From: bonnielynne@earthlink.net (Bonnie Lynne) > Newsgroups: alt.binaries.sounds.tv > Subject: Re: REQEUST--more 3rd Rock Clips! - 3longd~1.wav (1/1) > Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:01:47 GMT > Message-ID: <4qr5op$qei@guyana.it.earthlink.net> > > begin 644 3longd~1.wav We return you now to your regularly scheduled programming. Linc Madison * San Francisco, California * Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #315 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jun 26 22:54:14 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id WAA16518; Wed, 26 Jun 1996 22:54:14 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 22:54:14 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606270254.WAA16518@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #316 TELECOM Digest Wed, 26 Jun 96 22:54:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 316 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson TCI Cable Service is Terrible (TELECOM Digest Edtior) Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? (Craig Morton) Re: It Ain't Like it Used to Be (Louis Boyd) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Bill Walker) Re: International 800 Numbers (Steve Hagar) Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers (Matthew B. Landry) Re: Train Telephones (Hudson Leighton) Telecommunications Regulation in Latin America (Mario Castano) E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages (Rick Broadhead) True Story From a Novell NetWare SysOp (David R. Quist) Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access (Lars Poulsen) GSM Cellular From Satellites? (Jean-Francois Mezei) Re: Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation (Stephen Satchell) Wait and See? What to Buy? (K.S. Gorenz) NPA/Prefix changes in North Carolina (Stan Schwartz) Telephone Call Restrictor Question (Donald Kunz) Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? (John Agosta) Questions About GSM Handoff (Matthew Cheng) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:38:30 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: TCI Cable Service is Terrible The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the appointment then promising again today and missing this one). The wires are hanging down along the side of building from where they were before. It appears there is a break in the wire. The television is totally dead unless I remove the cable and attach an old rabbit ear antenna I have. Starting two weeks ago, TCI took trouble reports and simply ignored them, claiming finally they had no record of the account or the service at this address. Finally they found the record under the name of someone who lived here several years ago. Once they found that much they started making bogus comittments to come out always with a warning that 'someone had better be there to meet us or you will get charged for a visit anyway.' On Tuesday at 3:45 pm they told me the man has just finished his previous job and will be at your place in ten to fifteen minutes. He never showed. When I called back at 5:15 pm I was told somehow the order had gotten cancelled in error. I was promised it would be rescheduled for Wednesday between 4 and 6 pm ... and be sure to be there to meet him. When I called at 5:45 pm Wednesday I was advised the order had gotten lost in the system and now the earliest they can commit to is next Tuesday 'sometime in the afternoon'. I told them flatly that was not good enough and that I would go to the Village Hall and talk to the Cable Committee and have them place the order for me. Can you believe I live *three blocks* from their office in Skokie and yet they cannot take five minutes to come over and splice what appears to be a broken wire where it all fell down from where it had been mounted on the side near the roof. The way the wires are dangling on the side of the building I would not surprised if some vandal went out there later tonight and yanked the whole thing down and cut the wire in a dozen or so different places. Maybe a vandal would even go back by the telephone pole and completely destroy the box that has all the filters and traps in it. This is the same TCI which has started offering local phone service in the area in 'competition' with Ameritech ... god help us all. One department that works correctly of course is their billing department. The bills still come out on time and as inaccurate as always. I have heard the Village is going to attempt to cancel their franchise, although that will involve litigation I am sure. PAT ------------------------------ From: Craig Morton Subject: Re: How "Mini" Are PCS Sites? Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 22:29:17 -0700 Organization: Communications Engineer / Consultant Reply-To: cmorton@ozemail.com.au Eric Tholome wrote: > Stu Jeffery has given a very interesting (and long) answer to this > question, which was about various PCS systems. > I can give you another answer (my knowledge is in PCS1900 but I bet it > would be applicable to other standards): > - first of all, there is the size of the equipment. This is shrinking as > technology improves, but there is still some correlation between the size > of the equipment and the cell capacity. It ranges from a few big cabinets > to the size of a shoe box. > - second of all, there is the size of the tower, which will be big if you > want a big cell (rural environment), but small to non existent if you want > a small cell (urban environment). > So the bottom line is: it depends on the type of cell. Actually in a TDM environment a limitation is the propogation delay and associated tranmitter burst time. In a GSM 900MHz system, I believe the maximum cell size is about 35Kms? but this has recently been doubled by some Ericcson Engineers in Australia by the use of some form of antenna diversity (I need to look for the details / tradeoffs). The GSM1900 systems would have the same sort restrictions on cell size. I would be interested in knowing the answer. My first guess would be half. Craig Morton Communications Engineer Sydney Australia ------------------------------ From: Louis Boyd Subject: Re: It Ain't Like it Used to Be Date: 26 Jun 1996 18:26:30 GMT Organization: Fairborn Observatory "Stan.Schwartz@IBMMAIL" wrote: > A postscript to that story is that two months later, another truck > tore the drop down. NYNEX says they can't hang it any higher. BURIED drops work well in that situation. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Someone send me a note asking a question about running a bit of buried cable and I don't know the best answer to give them. They have a main house where the phones are installed. About three hundred yards away through sort of a wooded area they have a smaller cabin and they want to put two lines back there from the main house. They asked how deep the trench needed to be and what sort of 'tubing' to put the wires through. I guess they want to just run two-pair, four-wire phone back there, running the phone wire through the 'tubing' underground from the one end to the other. Anyone see any problems or have any comments? PAT] ------------------------------ From: wwalker@qualcomm.com (Bill Walker) Subject: Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:39:02 -0700 Organization: QUALCOMM, Inc. In article , dwpaxson@servtech.com (Dana W. Paxson) wrote: > Depending on how long the phone company takes to recycle the number > you used, the subsequent assignee of that number can catch the > fallout. I've had this problem. I recently had a second line installed for my computer. We kept get calls on this line at 1:00 AM or so, and on the occasions I answered (the only phone on the line is downstairs), got some guy looking for a woman. Tried explaining the problem once or twice, but the calls persisted. I finally turned off the ringer on the phone and set my modem to answer (with the computer off). I believe the callers finally got the picture. Bill Walker, QUALCOMM, Inc., San Diego, CA USA WWalker@qualcomm.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I dunno. I had a lady latch onto my modem line one time and carry things to an extreme. This was about 15 years ago, when modems were still relatively a new thing, and an unfmailiar sound to the human ear hearing them on the phone. She was at a pay phone somewhere and dialed my modem line. It answered and squealed in her ear then disconnected. So far so good. This lady decides 'something is wrong' and invests another 25 cents to dial it a second time, then a third, and finally a fourth time. Finally at that point she decided to turn me in to repair service. A little later I got a phone call from a repair tech on my other (voice) line and he asked if I had a modem on the other line. When I told him I did, he related this story to me and how the woman even went so far as to demand a refund of the dollar she had spent on the phone calling 'an out of order line'. Let's hope in your case the caller catches on without involving other people in the process. PAT] ------------------------------ From: sdhagar@aol.com (SDHagar) Subject: Re: International 800 Numbers Date: 26 Jun 1996 15:03:39 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: sdhagar@aol.com (SDHagar) > The international service that is being discussed (IAC+800-XXX-XXXX) > is known as UIFN: Universal International Freephone Number, and is > described in detail in ITU-T Recommendation E.169. My apologies for missing a typo in my previous post, which may have inadvertently continued the confusion regarding UIFN The UIFN number format is IAC+800-XXXX-XXXX (i.e 8 digits, not 7 digits for the Global Subscriber Number (GSN)). Steve Hagar shagar@attmail.com ------------------------------ From: mbl@conch.aa.msen.com (Matthew B Landry) Subject: Re: New Twist For 800 Number and Spammers Date: 26 Jun 1996 21:47:03 GMT Organization: Flunkies for the Mike Conspiracy Our Esteemed Moderator wrote: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well some people *think* that false > mail headers cannot be traced but with some patience it can be done. [good description of spam dissection deleted for brevity] > of those who do, even fewer know how to do it *right* if indeed > there is a right way that someone somewhere will not be willing The point is that, assuming the motive is to make the phone number/email address owner's life a living hell, forging a spam containing that information will accomplish the task quite efficiently. No one ever said spam was untraceable. But the very difficulty you take such pains to point out is why people who post "revenge spam" don't need to worry too much. No one is going to check on whether they're retaliating against the real spammer, they'll just do it. And the spammer's enemy will get all the headaches. Is this more effort than any sane person would ever put into making someone else's life difficult? Of course. But you're the last person I'd expect to find implying that the majority of usenet is sane. Matthew Landry Well, yeah. Actually I do sometimes speak for Msen. But not from THIS account. O- ------------------------------ From: hudsonl@skypoint.com (Hudson Leighton) Subject: Re: Train Telephones Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 17:09:16 -0500 Organization: SkyPoint Communications, Inc. In article , turner7@pacsibm.org (TUrner-7) wrote: > Speaking of portable telephones ... > Starting in the 1930's, luxury trains provided a telephone connected to > the city system while the train was berthed in a major station. It > was connected simply through a plug from the train. I have worked on some private railroad passenger cars, the old style connector was a two inch diameter Pyle National shell with two 1/4 inch diameter pins. I think the connector was rated for 50 amps @ 240 volts. Nowdays everybody uses RJ-11s. Pat: If you ever get to Chicago Union Station check out the car bumper post on Track 4. Last time I was there, there were about six RJ-11 jacks mounted on the bumper. I never got to test them. Where do you want the pizza delivered? Union Station, Track 4, Private car Skagit River. WHERE? ------------------------------ From: hbeltran@itecs5.telecom-co.net Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 17:58:56 -0500 Subject: Telecommunications Regulation in Latin America Hello all: I am triying to write an executive summary about the general policies and the state of regulation for the telecommmunications sector (including basic services, aggregated services, cellular and PCS, Cable TV, etc) in some Latin American countries. I am specially interested in knowing the situation in Chile, Mexico and Brazil. Any comments about this subject in those countries, and pointers to on-line and written references would be appreciated. Please answer to the following email address (I am not subscribed to the Digest): cintel@uniandes.edu.co Best regards, Mario A. Castano Director, Planning Office CINTEL-Centro de Investigacion de Telecomunicaciones Av 9 118-85 Bogota Colombia Tel/fax: +57 1 6208397/620 8178 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 07:46:39 -0400 From: Rick Broadhead Subject: E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages Sweden was apparently the first country in the world to allow its residents to include an Internet address alongside their telephone number in the phone book. I understand that a number of Canadian and U.S. telephone directory publishers will be following suit shortly (one Canadian telephone company tells me that e-mail addresses will be listed for free for their residential customers). I would be interested in hearing from telephone directory publishers and/or telephone companies about their future plans to include e-mail addresses in their print telephone directories (I am referring to the white pages). How widespread is this practice already? I am compiling this information for the 1997 edition of the Canadian Internet Handbook, which will be released this fall by Prentice Hall/Simon and Schuster. Thanks, Rick Broadhead, MBA Co-Author, Canadian Internet Handbook - National #1 Bestseller! Co-Host, "NetTalk" - Syndicated on the Sound Source Radio Network (416) 487-5220 Fax: (416) 440-0175 Web Site: www.intervex.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 19:33:45 -0400 From: ben3b01!bns!Quist_David_R@ben3b01.attmail.com (bns!Quist_David_R) Subject: True Story From a Novell NetWare SysOp: True story from a Novell NetWare SysOp: Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?" Tech Rep: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?" Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?" Tech Rep: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?" Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer." Tech Rep: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped, it's because I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional, at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? Does it have any trademark on it?" Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about a promotional. It just has '4X' on it." At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he could not stand it. The caller had been using the load drawer of the CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive. ------------------------------ From: lars@anchor.RNS.COM (Lars Poulsen) Subject: Re: Proposal For LEC Internet Access Date: 26 Jun 1996 17:39:46 -0700 Organization: RNS / Meret Communications In article satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) writes: > I propose a shared-access leased-line service for Internet access which > does *not* guarantee 100 percent availability, and guarantees 4000 bps > ... > The access box would have an Ethernet 10 base T connection. > ... The communication between the computer and the > access box would be PPP over Ethernet. The communication between the computer and the access box should be IP over Ethernet. PPP over Ethernet is a non-standard encapsulation that is not supported by anyone. Lars Poulsen Internet E-mail: lars@RNS.COM RNS / Meret Communications Phone: +1-805-562-3158 7402 Hollister Avenue Telefax: +1-805-968-8256 Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Internets: designed and built while you wait ------------------------------ From: Jean-Francois Mezei Subject: GSM Cellular From Satellites? Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 23:23:50 +0000 Organization: Vaxination Informatique Reply-To: jfmezei@istar.ca While travelling in Australia recently, I heard a few people mention that once low orbit satellites are in position, Australia will have GSM coverate throughout its territory with antennas doing the job in more populated areas. Can anyone comment on this? Will this actually happen with off-the-shelf GSM phones working from either land-based antennas or satellite based ones? Or will special phones be needed to access these low orbit satellites? ------------------------------ From: satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) Subject: Re: Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation Organization: Satchell Evaluations Date: 26 Jun 96 07:04:50 GMT I might suggest that in this era of competition, that the competing LECs be the ones to offer numbers in new area codes. That would mean that if you were on one company and the person you wanted to call was with another company, you would have to dial ten digits to get to them. I think this makes far more sense, though, than the willy-nilly overlay of one area code on top of another. Shades of Bell/Home phones, with the exception that this time you could call across company boundries. Remember, there *used* to be competition for local phone service. Stephen Satchell, Satchell Evaluations http://www.accutek.com/~satchell ------------------------------ From: K.S. Gorenz Subject: Wait and See? What to Buy? Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 12:23:42 -0500 Organization: IVCC - Pictures 'N' All Hi! i want to buy the caller id unit or phone to see who is calling when my call waiting clicks when I'm on the phone already. What have people been saying ... is it better to buy unit from mail order or through Ameritech? I got info on disply unit only: 65.99 plus 6.95 shipping = 72.94; plain phone 130.80; cordless 215.75. Screen phone (Can I pay Ameritech phone bill with this and what does it do when I connect it to my computer?!) 239.75. I'm anxious to buy ... and have been off the newsgroups lately so I really apologize if this has been all rehashed ... I just got the info in the mail yesterday, although I had seen units in mailorder before. The guy told me that the phone company has to activate it to work (even though he knew I already have Caller ID). Is that true? Does that mean I have to buy unit from the phone company? Thanks for any input or experiences. Kathy Gorenz gorenz@ivcc.edu ------------------------------ From: Stan Schwartz Subject: NPA/Prefix Changes in North Carolina Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 00:35:55 GMT I got this insert in my BellSouth bill this month: On August 1, 1996, all telephone numbers in Davidson County currently in the 704 area code will move to the 910 area code. The change involves the cities of Lexington, Churchland, Reeds, Southmont, Welcome, and Denton. Thomasville is currently in the 910 area code and will not be affected. The change was requested by Davidson County customers and approved by federal regulators. In addition to the area code change, some telephone prefixes will change: Lexington: 246 will change to 248 352 will change to 357 858 will change to 853 Churchland: 762 will change to 752 Denton: 869 will change to 859 The last four digits of telephone numbers with these prefixes will not be affected. Remember to reprogram ... (etc.) -------------------------------- REQUESTED by the residents? Why would the residents request this, and when does a phone company ever listen? Stan ------------------------------ From: dkunz@ix.netcom.com (Donald Kunz) Subject: Telephone Call Restrictor Question Date: 26 Jun 1996 14:01:38 GMT Organization: Netcom A few years ago I purchased a telephone call restrictor, but had never installed it. Now that I would like to use it, I don't have the instructions. I cannot find any information about the company that made it -- perhaps they are out of business. Does anyone know how to program this device. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Manufacturer: Telephone Technologies, Inc. made in USA Model: Foneguard, Model 1, Telephone Call Restrictor CSA Listing: LR87450 Date Code: 9109 Serial #: 91-09 A 006897 ------------------------------ From: jagosta@interaccess.com (John Agosta) Subject: Re: Ring No Answer - What's to Blame? Date: 26 Jun 1996 14:53:14 GMT Organization: Agosta and Associates In article , Bob Baxter says: > At this point, I'm not sure where the problem is. A phone attached to > the modem line rings. A third modem hooked up to line one does not > pick up. Maybe the problem isn't the telco line. Maybe you should try looking at the serial port (digital) side of the connection between your DTE and modem. Use a break out box and confirm that when the "ring indicator" lead toggles with ringing on the phone line, your computer port's DTR signal transits to the "on" condition. Or, you can force DTR on with a BOB ... if your modem doesn't anwer, it may be bad. We used to follow this cheat sheet at a PDN with thousands of dial-in modems that sometimes would behave in a similar fashion. Line RI DTR Possible problem ringing stays off dont care modem ringing toggles stays off CPU port / cable ringing toggles goes on cable / modem Hope you get it fixed. ja ------------------------------ From: mcheng@mookie.bellcore.com (Matthew Cheng) Subject: Questions About GSM Handoff Date: 26 Jun 1996 19:44:55 GMT Organization: Bell Communications Research Hi everybody, I have a question about handoff in GSM. Assume that the ongoing session is a TCH/F + SACCH/F. Also assume that it is either a full synchronized or pre-synchronized case. To my understanding the call flow over the air is like this: MS <- (HANDOVER_COMMAND) Network MS (HANDOVER_ACCESS) -> Network MS (HANDOVER_ACCESS) -> Network MS (HANDOVER_ACCESS) -> Network MS (HANDOVER_ACCESS) -> Network MS (SABM) -> new BTS MS <- (UA) new BTS MS (HANDOVER_COMPLETE) -> Network Except the first message, all the other messages are sent on the new channel. 1. After receiving the HANDOVER_COMMAND, the MS will tune to the new channel and send the HANDOVER_ACCESS immediately in the next 4 TDMA frames; or the HANDOVER_ACCESS can only be sent when the frame number (FN) on the new channel is the start of FACCH, i.e., FN mod 13 is 0, 4 or 8? 2. If the HANDOVER_ACCESS is sent according to the first scenerio in question 1, then on which FN will the SABM be sent, immediately after HANDOVER_ACCESS or FN mod 13 is 0,4 or 8? 3. When HANDOVER_COMMAND is sent out, is the speech communication suspended or interleaved with the HANDOVER_COMMAND? 4. The speech must be suspended when the MS tunes to the new channel and before HANDOVER_COMPLETE, right? And SABM, UA and HANDOVER_COMPLETE all need 8 TDMA frames to tx. So, other information/data are interleaved with them during their TX? And when is speech communication resumed? Hope some GSM experts out there can answer my questions. Thanks very much, Matthew Cheng ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #316 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jun 27 11:32:22 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA04082; Thu, 27 Jun 1996 11:32:22 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 11:32:22 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606271532.LAA04082@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #317 TELECOM Digest Thu, 27 Jun 96 11:31:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 317 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Bell Atlantic ISDN Pricing Alert (James Love) GTE Mobilnet and New NPA (Tad Cook) San Jose To Get Cable TV Competition From Pacific Bell (Mike King) Pacific Bell Mobile Services to Debut New Wireless Phone Service (M. King) Information Wanted on Norstar Centrex (fedtelco@myna.com) Help Needed Installing Baltimore-Bombay Dedicated Line? (A.N. Ananth) Modem Link on Columbia Space Shuttle (Tina Rathbone) Re: The Virtual Institute of Information (jared2654@aol.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 10:55:21 EDT From: James Love Subject: Bell Atlantic ISDN Pricing Alert INFO-POLICY-NOTES/subscriptions from listproc@essential.org June 26, 1996 ISDN pricing in Bell Atlantic States - CPT sets up Web page for Bell Atlantic Consumers at: http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/bellnews.html - Maryland Accepts comments on ISDN rates by electronic mail (ISDN@psc.state.md.us) and sets public hearing for July 3. Additional details about battles in other Bell Atlantic States. Bell Atlantic consumers in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia have an opportunity to fight for lower residential ISDN tariffs, if you act swiftly. [Virginia already has an open docket on residential ISDN pricing, and filings in West Virginia are expected soon]. In Maryland, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has agreed to accept comments on the issue by electronic mail, at: ISDN@psc.state.md.us. Maryland is also giving the public an opportunity to be heard at a public hearing on July 3. Commissions in NJ, PA and DC have declined to provide a public hearing on the tariffs, or to accept comments by electronic mail, but they will accept written comments. CPT has set up a Bell Atlantic ISDN Action page on the Web with information about the proceedings at: http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/bellnews.html BACKGROUND Briefly, Bell Atlantic (BA) is asking for tariffs which are based upon the amount of time that you use the ISDN connection, and this can add up. A "BRI" ISDN line gives you two 64 Kbps "B" channels, which can be "bonded" into a fast 128 Kbps connection (referred to as 2B). You can also use BRI ISDN as two separate voice or fax lines, with multiple telephone numbers, or the line can be dynamically configured on the fly. BA is asking for 2 cents per minute (per B channel)from 7 am to 7 pm, or 1 cent per minute from 7 pm to 7 am. If you use the faster 128 Kbps connection (isn't' the point of ISDN to have a faster connection?), it would cost from $2.40 to $1.20 per hour to make a local call to your Internet service provider (ISP). BA also offers "callpack" options, where the consumer can pre-purchase blocks of time at large discounts. For example, one could buy the 140 hours callpack for $60 per month. This would allow a user to have 70 hours at 128 Kbps (or 140 hours at 64 Kpbs). But you have to pay for the time even if you don't use it, and if you go over, you are stuck with the hefty per-minute fees. The BA flat rate option is a whopping $249 per month, the most expensive in the United States. The BA tariffs are not inevitable. Quite a few states have adopted much lower residential ISDN tariffs. Highly relevant is the recent decision by the Delaware PSC approving a flat rate residential ISDN tariff of $28.02, about $221 less than the rate requested by Bell Atlantic. In Arkansas, the Northern Arkansas Telephone Company charges only $17.90 per month, flat rate, for residential ISDN service. In California, the Roseville Telephone Company charges $29.50 for residential ISDN. Four of the five Midwest states served by Ameritech offer ISDN at a little more than twice the POTS rate with no per minute charges (Illinois $28.05 to $34.50, Ohio $32.20, Michigan $33.51, and Wisconsin $30.90). In Tennessee, BellSouth charges $25 to $29 for flat rate ISDN. In New Mexico, the Commission recently approved a $40 flat rate. You can get a better Bell Atlantic ISDN tariff if you fight now! The most important immediate thing is to get comments into the record in opposition to the BA filing, and to ask for lower rates. It is also helpful to call up the Commission in your state and talk to the staff person who is assigned to the issue. In addition to the Bell Atlantic ISDN Action page (http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/bellnews.html), you might find these links helpful. CPT's ISDN pricing talking points: http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/isdntalk.html Fred Goldstein's ISDN pricing talking points. http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/fred.txt James Love (love@tap.org/202-387-8030 Consumer Project on Technology http://www.essential.org/cpt INFO-POLICY-NOTES is a free Internet newsletter. Subscriptions from listproc@essential.org. Archives at http://www.essential.org/listproc/info-policy-notes/ Materials may be redisseminated widely on the Internet. ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: GTE Mobilnet and New NPA Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 00:33:41 PDT GTE-Mobilnet Alerts Hampton Roads, Va., to Changing Area Code By Dave Mayfield, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jun. 26--The transition period for Hampton Roads' new area code -- 757 -- starts Monday. And the cellular-phone company GTE-Mobilnet is not about to give its customers any excuse for not knowing that fact. It has taken out ads in newspapers, and on radio and TV. It is mailing notices. It is scheduling special fairs. And its message to local customers is this: ditch 804 as soon as possible and make 757 part of your telephone routine. Technically, starting on Monday long-distance calls to either code will get through to the more than 1.5 million people who will be part of the 757 area. This "grace period" will expire Jan. 31. After that, only 757 will work in front of phone numbers for Hampton Roads, as well as the Eastern Shore and portions of several western Tidewater counties. Richmond, Lynchburg, Charlottesville and other central Virginia cities and counties will keep 804. The grace period was established to ease the transition to the new code. A similar grace period was used in western Virginia, where 540 was carved out of the 703 code last July. Dialing 540 became mandatory in January. Businesses especially appreciate such transition periods because they can use up stationery, business cards and brochures and give their clients time to adjust to dialing a new code. But for phone companies, the sooner their local customers start telling their out-of-state friends and relatives about 757, the better. It will save a lot of headaches and confusion come February, when there will be no room for dialing errors. For local cellular companies, the transition from 804 to 757 is particularly critical. Unlike traditional "landline" phones, every one of the more than 150,000 cell phones in use by Hampton Roads customers of GTE-Mobilnet and 360 Communications must be reprogrammed to work in the new code. An unconverted customer is a lost customer -- something that the cell-phone companies can't bear to contemplate. "We're planning a very extensive education process," says Carla Ussery, Hampton Roads general manager for GTE Mobilnet. The most overt gesture planned by her company is turning the "Roam" light on all of the phones of GTE Mobilnet's local customers and leaving it on until they bring in their phones for reprogramming. GTE Mobilnet plans 14 "update fairs" between late July and early November throughout the new 757 territory to encourage people to drop by. It plans food and prize giveaways and will provide two months of free emergency roadside assistance coverage for each customer who converts his or her phone. Ussery said GTE Mobilnet will even send vans to the sites of large commercial customers to reprogram their employees' phones. 360 Communications is taking a lower-key approach. It, too, plans to send mobile vans out to large commercial customers' sites, and it will add extra tables at booths it sets up at local music and arts festivals. But Bob Sage, 360's local general manager, said his company will try to encourage customers to get their phones reprogrammed while they're dropping in for some other transaction. He said 360 plans to offer a number of new services, like Caller ID, that will encourage customers to visit the phone company anyway. 360 also plans to set up a help number to walk customers through the process of reprogramming their phones themselves. Sage said the process should take no longer than about five minutes. GTE Mobilnet's Ussery said her company would prefer customers not try to reprogram their phones, but will help them do so "if they insist." ON THE INTERNET: Visit Pilot Online, the World Wide Web site of the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. Point your browser to http://www.infi.net/pilot ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: San Jose to Get Cable TV Competition From Pacific Bell Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:22:38 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 07:19:42 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: San Jose First California City To Get Cable TV Competition From Pacific Bell Video Services FOR MORE INFORMATION: Susan Petoletti (415) 542-4541 Craig Watts (415) 542-6864 San Jose First California City To Get Cable TV Competition From Pacific Bell Video Services San Jose City Council Awards Cable TV Franchise Commercial Launch Scheduled for Late Summer SAN JOSE -- The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to award a cable television franchise to Pacific Bell Video Services (PBVS) at its meeting today. San Jose residents will be the first to benefit from cable TV competition between Pacific Bell Video Services and an incumbent cable service provider in California. Pacific Bell Video Services plans to launch commercial service over its advanced communication network in San Jose later this summer. "San Jose residents have been demanding an alternative to their existing provider and Pacific Bell Video Services will offer San Jose top-notch service," said Steve Harris, vice president of external affairs for PBVS. "We would like to bring the same high-quality service to other California cities through our wireline and wireless networks." Pacific Bell is currently building an advanced communications network in San Diego and has plans to launch wireless cable television in Los Angeles, Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area in 1997. Laura Murdock, vice president and general manager, Northern California operations, Pacific Bell Video Services added, "Our network will deliver more choice, better value, and superior picture quality. Most important, residents will finally be able to rely on the high standards of customer service for which Pacific Bell is known." Pacific Bell Video Services has been running a successful test of the cable services since late 1995 that now includes over 1,300 San Jose area residents. In a recent Pacific Bell Video Services survey, a vast majority of test customers ranked Pacific Bell Video Service superior in the areas of installation service, picture quality, channel lineup and customer service. This is the first time cable television programming will be commercially offered over Pacific Bell's new advanced communications network -- a state-of-the-art hybrid fiber optic-coaxial cable network that is capable of bringing high quality voice, video and data into the home over one line. When video is activated this summer, telephone service will be provided over the same network. Interactive video and personal computer service is being tested now. In addition to advanced communications services, Pacific Bell Video Services competitively challenged the incumbent cable TV provider, TCI, by meeting and/or exceeding all of the franchise provisions in TCI's current agreement, including PEG (public education and government) channels. The term of the agreement is 4.5 years at which time both TCI and Pacific Bell Video Services franchises can be reviewed for renewal. ----------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Pacific Bell Mobile Services to Debut New Wireless Phone Service Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:23:16 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 07:23:57 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Pacific Bell Mobile Services to Debut New Wireless Phone Service at Republican Convention FOR MORE INFORMATION: Linda Bonniksen (213) 975-5061 John Britton (619) 237-2430 Pacific Bell Mobile Services to Debut New Wireless Phone Service at Republican Convention Personal Communications Services Offers GOP a More Secure Alternative to Cellular SAN DIEGO - The 1996 Republican National Convention will use a new wireless telecommunications technology that offers a secure and private alternative to cellular. The new technology is Personal Communications Services (PCS). It will be provided by Pacific Bell Mobile Services as the Republican National Convention's official provider of wireless Personal Communications Services. The convention will be in San Diego Aug. 12 through 15. Unlike cellular, PCS technology is 100 percent digital. Being digital, PCS offers superior sound quality and reliability, as well as built-in complex encryption for maximum privacy and protection from "cloning," a form of cellular theft that costs consumers $650 million a year. "Pacific Bell's PCS is the only secure wireless telecommunications technology available to the GOP," said Terry Valeski, Pacific Bell Mobile Services vice president. Valeski explained that every PCS call passes through three levels of encryption - first at the phone, next through the phone's "subscriber identification module," and finally at the network. At each level, encrypted information must be exchanged and verified before a call is completed. "With Pacific Bell's PCS, candidates, delegates and security personnel can discuss confidential matters without worrying about electronic eavesdroppers - a freedom they didn't enjoy in Houston four years ago," Valeski said. Pacific Bell Mobile Services will activate PCS service for the convention next month. The coverage area will include the San Diego Convention Center, downtown hotels, tourist attractions, the airport, major transportation corridors and the coastline. Convention attendees will use their PCS phones to send and receive calls and short-text messages. The phones can also be plugged into laptop computers for wireless faxing and Internet access. "Our groundbreaking use of PCS will make the 1996 Republican National Convention the most technically sophisticated event of its kind," said William Greener, III, convention manager for the Republican National Convention. "PCS will give us unprecedented freedom to move about the convention and still stay connected." "PCS is wireless in full bloom. With one pocket-sized phone, PCS gives us voice, data and online access in every convention venue," said Jack Ford, executive director of the San Diego Host Committee. 500 Phones Sport GOP Style Manufacturers Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson have provided more than 500 phones to the convention. The Nokia and Motorola phones sport a stars-and-stripes design, while the Ericsson model displays the convention logo featuring the GOP's trumpeting elephant. The phones integrate the features of a phone, pager and personal digital assistant. With recent innovations in battery design, the phones have more "talk" and "standby" time than available over today's cellular phones. An additional phone feature includes the "subscriber identification module" - or SIM. A SIM contains network information about a particular subscriber, including their telephone number, calling plan, custom calling features and speed dialing list. In some phone models, the SIM rests in a smart card that can be removed from the phone to disable its calling capabilities. The SIM is one of many PCS attributes exclusive to a network standard called Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Pacific Bell Mobile Services selected GSM because it makes possible an array of advanced PCS features, customer services and billing options not available through other network standards. These include "over-the-air" service activation and the ability to bill voice and data calls differently. GSM has a long track record of proven performance and reliability among nearly 15 million PCS users in 92 countries. Consumer Launch in Early 1997 After the convention closes, Pacific Bell Mobile Services will prepare for a consumer product launch in California and Nevada in early 1997. The company plans to broadly distribute PCS phones through drug stores, consumer electronics stores and warehouse retailers. Industry analysts expect PCS to cost less than existing cellular service, particularly in California where cellular subscribers pay among the highest rates in the nation. Pacific Bell Mobile Services is the wireless communications subsidiary of Pacific Bell. Pacific Telesis Group, the parent company of Pacific Bell and Pacific Bell Mobile Services, is a diversified telecommunications company headquartered in San Francisco. ----------------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Brent Subject: Information Wanted on Norstar Centrex Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 09:48:24 -0700 Organization: Federal Telco Supply If we have centrex service and use M5209 sets will we have to change our type of centrex lines to use a Norstar 8x24? Also, would we have to use the centrex software in the ksu or would the DR5 software be sufficient? ------------------------------ From: ananth@access.digex.net (A N Ananth) Subject: Help Needed Installing Baltimore-Bombay Dedicated Line Date: 26 Jun 1996 22:11:58 -0400 Organization: Prism Communications Inc, Gaithersburg MD We are considering installation of a dedicated line (T-1 or lower) from Baltimore to Bombay, India but are fuzzy on MTNL and VSNL rules in the matter. Also there is the looming quesion of local loop charges. The objective is US-India telephone traffic and so termination to the local exchange is necessary. We are aware of "favoured" connections to the SEEPZ in Andheri and the questions are: a. Is this even possible? b. Is it possible to have it terminated to the local exchange? c. Will connection to STD trunks to other cities be permitted? d. Any idea as to the local loop charges? e. Is this possible to Bangalore? Any and all war stories are welcome. Thanks in advance. A. Ananth Phone: (410) 765-9281 Prism Communications Inc Fax: (410) 531-9516 Which Prism is for you? http://www.universe.digex.net/~prism ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Jun 96 22:38:43 From: Tina Rathbone Subject: Modem Link on Columbia Space Shuttle Members of the crew of space shuttle Columbia are reportedly using a modem link to communicate with their families. That's one mondo phone cord! Seriously, does anyone want to speculate on the setup? "A thumb-sized video camera hooked up to a notebook computer was to be used to relay audio and video between the shuttle and the ground via a special high-speed modem. Because the families of shuttle commander Tom Henricks, pilot Kevin Kregel and mission specialists Rick Linnehan and Chuck Brady were to make their private calls from mission control, they would be able to see images on a small computer display." ... Reuters, 6/25/96 Tina Rathbone, Modems & Online Stuff ------------------------------ From: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) Subject: Re: The Virtual Institute of Information (Shameless Self Promotion) Date: 27 Jun 1996 09:17:07 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) There is a lot of good telecom information at: http://www.tbi.net/~jhall Heavy Wide Area Networking and Voice information. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #317 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jun 27 12:20:25 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA09449; Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:20:25 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:20:25 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606271620.MAA09449@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #318 TELECOM Digest Thu, 27 Jun 96 12:20:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 318 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Pacific Bell Completes Caller ID Blocking Verification Effort (Mike King) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Kevin Hogan) Re: 888 Deployment Not (Pavel Beker) Re: PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone (Eric A. Carr) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Joshua Cole) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Bobby Krupczak) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Mike Fox) Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today (Fred Atkinson) Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today (Jared Hall) Re: Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation (John R. Levine) Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship (Mark Brader) Re: NPA/Prefix Changes in North Carolina (John Cropper) Re: Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization (Jean-Bernard Condat) Last Laugh! Another Good Use For Friday Free Calls (Van Heffner) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mike King Subject: Pacific Bell Completes Caller ID Blocking Verification Effort Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 20:26:53 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 14:58:14 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Pacific Bell Completes Caller ID Blocking Verification Effort FOR MORE INFORMATION: Rebecca Perata (415) 394-3701 Pacific Bell Completes Caller ID Blocking Verification Effort Company Plans to Offer Caller ID Service on July 8 SAN FRANCISCO -- Pacific Bell announced today it has completed intensive Caller ID customer blocking verification work and plans to offer Caller ID service on July 8. "We are pleased to report that we have completed an extensive verification process, and are confident our customers' blocking requests are implemented correctly," said Mark Pitchford, vice president of consumer marketing for Pacific Bell. "We've checked every request that was placed through Pacific Bell's 1-800-298-5000 blocking request number and through ballots included in the company's March and April telephone bills. In addition, we checked a sample of more than 1 million customer lines to make sure requests were accurately registered in our equipment." While Pacific Bell will delay its Caller ID service launch until July 8, under the FCC order, the company is required to begin passing Pacific Bell customers' telephone numbers to Caller ID subscribers across the state and outside California by July 1. The company has approached the Federal Communications Commission for an extension on the July 1 deadline, but the FCC said it would not grant an extension. "We are confident that customers have the blocking options they requested so their blocking will be in place before July 1," said Pitchford. "We are still opting to delay our Caller ID launch, however, to complete the associated paper work to ensure all our records match customers' programmed blocking choice." "Our checks show that we had an accuracy rate much greater than 99 percent. In the fraction of one percent where customer requests did not match our records, we are making those corrections. That will be complete this week," said Pitchford. Pacific Bell said most of the confusion over whether people received the right blocking option was due to a lag between installing the blocking option on the customers' line, updating customer records and then mailing confirmation letters. "Our first priority is to ensure that customers receive the blocking option they requested on their line. Our tests show that those orders were and are being installed correctly. We're taking an extra week to make sure all of our record processing has had time to catch up," Pitchford said. Caller ID enables people to see the number of the person calling before they answer the call. In order to see the caller's number, consumers need to subscribe to the Caller ID service and purchase either a telephone with a built-in display device or an electronic display device designed to connect to an existing phone. Caller ID service from Pacific Bell will cost $6.50 per month for residential customers and $7.50 per month for business customers. There will be a $5.00 installation fee for residential customers and $6.00 installation fee for business customers. Pacific Bell has received thousands of calls from customers desiring to order Caller ID. These customers have been placed on a waiting list until the service is available on July 8. Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group, a diversified communications corporation based in San Francisco. ----------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 08:12:29 -0700 From: Kevin Hogan Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Organization: University of California, Berkeley In article TELECOM Digest Editor asked: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So what *are* they doing about > Caller-ID in California now. What is the latest word as of today, > June 26? PAT] The latest word that I've heard (from San Fransisco radio news this morning) was that Pac Bell was promising to provide Caller-ID starting on July 8, with delays due to "mistakes in processing thousands of customer forms". Kevin Hogan kahogan@hera.EECS.Berkeley.EDU (510) 704-9517 http://www-ucsee.EECS.Berkeley.EDU/~kahogan/ [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Elsewhere I read it was 'millions of customer forms'. I wonder if they will think of some new excuse to delay it still further sometime in the next week or so? PAT] ------------------------------ From: pbeker@crl.com (Pavel Beker) Subject: Re: 888 Deployment Not Date: 26 Jun 1996 20:58:00 -0700 Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access I had an 888 number, terminating to my home phone, for about a month, during which I was traveling almost constantly. (Mainly Pac*Bell and Bellsouth areas.) My main purpose for the 888 number was (1) to check messages on my home machine easily / cheaply, and (2) so a few people out there can reach me easily. Both of these mean using pay phones a lot. I don't have actual numbers, but being the consummate telephony geek, I tried calling from many places as I traveled -- and found that no less that 75% of pay phones (!) (including "real" telco phones - not just COCOTs) did not handle 888 at all. The few times I could call the "operator", I found that 80% of the time the operator did not, or could not place the call either! In fact, in Bellsouth-land (north Ga / 706), not only did real Bellsouth payphones not handle 888, the operator consistently connected me to the wrong number -- some private residence somewhere in 706, I expect -- and claimed that (not a joke) "the wires must be crossed." Beyond that, she could not help me. (No problem in 404/770 though). I actually had a 100% success rate from hotels, though -- and of course all the non-PBX private lines seemed to be fine. Anyway, no more 888 for me -- I'll let someone else be the guinea pig. Paul ------------------------------ From: C10973@email.mot.com (Eric A. Carr) Subject: Re: PC Modems and Stutter Dial Tone Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 10:29:12 -0800 Organization: Motorola SmartNet Trunked Systems In article , kevin@bobray.kray.com wrote: > David Yewell (yewell@ix.netcom.com) wrote: >> I subscribe to telco provided voicemail (The Message Center), and I >> also use the same line for my pc modem. My modem will not dial when >> the stutter dial tone is present. Does anyone know a way to get around >> this problem (other than clearing all the messages and removing the >> stutter dial tone?) >> Is there a modem I can use which will dial anyhow? >> What do alarm company modems do when they are attached to a line which >> is also on a voice mail line? How do they seize the line? > You can blind dial with the modem but in cases this will also > limit the modem in seeing "NO ANSWER", "NO CARRIER", and "BUSY". > You didn't specify if it was a Hayes Compatible modem (I'm assuming it > is :-) Being a Hayes type modem you can modify register S06 which by > default is set to '2' (ie: wait 2 seconds for dial tone before dial). > Bump this up to 8 or 10 (ie: ATS6=8) and if you do not have messages > waiting it will dial as normal (it saw the dialtone quicker). If you > do have messages waiting it will wait 8 seconds for a solid dialtone > before dialing. I've used just about every brand of modem (Hayes, > Practical Peripherals, Zoom, Microcom, USR, etc) with the stuttered > dialtone with no problems after changed S6. I don't think the S6 register has anything to do with detecting dial tone itself; it mearly tells the modem to wait the time value stored in the register before proceding to dial. As is the case with UDS modems, if dial tone detect is enabled, the modem still won't spit out digits regardless of what value is stored in that register. Try using one of the "X" commands (without the parenthesis); i.e "ATX", "ATX1", or "ATX3". "ATX" forces the modem to connect while just showing the default connect message of "CONNECT" regardless of the speed. "ATX1" shows all appropriate connect messages for any rate but does not have dial tone detect enabled. "ATX3" detects distant end busy while still displaying appropriate connect messages without dial tone detect. > You will want to change the init string for what ever program you are > using to dial to include S6=8 -or- issue ats6=8&w to save the profile > as the default (which could depend on your Y register). Read the ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ > manual for more information or email me if needed. One should also be careful with specifying particular registers by letter. The "Y" register determines whether long space disconnect is enabled or not. It's the "&Y" register that determines if the modem should power up with a user stored option profile. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 10:09:05 -0400 From: Joshua Cole Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible [Stuff about TCI's incompetent service deleted] Pat: Don't for a single instant believe that you are alone in your contempt of cable companies. Comcast cable in Howard County, MD where I reside is just as incompetent. They'll schedule repair times and never show up. They'll call and say, "the tech is on his way and will be there in 10 minutes." Meanwhile, when you call three hours later to wonder where the tech is, the office "plays" dumb. Anyway, if the cable companies want to get into phone service and the phone companies want to get into cable service, then we're all pretty much up the proverbial creek. I'll bet you that some enterprising company could make a killing getting into telecommunications services and actually SERVED their customers and didn't yank them around. Maybe competition will finally force these jokers to get their acts together. Joshua Cole [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Do you have a cable committee in your town which handles formal complaints with Comcast? If so, does it do any good to lodge a complaint with them? PAT] ------------------------------ From: rdk@morticia.cc.gatech.edu (Bobby Krupczak) Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Date: 27 Jun 1996 14:17:06 GMT Organization: College of Computing Hi! > The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one > at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on > commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out > is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the > appointment then promising again today and missing this one). At least you can get through to those scumbags. Here in scenic Austell (outside Atlanta) I cant even get through to MediaOne (readers Im sure are familiar with US West's foray into cable service) to order cable. I get lots of marketing literature from them (as well as TV commercials) telling me how they are doing all kinds of great things for me. Pat, you forgot to mention that cable company's marketing arms usually work pretty darn well. Now I'm told by some folks at the Broadband Telecommunications Center (here at GaTech) that the real deal with cable modems is that the current generation will use a POTS upstream channel instead of upstream broadband. Thats exactly the mentality these snake-oil salesman (I mean cable folks) exude -- enough bandwidth to send your credit card number upstream, lots of downstream bandwith to feed you full of crap. Never mind that I may want to publish a digest (or something) from home ... Bobby ------------------------------ From: Mike Fox Date: 27 Jun 96 08:38:02 EDT Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible > The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one > at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on > commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out > is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the > appointment then promising again today and missing this one). This is the crux of the telephone-cable competition debate. If they are both allowed to compute in each other's markets, I think the phone companies are going to clean up. Just two anecdotes that everyone has experienced tells the whole story: I call the cable company at 8:00 pm because it's completely out: "Thank you for calling Time Warner Cable. Our phone center is open from 8 am till 7 pm Monday thru Friday except Wednesday when we open at 9 am, and Saturday from 8 am to noon. If you have an emergency repair, please hold the line and you will be transferred to our answering service." [ two minutes later, a fast busy signal and disconnect]. Some other time I call the phone company after regular hours: "Thank you for calling Bell South. All our operators are busy, please --- [human interrupts] Thank you for calling Bell South, this is Jane, how may I give you excellent service today?" And then they DO give me excellent service. If I could get cable from my phone company, I would be all over that! But I would NEVER trust something as important as my phone to those cable bozos. Later, Mike ------------------------------ From: Fred_Atkinson/SkyTel_at_SkyTelNotesPO@mtel.com Date: Thu, 27 Jun 96 08:16:00 CST Subject: Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today I recently applied for a domain name. When I read your story I knew I hadn't received an email bill from them as I requested. So, I called them and was told it had already been sent on email (I never received it) but would send me another copy that same day. I found out about their complaint mechanism. You send an email to: 'complaints@internic.net'. They respond with an automatic email assigning a reference number to your complaint. You 'finger' the reference number like an email address in the format 'finger NIC-960625.2829@internic.net' (assuming that NIC-960625.2829 is your reference number) and it returns the status of your request. If they close it without action, you will know. I sent a complaint day before yesterday. Yesterday, I got three copies of my invoice on email. I just put the payment in the mail to them. Fred ------------------------------ From: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) Subject: Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today Date: 27 Jun 1996 10:21:30 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) PAT, Hope they're not any of mine. The Internic's never sent me a bill. I've heard that they've really been sending bills to the wrong places. Billing seems to be a real mess over there. I really think that they should concentrate on accurately billing people first prior to disconnection. ;-) Jared Hall ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 96 10:01 EDT From: johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) Subject: Re: Splitting Area Codes Causes Consternation Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg, N.Y. > I might suggest that in this era of competition, that the competing > LECs be the ones to offer numbers in new area codes. That's a complete non-starter, for several reasons. The first is that the FCC has decreed no more second class area codes. Area 917 is for cellular, pagers, and other such in New York City, works fine, but they don't like the precedent. (Actually, the NYC area is unusual in that the local calling area already covers two other area codes and parts of two more neighboring codes, so people there are unusally familiar with the idea that a call to another area code can be a local call.) The second is that in most of the area code splits I've heard of, they need new numbers for the incumbent landline LEC as well as for new entrants, so you have to do something about that anyway. But the most important reason is portability. At this point, if you change LECs, you have to change your phone number, which gives a huge advantage to the incumbent. As soon as technically feasible (which will be several years at least), you'll be able to switch LECs and take your number with you. It's not clear how this will work, perhaps by a database lookup like for 800 numbers, perhaps by assigning each prefix to an "original" LEC and forwarding the numbers that have moved, perhaps something else. But with portability, any number can be handled by any LEC so attempts to divide them by carrier will be impossible. Overlays are clearly coming within the next few years -- each time you split you make a million people change their phone numbers, and by the second or third time you have to throw away your stationery and reprint it, splits look pretty convenient. John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 johnl@iecc.com "Space aliens are stealing American jobs." - Stanford econ prof ------------------------------ From: msb@sq.com (Mark Brader) Subject: Re: Interesting Facts From Trying to Fax a Cruise Ship Organization: SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, Canada Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 06:52:22 GMT >> I used the code for the Indian Ocean and the fax went through. > I don't think there's anything wrong with your geography. My > understanding is that INMARSAT uses three satellites, and the "ocean > code" tells it which satellite to route the call to. Sounds like > Alaska (or at least that part of Alaska) is in the footprint of the > Indian Ocean satellite. > This makes some sense since the south Indian ocean is pretty much > empty, while the south Pacific is full of [places]... No, this does not make sense. Geostationary satellites must orbit over the equator. To a first approximation, only longitude matters; to get more precise, as you get to extreme latitudes, the range of longitudes where the satellite can be seen *shrinks*. (At the poles, all the geostationary satellites are always out of sight.) The westernmost point where Alaska cruises commonly go is Anchorage, at longitude 150W. The diametrically opposite meridian, 30E, passes through the southwest part of the Indian Ocean. You could *not* cover the whole Indian Ocean from a geostationary satellite that could also reach Anchorage or anywhere east of it. In fact, elsewhere in this thread, Markus Aberg (Markus.Aberg@iki.fi) gave the Indian Ocean Region's satellite coverage as "approx between Portugal and Japan"; that is, about 10W to 145E. This makes sense, includes the entire Indian Ocean, and is consistent with the ground station location in Turkey that someone also mentioned. It would put the satellite at about 70E and, of course, well out of range of Anchorage or anywhere east of it. Indeed, even the extreme western tip of Alaska, the Aleutian island of Attu, is around 172E and would still be out of range of that satellite. I think it would be interesting to find out where the ship actually was that day and then get back to Marisat for an explanation. Mark Brader msb@sq.com SoftQuad Inc., Toronto ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Re: NPA/Prefix Changes in North Carolina Date: 27 Jun 1996 09:56:08 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA On Jun 27, 1996 00.35.55 in article , 'Stan Schwartz ' wrote: > On August 1, 1996, all telephone numbers in Davidson County currently > in the 704 area code will move to the 910 area code. The change > involves the cities of Lexington, Churchland, Reeds, Southmont, > Welcome, and Denton. Thomasville is currently in the 910 area code > and will not be affected. The change was requested by Davidson County > customers and approved by federal regulators. > In addition to the area code change, some telephone prefixes will change: > Lexington: 246 will change to 248 > 352 will change to 357 > 858 will change to 853 > Churchland: 762 will change to 752 > Denton: 869 will change to 859 The full list of *current* NXXs to change from 704 to 910 is as follows (with the aforementioned NXX changes in mind): Churchland 752 762 Denton 869 Lexington 224 237 239 242 243 246 249 250 352 744 746 858 956 Reeds Cross Roads 787 797 Southmont 798 Welcome 731 > The last four digits of telephone numbers with these prefixes will not > be affected. > Remember to reprogram ... (etc.) > REQUESTED by the residents? Why would the residents request this, and > when does a phone company ever listen? When it's already local to 910, perhaps, and BellSouth is afraid of new competition moving into that area ... They might've thrown them a "bone" for a very good reason; only the residents of that area know for sure. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:14:44 +0100 From: Jean-Bernard Condat Subject: Re: Information Wanted on French Telecom Organization msal765@aol.com asked: > Does anyone in this group have any information they could impart to me > on the following French Telecom Organization. It is called L'OBSERVATOIRE > MONDIAL DES SYSTEMES DE COMMUNICATION (also known as > Omsyc). I have not been able to find them on the Internet so an > address or phone/fax number would be very helpful. I appreciate any > assistance any of you could render. Thank you in advance for your reply. Good question. I never have had information of this institution. In France, we have a lot of teams that secretly work on R&D aspects without any diffusion of the findings. In the case of the Omsyc, it was an old initiative of France Telecom born in 1981. Now, it's a poor little company (SARL type) located 20 avenue Rapp, 75343 Paris Cedex 07, phone: +33 1 40 62 68 57, fax: +33 1 47 53 87 77, no email address, no EDI service! No email in the French newsgroups related to Omsyc. Only one recent PhD citing the results of the yearly Omsyc study (http://serveia.u-3mrs.fr/Etudiants/memoire-html/ MemPhil-Steph/IIIA.html). A French abstract of the last version of this study (1,200 FF for the last version) can be view at http://www.i-t.fr/journatel/jtl_a01.htm. 47 countries have being analysed with This year, the mobile phone penetration put France on the 12th place in Europe (7th in 1995). Don't hesitate to contact me if you need more up-to-date French telecom infos. Jean-bernard Condat, Senior Consultant, Smart Card Business Unit Informix, La Grande Arche, 92044 La Defense Cedex, France Phone: +33 1 46963769, fax: +33 1 46963765, portable: +33 07238628 Private: +33 1 41238807, e-mail: jeanbc@informix.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 04:56:27 -0700 From: vantek@northcoast.com (VANTEK COMMUNICATIONS) Subject: Last Laugh! Another Good Use For Friday Free Calls > As per carriers, the last time I checked, *everything* goes through > AT&T, so you can use any provider you want. You might actually have > saved some money using MCI over AT&T, if the MCI negotiated rate is > good enough (in bulk purchases by MCI from AT&T). For that matter, you might be able to use your Sprint "Friday's Free" calls for Inmarsat. I wonder if you could get a discount for MCI Friends & Family, or 50% off if the cruise ship is another Excel customer?!!? Say, who is Inmarsat PICed to, anyway? :-) Van Hefner - Editor Discount Long Distance Digest On The Web: http://www.webcom.com/longdist/ ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #318 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jun 27 13:45:21 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA18970; Thu, 27 Jun 1996 13:45:21 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 13:45:21 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606271745.NAA18970@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #319 TELECOM Digest Thu, 27 Jun 96 13:45:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 319 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Still Seeking Corporate Support For Digest (TELECOM Digest Editor) Re: GSM Cellular From Satellites? (John Kahler) Simulation ADSL (Marie Colin) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Lawrence Rachman) Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software (Greg Knopf) Re: Power Lines For Telecommunication (Jared Hall) Re: True Story From a Novell NetWare SysOp (Bruce A. Pennypacker) Questions About Cellular Phones (Christopher Wolf) Re: E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages (Jean-Bernard Condat) Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? (Bill Wilson) Suggestions For Buried Cable (Larry Ludwick) Re: German Telco (Chris Moffett) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Raymond Hazel) Information Wanted on PCS vrs. Cellular Telephone (Ed Lomax) Book Review: "Netscape Navigator" by Pfaffenberger (Rob Slade) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 13:07:47 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Still Seeking Corporate Support For Digest As many of you know by now, Microsoft has withdrawn from further corporate support of TELECOM Digest as of June 30. This is a very major financial setback for the Digest since that money essentially was what I lived on. It was a stipend -- albiet small -- that along with the support of the ITU (which is continuing) paid my rent and basic living expenses. I am not looking forward to getting outside employment and cutting back the amount of time and effort spent on the Digest each day, but that may be the direction things will go during July unless one or more new corporate sponsors come to my rescue. As a corporate sponsor, your company name and comments of your choice about your organization appear in the masthead of each issue of the Digest. Sponsorship can be over a period of a year, or if you prefer for a month or two at a time. Terms and conditions are negotiable. Please contact me if you can be of assistance. In adddition to such sponsorship, my sole income at present is from individual voluntary subscriptions to the Digest and royalties from the sale of the Telecom Archives CD-ROM published by Walnet Creek. Thank you, Patrick Townson Editor, TELECOM Digest ------------------------------ From: jkahler@ecn.net.au Subject: Re: GSM Cellular From Satellites? Date: 27 Jun 1996 04:54:38 GMT Organization: Cantus Information Products Reply-To: jkahler@ecn.net.au In , Jean-Francois Mezei writes: > While travelling in Australia recently, I heard a few people mention > that once low orbit satellites are in position, Australia will have > GSM coverate throughout its territory with antennas doing the job in > more populated areas. > Can anyone comment on this? Will this actually happen with off-the-shelf > GSM phones working from either land-based antennas or satellite based > ones? Or will special phones be needed to access these low orbit > satellites? I am not sure about the GSM phones being compatible with a low earth orbit satellite system but we do already have a satellite phone system here in Australia run by Optus Communications called "Optus SatPhone". Coverage is total area of Australia (and up to a couple of km to see I think). John (jkahler@ecn.net.au) ------------------------------ From: Marie Colin Subject: Simulation ADSL Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:25:13 -0700 Organization: Universiti de Valenciennes I am looking for an ADSL software based on the ANSI standard (DMT modulation). Does anybody know if one or more have been developped and where I can get it? Thanks for your answer. ------------------------------ Date: 27 Jun 96 08:03:27 EDT From: Lawrence Rachman <74066.2004@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn In a recent issue of the Digest, dwpaxson@servtech.com (Dana W. Paxson) mentions: > ...My wife inherited the phone number of a deadbeat, and continued for > over a YEAR to receive harrassing calls from Citibank... Citibank was, > well, incapable of stopping its own representatives from continuing to > make calls; apparently their database people...couldn't find it in > their hearts to correct things. I had an interesting chat recently with a consultant who has done some work with predictive dialers, and I pass the following *unverified* tidbit along as a clue. The claim is that if the predictive dialer hears intercept tone (the three acending tones heard before an 'error' recording), it will cancel the call AND REMOVE THE NUMBER FROM ITS DATABASE!! Methinks an answering machine message beginning with intercept tone could do wonders in reducing the frequency of annoying telemarketer/misguided creditor calls. (OTOH, I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the telcos get all bent out of shape if you do this, so consult your local tarrif before trying it. This message is being provided for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as an enticement to break the rules.) Larry Rachman, WA2BUX <74066.2004@compuserve.com> If your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down. ------------------------------ From: knopf@tigger.jvnc.net (Greg Knopf) Subject: Re: Recommendations Wanted on Network Monitoring Software Organization: JvNCnet Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 13:01:52 GMT Hello, There is a free Unix-based network monitoring program located at: ftp://ftp.navya.net/pub/vikas in the files: nocol-4.01.tar.gz or nocol-4.01.tar.Z There is also a patch file in that directory which might be needed. The utility, "nocol" or "netmon," simply uses 'ping' to poll IP addresses taken from a configuration file and displays the results back on a vt100 screen. Greg knopf@tigger.jvnc.net ------------------------------ From: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) Subject: Re: Power Lines For Telecommunication Date: 27 Jun 1996 09:43:31 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: jared2654@aol.com (Jared2654) Power lines are a popular choice for low-speed telemetry data today. And its use for that purpose will likely continue in the US, for alarm services. More importantly, all that conduit and all those poles are owned by the power companies (generalization). With deregulation in the US, we can expect to see the power companies enter the telecommunications market in a big way. As an example; here in Florida, Florida Power and Light is getting it's ATM network ready. Jared Hall http://www.tbi.net/~jhall ------------------------------ From: Bruce A. Pennypacker Subject: Re: True Story From a Novell NetWare SysOp Date: 27 Jun 1996 13:46:19 GMT Organization: Stylus Products Group, Artisoft Inc. In article telecom16.316.10@massis.lcs.mit.edu, ben3b01!bns!Quist_David_R@ben3b01.attmail.com (bns!Quist_David_R) said: > True story from a Novell NetWare SysOp: > Caller: "Hello, is this Tech Support?" > Tech Rep: "Yes, it is. How may I help you?" > Caller: "The cup holder on my PC is broken and I am within my > warranty period. How do I go about getting that fixed?" > Tech Rep: "I'm sorry, but did you say a cup holder?" > Caller: "Yes, it's attached to the front of my computer." > Tech Rep: "Please excuse me if I seem a bit stumped, it's because > I am. Did you receive this as part of a promotional, > at a trade show? How did you get this cup holder? > Does it have any trademark on it?" > Caller: "It came with my computer, I don't know anything about > a promotional. It just has '4X' on it." > At this point the Tech Rep had to mute the caller, because he could > not stand it. The caller had been using the load drawer of the > CD-ROM drive as a cup holder, and snapped it off the drive. FYI, this was posted not too long ago on rec.humor.funny. There's actually a little bit missing from the story. Apparently this conversation took place "down under" in Australia. After this was originally posted to r.h.f somebody from Australia pointed out that "4X" is apparently a brand of local Australian beer. Bruce Pennypacker | Stylus Products Group | Phone: +1 617 621 9545 Software Engineer | Artisoft, Inc. | Fax: +1 617 621 7862 Resident TAPI guru | 201 Broadway | http://www.stylus.com brucep@stylus.com | Cambridge, MA 02139 | sales: sales@stylus.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 09:52:42 CDT From: Christopher Wolf Subject: Questions About Cellular Phones I am currently in the market for a cellular phone. With all the ads for free phone, cheap phones, and the like and never having used cell phones much before, I was wondering what sort of features cell phones have. Are there certain basic features that I need to make sure I get? What are some of the optional features that are useless and/or nice to have? What about the different models -- are some more reliable or have longer battery life? If anyone can give me some pointers to some info (instead of marketing hype), I'd be grateful. Wolf ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 17:19:02 +0100 From: Jean-Bernard Condat Subject: Re: E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages Rick Broadhead, MBA: > I would be interested in hearing from telephone directory publishers > and/or telephone companies about their future plans to include e-mail > addresses in their print telephone directories (I am referring to the > white pages). How widespread is this practice already? France Telecom try some months ago to put all the email adresses in the well know on-line phone directory called "Les Pages Zoom". You can access to this electronic directory through: http://www.epita.fr:5000/11/. Mr. Pierre Grenet living in Champigny-sur-Marne (94) near Paris is an engineer in France Telecom. He try to put his 37-letters long France Telecom address as a complementary address. He call me and note that the @ symbol cannot be accept by the France Telecom PBXs. He try to put a remplacement symbol or chain of characters like "(a)" or "(at)" but the French speaking association of Minitel users don't like this English words "at" in a French directory. The idea will be immediately delete. We don't have an email address directory for the only reason that the French ISPs don't like to have some stats of their end_users number. Only CompuServe with 37,000 members in my country must be interested. It's a free idea. CompuServe cannot be interested any more in like an adventure. No trace of email address in phone directory in all the other European countries. Jean-bernard Condat, Senior Consultant, Smart Card Business Unit Informix, La Grande Arche, 92044 La Defense Cedex, France Phone: +33 1 46963769, fax: +33 1 46963765, portable: +33 07238628 Private: +33 1 41238807, e-mail: jeanbc@informix.com ------------------------------ From: Bill Wilson Subject: Re: On Line Reverse Telephone Directory For Austin TX? Date: 27 Jun 1996 15:29:03 GMT Organization: TTC I have had success with Yahoo's telephone search feature. Go to http://www.yahoo.com/search/people/ and search by phone number. Bill Wilson ------------------------------ From: Larry Ludwick Subject: Suggestions For Buried Cable Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 11:38:43 -0400 Organization: GTE Telephone Operations News Server > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Someone send me a note asking a > question about running a bit of buried cable and I don't know the best > answer to give them. They have a main house where the phones are > installed. About three hundred yards away through sort of a wooded > area they have a smaller cabin and they want to put two lines back > there from the main house. They asked how deep the trench needed to > be and what sort of 'tubing' to put the wires through. I guess they > want to just run two-pair, four-wire phone back there, running the > phone wire through the 'tubing' underground from the one end to the > other. Anyone see any problems or have any comments? PAT] I know at least two large business campus environments where they simply buried the beige phone wire in the ground and have been using it for many years. Eventually it will fail, but it has lasted over ten years so far. This would be unsuitable for high speed data, but works just fine for voice. To do this you need a single piece of platic insulated wire with no splices or breaks. Any splices should be above ground level and protected from the weather. I suppose if your are really into doing it right you could install PVC piping. If you do this you have to make it watertight with both ends above ground or it will be no better than simply burying the cable in the ground. One other note: If you're going to run wire, run at least five times the number of pairs you think you're going to use. This not only provides spare pairs for trouble, but also provides capacity for those additional applications that will be sure to occur. Larry Ludwick ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 11:19:08 -0500 From: chris@phonetics.com (Chris Moffett (PhonetiCs)) Organization: Phonetics, Inc. Subject: Re: German Telco > BTW, up until the early 90s, you couldn't buy phones -- you had to > rent them from the telco (which was and still is one company in a > monopoly situation). > We _have_ modular jacks for ISDN :-) I wanted to comment on your statement that the telco in your part of Germany is still a monopoly. I seem to remember reading that MFS Communications is operating a network (or soon will be) in that part of Europe. I did look this up and found this from the MFS International www page -- http://www.mfsdatanet.com/mfs-international/frankfurt.html In December 1994, MFS Communications GmbH received authorization from the BMPT/BAPT (ministry for post and telecommunications) to construct and operate a metropolitan area fibre-optic network. In the first example of its kind in Germany, MFS and the City of Frankfurt negotiated a right of ways contract in March 1995. Construction of the first 12 km loop of the network started in May and was ready for service in August 1995. I would be interested to know if this has taken place or if you know of any status. Thanks, Chris Moffett ------------------------------ From: razel@net.com (Raymond Hazel) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 09:28:37 -0800 Organization: N.E.T. In article , razel@net.com (Raymond Hazel) wrote: > In article , franz@uci.edu (Michael > Franz) wrote: >> In article , Nancy Gold >> wrote: >>> My Caller-ID box sits in wait, as it has since May 20th. >> Even better: my caller-ID box sits in wait, but last Friday I received >> this very nice letter from PacBell stating that due to old exchange >> equipment, CID would not be offered in my area. Heard on the TV news last night (6/29) that Caller-ID service will be available starting July 8th. Apparently PacBell needed to be certain that all their customers had been properly notified of the call-block options available, and that all "requirements" for that notification had been met. Ray ------------------------------ From: eclst2@lis.pitt.edu (Ed Lomax) Subject: Information Wanted on PCS vs. Cellular Telephone Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 12:21:15 -0500 Organization: University of Pittsburgh Reply-To: eclst2+@pitt.edu Hello, Recently I was in Washington, DC visiting a friend. While looking for an increasingly rare public pay phone, my friend offered me the use of his "digital" telephone. He told me the he is using a PCS phone (Sprint) with a payment scheme and service model that differs significantly from cellular telephone. Apparently, in contrast to cell phone services, one can: a) lease or purchases the PCS phone outright, b) terminate the service at anytime, and c) operate over a "secure" communications channel. I am considering the leasing or purchase of one of these devices in the near future. I have two questions: 1) What are the technical differences between the two services? 2) Given the rapidly changing environment for telcom access and services, in economic terms, which of the two services offers better value in the near term? Please send your replies to me as well as to this newsgroup. Thanks, Ed Lomax University of Pittsburgh School of Information Sciences email: eclst2+@pitt.edu [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: This is a topic which has been given a great deal of discussion here in recent weeks and you may wish to review much of the past discussion in the archives. Additionally, perhaps some recent participants here will write you direct to answer what questions they can. Will some of our regular readers get in touch with Mr. Lomax please? Thanks. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 13:05:30 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Netscape Navigator" by Pfaffenberger BKNTSNVW.RVW 960524 "Netscape Navigator", Brian Pfaffenberger, 1995, 0-12-553132-X %A Brian Pfaffenberger %C 1300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 %D 1995 %G 0-12-553132-X %I Academic Press Professional %O app@acad.com jmills@acad.com publisher@igc.org %P 362 %T "Netscape Navigator" This book serves as a very complete documentation of Netscape Navigator. It starts from the beginning. For once, the section on getting a connection to the Internet actually has some good advice, although you'll still need to know your way around a modem to make the connection. The organization makes some sense, in terms of the things that novice users are most likely to want to do first, although some important points on configuration are relegated to the end in favour of some early surfing. "Helper applications" are given a high priority. Use of Netscape to access other Internet applications (ftp, gopher, news, and so forth) is also covered. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKNTSNVW.RVW 960524. Distrobution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. ====================== DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters roberts@decus.ca slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Rob_Slade@mindlink.bc.ca Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #319 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jun 28 12:25:36 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA08164; Fri, 28 Jun 1996 12:25:36 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 12:25:36 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199606281625.MAA08164@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #320 TELECOM Digest Fri, 28 Jun 96 12:25:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 320 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Tony Pelliccio) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Ed Ellers) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Robert Wiegand) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Matt Ackeret) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Joshua Cole) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Jeff Hersh) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Jeff Wolfe) Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today (Rich Ozman) Re: Suggestions For Buried Cable (Bill Ranck) Re: Suggestions For Buried Cable (Terry Kennedy) Re: Telephones With Intercom For Home Use (Tom Thiel) Re: Telephones With Intercom For Home Use (Timothy D. Hunt) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: kd1nr@anomaly.ideamation.com (Tony Pelliccio) Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Date: 27 Jun 1996 22:07:19 -0400 Organization: Anomaly In article , Mike Fox wrote: >> The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one >> at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on >> commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out >> is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the >> appointment then promising again today and missing this one). > This is the crux of the telephone-cable competition debate. If they > are both allowed to compute in each other's markets, I think the phone > companies are going to clean up. In this area I suspect the cable company is going to do quite well and Nynex is going to take a beating. Oh -- and wonderful news today -- Brooks Fiber will be providing local dialtone in September. > Just two anecdotes that everyone has experienced tells the whole > story: > I call the cable company at 8:00 pm because it's completely out: > "Thank you for calling Time Warner Cable. Our phone center is open from > 8 am till 7 pm Monday thru Friday except Wednesday when we open > at 9 am, and Saturday from 8 am to noon. If you have an emergency > repair, please hold the line and you will be transferred to our answering > service." [ two minutes later, a fast busy signal and disconnect]. In this area you actully get a human at 8PM from Cox Communications. It's funny - Cox bought the system from Time Warner (DBA Dimension) and about a year before the TW folks started taking customer service very seriously. Cox has taken up this commitment to quality. > Some other time I call the phone company after regular hours: > "Thank you for calling Bell South. All our operators are busy, please --- > [human interrupts] Thank you for calling Bell South, this is Jane, how > may I give you excellent service today?" And then they DO give me > excellent service. The Nynex office seem to close at 6PM arond these parts. > If I could get cable from my phone company, I would be all over that! > But I would NEVER trust something as important as my phone to those > cable bozos. Again, your experience with your local variant of TW has colored your judgement. I have nothing but compliments for Cox Communications and nothing but complaints against Nynex. Let's see -- how many times did I have them change my voice line to another pair because the noise was so horrible. It got to the point where every time it got windy or rained someone from the repair facility would call me and ask if everything was ok. Then there's the time they stole *MY* pair and gave it to my next door neighbor in the same building. It took Nynex more than a week to restore my service. My cable has never been out for more than five minutes to my knowledge. A note to Pat: You might want to mention to TCI that they're violating federal law and that you'll have to notify the FCC. That's right -- that unterminated break could be leaking signal all over the place -- the aircraft band, public safety frequencies, and amateur radio frequencies. Tony Pelliccio, KD1NR As offensive as I wanna be. kd1nr@anomaly.ideamation.com ------------------------------ From: Ed Ellers Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 00:01:47 -0400 Organization: Mikrotec Internet Services, Inc. (MISNet) rdk@morticia.cc.gatech.edu (Bobby Krupczak) wrote in article ... > Now I'm told by some folks at the Broadband Telecommunications Center > (here at GaTech) that the real deal with cable modems is that the > current generation will use a POTS upstream channel instead of > upstream broadband. Thats exactly the mentality these snake-oil > salesman (I mean cable folks) exude -- enough bandwidth to send your > credit card number upstream, lots of downstream bandwith to feed you > full of crap. Never mind that I may want to publish a digest (or > something) from home ... That's only in areas that don't yet have up-to-date two-way wideband systems, or that have older two-way setups where all the return signals in the system arrive at one port. Those cable operators that are rebuilding their systems -- usually to 750 MHz or even 1 GHz capability, using a hybrid fiber/coax architecture -- often plan to use the return path both for two-way cable modems and telephony. The secret is that in most HFC installations they run a separate fiber into each neighborhood from the headend. (In an older cable system you normally have several amplifiers between you and the headend; the HFC system runs the fiber to the location of that amplifier nearest you and then uses coaxial cable, often that already in place, from there to your home.) With this architecture each fiber strand only serves 500-1500 customers at most, giving each the equivalent of at least 20 kHz of the return path (between 10 and 40 MHz) even with 100% loading, so it's no great trick to accomodate telephony and a fairly high upstream data rate -- nowhere near as high as what can be done downstream, but high enough for rather heavy Internet use (yes, including publishing a digest or something from home :-). Incidentally, it's common practice to limit analog NTSC video to the 54-550 MHz band and reserve 550-750 MHz for digital services only. This is done partly to accomodate existing converters (most of which only go to 550 MHz, the highest common plateau of all-coaxial systems) and partly because this allows higher signal levels and therefore better S/N for analog video. This leaves 200 MHz for digital services, which can conceivably provide 200-300 digitally compressed TV channels (some of which could include "video on demand") as well as non-video stuff. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 14:08:44 GMT From: Robert Wiegand Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Reply-To: bwiegand@hermit.sesd.cig.mot.com In comp.dcom.telecom TELECOM Digest Editor notes: > The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one > at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on > commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out > is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the > appointment then promising again today and missing this one). TCI service stinks. A few suggestions: 1) Take names from everyone you talk to. 2) Keep asking for a supervisor - the people who answer the phones are total idiots. 3) If they don't give you a supervisor call back and get a different person and try again. Keep trying until someone gives you a supervisor. 4) Ask about a guarantee for the service calls. At least where I am they have a $20 guarantee for service calls (if they don't show, they pay). They will never tell you about this, but if you ask for it you might get it. If you think getting an outage fixed is fun try getting them to fix an *intermittent* problem. They have trouble understanding the idea that you need to look at it while it's not working and that sending someone in two days isn't going to help. Bob Wiegand ------------------------------ From: mattack@eskimo.com (Matt Ackeret) Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 21:59:20 GMT In article , Joshua Cole wrote: [Stuff about TCI's incompetent service deleted] > Don't for a single instant believe that you are alone in your contempt > of cable companies. Comcast cable in Howard County, MD where I reside > is just as incompetent. They'll schedule repair times and never show > up. They'll call and say, "the tech is on his way and will be there in > 10 minutes." Meanwhile, when you call three hours later to wonder > where the tech is, the office "plays" dumb. I called up TCI for the first time about a reception problem on Tuesday night and they set up an appointment from 2-4pm today. It won't cost anything for them to check it, and if they don't get here within the two hours, there will be a $20 credit on next month's bill. (My dad is at home, and they actually said they would check everything outside but may want to come in and verify that the picture was fixed.) This is TCI. In fact, part of the original reception problem (two out of three channels I was having bad reception on) was my own fault. One of my VCRs is in for repair, and I had left the dangling coax cable off of the splitter. After realizing that last night, I took it off, and it fixed the problem on two of the channels. The other channel (Disney, the only one TCI seemed to care about anyhow) still has interference on all TVs. (The other two were just in my own room.) I don't see why people hate TCI so much. Maybe I've had better experiences with them than most people, but I really can't see getting one of the mini-dishes or even a BUD for several reasons, the most important of which -- o) it would make my "cable ready" stuff useless. To _approximate_ (but not quite equal) what I can do with one cable payment, a splitter, and some coax, I would have to buy four $500 boxes, the dish, and a third party add-on because the dishes don't accept more than two boxes by default. That still wouldn't let me program my VCRs to record programs on different channels. (Or at best, I would have to program BOTH my VCRs and one of the newer kinds of DBS boxes.) No, I don't work for TCI or anything. I just like "cable ready" stuff and the convenience it offers. When TCI goes all digital or whatever, all of my stuff will be useless anyway, then I'll reconsider my options and maybe get a DBS system then. But at the moment it just doesn't compare. (Yes, I can get premium channels without a descrambler box too. Only once have I paid for a channel that I couldn't get.. but that was Starz!, and it was part of a package of other channels that was cheaper together than separate, so it was really no big loss ... I've had HBO, Cinemax, Showtime at various tims, no descrambler and none of this wacky A/B cable system crap. Just plug the coax in and go.) No wacky digital artifacts either, though I admit Disney was bad enough with interference that I complained. But I don't expect _perfect_ service (well, I expect it, but it's never gonna happen), but having a reasonable outcome when I complain is good. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 14:03:42 -0400 From: Joshua Cole Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Do you have a cable committee in your > town which handles formal complaints with Comcast? If so, does it > do any good to lodge a complaint with them? PAT] As a matter of fact, we do and I have talked with the person who is (i think) the county's cable czar. I had a billing problem cleared up with his help. It just seems to me that the fact that the cable and telephone companies don't seem to have gotten the picture about on-site customer service is appaling. A good example of their "customer service". The cable was hooked up when we moved into our current residence, but the tech didn't test the converter. Of course the converter was DOA. We had to use a pay phone down the street to call in the problem because Bell Atlantic pushed our new phone hookup back *twice*. And I thought that scheduling three weeks in advance was going to alleviate that sort of thing. This is, of course, the legacy of monopolies. Will telecom reform make things different? We shall see, friends, we shall see. I hope that the cable and telco execs who read this list understand that they need to implement a MAJOR shift in their culture and systems. Otherwise, the small upstart who provides the excellent customer service will eat your market share. Joshua Cole ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 2:10pm From: "Hersh Jeff" Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible In Telecom Digest V16 #316, Pat wrote: > The cable service where I live has been out for two weeks and no one > at TCI has ever come out to fix it. I have two broken promises on > commitment times, and now they claim the earliest they can come out > is next Tuesday (after promising to come yesterday and missing the > appointment then promising again today and missing this one). (remainder snipped for brevity) In my opinion, it amazes me to understand how the cable think that people will actually buy telephone service from them, in view of the quality of service they've provided in the past. I'd much more quickly buy cable from my phone company (Bell Atlantic) before I bought phone service from my cable company (Comcast ). Any time it's windy, I lose all or parts of my cable system. During the big blizzard in January (25" here), my cable was out two days; but I never lost phone service. Despite some problems, I still trust the phone company much more. As an aside, when it became obvious that the Telecom Bill would eventually become a reality, Comcast began upgrading all its systems to fiber. (Of course, my town, the largest in Monmouth County, has not been completed yet.) This is an attempt to provide more channels and services. I wonder how much research they did to determine the required penetration rate for this to be profitable? I'll switch to another provider ASAP, provided DSS doesn't come down more first. And ADSL should compete well with cable modems for the average surfer. Jeff ------------------------------ From: wolfe@ems.psu.edu (Jeff Wolfe) Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Date: 27 Jun 1996 14:30:43 -0400 Organization: Penn State - College of Earth and Mineral Science In article , TELECOM Digest Editor wrote: > Once they found that much they started making bogus comittments to > come out always with a warning that 'someone had better be there to > meet us or you will get charged for a visit anyway.' Ahh, yes, TCI ... :) We have TCI here in State College as well. While I've never had a problem with their service. (They've been responsive, sometimes a bit late, but they always manage to get to my problem before they go home for the day.) My biggest beef with TCI has to do with their pricing and programming. I called recently to ask if the SciFi channel could be added to our selection of channels and was told that the headend equipment was "maxed out" and could not transmit any more channels. (I wonder what they'll do with the Fox News channel now that they've signed with Fox to carry it.) On top of that, the signal quality of the top 10 or 15 channels (30 - 40) on our service routinely have herringbones and other signal quality problems. I've given up calling TCI and complaining, because they send someone out who looks at my TV and says "Oh, that's a problem at the headend ... I'll go fix it." The problem clears up for a few days and then comes back. > On Tuesday at 3:45 pm they told me the man has just finished his > previous job and will be at your place in ten to fifteen minutes. He > never showed. When I called back at 5:15 pm I was told somehow the > order had gotten cancelled in error. I was promised it would be > rescheduled for Wednesday between 4 and 6 pm ... and be sure to be > there to meet him. You should try scheduling the appointments first thing in the morning. Perhaps the serviceman is losing the work orders so he can get home a little earlier. > One department that works correctly of course is their billing > department. The bills still come out on time and as inaccurate as > always. I have heard the Village is going to attempt to cancel their > franchise, although that will involve litigation I am sure. My old officemate had one of TCI's billing inserts pasted up on his door with a slight adjustment to their ad slogan: Originally, it read "TCI - Taking television into tomorrow" To which we added: "By taking your money Today!" Jeff Wolfe College of Earth and Mineral Science - Penn State ------------------------------ From: Osman Rich Subject: Re: Unpaid Domain Names Being Removed Today Date: Fri, 28 Jun 96 07:22:00 PDT Fred said: > I sent a complaint day before yesterday. Yesterday, I got three > copies of my invoice on email. I just put the payment in the mail to > them. And someone else mentioned that e-mail didn't satisfy the IRS. Maybe you need to email the check 8-). Oz ------------------------------ From: ranck@joesbar.cc.vt.edu Subject: Re: Suggestions For Buried Cable Date: 27 Jun 1996 19:59:03 GMT Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia Louis Boyd (boyd@news.ccit.arizona.edu) wrote: > BURIED drops work well in that situation. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Someone send me a note asking a > question about running a bit of buried cable and I don't know the best > answer to give them. They have a main house where the phones are > installed. About three hundred yards away through sort of a wooded > area they have a smaller cabin and they want to put two lines back > there from the main house. They asked how deep the trench needed to > be and what sort of 'tubing' to put the wires through. I guess they > want to just run two-pair, four-wire phone back there, running the > phone wire through the 'tubing' underground from the one end to the > other. Anyone see any problems or have any comments? PAT] I have two suggestions. A few years ago I had the electrical drop to my house moved from overhead to buried. When I talked with the electric company engineers about this they said I should get in touch with telco and cable TV so they could put their cables in the trench while it was open. It turns out that the telco and cable folks *gave* the cable to the electric company crew who buried it for them. I did not have to pay extra for this, only the later service charge to move the telco drop over. So, first suggestion is to try asking the phone company for the cable. They might not be willing to give it to you, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Second suggestion is to run more than two pair. I would say run six pair at a minimum, or at least maker sure there is room in the conduit for more pairs later. You never know when you might want a 10baseT connection, or one of your original two pair goes bad. The wire is cheap compared to the cost of putting it in, so *always* put in extra capacity. If they aren't using direct-bury cable, I would just get some of the grey plastic stuff from an electrical supply house. Tell them what it's for and they should point out the right stuff. Oh, if you go with conduit, find something to plug up the ends so it doesn't get mice or other varmints crawling in it to chew on the cable. Some of that spray foam might work. Bill Ranck +1-540-231-3951 ranck@vt.edu Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Computing Center ------------------------------ From: terry@spcvxa.spc.edu (Terry Kennedy, Operations Mgr.) Subject: Re: Suggestions For Buried Cable Organization: St. Peter's College, US Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 08:38:05 GMT In article , Larry Ludwick writes: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Someone send me a note asking a > question about running a bit of buried cable and I don't know the best > answer to give them. They have a main house where the phones are > installed. About three hundred yards away through sort of a wooded > area they have a smaller cabin and they want to put two lines back > there from the main house. They asked how deep the trench needed to > be and what sort of 'tubing' to put the wires through. I guess they > want to just run two-pair, four-wire phone back there, running the > phone wire through the 'tubing' underground from the one end to the > other. Anyone see any problems or have any comments? PAT] Probably the easiest thing to do is to buy some PVC piping that's used for electrical work. It's very inexpensive and is easily assembled with the glue that comes with it. Pre-bent angles are available in many shapes, or you can just heat the tubing up with a propane torch and a fan nozzle and bend it (gently!) yourself. It comes in assorted sizes -- I'd suggest either the 3/4" or the 1/2" sizes (preferably the 3/4 in case you want to run anything else in it). Hint: stick a piece of poly or PVC rope in it while you're assembling it -- much easier than trying to fish it later. Don't run power in the same pipe -- install a second one if you think you'll want power later. Trenching will probably be the hardest part, although if the ground doesn't have many roots you can rent a "vibrating plow" that slits the ground and pushes the pipe back in. If your ground has lots of roots, you can rent a trencher that looks like a chain saw on wheels that digs a trench for you. Or you can do it by hand 8-) One thing -- if both ends of the pipe are above the lowest point of the pipe (in other words, if you have bends at the ends coming up instead of going straight through into a basement, you *will* get condensation in the pipe. I'd suggest using an outdoor grade of cable (Graybar has aerial drop cable in one-pair through six-pair sizes) inside the PVC. If you're go- ing to have a computer network, consider fiber optic cable instead of coax/twisted pair. Terry Kennedy Operations Manager, Academic Computing terry@spcvxa.spc.edu St. Peter's College, Jersey City, NJ USA +1 201 915 9381 (voice) +1 201 435-3662 (FAX) ------------------------------ From: tomthiel@aol.com (Tom Thiel) Subject: Re: Telephones With Intercom For Home Use Date: 28 Jun 1996 05:47:47 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Panasonic makes two-line and three-line telephones that have an intercom built-in, requires no rewiring (as long as the line-one is the same number on the sets). The intercom does NOT require its own pair. AT&T makes a four line telephone with intercom, similar principle. AT&T used to make the "System 2000", a two line with intercom system, the "master" set plugged into an RJ-14 with two lines on it, and the "slave" sets only needed to plug into an RJ-11 with the first line on it, and still got line two and intercom. You might be able to locate a set used. ------------------------------ From: tim@fsg.com (Timothy D. Hunt) Subject: Re: Telephones With Intercom For Home Use Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 13:04:58 GMT Organization: Fusion Systems Group, Inc. Reply-To: thunt@fsg.com Rakesh Mehta wrote: > I'm looking for a telephone system that can be used in my house > without having to rewire (existing two pair twisted). I need at least > five phones (could use ten). I've heard that Panasonic makes one, but > have no details. Check http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/mnmarcus/ which has a lot of information about Panasonic phone systems, including how you can buy them! Regards, Tim Hunt Fusion Systems Group, Inc., One Wall Street Court, New York NY 10005 Phone: +1-212-376-6306 Fax: +1-212-376-6320 e-mail: thunt@fsg.com Main number: +1-212-376-6300 Voicemail: +1-212-293-1021 ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #320 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 1 11:54:28 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA05810; Mon, 1 Jul 1996 11:54:28 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 11:54:28 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607011554.LAA05810@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #321 TELECOM Digest Mon, 1 Jul 96 11:54:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 321 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Pacific Telesis, SBC Pleased by Merger Schedule (Mike King) Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Telco Wrong? (Danny Burstein) Oregon Firms Brace for 541 NPA (Tad Cook) Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? (Lawrence Chen) Re: LD Companies Vie For Customers (Toby Nixon) Low Orbit Satellites - Scam (Craig Morton) Cellular vs Pager Information (Bill Breckinridge) Information Wanted on Target Telecom, Inc. (Daniel W. Connor) Need Small ISDN PABX (Lawrence Rachman) Last Laugh! New Element Discovered (Clifford D. McGlamry) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mike King Subject: Pacific Telesis, SBC Pleased by Merger Schedule Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 17:04:25 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 16:54:40 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Pacific Telesis, SBC Pleased by Merger Schedule FOR MORE INFORMATION: Michael Runzler (415) 394-3643 Pacific Telesis, SBC Pleased by Merger Schedule Background: The California Public Utilities Commission has issued a schedule that will be used to consider the proposed merger of Pacific Telesis and SBC Communications. The following response statement may be attributed to both companies. "We are pleased that the California Public Utilities Commission has set a schedule for hearings on the Pacific Telesis/SBC merger that should result in a commission decision before the end of the first quarter, 1997. We believe the schedule provides ample time for thorough review of this matter by all interested parties. "As we pledged last week, we'll cooperate to the fullest extent possible with the commission and others to expedite these procedures and narrow the issues so that the benefits of the merger can begin flowing quickly to customers, employees and businesses in California. "While we had requested a somewhat quicker schedule, this is a realistic timeline. By scheduling seven public hearings around the state, the commission has ensured a voice for Californians who are interested in this case. "The commission has done a good job with this schedule. It is now up to all parties to ensure we meet its deadlines." Editor's Note: The following is the announced CPUC hearing schedule for the Pacific Telesis/SBC Communications merger proceeding. * July 3 -- Applicants serve testimony * September 16 -- Division of Ratepayer Advocates and intervenors serve testimony * October 1 -- Applicants serve rebuttal testimony * October 9 -- Hearings begin * November 27 -- Parties file opening briefs * December 6 -- State Attorney General files Advisory Opinion * December 20 -- Parties file reply briefs and comments on State Attorney General Advisory Opinion ---------------------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: danny burstein Subject: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Wrong? Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 23:11:44 -0400 Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC An ISP for which I work has a new POP with N lines in it. These are in a Centrex with 'forward on busy' and 'forward no answer(1)'. Lines 1 through X are 14.4 modems. Lines (X+1) through N are 28k. We give out the lead number (14.4) as well as the number to (X+1), the first 28k unit. They're all in the same incoming signal group (hunt) which will let us, as our customers upgrade to 28k, simply backfill a few 14.4 units and give out the new number. (People dialing the old 28k number will still work). Anyway, we just noticed that people were getting busy signals on the 28k lines even when we had modems free and clear. This only started in the last few days as customer load on the lines increased. Investigating further, I noticed that when Y lines were in use, the next caller to the lead-in 28k line got a busy. This despite the fact that lots of lines were free. What got very curious is that if I called any number other than the 28k lead-in, I got through. In other words, if I called 'lead+1, lead+2, etc. I did, in fact, move to the next free line, passing over the busies. For good measure I called the last line in the 14.4 section and got a 14.4. WHen I kept it in use and called again, I got a busy. I _should_ have been bounced Y number of lines to a free 28k. So what I'm thinking is that Nynex set up our rollover with only Y hops available. Caller #Y+1 is out of luck. Calling the lead+2 number, for example, only needs Y-1 hops, so it does ok. This is kind of like if you have a home phone (single line) being forwarded to your 50 line office number, you're (usually) restricted to just a single forward at a time even if 49 lines are available. In this case it looks like they've limited it to Y channels. Anyway, Nynex says everything is ok. Yet we're still seeing the busies. So does my theory make sense? If so, any ideas on what to tell them to get it fixed? Thanks, 1) the 'forward no answer' is in place for when modems die. this way, a customer won't get a "ring-no-answer" but, instead, will get the next unit. ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Oregon Firms Brace for 541 NPA Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 15:49:57 PDT Oregon Businesses Brace for 541 Area Code as Grace Period Ends By Sherri Buri, The Register-Guard, Eugene, Ore. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jun. 27--Julie Schulte, who works at a Eugene-area computer data company, is trying to stay ahead of the area-code eight ball. Two weeks ago, she sent faxes to all her firm's customers and suppliers asking them to call her company to test the new 541 area code. "It worked for 95 percent of the people -- either that, or they never called," she says. Troubleshooting for the remaining five percent is a time-consuming hassle, Schulte says. At least two clients, one in Ontario, Canada, and another in Willow Brook, Ill., couldn't get through using the new number, she says. Schulte says it's awkward to tell clients they must change their telephone equipment or contact their local telephone carrier in order to reach her business. "It's not anything that US West or we've done locally," Schulte says. "It's companies all over the world that have systems that haven't been reprogrammed." July 1 marks the end of the eight-month grace period during which callers could use either 503 or 541 to reach Oregon's new calling area. That area, established last November, covers virtually all of the state except the northwest corner including Portland and Salem. Telephone company officials and regulators are optimistic about the changeover. Many businesses and small towns upgraded their equipment to handle area codes lacking a 0 or a 1 in the middle when Washington and other states introduced new codes, they say. That smoothed the way for Oregon. "We've had very few concerns or problems," says Mike Allegre, a spokesman for the state Public Utilities Commission. "The ones we're most concerned with are small, underdeveloped countries, in Central America or Africa where we know old telephone equipment exists and they may not get around to changing (it)," he says. Monday shouldn't bring any catastrophes, but it will be filled with annoyances, predicts Dennis Gabriel, area manager for Shared Communications Services, a Salem-based telecommunications consulting and management company. "I'm sure people are going to be burning up the phone lines trying to figure out what's going on," he says. Cellular users who haven't bothered to reprogram their phones will find they don't work. Computer users who haven't updated automatic dialing features may wonder what's wrong with their modems. Speed- dialing fans who haven't changed preprogrammed numbers won't reach the party they called. Instead, they'll hear a recorded reminder to use 541. Even with eight months' notice, many people have waited until the last minute, Gabriel says. "It's kind of like paying your taxes the night before they're due," he says. Despite sending many notices, cellular phone providers expect to see frantic customers on Monday. To handle the onslaught, AT&T Wireless added a full-time temporary worker to reprogram cellular phones at its center in Valley River Drive in Eugene. The center will dedicate its conference room to reprogramming on Monday, says Keith Nastiuk, the firm's Lane County market manager. The company doesn't have an accurate count of how many people still need to reprogram their phones, but many do, he says. Customers can do it themselves by calling (800) 260-9772. An operator will guide customers through the process. But as the Monday deadline approaches, that number is often busy. Customers using AirTouch Cellular, formerly US West Cellular, can call a similar help line at (800) 207-2057. Not everyone has waited until the eleventh hour, however. "We started this process six months ago and notified franchise owners in over 20 states and five countries," says Patricia Scarci, director of communications and international relations for Eugene-based Taco Time International. "We asked them to begin using 541 effective Jan. 1," she says. For the most part, the preparation has paid off. Long-term franchise owners and regional suppliers are having the hardest time breaking the 503 habit, but everyone else seems to be adjusting, Scarci says. Symantec Corp., a computer software company, geared up for the new area code soon after it was announced in November. The firm's Eugene service center receives 15,000 to 20,000 calls a day, says Randy Ryder, a networking specialist at the company. Symantec officials estimated the company would spend $50,000 or $60,000 reprogramming automated telephone messages, which refer callers to other 503 numbers, and reprinting business supplies and product manuals. For months, the company's support lines have played recorded reminders about the area code change, Ryder says. He also plans to update the telephone number listed on the company's World Wide Web site on the Internet, he says. Despite numerous reminders, some clients will be confused, Ryder predicts. "I expect we'll have some repercussions," he says. "There's not much choice about it. There are too many customers out there and too many manuals still out with the 503 phone number." ------------------------------ From: lawrence@combdyn.com (Lawrence *The Dreamer* Chen) Subject: Re: New Cellular Phone w/o Service? Organization: Combustion Dynamics Ltd. Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 17:00:00 GMT starta@primenet.com (John Starta) writes: > I recently dropped my Motorola cellular phone and need to replace it. > Obviously I already have service so I only need the phone itself. Are > there companies (i.e., mail order) where I can purchase a new Motorola > cellular phone at a reasonable price? Depending on how long you've had it ... you might ask if the service offers a hardware upgrade program. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: One thing you might consider is that if > you can drop out of your existing service without any penalty at this > point (because you met any agreement you had with the carrier where > the first phone is concerned) it would be perfectly legal to go to a > dealer and get a new phone with a new one year contract or whatever > is required to get the new phone for free or at some reduced price. PAT] Before you do, check with the service ... here the carriers only offers the special introductory price if you are a new customer. I was told that since I was an existing customer, that they only way I could get a cellphone at the special price was to have been a customer of at least two years and do a hardware upgrade or wait until I could requalify as a new customer (six months) ... I only had the cellphone for 1.5 years ... when it decided I had dropped it one too many times. If I wanted to get one now, they said I'd have to pay full price on the phone and pay all the activation fees, etc. With the choice of keeping my service for six months and doing the hardware upgrade or dropping my service and waiting six months and buying new. I went with the latter. I wanted to change my phone number anyways, since I was getting too many wrong numbers. Lawrence "The Dreamer" Chen, P.Eng. VE6LKC/VE6PAQ Computer Engineer Email: lawrence@combdyn.com Combustion Dynamics Ltd. Phone: +1 403 529 2162 #203, 132 4th Avenue S.E. Fax: +1 403 529 2516 Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 8B5 URL: http://www.tst-medhat.com/~combdyn "Just a Crazy Engineer with an Amiga and a Newton MP130" - The Dreamer ------------------------------ From: Toby Nixon Subject: Re: LD Companies Vie For Customers Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 11:48:46 -0700 In TELECOM Digest V16 #312, the Moderator wrote, in response to Mark Propp's assertion that the $80,000 forfeiture from Excel Communications was the result of complains from only two slamming victims: >> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Ummm, I think a few more than two were >> involved. The FCC does not take action when two customers are involved. >> They usually require a very large number of subscribers. And if there >> were only two, don't you think $80,000 is a bit steep for a fine? PAT] That may be true, but Mark's comments were in line with the FCC's own press release on the subject, which said: "In Excel's case, in August 1995, the Common Carrier Bureau issued a NAL finding Excel apparently liable for a forfeiture penalty of $80,000 for slamming violations. The Bureau determined that Excel violated the Commission's rules by substituting itself as the primary long distance carrier for two consumers without the consumers' authorizations. The consumers both stated that they did not authorize the changes, and that the authorization forms that Excel produced bore forged signatures and fabricated social security numbers. In the Notice of Forfeiture released today, the Bureau concluded that Excel has failed to identify facts or circumstances that would persuade the Bureau that there is any basis for reconsidering the NAL, and that Excel has not shown any mitigating circumstances sufficient to warrant a reduction of the $80,000 forfeiture penalty." [NEWSReport No. CC 96-15;COMMON CARRIER ACTION; June 21, 1996; from http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/nrcc6039.txt]. ------------------------------ From: Craig Morton Subject: Low Orbit Satellites - Scam Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 02:55:28 -0700 Organization: Communications Engineer / Consultant Reply-To: cmorton@ozemail.com.au I'm always amazed by the interest in low orbit satellites. I wonder who they're going to sell the service to and whether they are in the best interests of the International community. In this region, GSM Australia -- three networks; at least one covers 91% of the population -- has roaming to NZ and worldwide AMPS network until 2000 -- slightly better coverage in rural areas (at present). Satellite Services: Available since 1992 or 1993? Optus SatPhone (originally Mobilesat) Voice and data Coverage is 'designed' for 200kms out to sea. It's actually been used in PNG and Indonesia. The units are very portable using whip-like antenna's with 360 degree horizontal and 30 - 70 degree vertical beam width, so suitable for yachts and moving vehicles. Inmarsat portable voice and data. Telstra fixed satellite services -- Mining Camps -- private PBXs sometimes extending to local mobile services. Terrestial Digital Radio Concentrator systems for very remote homesteads etc -- now being deployed throughout Indonesia. In the Pacific Islands -- I believe the very remote places are using VSat's with demand assigned bandwidth to keep cost down to very low levels. Who are these low orbit systems designed for? You can't use them in a building or vehicle. I contend that they are intended to overcome the lack of cellular roaming capability in the USA; the lack of standardized applications beyond voice in US cellular networks; and their inability to manage their domestic spectrum for the good of the community rather than regulated monopolies. These systems want to use an International resource (spectrum) and should be resisted, and await the FPLMTS (IMT2000) standardisation process. Comments please. Craig Morton Communications Engineer Sydney Australia ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 12:33:39 CDT From: Bill Breckinridge Subject: Cellular vs Pager Information Jason: In response to your request of 25 June 1996 posted to TD: The battery life for cell phones and pagers vary widely. Our pagers (digital from PageNet) here at the office average about a month on a AAA battery. It'll last longer if you use the audible signal more, and not as long if you use the silent (vibrate) signal. Cell phone batteries normally are quoted in terms of standby time and talk time, so when you are shopping around you should ask for those figures. Keep in mind that these are approximate times only. As we are currently learning here in the summer heat, temperature extremes will kill a cellular phone battery (phone left in car's glove box) quite quickly even if it is *not* turned on! If you happen to end up with a Nickel Cadmium (NiCd, or "NiCad") cellular phone battery, be sure to get a charger that will also discharge (or condition) your battery completely before recharging it. This will add significantly to the battery's performance and life. Our pagers (PageNet digital units) are in the 900 Mhz range and function quite well. We are in a large industrial concrete and steel building, and our people working in the basement get pages OK. My understanding is that the 900 Mhz frequencies penetrate into buildings better than lower freqs. My experience has been that my pager receives signals in far more places than my cell phone. I recently called my wife from the grocery store and left a message for her to call me back on my cellular phone. Even though my phone was on with the antenna fully extended when she called back, the cellular system couldn't find my phone and the call rolled over to my pager, which immediately went off in the grocery store. So, at least in this particular grocery store, my pager works but not my phone. (In all fairness, I suppose the pager transmitter *could* be significantly closer to this store than the cellular transmitter ...) Have you tried stopping by or calling your local cellular and paging providers and asking for coverage maps? They are readily available here. PageNet has a Web site which includes the ability to look at coverage maps and inquire for the nearest service office. I believe it's http://www.pagenet.com (if that doesn't work let me know - I don't have the exact address with me at the moment.) In summary, I am satisfied with both a pager and a cellular phone. For reasons of both more reliable reception (you call it penetration) and cost (incoming cellular phone calls cost the same as outgoing), I freely give out my pager phone number. Then depending on who pages me (I do a lookup of the phone number on my organizer to see if I know who it is before I pay for airtime to return the call) I can either call back immediately or wait until I'm near a landline (home, office, payphone, etc.). Of course a pager is also less bulky, and less conspicuous to carry around. Best of luck with your shopping and decision. I'd be happy to attempt to answer any further questions you might have. Best regards, Bill Breckinridge breckinridge@dallas.photronics.com Plano, TX USA ------------------------------ From: Daniel W. Connor Subject: Information Wanted on Target Telecom, Inc. Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 23:39:04 -0700 Organization: EMI Communications Does anyone have the inside story about the pending sale of TTI National to Worldcom? ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 96 13:40:45 EDT From: Lawrence Rachman <74066.2004@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Need Small ISDN PABX Does anyone out there know of a company that manufactures a small PBX similar to the Panasonic KXT-61610, but with ISDN station interfaces? What I'm looking for will have from 4-16 S/T interfaces for ISDN stations, and probably a relatively small number of exchange interfaces. It will be used for demonstrating and testing and ISDN product, but I'm looking for something a bit more capable than the two-line test box Melco makes. Any help would really be appreciated. Larry Rachman, WA2BUX <74066.2004@compuserve.com> If your nose runs and your feet smell, you're built upside down. ------------------------------ Date: 30 Jun 96 23:57:58 EDT From: CLIFFORD D. MCGLAMRY <102073.1425@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Last Laugh! New Element Discovered Thought you might appreciate this: TO: CLIFFORD D. MCGLAMRY, 102073,1425 FROM: "Wilson, Stacey - CG3", INTERNET:WILSONsa@navops.railco.com DATE: 6/26/96, 11:22 AM Subject: New Element Discovered The heaviest element known to science was discovered recently by physicists at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. The element, tentatively named Administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have 1 neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons, and 111 assistant vice neutrons. This gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together in a nucleus by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons. Since it has no electrons, Administatium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of Administatium caused one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally occur in less than one second. Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately 3 years, at which time it does not actually decay, but instead, undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons, and assistant vice neutrons change places. Some studies have shown that the atomic weight actually increases after each reorganization. Research at other laboratories indicates that Administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, universities, and the United Nations. It can actually be found in the newest, best maintained buildings. Scientists point out that Administatium is know to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any positive reactions where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determin how Administatium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #321 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 1 12:57:14 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA11942; Mon, 1 Jul 1996 12:57:14 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 12:57:14 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607011657.MAA11942@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #323 TELECOM Digest Mon, 1 Jul 96 12:57:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 322 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson New NPA 765 for Indiana (James E. Bellaire) World's First Mobile Phone Phreaker - In 1910! (Van Heffner) SAFE Forum Cybercast - Monday July 1, 12:00 - 6:00 pm EDT (Monty Solomon) Warner Bros. Rings Up PacBell To Transmit Animation (Mike King) Latest Caribbean NPA Information (Mark J. Cuccia) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Jul 96 10:42 EST From: James E. Bellaire Organization: Twin Kings Communication Subject: New NPA 765 for Indiana NPA 317 in Indiana will split on February 1st, 1997, with permissive dialing until June 27th, 1997. This is the first split in Indiana since 1948. Without a split, 317 was due to exhaust in the fall of 1997. Ameritech Indiana, as number administrator for Indiana, has sumbitted a 30-day filing with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Final approval is expected by July 17th. The slimmed down 317 will include Indianapolis and exchanges that are 'local' to central Indianapolis. The new 765 (my new area code!) will be everything else, and is expected to last another 12 years. BTW: 317-432 Indianapolis (GTE Cellular) will remain in 317. 765-432 will be 'available' in the new area after June 27th, 1997. My 'telecom' page has a map of the split on it now. See it at http://www.holli.com/~bellaire/telecom/index.html James ---The full story--- (from the _Marion Chronicle-Tribune_ June 25, 1996 p A-1/A-2) 765 area code coming to Marion in '97 By Julie Bollinger Chronicle-Tribune Grant County residents and businesses can count on an 765 area code by mid-1997. The three-digit code will apply to all areas in central Indiana outside of metropolitian Indianapolis. The new code is the result of the decreasing amount of available telephone numbers in the 317 area code. The new area code will go into effect by Feb. 1, 1997, but customers assigned 765 will have until June 27, 1997, to use both codes. Seven-digit phone numbers will remain the same. "This is the best of the worst," said John Koppin, president of the Indiana Telecommunications Association. "Nobody wants to change. But in order for us to sustain the usage we have enjoyed, some things had to change." This month, Ameritech Indiana, as the number administrator for Indiana, submitted a 30-day filing to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for final approval, expected by July 17. More than 5,000 customers were selected to participate in a survey about the new area code plan. The 1,800 customers who responded were given a telephone survey. About 65 percent of those surveyed selected the proposed geographic split plan. Two separate area code options were considered. The first option was the geographic split, which sets up new physical boundaries to define areas in which the new and original area codes will be used. The second option is called overlay. Rather than creating new boundaries and changing existing customer's area codes, the option gives a new area code to the phone numbers distributed after the present area code is exhausted. The overlay option is seldom chosen because of the confusion it creates. Explosive growth in additional phone lines, cellular phones, fax machines, modems and pagers is rapidly depleting the number of exchanges in the 317 area code, said Koppin. If a new area code was not created, new prefixes for the 317 area code would run out sometime in the fall of 1997 at the current rate of use, Koppin said. The new area code, 765, is expected to last 14 years. Increase in telecommunication services is consistent nationwide. In 1995, 16 new area codes were dispensed in the states; 12 additional codes will be introduced this year. The Indiana Telecommunications Industry Team -- whose member companies provide local, long distance, cellular and paging services within the 317 area code -- plans to ease residents and businesses through the transition with extensive education. The team said residential customer, small and large businesses, paging customers, cellular customers and senior citizens are target groups for education during the switch. The area code switch is seven months away, but customers can prepare for it today, according to the Indiana Telecommmunications Industry Team. Busineeses and individuals may want to consider how best to revise advertising, stationery, signs and other items that carry the 317 area code. Also, customers may need to reprogram equipment such as fax machines, pagers, cellular phones, computer modems, speed dialers, switchboards and security systems to include the new area code. Businesses may also want to inform customers and suppliers about the area code changes for them to update their equipment. ------------------- James E. Bellaire (JEB6) bellaire@tk.com WebPage now available http://www.holli.com/~bellaire ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 03:36:03 -0700 From: vantek@northcoast.com (VANTEK COMMUNICATIONS) Subject: World's First Mobile Phone Phreaker - In 1910! The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Carolina Ink Column The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News BELIEVE IT: FIRST MOBILE PHONE WAS IN A HORSELESS CARRIAGE: In 1876, Lars Magnus Ericsson founded the international telecommunications company whose name will grace the Charlotte football stadium for at least a decade. But the man has another claim to fame. With the help of his wife, Hilda, he developed what might have been the first mobile phone -- sort of. As LM Ericsson's corporate magazine tells it: Ericsson, who retired and became a farmer in 1901, bought a motor car in 1910. Lars Magnus had allowed himself to be coaxed into the car partly by Hilda's enthusiasm, and partly by the realization that -- with some minor technical refinements -- he could take his beloved telephone along. His system enabled him to make, but not receive, telephone calls from a static point other than a fixed telephone. Access was through two long sticks, like fishing rods, handled by Hilda. Getting out of the car, she would stretch up and hook them over a pair of telephone wires, probably trying a few until she located a pair that were not already engaged in conversation (nobody could be heard talking). When a free pair was found, Lars Magnus would then start cranking the dynamo on his telephone, producing a signal to the operator in the nearest exchange. (Hmm ... Sounds like an inexpensive alternative to cellular telephone! I wonder what happend with the billing if he made a long distance call? Oh well, since he actually owned the phone company there, he probably didn't care!) Van Hefner - Editor Discount Long Distance Digest On the Web: http://www.webcom.com/longdist/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 02:13:52 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: SAFE Forum Cybercast - Monday July 1, 12:00 - 6:00 pm EDT Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 01:10:31 -0400 From: Bob Palacios Subject: REMINDER: SAFE Forum Cybercast - Monday July 1, 12 noon - 6:00 pm EDT SECURITY AND FREEDOM THROUGH ENCRYPTION FORUM MONDAY JULY 1, 1996 STANFORD, CA 9:00 am - 3:00 pm PDT / 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm EDT / 1600 - 2000 GMT On July 1, 1996 in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, members of Congress and prominent computer industry leaders and privacy advocates will meet to discuss the need to reform U.S. encryption policy. The SAFE Forum will bring together members of Congress, privacy advocates, cryptographers, and industry leaders for a discussion on the need to reform U.S. encryption policy. If you can't attend the SAFE Forum in person, you can still participate by attending the cybercast of the event. The cybercast will include still photos of the conference, a RealAudio broadcast of the forum, and a telnet chat room for netizens to discuss the event and cryptography issues. Just visit the SAFE Forum web site on Monday for the necessary links: http://www.crypto.com/safe/ (You will need to be a copy of RealAudio installed on your computer. Visit http://www.realaudio.com/ for a FREE copy of Real Audio). The SAFE Forum Cybercast is brought to you with the help and support of: MediaCast (http://www.mediacast.com/) and AudioNet (http://www.audionet.com/) Event Information: * Location: Kresge Auditorium at Stanford University, Stanford, California * Date: July 1, 1996, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm (times shown as PDT) Program: 9:00 - 9:15 Welcome Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Ca), co-host Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Ca), co-host Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) (by satellite) Jerry Berman, Center for Democracy and Technology 9:15 - 10:15 The Need for Locks and Keys on the GII: An Encryption Overview Marc Andreessen, Netscape Communications Lori Fena, Electronic Frontier Foundation Eric Schmidt, Sun Microsystems Craig Mundie, Microsoft Corporation 10:15 - 10:30 Technology Demo: The Need for Locks & Keys -- Packet Sniffing on the Internet (Cylink Corporation) 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:45 - 11:45 How U.S. Encryption Policy Fails to Meet User Needs Herbert Lin, National Research Council Jim Omura, Cylink Corporation Tim Oren, CompuServe Incorporated Phil Zimmermann, PGP, Inc. Todd Lappin, Wired Magazine -- Introducing "Stories of Real-Life Encryption Users" 11:45 - 1:00 Lunch 1:00 - 1:45 The Cryptographers' Report: "Forty Bits Is Not Enough" Matt Blaze, AT&T Whitfield Diffie, Sun Microsystems Bruce Schneier, Counterpane Systems Eric Thompson, Access Data Tom Parenty, Sybase Technology Demo: The Genie is Out of the Bottle -- A World Wide Web Tour of Good Cryptography Available Outside of the United States 1:45 - 2:45 Addressing Law Enforcement Concerns in a Constitutional Framework Ken Bass, Venabel, Baetjer, Howard and Civiletti Cindy Cohn, McGlashan & Sarrail Michael Froomkin, University of Miami Law School John Gilmore, Electronic Frontier Foundation Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform Nadine Strossen, American Civil Liberties Union Daniel Weitzner, Center for Democracy and Technology 2:45 - 3:00 Conclusion Members of Congress expected to participate include: * Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) * Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA) * Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) * Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) * Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (by satellite) Sponsors Of The SAFE Forum: America Online American Civil Liberties Union Americans for Tax Reform AT&T Audionet Business Software Alliance Center for Democracy and Technology Center for National Security Studies Commercial Internet eXchange CompuServe Incorporated Computer and Communications Industry Association Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility Cylink Corporation Digital Secured Networks Technology EDS Electronic Frontier Foundation Electronic Messaging Association Electronic Privacy Information Center Information Technology Association of America IEEE - USA ManyMedia MediaCast Media Institute Microsoft Corporation National Association of Manufacturers Netcom Online Communication Services Netscape Communications Corporation Novell, Inc. Oracle Corporation Pacific Telesis Group Pretty Good Privacy, Inc. Prodigy, Inc. Progress and Freedom Foundation Rent-a-Computer Securities Industry Association Software Publishers Association Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sybase, Inc. Voters Telecommunications Watch Wired Magazine CORRECTION An earlier Policy Post listed Matt Blaze with Lucent Technologies. That information was incorrect; he is with AT&T Research. ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Warner Bros. Rings Up Pacific Bell To Transmit Animation Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 05:45:56 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 10:10:00 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Warner Bros. Rings Up Pacific Bell To Transmit Animation, Special Effects FOR MORE INFORMATION: David A. Dickstein (213) 975-4074 dadicks@legal.pactel.com Warner Bros. Rings Up Pacific Bell To Transmit Animation, Special Effects Technology That Transmits Data at Speeds 20,000x Faster Than a 28.8 Modem Previously Available Only to Military LOS ANGELES -- In the latest example of defense conversion by private industry, a technology previously used only for transmitting military data is speeding the process of producing feature-length animated films and special effects at Warner Bros. As announced today at ShowBiz Expo, an event here for the entertainment production industry, Pacific Bell's newly formed Entertainment Market Business Unit has been contracted by Warner Bros. to supply the studio's television and feature animation divisions with services that provide high-quality, high-speed transmission of digital data at rates previously unheard of in the trade. One of the first Warner Bros. projects to employ this high-speed service (named OC-12c SONET) will be "Batman & Robin," the fourth chapter of the blockbuster series, going before the cameras this fall. OC-12c SONET (optical carrier-[speed rate]concatenated / synchronous optical network) allows for real-time transfer of live action, animation and special effects among various Warner Bros. divisions involved in production. The network, the first of its kind to be developed commercially, links three Warner Bros. facilities in as many Southern California cities: its digital studios in Burbank, television animation unit in Sherman Oaks and feature animation operations in Glendale. Pacific Bell's popular, lower-speed OC-3c is the data transfer service currently in widespread use in the television and film industry, and is being used for the production of Warner Bros. feature-length, live-action/animated film, "Space Jam," among other projects. While OC-3c transfers digital data without the need of compressing it, its rate is not rapid enough to allow for real-time data transport. For extensive, time-consuming productions such as animated features, the efficiencies afforded by transmitting in real time represent a significant cost-savings. "The production of a feature-length animated motion picture requires extensive amounts of time and person hours," said Tim Sarnoff, senior vice-president of Warner Digital Studios. "The ability to transfer footage in real time not only provides significant cost savings, but allows us to create more sophisticated work as well." The service operates at speeds of 622 megabits per second (Mbs), four times faster than the OC-3c. As a point of reference, the fastest modems now available for use in the home operate at 28.8 bits per second; the OC-12c is approximately 20,000 times faster. Pacific Bell's long-standing relationship with the production community is a major asset in the adaptation of OC-12c for the entertainment industry. "We have spent three years in the development of this product, working closely with our customers," said Larry Kunke, executive director of Pacific Bell's FasTraksm Video Services. "Warner Bros., in particular, has provided valuable insight and vision as we worked to create a product that would meet the evolving needs of the animation and special effects industry." Although OC-12c is now used to transfer data between Warner Bros. divisions exclusively, Pacific Bell predicts that its use will grow as the Hollywood production community becomes more interconnected. "The entertainment industry is rapidly expanding its use of cutting edge technology," said Bill Powers, Pacific Bell vice president of Sales, Priority Accounts-South. "As the proposed 'HollyNet' system becomes a reality, tools such as OC-12c will be utilized by independent post-production houses and other non-studio-based entities." HollynetTM, being designed by the Entertainment Technology Center at USC, will be the entertainment industry's first high-speed private electronic network. Pacific Bell and all major motion picture and television studios are among the participants. Pacific Bell's Entertainment Market Business Unit, based in Los Angeles and San Ramon, is devoted to the sales, marketing and product development of voice, video and data networks offering optimal bandwidth and cost-effective access among studios, production houses and post-production houses. Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group, a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco. ----------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 10:59:51 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Latest Caribbean NPA Information Bellcore has updated their NANP webpages again, as of Friday 28 June 1996. http://www.bellcore.com/NANP/newarea.html They *HAVE* publically/officially indicated 670 for Marianna Islands (CNMI) and 671 Guam, both US Pacific locations, although there are no dates or test numbers indicated (yet). These locations have those numericals as their ITU Country Codes (+670, +671), but will become parts of the NANP (+1-670, +1-671) at some date "to be announced". Nothing new (yet) on American Samoa (presently, ITU Country Code +684) moving into the NANP (+1-684). The updates to the NANP Caribbean follow: NANP Caribbean recompilation (as of Monday 1 July 1996) N Begin Begin O New PERMISSIVE MANDATORY T NPA Location Dialing Dialing E S (BHA) 242 Bahamas ..................... 01 OCT 96 31 MAR 97 --- 246 Barbados .................... 01 JUL 96 15 JAN 97 (ANG) 264 Anguilla .................... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a (ANT) 268 Antigua & Barbuda ........... 01 APR 96 31 MAR 97 (BVI) 284 British Virgin Islands ...... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a --- 340 US Virgin Islands ........... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED b --- 345 Cayman Islands .............. DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a --- 441 Bermuda ..................... 01 OCT 95 30 SEP 96 (GRE) 473 Grenada & Carricou .......... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a,d (946 reversed) 649 Turks & Caicos Islands ...... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED b,c (MNI) 664 Montserrat Island ........... 01 JUL 96 01 JUN 97 (SLU) 758 St.Lucia .................... 01 JUL 96 01 JAN 97 (ROS) 767 Dominica .................... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a,c (SVG/SVI) 784 St.Vincent & the Grenadines . DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a,d (PUR/PTR) 787 Puerto Rico ................. 01 MAR 96 31 JAN 97 (TNT) 868 Trinidad & Tobago ........... 01 JUN 97 31 MAY 98 --- 869 St.Kitts & Nevis ............ 01 OCT 96 31 MAR 97 --- 876 Jamaica ..................... DATES-TO-BE-ANNOUNCED a 809 should remain The Dominican Republic (NOTE: The Dominican Republic is *NOT* the same as "Dominica") ADDITIONAL NOTES: a) "Officially" announced by Bellcore, via IL or on its Webpage, but effective dates are still TBA: 264 Anguilla 284 British Virgin Islands 345 Cayman Islands 473 Grenada & Carricou 767 Dominica 784 St.Vincent & the Grenadines 876 Jamaica b) These codes have been noted by Bellcore as "reserved" for the Caribbean, but they have not yet "officially" announced *which specific* island locations they are for. However, I have been able to determine the specific locations after telephone and email inquiries directly from the various Caribbean local telcos: 340 US Virgin Islands 649 Turks & Caicos Islands c) 649 (946 reversed) Turks & Caicos Islands, since for *years*, 809-946 was the *ONLY* 809-NNX code for Turks & Caicos); 767 = ROS Dominica-- ROS probably because 'Roseau' is the capital city d) The Grenadines is a series of several *VERY* small islands between St.Vincent and Grenada. While still quite small, the larger islands of the Grenadines from North to South are: Bequia, Mustique, Palm Island, Union Island, Carricou Geographically, politically and telephonically: Carricou is associated with Grenada (473) Bequia-Mustique-Palm-Union are all associated with St.Vincent (784) NEW Caribbean NPA's (alphabetically by location): Anguilla ............................................. 264 Antigua & Barbuda .................................... 268 Bahamas .............................................. 242 Barbados ............................................. 246 Barbuda ........................... (see Antigua & Barbuda) Bequia - GRENADINES ..... (see St.Vincent & the Grenadines) Bermuda .............................................. 441 British Virgin Islands ............................... 284 Caicos Islands .................... (see Turks & Caicos Is) Carricou ......................... (see Grenada & Carricou) Cayman Islands ....................................... 345 Dominica ............................................. 767 Dominican Republic ................................... 809 Grenada & Carricou ................................... 473 Grenadines .............. (see St.Vincent & the Grenadines) Jamaica .............................................. 876 Montserrat Island .................................... 664 Mustique - GRENADINES ... (see St.Vincent & the Grenadines) Nevis .............................. (see St.Kitts & Nevis) Palm Island - GRENADINES (see St.Vincent & the Grenadines) Puerto Rico .......................................... 787 St.Kitts & Nevis ..................................... 869 St.Lucia ............................................. 758 St.Vincent & the Grenadines .......................... 784 Tobago ............................ (see Trinidad & Tobago) Trinidad & Tobago .................................... 868 Turks & Caicos Islands ............................... 649 Union Island - GRENADINES (see St.Vincent & the Grenadines) US Virgin Islands .................................... 340 Virgin Islands: British .................. (see British Virgin Islands) U.S. .......................... (see US Virgin Islands) Chronological breakup of NPA 809 (as of beginning of permissive dialing, only): 01 OCT 1995 441 Bermuda 01 MAR 1996 787 Puerto Rico 01 APR 1996 268 Antigua & Barbuda 01 JUL 1996 246 Barbados 01 JUL 1996 664 Montserrat Island 01 JUL 1996 758 St.Lucia 01 OCT 1996 242 Bahamas 01 OCT 1996 869 St.Kitts & Nevis 01 JUN 1997 868 Trinidad & Tobago Now, TO BellSouth and AT&T: R-U-LISTENING/READING THIS ?!?! You don't have the new 1-July-1996 Caribbean NPA's in all of your New Orleans area switches !!! LOOK AT THE LISTS ABOVE! LOOK AT BELLCORE's WEBPAGE! Your #1(A) ESS Offices don't seem to have Montserrat (664), St.Lucia (758), Barbados (246) in just about anywhere in the New Orleans metro area. AT&T's OSPS switch (601-0-T in Jackson MS) doesn't have these in neither! Virginia's new NPA code (757 splitting from 804 this week) hasn't been put in AT&T or BellSouth switches yet neither !! The DMS and #5ESS local BellSouth offices have SOME of these codes in there (as of Saturday when I had a chance to check them), but not all of the codes. Now REALLY! the Bell System ITSELF (AT&T & BellSouth) is getting JUST as BAD as COCOTS and PBX's ?!?!? In closing, Pat, I've noticed your new HOMEPAGE for the Telecom-Archives ftp resource! I LIKE the nostalgia there, such as the pictures of the 1950's-ish Telephone Operator and the early-20th-Century non-dial candlestick phone! I hope you can add pictures of some old WECO/NECO phones, such as the 202 (the 1920's/30's "French" style phone) and the 302! It LOOKS GOOD! MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I was not yet ready to announce the web page for a couple reasons. One, I am still working on it and two, I do not know yet if given present realities I will be able to keep it up and running. A third reason is the archives at present needs a lot of work with many new files to be installed, indexes to be updated, etc. I've always had this thing about trying to have things look as nice as possible -- within my own limited ability to make that happen -- before announcing it, etc. Watch hopefully for an announcement about it sometime soon. I do not think I will be able to do too much on it until I get on steadier ground financially here and it would be really wonderful if there were a corporate sponsor to help with the web page, but things are not looking well in that direction. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #322 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 1 13:48:06 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA16938; Mon, 1 Jul 1996 13:48:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 13:48:06 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607011748.NAA16938@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #323 TELECOM Digest Mon, 1 Jul 96 13:48:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 323 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson FCC Rules Phone Numbers Can Travel (Jorene Downs) BellSouth and Intermedia Strike Agreement (Mike King) BellSouth Launches Cellular Service in Panama (Mike King) Book Review: "Free Stuff for Science Buffs" by Young (Rob Slade) WorldNet Exchange Billing Errors; Need Help! (Baron Chandler) CNMI and Guam to Join NANP (John Cropper) Looking For "The Phone Book" (Jay R. Ashworth) V5.1, V5.2 Related Information and Test Equipment Request (Yen WenChen) Last Laugh! The Dumber They Are ... (Eric Levy-Myers) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 03:31:48 PDT From: Jorene Downs Subject: FCC Rules Phone Numbers Can Travel WASHINGTON (Reuter) - The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules Thursday to ensure that consumers and businesses can take their existing phone number with them when switching to another local phone company. The rules are designed to pump competition into the $100 billion local market controlled by the seven Baby Bells just as long-distance carriers such as AT&T Corp., cable-TV operators, utilities and others gear up to offer local phone service under the new telecommunications law. The FCC said once its plan is fully implemented by year-end 1998, consumers will be able to pick a local phone carrier "based on service, quality and price, rather than on a desire to keep a particular telephone number." In particular, FCC officials said, consumers and firms who are considering a new local phone provider no longer will have to fret over the hassles and costs of getting a new phone number because of the change. "For many people, their biggest fear is removed," said FCC Chairman Reed Hundt. The rules, which implement the new communications law, require local phone companies to begin deploying new "number portability" technology by Oct. 1, 1997 in the 100 largest metropolitain areas. Deployment is to be completed by Dec. 31, 1998. Before the startup, local companies must offer portability through existing technology, such as remote call forwarding. The cost is to be spread among all phone carriers. Beginning in 1999, local companies must offer number portability to customers outside the largest 100 metropolitan areas within six months of a request from another carrier. The rules are a key component of a 14-point checklist -- contained in the new communications law -- that the Baby Bells must meet before getting permission from regulators to offer long-distance service from inside their territory. The FCC, which adopted the rules at a public meeting, did not prescribe the new portability technology to be used. But the agency did spell out several requirements. For example, callers who choose to switch local carriers must be able to continue receiving features such as caller ID. Also, customers should not experience delays in having calls put through to their new service. The technology most widely backed in the industry for the job is known as "Location Routing Number," or LRN. FCC officials said LRN meet the agency's criteria. Many Baby Bells have advocated use of a system known as "Query on Release," or QOR. But critics complained it would produce delays for rerouted calls. AT&T and cable operators hailed the rules, saying they offer a level playing field for competition with the Bells. "The number portability solution spelled out by the FCC will assure that customers who choose a competing local carrier not only can keep their telephone number but won't face delayed call completions or any other disadvantages compared to customers who stay with (their existing) local carrier," said AT&T Vice President Gerry Salemme. AT&T's system and technology business, Lucent Technologies Inc., will be among the companies developing and offering the software upgrade needed to make LRN available. Lucent will be spun off later this year. Jorene :) ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth and Intermedia Strike Agreement for Competition Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 06:50:18 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 16:14:25 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH AND INTERMEDIA STRIKE AGREEMENT FOR COMPETITION Reply-To: press@www.bellsouth.com BellSouth .......................................June 24, 1996 BELLSOUTH AND INTEMEDIA STRIKE AGREEMENT FOR COMPETITION 14 Point Agreement Covers Nine States ATLANTA, GA. June 24, 1996 BellSouth (NYSE: BLS) announced today it has reached agreement with Intermedia Communications, Inc. on terms for local competition. The agreement meets all 14 points of the checklist defined in the national telecom legislation and will enable Intermedia to provide local phone service through its own network in BellSouth's nine state territory immediately. This is the fifth such interconnection agreement BellSouth has signed with competitors since the national telecom law was enacted February 8. "There are two key drivers in our efforts to complete these agreements," stated Charlie Coe, Group President of Customer Operations for BellSouth. "The first is our customers' desire for us to provide a full range of local and long distance services. Secondly, is our desire to to be able to compete fairly with long distance companies in their markets as they enter the local service market," Coe added. "We signed a Florida specific agreement with Intermedia at the end of 1995 prior to the passage of the national law, and have now built on that relationship to reach this regionwide agreement," said Coe. "We look forward to the opportunities that competition will provide for our customers and the industry," he noted. "This comprehensive agreement, made possible by newly passed telecommunications legislation, adds enormous momentum to Intermedia's effort to become a dominant full service local telecommunications provider in the Southeastern United States," said David Ruberg, Intermedia's president, chairman and CEO. The two year agreement establishes the groundrules under which the two telephone companies will interconnect their networks, including: non discriminatory rates, terms and conditions for local interconnection and interim number portability; as well as rates and terms for the resale of BellSouth's telecommunications services and its unbundled network elements. "This agreement fully meets the national checklist and we will file the agreement with our state commissions immediately for their approval," noted Coe. "Once this agreement is implemented by ICI, we will then be in a position to file our petition with the Federal Communications Commission for permission to enter the long distance business in our region," Coe stated. In addition to this agreement, BellSouth has also signed regional agreements with two other national telecommunications competitors including Time Warner, a regional agreement with Hart Communications, and another regional agreement for the resale of BellSouth's services with the Telephone Company of Central Florida. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing and other information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. Its telephone operations provides service over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world for approximately 21 million telephone lines in a nine state region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For Information Contact: Joe Chandler, BellSouth Telecommunications (404)529-6235 --------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Launches Cellular Service in Panama Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 05:45:26 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 11:19:42 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH LAUNCHES CELLULAR SERVICE IN PANAMA BellSouth .......................................June 27, 1996 PANAMA CITY -- BellSouth launched cellular telephone service in Panama today, with the first official cellular call placed from the Palacio de las Garzas, the residence of the Panamanian president. BellSouth, the first company to offer cellular service in Panama, will operate a digital TDMA network that is one of the most advanced cellular systems in the world. "We are very happy to have kept our commitment to the government and to have been able to bring about such an important contribution to the development of Panama," said Charles C. Miller, president of BellSouth International. "This is an important step both for Panama and for BellSouth." BellSouth was awarded a license in January to build and operate a cellular network in Panama's Band A for a renewable 20-year period. BellSouth made a commitment to launch service within four months from when the license agreement was signed on February 27. That deadline was achieved when service was launched today. "Technological contributions aside, the implementation of BellSouth's cellular network represents an important boost to the national economy, both in terms of investment as well as employment," said William Tinsley, BellSouth's general manager. "By year's end, the company will have hired close to 150 Panamanian professionals." The cellular network will initially cover Panama City, but will extend to Colon and the Transistmica Highway by the end of August. The service area will be expanded to cover the city of David, the Panamerican Highway between David and the capital city, and all cities and regional centers along that road within 24 months. BellSouth will utilize an extensive distribution network of more than 40 authorized agents throughout Panama City, who will start selling cellular telephones and service to the public on July 12. BellSouth today also opened its own store, located at Edificio Centro Magna in the banking area of Panama City. BellSouth is the trade name of BSC de Panama, a subsidiary of BellSouth Corp., a world telecommunications leader with headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., USA. BellSouth's communications networks provide service to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries around the world. In Latin America, BellSouth provides cellular services in Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Uruguay and, as of today, Panama. For Information Contact: Tom Crawford, BellSouth 404-249-4292 ------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 10:42:53 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Free Stuff for Science Buffs" by Young BKFRSCBF.RVW 960524 "Free Stuff for Science Buffs", Barry Young, 1996, 1-883577-52-7, U$19.99/C$27.99 %A Barry Young %C 7339 East Acoma Drive, #7, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 %D 1996 %G 1-883577-52-7 %I Coriolis %O U$19.99/C$27.99 800-410-0192 +1-602-483-0192 fax: +1-602-483-0193 %P 320 %S Free $tuff %T "Free Stuff for Science Buffs" First of all, I was around for the initial discussions of what eventually became known as the "heavy boots" questions about lunar gravitation, so I have only sympathy for someone who is trying to increase scientific literacy in the general population. However ... I could be wrong, but I seem to recall some fields of science known as biology, chemistry and physics. Each of these had subdivisions, if I remember correctly. So I'm a little surprised that the only science buffs who will find anything in this book are those into astronomy and geoscience. "Stuff" is undefined, so I suppose it is futile to point out that most of this stuff consists of "more information on" or pictures. Of more moment, perhaps, is that an awful lot of it is only available on America OnLine, and therefore only free for the first fifteen hours. (And even then you have to supply a credit card number.) Mostly, though, this stuff is the Amazing Mr. Science's version of a textbook. The "free stuff" comes in short adjuncts to his writings on random scientific areas. (His logic is a bit suspect, too. If one glimpse of a mailbox is all you're basing it on, how do you know Dorothy isn't "blood kin" to Auntie Em?) Oh, the "heavy boots"? Goes like this: 1) If you dropped a rock on the moon, would it a) fall, b) stay there, c) drift away? 2) If you did *not* answer (a), note that in the pictures from the moon landing, the astronauts stay on the ground. Is this because your answer to question one is wrong, or because the astronauts are wearing heavy boots? copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKFRSCBF.RVW 960524. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Dgiest and associated publications. Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca | Lotteries are a tax Institute for Rob_Slade@mindlink.bc.ca | on the arithmetically Research into rslade@vcn.bc.ca | impaired. User rslade@vanisl.decus.ca | Security Canada V7K 2G6 | ------------------------------ From: thebaron@mindspring.com (Baron Chandler) Subject: WorldNet Exchange Billing Errors; Need Help! Date: Mon, 01 Jul 1996 01:03:28 -0500 Organization: Web Renovations Hi, gang. A friend of my mother's went to Texas to fight some of the fires out there a few months ago. While there, he made some calls from his hotel room. The calls appeared on their next phone bill, totalling over $200! They charged approximately $2 per minute. AT&T rates on a return call I made were more like 12 cents per minute or so. Anyway, there were some intriguing things on the bill. I don't have it in front of me, so I'll make up as close an example as I can: Called From, Date-Time, Duration, Cost Somewhere TX (#A), 05/10/96 9:34pm, 14 minutes, $22.00 Somewhere TX (#A same as previous), 05/10/96 9:34pm, 20 minutes, $32.00 Somewhere TX (#A same as previous), 05/10/96 9:34pm, 20 minutes, $33.00 Somewhere TX (#A same as previous), 05/10/96 9:34pm, 34 minutes, $40.00 Now, I would like to know how they get four calls, billed from the same source number, starting at the same time, to a SINGLE-line phone with different durations (*two* of which differ by a dollar on the amounts for the SAME amount of time, 20 minutes!). When you call their 800 number, you are placed on hold for around 40-minutes to an hour. If you are patient enough to wait, they say they're investigating it and will get back to you. You then get a form letter stating that the equipment is in working order. In other words, you're lying to get out of paying your bill. Multiple calls yield the same results. GTE threatened to disconnect service for non-payment (she paid everything but the World Exchange bill) -- but they are now reviewing it at their executive office and have decided they will not disconnect service -- yet. My mom wrote the FCC, after talking to the PSC in Kentucky (which obviously doesn't regulate this company out of California). This is ridiculous, there are several calls listed like the ones I made up above ... oh yeah, one more thing. There are several calls that say they come from somewhere else, like IOWA! He was in TEXAS! Yet the ANI information provided on the bill shows the correct information for that IA place. Perhaps several hotels share outgoing lines to save money? I dunno. Does anyone have any info that would help in our case? I'm really ticked about that. Nowhere did it tell you the excessive rates would be in place. He said that he had either heard or seen AT&T there; that's even MORE misleading. TIA, thebaron@mindspring.com Baron L. Chandler ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: CNMI and Guam to Join NANP Date: 30 Jun 1996 23:15:23 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA Bellcore announced 6/28 that CNMI and Guam are to join the NANP using NPAs 670 and 671, respectively. No dates have been announced as of yet, but during permissive periods, either 1+ or 011 dialing will be permitted. More information as it becomes available. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Readers may recall that about two years ago here a report appeared saying that when those Pacific islands were brought into the NANP their existing 'country codes' would probably be retained but converted into 'area codes' and it appears this is what has occurred. People over there were referring to their telephone numbers as 'area code 671-xxx-xxxx' even four or five years ago, long before it was technically correct. I am surprised however that Midway Island -- which about three or four years ago switched from being an international point to a domestic USA point -- was attached to the existing 808 code for Hawaii rather than given a code of its own. There is a big distance between Hawaii and Midway. By the way, has anyone heard of a possible split for 808? Honolulu is a very busy place and it would seem like a split there would be expected at some point in the near future. PAT] ------------------------------ From: jra@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us (Jay R. Ashworth) Subject: Looking for "The Phone Book" Date: 01 Jul 1996 03:34:29 GMT Organization: University of South Florida If anyone has a copy of, or a pointer to a copy of "The Phone Book - what the phone company would rather you not know", a muck-raking treatise on Ma Bell published just pre-D, I believe, I'm looking for one. Amazon.com doesn't list it. Email me, if you can help. Thanks, Jay R. Ashworth jra@scfn.thpl.lib.fl.us Member of the Technical Staff Junk Mail Will Be Billed For. The Suncoast Freenet "Incompetence is a double-edged banana." Tampa Bay, Florida -- John Perry Barlow on the Sec. Service +1 813 790 7592 ------------------------------ From: YenWenChen@acer.com.tw Date: Mon, 01 Jul 96 08:55:31 PST Subject: V5.1, V5.2 Related Information and Test Equipment Request Dear telecom networker: I am interested in IDLC (Integreated Digital Loop carrier). Now, I have ETSI V5.1, V5.2 standard, and ITU's G.964, G.965 documents. Is there any good references or documents related this topic? And considering about the system integration and certification, I don't want direct to test the function between our system and switch in central office. Is there any commerical testing equipment can simulate the V5.1/V5.2 interface in the central office side? I prefer to use this commerical/stable test equipment to set up ourself development environment insteal of integrate to switch directly. Any information and suggestion are welecom! Yen-Wen Chen System Engineer Acer Netxus Inc., Email: Yen-Wen_Chen@acer.com.tw Tel: 886-03-5770707 Ext 2460 Fax: 886-03-5790958 Address: 5F-3, 5 Hsin Ann Road, Science-Based Industrial Park Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, R.O.C. ------------------------------ From: eric_levy-myers@mail.amsinc.com Date: Fri, 28 Jun 96 14:33:25 EST Subject: Last Laugh! The Dumber They Are ... These stories have been making the rounds, but your recent comments prompted me to dig this up. Listed below are (sad, but true) excerpts from a {Wall Street Journal} article by Jim Carlton: An exasperated caller to Dell Computer Tech Support couldn't get her new Dell Computer to turn on. After ensuring the computer was plugged in, the technician asked her what happened when she pushed the power button. Her response, "I pushed and pushed on this foot pedal and nothing happens." The "foot pedal" turned out to be the computer's mouse. Another customer called Compaq tech support to say her brand-new computer wouldn't work. She said she unpacked the unit, plugged it in, and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for something to happen. When asked what happened when she pressed the power switch, she asked "What power switch?" Compaq is considering changing the command "Press Any Key" to "Press Return Key" because of the flood of calls asking where the "Any" key is. AST technical support had a caller complaining that her mouse was hard to control with the dust cover on. The cover turned out to be the plastic bag the mouse was packaged in. Another Compaq technician received a call from a man complaining that the system wouldn't read word processing files from his old diskettes. After trouble-shooting for magnets and heat failed to diagnose the problem, it was found that the customer labeled the diskettes then rolled them into the typewriter to type the labels. Another AST customer was asked to send a copy of her defective diskettes. A few days later a letter arrived from the customer along with Xeroxed copies of the floppies. A Dell technician advised his customer to put his troubled floppy back in the drive and close the door. The customer asked the tech to hold on, and was heard putting the phone down, getting up and crossing the room to close the door to his room. Another Dell customer called to say he couldn't get his computer to fax anything. After 40 minutes of trouble-shooting, the technician discovered the man was trying to fax a piece of paper by holding it in front of the monitor screen and hitting the "send" key. Another Dell customer needed help setting up a new program, so a Dell tech referred him to the local Egghead. "Yeah, I got me a couple of friends," the customer replied. When told Egghead was a software store, the man said, "Oh, I thought you meant for me to find a couple of geeks." Yet another Dell customer called to complain that his keyboard no longer worked. He had cleaned it by filling up his tub with soap and water and soaking the keyboard for a day, then removing all the keys and washing them individually. A Dell technician received a call from a customer who was enraged because his computer had told him he was "bad and an invalid". The tech explained that the computer's "bad command" and "invalid" responses shouldn't be taken personally. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I hope people understand why customer service and tech support is such a sticky point in computer-related fields. Unlike almost every modern invention of this century, computers require *so much more* in the way of patience and explanation by the people who do tech support work. A lot of Americans are, frankly, just illiterate to start with and trying to teach them about computers is a monumental task. To make matters worse, as public education in the United States continues to go down the tubes as it has for the past roughly twenty years -- very dumb teachers trying to teach students who have *no idea* what public education used to be in this country mainly because the teachers themselves are a generation or more removed from when public schools in the USA used to be a first class thing -- the chasm grows wider. A growing number of Americans cannot accomplish the simplest tasks involving any degree of intelligence, but by golly they all are buying computers and getting on the net. One of the reasons I have resisted for so long the idea of 'getting on the Web' is because I have a strong distaste for people who just want to 'surf the net' and wander around aimlessly on here all the time looking at the rest of us as some sort of curiosities as they seek endlessly for sex pictures, etc. That, and the increasingly large number of letters I get daily from people who ask questions about things we covered in this Digest *years* ago who actually think they are bringing up an all new topic. But my old friend Bill Pfieffer with his broadcasting newsletters has a Story to Tell to the Nations where the web is concerned. He called me the other night and banged his kettle and drums for quite awhile telling me how 'everyone' is getting on the web and those who don't will be left behind. He created a web page for me which frankly did catch my curiosity. It is a good piece of work and links into the Telecom Archives. One of these days I will tell you about it and announce the URL, etc, when I am in a position to begin dealing with a large increase in inquiries. Right now, I just don't know what to do. I am thinking what I might do is make links to all the various people who repeatedly send me commercial messages they want run here for free. If they send me money I will put up a link to their product or service for a month or so. But I hate having it come to that, I really do; but so many of these companies are never otherwise going to support this effort. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #323 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 2 13:35:55 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id NAA07348; Tue, 2 Jul 1996 13:35:55 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 13:35:55 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607021735.NAA07348@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #324 TELECOM Digest Tue, 2 Jul 96 13:35:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 324 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson 213 NPA Relief Options (Tad Cook) Phone Cards That Don't Work (Tad Cook) Proposed 206 NPA Split Information (J. Bello) Western Washington to Get Two New Area Codes (Joseph Singer) Oakland County, MI to Change NPA (John Cropper) *69 is Completely Worthless (Greg Tompkins) Wireless Systems Seminar (Jerry Kaufman) Wanted: Editor/Writer for Wireless Magazine (Sean Keating) Telephone Access During Olympics (Bob Izenberg) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: 213 NPA Relief Options Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 18:23:28 PDT LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 1, 1996--Southern California residents will have an opportunity to comment on two alternatives for adding a new area code in the 213 region at a series of public meetings in July. Bruce Bennett, California area-code relief coordinator, said a new area code is needed as early as February 1998 to keep up with the increasing demand for new telephone numbers, which is being spurred by the high-technology explosion of fax machines, pagers and cellular phones as well as competition in the local telephone industry. The 213 area code currently serves portions of Los Angeles, Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lynwood, South Gate, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank, among other incorporated and unincorporated areas. Dates and locations of the meetings are: Monday, July 8 Los Angeles at Noon University of Southern California Grace Ford Salvatori Bldg., Room 118 Vermont Avenue and 36th Place (Gate Entrance No. 6) West Hollywood at 6:30 p.m. Plummer Park Community Center 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Tuesday, July 9 Huntington Park at 10 a.m. Bonelli Center 6925 Salt Lake Ave. Two options proposed by the telecommunications industry -- one adding the area code through a geographic split, the other using the overlay alternative -- will be presented at the meeting. In a geographic split, the area served by the existing area code is divided, with roughly half the customers being required to change the area-code portion of their phone numbers and the remaining customers keeping the old area code. In an overlay, the new area code is placed over the existing area code. Both have the same geographic boundaries. The new area code would be given to people who request a new phone number. Existing customers would keep their present area code. Neither alternative would impact the price of calls. Call distance determines call price and is not impacted by the creation of a new area code. The two options under consideration for the 213 area code are: -- Geographic split -- In the proposed geographic-split option, downtown Los Angeles would keep the 213 area code. The rest of the cities currently in the 213 area code would receive a new area code. This includes portions of the cities of West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lynwood, South Gate, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Montebello, Monterey Park, Alhambra, South Pasadena, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank and parts of the city of Los Angeles outside the downtown area. -- Overlay -- In the overlay option proposed for 213, the new area code would be placed over the existing 213 area code. The two codes would have the same geographic boundaries. The new area code would be given to people requesting a new phone number. Existing 213 customers would keep their area code. If an overlay is chosen, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has determined that 1+10-digit dialing (1 + the area code and the seven-digit telephone number) will be required for all calls within and between the new and old area codes. At the meetings, to be moderated by representatives of the CPUC's Consumer Advisory and Compliance Division, details of the options will be outlined followed by a public comment period. Bilingual representatives will be available at selected sites to assist customers. Spanish, Chinese and Korean translators will be available at the Los Angeles public meeting, and Spanish translators will be available at the Huntington Park meeting. Under state law, the telecommunications industry is required to meet with customers and consider their input before a final area-code relief option is filed with the commission. The commission makes the final decision on area-code relief. Customers unable to attend a meeting can send written comments to: Chief Telecommunications Branch-CACD California Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, Calif. 94102 For information on the 213 area-code public meetings and any other updates, customers may call 800/455-6914. CONTACT: Pacific Bell, Los Angeles David A. Dickstein, 213/975-4074 BW URL: http://www.businesswire.com ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Phone Cards That Don't Work Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 18:26:39 PDT New Yorkers Complain of Rampant Telephone Calling Card Fraud By Douglas Feiden, New York Daily News Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 1 -- Hundreds of New Yorkers are being fleeced by fledgling companies that sell pre-paid telephone calling cards at stores around the city. Consumers complain that they are shelling out money for phone cards that don't work and that aren't worth what they paid for them. This has led to an explosion of complaints to the Better Business Bureau and the city's Department of Consumer Affairs. The victims of the alleged scams are mostly immigrants, minorities and the inner-city poor who buy phone cards at delis, bodegas, newsstands and check-cashing places, often to call loved ones abroad. But when the cards turn out to be worthless, the buyers say, they're turned down when they ask to have their money refunded. That's what happened to Mustafa Abdi, a student at Middlesex County College in New Jersey who paid $300 for a card he saw advertised in India Abroad, an ethnic newspaper that targets the Indian community in America. He had purchased seven hours' worth of calls to India, but the card cut off after he got just four hours of use. "Then I called the company literally 100 times over a two-month period to complain, but I never got my money back," Abdi said. It's a story watchdogs are hearing again and again. "We're concerned these so-called telephone companies may be engaged in deceptive and fraudulent practices that rip off the consumer," said Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jose Maldonado. "They pay hard-earned money only to find they can't make a connection, or they pay for 10 minutes and only get two." The phone card companies say the problems are just part of the growing pains of a start-up industry bursting at the seams. But consumer advocates say abuse is rampant. In fact, two Manhattan companies in the $1 billion industry have attracted the scrutiny of business and government watchdogs in recent days: -- Trans-Asian Communications Inc., at 1170 Broadway. The company caters to immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It has an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau, the lowest possible grade. The BBB has received 47 complaints about the company this year, some alleging theft and fraud. Last year, it received none. -- CNC Communications Network Corp., or Conetco, at 1 Penn Plaza. The firm peddles the Travel Phone Card, primarily to Chinese immigrants. Nearly 60 complaints were filed with the department last week, including charges of fraudulent practices, following a published report in a Chinese newspaper of alleged deceptive practices. None had been filed before. Trans-Asian acknowledges problems coping with its rapid growth, but says it has 30,000 satisfied customers, dwarfing the number of complaints. Conetco acknowledges that hundreds of customers lost use of their cards last month after its long-distance service provider discontinued service because of a billing dispute. It says a new carrier will take its place and customers won't lose anything. "With the enormous diversity of long-distance telephone providers, there's a great potential for people being taken," said Barbara Berger Opotowsky, the BBB's president. That's apparently what happened to these two card users: -- Krishna Maddali, a geologist at the city Department of General Services. He spent $80 with Trans-Asian to call India for 169 minutes -- and never got through. But each time he attempted a call, more money was deducted from his card. "I can afford it, but I don't like to see people cheated," Maddali said. -- Fred Stabile, a telemarketer and paralegal. He bought a Travel Phone Card from a newsstand in Astoria, Queens, for $5. He had $3 left on the card when it inexplicably stopped working. "I was shocked," he said. "What kind of a scam is this?" When he called Conetco's customer service numbers, they had all been disconnected. The companies say they are working to solve consumer complaints. "We know we have some serious problems, but we just can't afford to resolve every single one of them as fast as we'd like," said Rajesh Kalra, president of Trans-Asian. Chuck Eckenberg, Conetco's chief operating officer, said the company is "trying in every way we can to rectify a bad situation and let the public know we're not trying to rip them off. No one will lose a penny." ------------------------------ From: J.Bello@worldnet.att.net Subject: Proposed 206 NPA Split Information Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 02:52:27 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Today I received a letter from the WA Utilities and Transportation Commission detailing the upcoming split. Dear Interested Person; You recenty contacted the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Commission) about U S West Communications, Inc.'s announcement that the 206 area code would need to be split into two or more codes. On June 7, 1996 the company announced a new area code numbering plan for Western Washington. This letter will describe the company's plan and how you can learn more about it. HISTORY With the recent surge in demand for new telephone lines, a consequence of population growth, additional local telephone providers and all the fax machines, pagers, cellular phones and computer modems being added, Western Washington's supply of potential telephone numbers are running out. In 1995, the 206 area code that had long served all of Western Washington was split into two area codes. Area code 206 was retained just for the telephone customers living in Seattle, Everett and Tacoma. The remaining 40 percent of the population residing west of the Cascades -- including Olympia, Aberdeen, Bellingham and Vancouver -- were assigned the new 360 area code. However, with last year's addition of 360, industry officials now estimate the supply of telephone prefixes available for use in the 206 area code will be depleted by early 1998. A committee representing companies providing telephone service to customers in the 206 area code (U S WEST, GTE AT&T, Airtouch, TCG, MCI, ELI and Nextlink) have agreed on a plan to solve this problem. Their plan calls for the introduction of two new area codes which the companies believe will provide an adequate supply of telephone numbers for nine or ten years. THE COMPANIES' PLAN: Under the companies' plan: o Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Vashon and Mercer Island will retain the 206 area code. o Everett, Bothell, Kirkland, Renton, Kent and eastern King County will become the 425 area code. o Des Moines (WA), Auburn, Sumner, Puyallup, Graham, Tacoma, and the greater Gig Harbor area will become the 253 area code. There are no plans to change the existing 360 or 509 codes. The companies' plan includes a seven month permissive dialing period which will begin on April 27, 1997 and ending November 16, 1997. During this period, callers wishing to reach customers in the new area codes will be able to dial either the new area code or the old 206 area code. This period will be established to give customers in these areas sufficient time to notify potential callers of the changes as well as to allow business customers to change stationery, advertising, etc., as well as to modify their telephone systems. Although, local calling areas and rates are not changing, customers in one area code who place local calls to customers in either of the other area codes will be required to dial ten digits (the area code plus the seven-digit telephone number). Examples of this type of call are Seattle to Bellevue or Auburn to Kent. Local calls made in the same area code (Everett to Halls Lake or Seattle to Seattle) will be able to use either the seven-digit dialing as it used today or, optionally, ten-digit dialing. The companies believe this optional capability for calls will eliminate the need for customers to redial if they are not sure to or from which area code they are dialing. HOW THE PLAN WAS DEVELOPED: The companies' decision was based on extensive customer input which indicated that the "three-way" area code split method was favored by a wide margin. A formal customer survey was conducted by the Gilmore Research Group, a local market research company, during March and April of this year. The survey consisted of interviews of a scientifically determined sample of 1,000 residential customers and 406 business customers within the 206 area code. In the residential group, 55% of the respondents favored a three-way split, 26% favored a two-way split, and 14% favored an "overlay" NPA approach. Among business customers, the preference for the final plan was even more pronounced; 62% favored the three-way split; 24% the two-way split, and 10% favored the overlay. The companies', in addition to the survery, held several "town meetings" in Everett, Seattle, Belleve, and Tacoma to obtain further customer input. Although attendance at these metings were limited, customers that did attend echoed the Survey's results which favored the three-way split. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION: A presentation of the Industry Implementation Plan on the 206 area code split will be held at the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission on July 31, 1996, at 9:00 a.m. in the hearing room (room 206) located at 1300 S Evergreen Park Drive SW, Olympica Washington. You are welcome to attend this presentation by the Industry Officials. If you have any further questions on how the area code split will impact you please contact your telephone company for assistance. You can find your company's phone number listed on your bill or in your phone book. If you experience any problems during the switch of the area code, you may call the Commissions' Consumer Affairs Complaint Department, toll free at 1-800-562-6150 and ask for assistance. Sincerely, Penny Hansen Public Involvement Coordinator ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 23:39:14 -0700 From: jsinger@scn.org (Joseph Singer) Subject: Western Washington to Get Two New Area Codes Reply-To: jsinger@scn.org Western Washington is running out of number space even though area code 206 was split in January of 1995 with 206 including the area from Everett to Tacoma with the area outside these limits going into area code 360. With the growth of services it has now become apparent that numbering relief is needed in the area as 206 will likely exhaust the supply of numbers by some time in 1997. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) in cooperation with the local telcos US West, GTE Northwest, Electric Lightwave and others have come upon a plan for number relief that will be implemented in 1997. The boundaries for the two new area codes will approximately be from Everett in the north down to Kent (which will be area code 425) and south of Kent to Tacoma (which will be area code 253.) This new plan will require that the dialing procedure will be modified in that local calls outside the area code will require that you add the tree digit area code to your call. It will be possible however to make a local call anywhere in the area and use ten digits whether you're in your "home" area code or outside of the home area code. In the home area code however seven digit dialing is still permitted. The permissive dialing period will begin Sunday, April 27, 1997 and end Sunday, November 16, 1997. During the permissive period calls will be completed using either area code, but after that period if a caller uses the old area code for calls to the new area they will get a recorded announcement instructing them to use the new area code. Further information is available at URL: http://www.wasington.edu/wutc JOSEPH SINGER ======= SEATTLE, WASHINGTON USA ======== jsinger@scn.org == ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Oakland County, MI to Change NPA Date: 1 Jul 1996 21:11:49 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA From Ameritech (and it's a long time coming...) Oakland County Michigan to get New Area Code. Effective 5/10/97, the new NPA to reach most of Oakland county, MI will change from the present 810 to 248. Mandatory dialing will be 9/13/97. Ameritech has set up a toll-free area code hotline to answer questions regarding the 810/248 change: 800-831-8989. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ From: Greg Tompkins Subject: *69 is Completely Worthless Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 02:08:33 -0700 Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access (503) 220-1016 Reply-To: greg@bpdigital.com I recently ordered *69 (automatic call return) so I could try to catch some of the idiots who insist on pranking me late at night. Little did I know that it will only trace local calls. What a stupid worthless service! Greg Tompkins greg@bpdigital.com THIS IS A NEW ADDRESS!! PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS BOOKS!! [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I do not think that is entirely correct. I do not think the distinction is 'local' versus 'long distance', but rather, if the sending telco passes along the necessary information to enable your telco to pass it to you (in the event you had caller-id). When I see numbers on my caller-id box from anywhere in the USA (or I see 'private') I can do *69 on those calls. When I see 'outside area' on the box I cannot do *69 even if it is a local place. A fun thing to try sometime is using 'call screening' (which may be the answer to your late night pranks by the way) to see which places will allow screening and which will not. Again, the key is if the telco whose subscriber you are attempting to screen is compliant with all the new technologies (I guess it would be SS7 compliant, am I correct on that term?) then your request for screening will be accepted. The activation for call screening here is *60 and you are then given instructions for adding a number to the list of those from whom you do not wish to receive calls. Most any local number is accepted with an immediate response: i.e. 'has been added to list' or 'cannot be added to list'. Now try a few long distance places. Just pick some area code and number (provided it is a valid number) at random and watch the results. Around here, it 'goes away' for a short period of time ranging between two and five or maybe ten seconds and then returns with the same possible answers. It had to go query the distant telco I suspect. Sometimes apparently the distant telco does not respond in a timely way and the query 'times out' without an answer. On this end, the response is a most peculiar one in those cases: 'the number you are attempting to screen cannot be added to your list right now; try adding the number again in a few minutes' (!??!) There are a couple of exchanges in 312 which always give this latter response; I have never been able to screen anything from it. It is a bunch of DID trunks with a large PBX behind that. Perhaps someone could explain this in a litle more detail. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Jerry Kaufman Subject: Wireless Systems Seminar Date: 2 Jul 1996 15:40:25 GMT Organization: Alexander Resources Alexander Resources presents: WIRELESS BUSINESS TELEPHONE SYSTEMS SEMINAR A new, comprehensive, two day educational seminar for telecommunications professionals who need to understand the applications, benefits and limitations of: ON-PREMISES/UNLICENSED PCS WIRELESS PBXs/CENTREX IN-BUILDING CELLULAR SYSTEMS The seminar covers all aspects of these new systems and services: Private domain, dual domain, and multi domain service areas; Dual mode and mutli mode operation; Host controlled and Network controlled call routing; Part 15 Subpart C, Part 15 Subpart D, PCS and Cellular spectrum; Adjunct and Integrated implementations; and Single cell/single user, single cell/mutli-user and mutli cell/multi-user radio architectures. The seminar is continuously updated to provide you with the latest information on: New products, technologies, spectrum regulations, standards, user benefits and applications, market forecasts and trends. 1996 SEMINAR SCHEDULE AND VENUES: Washington, DC September 9 & 10, 1996 Dallas, TX October 14 & 15, 1996 Scottsdale, AZ November 18 & 19, To receive a detailed brochure contact Alexander Resources at: Phone: 602-948-8225 Fax: 602-948-1081 E-mail: JerryKaufman@worldnet.att.net Postal mail: Alexander Resources, 4854 E. Onyx Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, USA ------------------------------ From: skeating@cnj.digex.net (Sean Keating) Subject: Wanted: Editor/Writer for Wireless Magazine Date: 1 Jul 1996 17:01:12 -0400 Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA Wanted: Editor/Staff Writer (full time) Wireless for the Corporate User Magazine, a monthly business-technology publication based in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, is seeking a full-time staff member to write and edit news, feature and investigative stories. Three years experience writing and researching articles for publication required. Familiarity with wireless technology, computer, telephony, Internet and other information-systems issues a major plus. Send resume and writing samples to: Sean Keating Senior Editor Wireless for the Corporate User Magazine Three Wing Drive Suite 240 Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927-1000 or e-mail resume and writing samples to skeating@cnj.digex.net ------------------------------ Subject: Telephone Access During Olympics Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 14:49:13 GMT From: Bob Izenberg Reply-To: bei@sig.net My dad will be in Atlanta covering the Olympics. He and some other reporters from his paper will have to file by phone from twenty-eight locations around town. They've been told what I've read in this Digest, that cellular phone coverage will not be available. They won't have more than two days notice of from where they'll need to originate data calls. Does the Digest readership have any suggestions? In addition to having two weeks or so to make arrangements, it has to be something that a technophobic sports reporter can use without throwing his laptop out the window... :-) bob izenberg phone: +1 (512) 306-0700 sig.net network operations bei@sig.net [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Is there absolutely going to be no cellular service there at all, or just none at a reasonable price with a good signal? If there is going to be none at all, that is really the pits. I must say I am really pleased with Ameritech service via Frontier here in the Chicago area and the very low rates they offer. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* In addition, TELECOM Digest receives a grant from Microsoft to assist with publication expenses. Editorial content in the Digest is totally independent, and does not necessarily represent the views of Microsoft. ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #324 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 2 19:43:57 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id TAA15409; Tue, 2 Jul 1996 19:43:57 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 19:43:57 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607022343.TAA15409@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #325 TELECOM Digest Tue, 2 Jul 96 19:43:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 325 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Beginning Report From INET '96 (Speech by FCC Chief) (Ronda Hauben) Sprintlink Private Line Service Moved (Bob Izenberg) BellSouth Tests New Voice Recognition Service (Mike King) Book Review: "Free Business Stuff from the Internet" (Rob Slade) Feds Bust Two in Cell Phone Scam (Tad Cook) Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn (Andy Yee) Cheap Incoming Call Router: Where Can I Find One? (Scott Pope) Automated Phone Response Program? (104214.2263@compuserve.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: rh120@inibara.cc.columbia.edu (Ronda Hauben) Subject: Beginning Report from INET '96 (Speech by FCC Chief of Staff) Date: 2 Jul 1996 17:03:29 GMT Organization: Columbia University Report 1 I just returned from a fascinating week in Montreal, Canada where I attended the INET '96 conference held by the Internet Society. I will try to write some reports about what happened at the Conference in the next week or two as it would be good to have the online community discuss some of the issues that were raised at the Conference. What became clear at the conference was that this is an important time in the development of the Internet. People from around the world attended the conference and most expressed the desire that the Internet be made available in their countries for education and scientific and other uses. Some of the focus of the conference was on business uses of the Internet, but it seemed that there was a great concern among the people I spoke to that the Internet be available for educational and scientific and government and community purposes, not just for business uses. I want to start this report however, with the last talk that was given at the conference. The final talk was to be given by Reed Hunt of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. He didn't attend however, and instead the talk was given by Blair Levin, Chief of Staff at the FCC instea. A version of the talk is available at the FCC www site. The talk was a surprise as it seemed uninformed both about the history and importance of the Internet and of the important public policy considerations that need to be taken into account when making any rules for regulating the Internet. At the beginning of the talk, there was the statement that Reed Hunt was the first FCC Chairman to have a computer on his desk, but that he asked his staff to explain how the Internet works. So instead of a commitment to learn about how the Internet developed and the significant impact it is having on the world, the speech presented us with the glib "the Internet gives us the opportunity to change all our communications policies." The problem with this is that the FCC is therefore starting from scratch, throwing out all the lessons that have helped the Internet to grow and develop, and instead, creating its own models. In his talk Blair Levin listed five principles. They were: 1) How can public policy promote expansion of band width? 2) What rules can we get rid of or have? 3) The concern with pricing. 4) How to make sure it reaches everyone, especially kids in schools. 5) How to make sure it reaches across the globe. The problem with this was that it took universal service as the 4th point, and then basically substituted access by kids in schools for the principle of universal service. During the talk Blair described how the NTIA (the National Telecommunications Information Administration) had submitted an important paper to the FCC on the issue of voice over the Internet. This made clear that the NTIA has not submitted any paper to the FCC on the issue of universal service, despite the fact that they held an online hearing on several issues, including universal service and the Internet, in November 1994 and the NTIA has done nothing to act on the broad expression of sentiment for universal service that was expressed during that online public meeting. When asked about that online meeting, Blair said that the FCC knew of the meeting. However, it seems to have had no effect on their deliberations, or on the request of people that the FCC open up their decision making process so that the people who are being affected by their decisions have a means of providing input into those decisions. In response to a question about the need for universal service Blair responded that that was the obligation of other branches of the U.S. government like the Department of Education. He said this despite the fact that at the current moment the FCC is supposedly making rules to provide for the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act passed by the U.S. Congress in Feb. 1996. Also, he claimed to welcome submissions into their process, but when told that it would cost over $50 to pay postage costs for a submission since there were over 35 people who had to be served (and postage on a minimal submission was $1.45), he said to see Kevin Werbach a lawyer at the FCC, who had come with him. Kevin Werbach offered no means of dealing with the high cost of making a submission. Many people at the Internet Society Conference applauded in response to the question about the lack of concern by the FCC for the principle of universal service to the Internet. At the Internet Society conference many people spoke up about the need in their countries, whether that be Canada, or Norway, or Ghana, etc. for the Net to be more widespread and available to the public for educational and community purposes. Many were concerned about the lack of ability of the so called "market forces" to provide networking access to other than corporate or well to do users. Yet here was a talk being given in the name of the Chairman of the regulatory body in the U.S. charged with making the rules to provide for universal service, and the talk was unconcerned with the important issues and problems that issue of providing universal service to the Internet raises. It is unfortunate that Reed Hunt didn't come to the conference and take the challenge to learn what the real concerns of people around the world are with regard to access to the Internet. Isolated in Washington, with no access to him possible for most people (though someone from one company told me that he was told to send him email whenever he had a concern), it seems difficult for the rules process to be able to produce any helpful outcome. There need to be open meetings and sessions where people who are concerned with these issues are invited to be heard and to discuss these issues with the FCC. Instead the process is going on behind the same closed doors that the crafting of the Telecommunications Act was created by the U.S. Congress. It is a tribute to the Internet Society that they did make an effort to invite government officials like Reed Hunt to the conference. The FCC will be setting an example for the rest of the world by the telecommunications policy rules it creates. Will the policy be one that recognizes that the so called "market" cannot provide the free or low cost access to the Internet that is necessary to make such universal service a reality? Will the rules created be based on looking back at how time sharing and the the ARPANET and the Internet developed so it can build on those lessons? To have those rules be based on firm lessons from the past and firm principles that can make them fruitful, it is necessary that the FCC process creating those rules be much more open than it is at present. If the FCC could learn from the experience of the Internet and set up newsgroups and real email access to the officials involved that would demonstrate a commitment to a more equitable access to the Internet and to the fcc rulemaking that is needed to make the Internet available to all. But from the recent talk by the FCC official presented at INET '96, there seems little indication that the need for an open process and a many to many means of communication is recognized among those at the FCC and thus there is even less evidence that the FCC is capable of making rules to apply the principle of universal service to make Internet access available to all. ronda ronda@panix.com rh120@columbia.edu Netizens:On the History and Impact of Usenet and the Internet http://www.columbia.edu/~hauben/netbook/ ------------------------------ Subject: Sprintlink Private Line Service Moved Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 12:02:09 CDT From: Bob Izenberg Reply-To: bei@sig.net We're a Sprintlink Private Line customer, and as we just found out, Sprint's service management center is no longer able to open problem tickets for any Private Line problems that we encounter. We're now supposed to call the Sprint FTS/GSD group at either +1 (800) 726-0201 or +1 (800) 366-1717 when we wish to open a ticket. Sprint is treating this as if it were always thus. Perhaps so, but we've opened tickets with the service manage- ment center before and they never mentioned this. The first time that any of us ran into this was yesterday, July 1st. I sincerely hope that the FTS/GSD people are more data-aware than the service management center people with whom we've spoken have been. Reporting anything other than a routing problem confuses the Sprint SMC operators, so we have to tell them to involve Sprint's INSC to point us at the appropriate group. Lately, this is where the operators somehow disconnect the call while setting up the conference. Grumble. Bob P.S. Sprint's SCM phone ACD must be having some trouble keeping up under the load. I waited five minutes on hold twice today, only to have it transfer to a busy signal. This brings to mind a pet peeve of mine about how ACDs are used: I can spend fifteen minutes on hold waiting for a vendor, have to put them on hold for no more than ten seconds (surely our humble Moderator will not question my sense of time here :-) during which they pick up, don't get a response, and hang up. I've done phone support, so I know that they have to move on, but if I've waited fifteen minutes or so, they can listen to our music-on-hold for ten seconds until I get back to them. Now there's an idea for a signaling extension: End Of Hold. It'd be the signal for both parties to pick up their phones or perhaps to go to an appropriate voice mail message: "This party couldn't get back to the phone before you took them off hold. Please wait, or press # to leave a message." We should let machines wait on hold for us. bob izenberg phone: +1 (512) 306-0700 sig.net network operations bei@sig.net ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Tests New Voice Recognition Service Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 16:06:37 PDT Forwarded FYI to the Digest: Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 12:19:38 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH TESTS NEW VOICE RECOGNITION SERVICE BellSouth ......................................July 1, 1996 BELLSOUTH TESTS NEW VOICE RECOGNITION SERVICE IN TWO FLORIDA MARKETS Sophisticated new voice recognition service helps customers find information ATLANTA--July 1, 1996--BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corporation (BAPCO), the directory publishing and information services subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS), has launched market tests of an innovative new interactive voice recognition service that will let consumers find selected information by simply telling an electronic attendant what it is they're looking for. Beginning this summer, customers in two test markets -- Gainesville, Fla., and Daytona Beach, Fla. -- will be able to dial 511 for BAPCO's Restaurant Guide as well as AutoChoice(SM), a guide to classified auto ads for the Central Florida area. Help will come from VAL -- short for Voice Activated Link, an electronic attendant. One of the most sophisticated voice recognition services in test anywhere, VAL will prompt customers to answer a short series of questions. Based on their answers, VAL will give customers up to five listings that match customers' search criteria, including contact phone numbers. "VAL is just one more way BellSouth is using the latest technology to find new and better ways to give customers the best, easiest and fastest way to get the information and services they need when they need them," said Gary Prophitt, president of IntelliVentures, the research and interactive services development unit of BAPCO. VAL, which was developed in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laboratory for Computer Science and is based on technology developed there, does much more than record customers' answers or recognize simple answers like "yes" and "no." Customers shopping for a car will be able to tell VAL the make and model they're looking for as well as the estimated price range. Using the AutoTrader(TM) magazine classified advertising listings for Central Florida as a database, VAL will search for automobiles matching the customer's preference. VAL will give search results verbally, or, if customers prefer, in written form via fax. Customers looking for a restaurant will be able to tell VAL the cuisine they want, the price range and general location. VAL will search The Real Yellow Pages database of information for restaurants fitting the customer's preferences. Once VAL has enough information -- based on customer comments -- to narrow the list of choices to five or fewer, VAL will read out the matching listings. VAL will also offer Restaurant Guide callers the option of connecting directly to the restaurant of their choice. BAPCO's Restaurant Guide is available to 511 customers in Gainesville now and will be introduced in the Daytona Beach market later this summer. AutoChoice will be introduced in both markets later this summer. The tests will run for an undetermined period of time. Calls to the Gainesville and Daytona Beach 511 family of services, including access to the new services featuring VAL, are free. The Gainesville and Daytona Beach tests will give BellSouth an opportunity to learn about the way callers use and interact with AutoChoice and Restaurant Guide, as well as an opportunity to refine VAL's voice recognition capabilities. "Based on results from the tests in Gainesville and Daytona Beach, BAPCO will look at ways to extend these and similar services to other markets," said David Shipps, manager of information products at BellSouth's IntelliVentures. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, and information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. ### For Information Contact: Kevin Doyle 404-249-2793 Tim Klein 404-249-4135 ============ Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 13:01:16 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Free Business Stuff from the Internet" by Emery/Vincent BKFRBUST.RVW 960527 "Free Business Stuff From the Internet", Vince Emery/Patrick Vincent, 1996, 1- 883577-82-9, U$19.99/C$27.99 %A Vince Emery vince@emery.com %A Patrick Vincent pjvincent@coriolis.com %C 7339 East Acoma Drive, #7, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 %D 1996 %G 1-883577-82-9 %I Coriolis %O U$19.99/C$27.99 800-410-0192 +1-602-483-0192 fax: +1-602-483-0193 %P 512 %S Free Stuff %T "Free Business Stuff From the Internet" A great many "Internet business" books seem to concentrate on a few sites from which you can obtain service, or from which you can order supplies, or of companies which do business online. Emery and Vincent have compiled a tremendous repository of services, information and programs which are directly of *use* to businesses. News, tools, startup info, marketing aids, tools for sales reps, tools for retailers, accounting, tax info, investing, international contacts, law, purchasing, transport, manufacturing, economics, and even a special chapter for businesswomen. This "stuff" really is oriented to business. An extremely useful addition is chapter two, on the tools for finding information, people and files on the net. The book is up to date enough to cover Alta Vista, although the authors' lack of familiarity shows. Not as complete, perhaps, as "Finding it on the Internet" (cf. BKFNDINT.RVW), but, hey, it's only one chapter. Another helpful characteristic is the use of flags to denote items that would be of interest only to those in a particular country (or state). These save time by eliminating those entries which would *not* be of use to everyone. (This is a very welcome development: all too many American writers assume that if it is useful in the US, *everyone* must be interested!) Definitely a resource I can recommend to any businessperson. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKFRBUST.RVW 960527 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca rslade@vcn.bc.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca Ceterum censeo Wiley delendam esse Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Feds Bust Two in Cell Phone Scam Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 12:02:00 PDT Feds arrest two in cell phone scam NEW YORK (AP) -- Two people have been charged with stealing 80,000 cellular phone numbers from passing motorists, and Secret Service agents say it's the largest such heist in U.S. history. Abraham Romy and Irina Bashkavich, both recent Russian emigres, used a sophisticated high-powered scanner to pick up cellular phone information from motorists who drove by their Brooklyn apartment, said Brian Gimlett, head of the Secret Service in New York. Once the numbers were stolen, they could be transferred to other phones for resale. If all of the numbers had been illegally cloned into other phones, the scam could have resulted in up to $80 million in illegal calls, Gimlett said. But he said agents did not believe all the numbers had been distributed. Romy and Bashkavich, who were arrested Monday, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. ------------------------------ From: nde@mail.winternet.com (Andy Yee) Subject: Re: Spam Takes a Nasty Turn Date: Tue, 02 Jul 96 19:13:06 GMT Organization: Emerson EMC, A Division Of Emerson Electric In article , Lawrence Rachman <74066.2004@CompuServe.COM> wrote: > The claim is that if the predictive dialer hears intercept tone (the > three acending tones heard before an 'error' recording), it will > cancel the call AND REMOVE THE NUMBER FROM ITS DATABASE!! Methinks an > answering machine message beginning with intercept tone could do > wonders in reducing the frequency of annoying telemarketer/misguided > creditor calls. > (OTOH, I seem to remember hearing somewhere that the telcos get all bent > out of shape if you do this, so consult your local tarrif before trying > it. This message is being provided for educational purposes only, and > should not be construed as an enticement to break the rules.) Uh, what is an intercept tone, and how can I reproduce that? Is it a modem tone? Speaking of tones on answering machine greetings, I know of someone who lives in a secured apartment building, but frequently loses his keys. He put the security door opening tone after his greeting so that he can call his place and the door would automatically open after his greeting. Of course he says in his greeting: "...please leave your message after the SECOND tone..." Andy Yee, Senior Software Engineer Emerson EMC, Chanhassen, MN Personal Home Page: http://www.winternet.com/~nde ------------------------------ From: scott_pope@thoughtport.com (HouseHunt) Subject: Cheap Incoming Call Router: Where Can I Find One? Date: 24 Jun 1996 20:45:08 GMT Organization: HouseHunt I saw a product on a web page that was under $300 that acted an inexpensive call router and cannot find it again. The device would allow callers to punch in a number to reach different phones on a single line (two lines would be suitable as well). Note that the device would NOT just lead people to different voice mailboxes like many of the small business voicemail systems such as Bogen Systems' Friday. It is important that the device answers before any phone rings and then prompt users to punch in different numbers. The reason for this is I don't want the phone to ring even once if it is a wrong number. Therefore, if the caller hears the initial message and determine it is not the company they want, they will hang up before the [one of the] phone(s) actually rings. Most of the devices that do this are elaborate voicemail/call routers that cost thousands of dollars. More info: My call volume is not that high, but there is a hotel in a neighboring area with the same number. Three-fourths of my calls are for that hotel. This is very irritating. So, I do not need an elaborate system for multiple receptionists. In most cases, only one person will be answering the phones. thanks, Scott Pope Scott_Pope@thoughtport.com HouseHunt www.ChicagoRealty.com ------------------------------ From: Amy.L.@mhade.production.compuserve.com, AK <104214.2263@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Automated Phone Response Program? Date: 02 Jul 1996 01:04:24 GMT Organization: CompuServe, Inc. (1-800-689-0736) I am looking for PC software that will answer the phone, take touch tone input, create a record, and provide the person calling with a tracking number. We are interested mainly in purchasing a product, but would be willing to do some small customization. Does anyone know of any products like this? What would this category of software be called? Please respond by email. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #325 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jul 3 16:33:21 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id QAA14106; Wed, 3 Jul 1996 16:33:21 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 16:33:21 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607032033.QAA14106@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #326 TELECOM Digest Wed, 3 Jul 96 14:01:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 326 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson The West Coast Power Outage (TELECOM Digest Editor) Non-Telco Directory Assistance (Tad Cook) New Area Code Problems (Mark J. Cuccia) Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant (William R. Franklin) Wireless Cryptography (was Re: Pacific Bell Mobile) (Paul C. Kocher) Re: Telephone Access During Olympics (Jeffrey Rhodes) Re: Telephone Access During Olympics (Michael King) Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible (Ross Oliver) Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Telco Wrong? (Jeff Rhodes) Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Telco Wrong? (Geoff Welsh) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 13:09:52 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: The West Coast Power Outage Reports will be welcome on the nature and scope of the power and telephone outage which occurred across the western half of the United States on Tuesday. Has any specific reason been ascertained? David Swanson of the Edison Electric Institute is on television at this time in essence placing the blame on the 'many variable and complicated things which are going on in the industry due to the deregulation we have experienced.' His thoughts seem to be that the deregulation has allowed everyone in the industry to pretty much do their own thing to the detriment of the industry and the affected communities. Thoughts? PAT ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Non-Telco Directory Assistance Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 13:37:57 PDT Switch in Texas' 409 Area Code Information Rings a Bell in Phoenix By Michael Davis, Houston Chronicle Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 2--Starting today, callers seeking directory assistance in the 409 area code will reach a Phoenix company instead of Southwestern Bell, a switch that caused widespread headaches when it took place in Dallas last month. In addition to taking over directory assistance for the 409 area code, which covers all of Southeast Texas except Houston, Excell Agent Services is scheduled to take over Houston's 713 area code and South Texas' 210 and 512 codes by November. AT&T, which contracts out the directory assistance service, acknowledged that Excell has given out a lot of wrong numbers since taking over Dallas' 214 area code on June 5. But the phone giant said the problem is Southwestern Bell's refusal to sell AT&T its directory listings. Whatever the reason, Candy Prather with the East Dallas Chamber of Commerce said she was swamped with calls that had been misdirected the day Excell took over directory assistance. "We had so many calls that we had to put the voice mail on, we couldn't handle it," she said. "People were asking for Texas Stadium, the state fair, some manufacturing company but mostly the Dallas Chamber of Commerce." Prather's assistant called Excell and they were "very apologetic," she said. Still, the wrong number calls persist, she said. "We've drafted them a letter; calling doesn't seem to work," she said. To avoid such problems in the future, AT&T is now "scrubbing" its database to eliminate errors, according to a company statement. The scrubbing process involves double-checking business listings, especially those with numerous sublistings. It has set up a help line at (800) 553-8163 for people to call if they have directory assistance problems. Excell Chairman Dan Evanoff said that in Dallas, Excell did not do its database scrubbing as well as it usually does. "But it should be fine when we do the 409 area code," he said. He also blames Southwestern Bell for the misdirected calls. Excell has had more problems taking over directory assistance in markets previously served by Southwestern Bell than by any other local service provider, Evanoff said. "Southwestern Bell, unlike other local telephone companies in other parts of the country, refuses to sell its data to other providers," he said. AT&T maintains that access to those files is required by the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996. Such sparring is part of the sometimes contentious process that will lead to Bell's entry into the long-distance markets and AT&T's move into the local service market. "What you are hearing is not law but AT&T's negotiating position," said Robert Lynch, Southwestern Bell's general counsel. "The Telecommunications Act does not require Southwestern Bell to provide AT&T, or anyone else, with access to its directory assistance database." Lynch said Southwestern Bell consistently has respected the privacy rights of its customers and has, as a policy, not made customer information available to third parties over which there are no controls or assurances that such data would not be misused. Steve Hendricks, spokesman for AT&T in Dallas, said Excell was chosen from several companies that wanted the directory assistance contract. When problems started occurring in Dallas a month ago, AT&T spent two days working exclusively on rectifying the bad numbers, he said. "We dropped everything," Hendricks said. "It was a big problem." FOR ONLINE SERVICES: Visit Houston Chronicle Interactive, the online edition of the Houston Chronicle. On Prodigy, jump to: HCI. On the World Wide Web, point your browser to http://www.chron.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 16:56:21 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: New Area Code Problems For the past two years, we've been hearing and reading about the 'horror' stories of businesses (and residents) in the new sections of a split (and for that matter, any possible overlays) of an area code, in that they are not able to be reached by (some/many) of their callers. Yes, in January 1995, the new 'interchangeable' format of area codes took effect. Many PBX systems and other types of CPE (COCOTs, autodialers, etc) might not have been able to handle a ten-digit NANP number where the middle digit of the area code was not a '0' or '1', and needed *major* reprogramming or even replacement to handle the 'N' digit, i.e. anything '2' through '9' as the middle digit of the NPA code. Permissive dialing has been extended in many areas to allow customers to upgrade their equipment to be able to handle 'NNX' format area codes, in addition to the traditional 'N0X' and 'N1X'. Just recently, we've read that Oregonians are 'bracing' for the end of permissive dialing and beginning of mandatory dialing of the splitting off area into *exclusively* 541. However, *even when CPE is capable of handling* 'NNX' format (or more generalized 'NXX') area codes, or the CPE is 'dumb' equipment which has no real problem at all, the Telephone Companies (LEC's) and Long Distance Carriers (IXC's) *themselves* have been a problem in that while most if not all telco switches *can now* handle the full range of 'NXX' area codes, they are *LATE* in programming each new NPA code into their switches! The 504-24x switch in New Orleans (a WECO #1AESS) *still* didn't have programmed in, all four new NPA codes which took effect in permissive dialing as of yesterday 1 July 1996, 246 Barbados, 664 Montserrat, 757 eastern Virginia, 758 St.Lucia. And the AT&T "OSPS" Operator switch which serves this part of the country (601-0-T in Jackson MS) had 246 Barbados *ONLY*, loaded in as of today. I made a call to AT&T Repair (800-222-3000) and a BellSouth contact in Brimingham this morning to explain. But as of Tuesday afternoon, three of the four new NPA's are not loaded in AT&T's OSPS switch in Jackson. I'll find out when I get home if any of the new codes have been loaded in the 504-24x switch which serves my home. Bellcore NANPA releases the new NPA info *WELL* in advance of the beginning of permissive dialing. There are those of us who participate in this TELECOM Digest forum who compile the new NPA information. And the LEC's and IXC's *do* read this forum. So, it isn't always that CPE and PBX's aren't capable of handling the now generalized 'NXX' area code format -- it is *also* that the CPE managers and the network operations people (or local test center tech's) of the LEC's and IXC's have been *quite* lax in seeing that the new area codes are loaded into *all* of their switches in a timely manner. And *every* LEC needs to be aware of *all* new NPA codes (and country codes, such as 377 for Monaco, for that matter), as these codes *MUST* be programmed into *all* of their own local (and tandem/toll) Digital and ESS (and any remaining #5XB) switching offices, even if the code is not in their local territory! MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: wrf@speed.ecse.rpi.edu (Wm Randolph Franklin) Subject: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant Date: 3 Jul 1996 01:51:43 GMT Organization: ECSE Dept, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180 USA Reply-To: wrf@ecse.rpi.edu Where would I get a mapping from 518 exchanges to locations? This used to be in the phone book, but no longer. There is now only a partial map, from only local locations to exchanges. Does this require going into the tariff, or checking a V&H file, or what? The Telecom Archives have such a map, for Canada, but not for the US that I can see. I called Nynex. They were down to their usual level of ignorance. The person that I talked to said that no such list existed, and that there was no one else whom I could talk to. Nynex makes the IRS look responsive. At least the IRS knows how to forward me to a specialist. This is the same Nynex that, some time ago, couldn't tell me which exchanges were like the 900 area code, and in fact, at first, didn't know that such a thing even existed. They also didn't know about the scam where some 800 numbers would try to bill you. What are the buzzwords that I should use to extract info from them? What do PBX programmers say to them? Is it worth it to grumble to the PUC? Thanks. / wrfuse@mab.ecse.rpi.edu (Wm. Randolph U Franklin) ------------------------------ From: pck@netcom.com (Paul C. Kocher) Subject: Wireless Cryptography (was Re: Pacific Bell Mobile Service) Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 10:06:38 GMT Mike King wrote: > Unlike cellular, PCS technology is 100 percent digital. Being digital, > PCS offers superior sound quality and reliability, as well as built-in > complex encryption for maximum privacy and protection from "cloning," a > form of cellular theft that costs consumers $650 million a year. [...] > Valeski explained that every PCS call passes through three levels of > encryption - first at the phone, next through the phone's "subscriber > identification module," and finally at the network. At each level, > encrypted information must be exchanged and verified before a call is > completed. I've worked with and talked to many companies involved in the wireless arena. While everyone seems to be very concerned about billing fraud, few have gone to use real encryption to protect users' information. This isn't a surprise -- factors like international export restrictions, meddling by encryption-paranoid law enforcement agencies, and most companies' lack of cryptographic expertise combine to make it very hard to make good crypto products. But as a result, most crypto products (wireless or otherwise) on the market are badly flawed. In general you should be highly suspicious of products which claim to be secure but which do not substantiate their claims by specifying which published algorithms and protocols they use. "Proprietary" systems are the worst; I've seen dozens of proprietary algorithms, but have yet to find one designed by a non-cryptographer that I couldn't break. If anyone has technical information about how these systems provide "maximum privacy" for the GOP conventioners, I'd be quite interested. Cheers, Paul Kocher (pck@netcom.com) Voicemail: +1-(415)-354-8004 Crypto consultant FAX: +1-(415)-321-1483 ------------------------------ From: Jeffrey Rhodes Subject: Re: Telephone Access During Olympics Date: 3 Jul 1996 02:43:49 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Which naturally begs the questions: Can European 900 MHz GSM cellphones and HP200/Nokias be made to operate from micro-cells comparable in power to the US cordless 900 MHz market? Would such a system radiating only within the Olympics compounds require FCC approval? Whose gonna know? > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Is there absolutely going to be no > cellular service there at all, or just none at a reasonable price > with a good signal? If there is going to be none at all, that > is really the pits. I must say I am really pleased with Ameritech > service via Frontier here in the Chicago area and the very low > rates they offer. PAT] Let us know their roaming rates if your US Cellphone is able to make or receive any cellular calls at the Olympics 1996. Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com ------------------------------ From: Michael King Subject: Re: Telephone Access During Olympics Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 09:40:32 -0400 Organization: Internet Learning Centers Bob Izenberg wrote in article : > My dad will be in Atlanta covering the Olympics. He and some > other reporters from his paper will have to file by phone from > twenty-eight locations around town. They've been told what I've read > in this Digest, that cellular phone coverage will not be available. > They won't have more than two days notice of from where they'll need > to originate data calls. Does the Digest readership have any > suggestions? In addition to having two weeks or so to make > arrangements, it has to be something that a technophobic sports > reporter can use without throwing his laptop out the window... :-) That differs from what I have heard -- BellSouth has been running advertising here for more than nine months touting their capability to handle the increased cellular traffic that they anticipate from people being in town for the games. I would recommend that you call BellSouth or BellSouth Mobility here in Atlanta and get the word from the 'horses mouth' (as it were) -- I would wager that your information will be much more to your liking ... M (preparing for the onslaught) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You say you are preparing for the onslaught and that probably is true. Pity us here in the Chicago area; we have to put up with the Democratic Convention for several days. Streets will be closed around the convention area (don't dare allow any of the citizens to get too close or allow the delegates to see anything *real* about the city); no one will be able to get any phone service installed or changed all this month because Ameritech has so many people working strictly on convention-related phone service; everytime some bigshot politician or another decides to come to town or leave town the express- way will be closed down to allow their motorcade, etc. Police and city authorities are quite concerned there will be another riot like in 1968 so as a result the police are starting to get more oppresive than ever. I wish they would all just stay home or go somewhere else. PAT] ------------------------------ From: reo@crl.com (Ross Oliver) Subject: Re: TCI Cable Service is Terrible Date: 1 Jul 1996 14:10:33 -0700 Organization: The Air Affair: http://www.airaffair.com/ TELECOM Digest Editor (ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu) wrote: > One department that works correctly of course is their billing > department. The bills still come out on time and as inaccurate as > always. Au contraire. TCI has its share of billing SNAFUs. When I first signed up with TCI here in Sunnyvale, California, I didn't get a bill for the first three months. Then one evening, I got a call from a TCI rep saying, essentially, you haven't paid your bill for three months, pay up by tomorrow or be disconnected. I told him I had never received any bills. He said the bills had been returned "address unknown" by the post office. He recited the address, which was the correct number and street name, but the wrong city and ZIP code. (Later, I dug out the original service order, which had the correct address) I asked him why no one had ever bothered to check on this before. He didn't know. I gave him the correct address, and asked that another bill be sent. He said no, even though the mistake was theirs, I still had to pay up by tomorrow or be disconnected. I lost my temper, told him to stuff his cable, and hung up. After cooling off for a few minutes, I decided I didn't really want to pay collection fees, reinstallation charges. etc. I called TCI back, and got a different rep. I explained the situation again, but the answer was still pay up now or be disconnected. When I expressed my displeasure at having to spend a lunch hour driving to the TCI office in San Jose, this rep allowed that I could put the outstanding balance on a credit card, then continue with regular billing to the correct address. So I did so just to be done with it. Later, I realized I should have told them to go ahead and disconnect me. Because they had an address that didn't exist, they couldn't have. I would have had free cable service until their next service audit. Ross Oliver [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I'd like you to know that TCI finally came out here on Tuesday to work on mine after over two weeks without cable. Since their Skokie office is three blocks down the street from me, I guess that is quite an accomplishment. When it came back on, the first show to appear on my screen was some trashy talk show thing where the hostess was interviewing several transvestites and their mothers. I went out in the back to where the guy was working and told him I did not know if I should thank him or if I should cuss him out for his services. According to him, 'they must have got you when they had a service audit.' I told him that was complete nonsense since I do not subscribe to anything except basic and extended basic service. That alone gives me over fifty channels of things I seldom watch anyway. When I called back to TCI they said they would give me a couple months of free service to make up for the problem. The picture is much better than it was before also; a very strong, clean signal. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Jeffrey Rhodes Subject: Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Wrong? Date: 3 Jul 1996 02:00:37 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services danny burstein wrote: > An ISP for which I work has a new POP with N lines in it. These are in > a Centrex with 'forward on busy' and 'forward no answer(1)'. > Lines 1 through X are 14.4 modems. Lines (X+1) through N are 28k. We > give out the lead number (14.4) as well as the number to (X+1), the > first 28k unit. They're all in the same incoming signal group (hunt) > which will let us, as our customers upgrade to 28k, simply backfill a > few 14.4 units and give out the new number. (People dialing the old > 28k number will still work). A circular route, yes? When the first CFB is encountered a route request is started by a central process to the next CFB and this is repeated until an idle line is found. To prevent a single process from making infinite requests for all-busy circular routes, a process has a limit of "Y" route requests. Has NYNEX ever sustained an N trunk group with the same vendor's switch? Is your ISP their largest CFB/NA hunt group? An Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) based hunt group may be needed to sustain a very large number of lines, say over 250? 500? Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@worldnet.att.net ------------------------------ From: crs0794@inforamp.net (Geoffrey Welsh) Subject: Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Wrong? Date: 2 Jul 1996 21:06:55 GMT In article , danny burstein wrote: > So what I'm thinking is that Nynex set up our rollover with only Y > hops available. Caller #Y+1 is out of luck. Your article suggests, but doesn't make clear, that you've verified that there isn't just a limit on how many of those phone lines are _in use_ at a time. A few years back Canada's largest BBS, Canada Remote Systems(*) (AKA CRS Online), moved from Mississauga to Toronto, complete with (I'd guess) somewhere near two hundred telephone lines in a number of hunt groups (2400, high speed, specialized e.g. Telebit, voice/sales, voice/support, etc.) The day of the move, all seemed to go well until CRS staff noticed that an unusual number of systems were idle ... and users were calling to mention that it was now really hard to get past all of the busy signals. Bell Canada had ass_u_me'd, despite the order for the hunt groups, that such a large block of numbers was surely a direct in dial ('DID') pool, and that they couldn't possibly want that many _lines_. As a result, some formula was applied and, although all of those numbers were assigned, a much smaller number of physical lines were installed! As a result, each computer was connected but only a fixed number could be off-hook at once. Could _this_ be your problem? > 1) the 'forward no answer' is in place for when modems die. this way, a > customer won't get a "ring-no-answer" but, instead, will get the next unit. I believe that Bell Canada has an option that allows you to 'distribute' incoming calls over a pool of lines, whether it's to prevent one dead modem from holding up all other calls or to automate the distribution of incoming calls to the personnel staffing a call centre. I don't know if this can be mixed with your 14.4->28.8 hunt group plan. (*) Historical note to those who might be interested: Canada Remote Systems was sold some time ago to Delrina (the WinFAX people), who gave media interviews to talk about how exciting it was to have an opportunity in the on-line field ... and did absolutely nothing with it. When Symantec acquired Delrina, they sold off CRS to i*STAR Internet, arguably Canada's largest ISP ... who promptly announced that they were shutting the BBS down and offering its members internet accounts in its stead (hence my user ID!). Although iSTAR no longer offers all of the services they advertised when offering to convert memberships, iSTAR's quality has been pretty good and they continue to fish for new customers in stocked ponds by acquiring and shutting down large local on-line services across Canada. Geoffrey Welsh, Developer, InSystems Technologies Inc. (insystem@pathcom.com) At home: geoff@zswamp.uucp or [xenitec.on.ca|m2xenix.psg.com]!zswamp!geoff Alternate: geoffw@xenitec.xenitec.on.ca; Temporary: crs0794@inforamp.net TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #326 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jul 3 18:31:48 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id SAA27246; Wed, 3 Jul 1996 18:31:48 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 18:31:48 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607032231.SAA27246@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #327 TELECOM Digest Wed, 3 Jul 96 18:31:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 327 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson List of New Area Codes: 1995 - 1998 (Steve Grandi) New Pacific Area Codes (Bob Goudreau) Hawaii and 808 (was Re: CNMI and Guam to Join NANP) (John Cropper) Re: NPA/Prefix Changes in North Carolina (j.bello@worldnet.att.net) Re: Low Orbit Satellites - Scam (P. Reilly) Re: E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages (Eric Hall) Strange Cellular Phone Rules at the Olympics (John R. Levine) Last Laugh! Re: World's First Mobile Phone Phreaker (Mark Tenenbaum) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 09:59:49 -0700 From: grandi@noao.edu (Steve Grandi) Subject: List of New Area Codes: 1995 - 1998 A list of new area codes in the North American Numbering Plan since the floodgates opened with the advent of 2-9 as the middle digit. Consult the full text of this file (54K, at the FTP address below) for notes and discussion. Maintained by Steve Grandi (grandi@noao.edu). Additions and corrections are welcome! My latest version of this file may be obtained by anonymous FTP to URL ftp://gemini.tuc.noao.edu/pub/grandi/npa1995.txt Note the great contributions by Mark Cuccia (the new Caribbean codes, especially) and John Cropper to the information presented below. Also, I would like to acknowledge the numerous contributors to the Telecom Digest whose articles have contributed to the information listed below. Date Event 1) 1/7/95 AC 630 temporarily overlaid on AC 708 (Chicago metro area) 2) 1/15/95 AC 334 splits from AC 205 (Alabama) 3) 1/15/95 AC 360 splits from AC 206 (Washington) 4) 1/19/95 500 goes into service 5) 3/1/95 AC 281 temporarily overlaid on AC 713 (Houston metro area) 6) 3/19/95 AC 520 splits from AC 602 (Arizona) 7) 4/2/95 AC 970 splits from AC 303 (Colorado) 8) 5/28/95 AC 941 splits from AC 813 (Florida) 9) 7/15/95 AC 540 splits from AC 703 (Virginia) 10) 8/1/95 AC 770 splits from AC 404 (Atlanta metro area) 11) 8/28/95 AC 860 splits from AC 203 (Connecticut) 12) 9/11/95 AC 423 splits from AC 615 (Tennessee) 13) 9/11/95 AC 954 splits from AC 305 (Miami metro area) 14) 10/1/95 AC 441 splits from AC 809 (Bermuda) 15) 11/5/95 AC 541 splits from AC 503 (Oregon) 16) 12/3/95 AC 864 splits from AC 803 (South Carolina) 17) 12/3/95 AC 352 splits from AC 904 (North Florida) 18) 12/11/95 880 and 881 go into service 19) 1/7/96 AC 573 splits from AC 314 (Eastern Missouri) 20) 1/20/96 AC 847 splits from AC 708 (Chicago Suburbs) 21) 3/1/96 888 goes into service 22) 3/1/96 AC 787 splits from AC 809 (Puerto Rico) 23) 3/9/96 AC 330 splits from AC 216 (NE Ohio) 24) 3/17/96 AC 320 splits from AC 612 (Central Minnesota) 25) 4/1/96 AC 268 splits from AC 809 (Antigua & Barbuda) 26) 5/13/96 AC 561 splits from AC 407 (Orlando FL area) 27) 7/1/96 AC 246 splits from AC 809 (Barbados) 28) 7/1/96 AC 758 splits from AC 809 (St. Lucia) 29) 7/1/96 AC 664 splits from AC 809 (Montserrat) 30) 7/1/96 AC 757 splits from AC 804 (Virginia) 31) 8/3/96 AC 630 splits from AC 708 (Chicago Suburbs) 32) 9/??/96 AC 972 splits from AC 214 (Dallas metro area) 33) 9/28/96 AC 937 splits from AC 513 (Cincinnati & Dayton) 34) 10/1/96 AC 242 splits from AC 809 (Bahamas) 35) 10/1/96 AC 869 splits from AC 809 (St. Kitts & Nevis) 36) 10/12/96 AC 773 splits from AC 312 (Chicago) 37) 10/19/96 AC 250 splits from AC 604 (British Columbia) 38) 11/3/96 AC 281 splits from AC 713 (Houston metro area) 39) 1/25/97 AC 562 splits from AC 310 (Los Angeles metro area) 40) 1/??/97 AC ??? overlaid on AC 412 (Pittsburgh) 41) 2/1/97 AC 765 splits from AC 317 (Indianapolis and central IN) 42) 3/22/97 AC 760 splits from AC 619 (San Diego) 43) 4/27/97 AC 425 splits from AC 206 (Seattle metro area) 44) 4/27/97 AC 253 splits from AC 206 (Seattle metro area) 45) 5/10/97 AC 248 splits from AC 810 (E. Michigan) 46) 6/1/97 AC 868 splits from AC 809 (Trinidad & Tobago) 47) 6/1/97 AC 240 overlaid on AC 301 (Maryland) 48) 6/1/97 AC 443 overlaid on AC 410 (Maryland) 49) 6/??/97 AC 626 splits from AC 818 (Los Angeles metro area) 50) 7/5/97 AC 440 splits from AC 216 (Cleveland) 51) ??/??/97 AC ??? splits from AC 415 (San Francisco metro area) 52) ??/??/97 AC ??? splits from AC 714 (Orange Co., CA) 53) ??/??/97 AC ??? splits from AC 916 (Sacramento and Northward, CA) 54) ??/??/97 AC ??? splits from AC 201 (Newark) 55) ??/??/97 AC ??? splits from AC 908 (Central New Jersey) 56) ??/??/97 AC 781 overlaid/splits from AC 617 (Boston) 57) ??/??/97 AC 978 overlaid/splits from AC 508 (Eastern MA) 58) ??/??/97 AC ??? (multiple?) overlaid/splits from AC 210 (San Antonio) 59) 4/??/98 AC 843 splits from AC 803 (Coastal SC) 60) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 609 (Atlantic City) 61) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 510 (East Bay of N Calif.) 62) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 209 (San Joaquin Valley of Calif.) 63) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 408 (South Bay of N Calif.) 64) ??/??/98 AC ??? overlaid/splits from AC 313 (Detroit) 65) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 414 (Eastern Wisconsin) 66) ??/??/98 AC ??? overlaid/splits from AC 215 (Philadelphia) 67) ??/??/98 AC ??? overlaid/splits from AC 610 (Philadelphia Area) 68) ??/??/98 AC ??? splits from AC 213 (Los Angeles) 69) ??/??/?? AC 264 splits from AC 809 (Anguilla) 70) ??/??/?? AC 340 splits from AC 809 (US Virgin Islands) 71) ??/??/?? AC 284 splits from AC 809 (British Virgin Islands) 72) ??/??/?? AC 473 splits from AC 809 (Grenada) 73) ??/??/?? AC 345 splits from AC 809 (Cayman Islands) 74) ??/??/?? AC 649 splits from AC 809 (Turks & Caicos Islands) 75) ??/??/?? AC 767 splits from AC 809 (Dominica) 76) ??/??/?? AC 784 splits from AC 809 (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) 77) ??/??/?? AC 876 splits from AC 809 (Jamaica) 78) ??/??/?? AC ??? splits from AC 817 (Ft. Worth metro area) 79) ??/??/?? AC ??? splits from AC 801 (Utah) 80) ??/??/?? AC ??? splits from AC 403/819 (Yukon/Northwest Terr.) 81) ??/??/?? AC ??? overlaid/splits from AC 514 (Montreal) 82) ??/??/?? AC ??? overlaid/splits from AC 416 (Toronto) 83) ??/??/?? AC 670 replaces International Code +670 (CNMI) 84) ??/??/?? AC 671 replaces International Code +671 (Guam) Steve Grandi, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, Arizona USA Internet: grandi@noao.edu Voice: +1 520 318-8228 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Jul 1996 15:13:24 -0400 From: goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) Subject: New Pacific Area Codes Bellcore's "New Area Codes" web page (http://www.bellcore.com/NANP/ newarea.html) now contains entries from two of the three US Pacific territories that currently have their own dedicated country codes: The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, a territory of the United States, is joining the NANP. The new 670 will replace the current country code of 670. During the permissive dialing period, calls to CNMI may be dialed using either the NANP number, 1-670+7 digits, or the international number, 011.670+7 digits. Guam, a territory of the United States, is joining the NANP. The new 671 will replace the current country code of 671. During the permissive dialing period, calls to CNMI [sic] may be dialed using either the NANP number, 1-671+7 digits, or the international number, 011.671+7 digits. All of the dates (code effective, permissive mode ends) for both codes are still listed as "TBD". Interestingly, there is not yet an entry for the remaining member of the trio, American Samoa, which is alleged to desire a similar transformation of its +684 country code into +1-684. The latest web page update also includes a few more children of the NPA 809 breakup, such as Cayman Islands (345), Dominica (767) and Jamaica (876). In fact, the only 809 splits that now have *not* yet been announced there are the Turks & Caicos Islands (which should get 649, according to Mark Cuccia's sources) and the US Virgin Islands (which should get 340). And of course, the Dominican Republic will be the only island to remain in 809, so it won't show up as a split. Bob Goudreau Data General Corporation goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com 62 Alexander Drive +1 919 248 6231 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Hawaii and 808 (was Re: CNMI and Guam to Join NANP ) Date: 2 Jul 1996 21:19:20 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA > I am surprised however that Midway > Island -- which about three or four years ago switched from being an > international point to a domestic USA point -- was attached to the > existing 808 code for Hawaii rather than given a code of its own. > There is a big distance between Hawaii and Midway. By the way, has > anyone heard of a possible split for 808? Honolulu is a very busy > place and it would seem like a split there would be expected at some > point in the near future. PAT] 808 is the nation's eighteenth fastest growing NPA. It has moved from 345 NXXs reserved/in use to 364 between 1Q and 2Q (3Q numbers available within the week). Still, it has _some_ room to grow yet (unless local competition starts to heat up), but could see a split as early as mid-'99. I have no idea yet as to what form this relief would take. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ From: J.Bello@worldnet.att.net Subject: Re: NPA/Prefix Changes in North Carolina Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 02:52:19 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Stan Schwartz wrote: > I got this insert in my BellSouth bill this month: > On August 1, 1996, all telephone numbers in Davidson County currently > in the 704 area code will move to the 910 area code. The change > involves the cities of Lexington, Churchland, Reeds, Southmont, > Welcome, and Denton. Thomasville is currently in the 910 area code > and will not be affected. The change was requested by Davidson County > customers and approved by federal regulators. > In addition to the area code change, some telephone prefixes will change: > Lexington: 246 will change to 248 > 352 will change to 357 > 858 will change to 853 > Churchland: 762 will change to 752 > Denton: 869 will change to 859 > The last four digits of telephone numbers with these prefixes will not > be affected. > Remember to reprogram ... (etc.) > -------------------------------- > REQUESTED by the residents? Why would the residents request this, and > when does a phone company ever listen? This is some additional information that I have about this. This is a small split from existing NPA to existing NPA with a new twist. Per approval from Judge Green of the Justice Department: Lexington Telephone Company, Piedmont Telephone Company and Alltel Carolina, Inc. are permitted to move their customers from Charlotte LATA 422 in NPA 704 to Greensboro LATA 424 in NPA 910. Some NXXs will not convert to the same NXX in 910. There will be no permissive dialing period. Old NPA Old NXX New NPA New NXX ------- ------- ------- ------- 704 246 910 248 704 352 910 357 704 762 910 752** 704 858 910 853 704 869 910 859 ** Customers in 704 762 have been changed to 704 752 already and will be converted from 704 752 to 910 752 on August 1, 1996 Another group of customers that were assigned in 704 744 have already been converted to 704 746 and will be converted to 910 746 on August 1, 1996. ------------------------------ From: preilly@isoquantic.com (IQ Tech - P. Reilly) Subject: Re: Low Orbit Satellites - Scam Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 18:02:41 -0700 Organization: IsoQuantic Technologies, LLC On 6/30/96, Craig Morton wrote: > I'm always amazed by the interest in low orbit satellites. I wonder > who they're going to sell the service to and whether they are in the > best interests of the International community. > In this region, GSM Australia -- three networks; at least one covers 91% > of the population -- has roaming to NZ and worldwide AMPS network until > 2000 -- slightly better coverage in rural areas (at present). > Satellite Services: > Available since 1992 or 1993? Optus SatPhone (originally Mobilesat) > oice and data Coverage is 'designed' for 200kms out to sea. It's > actually been used in PNG and Indonesia. The units are very portable > using whip-like antenna's with 360 degree horizontal and 30 - 70 > degree vertical beam width, so suitable for yachts and moving > vehicles. > Inmarsat portable voice and data. > Telstra fixed satellite services -- Mining Camps -- private PBXs > sometimes extending to local mobile services. > Terrestial Digital Radio Concentrator systems for very remote > homesteads etc -- now being deployed throughout Indonesia. > In the Pacific Islands -- I believe the very remote places are using > VSat's with demand assigned bandwidth to keep cost down to very low > levels. > Who are these low orbit systems designed for? You can't use them in a > building or vehicle. > I contend that they are intended to overcome the lack of cellular > roaming capability in the USA; the lack of standardized applications > beyond voice in US cellular networks; and their inability to manage > their domestic spectrum for the good of the community rather than > regulated monopolies. > These systems want to use an International resource (spectrum) and > should be resisted, and await the FPLMTS (IMT2000) standardisation > process. Having actually been part of the actual design of LEO/MEO/GEO systems, I can assure you that they are not a scam. For example, the IRIDIUM system will indeed work in a car and in many buildings. What most fail to realize is that most announced satellite systems are not targeting the masses as a market. The IRIDIUM system has a very specific market anticipating about 2 million global users tops. LEO systems are also leverage the anicipated mobility of the user by providing a global reach. Areas having very high levels of community of interest (COI = amount of non-long distance revenue) will not necessarily benefit from a LEO system. Here is some useful background info about some emerging systems for your use: ****************************************************************** * The Wonderful World of Wireless Satellite Communications * * Compiled by Patrick L. Reilly * * Copyright, 1996, IsoQuantic Technologies, www.isoquantic.com * * Not to be distributed without including this copyright notice. * ****************************************************************** 1. Teledesic ($9B) 840 refrigerator-sized, cross-linked, satellites, from the Strategic Defense Initiative's "brilliant pebbles" and "brilliant eyes" design. Planned operation at broadband rates (from 16kbps to 1.24 Gbps) for services such as videoconferencing and real-time imaging. Supports up to 20 million users over 95% of earth's surface. Owners: William Gates, Craig McCaw, Kinship Partners (CEO is Edward Tuck), McCaw Development (subsidiary of McCaw Cellular) 2. Globalstar ($1.8B) 24-48 satellites, using CDMA radio technology. Owners: Qualcomm, developers of CDMA for cellular technology, Loral, a US satellite manaufacturer, Alcatel Espace, aerospace firm in France, AirTouch (formerly PacBell), wireless venture from Pacific Telesis, Alenia, Italian aerospace firm, Vodaphone, cellular operator in U.K., Hyundai Electronic, a Korean manufacturer, Deutsche Areospace of Germany. 3. Aries ($300M) 48 satellites in polar orbits in four planes. Owners: Constellation Communications, Inc. (Defense Systems, Inc., Microsat Launch Systems, Inc., and private investors) 4. Elipso I and II ($180M) 6-18 satellites in two planes for U.S. domestic service only. Qwners: Inter-Digital Communications, wireless technology company now in court in a patent fight with Qualcomm over CDMA technologies, Barclays Bank, U.K., Fairchild Space, Inc., aerospace manufacturer in U.S., Harris Communications, U.S. electronics manufacturer, Mobile Communications Holdings, Inc. in Washington, DC., Interferometrics in Vienna,VA. 5. Odyssey ($1.3B) 12 middle earth orbiting satellites in three planes. Owner: TRW, Inc., a diversified aerospace manufacturer. 6. Project 21 ($1B+) Inmarsat's present conceptualization of 4th generation satellite systems for portable mobile terminals. Owners: Inmarsat, a cooperative of 73, primarily government-owned carriers. 7. Astolink ($??) An ambitious plan to create a system of nine geostationary satellites for global coverage from five orbit positions. The total system capacity will be around 90,000 full-duplex, 384 kbps, circuits. Obviously a broadband system. Owner: Lockheed-Martin Anyone having corrections, additions, or deletions to this list are encouraged to contact the author at preilly@isoquantic.com IsoQuantic Technologies | 1857 W. Calle Del Norte, Chandler, AZ 85224 Patrick L. Reilly,Gen.Mgr. | Voice: +1.602.917.9543 Fax: +1.602.917.9493 mailto:preilly@isoquantic.com | Network Architecture, Design & Analysis ----------------------------------------- http://www.isoquantic.com ------- Wireless Software Development, Performance Analysis, Broadband Networks ------------------------------ From: Eric Hall Subject: Re: E-Mail Addresses in the White Pages Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 13:00:35 +0100 Organization: Ireland On-Line Reply-To: ehall@nwc.com > No trace of email address in phone directory in all the other European > countries. I was in Norway for a few weeks last year, and vaguely remember that Sweden was going to start doing this. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 08:30:40 EDT From: John R Levine Subject: Strange Cellular Phone Rules at the Olympics Newsbytes reported last week that ACOG (the group that runs the Olympics) said that "non-accredited broadcasters can't use a cellular phone to directly report from an Olympic venue." Huh? They also said that anyone who wants to is welcome to bring along a cell phone, so long as they don't do any pirate reporting, and that Bell South has vastly built up the cellular infrastructure, including 18 mobile cells mounted on trucks, some of which have 62 foot retractable antenna masts. Regards, John Levine, johnl@iecc.com, Trumansburg NY Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies" and Information Superhighwayman wanna-be ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jul 96 8:09:25 -0500 From: Mark Tenenbaum Subject: Last Laugh! Re: World's First Mobile Phone Phreaker - In 1910! Mr. Townson: In the {Charlotte Observer} article forwarded by Mr. Van Heffner, it is stated: > ". . Lars Magnus had allowed himself to be coaxed into the car > partly by Hilda's enthusiasm, and partly by the realization that -- > with some minor technical refinements -- he could take his beloved > telephone along." Maybe it's my daily contact with telephony in my job at GTE but my first reading of the above painted in my mind a picture of some guy wrapping himself up in coax cable, as in "Lars Magnus had allowed himself to be CO-AXED!" Maybe besides this being the first instance of a mobile phone, it was also the first instance of seat belts! Mark D. Tenenbaum Plano, Texas (214, soon to be 972) ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #327 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jul 3 22:50:21 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id WAA20970; Wed, 3 Jul 1996 22:50:21 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 22:50:21 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607040250.WAA20970@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #328 TELECOM Digest Wed, 3 Jul 96 22:50:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 328 Inside This Issue: Happy Independence Day !!! Teddy Roosevelt's Thoughts on Telecommunications (TELECOM Digest Editor) Y'all Wanna Dial the Phone? (Stan Schwartz) Collect Calls From a Boat (Scott Pakiser) 500 Numbers and Cellular Service (Babu Mengelepouti) Help Needed Regarding Digital Trunks (Larry Vaden) Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? (David E. Bernholdt) Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Telco Wrong? (Jeff Rhodes) Re: Modem Link on Columbia Space Shuttle (Lars Poulsen) Re: WorldNet Exchange Billing Errors; Need Help! (Derek Balling) Re: FCC Rules Phone Numbers Can Travel (John R. Levine) Re: Last Laugh! The Dumber They Are ... (jimtoro@hoflink.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 20:50:52 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Teddy Roosevelt's Thoughts on Telecommunications Speaking about telecommunications and political conventions, we are hearing about some very sophisticated equipment the Republicans intend to use at their convention next month and I thought as a bit of history over this Independence Day holiday in the United States a look back at an earlier convention and the communications in use there might be fun. Preface: Theodore Roosevelt, a cousin of better known president Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president on September 14, 1901 following the very brief (less than one year) second term of William McKinley who had died in office the same day after being assassinated, under whom he had served as vice-president. He was then elected to his own term of office in 1904. Unlike his cousin FDR, a staunch Democrat who would become president twenty years after the end of his own term, Teddy Roosevelt was a very staunch and well-grounded Republican although after the Republicans refused to nominate him for a second full term in office in 1908 he broke away from the Republicans to start the Progressive Party which had the nickname 'Bull Moose'. He ran again for president in 1912 as a Progressive and in the process stole so many votes from the 'real' Republican candidate William Howard Taft (who had succeeded him in 1908 when the Republicans would not renominate him) that the Republicans lost that year and the Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson won instead. Teddy Roosevelt was pleased with that, and saw it as punishment for the Republicans who had abandoned him earlier. Teddy Roosevelt installed the first telephone switchboard in the White House during his term in office. It was installed about 1905 and his twelve year old son Teddy, Jr. would operate the switchboard when the regular operator went out for lunch. Teddy had great faith in 'modern telecommunications' and the need to distribute information widely around the nation. Prior to the switchboard being installed, there were two or three 'crank style' magneto phones in the White House; they had been there since about 1880 when President James Garfield had decided this new form of communication would be very essential for the President of the United States. The Republican National Conventions in the early years of this century were *always* held in Chicago as were most of the Democratic conven- tions. Prior to the building of the Chicago Stadium where all the conventions in the 1930-50's era were held, the earlier ones were always at Central Music Hall on the corner of State and Randolph Streets, where the Marshall Field store is now. On June 21, 1904 Teddy Roosevelt was nominated here and on June 16, 1908 he lost the nomination here to William Howard Taft, a man he disliked so much that in 1912 his Progressive (Bull Moose) Party caused the Republicans (but first and foremost Mr. Taft!) to lose completely. On his visit here in 1912 to the Republican convention (and his own simultaneously held Bull Moose convention) he asked to examine the telephone exchange and was graciously given a complete tour of the facilities led by the president of the Chicago Telephone Company. -------------------- At the 1904 Republican Convention held at Central Music Hall, there were exactly *three* musical selections. Each session opened with the delegates/audience singing 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and each session closed with the singing of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' accompanied by a twelve-person brass band which sat up on the stage near the speakers and the podium. (Well, what can I tell you? Things were different in those days; very different.) At the closing session however, following a rousing acceptance speech by Teddy Roosevelt they sang 'Once to Every Man and Nation', the poem by James Russell Lowell. Like I said, things were done differently in those days. Unlike now with sophisticated audio and visual recording equipment and the instant worldwide communications of today, the only reason we have any real knowledge of the speeches and sermons of that era is because stenographers sat there the whole time and copied everything down word for word. There were, afrer all, no tape recording devices or video cameras to record it all. The stenographers -- ladies who wrote things in 'shorthand' and later transcribed them -- always sat in the very front of the auditorium along with the telegraph operators and telephone operators. It was very important for those people to hear *everything* so that their reports would be accurate later on. The newspaper reporters also got seats at the front, sort of to one side where they could see and hear everything. Teddy Roosevelt spoke for almost an hour, accepting the Republican nomination. His speech was interuppted on several occassions by applause, and at one point by a demonstration among the delegates. In the front of the auditorium, the stenographers busily kept writing and the telegraphers seldom got more than a second or two of rest as they tapped their 'keys', sending his speech verbatim across the United States to newspapers and to people gathered in halls in every major city who sat and listened as a translator would 'read' the incoming transmission to them from the wire. Roosevelt's speech finally ended, and the Master of Ceremonies gave some closing announcements to bring the 1904 Republican Convention to an end. He was, he said, assured that President Roosevelt would easily prevail over his Democratic challenger, Alton Parker, the presumed nominee when the opposition held its convention in St. Louis just two weeks later. Stating that 'Mr. Roosevelt will remain at the left stairway to the platform to speak with the delegates and other members of the audience who wish to personally greet him at the conclusion of this meeting' he invited all to rise and join in singing 'Once to Every Man and Nation.' The brass band struck up the tune but Teddy Roosevelt had other homage he wished to pay. A rotund sort of fellow with spectacles we would call 'granny glasses' -- little round lenses on wire frames -- Teddy stood there on the stage and peered down at the stenographers and the other 'communications workers' who were in the cluster of seats directly at his feet. First looking through his glasses, then lowering them on his nose to peer over them ... and as though the thought suddenly occurred to him, he walked down from the stage and over to them. As the music and the singing continued, Teddy walked to where the stenographers were seated. They after all were considered employees rather than guests -- some employed by the convention itself and others employed by magazines, newspapers and other politicians (in fact two stenographers were employed by the Democrats to provide them with an accurate report of what the Republicans were doing) -- and as such they did not participate in the music, etc. This short interim was actually like a break for them from their duties. But when President Roosevelt approached them, as a group they arose and graciously extended their hands to him as he paused before each lady long enough to clasp her hand and simply say, "Thank you so very much for being here and conveying my message to America." Roosevelt then turned abruptly left and was facing the men who operated the telegraph keys. They likewise rose to greet him and he shook hands with each and then motioning them to cluster around him in the way a football coach would speak with his team the president told them that, 'communication is so important, and you all hold the key to communication with everyone in the world. If we are to succeed, your role as communicators is very important.' The 'telephone operators' had been observing all this and Roosevelt did not overlook them. Essentially the 'telephone operators' were responsible for important communications via phone during the convention and they also maintained a continuously open wire to the telephone exchange where other wires fed the 'audio' of the convention to halls around the city where people sat and listened over crude loud-speaker systems. Teddy was particularly impressed with this technology and he peered over his spectacles to look at the crude apparatus in front of him and the people in charge of it. It was amazing, he said, that his message could be heard in his own voice throughout the city. "Indeed," he said, "this will surely become the most important instrument of my lifetime." --------------- Teddy Roosevelt died in 1919, with the telephone having made many strides in the fifteen years since he praised its use at the convention in 1904 and 'you who are here tonight to carry my message to the millions of Americans who will read your transcriptions and listen over the wires ...' After the election that fall, Mr. Roosevelt insisted that 'a modern telephone instrument, like the one I saw in Chicago at the convention' be installed post-haste in the White House, and within a matter of months, every office in the White House was equipped with a crank phone on the wall and near Roosevelt's private office ('so I can receive the messages as soon as they arrive') sat the switchboard. When the operator would go to lunch, the president's twelve year old son Teddy Jr. would operate the board and hand carry important messages to his father, just as the regular operator was expected to do if unable to reach him on the phone installed in his office. -------------------------- Prologue: In 1968, the last time the Democrats -- or any political party -- came to Chicago, they left with a debt to Illinois Bell of slightly over one million dollars unpaid in charges for phone service during the convention. IBT tried to collect it for awhile and at some point decided prudently to write it off. Now in 1996, twenty-eight years later the Democrats have decided to take a chance here again and several dozen employees of Ameritech have been assigned full time to the convention during this period before it begins to assure the most modern telecommunications network possible. Teddy Roosevelt would be pleased. Have a happy holiday! PAT ------------------------------ From: Stan Schwartz Subject: Y'all Wanna Dial the Phone? Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 20:33:17 -0400 From The Business Journal of Charlotte: Northerners tend to have trouble with Southern accents. So, apparently, do Northern computers. Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile introduced its "TalkDial" service June 3, but only after a three-month delay to instruct its voice-recognition technology in the fine art of the Southern drawl. For $3.95 a month, subscribers can bypass dialing by telling their phones the number or party they want. This should be handy for car or cell phones, says Caroline Roberts, Southeast product manager. Employees in Albany, N.Y., used sample voice prints to develop the technology. When it was tested in the Carolinas, the Yankee computer couldn't understand proper speech. Particularly vexing, Roberts says, were the numbers six and seven (or should we say "seb-"?) and the stretching of vowel sounds. -------- This perpetuates the scam where voice dialing adds at least a minute of billable airtime to every call. It's not well publicized, but BANM (as well as other companies) bill from "SEND" to "END". If you dial using the voice service, you are charged airtime for calling, connecting, and using the service in addition to your call. Stan ------------------------------ From: pakiser@aol.com (Pakiser) Subject: Collect Calls From a Boat Date: 3 Jul 1996 14:11:01 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Calling collect from a boat can be quite expensive. Isn't there a cheaper way to do this? There is a company that needs to when their divers are coming in with the catch. The divers use the radio on the boat to call the company to tell them when they are coming in. The marine operator connects the call as a collect call. Sometimes with AT&T, sometimes MCI, also Sprint, PacBell. Can this company have the divers connect them to their 800 number and not be charged the collect call rates? Scott [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Perhaps they can call that way, but someone still has to pay for the Marine Operator's services and air time. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 11:57:27 PDT From: Babu Mengelepouti Subject: 500 Numbers and Cellular Phones In a list of 500 NPA exchanges (ANYONE HAVE AN UPDATED LIST OF THESE?!), I noticed that many cellular carriers have reserved 500 exchanges. My best guess is that they will be used for "caller pays" cellular. However, I have yet to see any of these reserved exchanges actually used for that -- or for that matter, any -- purpose. I see its potential benefit: the 500 exchange can be promoted/blocked as a 'caller pays' exchange, and nationwide access is available rather than only regional access as with some other 'caller pays' billing schemes I've seen. Perhaps someone such as the ATTWS/Airtouch employees who read this newsgroup could shed some light on this topic? ------------------------------ From: vaden@texoma.net (Larry Vaden) Subject: Help Regarding Digital Trunks Date: 3 Jul 1996 00:46:12 GMT Organization: Internet Texoma, Inc. We have just installed our first USR T1 solution and are experiencing low connect speeds (from 21600 - 26400). Yesterday, SWBell's Manager of Special Services told me there were D4/D5 channel banks in the CO feeding our T1 pipe. A USR t/s analyst told me today that the D4/D5 channel banks were not necessary, were reducing the bandwidth, and that they were there only to save SWBell money. Your comments on this situation are welcome. Sincerely, Larry Vaden, founder and CEO Voice: 800-697-0206 Internet Texoma, Inc. Modem Pool: 903-465-9335 bringing the real Internet to rural Texomaland email: vaden@texoma.net ------------------------------ From: bernhold@npac.syr.edu (David E. Bernholdt) Subject: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? Date: 3 Jul 1996 21:41:35 GMT Organization: NPAC, Syracuse Univ., Syracuse, NY, USA It seems to me that quite a number of NPAs which have split recently are already in need of further relief. This leads me to wonder why -- is it poor planning? Surely they have models for the growth, are they so out of sync with reality? Is there a good reason to be so parsimonious with new NPAs that they can't arrange splits to last longer? Seems to me it would be easier on everyone to have them come a little less frequently. David E. Bernholdt | Email: bernhold@npac.syr.edu Northeast Parallel Architectures Center | Phone: +1 315 443 3857 111 College Place, Syracuse University | Fax: +1 315 443 1973 Syracuse, NY 13244-4100 | URL: http://www.npac.syr.edu ------------------------------ From: jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com Subject: Re: Strange ISG (Hunt) Problem; Am I Right and Wrong? Date: Wed, 03 Jul 96 09:06:48 PDT Organization: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. The UK has an Intelligent Network based hunt group where an SCP pair keeps track of all the outstanding calls to a single 800-type number and translates only to unbusy lines. When a busy line is disconnected from an incoming translated call (originations are not permitted from these lines), a TCAP TERMination message is sent from the line's switch to the SCP. If this TERM message is lost or not sent for some reason, the SCP's count is overcommitted and the same result as described by Danny Burstein below is observed. Since there were so many ways to lose a TERM message, the official "fix" required resetting the UK's SCP count to zero at 4 am every morning. What follows is speculation intended to suggest that NYNEX may need to investigate with its switch and AIN vendors to solve the "fictious busy" problem. The ISP's hunt group Centrex service may be spead over more than one switch, in which case an AIN terminating trigger may be needed to adjust the busy status at a centralized process in one of the switches, at an IP or at an SCP. Plain old call forwarding no answer and call forwarding on busy may be OK for smaller hunt groups, but when only the 100th line is not busy, that's a lot of route requests for a switch before an idle is found. This could imply that an AIN type solution is needed for large hunt groups, even when the hunt group is based at a single switch. If this is the case, a busy count variable for the hunt group may need to arbitrarilly be reset every day to avoid compounding the "fictious busy" problem. I actually don't believe NYNEX is intelligent enough to build an AIN based hunt group. I believe the following is more likely the source of the problem hunting past "Y" busy lines. For a simple hunt group based on CFNA and CFB, the switch routing processor is limited to "Y" route requests before call failure treatment is given. (This is a stop gap needed to provide protection from infinite searching when circular routing is accidentally provisioned). It might help solve the problem to ask Nynex if any larger similar hunt groups exist on similar switch types, and if so, do they ever fill up past "Y" simulataneous calls? Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com ------------------------------ From: lars@anchor.RNS.COM (Lars Poulsen) Subject: Re: Modem Link on Columbia Space Shuttle Date: 3 Jul 1996 12:12:35 -0700 Organization: RNS / Meret Communications In article Tina Rathbone writes: > Members of the crew of space shuttle Columbia are reportedly using a > modem link to communicate with their families. That's one mondo phone > cord! I suspect that there is no phone cord at the space end, but that the families are using a modem to call into either a local Internet Service Provider (ISP) or (more likely) to a dial-in port on the NASA Science Internet (NSI). NSI is a world-wide network, consisting mostly of TCP/IP, although at one point it also had significant bandwidth reserved for DECNET protocols. Lars Poulsen Internet E-mail: lars@RNS.COM RNS / Meret Communications Phone: +1-805-562-3158 7402 Hollister Avenue Telefax: +1-805-968-8256 Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Internets: designed and built while you wait ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 00:32:28 EST From: Derek Balling Subject: Re: WorldNet Exchange Billing Errors; Need Help! > working order. In other words, you're lying to get out of paying your > bill. Multiple calls yield the same results. GTE threatened to disconnect > service for non-payment (she paid everything but the World Exchange bill) > -- but they are now reviewing it at their executive office and have > decided they will not disconnect service -- yet. Tell them to tell GTE they are disputing the calls and request that the GTE Billing representative perform a "recourse" on the calls. What that does is have GTE refuse to collect the calls and send the charges BACK to World Exchange to collect. When I worked for GTE, we did this sort of thing ALL the time, especially for companies with extremely questionable billing practices (like Integretel, etc., [note: and boy does it feel good to be able to truly slag those guys now that I'm *NOT* a GTE employee, the crooks! *grin*] Derek J. Balling | "Every man dies... but not every man dredd@megacity.mixi.net | really lives..." http://megacity.mixi.net/ | - Mel Gibson, Braveheart ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jul 96 10:59 EDT From: johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) Subject: Re: FCC Rules Phone Numbers Can Travel Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg, N.Y. > WASHINGTON (Reuter) - The Federal Communications Commission > adopted rules Thursday to ensure that consumers and businesses > can take their existing phone number with them when switching to > another local phone company. I looked at the FCC's release, and it said some other interesting things not mentioned in the Reuter's article: * Numbers are to be portable within a type of service, specifically, numbers need not be portable between landline and cellular, but they do have to be portable among cellular and wireless carriers, at least not for now. * Cell carriers must "have the capability of delivering calls from their networks to ported numbers anywhere in the country by December 31, 1998, and to offer service provider portability, including the ability to support roaming throughout their networks, by June 30, 1999." Hey, cellular roaming might finally work in the U.S. like it does in Canada! The full release is on the net: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/News_Releases/nrcc6043.txt John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 johnl@iecc.com "Space aliens are stealing American jobs." - Stanford econ prof ------------------------------ From: jimtoro@hoflink.com Subject: Re: Last Laugh! The Dumber They Are ... Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 20:38:59 -0400 Organization: LI Net (Long Island Network) On Fri, 28 Jun 1996 eric_levy-myers@mail.amsinc.com wrote: > These stories have been making the rounds, but your recent comments > prompted me to dig this up. > Compaq is considering changing the command "Press Any Key" to > "Press Return Key" because of the flood of calls asking where the > "Any" key is. Not the RETURN key. Thats even worse. Keyboards today are labeled ENTER key rather than RETURN and most of the newbies today never saw a real typewriter and don't have a clue as to what RETURN KEY means. I can't tell you how many times I have said "Ok, now hit the return key" to someone, only to have them say "Which key??". [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Because, you see, in electric typewriters the RETURN key performed the same function as the little metal rod which you pressed with your finger on manual typewriters: it caused the carriage -- the thing which held the paper in place as it moved along -- to be *returned* to its starting position and at the same time rolled the paper upward for the next line. On my Wyse-50 terminal it is still called the RETURN key which seems okay since it causes the cursor to be returned to the starting place on the left side of the screen. Except on typewriters it was usually referred to as the 'Carriage Return' rather than just 'return'. I do wish all of our USA readers a very happy holiday on Thursday and hope that you return in safe and sound condition on Friday for more of this. Please take care with your pyrotechnic toys and don't lose any fingers, arms, legs or Other Important Body Parts through over- enthusiastic and careless use of the tiny little sticks of dynamite. Coming back from dinner tonight (Wednesday) the kids here were already up to their old tricks. Walking through the baseball field I see four teenage guys with their 'ammunition', i.e. bottle rockets and fire crackers. A car comes down the road and they time things so a bottle rocket falls right in front of the car and explodes a few feet from the driver. Kids then run and hide in the bleachers and laugh. The kids see me walking that way and two start to run away but their buddies say 'Mr. Townson is cool' so they all stick around and I sit there in the bleachers to chat and watch the fun for awhile. They think throwing lighted bottle rockets at cars driving past is something new that they just thought up; an original idea with them. I finally tell them it *is funny* -- but its *not* funny! -- and that it would grieve Mother Hen Townson a great deal to have to call 911 for an ambulance and perform emergency first aid on one of the guys until the medics arrived to cart them off to Rush-Northshore Hospital to try and stitch back on a finger or other equally important body part that got blown off by accident. Nor would they like it if the person driving the car freaked out and had a serious accident. They listen solemnly to what I say but I sense it will be in vain. They finally agree to quit throwing them at cars going past and instead concentrate on pedestrians walking nearby, especially those with dogs on leashes. :) I leave to walk the rest of the way home; about ten yards away a bottle rocket sails over my head and explodes. I turn to look and they all laugh and one says "Thanks for the warning but did you ever listen to advice when you were our age?" No, I had to tell them honestly, I didn't either, but that's no excuse for you not to, and furthermore if I read in the {Skokie Review} next week that one of you lost a finger or an eye or something it'll make me feel bad ... so stop it now! You bet they did. Stay safe; don't drink and drive ... see ya here next time. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #328 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 5 00:49:26 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id AAA28923; Fri, 5 Jul 1996 00:49:26 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 00:49:26 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607050449.AAA28923@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #329 TELECOM Digest Fri, 5 Jul 96 00:49:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 329 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson LCI Takes *ALL* Directory Assistance In-House! (Stanley Cline) AT&T Really Wants Me to Switch Back! (B.J. Guillot) Book Review: "Networking the Desktop: Cabling, Configuration" (Rob Slade) Internic Disconnects Microsoft and NBC From Internet (Van Heffner) 313 Plan Announced (John Cropper) Electrical Storms - What to Unplug (Reid Goldsborough) Lighning Protection For a T1 (John R. Levine) Re: The West Coast Power Outage (Lauren Weinstein) Re: The West Coast Power Outage (Linc Madison) Re: Telephone Access During Olympics (Bill Garfield) Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? (John Cropper) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: LCI Takes *ALL* Directory Assistance In-House! Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 01:23:36 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services LCI International (10432) seems to have taken their directory assistance "in-house"... Yesterday I called 1-901-555-1212 requesting a number in the Memphis (TN) area; rather than receiving the [BellSouth] "What city" computer voice prompt, a woman came on the line asking "What city and listing please?" (I KNOW this is _not_ the way BellSouth DA operators answer.) I asked her what company she was with, and simply said "Directory Assistance." She then blurted out something about "LCI." I asked for a BELLSOUTH DA operator, and she said she could not transfer the call to them. I turned around and dialed directory assistance back using Sprint (10333) and WAS connected to BellSouth. (BTW, intraNPA DA continues to go to the appropriate LEC.) LCI's customer service was confused as to what I was talking about when I called them; I got the same (ill-informed) rep twice, who told me to call 10288-0 (0+ for 1+ calls?); another rep knew nothing about this. Dialing PIC codes for Excel (who now uses IXC as their IXC), Sprint, and Frontier, and calling from my A-side cellular phone {carrier of the month: MCI) ALL got me BellSouth's DA. This worries me; it seems LCI has implemented a version of 1-900-Get-Info / 1-900-555-1212 for ALL [FNPA] DA calls; these services, although useful when you *don't* know the city/NPA, do *not* have all *current* listings! I called back and requested a listing for my ISP's Jackson, TN office (which I had anyway) -- the "LCI" rep could not find it, while BellSouth's DA rep could. At least I didn't ask them for a number in West Point, GA (served by Interstate Telephone Co., who STILL does their OWN DA) -- I seriously doubt LCI could have found it, or provided any help (other than to dial 10288 and pay $1.75!) LCI seriously needs to consider what they've done, particularly given that a) they charge 85c/call to DA, higher than the 900 services and other LD carriers, and b) they *can't* access *all* listings unlike the LECs. I can resort to Switchboard or BigBook for all DA needs, or I may switch to MCI (my old carrier) or Sprint over this ... this is ABSURD! Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! ------------------------------ From: bjg90783@jetson.uh.edu (B.J. Guillot) Subject: AT&T Really Wants Me to Switch Back! Date: 4 Jul 1996 19:37:56 GMT Organization: Tranquility Base Reply-To: bjg90783@jetson.uh.edu (B.J. Guillot) AT&T really wants people to stay with them. About seven months ago, I switched to AT&T because they offered me a 40% discount on AT&T's standard rates for six months, plus a check for $35-$50 (it has been a while, so I don't quite remember the exact check value.) So, I has happy for six months, and then the discount went to 25% of the standard rate. So, I switched about a week ago to a different long distance company. Yesterday, I get a call from AT&T asking why I switched -- was there some problem with the service, etc. I told them point-blank "No, it was simply a matter of your service being too expensive." They offered me a 50% discount for six months plus a check for $70. Well, I switched back. I'll stay with AT&T for another six months. On another note, I have a different telephone line which I recently switched to MCI. That line has exteremly low usage, so I did not really care which long distance company I used on it, but MCI sent me a letter in the mail, offering a $55 check if I switched that line to them. I accepted, and when I got the check IT WAS MADE OUT TO THE WRONG PERSON! I called them up, told them what happened, and they said they would send me a "$60 certificate" I could use towards my phone bill to make up for the error. They "can't send out a second check" because of some company policy. MCI said it would take two to three weeks to receive the certificate, yet they were able to send the check out to me within two to three _days_. Regards, B.J. Guillot ... Houston, Texas USA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 04 Jul 1996 13:40:02 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Networking the Desktop: Cabling, Configuration BKNTDCCC.RVW 960527 "Networking the Desktop: Cabling, Configuration, and Communications", Deni Connor/Mark Anderson, 1995, 0-12-185865-0 %A Deni Connor %A Mark Anderson %C 1300 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 %D 1995 %G 0-12-185865-0 %I Academic Press Professional %O 619-231-0926 800-321-5068 fax: 619-699-6380 app@acad.com %P 367 %T "Networking the Desktop: Cabling, Configuration, and Communications" Even granting that "Networking the Desktop" is intended to be the series title, the "Cabling, Configuration, and Communications" part does have a decidedly practical ring to it. Then, too, the Introduction talks about "installing, upgrading, and maintaining" a LAN, and speaks of network standards only in terms of "expansion" to a wide area network. So what practical advice do we get? Chapters two through six give us the history of some major networking companies and their products. Seven through sixteen give us packet level details of the protocols without ever providing information about how these can be used or addressed, or giving enough detail for those select few who have to break out network analyzers. The final six chapters *do* mention cabling on occasion, but not at the level needed by those who have to either make up or test their own wires. Appendix B, however, is useful. It's a list of network hardware and software vendors, with addresses. Should you buy this book, it *will* give you enough of the vocabulary to talk to those who do know how to set up and maintain a net. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKNTDCCC.RVW 960527 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Rob_Slade@mindlink.bc.ca Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 01:45:55 -0700 From: vantek@northcoast.com (VANTEK COMMUNICATIONS) Subject: Internic Disconnects Microsoft and NBC From Internet The Philadelphia Inquirer Technology Notes The Philadelphia Inquirer Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 4 -- And you thought Microsoft was powerful. Network Solutions Inc., the Washington-area company that controls hundreds of thousands of Internet users' access to the global computer network, inadvertently pulled the plug last week on MSNBC, the joint-venture online service of giant Microsoft Corp. and NBC. Network Solutions was acting on the false belief that MSNBC had neglected to pay a $100 fee. "Please accept our apology for deactivating your domain name," a Network Solutions official told MSNBC by e-mail last Thursday. "Your payment was received prior to the cutoff date, but because of a technical error still being researched, the payment information was not properly applied." MSNBC's connection to the World Wide Web was restored by Friday. In the meantime, the joint venture's test audience was unable to access its electronic previews of the summer Olympics. Van Hefner - Editor Discount Long Distance Digest The Internet Journal of the Long Distance Industry http://www.webcom.com/longdist/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 02:01:03 GMT Subject: 313 Plan Announced From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) From Ameritech: AMERITECH RELEASE: Monday, July 1, 1996 For further information, contact: Joe O'Connor, Consumer Market Analysts, 810-637-1400 Jonathan James, Ameritech, 313-223-7194 NEW AREA CODE PLAN ANNOUNCED FOR 313 AREA DETROIT -- The area outside greater Detroit will receive a new area code to replace the current 313 in mid-1998, according to a plan released today by the Citizens' Advisory Committee. This committee has responsibility for determining the area code plans for southeastern Michigan. The plan recommended by the committee calls for greater Detroit to keep the present 313 area code. That area includes Hamtramck, Highland Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, the city of Detroit, Redford, Lincoln Park, Ecorse, River Rouge, Harper Woods, and the Grosse Pointes. The remaining portions of Wayne County, Washtenaw County and Monroe County will receive the new area code in the spring of 1998. The new area code has not been determined. The committee evaluated more than 20 area code plans for the 313 and 810 areas. A customer research program illustrated that eight out of ten consumers surveyed in the 313 area found the boundary for this plan easy to recognize. A team consisting of all telecommunications industry members (local telephone companies, long distance companies, cellular carriers, paging and alarm companies) received the committee's final recommendation on the 313 plan and approved it. The plan for 313 will now be submitted to the North American Numbering Plan administrators for final approval. They will review the plan and assign the actual area code. The plan is then turned over to the telecommunications companies to implement. The committee was assembled last November to explore area code options, conduct customer research and meet with members of the telecommunications industry. The eight members, appointed by their local government officials or organizations, represent Macomb County, Wayne County, Oakland County, City of Detroit, SEMCOG, Ameritech, Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Public Service Commission. The area code changes will not alter local calling areas or rates; a local call today will be a local call with the new area code. Customers can call 1-800-831-8989 with questions related to area codes. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ From: reidgold@voicenet.com (Reid Goldsborough) Subject: Electrical Storms - What to Unplug Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 02:34:47 GMT Organization: Voicenet - Internet Access - (215)674-9290 The conventional wisdom during an electrical storm seems to be that, for maximum protection, you should unplug your computer as well as both the phone cable to your modem and the modem's power cable. The consensus seems to be that surge suppressors can't stop a spike from a nearby lightning strike, only smaller spikes and surges. But one complicating factor in many small and home offices is the number of devices attached together in the surge suppressor-PC-modem- answering machine-two line phone chain. What exactly do you unplug? With my setup, I can unplug my surge suppressor to unplug the power cord to both my PC and modem. But I don't exactly know what phone cord or cords to unplug with my two line phone. Do I unplug at the wall or at the phone? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 15:22:21 EDT From: John R Levine Subject: Lighning Protection For a T1 It's thunderstorm season, and I've been eyeing my expensive T1 CSU/DSU nervously, since the phone wiring around here is 100% above ground. Upon checking around, I've found two possibilities: * A Tripplite T1 protector, goes in series with the RJ48C (same as an RJ45 but wired differently), costs about $50 plus shipping, which at most places is another $20. * Gas discharge tubes for about $10. which I'd wire up myself. I know telcos use discharge tubes, but are they fast enough to protect the electronics in my CSU? Any other suggestions? (The other major power protection company, APC, makes nothing for a T1.) Related question: is the third-wire ground in my power outlets a good enough ground, or do I need to run some heavy copper wire out the window, around the end of the porch, down to a separate ground stake? I realize that the latter approach will be better, but how much better? Third related question: I have a thin-net Ethernet connecting six computers in two rooms. I see lightning protection equipment for 10base2, but can't see any reason why I'd want it. True? Regards, John Levine, johnl@iecc.com, Trumansburg NY Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies" and Information Superhighwayman wanna-be ------------------------------ Subject: Re: West Coast Power Outage Date: Thu, 04 Jul 96 11:25:33 PDT From: Lauren Weinstein From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) (Quoting television interview with Edison Electric Institute spokesperson): > His thoughts seem to be that the deregulation has allowed everyone in > the industry to pretty much do their own thing to the detriment of > the industry and the affected communities. Thoughts? Greetings. My thoughts on this incident are that deregulation had nothing apparent to do with it, and perhaps there are folks attempting to use the incident for best advantage. Reports that I've seen indicated that the grid actually operated essentially as it was supposed to. There were system failures related to the hydro feeds from the Pacific Northwest (probably at the massive NW Intertie) during an interval of fairly heavy load on the grid. An Intertie failure under such conditions of demand could suddenly unbalance the related power systems, which would trigger the planned activities of load shedding to avoid overloading the other portions of the grid. After shedding, the individual utilities are able to bring other resources online in an orderly fashion to get everything back up, and in fact that appears to be what occurred. The power grid is a complex and interdependent creation, but the vast technical and economic advantages of interconnection far outweigh rare incidents of this sort. And each time an event like this occurs, we learn more about how to deal with such anomilies in the future. In this case, the protective functions of the grid seem to have performed as designed. I should add that this had nothing whatever to do with any phone service disruptions in a general sense. The telco CO's run on batteries and have generator backups, and shouldn't have even glitched. That's not to say that smaller telecom systems, privately owned PBXs and such, or operations who were not operating at spec might not have had trouble--as they probably would from any power failure. --Lauren-- ------------------------------ From: Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com (Linc Madison) Subject: Re: The West Coast Power Outage Date: Thu, 04 Jul 1996 11:59:40 -0700 Organization: Best Internet Communications In article , ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) wrote: > Reports will be welcome on the nature and scope of the power and > telephone outage which occurred across the western half of the United > States on Tuesday. Has any specific reason been ascertained? Well, the news reports indicate that the cause was a short circuit somewhere in the Idaho/Wyoming border area. A second short circuit knocked out power just within parts of Idaho the following day. What I found particularly interesting was the patchwork nature of the outage. I lost power at my apartment in San Francisco, but my office in Oakland did not lose power. However, several adjacent sections of Oakland did lose power. The traffic lights were completely dead in some areas, not even falling back on emergency power and blinking red, just out. My office is in the Rockridge neighborhood, in the area burned in the Oakland Hills Fire. Due south, in the Piedmont area, power was out. Directly across Highway 13, though, in Montclair, power was uninterrupted. All of these areas are served by PG&E. Linc Madison * San Francisco, Calif. * Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com ------------------------------ From: bubba@insync.net (Bill Garfield) Subject: Re: Telephone Access During Olympics Date: Thu, 04 Jul 1996 05:36:07 GMT Organization: Associated Technical Consultants Reply-To: bubba@insync.net On Wed, 3 Jul 1996 09:40:32 -0400, mking@ilcnet.com wrote: > Bob Izenberg wrote in article 324.9@massis.lcs.mit.edu>: >> My dad will be in Atlanta covering the Olympics. He and some >> other reporters from his paper will have to file by phone from >> twenty-eight locations around town. They've been told what I've read >> in this Digest, that cellular phone coverage will not be available. >> They won't have more than two days notice of from where they'll need >> to originate data calls. Does the Digest readership have any >> suggestions? In addition to having two weeks or so to make >> arrangements, it has to be something that a technophobic sports >> reporter can use without throwing his laptop out the window... :-) > That differs from what I have heard -- BellSouth has been running > advertising here for more than nine months touting their capability to > handle the increased cellular traffic that they anticipate from people > being in town for the games. I would recommend that you call BellSouth > or BellSouth Mobility here in Atlanta and get the word from the > 'horses mouth' (as it were) -- I would wager that your information > will be much more to your liking ... "Around Town" differs considerably from inside "the Olympic Village". Unofficial word I'm hearing via the Amateur Radio community is that all RF Transmitting Devices are banned from the Olympic Village, except for those devices carried and used by Olympic Security Personnel and local law enforcement. This doesn't say you cannot use an H.T. or a Cellular phone while there in Atlanta, but the implication is pretty clear that they DON'T want John Q. Public making arbitrary (and lawful) use of said equipment on the O.V. grounds. I don't see how they can lawfully prohibit you from using a duly licensed and legal piece of gear, so perhaps prohibiting entry to the grounds WITH said devices in your possession is their way of controlling this. Does anyone have anything more detailed and/or official on this? Wheee..... After ISDN, 28,800 makes you want to get out and push! Please do not send unsolicited commercial e_mail to this address. ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? Date: 4 Jul 1996 04:05:43 GMT Organization: Pipeline USA On Jul 03, 1996 21.41.35 in article , 'bernhold@npac.syr.edu (David E. Bernholdt)' wrote: > It seems to me that quite a number of NPAs which have split recently > are already in need of further relief. This leads me to wonder why -- > is it poor planning? Surely they have models for the growth, are they > so out of sync with reality? Is there a good reason to be so > parsimonious with new NPAs that they can't arrange splits to last > longer? Seems to me it would be easier on everyone to have them come > a little less frequently. That problem is being addressed to a degree. 206 will do a three-way split next year (after having split in 1995). Unfortunately, no one person can predict what will happen from market to market as a variety of factors converge to exhaust numbers. The problems: - A plethora of low-cost cellular and pager companies popping up; - Demand for additional landlines for kids, modems, faxes, etc; - Demand for multiple numbers for a single line (using distinctive ring); - New local competition. Any single factor from the above list could exhaust an NPA in three to five years (in most cases). The problem, however, is that in the biggest (most profitable) markets, ALL of the above are causing growth spurts as big as 15-20% PER QUARTER, exhausting codes in mere monthes. Until the unprecedented growth subsides a bit (not likely until after 2001), the problem will become more acute in metro areas. BTW: Three digit area codes are now projected to exhaust between 2027 and 2036 (all guesses, of course, based on present growth rates). John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #329 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 5 11:30:06 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA05747; Fri, 5 Jul 1996 11:30:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 11:30:06 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607051530.LAA05747@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #330 TELECOM Digest Fri, 5 Jul 96 11:30:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 330 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson AT&T Ads Trumpet Ameritech Billing Errors (Tad Cook) ITU Allows Ban on Callback Providers (Van Heffner) Long Distance Carriers Putting CO's in Metro NY (jimtoro@hoflink.com) Employment Opportunity: Interconnect Tech Position in L.A. (Craig Vincent) Why No Standardization? (Joseph Singer) Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks (Scott Darling) Re: Hogging of 800s (was Control of 888 NXXs) (Stanley Cline) Re: Lightning Protection For a T1 (Mike P. Storke) Re: Lightning Protection For a T1 (Pierre Thomson) Re: Lightning Protection For a T1 (phoneguy@hawkeyerec.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: AT&T Ads Trumpet Ameritech Billing Errors Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 02:33:54 PDT AT&T Ads Trumpet Ameritech's Computer Billing Glitches By Tracy Dell'Angela and Jon Van, Chicago Tribune Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 4--Just weeks after Ameritech Corp. apologized for a massive billing problem related to an area code switch, it now has another foulup on its hands -- botching its competitors' charges for area toll calls. It's a snafu that plays perfectly into the hands of AT&T Corp., the long-distance giant that is seeking to win Ameritech customers. AT&T is taking out advertisements to trumpet Ameritech's computer glitches. Those newspaper ads, which urge AT&T customers to call an 800 number to get advice about possible mistakes on their phone bills, illustrate the new era that competition is bringing to telecommunications issues. In bygone days, consumer groups that discovered massive billing errors might issue a press release and file a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission, but no one had the money to buy ads. "It adds a whole new dimension to the scene," said Pat Clark, associate director of the Citizens Utility Board, a consumer watchdog group. The latest problem arose April 6 when Ameritech loaded new software into its network to enable customers to designate another company to handle their local toll calls that are 15 miles distant or more. This is the first step of opening Ameritech's entire local-service system to full-fledged competition. Lisa Kim, an Ameritech spokeswoman, estimated that about three percent of the phone prefixes in the Chicago area and Downstate were afflicted with a computer error that caused some local calls to be billed as toll calls and some toll calls to be billed as local calls. The result was overcharges on some customer bills and undercharges on others. Some AT&T customers saw the mistakes because their toll calls are itemized, said CUB's Clark, but Ameritech customers were less likely to see the problem because Ameritech doesn't usually itemize toll calls. Clark said CUB is advising consumers concerned about their bills to ask Ameritech for an itemized accounting, something the company is required to provide at no charge twice a year. Ameritech isn't sure how many customers were affected by the glitches during the past three months, but the company does know that the discovery of yet another major billing mistake will only hurt its credibility. "We're embarrassed by this," Kim said. "This was caused by a major human error. We know it's been inconvenient for our customers, and we apologize. But this does not reflect on the 76 years of good, hard work we've done." The switching problems were fixed this week, but Ameritech now faces the task of sorting through thousands of bills and negotiating with the other carriers to decide how they want to handle the erroneous bills. "Even though it's our mistake, it's their customers," Kim said. "They have to decide how they're going to issue credits." AT&T first learned of the glitch when "hundreds" of customers called last month to complain about their bills, spokesman Mike Pruyn said. "The thing that makes us mad is Ameritech knew about this problem in May and didn't tell us about it," Pruyn said. He said most of the customer calls were prompted by media reports about a different Ameritech billing problem that affected tens of thousands of customers in the 708 and 847 area codes. "We don't want our customers to think that because they've signed up with AT&T, that's their ticket to billing problems," Pruyn said. Kim said Ameritech did not know about this in May and accused AT&T of trying to use this mistake to gain a competitive advantage. FOR ONLINE SERVICES: Visit the Chicago Tribune on America Online (keyword: TRIBUNE) or the Internet Tribune on the World Wide Web. Point your browser to http://www.chicago.tribune.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 23:41:08 -0700 From: vantek@northcoast.com (VANTEK COMMUNICATIONS) Subject: ITU Allows Ban on Callback Providers Discount Calling By World Telecommunications Body By ELIZABETH OLSON Associated Press Writer GENEVA (AP) -- The International Telecommunications Union Friday dealt a blow to the huge discount calling industry, declaring that countries have the right to outlaw such services. Discount calling, or `call back,' allows callers overseas to save on phone calls by using a U.S. phone line to telephone home. This skirts the far more expensive charges of foreign government-owned phone monopolies. Call back's popularity has boomed, generating an estimated $500 million market annually. The ITU predicts the market will be worth about $1.2 billion by 1998. The ITU's governing body agreed that any country could bar the call-back service. The resolution, on behalf of the 185-member body, took effect Friday. A total of 25 countries protested against call-back services. They include: Algeria, Bahrain, Belarus, Burundi, China, Columbia, Djibouti, Egypt, Ecuador, Honduras, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Malaysia, Morocco, Niger, Uganda, Portugal, Qatar, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Yemen. Most opposing countries argued that such alternative calling services strip them of a major source of revenue. "In developing countries, including many African countries, some 60 to 70 percent of total revenues from international telephone traffic come from outgoing calls," said Bernard Rouxeville, chairman of ITU's Telecommunications Standardization Bureau. The main issue, he insisted, was quality of service. Some call-back services employ constant dialing or answer suppression functions that hamper the performance of publicly owned telephone networks, the ITU resolution noted. Rouxeville said most European countries did not object to the competition posed by call-back services because they face phone industry deregulation next year. National phone monopolies, including France, already have made deep cuts in calling rates to the United States. Prohibiting call-back services can be done by enacting laws, adopting regulations or barring marketing and advertising efforts, Rouxeville said. He is employed by the French Ministry for Industry. Critics complain government phone charges are too high and call-back services provide necessary competition to keep prices reasonable. About two dozen, mostly American, call-back companies dominate the industry. They employ a twist on the oft-used method of calling home collect. The call is refused, then the family member or friend returns the call, using the cheaper, direct-dial service. Using call back, a subscriber dials his company's U.S. phone system, lets it ring once and hangs up. The call-back service's computer dials back and provides a U.S. telephone line connection to the subscriber, which bypasses the foreign phone company. Van Hefner - Editor Discount Long Distance Digest The Internet Journal of the Long Distance Industry http://www.webcom.com/longdist/ ------------------------------ From: jimtoro@hoflink.com Subject: Long Distance Carriers Putting CO's in Metro NY Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 09:03:49 -0400 Organization: LI Net (Long Island Network) I am a VSISP (very small ISP, but who isn't (grin)> and have run a bbs and internet system out of my home for ten years. Last winter I moved the whole shebang to a local storefront and have been ripping my hair out to get NYNEX to drop any kind of copper. From POTS to ISDN and now T1 they talk about lack of resources, drop, etc. Suddenly this month when I ordered twelve more pair a supervisor calls me and says no more drops exist but they would like to run a cable from the local junction box to a terminal in my basement. They want to drop 200 pairs POTS, pre-qualify ISDN (really!?!) and prep for FIBER T1. Of course they are happy to do this for free, including the leg of fiber and all equipment. Why the sudden change of heart?. I heard a rumour that MCI and Sprint would like to put up CO's in major metro cities (Hicksville NY is central Long Island, several million phone lines island wide). Is MCI/ Sprint really trying to do this and is this what's got NYNEX scared?. Cablevision here is also completing trials of cable modem service and AT&T is trying to offer you anything they can, including pre-approving me for cellular phone service, no credit check or any credit card needed. Whats going on ?. Anyone got any inside scoop on NYNEX or the L/D carriers plans in New England? I almost passed out when NYNEX said they would drop that much copper and glass for free. Last year I wanted T1 fiber and they wanted $12k up front! If interested I will post more when NYNEX completes this major install "freebie" in a couple of weeks. Pinch me, I am dreaming. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 04 Jul 1996 22:53:02 -0700 From: craig Organization: C&M Telecom Subject: Employment Opportunity: Interconnect Tech position in Los Angeles I know that most readers of this Digest are happy where they are, and probably quite overqualified for this position, but maybe someone knows someone who knows someone ... well you get the idea. C&M Telecom, a ten year old interconnect and secondary market broker in the Los Angeles area, is currently seeking a well experienced field service technician. The applicant should have several years experience in some aspect of telephone systems design and/or installation, with some previous supervisory experience. Experience should include, but not be limited to, the following switches: Panasonic, Prostar, Norstar, Vodavi, Toshiba, and Tie. Experience with PCs and Voice Mail is a plus. Applicants should be 100% drug free, and have a clean driving record. C&M Telecom is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate against race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical limitations. Resumes and/or letters of interest should be forwarded to the following address or fax. Please do not apply by e-mail. C&M Telecom Attn: Craig Vincent P.O. Box 11570 Glendale, CA 91226 (800) 315-4500 (800) 941-7822 fax ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 17:06:12 -0700 From: jsinger@scn.org (Joseph Singer) Subject: Why No Standardization? Reply-To: jsinger@scn.org With the advent of multiple area codes in a local calling area becoming rather the norm than the exception why are there different ways that this is accomplished? If you're making a cross area code local call in the Houston EAS served by Southwestern Bell you dial a/c+7 digit number while in New York City to dial between Manhattan and Brooklyn you must dial 1+a/c+7 digits. I know that there are differing thoughts on what "1+" means. Some people are absolutely carved in stone that 1+ is a toll call delimeter and others are not. I'd be interested in what others think of this and if it'd be better for all involved if we had one standard way of making local calls. If a "standard" way is not possible is it possible to have a "permitted" way so if fact you could dial seven digits on a local call if permitted or ten digits or eleven digits? JOSEPH SINGER ======= SEATTLE, WASHINGTON USA ======== jsinger@scn.org == ------------------------------ From: dsd@aol.com (DSD) Subject: Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks Date: 4 Jul 1996 17:29:40 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: dsd@aol.com (DSD) Larry said: > We have just installed our first USR T1 solution and are experiencing low > connect speeds (from 21600 - 26400). > Yesterday, SWBell's Manager of Special Services told me there were D4/D5 > channel banks in the CO feeding our T1 pipe. > A USR t/s analyst told me today that the D4/D5 channel banks were not > necessary, were reducing the bandwidth, and that they were there only to > save SWBell money. > Your comments on this situation are welcome. Let's analyse what you bought and what you got as the saying goes: I'm not familiar with the USR equipment you refer to, but I'll assume it takes 24 dialtone circuits on the T1 circuit. Along that assumption ... The Central Office dialtone appears on analog equipment called an O.E. This is analog because it is used for voice services. To get the dialtone service to you on a digital circuit requires an analog to digital conversion. That is where to D4/D5 channel bank comes into play, it does the A/D and also multiplexes the 24 channels into a 4 wire circuit. Hopefully you can see that the digital service you bought is not 100% of what you bought. MOST if not all Telco's are not tariffed to give you a DIGITAL dialtone thusly eliminating the D4 channel bank. The only way around this is called DID trunks, direct inward dial are directly into the switch at a digital point. Of course this would require different equipment at your end. As to the USR comment ... they are wrong, on all three comments. You will probably never get over 26,400 speeds on any type of type of channel bank/pair gain eqipment, it was never designed for such speeds. And modem manufacturers probably design under copper specs. Who knows. Hope this sheds some light on your situation. Scott Darling US WEST Comm ------------------------------ From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: Re: Hogging of 800s (was Control of 888 NXXs) Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 01:22:58 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services On Wed, 26 Jun 1996 14:35:53 -0700, was written: > When SS#7 signalling and LIDB's were more-or-less in place in the LEC's > networks, the 800-NXX code assignment scheme would be discontinued in favor > of 'full' portability'. > With the inclusion of seven of the eight N11 codes, there are 799 possible > NXX codes being used in 800. There are a couple of 800 NXXs that APPEAR to be hogged by *IXCs* (for whatever reason): 800-674: Hogged by MCI. One of their primary calling card access numbers is (was?) 1-800-674-7000; however, dialing ANYTHING in 800-674 goes to the SAME MCI bong, followed by "Please enter your card number." This may be used to offer some service similar to Frontier's Spectrum card (a "personal" 800/888 for YOUR card ONLY). 800-484 is also almost entirely taken up by MCI, for their Personal 800 service. (Remember the discussion on that?) 800-885: Seemingly hogged by Telvue Corp., who was assigned this NXX back when Bellcore doled out the prefixes. (Telvue handles cable-TV PPV orders, using ANI ... for example in our cable system, to order PPV, we dial 1-800-885-6060, hear a "thank you for ordering" message and the call disconnects.) There seem to be NO numbers in 800-885 (apart from Telvue's existing numbers, which I can call safely since my other line is NOT on file with the cable company!) -- 1-800-885-5000, etc. are *not* assigned to *anyone.* (I wonder if they are listed in the 800 database as "reserved.") This sort of hogging has only caused the supply of 800 numbers to run out faster and faster. This reminds me of a hospital here in Chattanooga that got their own (local) NXX, yet uses only about 1/3 of it for valid lines -- ~7000 possible numbers wasted ... they will NOT release the remaining lines to BellSouth for assignment to new subscribers. There's also the (NPA 423) "642" NXX here in Chattanooga to which most radio station call-in lines, etc. are assigned ... there are less than 50 numbers in that NXX! (The special routing these numbers receive may have something to do with that. BUT they didn't have to give them a whole damn prefix -- right now, all the existing 642 numbers are 642-0xxx and 642-9xxx. Why not assign the rest to someone else?) Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! ------------------------------ From: storkus@heather.greatbasin.com (Mike P. Storke) Subject: Re: Lighnting Protection For a T1 Date: 5 Jul 1996 08:38:15 GMT Organization: Great Basin Public Access UNIX, Reno, NV In article , John R Levine wrote: > It's thunderstorm season, and I've been eyeing my expensive T1 CSU/DSU > nervously, since the phone wiring around here is 100% above ground. > Upon checking around, I've found two possibilities: John, a company you might want to look into is Polyphaser Corporation. They have an 800 number, but I can't remember it, so the toll number is (702) 782-2511. Lightning protection is these people's ONLY business, and they seem to know what they are doing. Note that I don't work for these guys, but they ARE local people (so sue me for plugging a local company, sheesh!) and, more importantly, they offer training classes, books (including the famous "Grounds for Lightning and EMP Protection"), etc -- like I said, they know what they're doing! I've also heard never heard a complaint from anyone using these guys' products. I hope this helps! Mike P. Storke N7MSD Snailmail: 2308 Paradise Dr. #134 *Windoze: NEVER!!* Internet: storkus@greatbasin.com Reno, NV 89512 USA *Linux FOREVER!!!* Web Page: http://www.greatbasin.com/~storkus/index.html ****************** ------------------------------ From: Pierre Thomson Subject: Re: Lightning Protection For a T1 Date: 5 Jul 1996 12:01:11 GMT Organization: MHVNet, the Mid Hudson Valley's Internet connection John R Levine wrote: > It's thunderstorm season, and I've been eyeing my expensive T1 CSU/DSU > nervously, since the phone wiring around here is 100% above ground. > Upon checking around, I've found two possibilities: > * A Tripplite T1 protector, goes in series with the RJ48C (same as an > RJ45 but wired differently), costs about $50 plus shipping, which at most > places is another $20. > * Gas discharge tubes for about $10 which I'd wire up myself. I'd recommend the T1 protector. One of our T1s has telco gas tubes at the building entrance terminal, yet lightning fried the term card once already. I bought Oneac five-pin protectors and sneaked 'em onto the Telco block in place of the gas tubes. > I know telcos use discharge tubes, but are they fast enough to protect > the electronics in my CSU? Any other suggestions? (The other major > power protection company, APC, makes nothing for a T1.) Black Box Corp in Pittsburgh sells a T1 protector (SP513A-R2) which goes between the Telco term card and the CSU. I've used several and had no damage -- doesn't prove anything. > Related question: is the third-wire ground in my power outlets a good > enough ground, or do I need to run some heavy copper wire out the > window, around the end of the porch, down to a separate ground stake? > I realize that the latter approach will be better, but how much > better? Yes, the third wire is the ONLY ground you should use for equipment connected to those outlets. A separate ground rod would be a guaranteed disaster -- I should know; I've tried it. You have to reference all your equipment to ONE common point -- whether at "earth" potential or not makes little difference -- and the third wire or chassis of your equipment is the logical point to use. (See Gary Coffman's many postings about "ground windows" on this and other newsgroups in Deja News.) > Third related question: I have a thin-net Ethernet connecting six > computers in two rooms. I see lightning protection equipment for > 10base2, but can't see any reason why I'd want it. True? In my experience, if they are all plugged into the same AC circuit and the runs are short, you should not need protectors on the coax. Good luck, Pierre Thomson Rifton Enterprises ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 07:28:35 -0700 From: Jim Organization: Hawkeye Tri-County Subject: Re: Lightning Protection For a T1 > I know telcos use discharge tubes, but are they fast enough to protect > the electronics in my CSU? Any other suggestions? When I worked for the phone company, I understood that the gas tube protection was good for heavier hits, but didn't act very fast. On our key system installs, we also added avalanche diode protection. These didn't take the heavy hits, but were much faster acting, thus protecting delicate equipment. > Related question: is the third-wire ground in my power outlets a good > enough ground, or do I need to run some heavy copper wire out the > window, around the end of the porch, down to a separate ground stake? According to the National Electrical Code, you shouldn't run your own ground wire, rather, you should attach to the common electric company ground such as you find in the third prong of your outlets. A separate ground rod of your own can create a difference of ground potential and defeat the purpose of your work. Jim AA0JG ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #330 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 8 11:39:03 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA29189; Mon, 8 Jul 1996 11:39:03 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 11:39:03 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607081539.LAA29189@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #331 TELECOM Digest Mon, 8 Jul 96 11:39:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 331 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson AOL Employees Steal Users Credit Card Numbers (Tad Cook) Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Monty Solomon) Continuing Education Position at UC Berkeley Extension (Harvey Stern) California Caller ID Postponed Again! (Donald Erickson) Californians Need Caller-ID Tool Help! (Matt Holdrege) Yellow Pages Scam in Utah (Tad Cook) Book Review: "Free Stuff From the Internet" by Vincent (Rob Slade) Unfair Marketing by GTE? (pakiser@aol.com) Information Wanted on Cook Islands Email (Ben Grummels) Complaint About Telecom Archives CD-ROM (Rick Prelinger) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: AOL Employees Steal Users Credit Card Numbers Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 05:30:36 PDT The Internet is a Source of Wonder, as Well as Fraud By John Dunbar, The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jacksonville--Jul. 7--The Internet can be a window to a wonderful world. But remember the next time you look out -- other people are looking in -- and they may not be so wonderful. Yvonne Dubois discovered this while surfing the Net late one night in December. The cyberspace rookie was approached by a stranger seeking her credit card and checking account information via an electronic mail message. The unwanted visitor identified himself as an employee of America Online Inc. The interloper told her he needed her credit information to continue her service. Not knowing she was being scammed, Dubois, a registered nurse, gave up some financial information. Later, after discovering someone had changed the address on her checking account and ordered several credit cards in her name, she called the police. She was convinced the event was connected to her AOL session. What followed was a multi-state investigation and the arrest and conviction of an AOL employee in Jacksonville. The scam was disturbing because it originated from an employee of the online service itself. And it appeared to target a new subscriber who was still learning the system. "It looked very official at that time," Dubois said of the information request. "I was new to AOL. They knew my screen name." Police say the unusual activity involving Dubois' checking and credit card accounts may or may not be related to her online session. But the ensuing investigation begun by her telephone call helped lead police to the doorstep of Justin Shane Morgan, a 20-year-old Jacksonville resident, who was working for AOL in technical services. According to police and court records, Morgan befriended a juvenile in Oklahoma, screen name "Evil," online. The friendship led to a scheme to get free computer equipment. Morgan, a hacker who ran his own computer bulletin board, also implicated two fellow AOL employees who have not yet been charged. According to Assistant State Attorney Andrew Kantor, Morgan would obtain screen names and e-mail addresses of new subscribers -- like Dubois -- and send messages seeking personal financial information. Once he got the numbers, he would send them to his Edmond, Okla. friend. "Evil" would order computer equipment from a computer supply company in New Jersey, using the hijacked credit card numbers, according to Kantor. The equipment would be delivered to Jacksonville and Oklahoma. After $30,000 in computer equipment orders, a suspicious worker with the company contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Investigators set up a sting operation. They delivered computer equipment to the three AOL workers involved inthe scam. Morgan was the only one who signed for the equipment, according to police records. He signed a confession and later pleaded guilty to grand theft. The other two were not charged, and one still works at AOL. In Oklahoma, the case is still under investigation, according to a detective there, and charges are pending. Warding off predators: Credit card fraud is common in the United States. Anyone who uses a card to buy anything over the telephone or even at a retail outlet is taking a certain amount of risk. But the disturbing thing about the Jacksonville fraud is that it was cooked up by AOL employees. The thought of someone infiltrating AOL from the company's home office and gaining access to its six million subscribers is chilling. Fortunately, Morgan did not have direct access to customers' personal financial information. But he did have enough information to talk several people into giving up their credit card numbers. An AOL spokeswoman denies the names were acquired through Morgan's job access. "When people are communicating by a service like Prodigy and America Online, they need to protect themselves," said Kantor. "Do not give out confidential, personal identifying data, be it bank account numbers or credit card numbers. It's not like a face-to-face transaction where you can identify people," he said. Because the online experience is so new to some people, cautions that may be observed with other types of transactions tend to be abandoned. "I believe the perpetrators of these types of frauds prey on those who are new to the system," Kantor said. Victims don't realize the significance of giving up their financial information blindly. "It's like walking out to a busy street corner in New York City and yelling out 'here's my bank account number,"' he said. At AOL, the arrest and firing of Morgan appears to have sparked some changes. Since April, the company has been including a warning when subscribers receive e-mail or messages telling them not to give out any financial information, even if the person sending the message identifies himself as an AOL employee. AOL spokeswoman Kathy Johnson, speaking from the company's Vienna, Va., headquarters, said she did not know whether the change was a direct result of what happened in Jacksonville. "We're trying to make our members aware and warn them not to give out their information regardless of who they are," Burns said. "Don't give out any personal information if you don't know who this person is on the other end of the line." The company also encourages subscribers to change their password regularly. Is threat overstated? About 37 million people have access to the global computer network, and 14 percent of those people have bought goods or services online, according to the National Consumers League. As more commerce is conducted, more opportunists are expected to take advantage of virgin Internet consumers. But many in the Internet business say the security threat has been overstated. The same cautions should be used when ordering something over the Internet as used in mail-order purchases. Consumer organizations warn people to be careful what they do with credit card numbers, regardless of how they are being used. "We know that at any time, anyone -- whether it's employees in a retail shop or people who work in a bank -- have access to or can easily get access to a consumer's personal information," said Susan Grant, executive director of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators. She offers a simple piece of advice to people who are being asked for personal information online: Get a phone number and tell them you will call back. Grant, whose organization represents government consumer groups across the country, says cyberfraud is becoming a bigger problem, and many of the scams being played out have a familiar ring. Some of the same solicitations found on the Internet, such as advertisements for bogus jobs, credit repair and get rich quick schemes, are also seen in print advertising. But the new frontier of the Internet is expected to create opportunities for new types of fraud. "It's something that everyone's watching very closely to see what kinds of things are going on," Grant said. "It's kind of like the Wild West." ON THE INTERNET: Visit ConnecT-U, the World Wide Web site of The Florida Times-Union. Point your browser to http://www.times-union.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Persons who were defrauded in this way while online with AOL should bring suit against AOL since the persons involved were (or still are, as noted above in one case!) employees of the service. Furthermore, it is reasonable to assume that unless/ until AOL makes a full public statement about this (so far there has been none from the company that I am aware of) new users to AOL should be extremely careful about giving out any financial information at any point to the company -- even in the signup process -- unless they wish to risk the possible misuse of their credit card and other banking information. This is the very same AOL which was actively involved in the kiddie porn operation the United States Customs Service operates in south Florida and the very same AOL which now admits they monitor private conversations between users (see most recent issue of Computer Privacy Digest, moderated by Leonard Levine for details) in private rooms they consider likely places for 'illegal' activities. It is pointed out in that article that if you so much as even visit one of those rooms and see what they are talking about you get a threatening letter from AOL and cancellation of your account. You don't have to speak up in those rooms or engage in anything illegal. I assume moving your mouse pointer accidentally to that line and clicking is good enough. This is the very same AOL which, after you cancel your membership goes ahead and puts through another charge on your credit card the month following. If you catch it and complain, 'it was all a mistake'. Aren't they really something special! Where VISA and Master Card are concerned, if a merchant or the merchant's employees engage in credit card fraud -- especially in a 'no signature on file' context -- VISA/MC are quick to cancel the merchant's account. There are some completely honest people trying to do business on the World Wide Web that no matter how hard they try they cannot get VISA/MC merchant status, so picky are the card issuers about potential fraud when no signature on file merchandise orders are the norm. AOL is starting to leave a very bad taste in my mouth, and I don't think I am alone. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 03:20:50 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Excerpt from ACLU Newsfeed 07-04-96 Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars CHICAGO -- Depending on your professional and personal habits, a corporate policymaker can be viewed either as a caring patriarch or Big Brother, the {Chicago Tribune} reports. As more employees are being required to take drug or alcohol tests, join fitness programs or perform their jobs under electronic surveillance, some wonder whether they give up a piece of their private lives for the good of the company. This debate plays out most frequently, the Tribune said, when companies establish new policies regarding smoking. Some smokers say it is hard to feel part of the team when they are shunted off to a designated smoking area, out the back door, or even to the parking lot. But at some Motorola Inc. facilities in the Chicago area, the company soon will be digging a little deeper into smokers' private lives, prohibiting them from smoking in their cars. Beginning next month, Motorola security guards will write up any worker caught smoking anywhere at the company's cellular telephone plants in Libertyville and Harvard -- including their private vehicles. After four strikes, the employee will be out of a job. "Our plan is to enforce it just like we do with any other policy," a Motorola spokeswoman told the Tribune. "People who smoke and people who don't smoke have very strong feelings about the decision." Experts on smoking bans say they know of no company that has taken such an aggressive step -- patrolling to see whether workers are sneaking smokes in their car. "This is perhaps the most extreme example I've heard," said Fred Tsao, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. ACLU spokeswoman Valerie Phillips told the AP that the policy was "morally tainted." Gary Hawkins, a 51-year-old Motorola cellular repair worker and four-time-a-day smoker, couldn't agree more. "They're treating us like kindergartners, slapping our hands because we're smoking," Hawkins said. "Smoking is not illegal. They're going to look pretty silly putting on my termination notice, 'Smoking in own vehicle.' ". The company told the AP that the ban covers about 6,000 employees who have been offered smoking cessation programs. The goal is to promote health and reduce litter as well as "confrontations and parking lot incidents" that a spokesman would not elaborate on. The ACLU is looking into whether it could sue Motorola for firing someone for off-duty activities, Phillips said. "We can respect the need for employees to have clean air in the workplace, but this policy clearly goes much further," she said. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have mixed feelings here. I do support the right of an employer to make whatever demands they want to make as part of a free and voluntary relationship between themselves and their employees. The employer is perfectly within its rights to say 'here is how much we will pay and here are the terms you agree to as a condition of employment (or continued employment)'. I think the ACLU is once again way out of line by involving themselves in private contracts between consenting parties. But the 'consenting parties' are free to withdraw their consent at any time and leave ... and in my own opinion it is about time that the cigarette smoking employees there draw a line of their own and just walk out, and abandon what *used to be* a first class employer in the Chicago area which has become more and more oppressive over the years. I think the best thing that could happen at this point in time would be for several thousand of the excellent employees at Motorola -- people who should not have any problems getting almost any job they want -- to just effectively cripple the company by resigning, going on the unemployment benefits line for a several months to a year as they look for new employment -- although I doubt it would take anywhere near that long -- and let Motorola just twist in the wind. In effect, they tell Motorola 'you are not going to dictate our personal lives in that way.' After all, its not like Motorola is the only high-tech firm looking (almost begging) for quality employees. I urge the smoking employees of Motorola and their non-smoking allies -- to give Motorola the heave-ho. Just push the firm down and let it go. If the company thinks they will ever fully recover from that big of a loss they are quite mistaken. I don't think the employees have any right to insist that Motorola give them a place to smoke on company property, but at the same time they have every right in the world to withdraw their brain-power and their loyalty from a firm which used to be top notch until the agressive and oppressive management there in recent years got into power. I happen to be a tobacco smoker. I also happen to have sufficient ability to work for a wide variety of employers. I flatly refuse to even consider working -- giving my expertise and abilities -- to those companies which discriminate against smokers. I do not get the ACLU involved; I do not claim anything about 'smokers rights'. I just tell them they can go to hell for all I care. They get me for my brains and ability; not for my personal life. I hope the smokers at Motorola take the same stance. And by the way, I am *extremely considerate* of non-smokers. I *never* smoke if it offends someone in my presence. I *always* ask before I light up in the presence of a non-smoker. PAT] ------------------------------ From: course@garnet.berkeley.edu Subject: Continuing Education Position at UC Berkeley Extension Date: 6 Jul 1996 01:14:14 GMT Organization: University of California, Berkeley Continuing Education Specialist Programs in Computing, Electronics and Engineering University of California, Berkeley Extension invites applications for the position of Continuing Education Specialist in computing, electronics and engineering at our facility in Menlo Park, CA. The incumbent will report to the Department Chair, Continuing Education in Engineering/ Director South Bay Technology Programs. The successful candidate will be able to work proactively in a rapidly-growing, self-supporting team environment to design leading-edge technical courses and curricula, will be capable of recruiting and motivating high-quality instructors, and will have the business background to manage and market a program effectively. Proven ability to build effective partnerships with industry will be a key characteristic of the successful candidate. This position requires supervision of several support staff. Qualifications: Masters (or higher) degree in computer science, computer engineering, electronic engineering, physical science or a related field is required. Training in business a plus. Candidates with a strong technical background, business training (MBA), experience in teaching and developing continuing education for computer or electronics professionals plus industry experience in product development/marketing are particularly encouraged to apply. Interest in and experience with distance learning technologies will be helpful. Candidates should have significant technical university or industry continuing education experience. The ideal candidate will have worked on developing commercial continuing education seminars or university curricula for engineers, have the strong market research skills and experience to identify emerging educational needs in technology, experience in a financially-self supporting environment, at least one year of supervisorial experience and the organizational ability to administer a support team scheduling over 100 courses per term. Salary ($50,800-$66,000). The high end of the range will be considered for exceptionally qualified and experienced individuals. Excellent benefits, including health plan, medical, vision and legal plans, and 403(b). No moving expenses available. An annually renewable non-Senate academic appointment. Send resume by (July 31, 1996) to : Personnel Services, University of California Extension, 1995 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720. EEO/AA. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Gosh, what happened? Did Harvey Stern resign and go elsewhere? Someone fill me in please. PAT] ------------------------------ From: erickson@csnsys.com (Donald Erickson) Subject: California Caller ID Postponed Again Date: Mon, 08 Jul 96 06:53:25 GMT Organization: ComStock Net, Rialto, Calif. USA (909)877-6407 As of 11 PM Pacific Time on Sunday night, July 7, 1996, a "representative" answering my call to 611 on the Arlington exchange in Riverside, California, advised that Caller ID would not go into effect at midnight the morning of Monday, July 8, as had been previously announced but would be delayed until July 15. HOWEVER, he was taking no responsibility for the accuracy of the information and suggested I contact the California Public Utilities Commission because the decision is theirs. Checking into PacBell's web page http://www.pacbell.com, I found only an old news release which I still could not bring up for display. My previous message left on their web page asking for a chance to subscribe to Caller ID and a phone call has been ignored so far the past 10 days. Eight phone calls from February through June were never returned as promised but I finally was able to order Caller ID on Tuesday, July 2, but was warned even then that there was no guarantee service would start on July 8 as planned. It was hardly comforting that the computer screens at the order desk listed each and every single one of my eight previous requests to order Caller ID considering how many broken promises of return calls are thereby represented. Donald Erickson erickson@csnsys.com (909)687-5910 [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You know what would be good under the circumstances? PacBell should start getting *fined* each day that they continue to delay starting what they were supposed to start a few months ago. How about a fifty-thousand dollar per day fine by the FCC until PacBell brings itself into compliance? PAT] ------------------------------ From: holdrege@eisner.decus.org (Matt Holdrege) Subject: Californians Need Caller-ID Tool Help! Organization: DECUServe Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 10:17:00 GMT Now that we finally have Caller-ID (at least those of us in GTE territory) some of us could use some help in selecting devices to take advantage of it. I bought a cheap Radio Shack system 240 to display the numbers. It'll do names, but that probably won't ever happen here. Another thing that probably won't happen here is a "blocking the blocker" service from the LEC. So I'm looking for a phone or other device that will send a message to the anonymous caller telling them that I don't accept blocked calls. Any other tool tips are welcome. I've had caller ID for a few weeks now and it seems that about half the callers have been anonymous. I'd like to change that. :) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Someone here in the Chicago area (where 'blocked number blocking' is not yet available either has a device which does that. But before he got it, he had a cute little message on an endless loop twenty second tape which he would manually start and play to the phone line whenever the box showed a 'private' caller. The message said, "Calls to this number are not accepted from persons who block their Caller-ID from being displayed. If you wish to make contact at this number, hang up and call back with your Caller-ID displayed, and by the way, you *ARE* being charged for this call." PAT] ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Yellow Pages Scam in Utah Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 15:46:39 GMT Scam Artist Sells Phony Ads in Yellow Pages in Utah By Judy Fahys, The Salt Lake Tribune Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 5 -- Publishers of Utah's Spanish-language telephone directory say customers have been calling to complain about a phony ad salesman. The salesman, thought to be behind a similar scam a year ago, has taken checks recently from about 30 businesses that intended to buy listings in the Hispanic Yellow Pages. The same man allegedly took about $700 from three Orem businesses that expected directory listings this spring, according to charges. Hispanic Yellow Pages owner Ana Maria Fereday urged business owners to protect themselves by examining their yellow-page invoices carefully and verifying the identity of ad-sales representatives. "Before they make a payment," the Cottonwood woman suggested, "they need to check with the company named on the book." Fereday noted the phony salesman asked businesses to make checks payable to "La Raza." In contrast, checks to her company would be made out to "Hispanic Yellow Pages" or "Hispanic Media Services." The most recent Hispanic Yellow Pages directory lists about 350 businesses and is distributed from Nephi to Logan. Fereday has begun gathering information about the scam in hopes of convincing police to prosecute the impostor salesman. Yellow-page scams surface periodically all over the United States, according to the 180-member Yellow Page Publishers Association, an industry group. The fraud costs directory publishers as much as $400 million a year. ON THE INTERNET: Visit Utah Online, the World Wide Web site of The Salt Lake Tribune. Point your browser to http://www.sltrib.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 03:44:24 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Free Stuff From the Internet" by Vincent BKFRESTF.RVW 960528 "Free Stuff From the Internet", Vincent, 1996, 1-883577-79-9, U$24.99/C$34.99 %A Patrick Vincent pjvincent@coriolis.com %C 7339 E. Acoma Drive, Suite 7, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 %D 1996 %G 1-883577-79-9 %I Coriolis %O U$24.99/C$34.99 800-410-0192 +1-602-483-0192 fax: +1-602-483-0193 %P 624 %T "Free Stuff From the Internet" The one word probably most responsible for the current interest in the Internet is "free". Free email. (Well, distance and usage insensitive. Except for Compu$pend.) Free software. (Well, some public domain and distance insensitive access to lots of shareware.) Free advice. (And worth every penny you paid for it.) In yet another catalogue of stuff on the net, he has definitely added stuff to the first, so if you liked the prior edition you won't have to worry about whether or not it's worth your while to get the second. If, in the first edition, Vincent went overboard with Gopher, this tome is packed with World Wide Web sites. As Vincent, himself, points out, it only scratches the surface of what is available. The entries average about half a page, each, and some might wonder at the need to use that much space in order to give directions on obtaining six utility programs for manipulating your DOS PATH setting. On the other hand, some of the entries could stand a little expansion. It is also very well to point to a directory that contains a bunch of word processors and editors, but could we have some idea of which was which? Also, I noted a distressing number of "sample chapters", demos, and catalogues (the contents of which are definitely not free). The listings are divided by topical chapters. Within the chapters, there is no discernable organization: this is a book for browsing, not for reference. The disorganization is visible in other ways as well. Page 46 has a sidebar which describes Vincent's conversion from virus skeptic to true believer. It suggests checking out more information on viruses in "Computers and Software". It isn't there. Looking up "Viruses" in the index tells you to "See Computer viruses". Looking up "Computer viruses" is a waste of time -- it isn't there either. The inclusion of a list of Freenets is a nice touch -- but only for those in the US. This time around the book includes a CD-ROM which does actually give you some free stuff -- plus a lot of shareware. Diehard downloaders will be delighted: others might be looking for a while to find something of interest. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995 BKFRESTF.RVW 960528. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. Vancouver roberts@decus.ca | You realize, of Institute for rslade@vanisl.decus.ca | course, that these Research into Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/ | new facts do not User .fidonet.org | coincide with my Security Canada V7K 2G6 | preconceived ideas ------------------------------ From: pakiser@aol.com (Pakiser) Subject: Unfair Marketing by GTE? Date: 8 Jul 1996 10:20:30 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) GTE has been including advertisments for their paging service with the phone bills they send to their customers. Since I have no choice as to my local phone service (at least for now), it seems a bit unfair that GTE can advertise their products to a captive audience. Can we expect local phone companies to advertise their long distance services, and possibly cable as well when and if they establish these services? I would rather see them have to send out a separate mailing if they want to advertise. This is what GTE is doing in southern CA. Is this standard practice in other areas? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 11:47:36 +0800 From: Ben Grummels Organization: Kimberley College of TAFE Subject: Information Wanted on Cook Islands Email The country code is 682. I have read that the Cooks has email now. Do you know what their net country code is? eg Australia is "au". Ben, Helen, Tai & Jon Grummels Bidyadanga, LaGrange Bay POB 634 via Broome 6725 North Western AUSTRALIA ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 18:11:26 -0400 From: footage@well.com (Rick Prelinger) Subject: Complaint About Telecom Archives CD-ROM I ordered the CD from Walnut Creek and received it very quickly. I was, however, surprised to find that the files on the disc aren't easily compatible with the Macintosh. Although there is a "view program" for MS-DOS and Windows machines, viewing the text files as text on the Mac does not produce easily readable text. Can you indicate in your promotional postings that this disc, however excellent its contents, is not appropriate for Mac users? Rick Prelinger Prelinger Archives 430 West 14th Street, Room 403 / New York, NY 10014 USA 212 633-2020 / Fax: 212 255-5139 footage@well.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Consider it done, as per your message above. I am sorry to hear about this; it is the first time it has come to my attention since I had nothing at all to do with the production or technical aspects of the CD-ROM. I do hope this will not deter others from ordering the CD-ROM however, since it is in my opinion a very good resource. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #331 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 9 00:10:18 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id AAA20066; Tue, 9 Jul 1996 00:10:18 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 00:10:18 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607090410.AAA20066@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #332 TELECOM Digest Tue, 9 Jul 96 00:10:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 332 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson New Cellular Phone For Me (TELECOM Digest Editor) Assignment of +1-649 Area Code (Martin D. Kealey) Adult Services Auto-Block Numbers (Michael Fumich) More on Cellular and Olympics (Stanley Cline) Western Electric "320 Type" Telephone: Info Requested (John R. Grout) Motorola 7500 International GSM Mobil Phone (oaa@nil.fut.es) Privatization Of Deutsche Telekom Moves Forward (Monty Solomon) Cellular Phones in France (Christopher Herot) Ohio 330 Area Code Now Mandatory (Tad Cook) Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm (Mark Purcell) Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm (Janne Siponen) Last Laugh! "Anytime, Anywhere" in Tour de France (Tom van de Peute) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 13:14:04 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: New Cellular Phone For Me My old cellular phone walked away about a week ago. I am pretty sure I know where it went, but I'll play it safe and not lodge any allegations against the driver of the cab I was in (whose back seat is where the phone was left). It happened late last Sunday night, a week ago, and after several calls to the places I had been and no one knowing anything about it I decided it would be a good idea to get the ESN killed as soon as possible. I was unable to reach Frontier Customer Service during the overnight hours into Monday morning, however when I called Ameritech they were more than happy to kill the ESN on the spot, which left whoever got the phone with a mostly dead battery and intercept record- ings from the switch saying 'we do not recognize you as a customer'. Monday morning I called Frontier (actually their Call Home America Department) and told them what I had done. They suspended the phone numbers attached to the phone and put me in touch right away with 'Cellular World' in Dallas, Texas, a cellular mail order company which specializes in very low rates for good cellular phones and various accessories. In fact, I got my NEC-120 originally from Cellular World, and I really cannot praise them enough for their excellent service. If any of you decide to go with one of the cellular resellers such as Frontier, where you purchase a phone outright at retail cost and then get very inexpensive service with no contract requirements as a result, I strongly suggest you contact Cellular World for some very good deals. Their number is 1-800-TALK-NOW. They go a new phone out to me and I had it the *next day* delivered by Airborne Freight, which is their usual shipping procedure I am told. That part (next day delivery) cost me only twelve dollars. The phone arrived the next day fully programmed on both NAMS and when Frontier found out I had received it they put it right into service by sending a fax to Ameritech with the new ESN. Overall, it was a smooth and easy process. I got the very same numbers I had been using before. The one thing that went wrong was Frontier thinks that Milwaukee and Chicago are a long distance from each other, and that the ESN could automatically be given to both numbers without any hassle. The facts are that Ameritech (anywhere) is Ameritech in Hickory Hills, Illinois. One switch serves all, at least where Milwaukee (Ameritech 00044) and Ameritech (00020) are concerned. So they would add the ESN to one number on the switch and the other number would become unusable; i.e. 'call the Cellular Express pirates to place your call at $1.95 per minute please' ... and when they would turn that one on, the other one would drop off. This went on for a couple days but finally I got a call from a nice man at Ameritech on Saturday morning (the fourth of July holiday had grabbed a day out of last week for work purposes) who said to me, 'they (meaning Frontier?) just do not understand; if you do any sort of switch-affecting maintainence on an account involving an ESN you have to do a supervisory override if the same ESN is to appear in two or more places at the same time ...' He had me participate in some testing on my end by dialing something I had never heard of before: (hint: cellphreaks, do not try this on your own, you will get some unwanted attention.) He had me dial *789. When I dialed star 789 it rang a couple times and a recording said, "the person you are calling is not available now, please try again later," and then it disconnected. I am speaking with him on a land line phone while this is going on. He said anyone dialing this *789 caused a print out to occur for 'technical and security reasons' and that he was reading it at that time. He said the recorded message it gave was just a bogus thing to not reveal the real reason behind the call. He proceeded to tell me my ESN, the number of my cell phone, and the tower I was on. He continued, 'call it a couple more times and I can narrow it down a bit more if you like ...' ... We were kidding around and I said Ameritech should run a sting operation where they put advertising on radio stations saying the first hundred callers from their cell phone would each get a year's worth of free service; then sit back and watch as all the greedy phreaks started dialing in to *789 only to hear a recording saying 'you have won! bring your phone to our dealer to receive your reward!' ... and the rest I leave to your imagination. Anyway in about thirty minutes he had both NAMs working just fine. Cellular World replaced the phone with a much newer model from NEC called the 'Talk Time 820' with many features that are much better than what I had on the old phone. It is smaller and lighter; it weighs only about nine ounces. It as a retractable antenna which is only needed in the event of of very weak signal; otherwise you leave it down all the time. On this new phone you can also lock it against outgoing calls in two ways: FULL LOCK = no outgoing dialing at all, no response from anything on the keyboard except a user programmable emrgency number. Press the keys in that sequence and that one call can be completed. PARTIAL LOCK = outgoing dialing only from memory locations plus the one user programmable 'emrgency' number. In addition to the lock code of four digits, there is a user-programmable three digit 'other user lock code'. It is aliased in effect to the regular lock code but allows the owner to let someone else use the phone by entering a three digit code to unlock the phone without having to tell that person what your 'regular code' is. The main user can lock out the 'other user' at any time by merely changing the three-digit 'other user' code. Each NAM can have its own lock code and 'other user' code to prevent use of either NAM independently. The battery on this one went for *two days* without running down, and it has several hours of talk time. Charging takes eight to ten hours when the battery is completely dead. The LED characters on the display screen are much larger also. The Talk Time 820 also has 'one touch dialing' of memory locations one through three so all you have to do is press one of those digits and hold it for about two seconds. The number then displays and dials automatically. You can get a 'hands free' adapter for it if desired, as well as a three watt amplifier to boost the signal. NEC kept the same code to get to the innards as before: LOCKCODE + FCN 9 + LOCKCODE + MEM 76 gets you into 'test mode' then MEM # 01 opens test mode itself, while MEM # 02 closes test mode and recycles power and reloads the NAM you are currently using. *There is no three time lockout on number changes* as is common with Motorola stuff. MEM # 03 through MEM # 99 do various things in test mode, although not all the positions are used. MEM # 71-1 or 71-2 allow programming of NAM 1 or 2. An interesting one is MEM # 61-1 and 61-0 which toggle on and off a visual display of the channel you are on, the signal strength and other information. MEM # 39 zeros out everything and erases the memory dialing places, the call timers, and defaults the lock codes by to the factory default. Over all, a very nice new phone, and I was quite pleased at how well Frontier, Cellular World (the supplier) and Ameritech worked together to get me back on the air in a few days. PAT ------------------------------ Subject: Assignment of +1-649 Area Code Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 02:41:17 +1200 From: martin@kcbbs.gen.nz (Martin D Kealey) Bob Goudreau wrote: > In fact, the only 809 splits that now have *not* yet been > announced there are the Turks & Caicos Islands (which should > get 649, according to Mark Cuccia's sources) ^^^ Oh please, where can I send a pleading letter for this code NOT to be assigned to anywhere in NANP that is "international"? There are unfortunately too many folk resident in world zone 1 who have no idea that other zones even exist, and I don't relish trying to explain them that +64-9 is not the same thing as +1-649: that they should dial 011-64-9, not 1-649, when that is also an international call. And of course the converse problem for the folk in T&C. While we're at it, I'd like to request the same for 642, 643, 644, 646 and 647, which are other parts of New Zealand. What makes it worse is that we have seven digits after the country and area code, so seeing only 649xxxxxxx (say in a fax TTI) it will be impossible to tell which is intended. Auckland city has about 400,000 phone lines; +64-9 also covers some surrounding districts, so there are probably about half a million phones in this area code. I think it was previously stated that there was only one active prefix for Turks & Caicos (946), which means that we outnumber them by about 500 to 1. It would seem reasonable therefore that the average North American is more likely to want to phone here than there, and we could do without the confusion. There is one saving grace -- there are no numbers +64-9-946-xxxx (and indeed very few starting with 9 at all). Now I just have to convince Telecom here not to assign any numbers in that range. Martin PS: Forgive me for sounding paranoid, but I've heard just too many tales of folk who can't call the next suburb when the area code changes, and seen just too many advertisements published in international journals that don't give a country code, and even some give an internal zone-1 number with an erroneous leading "+" without the country code "1"! Martin D Kealey 36.88888S/174.72116E ## Science Fiction Modellers' Club of ## New Zealand -> All SF catered for. home ph +64-9-8150460 fax +64-9-8150529 ## For details free-phone 050-8150460 work ph +64-9-3603247 fax +64-9-T.B.A. ## or e-mail . ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Jul 96 10:15 EST From: Michael Fumich <0003311835@mcimail.com> Subject: Adult Services Auto-Block Numbers The numbers below may prove useful. When called, they will automatically provide blocking to all Adult and Premium (800/900/etc) services billed by that company. They must be dialed FROM the number you wish blocked. Integretel 800-425-6256 (Auto Block) 800-736-7500 (Customer Service) American Telnet 800-204-2569 (Auto Block) 800-460-0307 (Customer Service) Info Access Inc. 800-568-3197 (Auto Block) Another popular provider is Pilgrim Telephone. I do not have an Auto-Block number for them, but Customer Service at 800-382-5500 will place a block for you. Also, International Telemedia (ITA) Customer Service at 800-866-8889 can block services billed by them, but the block must be renewed *every six months.* US Billing (USBI) claims they do not offer blocking of ANY sort. It has also been my experience that they also take a very hard line, and will not adjust ANY calls billed by them as well. Customer Service at 800-460-0556. Comments? Additions? Michael Fumich [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Thanks very much for supplying that list. I imagine several readers will be busy on Tuesday as they use the various lines in their possession to call the above numbers and institute blocking. PAT] ------------------------------ From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: More on Cellular and Olympics Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 02:31:50 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services Here's another tidbit on cellular service during the Olympics in the Atlanta area: If you are *not* recognized by the Atlanta BellSouth system (SID 00034), you will be asked to either call *611 (to set up temporary billing, perhaps?), or can place calls via Cellular Express for -- get this -- *$3.15*/min + toll charge + "a per-call fee" (not stated in recording, probably $1.95.) According to the Cellular Express recording, there has been a "temporary change in roaming rates during June, July, and August." We all know WHY, now don't we? I thought CellOne was bad, gouging B-side roamers in Ocoee ... Cellular Express's "service" isn't available in the Chattanooga (00148), or Birmingham (00098) systems as far as I know. It seems that BellSouth pulled their roaming agreement for Chattanooga and other A-side roamers in Dalton, GA (was 60c/min on B-side) now that Palmer Wireless has acquired the Dalton system (01129) from US Cellular. The strange thing is that NO ONE at CellOne here in Chattanooga knows WHAT Palmer will charge us in Dalton! (I am guessing 35c/min, or "home rate" which for me is 25c/min ... all one rep said was that "you'll like the new rates.") The Ocoee situation still has not changed; no B-side service [thanks to US Cellular] -- B-side roamers must switch to the A band and (except those from GTE Mobilnet/Contel and ALLTEL markets) go through Cellular Express for $1.95/min + 1.95/call (toll charges included in price of call.) A-side customers will not experience anything unusual; the A-side system is Chattanooga's CellOne which isn't doing anything special because of the Olympics. Currently, ATL BellSouth customers are not blocked from roaming in any city (PINs are still required in the Philly-NYC corridor); I do not know if anyone is blocked roaming in Atlanta. (BellSouth has continued to ramble on and on about "restricting roaming" during the Olympic period, but for obvious reasons has given no specifics, other than the fact that BellSouth [and InterCel] customers will not be blocked.) SC Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! All opinions are strictly my own! ------------------------------ From: grout@polestar.csrd.uiuc.edu (John R. Grout) Subject: Western Electric "320 Type" Telephone: Info Requested Date: 08 Jul 1996 19:55:41 -0700 Organization: Center for Supercomputing R and D, UIUC Consolidated Communications, the LEC in Mattoon, IL (and, in the last few months, now an alternate residental LEC here in Urbana, IL) has discovered a Western Electric "320 Type" phone in their warehouse which they plan to display in their corporate office (121 S. 17th Street, Mattoon). It weighs 27 pounds, and, so far, they've gotten conflicting reports on its design and purpose. Two company lineman told the company archivist that it was an explosion-proof phone, and may have been used in a refinery or gasoline plant 25 years ago. According to "Telephone Collecting", by Kate Donner, it is a "Soviet Princess Phone", used in factories and plants in the early 1950's. If anyone out there has more information about this phone, please make a follow-up post, email me, or directly contact Consolidated's Peter C. Barr at (217) 258-9744. Thanks in advance, John R. Grout Center for Supercomputing R & D j-grout@uiuc.edu Coordinated Science Laboratory University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ------------------------------ From: Oscar Subject: Motorola 7500 International GSM Movil Phone Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 12:56:17 +0200 Organization: Servicio IBERNET (Telefonica Transmision de Datos) Reply-To: oaa@nil.fut.es I would like to know the pin out of this mobil phone. Is this the part of the phone where the handsfree and car battery adapter go? Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 04:06:53 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Privatization Of Deutsche Telekom Moves Forward Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Excerpt from Edupage, 7 July 1996 PRIVATIZATION OF DEUTSCHE TELEKOM MOVES FORWARD Deutsche Telekom, which has won the German Parliament's approval of its plans for privatization, hopes to share trading of its stock by this November on exchanges in New York, Tokyo and Frankfurt. (Financial Times 6 Jul 96) ------------------------------ From: Christopher Herot Date: 8 Jul 96 21:59:58 EDT Subject: Cellular Phones in France I am planning on spending several weeks this summer in France. Is it possible to use my AMPS phone there? Is there a cost-effective way of renting a GSM phone or getting one of the "smart cards" to use in a rental phone? ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Ohio 330 Area Code Now Mandatory Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:09:58 PDT Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio, Business Week Column Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News FEW 330 AREA CODE PROBLEMS: Ameritech, Alltel and GTE said businesses reported few problems with calls as using the new 330 area code became mandatory in the Akron-Canton area. The code was created last year to accommodate the increased need for new telephone numbers. It includes most of Summit County and areas to the south. Spokeswomen for both the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Consumers Counsel also reported few complaints. ON THE INTERNET: Visit Akron Beacon Journal Online, the World Wide Web site of the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal. Point your browser to http://www.beaconjournal.com ------------------------------ From: Mark Purcell Subject: Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 11:38:43 +0100 I think a GSM newsgroup is long overdue. I would vote for comp.dcom.gsm. There is a lot of GSM traffic on USENET, the main problem is that it is spread here (alt.cellular-phone-tech), alt.dcom.telecom, comp.dcom.telecom, comp.dcom.telecom.tech and uk.telecom and a lot of other regional groups I would imagine. Given a GSM group would enable the discussion to center in one area rather than all over the place where it is difficult to keep track of. Mark ------------------------------ From: janne.siponen@Helsinki.FI (Janne Siponen) Subject: Re: Informal PRE - RFD comp.dcom.gsm or alt.cellular.gsm Date: 6 Jul 1996 16:45:50 GMT Organization: University of Helsinki In article , elitman@viaduct.com says: > On Thu, 20 Jun 1996, Vittorio Gorrini (gorrini@ulb.ac.be) wrote: >> alt.config I would like to have some feedback about: >> 1) The real interest for such group [comp.dcom.gsm], >> 2) Should be in alt.* or in comp.* ? >> 2) Should be in alt.* or in comp.* ? > I think this is the foundation for a good idea, but is limited in its > scope. Of increasing interest both within the telecom > newsgroups/mailing list and commercial marketplace are the breadth of > PCS technologies and services, of which GSM is only one. More > appropriately, the newsgroup should encompass each of the PCS > technologies and would better serve its readership named *.pcs, not > *.gsm. > I put in my vote for comp.dcom.pcs. True, it's a break from the > comp.dcom.telecom hierarchy, but given the growth potential for this > group, it would be prudent to plan for an eventual split. > comp.dcom.telecom.pcs.handsets is too long to type on a regular > basis. I support a *.gsm/pcs newsgroup. PCS is unknown outside USA so I'd like to see the word GSM also in the the name of the group, because GSM is familiar with the rest of the world. This group for instance is full of articles that are interesting mainly to people living in America. Therefore there are only a minor group of active subscribers from Europe for instance. Anyhow the GSM/PCS/DCS newsgroup would be a good idea. I'd vote YES. Regards, Janne Siponen Email Janne.Siponen@Helsinki.FI Fax +358 0 5651115 GSM +358505536736 (also SMS) ------------------------------ From: news@ssbunews.ih.lucent.com Subject: Last Laugh! "Anytime, Anywhere" in Tour de France Date: Fri, 05 Jul 1996 11:03:10 +0200 Organization: Lucent Technologies, Huizen - The Netherlands The following brief article appeared in a Dutch regional newspaper ("Amersfoortse Courant") during the first week of July. Translated article: Leblanc criticizes bikers using phones Nogent-sur-Oise - Tourdirector Jean-Marie Leblanc urged the managers of the 22 biking teams in the Tour de France to forbid their bikers to make phone calls during the race. During the first days of the Tour de France a large number of cyclists has been riding while happily making phone calls, chatting with their wife, family, friends and perhaps even business partners. "This is an image that doesn't fit with a cycling race. We have asked the team-managers to forbid their bikers to take their phones with them. If that doesn't help we will intervene" according Leblanc. Ton van de Peut (tvdpeut@lucent.com) Lucent Technologies ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #332 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 9 12:33:10 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA09630; Tue, 9 Jul 1996 12:33:10 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 12:33:10 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607091633.MAA09630@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #333 TELECOM Digest Tue, 9 Jul 96 12:33:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 333 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 (Jorene Downs) Cellular Phone Antennas Hidden (Mike Pollock) Microsoft Apologizes For Offensive Spanish Thesaurus (Jean-Bernard Condat) Scam Caller Poses as Customs Official (Tad Cook) AT&T Cellular Fraud Protection (Lorenz Redlefsen) Letter to US West VP FYI (Joseph N. Hall) DACOM Korea Partners With Com21 (Rick Walsworth) Universal International Freephone Service Article (Judith Oppenheimer) 30x8 Line Sharing Reccomendations (Ramon J. Hontanon) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jcdowns@psnw.com (Jorene Downs) Subject: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 19:27:29 GMT Organization: Strategic Vision Reply-To: jcdowns@psnw.com SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1996--With more than 10,000 customers having requested service, Pacific Bell today began offering Caller ID service in California. "In past months, we've heard from thousands of customers already interested in the service," said Mark Pitchford, Pacific Bell vice president of consumer marketing. "More than 10,000 have told us to sign them up the minute Caller ID is available." Caller ID lets people see the number of the person calling before they answer the phone. Consumers need to subscribe to Caller ID service and purchase either a telephone with a built-in display device or an electronic display device that connects to an existing phone. One of the most popular phone services nationwide. California is the last state to offer Caller ID service which, along with Call Waiting and Call Return, has become one of the most popular Custom Calling Services nationwide. Caller ID helps people decide when and how to answer their phones. Unlike answering machines, Caller ID identifies callers while the phone is still ringing. It even displays the caller's number even if the caller doesn't leave a message. Even a "blocked" call sends a message to a Caller ID subscriber. It means the caller has chosen to block his or her number. That information helps subscribers determine whether they want to answer the call -- particularly during busy times, late at night, or if they're expecting another call -- or let it go to voice mail or an answering machine. Children can also be instructed not to answer calls from unfamiliar numbers. "Caller ID is a privacy tool that balances the rights of callers and those called. It gives Californians more control over the calls they receive. That's a balance of power that has historically favored the caller -- until now," said Pitchford. For business customers, Caller ID can mean faster, more efficient customer service. Insurance agents and take-out restaurants can pull up customer information like policy numbers, delivery addresses and special requests while the phone is still ringing by tying the service to their customer records. Service and equipment from Pacific Bell. Pacific Bell Caller ID is $6.50 per month for residential customers and $7.50 per month for business customers. There is a one-time installation fee of $5 for residential customers and $6 for businesses. Pacific Bell Caller ID equipment ranges in price from under $30 for a basic display attachment to cordless models and display phones with two lines that run up to $270. For customers with sight and mobility impairments, Pacific Bell also offers equipment that audibly announces the number calling, in addition to displaying it visually. This feature is also convenient for cordless phone users since the calling number is announced and doesn't require the person to be standing by the base station to read the number displayed. To order Caller ID service and equipment, customers can call Pacific Bell at 800/983-9050 or order through any Pacific Bell authorized sales agent. Customers can charge equipment to their Pacific Bell phone bills and interest-free installment billing is available. Residence customers can also rent a basic adjunct display device for $4 per month. More than 1,500 retail locations throughout the state, including Albertson's California, Dow Stereo, Fry's Electronics, Longs Drugs, Sam's Clubs and The Good Guys, will also carry Pacific Bell-branded Caller ID equipment. Customers have two free Caller ID blocking options from which to choose. Complete Blocking automatically blocks the customer's phone numbers from being delivered unless they dial *82 (STAR82) (1182 rotary phone) to unblock their numbers on specific calls. Selective Blocking delivers callers' numbers unless they dial *67 (STAR67) (1167 on a rotary phone) to block delivery of their numbers on specific calls. To verify the blocking option assigned to a phone line, customers can call Pacific Bell at 800/386-0000. A recorded message will confirm the blocking option assigned to the line from which the call is made. Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group, a diversified communications corporation based in San Francisco. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 10:43:54 -0700 From: Mike Pollock Reply-To: pheel@sprynet.com Organization: SJS Entertainment Subject: AP: Cellular Phone Antennas Hidden Cellular Phone Antennas Hidden By JON MARCUS Associated Press Writer BOSTON (AP) -- The steeple of the United Methodist Church in the scenic coastal town of Ipswich reaches out and touches more than just the heavens -- it's also a cellular phone transmitter. Same goes for a plastic tree near George Washington's Mount Vernon estate in Virginia, a flag pole in Pittsburgh and even the lights over the left field wall at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. Phone companies anxious to expand service without angering communities defensive about their history and architecture are concealing their antenna towers anywhere they can and paying rent for the rights. "The industry is being forced, frankly due to strict zoning and community concerns, to be more innovative in the way they camouflage these towers," said Duncan Milloy, a spokesman for BellAtlantic NYNEX Mobile. When Ipswich rejected a proposal for a tall antenna tower in the town, BellAtlantic offered to build a replica of the lightning-damaged, 1859 church steeple in exchange for the right to hide a transmitter inside. "It's a win-win," said Mike Moscaritolo, BellAtlantic's regional director of network engineering. "They get to replace a steeple that they otherwise may never have been able to replace. The town wins. And we win." There are about 22,000 cellular transmitters in the United States, though more than one may share the same tower. Another 100,000 are expected to be needed by the end of this decade to satisfy the demand for cellular service. Depending on the elevation of the land, the transmitters generally stand from 60 to 400 feet high and as little as a mile apart in densely populated areas to six miles apart in rural sections. "Given the requirement to reuse the same set of frequencies over and over again, you have to have multiple places to put up your antennas," said Mark Faris, vice president for network engineering operations at Cellular One. Cellular One disguised a 100-foot relay tower as a plastic and rubber "pine tree" near Washington's estate. The company also has hidden panel antennas painted green around the upper deck of Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, and behind the American flag at USAir Arena in Landover, Md., where the Washington Bullets and Capitals play. And in Washington, D.C., which has a building height restriction, the company conceals its transmitters on billboards and in parking garages and church steeples. FWT, a company in Fort Worth, Texas, conceals cellular telephone antennas inside fiberglass palm trees 60 to 100 feet tall. "It is absolutely a growing industry -- no pun intended," said Roy Moore, the company's vice president. Finding lofty places and hiding transmitters and their power sources "makes a boring engineering job a little bit more fun," Faris said. It also lowers the cost to the companies and provides extra revenue to churches, schools and other groups with buildings to offer. Some states are being pressed to lease their highway signs to cellular operators, and even the Postal Service is offering to rent out space for transmitters. "It's a great idea," said Walter Johnson, a Chicago architect, expert in historic preservation and a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. "It saves us from a blight on the landscape." ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 10:39:14 +0100 From: Jean-Bernard Condat Subject: Microsoft Apologizes For Offensive Spanish Thesaurus July 6, 1996, 2:10 p.m. EDT MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -- Microsoft Corporation, the world's biggest software company, apologized Friday to Mexicans for "grave errors" in its computer thesaurus that equated Indians with cannibals. Several Mexicans telephoned the company to protest after a newspaper reported on Wednesday that the Spanish thesaurus included in Microsoft's popular word processor program Word for Windows 6.0 contained some unfortunate synonyms. Used by up to 200,000 people in Mexico, a country whose population is mainly descended from Aztec and Maya Indians, the Microsoft program suggested as alternatives for the word "Indian:" "man-eater" or "savage." "Microsoft Mexico offers an apology to its users and to the public in general for some grave errors in the synonyms of the Microsoft Word dictionary in Spanish, whose mistaken connotations are offensive," the company said in a full-page newspaper advertisement published on Friday. Other problems noted: Consulted for synonyms for "Western," the Spanish-language program gave "Aryan," "white" and "civilized." Lesbians were equated with "pervert" and "depraved person." The English version of the Microsoft Word program does not give the same synonyms. Homosexual was equated with "gay" or "lesbian" and Indian was "cave dweller," "ancient tribe" or "aborigine." Microsoft Mexico marketing manager Alejandra Calatayud said the company was dispatching a language expert next week from its software development center in Ireland to discuss changes to the thesaurus with El Colegio de Mexico, Mexico's most august cultural body. "We accept our responsibility and hope to have a new version of the dictionary available in about five weeks," she told Reuters. The revised version will be made available free of charge via the Internet. Explanation offered. Ignacio Blum, Microsoft Mexico's product manager for office products, told Reuters that the computer thesaurus was based on existing dictionaries. "If you check these words in most dictionaries, you will find the same definitions," he said. Mexican politicians and intellectuals condemned the pejorative computer thesaurus anyway. "I see this as profoundly dangerous because it is a lack of respect for our dignity as Mexicans and for our indigenous roots," said Adriana Luna, an opposition party congresswoman on the lower house's culture committee. "We must give battle to combat this specter of conservatism and fascism which is appearing all around us" Florentino Castro, a legislator from the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), was quoted as saying in the newspaper La Jornada. Copyright 1996 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Jean-bernard Condat, Senior Consultant, Smart Card Business Unit Informix, La Grande Arche, 92044 La Defense Cedex, France Phone: +33 1 46963769, fax: +33 1 46963765, portable: +33 07238628 Private: +33 1 41238807, e-mail: jeanbc@informix.com ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: Scam Caller Poses as Customs Official Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 00:05:59 -0700 (PDT) Scam Artist is Posing as U.S. Customs Officer SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Two residents in one week have received telephone calls from a scam artist posing as U.S. Customs' officials, a spokeswoman for the department said. The caller said he worked at a local Customs facility and was in possession of a package that identified them as the winner of a Las Vegas-based sweepstake, U.S. Customs spokeswoman Bobby Cassidy said Monday. But Cassidy said the caller then said there was a 7 percent handling fee for the package insured for $100,000. "Customs, of course, does not charge for handling money," Cassidy said. "This is absolutely a scam. Customs is not involved in this is at all," she said of the $7,000 "fee." Cassidy said the two residents did not send any money and instead called officials. Cassidy said officials do not know where the caller is based. She also said officials do not know how many other people have been preyed upon by the caller. ------------------------------ From: redlel@leland.Stanford.EDU (Lorenz Redlefsen) Subject: AT&T Cellular Fraud Protection Date: 8 Jul 1996 22:07:03 GMT Organization: Stanford University Hello, I am looking for a long distance carrier that is more flexible than AT&T when it comes to fraud protection for calls made from a cellular phone. Some background: On Tuesday, July 2, I placed a phone call from my cellular phone to a number in Jamaica, W.I. AT&T promptly turned off long distance access from my phone, suspecting that the call I had made was fraudulent. A representative from my service provider here in the Bay Area then called me on Friday to resolve the "problem". After I explained the situation to her twice, LD access was restored sometime this weekend. I spoke to AT&T to see if I could prevent something like this from happening again in the future by pre-authorizing certain numbers from my phone, but to no avail. The best advice they had for me was to use a calling card for my international calls. I think this is ridiculous! I appreciate that there is considerable fraud going on with cloning of cell phones, but I don't see why they can't pre-authorize a small set of phone numbers that I specify. Does anyone out there know of any LD company that is more flexible when it comes to their fraud protection policies? Thanks in advance, Lorenz Redlefsen Dept of Electrical Engineering redlel@leland.stanford.edu Stanford University [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: When they told you to use a calling card for international calls your answer should have been 'but AT&T often times will not accept their own calling card for those calls either.' And its true, they don't. Try using an AT&T calling card from a pay phone in many inner-city urban areas where there is a large minority or third-world population and watch how AT&T operators make up excuses (as they have been trained to do) to refuse those calls. The West Indies, most middle-east countries including Israel, India, etc. You cannot use a calling card to call any of those places from a pay phone in many neighborhoods in Chicago because AT&T assumes the call is fraudulent. They won't tell you 'we think you are a fraud'; instead they say something perfectly dumb like an operator did to me one day about how 'Israel does not accept the AT&T calling card'. When I told her the call was being sent paid and it did not matter what Israel thought about the AT&T card she 'accidentally' hit the disconnect key and was gone. AT&T was way out of line in turning off your long distance service on account of that one call. You had not reported the cell phone stolen, and there was not a sudden flurry of international calls running up your bill, etc. Tell them if they arbitrarily disconnect your long distance service again you will file a complaint with the FCC. On my cellular phone, Ameritech provides the long distance service however they do not yet provide long distance for anything other than their own cellular service. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Joseph N. Hall Subject: Letter to US West VP FYI Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 11:53:20 -0700 Organization: 5 Sigma Productions Reply-To: joseph@5sigma.com Here's a copy of a letter sent recently to a gentleman from US West. Are any of you out there having this much fun? -joseph ---------- Thomas A Bystrzycki Vice President, Operations and Technology US West 150 S 5 St 3300 Minneapolis MN 55402 Joseph N. Hall, Proprietor 5 Sigma Productions Dear Mr. Bystrzycki, In the March 11th issue of {Business Week} you were quoted as saying 'we have to provide better service than anyone else.' I hope you and US West reach that goal. In fact I hope very much that you reach that goal, since as a resident of the Phoenix area I am one of your customers. However, it's hard to avoid drawing comparisons between here, where an order for ISDN to a business address takes two months and a call to the utilities commission and a congressman to complete, and (for example) the Atlantic seaboard, where you can have ISDN and 56k, and sometimes even T-1, installed the very next day. (No regulatory agencies involved.) ... all of the above from recent personal experience. Speaking of T-1 (you knew this was coming, right?), we've been trying to get a T-1 installed at our residential address for some time now. I believe the order for a frame relay T-1 was placed in November and was scheduled to be completed by US West in December. The due date came and went, and more weeks went by, and at some point we changed our order to a point-to-point T-1 from TCG. Same infrastructure, of course, and US West still had to provide the local loop. But many months have come and gone. We were promised delivery by December, 1995 and as of July, 1996 we have nothing. I am a sole proprietor of a software training and consulting business and I need this T-1. My fiancee is a software developer and she needs it, too. We are frustrated to apoplexy and are considering things like microwave and optical links. Of course, all we need are some well-conditioned copper pairs between our house and your central office, and that shouldn't be a big deal. Should it? I mean, after all, we are customers, and we are planning to pay you for the service. Should you take an interest in this matter, the order number is c10404025. Your primary contact should be our service provider, [deleted], at [deleted]. Best regards, and may US West one day be the envy of us all, Joseph N. Hall Joseph N. Hall http://www.5sigma.com/joseph joseph@5sigma.com Proprietor, 5 Sigma Productions P.O. Box 6250 Chandler AZ 85246 Perl instruction (contact merlyn@stonehenge.com), C++/C/Perl software, web stuff, original music >>>Perl questions? mailto:perlq@5sigma.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 09:22:19 -0700 From: Rick Walsworth Subject: DACOM Korea Partners with Com21 DACOM and Com21, Inc. Join Forces for Cable Modem Distribution and Investment Agreements Mountain View, California --- July 1, 1996. Com21, Inc. and Korean telecommunications carrier DACOM Corporation today signed an agreement for distribution of cable modem products. This partnership will leverage DACOM's telecommunications carrier and networking experience with Com21's advanced broadband cable modem technology for integrated voice and data communications. DACOM and DACOM International also become financial investors in Com21, investing $4 million dollars. In this agreement, DACOM will have exclusive right to distribute Com21's cable modem system and future integrated voice and data cable modem within Korea. DACOM is also authorized to manufacture the Com21 cable modem for exclusive distribution into Korea. According to Dr. Park, senior managing director for DACOM, " Com21's innovative architecture for voice and data delivery will strengthen DACOM's competitiveness and ability to offer ultra high speed telecommunication networks". Dr. Park added, "We like to make investments with our partners and are pleased at this opportunity. It fits our long term strategy to place priority on the strengthening and strategic cooperation with world class players". Mr. Pete Fenner, president and CEO of Com21, noted that "As a rapidly growing telecommunications Company, DACOM was looking for cable modem technology which would accommodate integrated voice and data. ATM offers this opportunity". Mr. Fenner added, "We are pleased they have joined our team and look forward to a long working relationship. We are confident that they will be a dominant leader in this market". DACOM Corporation is aggressively pursuing international telecommun- ications opportunities in long-distance, PCS services, as well as, two way transmission technology allowing the transmission of moving images and the introduction of VOD, ITV and PDA services. Cable modems will have a major impact on the residential and commercial market for data access as they take advantage of the high bandwidth characteristics of coaxial and HFC networks; allowing data transfer rates roughly 1,000 times faster than traditional dial-up networks. Through the use of ATM based cable modems, telephony and other mixed media services are possible from a common modem platform. The US market for cable modems, according to Forrester Research, will reach 7.7 million units by the year 2000. The global market for cable modems will exceed 15 million units. ---------------------- DACOM, with headquarters in Seoul, Korea, seeks to be a leader in telecommunications with targeted revenues of $2.5 billion by the year 2000. DACOM is the second long-distance carrier in Korea, and offers international service to over [182] countries. In addition, DACOM offers Digital Lease Line Services both domestically and internationally, and a comprehensive data base, called Chollian, and other enhanced telecommunication businesses. Com21, Inc., with corporate headquarters in Mountain View, California designs, manufactures and markets an ATM based scaleable cable modem system that enables high speed interactive Internet data and telecommunications services to be delivered into residential, educational and commercial sites via the cable TV network. For further information, visit Com21's World Wide Web site at http://www.Com21.com ------------------------------ From: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) Subject: Universal International Freephone Service article Date: 9 Jul 1996 10:02:36 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) Universal International Freephone Service -- What is it? How's it work? How much? How to get your's? ICB Toll-Free News, http://www.webcom.com/longdist/icb/. Judith Oppenheimer, President Interactive CallBrand, Toll-Free Consultancy CallBrand@aol.com, 1 800 The Expert, (ph) 212 684-7210, (fx) 212 684-2714 http://www.webcom.com/longdist/icb/ ------------------------------ From: Ramon J. Hontanon Subject: 30x8 Line Sharing Reccomendations Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 11:23:22 -0400 Organization: Template Software Inc., Herndon, VA We are considering a purchase of a large line-sharing device, one that will let us have up to 30 modems contending for eight telephone lines. We've looked at the LSDI Model 5000, but this only provides eight modems x four lines, and when you daisy chain these devices, you end up losing two telephone line ports per device. Has anybody faced this problem before? If so, what vendor/model did you go with? Any suggestions will be greately appreciated. Thanks! Ramon J. Hontanon ramon.hontanon@template.com Template Software Herndon, VA ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #333 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 9 17:43:01 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id RAA15357; Tue, 9 Jul 1996 17:43:01 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 17:43:01 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607092143.RAA15357@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #334 TELECOM Digest Tue, 9 Jul 96 17:43:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 334 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Pacific Telesis, SBC Negotiate With Sprint For LDS (Jorene Downs) My Bellsouth Problem: Solved (Ron Schnell) I Need Your Help For a Link to Qatar - Thanks (Dan Hetzel) Internet Domain Name Policy Evolution (Robert Shaw) Cloning Service Needed For Cellular Phone (Michael Beck) Details of 513/937 Area Code Split Released (Pierre Thomson) Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? (Jim Hurley) You Are Being Monitored (John David Galt) Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America (Toby Nixon) Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again (Jeremy Bond Shepherd) Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again (Matt Holdrege) Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again (Art Kamlet) Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again (Raymond Hazel) Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again (Patrick Heintz) Re: Californians Need Caller-ID Tool Help! (Bill Kinch) Opportunitie de'emploi (Lionel Jaquet) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jcdowns@psnw.com (Jorene Downs) Subject: Pacific Telesis, SBC Negotiate With Sprint For LDS Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 17:28:55 GMT Organization: Strategic Vision Reply-To: jcdowns@psnw.com SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 1996--Southwestern Bell Communications Services, Inc. a subsidiary of SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC), and Pacific Bell Communications, a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group (NYSE:PAC), today announced they have signed a memorandum of understanding with Sprint (NYSE:FON) that covers wholesale long distance services. The companies expect to sign a contract by mid-summer. They believe they've been able to secure the best possible wholesale interexchange rates and services. Sprint was selected because of its high quality network, reputation for reliability and performance and attractive pricing structure. The agreement with Sprint is expected to allow Pacific Bell and SBC to rapidly enter the long-distance marketplace with a competitive cost structure, following regulatory approvals. The carrier selection is the result of a joint request for proposal (RFP) issued earlier this year. A non-disclosure agreement prohibits the companies from discussing details of the initiative, other than to state that the agreement is a 4-year exclusive deal. BellSouth Long Distance Inc., a subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation (NYSE:BLS), was originally part of the RFP process, but elected to independently purchase long-distance services. All three parties agree, however, that the joint RFP approach was very valuable since all major carriers responded aggressively. The RFP process, and subsequent selection of a wholesale supplier, are not related to the proposed merger between SBC and Pacific Telesis. Both companies will continue to operate as independent entities, including their long-distance operations, until the merger receives final shareholder and regulatory approval. Pacific Telesis Group, based in San Francisco, provides telecommunications services in California and Nevada with 15.8 million access lines. SBC Communications Inc., based in San Antonio, provides telecommunications services in Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas with 14.2 million access lines and wireless services in 62 markets. ------------------------------ From: ronnie@twitch.mit.edu (Ron Schnell) Subject: My Bellsouth Problem: Solved Date: 9 Jul 1996 16:16:00 GMT Organization: MIT BZZZT! I thought you guys would definitely get it before BellSouth. It took them four weeks! I will re-state the problem again: About one out of five times, when someone tried to call me, they would get a normal audible ring, but the phones in the house would not ring. In fact, a multimeter on the line at the network control box would show the line as completely dead. No voltage at all during the time when the attempted call is coming in. As soon as the calling party hung up, the line would come back. A buttset on the line allowed you to hear the caller ID tones coming through before the line went dead. I got several responses suggesting a bad set in the house, probably because I didn't make it clear that the phone guy actually hooked up outside the house and reproduced the problem. On Friday, they hooked up at the C.O. and reproduced the problem! It was fixed this morning. According to the C.O. people, they installed some new trunks in my area a few weeks ago, and there was a problem in the "translation software". I'm not sure what that means, except that it sounds to me like this probably affected more than just me, yet I was the only one to complain about it! Anyone have any idea what "translation software" is, or are they just making up terms? By the way, BellSouth really dropped the ball on getting this fixed. The first guy that came out really had no clue. He just closed out the ticket as fixed, without doing anything. In speaking with a service supervisor, I found out that you can say the magic words "I demand a duty foreman", in order to get a more knowledgeable person to the house. This helped a lot (he came on July 4th!). knew enough to be able to say, "Yes, it is a C.O. problem," and make sure the right people got on it. I should also mention that I think BellSouth is great in general. I'm very impressed with their 24 hour/day customer service and repair, and flat rate ISDN for home and business. I also like being able to get call-waiting during three-way-calling. For telecommunications needs, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Ron ------------------------------ From: Dan Hetzel Subject: I Need Your Help For a Link to Qatar - Thanks Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 18:18:54 +0200 Organization: D.H. Consulting Reply-To: dan@alpes-net.fr Hi, Having bought two USRobotics V34 (33600) here in France through a local distributor, I am planning to use them to establish a PPP link between a local Workstation located in our head office in France and a local branch in Qatar. The two workstations (Sun 20/61 Solaris 2.4) were configured here in France and tested for a few weeks. It worked perfectly. Then, one of the Suns was moved to Qatar (arab world) to the local branch of the company and, from then, things went bad. I couldn't successfully establish a link between the two modems because the remote modem couldn't catch the carrier. I tried many different speed settings and could only have a carrier detected at 9600 bauds. But, as far as I know, there was no useful data flowing between the modems, just line noise. The line quality sounds quite good when used with standard phones. I even hooked up faxes on both sides and had no problem transmitting documents. I tried connecting from home (Macintosh 8500 - Hayes Accura) and couldn't succeed connecting for the same reason (no carrier above 9600, garbage at that speed). I am wondering if: - either the modems made for the Qatar market differ from those sold in France; - or the signal received on the remote modem is too low regarding modem's sensitivity; - or the French->UK adaptor used with the modem isn't good; - or the delay due to the satellite used for the telecom link is the culprit; - or ... (no idea). It took you approximately two minutes to read this document to this point and, if you have any idea and two more minutes to spend, I would really appreciate your help. ;-)) Thanking you all very much in advance, Dan PS: I've sent this message to support@usr.com but got no reply until now. mailto:dan@alpes-net.fr ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 11:40:17 CET From: shaw Subject: Internet Domain Name Policy Evolution Hi Pat, Thought some of your readers might be interested in a paper I've written, "Internet Domain Names: Whose Domain is This?" analyzing the recent activity for evolution of the Internet Domain Name System. You can find it at: http://www.itu.ch/intreg/dns.html Cheers, Robert Shaw ITU ------------------------------ From: mbeck@inmind.com (Michael Beck) Subject: Cloning Service Needed For Cellular Phone Date: Tue, 09 Jul 96 17:55:15 GMT Organization: Lynchburg, VA I have two cellular phones that I would like to use with my cellular number. (One flip-hone in my pocket and one bag phone in my car). If anyone can help with this, please let me know. BTW, I'm not doing this for an illegal purpos; both phones are mine and so is the number. It's just that my local cell provider says the service won't be available from them until next year, if at all. Mike P.S. Will both phones ring? [TELECOM Digest Editor's note: Not only will both phones ring if both are turned on at the same time, but the cellular people will have real conniption fits over the whole thing. What you propose is an absolute no-no at this time, *regardless of intentions*. You will cause all sorts of red flags to to go up at the carrier. The 'system' is not set up to do this at the present time with most (all?) carriers. What you *can* do and accomplish about the same thing is have 'forward on no answer' implemented on both phones, with each one pointing to the other. Then you give out one number only as your cellular number, being the one you tend to use most of the time. If you do not answer that phone after X rings, the call will be transferred to the other cellular number. If that one also remains unanswered after X rings, it will switch back and start ringing the first one again. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Pierre Thomson Subject: Details of 513/937 Area Code Split Released Date: 9 Jul 1996 16:11:15 GMT Organization: MHVNet, the Mid Hudson Valley's Internet connection A Bellcore letter arrived today with the breakdown of the split of 513 into 513 and 937, scheduled for September 28, 1996. In brief, the city of Cincinnati and most of Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties will stay in 513, while the rest will become 937. Permissive dialing will run from 9/28/96 through 6/14/97. The full list of affected exchanges is available at: http://www1.mhv.net/~mmommsen/npanxx.htm Pierre Thomson Telecom Manager Rifton Enterprises ------------------------------ From: Jim Hurley Subject: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? Organization: James Hurley & Associates Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 17:34:11 GMT Hi, I think I am bumping into another Sprint bait and switch scan. In late December I called Sprint and asked about their rates. The Sprint Sense plan seemed to meet my needs. I was quoted a rate of $.22 per minute during 7:00 am to 7:00 pm weekdays, and $.10 per minute during the rest of the week and evenings. I specifically asked if this rate would last forever, and was told it would. I didn't get a written contract though, or if I did, I didn't read the fine print. Last night while paying my bills I noticed that my daytime rate had been increased to $.25 per minute. I received no notice from Sprint about this change. I am really angry about this. I was thinking about changing to another long distance provider; this accelerated that action. I spend about $400.00 per month on LD service. Anyone care to suggest a new provider to me, please do so by email. Don't send me anything if you can't guarantee your rates for a year, and if you can't beat $.18 per minute prime time. Don't call me. I guess this is a heads up to the group and a request for a plan on how to protest Sprint's actions. Thank you, Jim Hurley [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You can protest all you like. Sprint does not care. They are much too large and powerful at this point for anything anyone does to matter short of possibly a class action to settle a lot of grievances where the company is concerned with things like borken contracts, bait and switch, etc. PAT] ------------------------------ From: John_David_Galt@cup.portal.com Subject: You Are Being Monitored Date: Tue, 9 Jul 96 12:13:32 PDT Take a look: http://weblab.research.att.com/phoaks/index.html [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What makes this one any better or different than the several other similar services on the net these days? PAT] ------------------------------ From: Toby Nixon Subject: Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 11:56:02 -0700 Does anyone know of a page on the WWW or other resource that indicates the availability of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (TouchTone) dialing by country? Or, assuming that might not be available, does anyone have personal knowledge of particular countries outside North America where TouchTone dialing is widely available and deployed? My experience, which is roughly three years old, was that phone sets with DTMF generators were exceedingly rare outside North America; is that still the case? I've seen quite a few phones with pushbutton dialers in Europe, but they were all still pulse generators. Toby Nixon Program Manager - Windows Telephony Microsoft Corporation ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 00:25:31 -0700 From: jbond@netcom.com (Jeremy Bond Shepherd) Subject: Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again > As of 11 PM Pacific Time on Sunday night, July 7, 1996, a > "representative" answering my call to 611 on the Arlington exchange in > Riverside, California, advised that Caller ID would not go into effect > at midnight the morning of Monday, July 8, as had been previously > announced but would be delayed until July 15. I started receiving CPNI at my San Francisco telephone number this afternoon at ca. 4:00 PM Pacific. I had been testing every half hour or so since 8:00 AM this morning, and the 4:00 PM call was the first to receive CPNI. One interesting point: calls from my cellular phone (on Bay Area Cellular Telephone Company aka "Cellular One") show up on my Beltronics phone display as "Unknown number". *82 and *67 go to a cellular company recording. Isn't this in violation of FCC regs? Jeremy Bond SHEPHERD | I never take any notice of what common people San Francisco, CA | say, and I never interfere with what charming Internet: jbond@netcom.com | people do. If a personality fascinates me, Phone: 1-500-288-3626 | whatever mode of expression that personality | selects is absolutely delightful to me. | -Oscar Wilde, THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY ------------------------------ From: holdrege@eisner.decus.org (Matt Holdrege) Subject: Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again Organization: DECUServe Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 17:58:00 GMT In article , erickson@csnsys.com (Donald Erickson) writesK: > As of 11 PM Pacific Time on Sunday night, July 7, 1996, a > "representative" answering my call to 611 on the Arlington exchange in > Riverside, California, advised that Caller ID would not go into effect > at midnight the morning of Monday, July 8, as had been previously > announced but would be delayed until July 15. Just so folks won't think all of California is suffering, the 5.5+ million GTE California customers have had Caller-ID since June 15th. And as reported earlier, Pac Bell is sending CID to the IXC's. ------------------------------ From: kamlet@infinet.com (Art Kamlet) Subject: Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again Date: 8 Jul 1996 12:48:09 -0400 Organization: InfiNet Reply-To: kamlet@infinet.com In article , > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You know what would be good under the > circumstances? PacBell should start getting *fined* each day that > they continue to delay starting what they were supposed to start a > few months ago. How about a fifty-thousand dollar per day fine by > the FCC until PacBell brings itself into compliance? PAT] Pat, While I have no axe to grind for or against PacTel, I think any fines should relate to the economic or similar harm they cause. Those companies who have bought or built systemns to capture CID and use it in their business operations may have an individual claim against PacTel, which they can pursue independent of any fines levied by regulators. (Who should probably be state level and not FCC anyway, but that's a diversion.) But for residential or small business subscribers who would just like the service for its potential, I see no harm caused by a delay and repeat: fines should relate to actual harm. Art Kamlet Columbus, Ohio kamlet@infinet.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It appears to be a moot point now anyway since reports coming in say that the service was finally turned as of Monday morning sometime. But fines can also be punative in nature. That is, they can serve as punishment for for the willful and repeated acts enagaged in which specifically contradict the instructions given by authorities. Even that however can be nothing more than a joke to large agencies and private companies. For instance a few years ago when the federal government found that the Cook County (Illinois) Sheriff was in violation of the rights of persons after their criminal cases had been dropped. It seems the computer was not recording 'not guilty' verdicts and was issuing warrants to re-arrest people who the court had earlier released. The people would be picked up and held in jail for a few more weeks while the public servants shuffled their feet and blamed the computer. A couple thousand people were victimized in this way. Finally a federal judge found the Cook County Sheriff (who is responsible for the system) in contempt and ordered fines of ten thousand dollars per day until such time as Cook County began respecting basic human rights, etc. Now you would think that would be an incentive to get the computer under control and working correctly, wouldn't you? Oh no ... they did not fix the computer anytime soon; the Sheriff simply got the Cook County Board (the governing body for the county) to budget in 3.65 million dollars per year to pay the fines as they accumulated. Finally after about two years the case came up in federal court again for 'status'; the judge was incredulous to say the least. He gave the Sheriff two weeks to get the computer fixed. When all concerned returned to court in two weeks, either the computer was programmed correctly or some people present would go to jail right from there. Period, end of discussion. They were also to bring a check at that point to pay the (accumulated to date) seven million dollar fine. They came back in two weeks and had the computer operating correctly, however they did not bring the check to pay the fine. The excuse was the computer would not print a check of that size without the approval of a couple officials who -- wouldn't you know it! -- had just left on vacation and would not be back for a month, etc. And, asked the judge, what about the ten thousand dollars to each person falsely arrested which had been part of the original ruling ... had any of them received their payment? Well no ... that money had never been budgeted by the County Board. The judge said he was going out to lunch, and when he came back he expected *someone* to be there who had the authority to write a manual check if necessary to pay the fine and process the checks to the victims. When court resumed that afternoon, four women who were clerks in the Sheriff's Department were sitting at a table in the courtroom in an assembly-line process writing names on checks and putting them through a 'check writer' machine. They sat there for several hours doing it. The judge asked, "did you bring stamps and envelopes so the checks can be mailed, and where is my check for the fine?" Later on, one of the newspapers reported on it saying it appeared the only way one got anything accomplished with the public servants of the City of Chicago and Cook County was by squeezing and twisting certain parts of their anatomy; ...'perhaps midieval torture devices would get them to pay a bit more attention to the orders of the court', etc. At the courthouse, there are still signs posted in several places saying if you were falsely arrested by the Sheriff of Cook County over a two year period from 1992-94 you are entitled to be compensated. Sometimes hefty fines are the only way to get large corporations to quit stalling and obey the rules also. PAT] ------------------------------ From: razel@net.com (Raymond Hazel) Subject: Re: California Caller ID Postponed Again Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 11:30:19 -0800 Organization: N.E.T. In article , erickson@csnsys.com (Donald Erickson) wrote: > As of 11 PM Pacific Time on Sunday night, July 7, 1996, a > "representative" answering my call to 611 on the Arlington exchange in > Riverside, California, advised that Caller ID would not go into effect > at midnight the morning of Monday, July 8, as had been previously > announced but would be delayed until July 15. > HOWEVER, he was taking no responsibility for the accuracy of the > information and suggested I contact the California Public Utilities > Commission because the decision is theirs. > Checking into PacBell's web page http://www.pacbell.com, I found only > an old news release which I still could not bring up for display. My > previous message left on their web page asking for a chance to > subscribe to Caller ID and a phone call has been ignored so far the > past 10 days. Eight phone calls from February through June were never > returned as promised but I finally was able to order Caller ID on > Tuesday, July 2, but was warned even then that there was no guarantee > service would start on July 8 as planned. I received a return call based on my first request in June. The service rep called my work place at 6:20 PM on 7/8 and left a voicemail message confirming my request for caller id, and that if I wanted the service, they would activate it within two to four hours of my request. I was given 800-310-2355 as the number to call between 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Today (7/9), I called to have Caller ID turned on. It was available under their Quick Service option (which is supposed to eliminate the $5.00 hook-up charge) but the next recording announced that it wasn't available under Quick Service and was then queued to a service representative. She gave me the costs ($6.50 re-occurring and $5.00 installation); I then was told that the service would be activated on 7/10. I called back, thinking about the two to four hour commit stated in the voice-mail message. This time, I didn't select the special Caller ID prompt, but the regular service prompt. This second service rep noted that I received a call yesterday afternoon, and mentioned that by using the Quick Service selection, I was saving $5.00. I told her I wasn't so sure, as the only option was to speak to a service rep, and that earlier call mentioned the $5.00 charge. As I left it, I pay the $5.00 intallation charge, (which could be spread out over 3 months ... I declined) and the service should be activated by 5:00 PM today, 7/9. Due to the heavy service order load they currently have, she did say it may be more than two to four hours. I'll find out more when I get home this evening. In reading Donald's note, I got the same initial response from PacBell in the maybe-it-will, maybe-it-won't be available. I'd also add that calling 611 with new service-related questions is a 50/50 proposition. I wasn't surprised that no one called me at work on 7/8, as promised, when I left for home; it turns out they did meet that commitment (although calling my work phone at 6:20 PM is a bit of a stretch). Ray (Hayward, Calif.) ------------------------------ From: heintz@amiga.mfg.sgi.com (Patrick Heintz) Subject: Re: Pac*Bell Delays Caller-ID Yet Again Date: 9 Jul 1996 09:33:10 GMT Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA > Heard on the TV news last night (6/29) that Caller-ID service will be > available starting July 8th. Apparently PacBell needed to be certain > that all their customers had been properly notified of the call-block > options available, and that all "requirements" for that notification > had been met. I received caller-id on the 8th as promised, but I'm not receiving the caller's name. I'm not sure if this is intentional or not. Patrick Heintz http://reality.sgi.com/employees/heintz_mfg/heintz.html Pager: 415-335-0278 Email: heintz@amiga.mfg.sgi.com ------------------------------ From: bkinch@worldnet.att.net (Bill Kinch) Subject: Re: Californians Need Caller-ID Tool Help! Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 10:30:05 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Reply-To: bkinch@worldnet.att.net holdrege@eisner.decus.org (Matt Holdrege) wrote: > Another thing that probably won't happen here is a "blocking the > blocker" service from the LEC. So I'm looking for a phone or other > device that will send a message to the anonymous caller telling them > that I don't accept blocked calls. Any other tool tips are welcome. (Snip) I have a Meridian 9516 telephone manufactured by Nortel. It does what you want. It is rather expensive, but has a load of features. I bought it some time ago and had to order directly from Nortel. I have never seen it for sale in any "ordinary" telephone store. I beleive they have a desription and picture of it on their web page. Bill Kinch Software Consultant ------------------------------ From: Lionel JAQUET Subject: Opportunitie d'emploi Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 08:33:28 +0200 Organization: Assistance Professionnelle Informatique S.A. Notre societe API S.A. a Lausanne, cherche: - un ingenieur-commercial senior specialise dans les telecommunications (LAN, MAN, WAN, ev. cabling et PABX). Cette personne serait de formation universitaire ou equiv., elle devrait etre au benefice d'une solide experience de vente et des techniques precitees, elle devrait connaitre le marche Suisse-Romand. API est une societe jeune et dynamique de 15 personnes, elle officie principalement dans l'integration de reseaux informatiques, elle offre un salaire en rapport avec le profil demande. - un ingenieur-technicien junior specialise dans les telecommunications (LAN, MAN, WAN). Cette personne serait de formation ETS ou equiv., elle s'occuperait de l'installation des hubs, routers, .. et egalement de serveurs Windows NT. Cette personne serait donc pluridisciplinaire et ouverte aux nouvelles technologies. Une experience serait un atout supplementaire, mais n'est pas indispensable. API offre une formation pour completer les connaissances de bases ainsi qu'un salaire en rapport avec le profil demande. Pour tout renseignement supplementaire, vous pouvez me contacter directement par le mail, mailto:ljaquet@api.ch ou par telephone. Bien a vous! Assistance Professionnelle Informatique S.A. /\ ¦---¦ ¦ Lionel Jaquet / \ ¦ ¦ ¦ Av. des Boveresses 42 /----\ ¦---¦ ¦ CH-1000 LAUSANNE 21 / \ ¦ ¦ Tel. +41 21 654 30 36 FAX +41 21 653 44 14 World Wide Web http://www.api.ch/ ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #334 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 9 22:38:19 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id WAA14006; Tue, 9 Jul 1996 22:38:19 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 22:38:19 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607100238.WAA14006@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #335 TELECOM Digest Tue, 9 Jul 96 22:37:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 335 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? (Tye McQueen) Additional Area Code Split Notes (John Cropper) Telemarketing Scams (Melissa Winkler via Danny Burstein) Fun with Telemarketers (Again) (Andrew C. Green) Information Wanted on Myline (Daryl R. Gibson) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Manuel Maese) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (sheep@juno.com) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Eric Hunt) Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone (Paul Robinson) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 18:10:50 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here After several complaints to different departments of BellSouth and AT&T, the area code problems have been fixed for (most of) New Orleans area switches. The Central Office switch "Seabrook" a #1AESS (504-24x) which serves my home line (as well as my parents') didn't have *any* of the four new NPA's which went into permissive dialing on 1 July 1996, until sometime on Monday. Most of the #1AESS switches in the New Orleans area which I've had a chance to check also now have all four new NPA codes programmed in. The Digital local switches (DMS and #5ESS) seemed to have most if not all of the four new codes properly loaded in last week. AT&T seemed to put the new NPA codes into their #5ESS "OSPS" Operator switch which serves this part of the US, 601-0-T in Jackson MS one-by-one. On Monday 1 July, I don't think any of the codes were programmed in. On Tuesday, 246 Barbados was in. On Wednesday, 757 Virginia was in. I called them on Wednesday to inform them that 758 St.Lucia and 664 Montserrat were still not porgrammed in. I had called AT&T Long-Distance Repair at 800-222-3000 and received a run-around and 'inquisition' tactic. An hour later, I tested the 800 numbers used to place card and operator assisted calls on AT&T and found that 758 St.Lucia was in. This past Monday (8 July), I called up a contact with AT&T in New Jersey and explained that 664 for Montserrat was still not in. At 7:30 pm Central Time on Monday, 664 was still not in AT&T's OSPS 601-0-T switch, but it was sometime after 8:00 pm Central time. The next new batch of Area Codes to start with permissive dialing are in September. I hope that the LEC's and IXC's will be a bit more timely in programming in the new codes. Oregon's 541 recently finished its permissive time period and began *mandatory* dialing (30 June 1996). Permissive dialing for the split began 5 November 1995. But I received some email from a DIGEST reader in New Jersey who said that he couldn't get through to a relative in the 541 NPA as a direct dialed call just the other day *AFTER* mandatory use of 541 had started! He said that he called the Bell Atlantic "single-0" operator who forwarded him to AT&T. The AT&T Operator placed the call for him. I emailed him back informing him that he will *probably* be charged the AT&T Operator *HANDLED* rate rather than the 1+ AT&T rate or plan he has, as that is now AT&T's practice :-( One way to check to see if the LEC's and AT&T properly have the codes loaded into their switches is to dial the following: To check if the code is in the LEC switch to do 'standard' 1+ or 0+ dialed calls, dial 0+ the NPA in question + 555-5555 (keep your finger on the '5'). If the new code is *not* loaded into the switch, you should get a recording from the LEC after the three digits of the NPA code, or after the NPA-555-5, as if you had dialed 0+ seven-digits. If the code is properly loaded into the LEC switch, it won't cut you off, and you will go through to your carrier after 0+ ten-digits. You can do this from payphones too (both COCOTS and Telco), by dialing 10-288/101-0288+0+ . I prefer using 10-288 for AT&T, as it should (hopefully) *not* be blocked. If AT&T doesn't have the code properly loaded in but the LEC does, you will get a recording after dialing all of the digits, but from AT&T saying "Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again", followed by the switch ID tag, which will be your own NPA code or a neighering one (where the AT&T OSPS switch is located) and *usually* 0-T ('zero, tee'). If your LEC switch doesn't allow access to the new NPA code, you can still check AT&T's OSPS system by dialing their 800 access numbers, 800-CALL-ATT (800-225-5288) or 800-3210-ATT (800-321-0288). An AT&T jingle will be heard and then enter (with touchtones) the ten-digit number. If the NPA code is properly in the AT&T switch, you will get the card 'bong'. If not, you will hear "Please enter the number you are calling again, now. The number you've entered is NOT correct". The official NPA test numbers are good to determine if the call properly terminates in the destination location and its new splitting (or overlaying) area code. But first, your LEC and the carrying IXC must properly handle the new NPA code! But some of the test numbers in the Caribbean might just 'supervise', which means you might get billed to call them! However, even for the test numbers which do NOT 'supervise', you never know if a non-AT&T (or non-Stentor) Long-Distance carrier uses traditional answer supervision. And a PBX system or COCOT might just charge or collect deposited coins for that call to the official test number! (But who would even attempt to deposit coins at a COCOT to check a new-NPA's test number!) Other than calling up the 'general' number for local repair if the problem is in their own switches or the long distance company's 'general' repair number if the problem is in *their* switches (AT&T's is 800-222-3000), you might want to contact people you know with telco or a long-distance company. Maybe the state regulatory agency or the FCC (CRTC in Canada) might be able to help, too. This also applies to recently activated international *country* codes which aren't in your LEC's switch, or LEC/IXC problems in dialing to countries which have gone through a recent numbering plan change, such as changing internal area codes and/or increasing the number of digits of the local/national number in the destination country. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: tye@metronet.com (Tye McQueen) Subject: Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? Date: 9 Jul 1996 18:44:40 -0500 Organization: Texas Metronet, Inc (login info (214/488-2590 - 817/571-0400)) bernhold@npac.syr.edu (David E. Bernholdt) writes: > It seems to me that quite a number of NPAs which have split recently > are already in need of further relief. This leads me to wonder why -- > is it poor planning? Surely they have models for the growth, are they > so out of sync with reality? Is there a good reason to be so > parsimonious with new NPAs that they can't arrange splits to last > longer? Seems to me it would be easier on everyone to have them come > a little less frequently. ... or not at all, the splits, that is. In Dallas we don't even have a split yet and we are already discussing at least two more. The biggest contributing factor lately has been a succession of law suits and threats of suits with various groups whining because they want the pain of NPA changes put onto someone else. The Dallas area is in sore need of an _overlay_ or 8-digit local numbers. But the courts were so silly as to rule that an overlay is illegal since it unfairly disadvantages new-comer local service providers, so we will never see one. While the NANPers are so silly as to think that 8-digit local numbers will never be needed so why start working toward making them possible ("by the time we need that things will be so different that we won't even have phone numbers anymore", is what I've heard repeatedly). At least pre-allocate for Dallas a block of 10 adjacent 4-digit area codes and start beating the drum loudly so that at least a few PBXes get updated to handle it in the next five or ten years! Then we can start working toward a sane solution to the problem while we are making panicked NPA splits and overlays just to keep things running in the mean time. Not even the major Telcos were ready for all of the NPA changes. Clearly there has not been enough planning going on. At this rate Dallasites will be unable to get new service for lack of numbers before we are able to complete a split. In all likely- hood thousands of businesses are going to have to change their phone numbers two or even three times (given how smoothly this first area code change is going) in the next few years. But that's okay with the courts as long as AT&T can provide local service to downtown Dallas and have plenty of phone numbers within 214 to use. The City of Dallas announced they would sue unless the split left the entire city of Dallas within 214. Rather silly since this just means that the freshly-split 214 will have to split again very soon. I guess the City of Dallas thinks the courts can force the 214 area code to have enough phone numbers for all of Dallas no matter how many people, modems, FAX machines, and DID extensions move in. If you move to the Dallas area and they try to give you a non-214 number, be sure to sue as this clearly is unfair to you. Geez ... Okay, I feel a little better now. Tye McQueen tye@metronet.com || tye@thingy.usu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 22:37:08 GMT Subject: Re: some notes I emailed Steve From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) On Jul 09, 1996 16.04.40, '"Mark J. Cuccia" ' wrote: > I'm forwarding you some notes I emailed to Steve Grandi -- That's ok, my "weekly" update is overdue, so I'll attach this to it, and echo to all ... > Tuesday 9 July 1996 14:46 > Did you also want to include anything on the future split of Nevada (702)? It's shaping up to be North vs South (south being Clark, Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda, and Mineral counties). Las Vegas (south) would like to keep 702, but so does Reno/Carson City (capital), both in the north. No decision can be expected for at least one to two quarters. You might also want to gear up for a SECOND split on the following (already) split (in 1995) NPAs: * CO - 303 (507 NXXs assigned/reserved as of 7/1) * AZ - 602 (498 NXXs assigned/reserved as of 7/1) * MN - 612 (540 NXXs assigned/reserved as of 7/1, JUST SPLIT IN MARCH!!) * FL - 305 (457 NXXs assigned/reserved as of 7/1) * FL - 904 (551 NXXs assigned/reserved as of 7/1, OVER 70% FULL!) Those are just the *critical* ones (as per OLD BellCore notes on the subject ... a few others are starting to move rather quickly as well: * PA - 215 (532 NXXs, split in 1994, 610 is close behind with 411 NXXs) * GA - 770 (452 NXXs, split in 1995) * IL - 847 (456 NXXs, split in January, mandatory in April) * NC - 910 (513 NXXs, split in 1993, 919 is close behind with 443 NXXs) MI (313 & 810), and OH (216/440) were already announced, but could see action again in late 2000, if the two big competitors (Sprint and AT&T) gain a local foothold in Ameritech territory. > BTW, I spoke with Stan Washer this morning, the central office code > administrator for BellSouth, in Birmingham. > I asked him about 504, 318 and MS' 601. He told me that he couldn't > presently inform us about what numericals have been reserved, but he > could in a few months. I told him that I prefer an overlay. Boo Hiss ;-) > I also plan on contacting the La.PSC. I've been in telephone contact > off-and-on over the past ten years with the engineer at the PSC (mainly > regarding damned COCOTs, 976, 900, the recent 211, etc), and I'm going to > urge an overlay over 504 and 318! > I'll send you more info as I get it! Appreciated as always... > Tuesday 9 July 1996 15:15 > Well, the engineer at the La.PSC answered the office line, as the > receptionist was off today. There have been budget cuts all over the > state's departments. > He was aware of the many code splits around the NANP, but he doesn't > use the Internet, altho' he does have access. He didn't know what the > difference between a split and an overlay is! But when I explained the > differences, he seems to prefer overlays and mandatory ten-digit > dialing. He has access to the Internet, but prefers not to take the > time to use it! And while he is aware of Bellcore, they don't really > get ANYTHING from them! Typical ... old guard tends not to use new tools requiring more than the lifting of a finger. These people, while proficient at what they do, don't want to get involved in the "fad" they see the i-net to be. > Oh well, I tried ... but it appears that Louisiana will go the way > of a 'traditional' split, unless BellSouth might be able to GET ITS > WAY! (I hope). But if the competitors fight it (and ignorant > so-called consumer groups join in), we'll get splits :-( > Of course, since New Orleans is WORLDWIDE KNOWN, I think we'll keep > 504, and Baton Rouge will get the new code. Oddsmakers give you a 80-20 chance of that... :-) > As for 318 ... You might think that north La. (Shreveport, Monroe, > and central La's Alexandria) will keep 318. But since "Cajun Country" > (Lafayette, New Iberia, Opelousas, Lake Charles, etc) is quite > popular, closer to the capital Baton Rouge, etc. I'd hope this > southern area gets to keep 318. Shreveport is moderately favored to keep 318 in a split situation here. > Of course, I think the BEST plan is an overlay and mandatory > ten-digit dialing! Again, Boo Hiss :-) > I haven't yet checked for 601 Mississippi. You might think that > central/northern MS might keep 601 as the Capital, Jackson is in > that area. But the Gulf Coast area (and a different LATA) is closer > to New Orleans, and becomiing more and more populated with residents > and CASINOS! It might be that 601 stays for the Gulf Coast CASINO > area. Again, I'd REALLY hope that overlays take precedence! MS should split along the north and south LATAs. Again, north is favored to keep the 601 NPA... John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 19:06:25 EDT From: danny burstein Subject: Telemarketing Scams Forwarded from Voice of America's wire service. Original all in CAPS. sorry about that./dannyb DATE=7/9/96 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-199943 TITLE=TELEMARKETING SCAMS (L-ONLY) BYLINE=MELISSA WINKLER DATELINE=WASHINGTON INTRO: THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SAYS EVERY DAY THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS ARE TARGETS OF TELEMARKETING SCAMS THAT COST SMALL BUSINESSES AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR. MELISSA WINKLER REPORTS THE F-T-C HAS IS CRACKING DOWN ON SUCH OPERATIONS, AND IS TARGETING ONE OF THE MOST COSTLY TELEMARKETING SCHEMES -- BOGUS OFFICE SUPPLY COMPANIES. TEXT: MOST BUSINESSES, NON-PROFIT GROUPS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND EVEN CHURCHES IN THE UNITED STATES ORDER PRODUCTS LIKE PAPER AND CLEANING SUPPLIES BY TELEPHONE. SO WHEN A SUPPLY COMPANY CALLS AND OFFERS A GOOD DEAL ON BRAND-NAMED ITEMS, OFTEN WITH A FREE GIFT ATTACHED, IT IS HARD TO REFUSE. THE PROBLEM IS, MANY OF THESE SALES COMPANIES ARE PHONY. THEY LIE ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, IN MANY CASES PRETENDING TO BE A COMPANY'S REGULAR SUPPLIER, THEY SEND MERCHANDISE THAT WAS NOT ORDERED, THEY MISREPRESENT PRODUCTS, AND CHARGE OUTRAGEOUSLY INFLATED PRICES. JODIE BERNSTEIN OF THE F-T-C'S CONSUMER PROTECTION BUREAU SAYS THE CON-ARTISTS USE A VARIETY OF GIMMICKS TO MISLEAD THE BUYER. THE ORDER-BY-TRICK SCAM, AS SHE CALLS IT, IS A POPULAR ONE IN WHICH THE SELLER CONVINCES THE BUYER TO ACCEPT A PROMOTIONAL ITEM AT NO COST. /// BERNSTEIN ACT /// A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE INVOLVED A CALL TO A CATHOLIC PRIEST. THE CALLER SAID GEE, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU A CLOCK RADIO, FREE, AND IF YOU JUST GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND SO FORTH WE WILL SEND IT TO YOU. DID THE CLOCK RADIO COME? YES IT DID. BUT WITH IT CAME A HUGE CARTON OF LIGHT BULBS AND A BILL FOR 400-DOLLARS. THE CLAIM WAS -- THE PRIEST HAD OF COURSE AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE AND THEREFORE HE WAS GOING TO BE HELD, OR HIS ORGANIZATION WOULD BE HELD LIABLE. /// END ACT /// SADLY, MS. BERNSTEIN SAYS, MANY CONSUMERS PAY THESE BOGUS COMPANIES -- OFTEN BECAUSE THEY ARE TOLD THEY WILL BE BILLED HEFTY SHIPPING COSTS IF THEY RETURN THE PRODUCTS. SHE SAID WHEN CONSUMERS REFUSE TO PAY THE BILL, THE TREND IS THEY ARE HARASSED BY THE SCAM COMPANY -- OFTEN WITH THREATS THEIR CREDIT REPUTATION WILL BE RUINED. THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SAYS IT IS WITNESSING A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN OFFICE SUPPLY SCAMS. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WERE REPORTED LAST YEAR AND THE F-T-C PREDICTS THE FIGURE WILL DOUBLE THIS YEAR. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE (TUESDAY) IN WASHINGTON, THE F-T-C ANNOUNCED "OPERATION COPYCAT" AN F-T-C AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVE TO CLOSE DOWN OFFICE SUPPLY SCHEMES, FREEZE THEIR ASSETS, AND REPAY THE VICTIMS. MS. BERNSTEIN SAYS 18 BOGUS COMPANIES OPERATING IN SEVERAL U-S STATES HAVE ALREADY BEEN CHARGED WITH VIOLATING A NEW F-T-C TELEMARKETING SALES RULE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY. THE RULE REQUIRES TELEPHONE SELLERS IMMEDIATELY DISCLOSE THEY ARE CALLING TO SELL SOMETHING. IT ALSO PROHIBITS COLLECTING PAYMENT FOR SO-CALLED PRIZES, BARS MISREPRESENTATION OF GOODS, AND PROHIBITS FALSE CLAIMS TO INDUCE PAYMENT. IN THE MEANTIME, THE F-T-C IS DISTRIBUTING PAMPHLETS TO CONSUMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ABOUT HOW TO DETECT OFFICE SUPPLY SCAMS AND WHERE THEY SHOULD FILE COMPLAINTS. (SIGNED) NEB/MJW/RAE 09-Jul-96 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 17:41:38 -0500 From: Andrew C. Green Subject: Fun With Telemarketers (Again) I had been meaning to write this for some time, as the credit for this gag belongs to a TELECOM Digest contributor whose name I have long forgotten. You will know who you are: In a discussion on joke answering-machine greetings, someone here offered: "Hello! If you are a telemarketer, please press 1 and hang up now. Otherwise please leave a message after the beep." We thought that was pretty funny and put it on our home machine. Sure enough, every now and then some mouth-breather would actually press 1 and hang up; the first time we heard this we practically died laughing. So anyway, one day we get a call, hear the machine play its message, followed by a hangup. Seconds later, it rings again. (This often happens; we decided it's probably the first caller nudging his partner in the next cubicle and saying, "Hey, dial this number and listen!") A glance at the Caller ID shows that it's Pioneer Press, a local newspaper, and ... hey, that's interesting, the _last_ caller was _also_ Pioneer Press, but different extension. Probably the office help stuck making subscription calls after hours. The plot thickens. We listen a bit closer this time. The answering machine does its thing, plays its beep, and we hear someone breathing at the other end. After a moment's thought, they carefully press "1" and hang up. Now, we know why they're calling; our free subscription to their paper is almost up and they want us to subscribe. In actual fact, we want to, so I decide to have a little fun: I punch up the number of the last call on the display and hit the dialback button. One ring ... Two rings ... Three rings ... Four rings ... Starting to wonder if this is really going to -- whoops, here we go! A quavering voice says simply, "Uh, hello?" ME: (booming voice) Well? You _called_ me, didn't you? Was there something you wanted? VOICE: (script rustling in background) Uh, hello, um ... Well, yes, um, I'm a telemarketer, and, um, your message said to press 1, so -- ME: Yes, yes, I'm here, what is it? VOICE: Um, we were wondering how you liked your copy of the ... ME: Yes, it's fine; we'd like a year's subscription, please. Will there be anything else? VOICE: Um, no, thanks ... (valiantly trying to interpret his script backwards since it tells him nothing about incoming calls) Um, can I get your phone number and address please? ME: (exasperated) But you called me, remember? Don't you have it there? VOICE: Um, oh, yes, thank you, you're Mr. Green at (address)? ME: Yes ... VOICE: (relieved; finally found a way to get back on the script) Okay, someone will call to confirm your order in three to five days! Well, they never did call back; they sent us a postcard instead. Too bad; I miss that human touch of personal phone calls. ;-) Andrew C. Green Datalogics, Inc. 441 W. Huron Internet: acg@dlogics.com Chicago, IL 60610-3498 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 09:56:51 -0600 From: Daryl R. Gibson Subject: Information Wanted on MyLine Pat, could you point me toward the company that is giving you the MYLINE 800 service? I am trying to be helpful for someone else. Daryl (801)378-2950 (801)489-6348 drg@du1.byu.edu 71171.2036@compuserve.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Surely ... it has been a long time since there was a mention of MyLine here and I think it is about time to bring it up again. MyLine is about the best 800 service I have ever seen, and I have been a subscriber for a couple years. Make a note of this address: jbucking@callamerica.com ... Jeff Buckingham is the head of Call America and the person responsible for 'MyLine', a very superior service. In addition to the usual service you expect with an 800 number, you get a few extras as part of the package. You can program your 800 number to ring at any one of three locations in sequence to locate you. You can issue a 'priority code' to selected callers allowing them to get through to you at a 'priority number' while other calls are shunted into voicemail. You get outgoing calls via your 800 number, much like AT&T 500 service. You get 'call screening' which means callers to your 800 number have to say their name to the system. This is then announced to you and you have the option of telling the system you will accept the call or you want the call sent to voicemail. In addition, you get 'virtual call waiting'. What this means is if you are using your 800 number and another call comes in, you get a 'call waiting' tone and you can elect to put the first call on hold (whether you received it originated it) and accept the second call, or you can let the second call go to voicemail. You can also set up a three-way call between incoming and outgoing calls, etc. If that is not enough, you also can request call-backs at specific times of day. For example, I frequently use MyLine as a wake up service in the morning by telling it the night before what time to call me. You can use your own voicemail service/answering machine, or you can get it from MyLine for a small extra fee. Best of all, I think they are still assigning *genuine 800* numbers and not the newer and somewhat troublesome 888 numbers. If you get a lot of inter- national calls, MyLine can also assign you a number in the 415 area code which is tied in to your 800 number. Anyway, Jeff Buckingham is the man to contact. Probably he can have your 800 number turned on within a day. The rates are no more or less than those charged by the Big Three for 800 service and as noted above you get much, much more for your money. The address to write to again is jbucking@callamerica.com. Please let him know you read about MyLine in this Digest. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 10:52:50 -0500 From: Manuel Maese Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Dear Pat, I couldn't agree any more with your comments on the oppressiveness against smokers on the part of Motorola. Probably almost anybody having worked in Motorola (well, a big majority) has a significant advantage towards getting another job in a less-restrictive company, and that's definitely what I'd do. By the by, I also smoke and I understand and respect all the reasons for not smoking in a building you share with non-smokers, but I have to draw the line right by the door of my own car! Now, you mention that Motorola used-to-be a topnotch employer until new management took over and started changing things. Since I'm not that familiar with the company, could you or anybody else elaborate a little more? How is it working at the big M? What kind of corporate culture are they instituting now? (or what kind of culture did they have before?) I'm curious. Thanks, Manuel Maese [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Motorola is an old-line, long established high-tech firm. They were around long before 'high-tech' was a term anyone knew. I think maybe the company got started back in the 1920's with radios, photograph players, etc. They've been 'into' pagers, CB radios, amateur radio gear, etc from when those were all new devices. They manufacture a variety of chips, again going back to long before computers were commonplace. Like Zenith, they date back to before most people today were even born, even us old-timers. Motorola has a very long and well-respected history. They still are a respected company, but I just do not know why the management there in the past few years has become so very difficult to work with. Perhaps they are trying to cash in on the years and years of name brand recognition and customer goodwill they have built up. Back in the 1950-70 era they seemed to have a lot of very creative, original, on-of-a-kind people there; real strange -- and that is not meant in a derogatory way -- people; people who made Motorola into the giant it is today. I guess times change, and people change with it. What kind of a place do you think Apple, Microsoft and some of the newer 'players' will be like as employers thirty or forty years from now? PAT] ------------------------------ From: sheep@juno.com Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 15:16:19 GMT If Motorola is so concerned with employee safety, it seems as though they should ban using cell phone handsets in employees cars. Dialing and juggling a phone at 65 mph poses a danger to the rest of the drivers on the road. Motorola's own users manuals attest to those facts. Brad Leonard [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You miss the point, or maybe you are speaking with tongue in cheek. Smokers are the current group of people to be picked on, not cellular phone users. PAT] ------------------------------ From: ehunt@bga.com (Eric Hunt) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 13:36:11 -0500 Organization: Lil' Ole' Me > But at some Motorola Inc. facilities in the Chicago area, the company > soon will be digging a little deeper into smokers' private lives, > prohibiting them from smoking in their cars. My mother works for a large bank in Birmingham, Alabama: Compass Bancshares. As long as she's worked there (three years, maybe), the company has had a policy of no smoking on company property except in designated smoking areas. This includes private cars parked on the company parking lot. For a period of time, before a compassionate VP arrived, there were *NO* designated smoking areas on company property. Employees had to leave the fenced perimeter of Compass property and smoke on the city-owned street corner. It was quite pitiful. I am against smoking, but making your employees stand on a street corner with no protection from the elements in Birmingham, Alabama (where one swims through the outside air in the summer, it's so hot and humid) is cruel and unusual punishment. Eric Hunt __ ehunt@bga.com (preferred) Austin, TX \/ hunt@metrowerks.com http://www.realtime.net/~ehunt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 20:38:09 EDT From: Paul Robinson Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company/TDR, Inc. Silver Spring, MD USA Subject: Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone As of about five minutes ago, the "U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock" time service, on 202-762-1401, is not answering the telephone. This is a local call for me, as I live only about six miles away, yet I am aware of no power failures in the DC area or any other reason to explain their failure to answer the telephone. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I tried it as soon as I got your message and it was answering. I imagine they were probably doing some maintainence work on the phones, etc. Whether or not the phone answers has no bearing on if the clock is operating. Then too, is it possible you dialed the wrong number without realizing it, dialing a number that legitimatly did not answer for whatever reason? PAT[ ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #335 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jul 10 00:51:50 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id AAA27246; Wed, 10 Jul 1996 00:51:50 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 00:51:50 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607100451.AAA27246@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #336 TELECOM Digest Wed, 10 Jul 96 00:50:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 336 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? (Mike Sandman) Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? (Steve Forrette) Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? (Steven Lichter) Re: AOL Employees Steal Users Credit Card Numbers (Matthew B. Landry) Re: *69 is Completely Worthless (Eric Friedebach) Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks (Fred R. Goldstein) Re: Collect Calls From a Boat (Ed Kleinhample) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (S. Satchell) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Bill Ranck) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Art Kamlet) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: mike@sandman.com (Mike Sandman) Subject: Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 00:09:04 GMT Organization: Mike Sandman Enterprises Reply-To: mike@sandman.com GTE is an amateur. Ameritech has started companies that do just about anything you can think of. Alarm service - they have bought two of the largest in the midwest. Phones - Pagers - Cellular Phones - well maybe you can give them that. Computers - Printers - Modems - Monitors etc. - they even offer free financing - they add it to your phone bill. Ameritech even states that they can provide tech support for just about any software package in the universe (amazing since the actual authors usually provide crummy support). Of course, they will also add it to your phone bill. Can they install and repair phone lines? Sometimes. They've gotten rid of all of the experienced (read expensive) people. While the craft people are pretty inexperienced, most of the "Customer Service" reps are totally green - right out of the grill area at McDonalds. This makes ordering changes a very frustrating proposition. For the fancier stuff, the rep tells you that they have to transfer you to another group, When you get to that group, they tell you that no one is available - they're all in training. I have to say that the last order I placed about a month ago involving about four lines and strange hunting etc., actually got in on-time and correctly. That's a first for me in the last few years. Ameritech is hurting the people in the alarm business right now (traditionally a lot of mom and pop operations). They do an incredible amount of advertising -- including when you're waiting on hold to talk to a phone rep. They're using their captive subscriber base to expand into these other businesses in a way nobody else can. Ameritech also has a track record of just dropping out of a business on a whim. Their Interconnect operation has really hurt many Interconnects also. They sell Northern equipment for about the same price as other Interconnects can buy it at. They can totally leave people orphaned with their equipment (like TIE and Northern Vantage equipment) - and they don't care. They're the phone company. The amazing thing is that a lot of those people that got screwed just keep going back for more. I personally try to avoid driving by their headquarters in Hoffman Estates, IL. I feel like throwing up every time I see it. It's quite literally a palace, with a zillion acres of expensively landscaped land aroung it. Any way you look at it -- I had to pay whole bunches of money for all that stuff (but MY office doesn't look like that). It's an incredible slap in the face to every Ameritech subscriber. I think that most other RBOCs are looking to see how Ameritech does, before copying them. The greed is incredible. The breakup of the Bell System was obviously a license to steal -- and they do it well. There. That feeels better. Mike Sandman 708-980-7710 E-mail: mike@sandman.com WWW: http://www.sandman.com Our 48 page catalog of Unique Telecom Products & Tools is now on the World Wide Web. We have a fantastic assortment of Cable Installation Tools and Training Videos to help you use them. NEW "Basic ISDN", "Intro to T1" and Fiber Optic/CAT 5 Training Videos are now available. Also check out our Telephony History Page, which contains ads and articles from telephony related magazines from the first part of the century. ------------------------------ From: stevef@wrq.com (Steve Forrette) Subject: Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? Date: 9 Jul 1996 16:58:57 GMT Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn In article , pakiser@aol.com says: > GTE has been including advertisments for their paging service with the > phone bills they send to their customers. Since I have no choice as > to my local phone service (at least for now), it seems a bit unfair > that GTE can advertise their products to a captive audience. [...] Is this > standard practice in other areas? Yes it is. But, the usual practice (at least with the RBOCs) is that any company can pay to have their ads inserted with the phone bills. So, as long as the paging or long distance division of the LEC is paying the regulated division the same amount as an outside company would, they are not getting any special treatment. Steve Forrette, stevef@wrq.com ------------------------------ From: slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu (Steven Lichter) Subject: Re: Unfair Marketing by GTE? Date: 8 Jul 1996 08:50:10 -0700 Organization: GINA and CORE+ Services of The California State University pakiser@aol.com (Pakiser) writes: > GTE has been including advertisments for their paging service with the > phone bills they send to their customers. Since I have no choice as > to my local phone service (at least for now), it seems a bit unfair > that GTE can advertise their products to a captive audience. Can we > expect local phone companies to advertise their long distance > services, and possibly cable as well when and if they establish these > services? I would rather see them have to send out a separate mailing > if they want to advertise. > This is what GTE is doing in southern CA. Is this standard practice > in other areas ... Electric, gas and water utilities also do the same, pushing their products to their customers. You also get ads from credit card companies in with your bill to sell products of companies that pay them. I even get junk in my newspaper bill. Many other companies also sell your name, at least the telephone companies don't; at least I have not heard of that. I see nothing wrong with it since we are now in a deregulated industry. SysOp Apple Elite II and OggNet Hub (909)359-5338 2400/14.4 24 hours, Home of GBBS/LLUCE Support for the Apple II and Macintoch computers. Permission to use this address limited to this article or E-mail only. slichte@cello.gina.calstate.edu ------------------------------ From: mbl@conch.aa.msen.com (Matthew B Landry) Subject: Re: AOL Employees Steal Users Credit Card Numbers Date: 8 Jul 1996 16:35:52 GMT Organization: Flunkies for the Mike Conspiracy Our Beloved Moderator wrote: > been none from the company that I am aware of) new users to AOL should > be extremely careful about giving out any financial information at > any point to the company -- even in the signup process -- unless they > wish to risk the possible misuse of their credit card and other banking Of course, if they don't give out such info, AOL won't sign them up, and they won't get accounts there ... Hang on ... maybe this is a better idea than I thought. :) > file merchandise orders are the norm. AOL is starting to leave a very > bad taste in my mouth, and I don't think I am alone. PAT] No, but you're fairly close to alone in just now acquiring that bad taste. Most of us had it years ago. :) Matthew Landry [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, maybe I have a bit more patience than some other people. There are a lot of newcomers on AOL and most of them are pleasant, decent people who just happened to make AOL their choice as a way to 'get on the net'. I don't mind working with the new guys to the extent my resources allow in helping them learn their way around, and of necessity that means dealing with a lot of AOL users. I have an AOL account myself -- rarely used -- and I see a lot of good stuff there. By no means is it all a bunch of dummies, hucksters and con-artists. In any community which has grown as rapidly as AOL there are bound to be problems. I guess I am just finally starting to get tired of dealing with it also. I do think it is pretty dispicable to have people employed in positions of trust at a service like that who deliberatly set about defrauding the new and naive users. PAT] ------------------------------ From: aerostar@ccia.com Date: Tue, 8 Jul 1996 00:22:55 EDT Subject: Re: *69 is Completely Worthless Greg Tompkins wrote in V16 #324 of the Digest: > I recently ordered *69 (automatic call return) so I could try to catch > some of the idiots who insist on pranking me late at night. Little > did I know that it will only trace local calls. What a stupid > worthless service! > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I do not think that is entirely correct. > I do not think the distinction is 'local' versus 'long distance', but > rather, if the sending telco passes along the necessary information to > enable your telco to pass it to you (in the event you had caller-id). > When I see numbers on my caller-id box from anywhere in the USA (or > I see 'private') I can do *69 on those calls. When I see 'outside area' > on the box I cannot do *69 even if it is a local place. Or just try *57, which is Call Trace here in Bell Atlantic land. If available, the telco will automatically trace the last call as a "nuisance" call and let you know what action was taken (but they won't tell you the number or person that called -- that goes to law enforcement). Several months back I was getting telemarketing calls from "Magazine Subscription Service". They would tell me the were the "company that sends you your magazines", but when I asked which magazines, they could not tell me. I asked them to put me on their Do Not Call list. They call me back a few more times in a three month period, with the same response from me. I could never get an answer from them as to what their phone number was, were they were located, etc; they would just hang up on me when I tried to get some details on their company. The last time they called me I asked to speak to a supervisor. With every question I asked as to the nature of his company, he would respond with "Are you interested in hearing about our service?". Finally, he just hung up on me. I don't have CID, and *69 give me the same "outside of your calling area" message. I have not heard from them since, so I guess I am finally on their DNC list. Whoever they are, they do not train their people properly, since they are wasting LD time calling dead prospects. But, if I ever hear from them again, they can expect a *57 from me since they broke the law by calling me back after I told them not to. Isn't it required that a telemarketer provide you with information like the name of their company, where they are located, etc. if asked? I don't think a hang-up is the legal response to such questions, especially after several repeat sales calls. Any thoughts? Eric Friedebach aerostar@ccia.com ------------------------------ From: fgoldstein@bbn.com (Fred R. Goldstein) Subject: Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks Date: 8 Jul 1996 04:21:58 GMT Organization: BBN Corp. In article , vaden@texoma.net says: > We have just installed our first USR T1 solution and are experiencing low > connect speeds (from 21600 - 26400). > Yesterday, SWBell's Manager of Special Services told me there were D4/D5 > channel banks in the CO feeding our T1 pipe. > A USR t/s analyst told me today that the D4/D5 channel banks were not > necessary, were reducing the bandwidth, and that they were there only to > save SWBell money. Oh yeah, I've seen that. Essentially there are two ways to provide Channelized T1 service. The "line side" method takes a bunch of analog lines, runs them into channel banks, and feeds the T1 loop that way. This was the only way to do it on the 1A and other analog switches. The "trunk side" method simply attaches the T1 loop to a T1 port on the CO. This is easy, cheap and common on digital switches like the 5E and DMS. It is the ONLY correct way to do it, especially with modems. Alas, some telco folks are pretty thick, and don't understand a digital CO. So they use unnecessary channel banks and do a "line side" when trunk side would save them money and provide a MUCH better connection. It sometimes happens when the user requests a line option that isn't obvious to program onto the trunk side, like "loop start". No device I'm aware of requires this on a T1, but telcos screw up. These installations should be fixed. Fred R. Goldstein k1io fgoldstein@bbn.com +1 617 873 3850 Opinions are mine alone; sharing requires permission. ------------------------------ From: edhample@sprynet.com Date: Tue, 9 Jul 1996 12:49:49 -0700 Subject: Re: Collect Calls From a Boat pakiser@aol.com (Pakiser) writes: > Calling collect from a boat can be quite expensive. Isn't there a > cheaper way to do this? > There is a company that needs to when their divers are coming in with > the catch. The divers use the radio on the boat to call the company > to tell them when they are coming in. The marine operator connects > the call as a collect call. Sometimes with AT&T, sometimes MCI, also > Sprint, PacBell. > Can this company have the divers connect them to their 800 number and > not be charged the collect call rates? Here on the Florida West Coast, GTE issues (or used to issue) Marine Identification Cards that contain a billing or MIN number. When you call the Marine Operator to place a call, you give her your call sign and the ID (MIN) number. I haven't had to place a call from my boat in some time, but I don't recall the fees being all that high -- in fact I distinctly remember the first time that I used the service, the cost for the call was less than for the same call from a payphone. If the vessel in questions is close enough to shore to contact the Marine Operator, why not have the dive company install a VHF shore station (this can be done legally for companies that serve a marine interest) and contact them directly via VHF. The other alternative is a cellular phone - a bag-type phone wired to the boats batteries and a high-mounted antenna should be able to reach a cell-tower from 15 to 20 miles. I have used my cell-phone (a hand-held) from 10 miles off of Clearwater, FL. with no problems. A boating friend uses a Motorola bag-phone and an antenna mounted above his fly bridge and has placed calls from 20 miles out. I admit that the waters off of St. Pete and Clearwater are blessed with exceptional off-shore cellular coverage, but I would think most major coastal cities would be comparable. Keep in mind that a cellular phone should NOT be considered a replacement for a VHF marine radio. Ed Kleinhample - edhample@sprynet.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 08 Jul 1996 22:46:06 -0700 From: satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Organization: Satchell Evaluations > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: > I don't think the employees have any right to insist that Motorola give > them a place to smoke on company property, but at the same time they > have every right in the world to withdraw their brain-power and their > loyalty from a firm which used to be top notch until the agressive and > oppressive management there in recent years got into power. I would claim that Motorola has the right to enforce rules banning smoking in company-owned cars, but to tell smokers that they cannot sit in their own vehicles and smoke is beyond the pale. What they *can* do is institute rules against loitering in company parking lots, as long as that rule applies to *any* employee sitting in a car on company property. Given the rise in personal attacks and car-jackings in parking lots, Motorola could (if there is a record of such happening) be justified in imposing this rule. I speak as a non-smoker who is fed up by people trying to force other people to "do the right thing." I applaud restaurants which establish non-smoking sections separate from smoking sections; I boo governments which impose no-smoking taboos on "public places" that are in reality places of private enterprise. Suggestion: encourage smokers to telecommute more, so that they can light up in the comfort of their own home instead of taking the time to travel to work and push electrons there. Many of the people I know at Motorola don't have to be on-site to do their jobs -- even the electronic designers can do much of their CAD work at their home computers (which they have). You also free up parking spaces, which means less capital improvements on a negative thing. I know folks who get more done in the two days per week spent at home then they do in the three days they are at work. The bottom-line folks should look at that. Further suggestion: encourage non-smokers who are offended by second-hand smoke to telecommute more, so that they can enjoy the clean air present in their own home instead of having to breathe the smoke of others. Yeah, that's the ticket ... Stephen Satchell, Satchell Evaluations http://www.accutek.com/~satchell ------------------------------ From: ranck@joesbar.cc.vt.edu Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: 8 Jul 1996 16:40:23 GMT Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.COM) wrote: > But at some Motorola Inc. facilities in the Chicago area, the company > soon will be digging a little deeper into smokers' private lives, > prohibiting them from smoking in their cars. > Beginning next month, Motorola security guards will write up any > worker caught smoking anywhere at the company's cellular telephone > plants in Libertyville and Harvard -- including their private > vehicles. > After four strikes, the employee will be out of a job. "Our plan is to > enforce it just like we do with any other policy," a Motorola > spokeswoman told the Tribune. "People who smoke and people who don't > smoke have very strong feelings about the decision." This sounds like Henry Ford's attempts to dictate how his employees lived and spent their off hours. He meant well, and believed he was helping "his people" live better lives by discouraging off hours drinking and trying to make sure fathers spent their time off at home. The Ford company had a department that went around and checked up on the employees at home. This department devolved into the goon squads that Ford later used to fight the unionization movement. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have mixed feelings here. I do > support the right of an employer to make whatever demands they want to > make as part of a free and voluntary relationship between themselves > and their employees. The employer is perfectly within its rights to > say 'here is how much we will pay and here are the terms you agree to > as a condition of employment (or continued employment)'. I think the This sounds reasonable until you have a situation where there isn't a surplus of jobs in the market. Like Ford in the 20's was the big employer and it was hard to find work elsewhere. If the only game in town is to work for an overbearing and "over caring" employer it's not so much of a free choice. Although I do tend to agree with you, there is some historical precedent that this sort of corporate nannyism is not a good thing and can be forced on employees through the duress of potential job loss. > ACLU is once again way out of line by involving themselves in private > contracts between consenting parties. But the 'consenting parties' are > free to withdraw their consent at any time and leave ... and in my I'll agree with you here. But I'm not sure that what Motorola seems to be doing couldn't be considered an unfair labor practice. It's hard to defend smoking, but privacy rights in ones own vehichle have been fairly well established. Still, we are talking about private parties so the argument gets complicated. One party may have vastly more power than the other and that makes some contracts invalid. Like I said, it gets complicated. > I don't think the employees have any right to insist that Motorola give > them a place to smoke on company property, but at the same time they True, but should they enforce their policy in the employee's own car? > I happen to be a tobacco smoker. I also happen to have sufficient ability > to work for a wide variety of employers. I flatly refuse to even consider > working -- giving my expertise and abilities -- to those companies which > discriminate against smokers. I do not get the ACLU involved; I do not How very nice for you. Some folks don't have that luxury. So what you are saying is that those who don't have the ability to find another job easily should automatically give up their ability to negotiate a fair deal for themselves. That is what it boils down to. That is what got labor unions started in this country. I really dislike labor unions, but I certainly understand what caused them to come into being. It was corporations that had too much power in what should be a give-and-take private contract situation. Bill Ranck +1-540-231-3951 ranck@vt.edu Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Computing Center [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I would not exactly say I have many luxuries around here. I sit here and do my own thing of my own free will, that much is true. I have experienced workplace discrimination against myself at various times for various reasons, but you know what? I still would not ever join a labor union. You mention Henry Ford but I want you to also remember George Pullman. He was the same way with his workers, as was William Gary, the president of United States Steel at the beginning of this century and the 'owner' of the town of Gary, Indiana back when it was a company town operated by US Steel. PAT] ------------------------------ From: kamlet@infinet.com (Art Kamlet) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: 8 Jul 1996 12:58:20 -0400 Organization: InfiNet Reply-To: kamlet@infinet.com > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have mixed feelings here. I do ... > I think the best thing that could happen at this point in time would > be for several thousand of the excellent employees at Motorola -- people > who should not have any problems getting almost any job they want -- > to just effectively cripple the company by resigning, going on the > unemployment benefits line for a several months to a year.... Two points: 1. People who resign in protest of a company policy do not receive unemployment benefits. 2. Motorola, like many large firms, have locked in many employees with vested pensions and medical plans. Even people who can find equivalent jobs tomorrow would lose humongous amounts of vested benefits. Before his death (from lung cancer) Eric Sumner was elected president of IEEE on a platform to secure portable pensions for engineers and scientists. Alas, he was not on the job long enough to carry through. Art Kamlet Columbus, Ohio kamlet@infinet.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What unemployment compensation is available depends on the laws in the state where you are located. Illinois has some extremely liberal rules. It is almost at the point that if a worker quits because his desk is too far from the drinking fountain he can get benefits. If you get fired for misconduct then you do not get benefits *for eight weeks*. The only thing depressing about it is waiting in the line once every two weeks to turn in the paperwork to generate another check. The line usually stretches out into the hallway and if it is the day after a holiday it frequently runs out to the street. Here you get it for about nine months no questions asked, and then you can get it for another six months after that however they start to get more picky and ask you exactly *where* you went to look for work, and who they can contact to verify the information. Best of all, your former employer has to pay the money. ... Anyway, if it matters, instead of resigning, maybe several thousand workers should have a 'smoke out' in the parking lot several days in a row, and accumulate the 'four strikes' they need to get fired. That would make it official I guess. Regards benefit packages, don't be so sure they would be lost. Under various existing federal laws many types of benefits must be paid if an employee is fired. Check out the federal 'COBRA' laws which were passed several years ago. You get to keep your health insurance for up to a year among other things. I'm not saying it would be a pleasant scene, just that maybe the time has come to do it. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #336 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 12 11:25:05 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA16516; Fri, 12 Jul 1996 11:25:05 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 11:25:05 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607121525.LAA16516@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #337 TELECOM Digest Fri, 12 Jul 96 11:25:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 337 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! (Stanley Cline) Are All Payphones Created Equal? (Jean-Francois Mezei) SBC/Pacific Telesis Testimony Filed With California PUC (Mike King) Book Review: "Law on the Internet" by Gross (Rob Slade) Book Review: "NetWare 4.1: The Complete Reference" by Sheldon (Rob Slade) BellSouth and Mid-South Data Industries Join Forces (Mike King) Administrivia: The Lack of Issues This Week (TELECOM Digest Editor) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 23:10:13 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services [Quoted from the _Atlanta_Constitution_ "Olympic Games" section, July 10, 1996] PSC HANGS UP THE PHONE ON N.Y.-BASED COMPANY By Michael E. Kanell, Staff Writer The pay phone lines have gone dead for Metro-Tel Inc. -- sort of. The Syracuse, N.Y.-based company violated its contract with state officials and has lost the right to operate more than 1,000 pay phones in the Olympic area, said Public Service Commission spokeswoman Harriet Van Norte. After the action, the company offered nightclub tickets to a PSC staffer, an action viewed as a potential attempt to curry influence, she said. Metro-Tel officials were unavailable for comment. The PSC says Metro-Tel charged up to $1.75 for local calls, where callers were cut off after three minutes. The company also wouldn't let callers connect to the long-distance provider of their choice, forcing them to use American Telecom, a related company. In addition, some Metro-Tel coin returns did not work and company phones were not accessible to the hearing impaired. BellSouth Corp., which has nearly 2,000 pay phones in Olympic areas, says it has turned off the dial tone to the Metro-Tel phones. But Metro-Tel is permitted to make a deal for use of the phones. And it has apparently done so. Atlanta Pay Phone Systems told the PSC Tuesday it wanted to operate 350 of the Metro-Tel phones. Atlanta Pay Phone Systems already has PSC permission to operate coin phones, a request made earlier with more modest intentions. [End Quote] Stanley's comments: At least *I* didn't find these phones before the PSC did -- if I EVER saw a payphone like this, the FCC (and state PSC/PUC) would be jumping on it VERY quickly! I find it surprising that there are ANY COCOTs AT ALL at Olympic venues, given the MAJOR sponsorship of AT&T and BellSouth. I'd think that COCOTs *and AOSs* would be a BIG NO-NO, given the way ACOG has protected the "sponsor's rights" (attacking the Postal Service over T-shirts with Olympic stamp art, etc. They did NOT act on a rather misleading AirTouch Cellular ad published recently, however. They seem to be leaving "competitive telecom providers" [aside from IXCs -- other than AT&T -- and US Cellular] alone.) Communications Central, Inc. (CCI) of Roswell, near Atlanta, will also be providing some payphone service, from what I understand -- most of BellSouth's and many of CCI's payphones in/near venues will accept the "VISA Cash" cards being heavily promoted in the Atlanta area, as well as coins, LEC/IXC calling cards, etc. Now I wonder just what IXC/AOS CCI will use on their "Olympic phones" ... it better be AT&T! Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! ------------------------------ From: Jean-Francois Mezei Subject: Are All Payphones Created Equal? Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 22:05:51 +0000 Organization: Vaxination Informatique Reply-To: jfmezei@istar.ca In a recent trip to Australia, I was equipped with a pocket electronic organiser (PSION) with 2400 baud MNP modem (PSION) and an accoustic coupler (all battery operated). The accoustic coupler provides an RJ11 jack to the modem with an accoustical interface to the telephone handset. I travelled from Perth Australia to Darwin on the west/north coast. Except for a few locations near Coral Bay, and one other place (Fortescue, near Karatha), I had no problems getting a reliable connection at 2400 baud with compression/error correction, through Canada-Direct to a modem in Montreal, Quebec. In the case of Fortescue, the connection seemed very clear by voice (while manually entering calling card numbers to the operator in Canada), yet, the modem was not able to succesfully negotiate. The modem would get the 2400 baud carrier, but could not negotiate MNP and would eventually time out. A Telstra (phone company) employee mentioned that perhaps some of those phones were on lines with less bandwidth. Distance was not the limiting factor since I was told that my calls while in Western Australia would first get on the fiber to Perth, then by fiber to Sydney and then by fiber to their undersea cable gateway. I had no problem from he furthest location in that loop, (Kununurra, near the border of Northern Territory). Also, in places such as Kunnurrra, calls first went Microwave to Derby, the current fiber "end of the line". (this is to change soon with the Derby-Katherine line soon to be completed). At Coral Bay, there were two payphones, one new and one old, and both failed for both overseas connection and a connection to a Perth dial-up port (Tymnet). Both models of phones worked well at the other locations. So, can phone lines be configured to have lesser bandwidth, which to a voice call, would go unnoticed, but would affect a modem? Were my failed attempts just bad luck ? ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: SBC/Pacific Telesis Testimony Filed With California PUC Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 14:42:59 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 15:27:29 -0700 Subject: NEWS: SBC/Pacific Telesis Testimony Filed With California PUC FOR MORE INFORMATION: Bob Ferguson, SBC Communications Inc. 210 351-3990 Michael Runzler, Pacific Telesis Group 415 394-3643 SBC/Pacific Telesis Testimony Filed With California PUC Renowned Economists Conclude Merger is Pro-Competitive; Forecast Benefits To Consumers and Economy SAN FRANCISCO - Leading economists say consumers and the California economy will substantially benefit from the merger of SBC Communications Inc. and Pacific Telesis Group according to testimony submitted today to the California Public Utilities Commission. In written testimony, Richard Gilbert, a professor of economics at the University of California at Berkeley and a former deputy assistant attorney general for economics in the Anti-trust Division of the United States Department of Justice, states that the merger "is pro-competitive and beneficial to California consumers." The merger will result in a broader offering of enhanced telecommunications services to California consumers, according to Gilbert. "SBC's expertise - both in the development and marketing of these new products - will benefit Telesis' customers who will gain access to these and other products earlier because of the merger," said Gilbert. Economist Lewis J. Perl, senior vice president of National Economic Research Associates, Inc., also found substantial pro-competitive benefits to the merger. In testimony, Perl said, Because the merger is about growth and is strongly pro-competitive, "it is likely to generate substantial rate reductions, expansions in output and the development of new products in key telecommunications markets." John B. Taylor, a professor of economics at Stanford University and former member of the President's Council of Economic Advisors, found the merger and the commitment to increase jobs to be substantially beneficial to the California economy. "In addition to the direct increase in jobs, there would also be a multiplier effect from this increase in jobs as part of the merger," said Taylor. "As the increase in incomes generated by employees in the new jobs is spent in other sectors there is another round of job creation in these other sectors." Taylor calculated, using a model developed by the Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates, that the new jobs would create a minimum of $50 million initial increase in income in the state and local communities that would grow to about $120 million per year. That would imply, Taylor said, a total increase in jobs of about 2,000 - that is 1,000 at the newly merged company and another 1,000 in other sectors of California. The two corporations made their remarks in filings with the California Public Utilities Commission, which is reviewing the proposed merger and is expected to reach a decision by the first quarter of 1997. In his written testimony, Pacific Bell chairman Dave Dorman said the two corporations' strengths complement each other. "I view SBC as the ideal partner," he said, adding that the proposal would allow Pacific Telesis to "immediately expand the scope of our core business, allow us to compete more effectively and help us achieve operating efficiencies...The combined scale of operations will also help us develop our long distance, wireless, video and Internet businesses in an economically efficient manner without duplicating costs." Building on economists' testimony that the merger will benefit competition, Dorman pledged that his company would continue to support full competition in California. The merger will "have no effect on the activities we are currently pursuing to open all telecommunications markets to all competitors under the same rules at the same time,' he said. In fact, Dorman said, the competitive challenges being mounted by industry giants make the merger a necessity. "We support the principle of free and open competition, but we are, after all, competitors too. A single company, AT&T, has publicly committed to capturing 30 percent of our local exchange market within five years, and we want to compete vigorously in those markets... "Over time, we can compete successfully in these new markets and grow. Neither the merger nor anything else will divert us from our goal of pursuing full and fair competition in California for the future." In additional written testimony, John T. Stupka, senior vice president for strategic planning for SBC, cited a recent FCC report* that ranks customer satisfaction among SBC's telephone customers consistently above other former Bell system companies. At the same time, he said, local telephone service rates in the territory served by SBC have tracked well below the U.S. average. Customers in Texas, for example, the largest state served by SBC, receive basic local telephone service with rates filed with the Texas Public Utilities Commission that are well below the national average. "SBC's commitment to superior quality in all aspects of the services we provide is based on the belief that value is what differentiates us from our competitors in the minds of consumers," said Stupka. "SBC also is a proven leader in the development and marketing of innovative services that customers want." According to the FCC report quoted by Stupka, SBC had the highest percentage of satisfied large business customers with 96.8 percent of the responding customers indicating they were satisfied with their service. SBC ranked third in the percentage of small business customers and fourth in the percent of residental customers who were satisfied with their service. In each instance, SBC's customer satisfaction rankings compared favorably with those of Pacific Telesis, which has enjoyed a strong reputation for providing high quality local telephone service. In related testimony, Cassandra C. Carr, SBC's senior vice president for human resources, also discussed SBC's record for creating a positive work environment for employees and participating in the betterment of the communities the company serves. For example: * In keeping with SBC's commitment to a diverse workforce, more than 54 percent of the company's employees are women and 30 percent are minorities. That compares with a national average of about 45 percent women and 25 percent minorities. The company has responded to the needs of its growing number of Hispanic customers by establishing a toll-free number staffed entirely by Spanish-speaking customer service representatives. As part of this program, the company is incorporating the Spanish language into all facets of its business, from product promotions and advertising to service literature. The company also has developed special programs for the large Vietnamese community in Houston, and recently formed a new diversity marketing group to develop and coordinate minority customer programs. SBC ranked number one in Fortune magazine's 1996 list of the United States' most admired telecommunications companies. The ranking is based upon a wide variety of factors, from how the company treats employees to its environmental record. These activities," said Carr, "illustrate the strengths that SBC will bring to California, and how the merger of our companies will directly benefit employees, consumers and the state." Pacific Telesis (NYSE:PAC) is a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco. Through its Pacific Bell and Nevada Bell subsidiaries, the corporation offers a wide array of telecommunications services throughout California and Nevada, including directory advertising and publishing. The corporation serves nearly 15.8 million access lines, including 53,000 that deliver ISDN service. It offers Internet access service to business and residential customers. another subsidiary, Pacific Bell Mobile Services, will offer personal communications services at the Republican National Convention in San Diego this year and will initiate commercial service by year end. SBC Communications Inc. is one of the world's leading diversified telecommunications companies and the second largest wireless communications company based in the United States. SBC provides innovative telecommunications products and services under the Southwestern Bell and Cellular One brands. Its businesses include wireless services and equipment in the United States and interests in wireless businesses in Europe, Latin America, South Africa and Asia; cable television in both domestic and international markets; and directory advertising and publishing. SBC (NYSE:SBC) reported 1995 revenues of $12.7 billion. Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 19:27:29 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Law on the Internet" by Gross BKLAWINT.RVW 960530 "Law on the Internet", Michael Gross, 1996, 0-7821-1792-9, U$12.99 %A Michael Gross 74654.3441@compuserve.com %C 2021 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501 %D 1996 %G 0-7821-1792-9 %I Sybex Computer Books %O U$12.99 510-523-8233 800-227-2346 Fax: 510-523-2373 info@sybex.com %P 176 %T "Law on the Internet" Unlike Rose's "NetLaw" (cf. BKNETLAW.RVW), which covers the law in regard to the use of the net, Gross provides a resource of legal information which is available online. (He also -- what else do you expect from a lawyer? -- provides a disclaimer that this is not legal advice. Said disclaimer is in two languages: English and legal.) I suspect that legal sites on the Web are not those to go to for fun and great graphics (vis the fact that figures 1.2 and 2.37 are the same), but these are well chosen and clearly described. As with a great many books on the "international" Internet, and those that deal with the law in particular, the highest proportion of material here relates only to the United States. Unlike a number of authors, though, Gross realizes this, and provides two chapters on laws of other countries and international law. The writing throughout is clear, informative and lively. The author obviously enjoys lawyer jokes: he lists three sites for them. He also gives us a number of genuine lawyer jokes (made by a real lawyer) sprinkled throughout the text. (For extra points, find the two puns in the legal glossary.) copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKLAWINT.RVW 960530. Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca Institute for Rob_Slade@mindlink.bc.ca Research into Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/ User .fidonet.org Security Canada V7K 2G6 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 10:36:39 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "NetWare 4.1: The Complete Reference" by Sheldon BKNW41CR.RVW 960530 "NetWare 4.1: The Complete Reference", Tom Sheldon, 1996, 0-07-882172-X, U$39.95 %A Tom Sheldon %C 300 Water Street, Whitby, Ontario L1N 9B6 %D 1996 %G 0-07-882172-X %I McGraw-Hill Ryerson/Osborne %O U$39.95 905-430-5000 fax: 905-430-5020 louisea@McGrawHill.ca %P 917 %T "NetWare 4.1: The Complete Reference" Parts one, two, and part of three are fairly conceptual overviews, so those reading the book from the beginning may be forgiven for assuming that the book is incomplete in terms of practical command level details. The assumption would be wrong, however. Eventually you will find almost everything you need for both basic and advanced planning and management of NetWare networks and internetworks. The material is well written and comprehensive. As an example, the chapter on login scripts goes into thorough detail on the types, order and options for login scripts. (The only thing I didn't find out was why the very existence of personal login scripts can make logins fail on highly secured networks.) Concepts at a high level of abstraction are not covered. Security, for example, is one topic that requires a lot of theoretical and complex study when devising a whole plan. Sheldon covers the management of users, file systems and data protection in separate chapters by those functions, instead of supplying a security chapter that doesn't encompass it. Installation is the one area that could use some improvement. The setup of network interface cards can still be problematic, particularly when ODI and NDIS are used. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKNW41CR.RVW 960530 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca rslade@vcn.bc.ca slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth and Mid-South Data Industries Join Forces Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 14:41:23 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Mon, 8 Jul 1996 12:22:26 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH AND MID-SOUTH DATA INDUSTRIES JOIN FORCES ATLANTA - BellSouth and Mid-South Data Industries, Inc. today announced a comarketing agreement to meet the growing demand for interconnection of multivendor local area networks (LANs) and widearea networks (WANs). Under the agreement, customers will be provided with a comprehensive solution for their highspeed data networking needs. Mid-South Data Industries' systems integration and network maintenance expertise will be co-marketed with BellSouth network-based data services. "As BellSouth continues its deployment of complex broadband data services, it's essential to work closely with leading systems integration companies such as Mid-South Data Industries," said John Thacker, director - Alternate Channel Marketing for BellSouth Business Systems. "Together, we can provide both the integrated solutions and the high level of support that are demanded by high-speed data networking customers." BellSouth broadband services such as Connectionless Data Service and Frame Relay offer an economical switched alternative to private lines for LAN and WAN connectivity. With Mid-South Data Industries' systems integration expertise, users can link LANs/WANs over high-speed lines in a single, seamless service offering. "Customer needs now require true systems integration alliances with wide-area network providers to achieve cost-effective information delivery," said Neil Segars, president of Mid-South Data Industries. "The need for more and more bandwidth brought on by multimedia traffic requires that end to end network specifications are totally understood and sized. Otherwise, customers can spend enormous amounts of money only to find out they still haven't solved their problems. Our business relationship with BellSouth is very exciting because the customer is truly getting his network analyzed and implemented in the most up-to-date and cost-effective way-from LAN to WAN to LAN." Headquartered in Birmingham and with offices in a number of cities throughout the Southeast, Mid-South Data has an 18-year history of providing comprehensive networking solutions to businesses. Its staff of sales engineers, design specialists, systems analysts and technicians provide a broad range of integration services including LAN/WAN connectivity, bridging and linking multi-vendor systems, document and image processing, custom programming, hardware and network systems maintenance, consultation, education and training. BellSouth provides telecommunications services in nine Southeastern states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. With its headquarters in Atlanta, BellSouth serves more than 21 million local telephone lines and provides local exchange and intraLATA long distance service over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world. For Information Contact: David A. Storey, BellSouth (205)977-5001 Neil Segars, Mid-South Data Industries (205)942-2453 ------------------ Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Administrivia: The Lack of Issues This Week Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 10:20:00 EDT You may have noticed the output was a little skimpy this week. I am sorry to report the usual circumstances around here got the best of me this past week and kept me occupied on other urgent matters. I'll see if it is possible to catch up a bit in days to come as we reach the end of fifteen years of this Digest on August 11. Otherwise, I finally have something ready many of you have asked about. At least the skeleton is in place, and that is a web page for the Telecom Archives. A special message will be mailed out in a few minutes to the mailing list describing it and discussing plans for it. PAT ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #337 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 15 10:24:11 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id KAA15113; Mon, 15 Jul 1996 10:24:11 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 10:24:11 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607151424.KAA15113@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #338 TELECOM Digest Mon, 15 Jul 96 10:24:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 338 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson San Francisco's Newest Tourist Attraction Speaks Three Languages (M. King) AT&T Phone Bills Violate CPUC Decision, State Regulator Says (Mike King) Pacific Bell, MCI Reach Interim Arrangement on Local Service (Mike King) Spammer With Extreme Gall (Gordon Burditt) Book Review: "Educator's Internet Yellow Pages" (Rob Slade) ISDN in MD, VA, PA, DC or NJ ... Help Needed (Monty Solomon) Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th (Jean-Bernard Condat) Oddly Named Operators! (Stanley Cline) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mike King Subject: San Francisco's Newest Tourist Attraction Speaks Three Languages Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 00:46:38 GMT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 08:28:21 -0700 Subject: San Francisco's Newest Tourist Attraction Speaks Three Languages And Has Twelve Wheels FOR MORE INFORMATION: Rebecca Perata (415) 394-3701 San Francisco's Newest Tourist Attraction Speaks Three Languages And Has Twelve Wheels Pacific Bell's Official Prepaid Visitor Card Marketed To International Tourists SAN FRANCISCO -- For Japanese and German visitors, calling Tokyo or Frankfurt from the United States just got easier. According to the San Francisco Convention and Visitor's Bureau, in 1995 more than 16 million tourists, business travelers and conventioneers visited San Francisco, making it a record year for the city. This Summer, visitors to San Francisco will discover a new attraction that's more useful than a cable car and more rewarding than a trip to Alcatraz. San Francisco-based Pacific Bell, has introduced The Official Prepaid Visitor Card, the only prepaid phone card product of its kind, available in three languages and sold to tourists by a bi-lingual staff from three colorful touring Cardmobiles at locations throughout San Francisco, including Fisherman's Wharf, Union Square cable car turnarounds and Twin Peaks. The new prepaid collectible phone card, available in Japanese, German and English, will be sold in $10, $20 and $50 denominations and can be used by visitors to call anywhere in the world from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. The visitor card series features some of the city's most spectacular sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge, a cable car and Palace of Fine Arts. The Cardmobile stops at popular tourist locations throughout San Francisco and the staff is available to answer any questions -- in Japanese, German or English -- about the card or can point visitors in the direction of Fisherman's Wharf. "When traveling internationally, using a phone to call home or your next destination can be intimidating and confusing," said Mark Moyer, prepaid card product manager, Pacific Bell. "We've developed The Official Prepaid Visitor Card, (a familiar product to international tourists), in three languages catering to San Francisco's largest international visitor groups -- Japanese, Germans, British, Australians and Canadians." Although a fairly new product in the U.S., prepaid phone cards have been used as a convenient and cost effective tool in Europe and Japan for more than a decade. Prepaid phone cards are also popular and profitable collectibles both internationally and domestically. "When we designed The Official Prepaid Visitor Card, we wanted to create a user-friendly tool for international visitors and we wanted our designs to be fun for collectors and as souvenirs," said Moyer. Pacific Bell is marketing The Official Prepaid Visitor Card to international tourists via in-room hotel guides, such as The San Francisco Book, advertisements on cable cars, city kiosks, ferry shelters and a fully wrapped Grayline tour bus. The unique prepaid visitor card is available only in the San Francisco Bay Area, through retailers located in high-traffic tourist areas. To order The Official Prepaid Visitor Card, or to find the retail location nearest you, call 1-888-888-8102. Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis, a diversified communications corporation based in San Francisco ------------ Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: AT&T Phone Bills Violate CPUC Decision, State Regulator Says Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 14:48:23 PDT Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 11:33:16 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: AT&T Phone Bills Violate CPUC Decision, State Regulator Says FOR MORE INFORMATION: Lou Saviano 415 394-3744 AT&T Phone Bills Violate CPUC Decision, State Regulator Says SAN FRANCISCO -- AT&T's program to bill its residential customers directly for their long distance calls has suffered a major setback because the company failed to obtain all the necessary regulatory approvals prior to starting the program. Administrative Law Judge Robert Barnett of the California Public Utilities Commission said in a public hearing last week that he will issue a proposed order recommending that AT&T be required to send customers now receiving an AT&T bill a special corrective letter advising them that they have the option of continuing to receive one bill from Pacific Bell for all their Pacific Bell and AT&T calls. Pacific Bell had charged AT&T on June 20 with illegally starting to bill residence customers directly for its services in California without getting all the necessary approvals. Barnett said AT&T had violated a 1994 CPUC decision on two counts: it failed to give its customers the required 60-day notice before issuing a separate bill for AT&T charges; and it failed to have the customer letter reviewed by the commission's Public Advisor's Office prior to sending it. In his comments, Barnett indicated to AT&T that one sentence buried in the company's letter to customers is not adequate to allow them to make an informed choice. CPUC commissioners could vote on the judge's recommendations at the next scheduled commission meeting on July 17. --------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Pacific Bell, MCI Reach Interim Local Interconnection Agreement Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 14:47:26 PDT Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 11:25:40 -0700 Subject: Pacific Bell, MCI Reach Interim Local Interconnection Agreement FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dan Greenfield,MCI (202) 887-2750 Lou Saviano,PacBell (415) 394-3744 Pacific Bell, MCI Reach Interim Local Interconnection Agreement SAN FRANCISCO -- Pacific Bell and MCI have reached an interim agreement on terms and conditions for connecting their local telephone facilities in California. The limited agreement covers terms and conditions for physical interconnection, reciprocal compensation, access to 911 and E-911 services and matters relating to the interchange of local 800 traffic. The agreement does not cover the availability or the pricing of unbundled network elements or resale and interim and permanent number portability provisions. The agreement also states that "The parties agree that the negotiation of this Agreement was not pursuant to Section 252 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996." MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is one of the world's largest and fastest growing diversified communications companies. With annual revenue of more than $15 billion, MCI offers consumers and businesses a broad portfolio of services including long distance, wireless, local, paging, messaging, Internet, information services, outsourcing, and advanced global communications. Pacific Bell is a subsidiary of Pacific Telesis Group, a diversified telecommunications corporation based in San Francisco that offers a wide array of telecommunications services throughout California and Nevada. The corporation serves nearly 15.8 million access lines, including 53,000 that deliver ISDN service. It also offers internet access service to business and residential customers. The corporation had revenues exceeding $9 billion in 1995. ---------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: gordon@sneaky.lerctr.org (Gordon Burditt) Subject: Spammer with Extreme Gall Date: 14 Jul 1996 13:07:19 -0500 Some spammers have a lot of gall. This one posts to lots of groups, including moderated ones, and then has the nerve to try to charge to have a newsgroup taken off the spamming list. Gordon L. Burditt sneaky.lerctr.org!gordon ----------------- Organization: HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY Sender: hldco@cinenet.net Approved: hldco@cine.net Message-ID: <4s3fnp$9p4@hollywood.cinenet.net> Reply-To: (HLD PUBLISHING) NNTP-Posting-Host: hollywood.cinenet.net ............................................... Notice To: Newsgroup Moderators, Managers or Vested Interest Subscribers. Due to HLD PUBLISHING limited list of Newsgroups, it is not our policy to remove a newsgroup from our list free of charge. To be removed from our list of future commericial postings by HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY an Annual Charge of Ninety Five dollars is required. Just send $95.00 with your Name, Address and Name of the Newsgroup to be removed from our list. Mail to: HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1680 NORTH VINE STREET SUITE 1103, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90028. .................................................. Furthermore, HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY reserves the right to cancel its own postings. Cancellations of our postings performed by outside parties will be charged a Ninety Five dollar fee per cancellation. A bill with proof of cancellations made will be sent to all parties involved, plus, it will automatically be sent to Attorneys Specializing in Collections nationwide and worldwide. HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY will protect and maintain its interest. ------------------------- TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Lots of people have written me about the HLD Spam which occurred in comp.dcom.telecom while I was off line for a couple days. It was caught shortly after it was posted and automatically cancelled by the bots ... I think it is now gone from all sites. It is pointless to discuss it further. It is a waste of time to worry about that sort of thing which is pretty routine on Usenet. Moderators should simply have mechanisms in place as I do to cancel it as soon as it is seen and continue on on with their duties otherwise. However, we all enjoy a little fun now and then, and Dave Keeny has very kindly provided us with a new game to play. Read on. PAT] From: Dave Keeny Subject: Re: is your computer being bugged Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 19:18:16 +0500 Organization: Telecommunications Techinques Corporation Pat, Regarding my message of a few hours ago, I just looked in my local controls newsgroup and saw the cancellation. I hadn't thought of the forged approval. From the looks of things Mr. Davila will be a rich man, if the *hundreds* of cancellations (at $95 a pop, of course) I saw in the DejaNews archives are any indication. For anyone's information: Hector Davila: hldpub@gramercy.ios.com (finger: No such user) hldpub@primenet.com (finger: user hldpub) hld03@superlink.net (finger: user lendy) I couldn't verify the phone number of someone by the same name who lives a few minutes from HLD Publishing's "business" address, or I would have included it also, since it is a matter of public record. It's easily found, anyway. Dave Keeny [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Oh, you must be referring to the 'Hector Davila' who lives on Finley Street in El Lay, where the phone number is 213-660-3693. Actually, the phone number for HLD Publishing is also listed: 213-461-3009. I imagine that Hector prefers to get hectored at his office, unless like the difficult to reach Robin Lloyd at Sprint, he does not take phone calls at his office. That would not amaze me either for some reason. Any of our El Lay readers care to make a visit to 1680 North Vine Street, Suite 1103 and tell us about it? Lay off the number on Finley Street until its owner's identity has been established. Coincidentally, word reaching me is that the community almost reached its goal of a hundred thousand dollars toward the phone bill for Jeff Boy in June ... I'm told the phone bill for last month is simply *atrocious* -- the best words to describe it. Good work! Let's keep up the War Effort until some of these fellows learn that the net is not a cheap and easy place to advertise and Make Money Fast. Au contraire ... its not cheap at all, and the results are marginal at best. PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 12:54:23 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Educator's Internet Yellow Pages" BKEDINYP.RVW 960530 "Educator's Internet Yellow Pages", Ron Place/Klaus Dimmler/Thomas Powell, 1996, 0-13-232356-7, U$24.95 %A Ron Place %A Klaus Dimmler klaus@usa.net %A Thomas Powell tpowell@cerf.net %C One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 %D 1996 %G 0-13-232356-7 %I Prentice Hall %O U$24.95 +1-201-236-7139 fax: +1-201-236-7131 beth_hespe@prenhall.com %P 386 %T "Educator's Internet Yellow Pages" Educational endeavors, and educators, require all the help they can get in terms of access guides to the information and resources of the Internet. That niche, however, already has a sizeable population of publications. Both "NetPower" (BKNETPWR.RVW) and "Internet Passport" (BKINTPSP.RVW) target the educational market, and each provides a much better overview of the net and net applications than does this work. Resource guides, catalogues and even "yellow pages" are old hat, starting with the now venerable "Whole Internet User's Guide and Catalog" (BKKROL.RVW), through the collections of Hahn (BKINTYLP.RVW), to Maxwell/Grycz (BKNRYLPG.RVW), and even Jean Polly's collection for kids (BKINKDYP.RVW). What teachers really need is advice on how to search out resources, and there "Finding it on the Internet" (BKFNDINT.RVW) stands alone. This Place/Dimmler/Powell book doesn't even mention the basic resources. The actual listings have very few descriptions aside from "titles" of mailing lists, newsgroups, and Web pages. The organization is difficult to use: listings are ordered by topic, subtopic and then access method, so that even having found the area of interest you have to check seven sets of listings to found out what is available. Within those listings, order may be by title or by address. The list of "computer science" newsgroups runs for fifteen pages without interruption by description or discussion. Yes, there are a wealth of resources compiled here. You could find as much, and more, by accessing the standard online listings, such as the Spafford/Lawrence newsgroup list. You can get a number of books with much better annotation of the resources, so as not to waste time exploring the irrelevant or uninformative. And you could find a lot more, and more closely targeted, material with a visit to Alta Vista. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKEDINYP.RVW 960530 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. Vancouver ROBERTS@decus.ca | "Don't buy a Institute for rslade@vanisl.decus.ca | computer." Research into Rob.Slade@f733.n153.z1/ | Jeff Richards' User .fidonet.org | First Law of Security Canada V7K 2G6 | Data Security ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 23:25:37 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: ISDN in MD, VA, PA, DC or NJ ... Help Needed Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Fri, 12 Jul 1996 18:35:33 -0400 (EDT) From: James Love Subject: ISDN in MD, VA, PA, DC or NJ...Help needed. We are looking for individuals, organizations or firms that are located in or do business in the following states, to join in motions to intervene in ongoing Bell Atlantic ISDN cases. The states are: Maryland Virginia Pennsylvania District of Columbia New Jersey We have to file something in New Jersey and Pennsylvania pretty quick. A selection of our past filings in these state ISDN proceedings are at: http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/isdn.html, or the Bell Atlantic Action page, http://www.essential.org/cpt/isdn/bellnews.html Todd Paglia from our office is going to write the pleading. He can be contacted at 202-387-8030 or tpaglia@tap.org. BACKGROUND Last fall Bell Altantic (BA) filed terrible tariffs in each of its states. These were about $30 per month plus one or two cents per minute for usage, which was the killer. After much criticism, BA has re-filed tariffs which are lower, but still way too high. In the new filings, you can buy 140 hours of one ISDN B channel (70 hours if you bond two together into a single 128 Kpbs line) for $60 per month. This is about .7 cents per minute per channel, and you pay for a block, even if you don't use it. (The actual rates are on the CPT ISDN page). ISDN doesn't cost the Telco much more than an analog phone, according to several studies. Some telephone companies have voluntarily filed much lower tariffs for ISDN, such as $17.90 per month, flat rate, in Arkansas, or $29.50 flat rate in parts of California. Ameritech filed flat rate tariffs of $28 to $35 in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. In states were the tariffs have been contested, good things have happened. $27 flat rate in Tennessee, where a Commissioner was an ISDN user. In New Mexico, US West wanted $184 for its flat rate, but the Commission set the rate at $40. In Texas, the Commission just set a flat rate of $41 for GTE. In Delaware, a Bell Atlantic state, the Commission set a rate of $28.02 ($24.52 excluding the $3.50 interstate SLC charge). In Washington DC, there is a proposal before the Commission for a $32 flat rate. Studies of usage costs have ranged from 10 cents per hour to 5 cent per day. In Delaware and Washington DC, Bell Atlantic has threatened to withdraw the service if the Commissions insists on the lower rates. But the new telecom act requires them to provide such services, the Commissions have the legal power to make it happen, and Bell Atlantic wants to buy NYNEX, and shouldn't be causing so much grief. If we intervene, with local residents or organizations or firms, it sends a signal to the Commission that the issue is important (how to price the new digital services), and that people want to get the service at reasonable rates. If you can help, send a note to Todd, at tpaglia@tap.org, or call him at 202/387-8030. James Love / love@tap.org / P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036 Voice: 202/387-8030; Fax 202/234-5176 Center for Study of Responsive Law Consumer Project on Technology; http://www.essential.org/cpt Taxpayer Assets Project; http://www.tap.org ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 04:15:51 +0100 From: Jean-Bernard Condat Subject: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th By Geoffrey Pereira SINGAPORE'S cyberspace will be regulated from Monday under a new licensing scheme that aims to safeguard public morals, political stability and religious harmony. Two groups -- those who provide or sell Internet access and those who provide information with business, political and religious content -- will be deemed to be licensed automatically. They will have to follow a set of Singapore Broadcasting Authority guidelines on what material can enter Singapore's cyberspace. While the first group will also have to be registered with the SBA, not all of the second group, except for those whose home pages engage in local political or religious discussion and on-line newspapers which target Singapore subscribers, need to. To register, they will have to provide information such as the targeted readers, the names of the editors and publishers and the nature of the organisation behind them, a move to promote responsible use of the medium. The SBA announced the new Class Licence Scheme yesterday in a follow-up to moves earlier this year. The scheme will cover two main categories of Internet providers. Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These include access provi ders such as CyberWay and secondary access providers such as cybercafes and schools. They must block out objectionable sites when the SBA tells them to and pay a licensing fee. The Internet has thousands of newsgroups in which people discuss topics that include homosexuality, sex and religion, sometimes with pictures. Service providers will also have to follow the SBA's guidelines on content in deciding which newsgroups to offer to the public. Schools and other places which offer access to children will need tighter control; the SBA said it was working with the Education Ministry and the National Library Board on this. Internet Content Providers (ICP). The term refers to anyone who provides information on the World Wide Web, a publishing platform on the Internet, including those who put out their own home pages. But Mr. Goh Liang Kwang, the SBA's chief executive officer, told a press conference that regulatory efforts would focus only on groups which provide content on an organised basis. Individuals who put up web pages that are not for business, political and religious purposes will be exempted unless they are notified by the SBA. He said the scheme aimed to encourage responsible use of the Internet while allowing its healthy development here. He said: "It encourages minimum standards in cyberspace and seeks protect Net users, particularly the young, against the broadcast of unlawful or objectionable materials." He added that political and religious organisations are free to conduct discussions provided they do not break the law or disrupt social harmony. The SBA guidelines on content also prohibit other types of material. They include material which: Jeopardises security or defence, or which undermines confide nce in the administration of justice; Misleads and alarms the public; Tends to bring the Government into hatred or contempt, or excites disaffection against it. When asked to elaborate on the kind of material which would fall under the third point, Mr Goh replied that it would be a matter of judgment on the part of the SBA. The penalties for those who break the rules have not been spelt out under the scheme, but he said that they could have their licence withdrawn or be fined. The Internet was impossible to control fully, he said, and added: "Our licence conditions are directed at what is necessary and possible. As technology evolves, so will our regulatory framework." He added that the Ministry of Information and the Arts will appoint a National Internet Advisory Committee to help formulate a good framework. Although the SBA will have up to ten people monitoring cyberspace, he added that the success of its regulation would depend a lot on industry and community action. People can help, he said, by informing the SBA of the objectionable sites that they come across. Jean-bernard Condat, Senior Consultant, Smart Card Business Unit | Informix, La Grande Arche, 92044 La Defense Cedex, France | Phone: +33 1 46963769, fax: +33 1 46963765, portable: +33 07238628 ------------------------------ From: scline@usit.net (Stanley Cline) Subject: Oddly Named Operators! Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 02:10:58 GMT Organization: Catoosa Computing Services [Quoted from _Chattanooga_Free_Press_, July 14, 1996, page C6.] CONSUMERS! BEWARE WHO YOU'RE USING WHEN YOU'RE CALLING LONG DISTANCE By Mike Drago, Associated Press Writer HOUSTON -- You're in Houston and you need help calling Dallas. The local telephone operator asks you to pick a long-distance company. Caller beware. If your answer is "I don't know," "I don't care," "It doesn't matter," or "Whoever," you might end up paying a few extra bucks when the telephone bill arrives. A company in suburban Fort Worth has trademarked these phrases as names of long-distance carriers whose rates for operator-assisted calls are about twice those of major companies. "It's not deceptive at all," said Dennis Dees, 38, president of KT&T Communications Inc., the holding company for the curiously-named subsidiaries. Dees, who claims the corporate name is only coincidentally similar to that of monolithic phone giant AT&T, is candid when asked about the prices he charges and the way the company attracts customers. "There's nothing here to be defensive about. I'm charging a fair price compared to the market share for my product. I've come up with a name that's pretty creative and it's successful for us. There's no reason to be embarrassed." Indeed, officials say the operation is legal. More than 800 or so long-distance operator-service companies registered with the state are unregulated. [Stanley's notes: I noticed these odd names on the FCC's PIC-code list (available from their BBS); at first I thought someone had been playing with the spreadsheet that contained the PIC codes (and that Lotus just left junk in), but no -- it's true, "whoever" is a long distance company! From the PIC list: 1015136 = "I don't know" 1015137 = "It doesn't matter" 1015138 = "Whoever" 1015140 = "Anyone is OK" 1015016 = KT&T (carrier of all of the above) There are also LD companies called "Amadeus", "Brahms", and "Dvorak", on this same PIC list ... the codes are consecutive. I assume a company called What could do the same thing as KT&T has done ... ) Nynex's PIC code is 1016963 = 101NYNE(X)!] Stanley Cline (Roamer1 on IRC) ** GO BRAVES! GO VOLS! mailto:scline@usit.net ** http://www.usit.net/public/scline/ CompuServe 74212,44 ** MSN WSCline1 ** AOL SUCKS! All opinions are strictly my own! ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #338 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 15 12:07:20 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id MAA24188; Mon, 15 Jul 1996 12:07:20 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 12:07:20 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607151607.MAA24188@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #339 TELECOM Digest Mon, 15 Jul 96 12:07:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 339 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson End Near for Zero-Plus Dialing? (Tad Cook) Telcom and Education in Ghana (Cecil R. Washington, Jr.) Caller ID in New Zealand (Ken Moselen) Mac Manager Openings at Motorola (Monty Solomon) NexComm NPA Projections Through 1999 (John Cropper) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tad Cook Subject: End Near for Zero-Plus Dialing? Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 00:20:52 PDT Bell Atlantic Resumes Competition with AT&T for Long-Distance Service By Michael Martz, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va. Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 13--Consumers may be confused next week when they try to use their AT&T credit cards for making some types of long-distance telephone calls in Virginia. They also may wonder why Bell Atlantic Corp. is trying so hard to help them. It's all about competition in an old monopoly. Beginning Monday, consumers will have to dial 1-800-CALL-ATT to charge in-region calls to their AT&T calling cards. Currently, they can make calls on the card just by dialing 0, the area code and number. The change affects only calls that don't cross the boundaries of regional zones that once distinguished between competitive and monopoly long-distance markets. AT&T estimates that represents about 15 percent of its calls. "It's not a big deal," said Joseph Karas, vice president of AT&T for the Atlantic states, including Virginia. Don't tell that to Bell Atlantic, owner of Virginia's largest local telephone company. The company took out advertisements in major East Coast newspapers yesterday to accuse AT&T of abusing its own customers with the change. "THE END IS NEAR for zero plus dialing," the ads trumpet. Bell Atlantic's avowed purpose is to avoid being blamed by angry customer for the change, which it alleges was a problem when AT&T ended a similar agreement with Nynex Corp. on April 30. "Our simple motive here is to have customers understand that this is not something that Bell Atlantic caused or foisted upon them," said spokesman Paul T. Miller Jr. Of course, the ads also urge AT&T customers to switch to a Bell Atlantic IQ Card for credit calling. The reason for the change is the expiration of a five-year agreement between AT&T and Bell Atlantic for honoring each other's credit cards for completing calls in their respective territories. Under the old rules of telephone regulation, AT&T couldn't compete for long-distance calls made within the regional zones known as Local Access Transport Areas, or LATAs. Those calls were part of the monopoly held by Bell Atlantic and other local telephone companies. On the other hand, Bell Atlantic couldn't carry calls that crossed the boundaries because it was barred by antitrust decree from the competitive long-distance market. The restriction ended on Feb. 8, when President Clinton signed a law that lifts barriers to competition between local and long-distance telephone businesses. Virginia already had allowed competition in the local telephone business on Jan. 1 and ended the monopoly over in-region long-distance calls on Oct. 1. AT&T officials say they are making the change to assure customers that their calls are being carried by AT&T, not another carrier. "We think of this as simply honoring customer choice," Karas said. AT&T will continue to be paid for completing long-distance calls charged to Bell Atlantic IQ cards, but Bell Atlantic will lose tolls on in-region calls that customers charge to their AT&T cards. "This is not rocket science," Karas said. "They're losing revenue." Miller, at Bell Atlantic, countered, "This is a demonstration that AT&T is more interested in gaining a competitive edge than conveniencing their customers." ------------------------------ From: crw@loop.com (crw) Subject: Telcom and Education in GHANA Date: 15 Jul 1996 09:09:08 GMT Organization: The Loop Hi, This project is a confluence of sorts of Computer Science, Education, Sociology, Telecommunications, Internet Technology and a slew of other disciplines. Of possible interest to some, this project is seeking to "build bridges" with individuals, organizations, and institutions with an interest in Internetworking and Electronic Education. Thanks for the previous feedback from several of you! Regards, Cecil note: if intestested, I will send you the full report on this project...just send me E-mail ======================================= AFRICA: Models for Computer Literacy / K12 Distance Learning & Beyond RE: -New Approaches to World Education Networking -Focus on Africa -Pilot Project in Ghana -Opportunities for you to get involved Dear Friends and Colleagues, Firstly, our deepest gratitude goes out to many of you for taking the time to give us advice, assistance and encouragement over these past months, and for showing such STRONG INTEREST. It has been MUCH appreciated ... and is ** STILL ** needed !! THE FULL UPDATE REPORT Please feel free to send us E-Mail to receive the full detailed report and history (which is one full E-Mail message in length) on the launching of this pilot project in Ghana (...and please update us on your OWN interests and work). Would be most happy to share our with you. MASTER'S THESES - PhD DISSERTATIONS - RESEARCH Of future interest to ACADEMIA: There may eventually be GREAT potential in this project for Master's theses, Doctoral dissertations or other serious research ... for highly motivated advanced graduate students or researchers who want to make a contribution. This can be discussed at a later point. W O R K I N G I N G H A N A We hope to build a network, via E-Mail, of persons interested in the area, and potential, of electronic education in Africa, and, further, who are willing to give of themselves to help brainstorm, improve and tweak aspects of this project, from curriculum development to finding/shipping donated computer equipment, from locating much-needed funds to actually going to Ghana on their own, rolling up their sleeves, and lending a hand. We want to explore how Africans and friends of Africa can work together to put the Internet to better use for Africa. Regards, Cecil R. Washington, Jr. Consultant Operation Crossroads Africa, Inc., Manhattan Project's Co-Sponsor Tel/FAX: 310-632-1582 UC Berkeley/Oberlin College ........................................................................ crw@loop.com <<-- p l z E - m a i l here for full report ........................................................................ "...We are talking about an experiment in creating a new kind of educational institution that will be able to offer high quality instruction...all without building buildings and highways and parking lots..." (Dr. Steve Eskow, President - Electronic University Network) ------------------------- BACKGROUND Classrooms WITHOUT Walls: A F R I C A M o v i n g F o r w a r d It has been a long and difficult birth. But we are now OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED, with the first programs having already been started, and the first group of volunteers having already arrived on site. We are excited! We want to do what we can to help foster similar efforts wherever possible on the African Continent. The real work has yet to begin!! D I S T A N C E L E A R N I N G - E L E C T R O N I C E D U C A T I O N Chief Architects of Project Please cc: your response to : 1) Dr. Osei Darkwa: Faculty, University of Illinois, Chicago Director of VOLU's Computer Literacy/Distance Learning darkwa@tigger.cc.uic.edu Office: (312) 996-8508 Home number: (708) 848-7054 FAX (312) 996-2770 Address: 621 S. Maple Oak Park, IL 60304 and, 2) Bill Owen, Chief Consultant, along with Dr. Darkwa, for VOLU's Computer Literacy / Distance Learning Project wowen@reston.aau.org, and Owenarl@aol.com (temporary) Reston Enterprises Ltd. P.O. Box 252, Techiman, B/A Ghana SPECIAL THANKS go to : Dr. Edmund Browne (ebrowne@lshtm.ac.uk) Eric Yankah (enyankah@ncs.com.gh) Gideon Chonia (gideon@osagyefo.ghana.net) Dr. Steve Eskow (EUNSteve@aol.com) ************************************************************************* This project is being launched in Ghana as a non-profit endeavor under the aegis of a highly-regarded NGO, the Voluntary Workcamps Association of Ghana (VOLU), under the directorship of Francis Donkor (General Secretary). We are seeking to build bridges with organizations, institutions and individuals world wide that are interested in this pioneering work. The first volunteers (from the USA and elsewhere) have recently arrived in Ghana and have begun working with their Ghanaian counterparts in launching the Computer Literacy/Distance Learning Project. Inadequate funding and an insufficient amount of computer equipment remain serious obstacles, but these are not insurmountable! C O M P U T E R D O N A T I O N S Donations of working computer equipment, of all sorts, is needed. Recepts [IRS 501(C)3] will be issued for tax purposes. Collection points where equipment can be sent include Manhattan, Chicago, London, Zurich, DC, Accra, and many other places. For further details or instructions, please E-Mail to: Dr. Osei Darkwa : darkwa@tigger.cc.uic.edu & crw@loop.com, and Bobby Brown: Rbrown279@aol.com, ocainc@aol.com Thank you. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 11:43:43 +1200 From: Moselen, Ken Subject: Caller ID in New Zealand Pat, With all the controversy in California recently over CLID starting there, it's interesting to note that here the CLID issue (so far) seems to be much more subdued. Telecom New Zealand has quietly announced in a billing insert that it will be offering Call Display nationwide in New Zealand from "the end of August". The offering of this service comes after a ruling by the Privacy Commissioner that by offering per call blocking and per line blocking for no charge to all subscribers, the requirements of New Zealand's strict privacy laws will be met. Information on how to block phone calls (along with stickers saying the same thing), and ordering per-line-blocking are in the same billing insert. The two interesting questions IMHO are: Now that CLID fait-accompli are the NZ cilvil libertarians going to get up and arms about it, despite the Privacy Commissioner's ruling? As Telecom has SS7 links to carriers in the US, how long will it be before New Zealand numbers show up on US CLID boxes and US ones show up here? Cheers, Ken Moselen Ken.Moselen@ccc.govt.nz tel: +64.3.3711708 fax: +64.3.3711783 gsm: +64.21.337963 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 00:51:47 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Employment Opportunity: Mac Manager Openings at Motorola Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Begin forwarded message: Subject: Mac Manager Openings at Motorola Date: Wed, 10 Jul 1996 13:25:36 -0500 (CDT) From: "Dave Deitrich" NOTE: We are in desperate need of experienced Macintosh support people! If you are at all interested I *STRONGLY* urge you to send a resume to the address below. This is a great opportunity for people who want to work with Macs AND increase their skills and experience on other platforms. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- OPPORTUNITIES FOR SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS AT MOTOROLA CIG! The Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group in Arlington Heights, IL (northwest Chicago suburbs) has immediate openings for systems administrators and support technicians who are familiar with Macintosh, Windows NT, and/or Unix operating systems. In particular we have openings on the following teams: DESKTOP SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT: Duties include helping to maintain the 1,900 Macintosh and PC workstations already in-house; testing, evaluation, and roll-out of new software packages for Motorola CIG employees; testing and evaluation of new desktop technology and operating systems; and planning, implementation, and roll-out of Windows NT at Motorola CIG. CENTRAL SERVICES: Duties include maintenance and administration of Unix servers and workstations; offsite server and backup systems administration; modem dialin/dialout support and development; file server setup and maintenance; email (SMTP, POP, MS Mail) administration, and NIS/DNS administration. NETWORK SERVICES: Duties include maintenance and development of the Motorola CIG LAN as well as interconnections to the Motorola worldwide network; internet services and firewall maintenance; and international and remote customer site establishment and support. Other positions and opportunities are also available. Motorola places a strong emphasis on education and cross-training, so even if you are not fluent in all types of computers and operating systems we can help you get more breadth and experience as a systems administrator. If interested, I strongly encourage you to send questions and resumes to: BRUCE GURA ITS Department Manager IL27-3B6 1501 W. Shure Drive Arlington Heights, IL 60004 gura@cig.mot.com The department fax number is (847) 632-6658 if you wish to fax a letter or resume to Mr. Gura. Please address all questions and correspondence to him; I can answer general questions, but I'm not a manager nor am I part of the hiring process. Motorola welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce, and we are an equal opportunity employer. Hope to see you on our team! DAVE DEITRICH Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group deitrich@cig.mot.com Information Technology Services http://www.mcs.net/~deitrich/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 20:21:21 GMT Subject: NexComm NPA Projections Through 1999 From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) The following is a text listing of NPA projected relief activity through 4Q 1999, base on NPA activity/growth since 4Q1993. You may want to capture this, then bring it up in DOS edit, or some WP program where you can adjust margins, font, etc, to view it more clearly. ***BEGIN (CUT HERE) New Area Code Permissive and Mandatory Dialing Dates 1994 - 1999 Old New Geographic Location Affected Permissive Mandatory Test Number 215 610 eastern PA, except Philly 01-08-94 01-07-95 None Known 205 334 southern Alabama 01-15-95 05-13-95 334-223-0600 206 360 western WA 01-15-95 08-20-95 360-532-0023 713 281 Houston (temporary overlay) NONE 03-01-95 281-792-8378 602 520 Arizona, except Phoenix 03-19-95 10-21-95 520-782-0100 303 970 northwest Colorado 04-02-95 01-14-96 970-241-0022 813 941 southwestern Florida 05-28-95 03-03-96 941-959-1650 703 540 western Virginia 07-15-95 01-27-96 540-892-9910 404 770 suburban Atlanta 08-01-95 12-01-95 770-666-9999 203 860 northeastern Connecticut 08-28-95 10-04-96 860-203-0950 615 423 eastern Tennessee 09-11-95 02-26-96 423-634-1928 305 954 Broward County, Florida 09-11-95 08-01-96 954-236-4242 809 441 Bermuda 10-01-95 09-30-96 441-295-7606 503 541 Oregon, except n.w. corner 11-05-95 06-30-96 541-276-0192 803 864 western South Carolina 12-03-95 05-01-96 864-242-0070 904 352 west central Florida 12-03-95 05-20-96 352-848-0517 314 573 southeastern Missouri 01-07-96 07-07-96 573-792-8378 708 847 northwest surburban Chicago 01-20-96 04-20-96 847-958-1204 809 787 Puerto Rico 03-01-96 01-31-97 787-756-9399 216 330 northeastern Ohio 03-09-96 06-29-96 330-783-2330 612 320 central Minnesota 03-17-96 09-15-96 320-252-0090 809 268 Antigua & Barbuda 04-01-96 03-31-97 268-268-4482 407 561 east central Florida 05-13-96 04-13-97 561-615-8484 809 758 St. Lucia 07-01-96 01-01-97 758-758-8242 809 246 Barbados 07-01-96 01-15-97 246-809-4200 804 757 southeastern Virginia 07-01-96 02-01-97 757-627-1615 809 664 Montserrat 07-01-96 06-01-97 664-491-0025 704 910 Davidson county, North Carolina NONE 08-01-96 REALIGNMENT 708 630 west suburban Chicago, IL 08-03-96 11-30-96 630-204-1204 214 972 suburban Dallas, Texas 09-01-96 03-01-97 972-792-8378 809 345 Cayman Islands 09-01-96 08-31-97 513 937 southwestern Ohio 09-28-96 06-14-97 937-223-4937 809 242 Bahamas 10-01-96 03-31-97 242-356-0000 809 869 St. Kitts & Nevis 10-01-96 03-31-97 312 773 Chicago, except Zone 1 10-12-96 01-11-97 773-914-1204 604 250 British Columbia 10-19-96 04-06-97 250-372-0123 713 281 suburban Houston, Texas 11-03-96 05-02-97 281-792-8378 809 264 Anguilla ??-??-96 ? 310 562 Los Angeles County, CA 01-25-97 07-26-97 562-317-0317 317 765 central Indiana 02-01-97 06-27-97 619 760 southeastern California 03-22-97 09-27-97 760-200-0760 206 425 Everett, Washington 04-27-97 11-16-97 206 253 Tacoma, Washington 04-27-97 11-16-97 412 ??? southwest Pennsylvania (OVERLAY NONE 05-01-97 810 248 Oakland County, Michigan 05-10-97 09-13-97 301 240 western Maryland (OVERLAY) NONE 06-01-97 240-999-8378 410 443 eastern Maryland (OVERLAY) NONE 06-01-97 443-999-8378 818 626 Burbank, California 06-01-97 ? 809 868 Trinidad & Tobago 06-01-97 05-31-98 868-809-8378 216 440 northeast OH 07-05-97 01-03-98 809 284 British Virgin Islands 10-01-97 09-30-98 809 767 Dominica 10-01-97 09-30-98 809 473 Grenada & Carricou ??-??-97 ? 809 649 Turks & Caicos ??-??-97 ? 809 784 St. Vincent & the Grenadines ??-??-97 ? 809 876 Jamaica ??-??-97 ? 212 ??? Manhattan Island (OVERLAY) ??-??-97 ? 215 ??? Bucks county, PA ??-??-97 ? 414 ??? southeastern Wisconsin ??-??-97 ? 415 ??? suburban San Francisco, CA ??-??-97 ? 714 ??? Orange County, California ??-??-97 ? 817 ??? north central Texas ??-??-97 ? 916 ??? northeastern California ??-??-97 ? 803 843 coastal South Carolina 04-01-98 09-01-98 209 ??? Central California 04-??-98 ? 408 ??? central coastal CA 04-??-98 ? 510 ??? eastern Bay area, CA 04-??-98 ? 904 ??? Northern Florida ??-??-98 ? 781-???-???? 201 ??? northwestern New Jersey ??-??-98 ? 978-???-???? 205 ??? Northern Alabama ??-??-98 ? 210 ??? southern Texas ??-??-98 ? 213 ??? Los Angeles, CA ??-??-98 ? 303 ??? Denver, Colorado ??-??-98 ? 313 ??? suburban Detroit, MI ??-??-98 ? 318 ??? central western Louisiana ??-??-98 ? 405 ??? western Oklahoma ??-??-98 ? 501 ??? Arkansas, except Little Rock ??-??-98 ? 508 978 north central & NE MA ??-??-98 ? 514 ??? suburban Montreal ??-??-98 ? 516 ??? Long Island, NY ??-??-98 ? 601 ??? Mississippi ??-??-98 ? 602 ??? Phoenix, Arizona ??-??-98 ? 609 ??? southeastern New Jersey ??-??-98 ? 610 ??? southeastern PA, except Phl. ??-??-98 ? 612 ??? Minneapolis, Minnesota ??-??-98 ? 614 ??? Southeast Ohio ??-??-98 ? 617 781 north suburban Boston, MA ??-??-98 ? 702 ??? southern Nevada ??-??-98 ? 717 ??? north central Pennsylvania ??-??-98 ? 718 ??? Five Boroughs of New York City ??-??-98 ? 801 ??? Utah, except Salt Lake City ??-??-98 ? 809 340 US Virgin Islands ??-??-98 ? 816 ??? northwestern Missouri ??-??-98 ? 847 ??? Northern suburban Chicago, IL ??-??-98 ? 908 ??? west central New Jersey ??-??-98 ? 910 ??? Central North Carolina ??-??-98 ? 913 ??? northwest Kansas ??-??-98 ? 954 ??? Broward County, Florida ??-??-98 ? 403/819 ??? Yukon & NW Territories ??-??-98 ? 305 ??? Dade County, Florida ??-??-99 ? 402 ??? Eastern Nebraska ??-??-99 ? 502 ??? Western Kentucky ??-??-99 ? 504 ??? east central Louisiana ??-??-99 ? 512 ??? Southeast Texas ??-??-99 ? 515 ??? Central Iowa ??-??-99 ? 616 ??? Western Lower Michigan ??-??-99 ? 704 ??? Western North Carolina ??-??-99 ? 716 ??? Western New York ??-??-99 ? 770 ??? Suburban Atlanta, Georgia ??-??-99 ? 914 ??? Southeast New York ??-??-99 ? 919 ??? Eastern North Carolina ??-??-99 ? Int'l 670 Commonwealth of N. Mariana Isl. ??-??-?? ? Int'l 671 Guam ??-??-?? ? Additions, corrections or clarifications to psyber@usa.pipeline.com and/or Nexus, POB 277, Pennington, NJ 08534-0277 Listed data shown above is current to 07/10/96. Data format & listing copyright (c) 1996 - NiS, all rights reserved. ***END (CUT HERE) John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #339 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Mon Jul 15 14:18:10 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id OAA07898; Mon, 15 Jul 1996 14:18:10 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 14:18:10 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607151818.OAA07898@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #340 TELECOM Digest Mon, 15 Jul 96 14:17:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 340 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson The AT&T PocketNet Phone (Jorene Downs) Bell South Deploys Speech Recognition Technology in Market Trials (A Moyer) Bell South Providing Service Despite Hurricane Bertha (Mike King) Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Hillary Gorman) Caller ID/Per Line Blocking (Wayne Cox) New NPA for Windows (Tad Cook) Increasing Network Availability (Scott Robohn) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jcdowns@psnw.com (Jorene Downs) Subject: The AT&T PocketNet Phone Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 21:05:09 GMT Organization: Strategic Vision Reply-To: jcdowns@psnw.com The AT&T PocketNet Phone Ushers In Era Of the Wireless Internet Appliance; New Device to Deliver Instant Wireless Access to the Internet and Intranet Web Servers KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 11, 1996--AT&T Wireless Services today announced the AT&T(r) PocketNet(tm) Phone, an integrated cellular phone and wireless Internet appliance that will provide people on the go with fast and convenient access to Internet information and two-way messaging services. Slated for commercial availability later this year, the AT&T PocketNet Phone is the first wireless device of its kind to enable both end users and corporations to capitalize on the content and messaging power of the Internet. Users will have instant access to a base set of wireless Internet services "out of the box." Business services, such as two-way messaging, airline flight information and financial information, will be joined by personal services, including sports scores, local movie listings and lottery results. The range of potential information services in the future could equal the variety and depth of Web content. In addition, corporate and independent Web developers will be able to program the AT&T PocketNet Phone for remote, wireless information access to intranet networks and two-way messaging applications that effectively transform the device into a mobile e-mail terminal. "The AT&T PocketNet Phone is the definitive wireless Internet appliance," said Kendra VanderMeulen, vice president and general manager of AT&T Wireless Services, Wireless Data Division. "The device makes a surgical strike into the Internet to extract the precise information you want, when you want it. The result: Individuals and organizations will exploit the true essence of the Internet - its core content - with speed and ease they've never experienced." At the heart of the AT&T PocketNet Phone, VanderMeulen said, is a specialized browser that is specifically tuned to send and retrieve only text-based information housed on the Internet, not burdensome multimedia and graphics. With this approach, the browser optimizes the cellular phone's compact display size, memory footprint and wireless connectivity for information services. "This technology changes the mobile paradigm," said Iain Gillott, director of wireless and broadband networking at IDC/LINK. "At last, we can describe a wireless data solution as elegant, simple and convenient, and really mean it. With the PocketNet Phone, I think we will finally see wireless data enter the mainstream. And the notion of accessing time-critical information to make fast but informed decisions will be a reality rather than a promise." How It Works AT&T PocketNet Phone applications and services will operate on off-the-shelf Web servers and will be compatible with existing Web applications. Wireless transport will be seamless. The PocketNet Phone will transmit information via AT&T's wireless IP network, also known as Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD). Network managers will manage applications centrally at the server level. The browser client on the phone automatically reflects all application changes and updates without modification. The applications are enabled by the UP.Link(tm) software platform created by Unwired Planet Inc. of Redwood City, Calif., in which AT&T is an equity partner. UP.Link comprises the Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML), the UP.Browse and the UP.Link server. AT&T PocketNet Phone browser and server applications are written in HDML, an open programming specification derived from the Internet standard hypertext markup language (HTML). HDML allows applications to run on existing Internet Web servers and infrastructure without modification. The UP.Link server is middleware that connects the wireline and wireless IP portions of the Internet, logs transactions to facilitate billing, and provides access control. AT&T Wireless Services will operate a gateway server on behalf of AT&T PocketNet service customers. Customers may also manage their own on-site server if they choose. To access information or transmit a message, the user manipulates the browser's menu-based user interface with the cellular phone keypad. Requests for information are routed through the wireless IP network and the wireline Internet (or a proprietary wide area network) and processed at the Web server on which the application resides. The browser displays only the results of the query. "This networkcentric approach separates the AT&T PocketNet Phone from `smart phones' that attempt to place processing power in the device," said Jeff Damir, director of marketing for the Wireless Data Division of AT&T Wireless Services. "Our phones will take advantage of powerful transaction processing in the network, while achieving our size, cost and ease-of-use design objectives." Availability and Pricing Commercial AT&T PocketNet Phones and service will be available first to corporations in the fourth quarter of 1996. In addition to the AT&T PocketNet Phone-branded model, manufactured by PCSI of San Diego, AT&T Wireless Services will offer PocketNet services on the Mitsubishi MobileAccess(tm) Phone, manufactured by Mitsubishi's Personal Mobile Communications Division in Sunnyvale, Calif. AT&T will make the phones available for around $500. Specific content services and rate plans will be announced when commercial service becomes available. AT&T Wireless Services will offer AT&T PocketNet Phone services in markets where AT&T Wireless Packet Data Service is available (see Appendix A). Additional markets will become available as deployment continues and intercarrier agreements are signed and implemented. AT&T Wireless Services is currently accepting corporations into an Early Access Program to pilot the AT&T PocketNet Phone and service as a wireless extension to corporate intranet and messaging environments. For more information on the Early Access Program, interested companies can contact AT&T Wireless Services, Wireless Data Division at 888/299-8558 or at the division's Web site at http://www.airdata.com/. Web developers have the opportunity to join the developers program and obtain free copies of the UP.Link Software Development Kit (SDK), including the HDML programming language. Information on how to join the developers program and obtain the SDK can be found at http://www.airdata.com/. AT&T Wireless Services, formerly McCaw Cellular Communications, is the leading provider of wireless communications services. The Wireless Data Division of AT&T Wireless Services is a recognized leader in the development of wireless data communications, offering solutions designed to meet the spectrum of business data communications requirements, from messaging, data entry and dispatch, to file transfers and interactive computing. For additional information, contact the Wireless Data Division at 800/552-3373. AT&T is a registered trademark and PocketNet is a trademark of AT&T Corp. UP.Link and Handheld Device Markup Language are trademarks of Unwired Planet Inc. MobileAccess is a trademark of Mitsubishi Wireless Communications Inc. Appendix A Markets Where AT&T Wireless Packet Data Service (Wireless IP) Is Commercially Available 1. Austin, Texas 2. Dallas/Fort Worth 3. Denver 4. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 5. Las Vegas 6. Miami 7. Minneapolis/St. Paul 8. New York/New Jersey 9. Oklahoma City 10. Pittsburgh 11. Portland, Ore. 12. Sacramento, Calif. 13. Salt Lake City/Provo 14. San Antonio 15. Seattle 16. Tulsa, Okla. Through an interconnection agreement reached with Ameritech Cellular earlier this year, AT&T Wireless Packet Data Service is also available in the following markets: 17. Chicago 18. Cincinnati 19. Columbus, Ohio 20. Dayton, Ohio 21. Detroit 22. St. Louis ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 11:49:16 -0400 From: Alisa Moyer Subject: Bell South Deploys Speech Recognition Technology in Market Trials BELLSOUTH DEPLOYS APPLIED LANGUAGE TECHNOLOGIES' SPEECH RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY IN MARKET TRIALS Sophisticated New Services Help Customers Find Information Using Voice Commands Cambridge, Mass. - Applied Language Technologies, Inc. (ALTech) announced today that its speech recognition technology and application development services are being used in several market trials by BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corporation (BAPCO), the directory publishing and information services subsidiary of BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS). Using the advanced capabilities of ALTech's speech technology, BAPCO is launching innovative new interactive services that let consumers find selected information by simply telling an electronic attendant what it is they're looking for. BellSouth will test the new services, Restaurant Guide and AutoChoice(SM) , in two Florida markets as part of BellSouth's 511 information services. The services will allow customers to find information on restaurants and cars using VAL, or Voice Activated Link, an electronic attendant that uses ALTech's SpeechWorks(TM) and DialogModules(TM) software products. SpeechWorks provides the core speech recognition capabilities while DialogModules manage the "conversation" between the system and the caller. DialogModules are high-level application building blocks which enable developers to quickly and easily develop new speech-based services. "ALTech's advanced speech recognition capabilities and high-level application design approach will help BellSouth explore new ways to provide customers the information when they need it," said Gary Prophitt, president of IntelliVentures, the research and interactive services development unit o= f BAPCO. "Based on results from the two market tests, BellSouth will consider expanding such services to other markets," Prophitt said. "We are very pleased to work with BellSouth to help them bring new services to their customers," said William O'Farrell, president and CEO of ALTech. "The Restaurant Guide and AutoChoice are representative of the new levels of customer service capabilities offered by our speech products." One of the most sophisticated voice recognition services in test anywhere, VAL prompts callers to answer a short series of questions to determine the information they are looking for. ALTech's software allows VAL to understand the callers' spoken responses. Using AutoChoice, customers shopping for a car can tell VAL the make, mod el and price range. Using the Restaurant Guide, customers can specify the ty pe of cuisine, location and price range. After collecting enough information fr om the caller, VAL searches the appropriate database either the AutoTrader(TM) magazine classified advertising listings or The Real Yellow Pages to find matching results. VAL then speaks the information back to the customer. The Restaurant Guide is currently available to 511 customers in Gainesville, Fla., and will be introduced in Daytona Beach, Fla., later this summer. AutoChoice will be introduced in both markets later this summer. Applied Language Technologies is a leader in the development and implementation of advanced speech recognition and voice processing technologies for the telephony market. Based on technology licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Laboratory for Computer Science, ALTech develops and markets speech understanding software which provides large vocabulary, speaker-independent, phonetic segment-based, continuous speech recognition. ALTech's software contains a comprehensive set of features for automating telephone-based transactions and services. ALTech is a privately held corporation based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. More information on ALTech is available on the Web at www.altech.com. ### SpeechWorks and DialogModules are trademarks of Applied Language Technologies, Inc. AutoTrader is a trademark and AutoChoice is a servicemark of BellSouth Corporation. Contact: Alisa Moyer Marketing Manager Applied Language Technologies, Inc. 617-225-0012 moyer@altech.com Marketing Manager Applied Language Technologies 215 First Street Cambridge, MA 02142 P: 617.225.0012 F: 617.225.0322 ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Providing Service Despite Hurricane Bertha Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 04:56:08 PDT Forewarded to the Digest FYI: Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 19:02:57 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH IS READY TO PROVIDE SERVICE DESPITE HURRICANE BERTHA July 10, 1996 BELLSOUTH IS READY TO PROVIDE SERVICE DESPITE HURRICANE BERTHA WILMINGTON -- As Hurricane Bertha churns toward the North Carolina coast, BellSouth stands ready to help Wilmington residents weather the storm. "Reliable telecommunications is crucial during and after a disaster such as a hurricane," said Kay Warner, BellSouth Director of Corporate and External Affairs. "BellSouth's challenge, and our commitment, is to provide that service, regardless of the sto rms that come our way. As a result of the design of our network and our emergency response plans, we believe the vast majority of our customers will maintain quality service even if Bertha comes ashore here." She said BellSouth has learned from past storms such as Hurricane Andrew, which hit Florida in 1992, and Hurricane Hugo, which struck the Carolinas in 1989. "Nearly 90 percent of the major lines in this area are underground, which protects them from debris such as falling trees," Warner said. "In addition, all Central Offices in Wilmington are connected by two separate routes so that even if one is severed, the connection will not be broken." In anticipation of possible flooding caused by Bertha, technicians are sealing distribution facilities and checking the diesel generators in the central offices. These powerful generators switch on automatically to provide power for the network in the ev ent commercial power fails. Backup batteries provide yet another source of power in the offices. "We are also ready to deploy portable generators to power the distribution hubs in the network in the event commercial power is interrupted," Warner said. "We have a good many generators already on hand and hundreds more a ready for immediate shipment from supply depots throughout the region." As with major hurricanes in the past, BellSouth is prepared to draw on skilled technicians and engineers from across its nine-state, should Bertha strike. "Certainly we hope that Hurricane Bertha changes course and moves back out to sea," Warner said. "But if it does not, we want our 100,000 customers in Wilmington to know that BellSouth is ready to provide the communications services they need." For Information Contact: Kay Warner 910-392-8728 ------------------------------ Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: hillary@netaxs.com (hillary gorman) Subject: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: 15 Jul 1996 14:38:46 GMT Organization: Philadelphia's Complete Internet Provider I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas for me, 'cause I'm about tapped. I have been getting these harassing anonymous phone calls on my Bell Atlantic caller-ID equipped residential phone line. I was advised by the phone company and the police that I should get anonymous caller blocking to see if that will cause the problem to resolve. Seemed like a good idea to me until I realized that the front desk at my apartment building, which has to be able to call me to have me approve visitors or inform me of problems, transmits "anonymous" to my caller id box! I went and talked to the building management, which informed me of the following: The phone at the front desk is not a Bell Atlantic phone. It is a Fairchild Communications phone. The building management doesn't care if caller ID data is sent or not, and referred me to Fairchild to see what was going on. Fairchild reps informed me that the line at the front desk isn't part of the building PBX (I used to have one of the PBX lines, and those lines did come over with caller ID just fine) but rather it is "directly off the trunk." Therefore, they say, it comes across as "anonymous." I asked why it can't just not send data, because I can get "no data available" or "out of area" calls just fine, and they said that there is nothing they can do, and there is no possible way that this phone is ever going to send anything but "anonymous" to my caller id box. Is that legal? And does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do now? hillary gorman hillary@netaxs.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: One work-around is to use *57 and have the police and telco simply deal with it. Of course you are required to sign a complaint and go to court on it which you may not be in a position to do or wish to do when the identity of the harasser is known. The vast majority of people doing that sort of thing are usually well known to their victims. When they say 'directly off the trunk' I think what they mean is they have a device somewhere in the building which sits in series with, or inbetween the incoming wires from the telco and the 'house pairs' or wires which run through which run throughout your apartment building. When someone at the front desk or front door wishes entry, a certain code number is dialed which their device translates to a given pair of wires -- not a telephone number! -- and it connects the front door/desk with that pair of wires. Normally calls from outside to you just pass down the wires and through that device onward to your phone. In the event someone wants entry, the first thing this device does is 'tests for busy'. If it finds your phone line is not in use, it temporarily disconnects the phone company side of the line, puts ringing current on the line in your direction, signals you to answer, and allows you to speak with the caller at the front door or the person at the front desk. If it finds your line is in use when it tests for busy, then it puts a call waiting tone on the line. When you flash the hook, it then proceeds to do somewhat as described above. It puts the outside call on hold and connects the lobby caller to you. Once finished with that, you flash or dial a code to allow or deny entry (or you tell the front desk clerk what you want) and the lobby phone drops off the line and the outside line is returned to you. In most of these systems, calls from the lobby/front door generally have a different ringing cadence than 'outside' calls which is how (before caller-id at least) people were able to tell *where* the call was coming from. For example, you might wish to accept outside phone calls while ignoring people who were in the lobby or the other way around. Two short rings meant a front door call while a standard ring meant a call over the actual phone line. If that is the case where you live, then you might relate 'anonymous' with the special ringing cadence and accept those calls. The other thing is that since the lobby ==> apartment system is put on the line *after* the telephone central office, whatever you ask telco to do with blocked-id calls should have no bearing on things. Yes, when calls are presented to your telco central office as anonymous, your telco central office is going to reject the call and send it away, back to where it came from. But someone or some device in your apartment building which places ringing current and battery on your phone line (after first momentarily disconnecting the central office or putting it on hold if you were talking) is not even going to be 'seen' by telco, thus it will not be treated as telco would treat those calls. My Caller-ID box defaults to a string of dashes if it gets nothing at all (for example I just send some ringing current to it myself). Your box apparently defaults to the phrase 'anonymous' if that happens *or* if telco specifically codes it that way. I suggest you go ahead and order the service from telco then watch and see; whatever happens from the front desk won't matter at all; you will still get *those calls which come from the lobby* despite what the display says. Now I have to hedge my bets a little here: I've been noting above that your lobby ==> apartment system is connected 'post telco' meaning on your side of the central office. If in fact they are taking the cheap way out and merely have a regular phone line with something like a speed- or memory-dialer attachment which places an actual outside call which goes out and comes back in ringing your telephone *number*, then if indeed they are prepending *67 to those calls you will be unable to get them. I only made my first assumption however based on your statement that they said they were 'directly off the trunk'. I'd say it is worth a gamble: order the service from telco and when it gets turned on, then deliberatly stage a test or two with the front door/lobby phone and watch how despite what your box says, those calls still get through to you with telco never even having 'seen' them, thus unable to 'treat' them as they would blocked ID calls they did see coming. Final note: most places now-days have at least two incoming wire pairs and sometimes three. As a work-around for people with modems (you do not want a call waiting from the front door to bump you off the modem do you?) have the lobby ==> apartment system moved to one of the other house pairs which terminate in your apartment. You'll need to go get an ex-cheapo phone somewhere to plug into that line which will normally sit there totally dead doing nothing unless a call is originated via the system in the lobby. PAT] ------------------------------ From: wayne.cox@mail.wdn.com (wayne.cox) Subject: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking Date: Sun, 14 Jul 96 23:46:15 GMT Organization: wdn.com Hello, I'm sure this has been discussed here in the past, but since I recently moved from North Carolina, where Per-line blocking was permitted by Bell South to Virginia, where Bell Atlantic refuses to allow this feature, I am now very interested in what the ramifications are. First, let me explain per-line blocking. It prevents my phone number from showing up on someone's phone who has caller id. Very similar to per-call blocking which is activated by *67. With per-line blocking, you number is always not displayed unless you dial the activation code, I believe *82. To date, I have done the following: 1) Called the FCC. They inform me that they have regulated per call blocking, forcing the telcos to provide the *67 to disable the display for that call only. They have deferred to the states to regulate the per-line blocking. They say the state has three options: a) disallow per-line block b) permit per-line block, and c) require per-line block. 2) Called the state of Virginia. The have decided on option (b) above, to permit per line blocking. 3) Many discussion with Bell Atlantic, up to and including the President's office. Their position is we have decided to not provide this feature. No explanation, no discussion. 4) Called the ACLU. They have not yet returned my call. My position in this matter is that my phone number is private and should not be disclosed without my permission. I am formulating a letter to Bell Atlantic reiterating this and informing them that is they continue to provide my number without my permission, I will be forced to take legal action to stop them. A small claims court case for $1000.00 for each time they give my number out may get their attention. Maybe a class action suit if enough people agree with my position. Anyway, enough of my rambling. This has probably all been gone over in the past. If anyone has references or summaries of previous discuss- ions, I would be very anxious to hear from them. Thanks for your time. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I'll tell you something, Mister. In this household we do not accept calls where the ID is blocked and apparently Hillary Gorman doesn't like that kind either based on her message just before yours in this issue. Telco has given you a way to avoid having your number given out by informing them on each call you make to not do so (i.e. *67). You can purchase little devices to add this automatically to each phone call so it becomes entirely transparent to you as a phone user. When you go off hook the little device which sits in series with your phone line automatically sends out *67 before you even have the receiver to your ear to begin dialing otherwise. As for trying to get the merican riminal awyers nion involved in your case, they only take cases which interest them a lot. Let's face it Mister, John Wayne Gacy or Jeff Dahmer you're not; and you don't run any pornographic news groups on Usenet do you? If you are looking for others with beliefs like your own, check out in Cali- fornia. They've been having a circus with this very topic for quite awhile now. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: New NPA for Windows Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 10:11:21 PDT I noticed that the new update for NPA for Windows is out. This is a handy program that cross-references prefixes and area codes to locations, including lattitude/longitude of the CO and likely zip codes. It gets updated every so often with new prefixes and area codes. The latest one is dated July 1, and is downloadable from this web site: http://www.pcconsultant.com/~robert/pcc tad@ssc.com | Tad Cook | Seattle, WA | KT7H | "The game of life demands that one assume a beingness in order to acomplish a doingness in the direction of havingness."- L. Ron Hubbard "This kind of quote demands that one assume a queasiness in order to acomplish a throwingness in the direction of up!" - James Chase ------------------------------ From: B0YANTK@CHESHUB1.BELL-ATL.COM Subject: Increasing Network Availability Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 08:57:08 -0400 TELECOM Digest readers, I'm looking for some information on improving WAN performance; specifically, recommendations on increasing the availability of a TCP/IP-based network and reducing the total number of network incidents (outages *and* other performance impacts). I've been doing some searching on the web but haven't been able to find much concrete information. I'm especially interested in the following topics: (1) software and hardware change control procedures (requesting, coordinating, approving, and implementing changes); (2) command center / network operations center procedures; (3) metrics and techniques for measuring network availability; (4) standards / goals that other companies have for their networks; (5) specific examples of businesses that have implemented a particular set of solutions and shown improved performance; (6) comments on the use of off-the-shelf network management and monitoring tools versus 'home grown' tools; (7) articles, web sites, archives, personal testimonies, etc. on the above topics. I realize this is a somewhat vague request, but with the broad readership of TELECOM Digest, I know that this will generate some good ideas and broaden my thinking on the subject. Thanks in advance. Best regards, Scott Robohn Bell Atlantic scott.f.robohn@bell-atl.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #340 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 16 11:24:29 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA19744; Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:24:29 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:24:29 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607161524.LAA19744@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #341 TELECOM Digest Tue, 16 Jul 96 11:24:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 341 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson FX/Hunt/IXC Question (Dennis Toeppen) FCC's Wireless Telecom Bureau Revises Web Site (Jorene Downs) MCI Slammed My Regional Calls! (Bill Rubin) Loophole Allows Unregulated Bells (Greg Monti) More Details on Forthcoming New Area Codes (Mark J. Cuccia) Book Review: "Writing Java Applets" by Rodley (Rob Slade) History - Twin Cities (Wes Leatherock) Employment Opportunity: Technician Needed NOW (Jeff Davis) 200 Times Faster Than Conventional Modems? (Tad Cook) ATTWS/ATT LD Question (Babu Mengelepouti) Last Laugh! People Unclear on the Concept Dept. (James H. Haynes) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dennis@net66.com (Dennis Toeppen) Subject: FX/Hunt/IXC Question Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 07:54:57 -0600 Organization: Net66 I am an Internet Service Provider in Champaign, Illinois. We want to to set up pots service in Mansfield, IL, which is served by GTE. At this time, we need eight lines in a hunt group. The GTE rep informed us that the switch in Mansfield (don't know what model, not a 5ess) can not handle hunt groups of > three lines. I asked if there was any way to get bigger hunt groups by FX'ing lines from another switch, and she was optimistic. Later, she called back and indicated that the cost of lines FX'ed to nearby Mahomet, IL (5ess) would be about $150/mo. Since the two towns are only about five miles apart, that seems quite high. It is so high that we could not generate a positive margin. The question: Can anyone think of a way that I can avoid the issues related to the Mansfield switch by installing a T1 out there and FX'ing those lines directly to our office? Does anyone know how IXC connections work? Does anyone know if tariffs require telcos to give IXC access to anyone who wants it? If not, what is the definition of an IXC in this context? If you can provide any insight, I'd certainly appreciate your help. Thanks, Dennis Toeppen dennis@net66.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There is a way to get around the limits on hunt groups often found on older switches. We found this out years ago when Illinois Bell was unable to do 'jump-hunt' on an older switch where we had several numbers. We wanted five lines in hunt and there was no place on the very crowded old switch where more than three idle lines in a row were available. To get to the next place where three lines were available they wound up 'cross-wiring' from a number in one group to a number in the second group of three. Our lead number hunted to the one next to it and the one after that. Now that third one in the group did something funny: It was wired to a 'phantom' number which served as the lead number for the second group of three (actually two since that first number itself could not be used, or rather, was used simulataneously with the third number in the first group). That third line to us in effect could be dialed on either of two numbers and it wound up looking like this: 1. Dial our main number. 2. if 1 busy, hunt here. 3. if 2 busy, hunt here. =====> 3a. cross wired here, made this line busy. 4. if 3 busy, hunt here from 3a. 4. if 4 busy, hunt here. Like any hunt group, if you know the numbers assigned to the 'back lines' you can dial directly into them, and the catch with line 3 was it had *two* numbers assigned to it. Theoretically you could dial either number assigned to line three and you would drop into the middle of the hunt group. Illinois Bell took pains to not tell us what the 'alternate' number to line three was; we found out quite by accident one day when someone dialed it in error and could not understand why they reached the line *by the number we knew it as*. They insisted they were dialing xxx, while we kept insisting they were reaching yyy. After a few times around of this, we tried dialing xxx and reached ourselves on yyy and then we understood the gimmick. The number that person was dialing was cross-wired to our third line so it could serve as the pilot for the next group of lines. In your case, the example would continue like this: 5a. Cross-wired here, make this line busy <== 5. if busy hunt here 6. if 5 busy, hunt here from 5a. 7. if 6 busy, hunt here. Now that would get you seven of the eight lines you desire, but in the process telco has to provide two more lines (3a and 5a) to 'feed' or 'seed' the start of the next hunt group. Usually they give those two lines to you at no charge, but they certainly do not reveal the numbers used. You find them out by accident like we did. You might double check also to see if the rep was saying the switch can only have three in hunt or if there is no place where more than three are available in a cluster and the switch cannot 'jump-hunt'. That would seem more likely, since I have seen many an old, old switch from fifty years ago that hunted quite well. One of the old switchboards at University of Chicago (MUseum-4-6100 in those days) hunted all the way from 6100 through 6197 for a total of 98 trunk lines incoming to the board. Lots of the very old 'residence hotels' in Chicago years ago had switchboards with anywhere from a dozen to twenty incoming lines all in hunt, but in those days none of the old telco switches could 'jump-hunt' or hunt out of sequence or 'hunt-backward' without special tricks being played as I described above. You might want to work with GTE in this way for a period of time while looking at more sophisticated options for the future when you know for sure which way to go. PAT] ------------------------------ From: jcdowns@psnw.com (Jorene Downs) Subject: FCC's Wireless Telecom Bureau Revises Web Site Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 07:04:49 GMT Organization: Strategic Vision Reply-To: jcdowns@psnw.com WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1996 JUL 15 (NB) -- By Bill Pietrucha. The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is expanding and improving its World Wide Web pages to provide more comprehensive information on the bureau's activities and services and allow easier access to the information already available online. A number of important changes are being made to the Bureau's Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/wirehome.html , Wireless Telecommunications Bureau spokesperson Rosa Prescott told Newsbytes. Among the changes are new information on the Office of Operations in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania has been added, and links developed by the Office of Operations' Licensing and Customer Services Divisions now include extensive information on land mobile and microwave services, such as frequently asked questions on licensing issues, information on status of applications in the microwave services, access to forms and staff members, and links to information sources outside the Commission. "In addition, the new pages also include general information on issues handled by the Consumer Assistance Branch," Prescott told Newsbytes. Prescott added that "many new links have been added from the radio service pages to related information, and the Bureau's home page has been redesigned to make finding information easier." Prescott said that an organizational listing also has been developed which contains links to all the various offices within the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, including the Office of Operations in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Information on the Office of Operations in Gettysburg can be accessed by following the link to Office of Operations -- Gettysburg at http://www.fcc.goc/wtb/wirehome.html , Prescott told Newsbytes. (19960715/Press Contact: Rosa Prescott, Federal Communications Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 202-418-6088) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 96 17:09:13 EDT From: Bill Rubin Subject: MCI Slammed My Regional Calls! I ping-ponged between AT&T and MCI a month or so ago when they each offered me money to switch. I ended up back at MCI and when I got my local phone bill the other day I was shocked to see that they had elected themselves as my regional call carrier as well (regional means stuff that is not generally considered long distance and normally carried by your local phone company, NYNEX in my case). Now, while their rates actually turned out to be quite good (far cheaper than NYNEX, in fact), it was not a good deal for me because I've got an unlimited regional calling plan with NYNEX, where I pay a set amount per month for all the regional calls I want. I called MCI to complain and have them take the charges off my bill. I explained that the calls would have been free under NYNEX, and eventually got the rep to agree to credit me when I used the word "slammed", which in point of fact I was since I never authorized non-long distance calls to be carried by them. Then I called NYNEX to make sure that I got them back to carrying my regional calls, and found out that not only was I not the first person to report this, I was not the first person that the rep I spoke to had heard from TODAY about it. So, if you're switching long distance companies, make sure that you don't end up with the wrong person carrying your other calls, too. While you could end up with a good deal if you don't have any discounts with your local phone company, you could end up paying for calls that should be free. And I want to repeat that on a per-call basis, MCI seems to be MUCH cheaper than NYNEX... one example from my bill, 8 minutes northern Westchester to NYC for 27 cents on MCI, with NYNEX it would be 83.7 cents! No wonder NYNEX is so worried about regional call competition! BTW, it seems to me like NYNEX should go back to sending me a piece of paper each time my long distance selection is changed. This way I would have found out about it much sooner. On the other hand, given that they don't charge the $5 they're entitled to for switching me, I guess I shouldn't complain. Bill rubin@watson.ibm.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 00:33:46 -0400 From: cc004056@interramp.com (Greg Monti) Subject: Loophole Allows Unregulated Bells A story in the {Wall Street Journal} of July 15, 1996, notes that at least three of the Regional Bell Operating Companies have requested permission to have their new, competitive long distance services certified as competitive local telephone carriers within their exisitng territory. I threw the paper away but the gist of the story is that a loophole in the 1996 Telecommunications Act not only allows RBOCs to open their own, unregulated long distance subsidiaries, but it allows those long distance subsidiaries to compete against the baby Bell company itself and offer unregulated local service. The article notes that Pacific Bell's long distance (and soon local service) subsidiary is called Pacific Bell Communications. At least two other Bells also have unregulated subsidiaries that intend to offer local service with the word "Communications" after their otherwise familiar names. Now there's an interesting spectre: The unregulated subsidiary of a Bell competing with its regulated parent. This loophole could allow a Bell to shrewdly market the competitive subsidiary and move all of its customers over to it, leaving zero regulated customers. Greg Monti Jersey City, New Jersey, USA gmonti@interramp.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 13:30:18 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: More Details on Forthcoming New Area Codes More area code information, via Bellcore NANPA's webpage "New Area Codes", http://www.bellcore.com/NANP/newarea.html Bellcore NANPA has now "officially" announced 765 for the Indiana split of 317, and 248 for the Michigan split of 810. Effective dates and test numbers announced for: Cayman Islands (345) permissive dialing 1 Sept 96, mandatory dialing 31 Aug 97 test number 345-949-2680 Dominica (767) permissive dialing 1 Oct 97, mandatory dialing 30 Sept 98 test number 767-447-3576 AND two of the (possibly) three US Pacific Territories locations join the NANP on 1 July 1997, with permissive dialing allowed for both NANP access (Country code +1 and area codes 670, 671) and the current international access through their existing ITU assigned country codes (+670, +671), through 1 July 1998. Test numbers: 671-479-4826 Guam 670-682-8800 Mariana Islands (CNMI) I don't have anything new for American Samoa possibly joining the NANP, where its ITU Country Code +684 would become changed to +1 (the NANP) followed by (presently reserved) NANP Area Code 684 followed by the seven digit local number. The pages for Guam and CNMI have also been corrected to indicate that the "Type of relief" is "New". Previously, their webpages indicated "Split", which wasn't really correct. The Test number for St.Kitts and Nevis (NPA 869) is to be 869-465-8801 While Bellcore NANPA's webpages still don't indicate the effective dates (nor test numbers) for the British Virgin Islands, NPA 284, I received a fax of the recent "809/NANP Caribbean Meeting" which was held this year in the US Virgin Islands, for a day and a half in mid-June. A list of the announced new area codes for the Caribbean was included in the notes, and there were 'penciled-in' notes for effective dates for Cayman Islands (345), Dominica (767) and the British Virgin Islands (284). The 'penciled-in' dates for 345 and 767 are the same as Bellcore's webpage now indicates. The 'penciled-in' dates for the British Virgin Islands (which aren't yet on Bellcore's webpage) are the same as for Dominica -- permissive dialing begins 1 Oct 97 and mandatory dialing begins 30 Sept 98. Finally, there is supposed to be a specific *single* area code reserved for Yukon and Northwest Territories in northern Canada. It hasn't been publically announced yet, but I've been told that it might be announced this Summer. Presently, Yukon and the (formerly CN served) western/southern NWT uses Alberta's 403 area code (which incidently is itself moving into a 'jeopardy' situation), while the (formerly Bell Canada served) eastern/Arctic NWT uses area code 819 which also serves the central and northern portions of Quebec. MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 14:23:40 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Writing Java Applets" by Rodley BKJAVAAP.RVW 960529 "Writing Java Applets", John Rodley, 1996, 1-883577-78-0, U$39.95/C$55.99 %A John Rodley john.rodley@channel1.com %C 7339 East Acoma Drive, #7, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 %D 1996 %G 1-883577-78-0 %I Coriolis %O U$39.95/C$55.99 800-410-0192 +1-602-483-0192 fax: +1-602-483-0193 %P 448 %T "Writing Java Applets" In the introduction, Rodley says that his book is not just about applet programming, but applies equally to Java programming in general. In chapter one, he says that the book is not about Java programming, but about writing applets. The explanation of this apparent contradiction defines the book. Rodley has not written an introduction to Java. He assumes that the reader is already familiar, and possibly well versed, with the Java language and Java programming. Thus the structure, variable types, operators, flow control, and object orientation of Java are not emphasized. The applet class, AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit), network communication, downloadable classes, and security aspects are covered in detail. As the author points out, though, all of these functions are applicable to Java programming in general, and are of benefit even to the "non-net" Java programmer. It is ironic that the paragraph, in the introduction, which commits to ongoing support for the book and asks for help in finding any bugs should contain the greatest density of typographical errors in the book. Sample code is used very heavily and, unfortunately, is affected by some typos. These should be obvious to those who know the language. They do not, undoubtedly, appear on the code on the CD-ROM. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996 BKJAVAAP.RVW 960529 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. roberts@decus.ca slade@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Rob_Slade@mindlink.bc.ca "A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education." -G B Shaw Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94663-2 (800-SPRINGER) ------------------------------ From: wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com (Wes Leatherock) Subject: History - Twin Cities Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 01:20:18 GMT With the postings recently on telephone history, and the days when there were two (non-connecting) telephone companies in a city, I was interested to see an illustration of this. In a book about automobiles built in the early 1900s in the Great Plains states, there is a reproduction of a 1912 advertisement for Luverne "high grade motor cars" from the A.G. Bauer Auto Co., 1107 W. 7th Street, St. Paul, Minn. The ad signature shows: TELEPHONES: N. W. Dale 3556 Tri-State 474 Wes Leatherock wes.leatherock@hotelcal.com wes.leatherock@origins.bbs.uoknor.edu ------------------------------ From: us all <103136.1167@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Employment Opportunity: Technician Needed NOW Date: 16 Jul 1996 11:36:38 GMT Technican needed for established growing Reseller. Experience in 1+ 800, dedicated and private line troubleshooting required. Located in North New Jersey. Centrex experience a plus. This is a remote testing postion, no hands on, or travel needed. Email responses to: Jeff Davis 103136.1167@compuserve.com Immediate opening ------------------------------ From: Tad Cook Subject: 200 Times Faster Than Conventional Modems? Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 10:06:04 GMT Shareholder Sues Utah's International Automated Systems Inc. By Steven Oberbeck, The Salt Lake Tribune Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News Jul. 10--A tiny American Fork company that promised a communications revolution is being sued by a shareholder after it failed to deliver on its pledge to publicly demonstrate a breakthrough technology last month in Provo. Edouard Serfaty, an International Automated Systems Inc. stockholder from Fountain Valley, Calif., has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the company for alleged securities fraud in the U.S. District Court for Utah. He charges IAS and its president, Neldon Johnson, with driving up the stock price by issuing false statements about a purportedly new and ground-breaking technology called "Digital Wave Modulation." IAS, a company that has generated sales of $12,000 since incorporation in 1987, claimed its technology would "spearhead a revolution" because it was nearly 200 times faster than conventional modems in transmitting and receiving information. The company, whose stock is listed on the over-the-counter bulletin board system, had run newspaper advertisements for months promising to show off a technology that "redefines the boundaries of science," the lawsuit alleges. IAS's stock climbed from a low of 25 cents a share in mid-1995 to close at a high of $54 on May 31. Johnson filed to sell thousands of his shares as the stock price rose. Shares plunged 56 percent to 17 on June 28, the day after IAS failed to make good on its vow at a meeting in Provo. The stock has since traded as low as 14 a share. Monty Hamilton, assistant to the president at IAS, says the lawsuit is without merit. "We're going to vigorously fight these allegations," says Hamilton, who contends the lawsuit is being pushed not by shareholders but attorneys eager to find a company to sue. On June 27, a large crowd gathered at Utah Valley State College's David O. McKay Special Events Center for what is known in the securities industry as a "dog and pony show." They were on hand to witness the unveiling of the company's promised revolution. What the crowd got instead was a two-hour multimedia presentation by Johnson of proposed products and marketing plans -- but no working prototype. "We embarrassed ourselves," Hamilton says of the meeting. "We are not happy with the way things turned out." He contends the company elected not to put on the promised demonstration because it feared showing it off would compromise pending patent applications. Hamilton claims IAS still plans to demonstrate a working prototype -- someday. "But we are not going to put a date on it. We are not going to shoot ourselves in the foot again," he says. He maintains IAS has the financial wherewithal to contest the lawsuit even though its latest available financial statement from last year indicated it had a negative net worth of $128,558. That means that IAS last year could have sold off all its assets, paid what debts it could, and still owe well over $128,000. IAS's weak 1995 financial condition is not lost on Salt Lake attorney Brent D. Ward, a lawyer representing Serfaty in the lawsuit. "We could come out holding an empty container," Ward says. "But when you have such an egregious wrong done to shareholders, you want to take the risk to find out." IAS lost $199,554 on revenues of just $6,000 for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1995, according to the lawsuit. As of that date, the company had total assets of $53,226. Yet, when company shares were trading at $54 it had a market value -- which is determined by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the stock price -- of nearly $1 billion. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 00:50:57 PDT From: Babu Mengelepouti Subject: ATTWS/ATT LD Question When visiting a local retailer, I stumbled upon a card bearing the AT&T Wireless Services logo. It reads as follows: "Recently, the United States Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996. As a result of this legislation, AT&T Wireless Services and AT&T Long Distance can work more closely together to bring you wireless and long distance services. This new legislation enables AT&T Wireless Services to select AT&T Long Distance as the preferred long distance provider. Therefore, cellular calls made outside your AT&T Wireless Services local cellular service area will be carried by AT&T." I am curious what this means. I believe that ATTWS offers equal access in the Seattle market. Does this mean that equal access, if previously offered, is ending? Or does it mean that ATTWS was previously sending intralata toll to USWest or another LEC and will now be sending it to AT&T? Hopefully someone at ATTWS can clear this up. Also, ATTWS is reportedly consolidating its operations, which were previously spread out in the Kirkland/Bothell (WA) area, to Redmond (home of Micro$loth). Any word on when this consolidation will be complete? ------------------------------ From: haynes@cats.ucsc.edu (James H. Haynes) Subject: Last Laugh! People Unclear on the Concept Dept. Date: 15 Jul 1996 05:39:41 GMT Organization: University of California, Santa Cruz A county in Arkansas just got 911 service. A woman called 911 to verify that her correct address was in the system. It was. Then she said she wanted to verify the same information for an elderly neighbor. The operator explained that she would have to make that call from the neighbor's house. A few minutes later the woman called again, and the information for her own home showed up on the screen. Again the operator told her she would have to make the call from the neighbor's house. "I'm at his house now," the caller said into her cordless telephone. (Abridged from an AP story in {Northwest Arkansas Times}, 2 July 1996). ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #341 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 16 14:04:35 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id OAA08211; Tue, 16 Jul 1996 14:04:35 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 14:04:35 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607161804.OAA08211@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #342 TELECOM Digest Tue, 16 Jul 96 14:04:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 342 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! (Christopher Jordan) Re: Western Electric "320 Type" Telephone: Info Requested (Steve Schlink) Re: *69 is Completely Worthless (Gary Johnson) Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 (Dr. Robert Jacobson) Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 (Raymond Hazel) Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks (Bud Couch) Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th (Bud Couch) Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th (bitblt@cybercom.net) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Hillary Gorman) Do Telecom Companies Use Home Workers? (Judith Oppenheimer) Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada (John R. Levine) Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America (P Williams) ASN.1 Object Identifier ::= {ccitt Identified-Organization (begacom.be) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: cwjordan@crl.com (Christopher Jordan) Subject: Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! Date: 16 Jul 1996 09:58:38 -0700 Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [Login: guest] Stanley Cline (scline@usit.net) wrote: > I find it surprising that there are ANY COCOTs AT ALL at Olympic venues, > given the MAJOR sponsorship of AT&T and BellSouth. I'd think that > COCOTs *and AOSs* would be a BIG NO-NO, given the way ACOG has protected > the "sponsor's rights" (attacking the Postal Service over T-shirts with > Olympic stamp art, etc. They did NOT act on a rather misleading > AirTouch Cellular ad published recently, however. They seem to be > leaving "competitive telecom providers" [aside from IXCs -- other than > AT&T -- and US Cellular] alone.) It's interesting, not only are there COCOTs at or near Olympic venues, but there are LOTS and LOTS of them. I live near the Olympic Village, and there are long banks of 15-20 pay phones all over the place, including a bank just up the street from the BellSouth Building (the building has been lit with colored lights for the occasion, it looks _really_ good, I hope they keep it that way). They started putting the phones in a couple of months ago. They appear to be reconditioned/ used payphones, connected to who knows what, I wouldn't trust my money to them. BellSouth has also added additional payphones to this area (as well as doing an awful lot of underground work). The BellSouth payphones are very nice looking, with extra large enclosures covered with Olympic artwork. I haven't taken a real close look, but I believe they have multi-lingual instructions on the phones, and other information for "visitors". I'm sure most people would use a BellSouth payphone in any location where they have a choice. It looks like martial law around here, troops and checkpoints everywhere. It'll be interesting to see how well we can handle doubling the normal downtown daytime population. chris cwjordan@crl.com ------------------------------ From: schlink@mindspring.com (Steve Schlink) Subject: Re: Western Electric "320 Type" Telephone: Info Requested Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 18:45:13 GMT Organization: MindSpring Enterprises, Inc. Reply-To: schlink@mindspring.com grout@polestar.csrd.uiuc.edu (John R. Grout) wrote: > discovered a Western Electric "320 Type" phone in their warehouse..(snip) >Tw o company lineman told the company archivist that it was an > explosion-proof phone, and may have been used in a refinery or > gasoline plant 25 years ago. They win the prize. In the midwest the were commonly used in grain elevators, as grain dust is at least as explosive as gasoline. If you have access to BSP's the numbers for this set are: 502-415-100 and 502-415-200. > According to "Telephone Collecting", by Kate Donner, it is a "Soviet > Princess Phone", used in factories and plants in the early 1950's. While Kate's book is one of the best pictorials, some errors do exist. The phone shown in the picture is listed as a "520"; I've never heard of one. Steve ------------------------------ From: gjohnson@dream.season.com Subject: Re: *69 is Completely Worthless Date: 15 Jul 1996 20:28:53 GMT Organization: season.com [205.179.33.0] Pacific Bell USA offers the same service. I just checked after reading this encouraging news. It is $5 per successful trace. Law enforcement is notified. I asked about results. They didn't sound promising. > Isn't it required that a telemarketer provide you with information > like the name of their company, where they are located, etc. if asked? > I don't think a hang-up is the legal response to such questions, > especially after several repeat sales calls. Any thoughts? I've managed to get the names of a few investment houses that continue to call. I've spoken to their legal departments about being on their do not call list. I've asked for their written policy on do not call lists. I haven't received the policy and still get calls. It has been going on for over a year. Their sales people don't understand 'no'. Their legal people laugh and say 'prove it'. An answering machine without a ringer works for me. Gary Johnson "There's no union called the AFL-CIA is there?" gjohnson@season.com Walk The Talk CAMPAIGN '96: Juck 'em if they can't fake a toke. ------------------------------ From: Dr. Robert Jacobson Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 07:26:45 -0700 Organization: Worldesign Inc., Seattle - Information Design Jorene Downs wrote: > SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 8, 1996--With more than > 10,000 customers having requested service, Pacific Bell today began > offering Caller ID service in California. > "In past months, we've heard from thousands of customers already > interested in the service," said Mark Pitchford, Pacific Bell vice > president of consumer marketing. "More than 10,000 have told us to > sign them up the minute Caller ID is available." > Caller ID lets people see the number of the person calling before > they answer the phone. Consumers need to subscribe to Caller ID > service and purchase either a telephone with a built-in display > device or an electronic display device that connects to an existing > phone. > One of the most popular phone services nationwide. > California is the last state to offer Caller ID service which, > along with Call Waiting and Call Return, has become one of the most > popular Custom Calling Services nationwide. This is from a press release. What substantiates this claim? Last I heard (and admittedly, it was some time ago), subscribership among residential customers (not big business, which uses Caller ID every- day to collect information about callers) was running in the low one-digit percentages. Ten thousand potential subscribers in a state the size of California hardly constitutes unbridled enthusiasm for the service. Bob Jacobson ------------------------------ From: razel@net.com (Raymond Hazel) Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 09:13:38 -0800 Organization: N.E.T. PacBell came through, just as they promised. When I got home on July 8, there were four numbers, including one "Private" in the display. Fortunately, the timestamp on the display unit is within a minute of the timestamp with the answering machine. Since I'm on call this week, I also got three calls from area code 212 in the early (west coast) hours this morning. Those id's were captured also. Certainly appears to be working as planned. And on time, too. Ray ------------------------------ From: bud@kentrox.com (Bud Couch) Subject: Re: Help Regarding Digital Trunks Organization: ADC Kentrox Industries, Inc. Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:45:40 GMT In article fgoldstein@bbn.com (Fred R. Goldstein) writes: > In article , vaden@texoma.net says: >> Yesterday, SWBell's Manager of Special Services told me there were D4/D5 >> channel banks in the CO feeding our T1 pipe. > Oh yeah, I've seen that. Essentially there are two ways to provide > Channelized T1 service. The "line side" method takes a bunch of > analog lines, runs them into channel banks, and feeds the T1 loop that > way. This was the only way to do it on the 1A and other analog > switches. The "trunk side" method simply attaches the T1 loop to a T1 > port on the CO. This is easy, cheap and common on digital switches > like the 5E and DMS. It is the ONLY correct way to do it, especially > with modems. Well, I've been away from the CO side of the business for a few years now, but there is an explanation of the "channel bank" method which doesn't involve either greed or stupidity (although I wouldn't rule those motivations out entirely). When Fred talks about "line" and "trunk" methods, they are not just some convenient names; they describe a set of assumptions as to how the interfaces connected there work. For instance, a wink-start is not a signalling method used on subscriber lines, nor is ground-start a standard method used on trunks. It may seem obvious that there is no reason to design a switch as non-symetrical, but the original designers of switches didn't agree. The (at least early) digital switches were designed for trunk concentration, with many more "lines" than "trunks", and some specific hardware requirements for each type. If the serving CO is fairly full, and most of the "trunk" side circuits already full, the operating company is reluctant to dedicate these circuits (which many times are revenue producing toll circuits) to "line" service. Combine this with all of the channel banks "surplused" out of digital switch conversions over the previous years, and ... Bud Couch - ADC Kentrox |When correctly viewed, everything is lewd.| bud@kentrox.com (192.228.59.2) | -Tom Lehrer | insert legalistic bs disclaimer here | ... - me | ------------------------------ From: bud@kentrox.com (Bud Couch) Subject: Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th Organization: ADC Kentrox Industries, Inc. Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 17:39:06 GMT In article Jean-Bernard Condat writes: > By Geoffrey Pereira > SINGAPORE'S cyberspace will be regulated from Monday under a new > licensing scheme that aims to safeguard public morals, political > stability and religious harmony. Call it what it is: Censorship. This is nothing new for the little island country. All newspapers must submit their galleys to the government before publication, and anything that is "injurious to public morals or harmony" is removed. Of course, anything more than mildly critical of the government or the local power structure is "injurious" to public harmony. What you wind up with, of course, is a bunch of little cheerleading rags for the government. The front page of the {Straits Times}, the English language paper, is dominated by articles begining with "Today, the Ministry of_____ (fill in the blank), announced that ...." Regulating the Internet, OTOH, is another can of worms, and it's going to be interesting to see if it can be done without reducing the utility drastically. Both Singapore and China are confronted with the same problem: how to keep nasty pictures (and not so incidentally, disturbing ideas) out, while still allowing all the "good" information access. This is not surprising, since under it all, they are both two-bit dictatorships. Singapore is just a more prosperous one, so they haven't had a Ti'enamen Square. Singapore is a profitable place to do business, just don't confuse it with a modern, western, liberal democracy. Bud Couch - ADC Kentrox bud@kentrox.com (192.228.59.2) ------------------------------ From: bitblt@cybercom.net Subject: Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th Date: 16 Jul 1996 16:13:58 GMT Organization: Cyber Access Internet Communications, Inc. Jean-Bernard Condat (jeanbc@informix.com) wrote: > Although the SBA will have up to ten people monitoring cyberspace, he > added that the success of its regulation would depend a lot on > industry and community action. People can help, he said, by informing > the SBA of the objectionable sites that they come across. Why don't we do them the favor of finding all electronic copies of their rules, and informing them that we find these rules objectionable? By my understanding of what was stated there, that's exactly what they're asking the world to do. We may not be able to depose their goverment, but a large amount of grass-roots international pressure might improve life for thier citizens. Does anybody have contact information? ------------------------------ From: hillary@netaxs.com (hillary gorman) Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: 15 Jul 1996 18:35:34 GMT Organization: Philadelphia's Complete Internet Provider [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yesterday Hillary wrote with a problem concerning her inability to screen out harassing anonymous calls while easily retaining the ability to accept anonymous calls from the front desk in the place where she lives. I responded saying if the front door ==> apartment intercom system was attached to the line after the telco central office she should be able to do this easily. She wrote back to tell me this was incorrect, that the front desk has to dial '9' and use an outside line to call her. Hmmm ... well that's what I said also ... now what solution is available? PAT] hillary gorman (hillary@netaxs.com) wrote: > I have been getting these harassing anonymous phone calls on my Bell > Atlantic caller-ID equipped residential phone line. I was advised by > The phone at the front desk is not a Bell Atlantic phone. It is a > Fairchild Communications phone. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: > code number is dialed which their device translates to a given pair of > wires -- not a telephone number! -- and it connects the front door/desk > with that pair of wires. > In most of these systems, calls from the lobby/front door generally have > a different ringing cadence than 'outside' calls which is how (before > caller-id at least) people were able to tell *where* the call was > coming from. For example, you might wish to accept outside phone calls But, Pat -- MY phone is a Bell Atlantic line. It isn't part of the building's Fairchild PBX, as I originally explained. When the front desk calls me, instead of just dialing an extension, they have to dial 9 + my phone number, and it comes in to my apartment just like any other regular phone call. > The other thing is that since the lobby ==> apartment system is put > on the line *after* the telephone central office, whatever you ask > telco to do with blocked-id calls should have no bearing on > things. Yes, when calls are presented to your telco central office > as anonymous, your telco central office is going to reject the call > and send it away, back to where it came from. But someone or some > device in your apartment building which places ringing current and > battery on your phone line (after first momentarily disconnecting > the central office or putting it on hold if you were talking) is not > even going to be 'seen' by telco, thus it will not be treated as > telco would treat those calls. Um, I think that you are mistaken. Since I am not on the PBX, and my line is a Bell Atlantic line, this isn't the case. I think you are thinking that I am part of the PBX. > My Caller-ID box defaults to a string of dashes if it gets nothing > at all (for example I just send some ringing current to it myself). > Your box apparently defaults to the phrase 'anonymous' if that > happens *or* if telco specifically codes it that way. I suggest you No, my box says "out of area" or "no data available" if it gets an out of area call or a call which sends no data, and it says "anonymous" when the front desk calls, and it says "private" if the privacy flag is on. > go ahead and order the service from telco then watch and see; whatever > happens from the front desk won't matter at all; you will still > get *those calls which come from the lobby* despite what the display > says. No. I will not. I have tried this. > Final note: most places now-days have at least two incoming wire > pairs and sometimes three. As a work-around for people with modems > (you do not want a call waiting from the front door to bump you > off the modem do you?) have the lobby ==> apartment system moved > to one of the other house pairs which terminate in your apartment. > You'll need to go get an ex-cheapo phone somewhere to plug into > that line which will normally sit there totally dead doing nothing > unless a call is originated via the system in the lobby. PAT] Fairchild Communications, which does the house phone service, SUCKS. They cost more and do less than Bell Atlantic if you can believe that. I think that you based most of your comments on the erroneous belief that my phone is somehow connected to the PBX. It isn't. For what it's worth, I have two Bell Atlantic residential lines in my apartment - one for data and one for voice. I used to have a Fairchild line, but got rid of it after that company consistently overbilled me at least $50/mo for two months. According to Fairchild and my building, they aren't blocking any data transmission, it's just that their antiquated switch is sending "anonymous" instead of "no data available" because, they claim, that used to be the default back then. Any other ideas? I want to be able to refuse anonymous callers, but obviously I can't refuse calls from the building manager/desk, as it could really be important. hillary gorman hillary@netaxs.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, that is weird. Has anyone ever seen a caller-id box that has both 'private' and 'anonymous' as two different conditions available? I wonder what the difference is where B-A is concerned when they see calls coming from Fairchild as opposed to people who use *67? Do they just consider it as one and the same? Is there anyway Hillary can block 'private' without blocking 'anonymous' in the process? Any solutions from the experts? PAT] ------------------------------ From: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) Subject: Do Telecom Companies Use Home Workers? Date: 16 Jul 1996 11:04:58 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: callbrand@aol.com (CallBrand) I'm doing some research, looking for companies in the telecom business -- be they carriers, paging companies, resellers, etc. -- who use home workers, particularly for computer jobs like programming, data entry, typing/word processing etc. Both freelance and full-time telecommuters. Any advice/direction would be most appreciated. Judith Oppenheimer, President Interactive CallBrand, Toll-Free Consultancy 1 800 The Expert, (ph) 212 684-7210, (fx) 212 684-2714 icb@juno.com, http://www.webcom.com/longdist/icb/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 15:56:41 -0400 From: John R Levine Subject: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada I visit Toronto from time to time and am astounded at the rates I've been charged for calling card calls back to the U.S. The card I usually use, from one of my resellers, charges me about 81 cents/minute (in U.S. dollars.) Sprint has a $1 surcharge, and runs between 76 and 81 cents day rate. Surely I can do better than that. Any suggestions? One thing I didn't try was use Bell Canada and charge it to my LEC calling card. Naturally, nobody in the U.S. has any idea what the rates would be.* Can one of the Canadian readers dial 0 and ask what the calling card rate from, say, Toronto to New York City or Toronto to Los Angeles would be? ----------------- * NOW YOU KNOW: "NYNEX" is the Iroquois word for "moron". Regards, John R. Levine, Trumansburg NY Primary perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies" and Information Superhighwayman wanna-be ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 20:58:37 +1000 From: Peter Williams Subject: Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America On Tue, 9 Jul 1996 11:56:02 -0700, Toby Nixon wrote: > Does anyone know of a page on the WWW or other resource that indicates > the availability of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (TouchTone) dialing by > country? Or, assuming that might not be available, does anyone have > personal knowledge of particular countries outside North America where > TouchTone dialing is widely available and deployed? Well, DTMF dialing is widely available in Australia in practically all metro and most country areas. Full DTMF availability is likely to occur soon, with the modernisation of the remaining older exchanges (scheduled to finish by 1998/9 if I remember correctly). Telstra's default rental handset is DTMF capable, and Optus' new cable-based phone system will only use DTMF dialling. Also, all mobile handsets used here (both AMPS and GSM) seem capable of DTMF dialing. > My experience, which is roughly three years old, was that phone sets > with DTMF generators were exceedingly rare outside North America; is > that still the case? I've seen quite a few phones with pushbutton > dialers in Europe, but they were all still pulse generators. As I understand it, DTMF capable handsets have been widely deployed in Australia for quite a number of years now, at least since the late '80s if not earlier. Regards, Pete (who does wonder if DTMF would have become so widespread if people had known it would lead to the proliferation of "for the next menu, press 1 now" systems...) Peter Williams is peterw@zip.com.au (ZIP) Sydney, Australia. Author: DownUnder Comments, found at http://www.zip.com.au/~peterw "If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research!" Disclaimer: Any opinions lurking above are mine, all mine! Bwahahaha ... ------------------------------ From: firstname lastname Subject: ASN.1 Object Identifier ::= {ccitt Identified-Organization} Date: 16 Jul 1996 08:05:43 GMT Organization: Belgacom Hi all, In the ETSI-specs OBJECT IDENTIFIERs are produced as follows: .. OBJECT IDENTIFIER ::= {ccitt identified-organization etsi (0) ...} The problem is that I can't find the value of "identified-organization". The CCITT-Rec X.208 (annex C.3) specifies four arcs under the node "ccitt": 0 recommendation 1 question 2 administration 3 network-operator But nothing about "identified-organization". Does anybody knows that value? In which document is it specified? Thanks a lot, David ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #342 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Tue Jul 16 16:45:41 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id QAA27408; Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:45:41 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 16:45:41 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607162045.QAA27408@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #343 TELECOM Digest Tue, 16 Jul 96 16:45:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 343 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (David Clayton) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (William Martin) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (David Ofsevit) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Steve Cogorno) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Jean-F. Mezei) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (E. Friedebach) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (B. Pennypacker) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Brad Leonard) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Greg Lucas) Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars (Jeff Enderwick) Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! (Owen Adair) Re: Are All Payphones Created Equal? (Sam Spens Clason) Re: Are All Payphones Created Equal? (clintcrg@aol.com) 'Trademark' Abuse in Texas (John David Galt) Re: Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone (Chris Telesca) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dcstar@acslink.aone.net.au (David Clayton) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 07:49:46 GMT [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The original message on Motorola's new company policy brought a huge number of responses. I ran a few of them and some people were not happy with those so I ran a few more and that did not satisfy others of you. So in this issue, let's get this thread out of our way once and for all. With that in mind, the majority of this issue is devoted to several messages from people who wish to comment. Then with the space remaining in this issue a few more odds and ends. PAT] ehunt@bga.com (Eric Hunt) wrote: >> But at some Motorola Inc. facilities in the Chicago area, the company >> soon will be digging a little deeper into smokers' private lives, >> prohibiting them from smoking in their cars. > My mother works for a large bank in Birmingham, Alabama: Compass > Bancshares. As long as she's worked there (three years, maybe), the > company has had a policy of no smoking on company property except in > designated smoking areas. This includes private cars parked on the > company parking lot. > For a period of time, before a compassionate VP arrived, there were > *NO* designated smoking areas on company property. Employees had to > leave the fenced perimeter of Compass property and smoke on the > city-owned street corner. It was quite pitiful. I am against smoking, > but making your employees stand on a street corner with no protection > from the elements in Birmingham, Alabama (where one swims through the > outside air in the summer, it's so hot and humid) is cruel and unusual > punishment. In Australia, smoking is banned in most large corporate office buildings, this has resulted in most smokers gathering outside, (and sheltering from the weather in a handy nook or cranny where necessary), to have a smoke. Now for the urban myth -- a few years ago in Melbourne the Japanese tourists thought that they were in the sex capital of the world -- all of those young women hanging around street corners and doorways having a smoke looked to them like prostitutes!, and there were so many of them! Regards, David Clayton, Switchview Australasia Pty. Ltd. e-mail: dcstar@acslink.aone.net.au Phone: + 61-3-9558 9285 Fax: + 61-3-9558 9286 [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: A story goes like this: A very attractive, barely-dressed woman is loitering on a street corner. A man walks up to her and says, "hey baby, you want a cigarette?" and he extends his open pack to her. She recoils in disgust and says she would never touch those filthy things, and with that she takes a couple steps away. Never having been rebuffed by a woman like this before, the man stands there a minute and thinks about what to do or say next. He decides to try again and he approaches her and says, "hey doll, there is a real nice tavern just down the street. Why don't we go there and I will buy you a couple drinks and we can dance." The woman looks aghast and quite annoyed as she replies, "Sir! I happen to be the president of the local chapter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Not a single drop of liquor has ever touched my lips and none ever shall. Furthermore, dancing is a tool of the Devil." With that, she turns away from him leaving him rather speechless and astounded. He really wants to meet this women but does not know what to do, and he finally decides to just blurt out in a very frank way what is really on his mind. He approaches her a third time and this time leaves nothing to the imagination saying, "Hey you bi__h! Let's go to my house right now because I want to $##@ and %**&^!" The woman looks at him and after eyeing him for a couple minutes says, "sure, why not." So they leave together. A couple hours later at his house after they have finished, the guy looks at her and he says, "I really can't figure you out. I offered you a cigarette and you snapped at me. I offered to take you out for dancing and a good time and you ridiculed me. But then when I say I want to %$$# you, you agree, and I might add are very good at it." Sensing his confusion, she replies, "Well, its just like I tell the children in my Sunday School class each week; you don't have to smoke and drink to have a good time." Everyone can laugh now. PAT] ------------------------------ From: void@world.std.com (William Martin) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Organization: The Void Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 22:33:08 GMT Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.COM) wrote: > Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars > Experts on smoking bans say they know of no company that has taken > such an aggressive step -- patrolling to see whether workers are > sneaking smokes in their car. > "This is perhaps the most extreme example I've heard," said Fred Tsao, > spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois. > ACLU spokeswoman Valerie Phillips told the AP that the policy was > "morally tainted." [snip] > The ACLU is looking into whether it could sue Motorola for firing > someone for off-duty activities, Phillips said. Actually, there is precedent for this. It has been a couple of years now, so I forget the details, but the {Wall Street Journal} ran a story on a mid-size company that not only banned smoking in the workplace, but had a policy of firing any employee who smoked *at all* -- even in their own home. The WSJ reported (with some consternation) that surprising as it seems, this is perfectly legal. Will ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 10:27:28 From: David Ofsevit Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Nobody's mentioned it yet, but could there be an angle where Motorola gets significant savings on employee health insurance if they take maximum steps to discourage smoking? That's just good ol' private enterprise at work: "We [health insurance company] will give you [Moto] x% off if you ban smoking in your buildings, and y% [where y>x] off if you ban it on your property completely." I recall vaguely another company behaving similarly, a year or two ago. David Ofsevit ------------------------------ From: cogorno@netcom.com (Steve Cogorno) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 10:30:34 PDT I really don't understand what all the fuss is about Motorola tell employees not to smoke in their cars. Those cars are parked on Motorola property, and Motorola has the right to tell people not to smoke on its property. The company has an interest in keeping smoke out of the workplace -- which includes the parking lot. Steve cogorno@netcom.com ------------------------------ From: Jean-Francois Mezei Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:11:12 GMT Organization: Vaxination Informatique Reply-To: jfmezei@istar.ca I do not know the full story about the smoking ban. But in the United States, I am told that employers (large ones) pay a huge portion of each employees health insurance costs, and probably are also liable to some additional costs when an employee is disabled (short and/or long term). This could be a reason why an employer would wish to prevent its employees from smoking while driving (proven to be a distraction, and proven to reduce reflexes due to lack of ogygen and , of course, the effects of the drug you are inhaling). So, in order to negotiate better deals with insurance companies, this may have been a reason to put this restriction. Another possibility is carpooling. If a company promotes carpooling (or perhaps such programmes are mandated by local governments), then having employees smoke in cars is a great detriment to such a programme. The above are just theories. ------------------------------ From: aerostar@ccia.com Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:35:20 EDT Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees Smoking in Their Own Car Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.COM) wrote: I think the long term plan here is to have non-smokers on the payroll: people that smoke have a higher health risk than those who don't. When an employee becomes ill with a smoking related disease, it is the employers medical coverage that must pay for it, which directly affects the cost of providing insurance to employees. The first time I heard of a company policy like this, it was from a major insurance company, and I'm sure they had plenty of data from their records to support their decision. Some companies even make being a non-smoker a prerequisite for employment, like CNN. Now I don't believe a company will make the effort to "check up on you" in your own home, but if a medical problem came up that was related to smoking, you could find yourself paying your own hospitalization. Providing medical coverage as a benefit has become VERY expensive. I bet in the not-to-distant future, employees will be asked to contribute a portion (if not more) to the cost of providing medical coverage if they wish to smoke or do other non-healthy things (pork spareribs, corn-on-the-cob with plenty of REAL butter). Side note: my dad works for a small manufacturing company, and he set the Designated Smoking Area as outside the building. After getting tired of finding literally hundreds of butts in the parking lot, the Designated Smoking Area is now Inside The Employee's Vehicle. Admission: I enjoyed several cancer sticks after my dinner of ribs tonight. Eric Friedebach aerostar@ccia.com ------------------------------ From: Bruce A. Pennypacker Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: 16 Jul 1996 10:35:05 GMT Organization: Stylus Products Group, Artisoft Inc. In article telecom16.331.2@massis.lcs.mit.edu, TELECOM Digest Editor noted in response to Monty Solomon's report: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have mixed feelings here. I do > I think the best thing that could happen at this point in time would > be for several thousand of the excellent employees at Motorola -- > people who should not have any problems getting almost any job they want -- > to just effectively cripple the company by resigning, going on the > unemployment benefits line for a several months to a year as they > look for new employment -- although I doubt it would take anywhere near > that long -- and let Motorola just twist in the wind. In effect, > they tell Motorola 'you are not going to dictate our personal lives in > that way.' If I was a smoker (which I'm not) and I worked at Motorola (which I don't) then here's what I'd do: Get as many smokers as possible to agree to perform a little protest with you. The more smokers the better. Have all the smokers take a break at some strategic point inside the building around 10:00am and light up. Let the management get a good long look at them. They'll probably all get warnings that if they're caught three more times that they'll be fired. Fine. Have the same group of people wait until around 1:00 and do the exact same thing - light up as a group in the exact same location. Then do it again at around 3:00 and then 4:00. If management is serious about their ban then they'd fire all the smokers on the spot (they'd have to), and depending on the number of smokers involved the management could find themselves in a very sticky situation that they just created on their own. Bruce Pennypacker | Stylus Products Group | Phone: +1 617 621 9545 Software Engineer | Artisoft, Inc. | Fax: +1 617 621 7862 Resident TAPI guru | 201 Broadway | http://www.stylus.com brucep@stylus.com | Cambridge, MA 02139 | sales: sales@stylus.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Very good strategy. Fire us all now or fire none of us. Fire us all and pay unemployment benefits out the kazooey for the next six months to a year. Fire only some of us and expect to sued. Or better still, treat us fairly and let us all get back to work. PAT] ------------------------------ From: sheep@juno.com Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 17:58:01 GMT > If Motorola is so concerned with employee safety, it seems as though > they should ban using cell phone handsets in employees cars. Dialing > and juggling a phone at 65 mph poses a danger to the rest of the > drivers on the road. Motorola's own users manuals attest to those > facts. > Brad Leonard > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You miss the point, or maybe you are > speaking with tongue in cheek. Smokers are the current group of > people to be picked on, not cellular phone users. PAT] Hello Pat: My point exactly. I wasn't speaking tongue in cheek or addressing smokers in specific, but looking at the point of meddlesome employer practices that are blind to the hazards of one's own product. The point was that Motorola believes it is helping its employees by attempting to regulate the use of tobacco companies products while not publicly addressing the safety concerns inherent on ones own products. It would have been more ironic if Valujet had instituted the smoking ban "for the safety of its employees". Brad Leonard ------------------------------ From: lucas@hyena.cig.mot.com (Greg Lucas) Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: 16 Jul 1996 13:45:02 GMT Organization: Cellular Infrastructure Group, Motorola Reply-To: lucas@cig.mot.com In article , Pat wrote: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Motorola is an old-line, long > established high-tech firm. They were around long before 'high-tech' > was a term anyone knew. I think maybe the company got started back > in the 1920's with radios, phonograph players, etc. They've been > 'into' pagers, CB radios, amateur radio gear, etc from when those > were all new devices. They manufacture a variety of chips, again > going back to long before computers were commonplace. Like Zenith, > they date back to before most people today were even born, even > us old-timers. Motorola has a very long and well-respected history. > They still are a respected company, but I just do not know why > the management there in the past few years has become so very > difficult to work with. Perhaps they are trying to cash in on the > years and years of name brand recognition and customer goodwill > they have built up. Back in the 1950-70 era they seemed to have > a lot of very creative, original, on-of-a-kind people there; real > strange -- and that is not meant in a derogatory way -- people; > people who made Motorola into the giant it is today. I guess > times change, and people change with it. What kind of a place do > you think Apple, Microsoft and some of the newer 'players' will > be like as employers thirty or forty years from now? PAT] Pat, I have been with Motorola 20 years. Working conditions here have improved greatly since I started here. When it comes to dealing with our employess, we are far ahead of most employers. There is a new program here called "Individual Dignity Entitlement." This program is to have each person working in their optimum job - i.e. one that they enjoy and are most productive at. This includes career planning class and assesments, even classes on how to write resumes to help find jobs within Motorola! In fact, you can have career planning done with a degreed professional - one-on-one. Another example is this whole smoking situation. It took several years to implement the policy. The first step was to separate the cafeteria into smoking and non-smoking areas, this lasted a couple of years. The next step was to stop smoking in open areas, and they added ventilated smoking rooms and allowed smoking in offices - this lasted for a couple of years. Then the smoking was restriced to the smoking rooms and outside, again, this was for an extended period. Then they made the facilities smoke free with outside smoking away from doors. It was the start of this year that it was no smoking on the campus. Please note that the no smoking on the campus is only with the Cellular facilities and not Motorola wide. With the exception of the smoking in cars situation, Motorola is still a very people orientated company. BTW, we still have some pretty strange people in our advanced development and research departments. Very brilliant people tend to be eccentric. Greg Lucas lucas@cig.mot.com Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1469 ------------------------------ From: Jeff & Cynthia Enderwick Subject: Re: Motorola Bans Employees From Smoking in Their Own Cars Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 00:59:40 -0400 Organization: AAEC Reply-To: jeffncyn@nj1.aae.com Manuel Maese wrote: > Dear Pat, > I couldn't agree any more with your comments on the oppressiveness > against smokers on the part of Motorola. Probably almost anybody > having worked in Motorola (well, a big majority) has a significant > advantage towards getting another job in a less-restrictive company, > and that's definitely what I'd do. By the by, I also smoke and I > understand and respect all the reasons for not smoking in a building > you share with non-smokers, but I have to draw the line right by the > door of my own car! Not a big shocker, here. I worked for Moto from '89-'94 in Austin, TX. They instituted mandatory random drug testing during the Bush era, which angered almost all brain-endowed employees. I think they took on some real bozos in upper management HR. Oh well. Any ex-Motorolans remember the "Individual Dignity Entitlement"? Motorola is filled to the brim with Scott Adams material. > Now, you mention that Motorola used-to-be a topnotch employer until > new management took over and started changing things. Since I'm not > that familiar with the company, could you or anybody else elaborate a > little more? How is it working at the big M? What kind of corporate > culture are they instituting now? (or what kind of culture did they > have before?) I'm curious. Culture? They have a bazillion employees, and pretty much are an average sample of human beings in general. Yet another BIG, Inc. Quality though (in terms of delivering on product claims and specs) is a real strength there. Moto goods may cost more sometimes, but in general your gettting solid stuff. > us old-timers. Motorola has a very long and well-respected history. > They still are a respected company, but I just do not know why > the management there in the past few years has become so very > difficult to work with. I'm not sure it's anything in the last few years. Things change over time, but I still think it's one of the better run large high-tech corps (I didn't think so when I was there :-). They push P&Ls down pretty far, which makes for accountability (to a degree). I think that more often than not, when you get that many people in a group, you get erratic policies, etc. No helping it. > Perhaps they are trying to cash in on the > years and years of name brand recognition and customer goodwill > they have built up. Naw. you're really giving them too much credit as a corporate "organism". > Back in the 1950-70 era they seemed to have > a lot of very creative, original, on-of-a-kind people there; real > strange -- and that is not meant in a derogatory way -- people; > people who made Motorola into the giant it is today. I guess > times change, and people change with it. They run the place now! Jeff ------------------------------ From: Owen Adair Subject: Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 12:13:36 -0400 Organization: Turner Broadcasting System Stanley Cline wrote: > The PSC says Metro-Tel charged up to $1.75 for local calls, where > callers were cut off after three minutes. The company also wouldn't > I find it surprising that there are ANY COCOTs AT ALL at Olympic venues, > coins, LEC/IXC calling cards, etc. Now I wonder just what IXC/AOS CCI > will use on their "Olympic phones" ... it better be AT&T! I work in the Inforum, overlooking Centennial Olympic(tm) Park and ground zero for the Olympics. As I walk around in the area, there are indeed *many* non-Bellsouth/AT&T phones being installed, but they are in private parking lots, hillsides, and any other square inch of space they can find. ACOG is powerless (amazing) to keep these out even with Bellsouth a major sponsor. The PSC, however, is quite able to keep these sleazeballs within the law, but I'll bet a lot of them won't be caught when breaking the rules. I will test the phones I pass to see who is operating the phone and which is the default LD carrier. Owen Adair WD4FSU (404) 878-7159 Turner Broadcasting System, Atlanta ------------------------------ From: sam@nada.kth.se (Sam Spens Clason) Subject: Re: Are All Payphones Created Equal? Date: 16 Jul 96 02:28:51 GMT In Jean-Francois Mezei writes: > So, can phone lines be configured to have lesser bandwidth, > which to a voice call, would go unnoticed, but would affect a > modem? The human brain is very good at making out speech despite low bandwidth, the telephone is a proof for this. I don't know about Australia, but in rural Sweden the telephone lines are sometimes not copper, but plain steel wire. They are stronger and much cheaper, but have less bandwidth. Using steel wire was common practice in the fourties, but has been abandoned since. This is of course no problem for voice, but can be a bugger when you hook up a modem or fax. How much bandwidth one loses depends on the distance. One other reason for poor bandwidth could be that the line is shared. Essentially that means FDMA, but which particular technique Telstra uses, of that I don't know. Best, Sam http://www.nada.kth.se/~sam, sam@nada.kth.se, +46 701234567 ------------------------------ From: clintcrg@aol.com (Clint CRG) Subject: Re: Are All Payphones Created Equal? Date: 16 Jul 1996 14:25:59 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: clintcrg@aol.com (Clint CRG) Some PTTs can provide lesser bandwidth to out of the way locations. PTT Iceland provides 32 Kbit links for locations in Greenland (vs the usual 64 kbit standard digital carrier). Some compression is used and will support good quality voice but the compression will not support the maximum modem data rates. This poses a question. What is the implied product of a telco -- a voice circuit or bandwidth? We tend to think we are buying a 64 kbit channel that can support any media. What we may be given is a "good quality" VOICE channel. Is there any regulations that say what we are supposed to be provided? ------------------------------ From: John_David_Galt@cup.portal.com Subject: 'Trademark' Abuse in Texas Date: Tue, 16 Jul 96 09:31:51 PDT This was on the radio this morning: A small Texas telco, KT&T, has gotten trademarks on phrases such as "I don't know" and "I don't care." If the operator asks you which long distance carrier to use and you answer with one of these phrases, you will be connected through KT&T and charged high AOS rates. How long do you think it'll be before we get a fraud conviction against these people? John David Galt ------------------------------ From: Chris Telesca Subject: Re: Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone Date: 16 Jul 1996 15:14:38 GMT Organization: CampusMCI Paul Robinson wrote: > As of about five minutes ago, the "U.S. Naval Observatory Master > Clock" time service, on 202-762-1401, is not answering the telephone. > This is a local call for me, as I live only about six miles away, yet > I am aware of no power failures in the DC area or any other reason to > explain their failure to answer the telephone. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I tried it as soon as I got your > message and it was answering. I imagine they were probably doing some > maintainence work on the phones, etc. Whether or not the phone answers > has no bearing on if the clock is operating. Then too, is it possible > you dialed the wrong number without realizing it, dialing a number > that legitimatly did not answer for whatever reason? PAT[ Is there any kind of internet time service (like from the Naval Observatory) that can give me the atomic clock time over the 'Net? Chris Telesca PO Box 98102 / Raleigh, NC 27624-8102 Voice/Fax (call first for fax): (919) 676-2597 [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There sure is! Try 'tick' and 'tock', the two machines providing this service at the Naval Observatory. You would telnet to 'tick.usno.navy.mil 13' or 'tock.usno.navy.mil 13' to get what you want. The '13' on the end refers to the socket or port where the time signal is sent from. It will automatically disconnect after one minute unless you disconnect first. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #343 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Wed Jul 17 00:33:37 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id AAA14425; Wed, 17 Jul 1996 00:33:37 -0400 (EDT) Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 00:33:37 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (Patrick A. Townson) Message-Id: <199607170433.AAA14425@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #344 TELECOM Digest Wed, 17 Jul 96 00:33:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 344 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Fall Communications Courses at UC Berkeley Extension (Harvey Stern) Pacific Bell Clock Problems (J. Seder) Researching Sprint Voice FONcard (David A. James) Analog PBX Line Market Size? (Arthur Chang) Getting Through the Congestion at the Web Site (TELECOM Digest Editor) Providing De-regulated Dial Tone (phoneguy@hawkeye.rec.com) Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada (Ian Angus) Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada (J. Cheney) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Derek Balling) Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall (ranck@joesbar.cc.vt.edu) Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall (Robert Casey) Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall (Michael P. Deignan) Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? (Poll Dubh) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: course@garnet.berkeley.edu Subject: Fall Communications Courses at UC Berkeley Extension Date: 16 Jul 1996 19:08:07 GMT Organization: University of California, Berkeley University of California, Berekeley announces five short courses in COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY this fall at the San Francisco Airport. 1. "MODERN TELECOMMUNICATIONS---Wide Area Broadband Networks, Personal Communication Systems, Network Management and Control and Multimedia Applications." October 31-November 1, 1996. Fee: $795 Covers telecommunications signals and formats; satellite communications; optical communications; transmission, switching and signaling,; local and metropolitan area networks; wide area networks; cellular radio systems and personal communication systems; network management and control, telecommunication applications and multimedia services. Lecturer: Anthony S. Acampora, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical And Computer Engineering at the University of California, San Diego and Director of the Center for Wireless Communications. 2. "NETWORKS FOR DIGITAL WIRELESS ACCESS -- CELLULAR, VOICE, DATA, PACKET AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS." October 9-11, 1996. FEE: $995 Wireless access fundamentals; the physical layer; multiple access techniques; bandwidth conservation; the network layer; second- generation digital cellular systems; digital cordless telephone systems; wireless LAN; wide-area high-speed packet access: the third generation; applications and technology forecast. Lecturer: Anthony S. Acampora, Ph.D. (see above) 3. "ATM DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORKS -- INTERNETWORKING, SIGNALING AND APPLICATIONS." October 28-29, 1996 FEE: $795 (brochure fee is incorrect in this case) Drivers for today's high-performance networks; review of high-speed transport protocols; alternative physical layers for high-speed interconnection; signaling; connection management and flow control strategies; internetworking; high-speed transport layer protocols; video applications over gigabit networks. Lecturer: William E. Stephens, Ph.D., is the Head of the Wireless and ATM Networking Group at the David Sarnoff Research Center in Princeton, New Jersey. 4. "SONET/ATM-BASED BROADBAND NETWORKS -- SYSTEMS, ARCHITECTURES AND DESIGNS." October 16-18, 1996 FEE: $995 Broadband ISDN transfer protocol; high-speed computer/network interface; ATM switch architectures; ATM network congestion/flow control; connectionless data packet transport in ATM networks; ATM signaling. Lecturer: Johnathan H. Chao, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at Polytechnic University, New York. 5. "VIDEO COMPRESSION AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION." November 18-19, 1996. FEE: $795 Fundamentals of data compression; predictive coding; motion estimation; transform coding; other video coding techniques; video coding standards; MPEG-2 system standard; other video system standards; digital video broadcasting standard; conditional access system; MPEG-2 product survey. Lecturers: Ming-Ting Sun, Ph.D., Director of the Video Signal Processing Group, Bellcore. Kou-Hu Tzou, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at COMSAT Laboratories. For a DETAILED BROCHURE describing each of these courses, please send your complete POSTAL ADDRESS and/or your FAX number to: course@garnet.berkeley.edu ------------------------------ From: JSeder@syntel.com Subject: Pacific Bell Clock Problems Date: 16 Jul 1996 19:04:20 GMT Organization: BRAINSTORM Networks Reply-To: JSeder@syntel.com I observe that the Pacific Bell Caller ID clock is 14 (fourteen) seconds ahead of the correct time (determined with a shortwave radio tuned to WWV). Just for fun, I called 415-POPCORN and heard that their time annunciator is about four seconds off. Who is supposed to set these? Are they supposed to be accurate? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 15:06:29 +0200 From: james@ubilab.ubs.ch (David A. James) Subject: Researching Sprint Voice FONcard Dear Digesters, I've been researching speaker verification for a while, and I'm interested in the Sprint Voice FONcard, since it is still the only large-scale application of the technology. Although I amassed quite some information about it from various usual sources, what I lack is end-users' experiences of the quality of the service. I'd really appreciate to hear from anyone who can give me, however briefly, their impressions of this service, in terms mainly of the quality of the speaker verification and the ease of use of the voice dialing. I would be happy to summarise the responses I get in a later posting. Thanks, David A. James | Mail: james@ubilab.ubs.ch UBILAB, Union Bank of Switzerland | Phone(Work): +41 1 236 7309 Bahnhofstrasse 45 | Phone(Home): +41 1 382 3573 CH-8021 Zurich Switzerland | Fax: +41 1 236 4671 ------------------------------ From: Arthur Chang Subject: Analog PBX Line Market Size? Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 14:36:20 -0700 Organization: SoloPoint, Inc. Does anyone have any information on the marketsize for analog PBX lines in the US and international markets? Or know where I could find this information? I am also interested in finding our who are teh leading PBX manufactuers. Thanks, RT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 22:30:36 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Getting Through the Congestion at the Web Site When accessing the new Telecom Web Page, many readers have reported an incredible amount of congestion regardless of the hour of day or night. It is common to receive a message saying 'only fifty connections are allowed at one time' ... My suggestion is to stay right there at whatever link you are on and just keep repeatedly calling the page or area desired. Do it over and over ... you'll break through after five or six attempts has been my experience when calling from a remote location. I am talking to the person in charge of this at MIT to see about ways to increase the number of allowed connections at one time without bringing the whole system to a halt in the process due to overload, etc. And if you have not yet had a chance to check it out, I hope you will do so soon. http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives PAT ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 15:24:35 -0700 From: Jim Organization: Hawkeye Tri-County Subject: Providing De-regulated Dial Tone How does one go about offering de-regulated dial tone? Can you have your own phone numbers and dial tone for others to dial into instead of having numbers from the local phone company? What I'm getting at is to have our own numbers for our dial up modems for our subscribers to call into to our internet access -- instead of paying for the lines from the phone company. Thanks, Jim [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, you are going to have to pay someone for something. Yes, you can become a telco if you want the additional hassles, but if you are talking about serving a relatively small subset of the population -- namely the subscribers of your ISP service -- are you sure you can justify the cost which will be involved? Some things you are simply better off paying others to do, and being a telco is one of these unless you really know what is going on and have a potentially very large subscriber base. Not large as in ISP, but large as in major telco. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Ian Angus Subject: Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 20:12:13 -0400 Organization: Angus TeleManagement Group Reply-To: ianangus@angustel.ca John R Levine wrote: > I visit Toronto from time to time and am astounded at the rates I've > been charged for calling card calls back to the U.S. ... > One thing I didn't try was use Bell Canada and charge it to my LEC > calling card. ... Can one of the Canadian readers dial 0 and ask what > the calling card rate from, say, Toronto to New York City or Toronto > to Los Angeles would be? The table below is from the Stentor National Tariff, which would apply to daytime 0+ calls made to the US from Bell Canada territory (Ontario/Quebec). Figures for other telcos are similar. All figures are in Canadian money -- a Canadian dollar is worth about 71 US cents these days. If you were using a Stentor calling card, there would be a 75 cents per call transaction charge ($1.75 if you talk to the operator). I presume that if you use a US LEC card, you'll pay their transaction charge. These are, of course, undiscounted rates -- You may have a volume discount plan which would apply. So a Toronto-NYC call would cost 51 Canadian cents/min -- about 36 US cents. A Toronto-LA call would be 56 Canadian cents/min -- about 40 US cents/min. Plus the transaction charge. Miles Cents/Minute 0-8 16 9-88 22 19-30 28 31-50 33 51-80 37 81-110 40 111-140 43 141-180 45 181-220 47 221-270 49 271-345 51 346-630 53 631-1200 54 1201-1610 55 1610 + 56 IAN ANGUS ianangus@angustel.ca Angus TeleManagement Group http://www.angustel.ca 8 Old Kingston Road tel: 905-686-5050 ext 222 Ajax ON L1T 2Z7 Canada fax: 905-686-2655 ------------------------------ From: John Cheney Subject: Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 11:38:16 -0700 Organization: AllCom John R Levine wrote: > I visit Toronto from time to time and am astounded at the rates I've > been charged for calling card calls back to the U.S. The card I > usually use, from one of my resellers, charges me about 81 > cents/minute (in U.S. dollars.) Sprint has a $1 surcharge, and runs > between 76 and 81 cents day rate. Surely I can do better than that. > Any suggestions? > One thing I didn't try was use Bell Canada and charge it to my LEC > calling card. Naturally, nobody in the U.S. has any idea what the > rates would be.* Can one of the Canadian readers dial 0 and ask what > the calling card rate from, say, Toronto to New York City or Toronto > to Los Angeles would be? The card I use is $0.30 USD per minute from anywhere in Canada to anywhere in the US with NO per call surcharge! It also has many enhanced features: Voice mail, fax mail, speed dialling, conference calling, pager notification, call forwarding, Wake Up calls, 15 different language prompts. John Cheney AllCom International Telecommunications Solutions Taht Work URL: http://www.allcom.com e-mail: jcheney@allcom.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 21:41:57 EST From: Derek Balling Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem On Tue, 16 Jul 1996, Patrick A. Townson wrote: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yesterday Hillary wrote with a problem > concerning her inability to screen out harassing anonymous calls while > easily retaining the ability to accept anonymous calls from the front > desk in the place where she lives. I responded saying if the front > door ==> apartment intercom system was attached to the line after the > telco central office she should be able to do this easily. She wrote > back to tell me this was incorrect, that the front desk has to dial '9' > and use an outside line to call her. Hmmm ... well that's what I said > also ... now what solution is available? PAT] Hillary responded to PAT: > But, Pat -- MY phone is a Bell Atlantic line. It isn't part of the > building's Fairchild PBX, as I originally explained. When the front > desk calls me, instead of just dialing an extension, they have to dial > 9 + my phone number, and it comes in to my apartment just like any > other regular phone call. Would this work? I don't know much on the switch side of things, but it occurs to me that it might ... 1.) Anonymous Call Rejection 2.) Smart Ring (or whatever Bell Atlantic calls having two telephone numbers with one of them being distinctive ringing). Then you just put the Distinctive Ring number downstairs for people to call to get let in. IF .. and (we need then to find out what switch Hillary's running on and how it handles ACR and Distinctive Ring), but that MIGHT solve the problem (and it might end up all for naught if the harasser is someone she knows who will learn the new number from downstairs...) or ... if THAT won't work: 1.) Distinctive Ring 2.) One of them Radio Shack anonymous call rejector boxes that just "doesn't ring" when anonymous calls come in, and tells them to shove off, etc. 3.) One of them Radio Shack Distinctive ring splitter boxes to allow normal calls to come in on one phone and distinctive ring on another. Then wire it as: LINE |----------------------| Distinctive # |-------| ------->| Distinctive Ring Box |----------------> |Phone 2| |----------------------| |-------| \ Regular # |---------| | Normal| \---------------->| ACR Box |----->| Phone | |---------| |-------| So, if someone downstairs calls in, they call the distinctive ring number, it hits the box and goes to the "batphone" so to speak, to tell you to let them in. If its NOT on the distinctive ring number, it hits YOUR anonymous call rejector, and gets ignored/answered with a "no anonymous calls" message, etc. (depending on the specific type of box you get). Hope this helps you out, Hillary. Derek J. Balling | "Every man dies... but not every Director of Technical Operations | man really lives..." Midwest Internet Exchange, Inc. | - Mel Gibson, Braveheart dredd@sol.mixi.net | http://megacity.mixi.net | dredd@megacity.mixi.net [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So it appears she will not be able to get the service from the telco at all and will have to handle private calls through her own equipment as you note above. I'd still like to know the difference between 'anonymous' and 'private' where B-A (her telco) is concerned. Doesn't B-A send the message she sees on her caller-id box? Does B-A have two different conditions like this? They must, if they cause her box to print two different words. Now if B-A handled 'anonymous' one way and 'private' another way then perhaps she could use them. Any explanations on this? PAT] ------------------------------ From: ranck@joesbar.cc.vt.edu Subject: Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall Date: 15 Jul 1996 19:03:42 GMT Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia > Notice To: Newsgroup Moderators, Managers or Vested Interest Subscribers. > Due to HLD PUBLISHING limited list of Newsgroups, it is not our policy to > remove a newsgroup from our list free of charge. To be removed from our > list of future commericial postings by HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY an Annual > Charge of Ninety Five dollars is required. Just send $95.00 with your > Name, Address and Name of the Newsgroup to be removed from our list. > Mail to: HLD PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1680 NORTH VINE STREET SUITE 1103, > LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90028. This borders on, if not actually constitutes, an extortion scheme. It's a "protection racket," basically, where somebody threatens to annoy and/or harrass you if you don't pay up. If some clown called you up at home and said, "Hi, I'm selling magazine subscriptions and I'm going to call you every day offering you magazines unless you pay me not to call," the police would take an immediate interest. It's clearly a threat to harrass unless paid. This yahoo is doing exactly the same thing. I'd also love to see how an attempt to collect against one of the anonymous cancel-bots works. Who's he going to bill? Bill Ranck +1-540-231-3951 ranck@vt.edu Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Computing Center [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: He is not going to bill anyone, the same as Jeff Boy does not charge back 800 calls. Hector knows it and you know it but a huge number of new users on the net do not know it and that's all that really counts. The place where your analogy falls down is that *you own* your telephone line (or in any event you control it by your leasing of it from telco). I can order you off my property and make it stick. So who owns the net? Who gives the orders around here? And believe me you, with all the violent crime going on in the USA these days -- my police scanner is tuned to Chicago (I rarely listen to Skokie because they rarely talk; on the other hand Chicago never shuts up, they transmit constantly) where one or two murders or drive by shootings every day is still the norm -- they don't seem to take a great interest in one person on the net 'harassing' some other person on the net. Around here, self-help is still the best way. Speaking of which, has anyone around El Lay had either the time or inclination to go see what Hector is all about? If/when you happen to meet Mr. Davila give him regards from all of us and remind him that when it comes to spam he has a long way to go before he becomes as obnoxious as Jeff. If he is not at his office when you go to visit, check out Finley Street. The phone for HLD Publishing on Vine Street is 213-461-3009. PAT] ------------------------------ From: wa2ise@netcom.com (Robert Casey) Subject: Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest) Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 00:23:24 GMT Maybe you (as moderator) should announce that there will be a charge (or fine if you like) for having to remove SPAM not related to the charter of your newsgroup. Say $95.00. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: See, the catch is I do not 'own' it in the sense I own (control/lease) my telephone line or my mailbox or the front porch to my house. That little 'problem' is going to be the reason for the complete downfall of Usenet one of these days, I suspect. (Yes, you read that correctly; another 'death of the net' forecast.) No one owns it, so everyone feels free to abuse it. Neither does Hector, but that is beside the point -- he is an idiot; I prefer to think I am not though some would disagree. PAT] ------------------------------ From: kd1hz@anomaly.ideamation.com (Michael P. Deignan) Subject: Re: Spammer with Extreme Gall Date: 16 Jul 1996 00:18:47 -0400 Organization: The Ace Tomato Company In article , Gordon Burditt wrote: >Some spammers have a lot of gall. This one posts to lots of groups, >including moderated ones, and then has the nerve to try to charge to >have a newsgroup taken off the spamming list. Normally its just as easy to ignore them, but this particular threat: > Cancellations of our postings performed by outside parties will be > charged a Ninety Five dollar fee per cancellation. A bill with proof > of cancellations made will be sent to all parties involved, plus, it > will automatically be sent to Attorneys Specializing in Collections > nationwide and worldwide. Is particularly hideous. True, you and I both know its a bunch of BS, but one of the most effective ways to harass someone is to turn over a "bill" to a collection agency claiming the person you want to harass "owes" the money. I can't count the number of times I've been contacted about a "bill" I owe. Even when you tell them its not your bill (and not even your social security number, for that matter), they still insist it is yours. But, all that is moot anyway. How are they going to bill an Autobot? :-) Slime like this deserve a particularly high phone bill. MD Who needs looks when you've got taste? If you don't like my opinions, that's just too damn bad. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I suppose the answer to your question is they would bill the owner of the autobot. But what Hector does not understand is that collection agencies are in business to make money for themselves first, *then* their clients. Any agency which took Hector's account would be nuts. His placements with an agency would not be worth the agency's time to make a single phone call on. Imagine: no written contract, no signature on file, no name or address for the 'debtor' unless the agency wants to go around site by site fingering whoever they can find, etc ... all for some cut or percentage of the $95.00 ... this Hector must be dumber than we thought; wish him good luck in finding an agency or attorney willing to give him more than a kick in his backside on his way out their door. This thread is boring me. I am tired of hectoring Hector. If someone sends a report after visiting his home or office I'll print that, but otherwise let's call it quits. PAT] ------------------------------ From: singular@oort.ap.sissa.it (Poll Dubh) Subject: Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? Date: 16 Jul 1996 13:01:12 GMT Organization: Lasciate ogni speranza voi ch'entrate In article , Jim Hurley wrote: [Sprint promised one rate in December, then raised it without warning.] Of course this has been standard operating practice for most US long distance companies for years: make frequent changes to the tariff, and expect the customers to track them of their own initiative if they really care to. If they decide it's more trouble than it's worth, pocket the difference until they get sufficiently annoyed to shop for another provider. If this were unique to Sprint, the remedy would be easy. [No, you shouldn't have trusted an oral contract. You probably shouldn't have trusted a written contract either, unless it explicitly overrides the tariff and you are confident that such overriding isn't legally void. If you really want to play it safe, don't make phone calls.] > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You can protest all you like. Sprint > does not care. They are much too large and powerful at this point for > anything anyone does to matter short of possibly a class action to > settle a lot of grievances where the company is concerned with things > like borken contracts, bait and switch, etc. PAT] Don't you think that political pressure to get the FCC to mandate more effective publication of rate changes would also help? Over here rate increases have to be announced some time in advance (something like 60 days) by letter (or bill insert) to the subscriber, who then has time to cancel his contract without penalty if he so chooses. Why shouldn't calling plans by long distance companies be subject to similar rules? Of course the point will be made that such restrictions will make it riskier for the LD companies to lower their rates, and therefore result in slightly higher rates across the board. I'm not convinced that this argument really holds for long-term trends; all they might do is suppress short-term promotions that are not explicitly presented as such. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have it! They could say if you wish to protest their rates, you should telephone Robin Lloyd and speak with him personally. ... PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu and are available by using anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to use the information service, just ask. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #344 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jul 18 18:43:01 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id SAA11697; Thu, 18 Jul 1996 18:43:01 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 18:43:01 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607182243.SAA11697@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #345 TELECOM Digest Thu, 18 Jul 96 18:43:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 345 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Adjustments and Corrections to Web Page (TELECOM Digest Editor) Indian Government Chokes on Telecom Licences (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) BellSouth Hits Double-Digits on Interconnection Agreements (Mike King) BellSouth Revs Up For Birmingham Olympic Soccer (Mike King) Telecom Bills and Funding in NY - Why So Little Discussion? (Ronda Hauben) CPUC Halts AT&T Billing Plans (Mike King) That Scum, Hector Davila (TELECOM Digest Editor) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 13:11:22 EDT From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Subject: Adjustments and Corrections to Web Page Some of you noticed I spent much of Wednesday (all day actually) making some changes to the telecom web page. What I wanted to do was get rid of the long delays and frequent denials of service caused by the very congested FTP service. Only 50 (then, and now 70) users are allowed at one time via ftp. There are *always* people waiting. So among other things, I converted all the references to http links. Many of them had been ftp links. I also installed a secondary page for the links to other telecom-related sites, and an area for sponsors. At the same time I wanted to allow access so that web users could review the entire front directory; something that to my chagrin I found was impossible if there was the presence of an 'index.html' file in the front directory. In other words, reference to any directory in which http finds an 'index.html' file means http will use *that file* rather than the directory itself. My choices were to rename 'index.html' to something else and then require an explicit path name to reach the 'home page' by adding something after the http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives or re-arranging the directories to move everything back a level. I finally wound up doing this. I moved the entire top directory known as 'telecom-archives' to a new directory under that called 'archives' and left the original top directory as the place for the various index.html, sponsor, and other links files. Now the URL can be maintained as addressed; the 'home page' can allow for reading the entire archives front directory and all the sub-directories; and although one can 'go up to parent directory' (or 'go up to slash' as some brousers display it) the furthest one gets up to is my home page. Users can no longer work their way up to the /common directory and then meander around in the stuff that was there and off to various other places. There was no real security problem since the furthest anyone can go in ftp is up to the common directory (which essentially is the '/' or root directory on an ftp server) but I just thought it looked messy with a lot of stuff not related to telecom. About twenty links were added to 'other telecom-related resources' and I hope those of you who contributed links will please check them today and make sure they are installed correctly. I believe every single link brought to my attention was made. If I somehow overlooked a recommendation, please let me know. In the home page itself one can either make direct selection of several of the most commonly requested archives files or one can go to the top directory (called 'main gate' in the home page) and choose at that level instead. From the home page, one can also select the sponsor page or the 'other links' main page. *All* the links are now HTTP, and access time improved tremendously once this was done. I am looking for a couple more gif files to insert here and there (everyone seems to like the 'Voice With a Smile Behind Your Dial' lady with the headset) and I will certainly consider a few more telecom-related non-commercial links as well. Yesterday Bill Pfieffer commented to me that " ... a month ago you wanted nothing do do with the Web and now you are looking for still more ways to improve the web page ..." Yeah, I have to admit I am addicted to it now. Thanks, Bill ... it feels good. You who tested the web page out earlier this week should find it much improved in terms of the way things connect and weave together and based on the error-log from yesterday there was much confusion about what went where, etc. All that should be cured. The only difference the FTP users should notice is that instead of the path being massis.lcs.mit.edu/common/telecom-archives it is now: /common/telecom-archives/archives as noted above. I also had to adjust the scripts for the Email Information Service to get them to point the correct way into the 'true' archives at this point. So now, that part of the job is finished ... To summarize, there are now THREE ways you can access the Archives: 1) Web Page URL: http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives if you prefer, 'mirror.lcs.mit.edu' or 'hyperarchive.lcs.mit.edu' also alias to me. 2) Anonymous FTP: ftp massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives 3) Email Server: mail to 'tel-archives@lcs.mit.edu' The subject does not matter. The text does not matter on your first letter. You'll get back a help file explaining how to use it with simple commands you include in the text of your message such as: REPLY yourname@site GET filename GLOSSARY abbreviation you want explained. The final part of this major overhaul and upgrading of the archives now involves moving dozens of new and updated files into place which have been sitting around here for a long time waiting. I will be working on this much of today. Please do check out the Telecom Web Page now that the early bugs have been worked out of it. And for those of you who did in fact try it earlier this week and no doubt went away somewhat confused if you were able to access it at all, please try again! Thanks, Patrick Townson ------------------------------ Subject: Indian Government Chokes on Telecom Licences Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 17:16:36 PDT From: rishab@dxm.org (Rishab Aiyer Ghosh) Reply-To: rishab@dxm.org The Indian Techonomist: bulletin, July 16, 1996 Copyright (C) 1996 Rishab Aiyer Ghosh. All rights reserved Indian government chokes on telecom licences July 16, 1996: It is now nearly one year since the bids for basic telecom and cellular services were opened by the Indian government (on August 31 and 5 respectively). While most winners of cellular tenders have signed licence agreements with the government, and hope to start service as early as October this year, no licence for basic telecom has been issued. Basic services (comprising local or circle-wide long- distance wireline and fixed-wireless) have been subject to caps on licences per bidder, and have seen two further rounds of bidding (in January and April). Ten definite and two likely licensees have been selected, and were given letters of intent (LoIs) indicating their selection by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) several months ago. But the DoT did not sign the two essential agreements to effectuate the licences - a licence agreement, actually granting the right to provide service, and an inter-connect agreement, covering the links between private basic and cellular services and the DoT's own network, which will operate in competition. The agreements hiccuped through the months of bickering and retendering, as well as India's general elections held in May. Along the way they leaked strategically to the press, causing much concern among potential licensees. Meanwhile, the DoT asked bidders to extend the bank guarantees given towards earnest money for their bids - originally valid for only six months - by another six months, as allowed for in the tender documents. The extension were to expire on June 22, so the DoT asked for a further extension to be provided by June 17. All LoI holders meekly accepted, but HFCL-Bezeq, which became famous for its very high bids (totalling to $27 billion) refused, and the DoT decided to encash the guarantees. On June 24, accusing the DoT of being indecisive and arrogant HFCL-Bezeq appealed to the Delhi High Court. The court immediately issued an order restraining the guarantors - the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) and State Bank of India (SBI) - from acting on the DoT encashment request. The order was extended last week. Beyond the purely immediate result of HFCL's suit - saving it some time, perhaps; worrying the DoT - was its wider impact on the basic telephony bids. On the face of it, HFCL's objections - that the bank guarantees were valid for no more than one year, that the DoT has been wilfully delaying the issuing of interconnect and licence agreements - had the desired effect. Within a week, the draft agreements were cleared by the Law Ministry (a traditional scapegoat for governmental delays) and distributed to the various service providers to sign. But service providers have not signed, for they are unhappy, especially with the interconnect agreement. This is entirely one-sided, insisting that, among other things, private providers pay for any upgradation needed to DoT equipment at point of connect between networks; private providers pay penalties an order of magnitude greater than the DoT for delays in implementing interconnectivity obligations; private providers pay the DoT large fees for low bandwidth (2 Mbps) communication channels. Nobody wants to simply accept DoT's terms, yet service providers were undecided and disunited over whether to launch a frontal attack on the DoT, or try patience and cunning instead. The patient would like to sign both agreements right away, so that at least they can start planning their networks - like the cellular licensees, to whom the interconnect applies but is less crucial to operations. They hope to appeal against the more unreasonable aspects of the agreement to the yet-to-be-constituted Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. Although last month the new government's Cabinet cleared the TRAI Bill so that it can be voted on in Parliament - it was earlier issued as a presidential ordinance in January and since lapsed, twice, without the necesssary Parliamentary ratification - this authority does not seem to be a great priority with the government at the moment. It may well take months for the authority to be actually set up, even assuming that the Bill is enacted in the current politically contentious Budget session of Parliament. Relying on the TRAI will have to become a way of life for private telecom operators - for the moment the parts of policy-maker and regulator are played by their competitor, the DoT - but it may not be a good idea to greet its inception with a major dispute on basic interconnectivity. The alternative is to negotiate, persuade, bully and hope that the DoT succumbs. This requires tact, for holders of potentially lucrative (yes, despite the new pessimism caused by DoT's antics and severe difficulties with financing) telecom licences do not particularly want to stick their necks out. Fortunately most of them do not have to - little HFCL has done it for them. Ever since the day its remarkable bids were announced, this consortium between a small Indian telecom equipment manufacturer, and two far from giant foreigners (Israel's Bezeq and Thailand's Shinawatra) has been the subject of rumours, most centering around its alleged inability or unwillingness to retain its still unsigned licences. For many, HFCL's suit was the final proof, particularly its argument in court that its original bid was only valid for 180 days (actually, this was the minimum period specified in the tender; no maximum limit to the bids' validity was specified). HFCL, like everyone else, has been hard put to come up with financing - a result of high fees for licences which, being non-transferable are difficult to treat as assets for collateral. Although recently leaked plans for its financial restructuring (calling for a holding company to bypass the 49% limit on foreign equity, with a large stake from US insurance major AIG Inc) may help, the cloud of suspicion never really lifted. Still, on June 29 - just before the DoT actually released the draft agreements - a top management source in the company said on conditions of anonymity that HFCL was only "protesting against delays" and was "not interested" in giving up the licences. Of course, HFCL would say that anyway. As with all conspiracy theories, the simple alternative is probably correct. HFCL in all likelihood went to court for the reason it gave - it had more too lose from delays than others, thanks to its high licence fees, and was, to put it bluntly, a little desperate (HFCL complained that while the DoT was sitting pretty on the bank guarantees and draft agreements, it was rapidly upgrading its network taking away potential HFCL subscribers). It, more than others, needed certain, fair terms with the DoT, simply to make its licences a viable proposition. It had little to lose by this action - at worst its earnest money in the bank guarantees would go, a small amount of under $30 million, much less than the $9 billion in licence fees it risks if it operates its network in unfavourable conditions. HFCL's high bids, the conspiracy theory goes, were political in nature, based on the "insurance" the Communications Minister of that time would provide. That would have been a tremendous mistake, if true, as the fall of the Congress Party government was not unexpected, and it would have been foolish to expect one in power throughout the 15-year licence term. Far more likely seems a smaller, but more rational mistake, of overvaluing the market potential. Therefore, HFCL's court case - which has not been withdrawn despite the DoT's hurried publication of the draft agreements - is probably just a useful pressure tactic. By keeping DoT hands away from the bank guarantees, and threatening the continuing validity of the basic telephony bids, perhaps licence and interconnect agreements more favourable to HFCL and other private providers will be arrived at. This is what the less daring private providers hope, and the DoT would like to avoid. If it happens, though - possibly due to a favourable court ruling - it will be good for everyone, not just HFCL. It may even cheer up the pessimists, and make HFCL's high bids appear less unreasonable after all. See also list of bids and licences for basic and cellular services at http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/bids.html India's general elections slow telecom reform: bulletin of May 2 at http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/ The Indian Techonomist: weekly summary. http://dxm.org/techonomist/news/ Copyright (C) 1996 Rishab Aiyer Ghosh (rishab@techonomist.dxm.org) A4/204 Ekta Vihar 9 Indraprastha Extension New Delhi 110092 INDIA May be distributed electronically provided that this notice is attached ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Hits Double-Digits on Interconnection Agreements Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 18:40:50 PDT Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 12:30:15 -0400 (EDT) From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH HITS DOUBLE-DIGITS ON INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS BellSouth .......................................July 16, 1996 BellSouth Hits Double-Digits on Interconnection Agreements (Atlanta, GA) July 16, 1996 BellSouth (NYSE: BSL) today announced it signed a regionwide local interconnection agreement with Teleport Communications Group, Inc. (TCG). This brings the number of agreements signed by BellSouth since the national telecommunications law was passed in February to ten. This agreement, and those the company is expected to sign soon, is further proof that negotiations between companies committed to expanding competition in the local telephone market works. "We've consistently sought to be seen as leaders in bringing about competition in both the local exchange and long distance, and this agreement with TCG is further evidence of this," stated Charlie Coe, Group President of Customer Operations for BellSouth. "With this agreement, TCG will bring full competition to our region and this competition moves us closer to being able to offer our customers a full range of telecommunications services including long distance," noted Coe. This agreement covers BellSouth's nine state region and sets the conditions under which BellSouth and TCG will interconnect their networks, including: non discriminatory rates, terms and conditions for local interconnection; interim number portability; and the resale and unbundling of BellSouth's services and network capabilities. TCG has filed to offer service in Florida. Graham Taylor, TCG's Regional Vice President South, said he was pleased with the cooperative spirit of the negotiations. "We're very pleased at the responsiveness of BellSouth during this entire process," he said. "This agreement is a model of how to achieve a mutually satisfactory arrangement and the first serious demonstration by a Regional Operating Company of support and encouragement of competition." Coe noted that as the number of interconnection agreements signed increases, AT&T becomes one of the few companies that has reached no negotiated interconnection agreements. "It becomes increasingly apparent that almost all competitors want competition, and have signed agreements to expand it, except for one," Coe noted. "This agreement with TCG comes within days of the breakdown of mediation with AT&T. This is our tenth agreement, while AT&T hasn't signed a single agreement with anyone in the country. It seems to us that AT&T is more interested in its long distance position than in becoming a local exchange competitor," stated Coe. In addition to this agreement with Teleport, BellSouth has signed regional agreements with national telecommunications competitors including Time Warner and Intermedia, plus agreements with other other companies in its region including Hart Communications, The Telephone Company of Central Florida, Southeast Telephone Company, American MetroComm and Payphone Consultants. The company is also expected to sign additional agreements with competitors in the near future. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing and other information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. Its telephone operations provide service over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world for approximately 21 million telephone lines in a nine state region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. For Information Contact: Joe Chandler BellSouth Telecommunicatons (404) 529-6235 ---------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Revs Up For Birmingham Olympic Soccer Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 18:42:58 PDT From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH REVS UP FOR BIRMINGHAM OLYMPIC SOCCER BellSouth .......................................July 16 BELLSOUTH REVS UP FOR BIRMINGHAM OLYMPIC SOCCER Birmingham, AL--Sports fans around the globe will see and learn about the world's most exciting athletic events this month via one of the world's most advanced telecommunications systems -- the BellSouth network. And Alabama will be part of the Olympic Games action. BellSouth has taken several steps to provide top-notch telecommuni- cations support to Olympic athletes, officials, travelers and local fans attending soccer matches July 20-28 at Legion Field. These include: --Increased calling capacity; --Expanded capacity for cellular service; --Additional payphones; --A special network for the Olympic Family; and --A system for giving fast service to international media. "With so many international visitors here, we anticipate a big increase in calling," said Neal Travis, president of BellSouth's Alaba operations. "W've increased our calling capacity for access to long distance companies, beefed up the number of payphones at Legion Field and made special arrangements for cellular demand. In addition to increasing cellular capacity, BellSouth Mobility is adding a COW (cellular-on-wheels) site at the stadium and establishing on-site offices for cellular sales and repairs." For teams and officials, BellSouth will connect up to 980 phone lines between major Olympic sites in Birmingham and the Atlanta Olympic Network. This system allows 5-digit dialing between phones anywhere on the network. Travis said that BellSouth also has a master contract for using AT&Ts Language Line Service. The service will enable BellSouth representatives to better communicate with international media needing quick installation of BellSouth telephone service at Legion Field. With credit card payment, such media customers will be able to obtain service within about 30 minutes. From Birmingham, BellSouth will transmit Olympic soccer results via digital, television, voice and computer signals to the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in Atlanta. "From the IBC, video signals will go worldwide, with accompanying voice descriptions in many languages," Travis said. " The same network will also transmit news stories and statistics. This technology will help broadcasters and journalists provide more comprehensive Olympic soccer coverage than ever before." "BellSouth is ready for Birmingham Olympic soccer participants and guests" Travis said. " We want them to enjoy what our Alabama customers have every day -- world-class telecommunications service." BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company providing telecommunications, wireless telecommunications, directory advertising and publishing, and information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. Its telephone operations provide service over one of the most modern telecommunications networks in the world for approximately 22 million telephone lines in a nine-state region that includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For Information Contact: Bill Todd, BellSouth 972-2984, Birmingham or 800-803-2236 Scott Mall, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games 404-224-5070 --------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: rh120@vanakam.cc.columbia.edu (Ronda Hauben) Subject: Telecom Bills and Funding in NY - Why So Little Public Discussion? Date: 17 Jul 1996 16:05:31 GMT Organization: Columbia University I just found out that there are several telecom laws being considered in New York State that I previously had heard nothing about. In fact one of the the programs was that there is $50 million to be distributed over the next five years, and for the $10 million to be distributed the first year, proposals had to be in by May 15, 1996. So it seems that $10 million was is to be distributed by a "Diffusion Program Committee" and the deadline for applications came and went and there has been very little publication of the information about it. When I tried to call the telephone number for information about the project, the number 1-800-299-2640 just gave a recording and hung up. So there is goverrment activity supposedly distributing funds for telecommunication infrastructure activity in New York State, but there seems very little announcement about any of it or public discussion about any of it. Also there seem to be a number of laws before the State legislature. I wondered why there is so little public discussion of what is going on at the State level in Telecommunications. Is the same thing happening in other states in the U.S.? Is there little or no public discussion of what the telecommunications policy should be, but meanwhile laws are being crafted and funding given out? Also I wonder if this is what is happening in other countries. In any case, in New York State, the online community seems to have little way to know what the State is doing regarding policy and law of spreading the Internet. Ronda rh120@columbia.edu ronda@panix.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: CPUC Halts AT&T Billing Plans Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 23:37:57 PDT Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 22:15:18 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: NEWS: CPUC Halts AT&T Billing Plans FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jerry Kimata (415) 394-3739 jerry.kimata@pactel.com CPUC Halts AT&T Billing Plans SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today ordered AT&T to stop taking back billing for its services from Pacific Bell until customers are given adequate notification of their options. The CPUC also ordered AT&T to send a corrective letter to all residential customers now receiving the AT&T bill to give them an opportunity to continue to receive a single bill from Pacific Bell for all their Pacific Bell and AT&T charges. "We're relieved the Commission has put a stop to AT&T's billing practice until customers are given adequate notification of their real choices, which includes continued billing by Pacific Bell," said John Gueldner, Vice President-Regulatory. The Commission found that AT&T violated a 1994 CPUC decision on two counts: it failed to give its customers the required 60-day notice before issuing a separate bill for AT&T charges; and it failed to have the customer letter reviewed by the commission's Public Advisor's Office prior to sending it. On June 20, Pacific Bell charged AT&T with illegally starting to bill residence customers directly for its services in California without giving customers the required advance notice and without obtaining the necessary approvals from the CPUC. Pacific Bell received close to 200,000 calls from customers who were confused by the new AT&T practice. ----------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Jul 96 12:31:51 PDT From: TELECOM Digest Editor Subject: That Scum, Hector Davila This is something that got thrown over my transom this morning. I thought many of you would be interested. PAT ----------------------------------------------- Pat, > Any of our El Lay readers care to make a visit to > 1680 North Vine Street, Suite 1103 and tell us about it? > Lay off the number on Finley Street until its owner's identity > has been established. I just returned from visiting both addresses and have a few tidbits of information. 1680 North Vine Street is on the southeast corner of Hollywood and Vine, an area that is nowhere near as glamerous as it once was. It is a 12-story, older office building, with lots of little tiny offices. Number 1103 had two business names on the door: American Photo Restoration and The Gruberman Group. No other names were in evidence. The door was ajar and I was able to see that the office was comprised of a small reception area and two inner offices. The reception desk held an old (286-vintage) PC. One of the inner offices was open and a young woman (who appeared to be in her 20's) was working there. When she saw me, she got up, came to the door, and asked if she could help me. I asked, "Is Hector here?". She asked who was calling, and I replied that I only wanted to verify that Hector worked there, and left. I then drove to 4431 Finley Street and discovered that it is an apartment building with about 10 smallish units. The only tenant I spoke with could not speak English. The mailbox for unit #6 had the names S. Gruberman and H. Davila on it. There might have been an additional initial before "S.Gruberman", but if so it was hidden (the part I could see said ".S.GRUBERMAN"). The Los Angeles phone book has the following listings: Gruberman Computer Training 1680 Vine 213-463-0837 American Photo Restoration 1680 Vine 213-461-3009 (Hmmm, just the same as HLD Publishing Co.) Hector Davila 4431 Finley Street (Apt. 6) 213-660-3693 I can find no listings anywhere for S. Gruberman or ?.S. Gruberman. If you really want to, a certified letter with return receipt might elicit the first name. Based on the totality of the evidence, I think it is fair to say that the H. Davila and S. Gruberman at 4431 Finley Street are the people behind HLD Publishing. I suspect that the young lady I met at the office was Ms. Gruberman. If someone were to call Ms. Gruberman and remind her that it is bad karma to associate with extortists, it might liven up Mr. Davila's life (and certainly his relationship with her). I hope that you find this information useful. Keep up the good work on comp.dcom.telecom. I read it every morning and consider it essential reading. Please do not publish my name in connection with the above material. I prefer to not be a victim if Mr. Davila turns out to be a nut case. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #345 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jul 18 19:59:17 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id TAA19206; Thu, 18 Jul 1996 19:59:17 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 19:59:17 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607182359.TAA19206@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #346 TELECOM Digest Thu, 18 Jul 96 19:59:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 346 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Book Review: "NetPages" by Estrada (Rob Slade) Hurricane Bertha Fails to Disconnect BellSouth Phones (Mike King) Newspaper/PacBell Marketing Alliance (Mike King) Call for Seminar Instructors (msm4174@aol.com) Telecoms @ the Internet II, 28-31 October, Geneva (Izi Muraben) BellSouth Reports Record Earnings (Mike King) Last Laugh! This is a True Story. Really. (Monty Solomon) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 04:30:37 EST From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "NetPages" by Estrada BKNETPAG.RVW 960531 "NetPages", Susan Estrada, 1996, 0-9651670-0-3, U$9.95/C$13.95/UK#6.9/FR50/DM15/A$13.95/JY1250 %A Susan Estrada sestrada@aldea.com %C 2380 Camino Vida Roble, P O Box 188125, Carlsbad, CA 92009 %D 1996 %G 0-9651670-0-3 %I Aldea Communications, Inc. %O U$9.95/C$13.95/UK#6.9/FR50/DM15/A$13.95/JY1250 %O +1-619-929-1100 fax: +1-619-929-0580 info@aldea.com www.aldea.com %P 214 %T "NetPages" Godin and McBride did the "1994 Internet White Pages" (cf. BKINTWHP.RVW) and haven't yet attempted an update. Hahn and Stout claim the "original" (cf. BKINTYLP.RVW), and New Riders the "official" (cf. BKNRYLPG.RVW), "Yellow Pages", in their third and second editions respectively. Aldea's blue, white and yellow NetPages in one volume is now in it's third (Spring and Summer of 1996) edition. It is my understanding that NetPages was originally intended to be supplied like the phone book, with both hardcopy and online versions being provided free of charge and the project to be funded by the sale of advertising. There is more advertising in this edition than in the first, but not a lot. (Every page in the white section advertises CompuServe, and the book comes with a CompuServe starter kit.) Hence, probably, the price increase. The blue pages are a remarkably cogent and concise "at a glance" guide to the Internet. Email components, mailing lists, codes of conduct, good references, and business on the Internet are covered quickly, but with all the major points covered. (The list of Internet books, never a strong point, has been removed.) The white pages have first business, and then individual, listings. This is very handy in terms of finding people, but an additional page colour might be of benefit here, to distinguish the two sections. I looked for the authors (all of whom are active on the net) of the last six books I reviewed: none of them were there. (I am, with one valid and two defunct addresses. Also, where others have a company name or title, I have "K.B." and "C.CA", neither of which make any sense to me.) The listing system is automated: you now sign up at the www.aldea.com Web page. (Formerly submissions could be handled by email.) In this version, there are many more companies listed in the yellow pages. However, the size is still being padded: there are eighteen pages of mailing lists, and more than half of the yellow pages are a list of Usenet newsgroups. (14,000 of them, so it's a pretty good list.) The information in the book states that it will be published twice annually. For information on availability, send email to np-pickup@aldea.com. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1995, 1996 BKNETPAG.RVW 960531 Distribution permitted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca rslade@vanisl.decus.ca BCVAXLUG Envoy http://www.decus.ca/www/lugs/bcvaxlug.html ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Hurricane Bertha Fails to Disconnect BellSouth Phones Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 10:01:05 PDT Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 17:52:46 -0400 From: BellSouth Subject: BellSouth-Bertha fails to disconnect BellSouth phones BellSouth .......................................July 15, 1996 Bertha fails to disconnect BellSouth phones WILMINGTON -- A communications system is never completely "hurricane-proof." But BellSouth's network in New Hanover County comes close. Despite Hurricane Bertha's 105 mph winds, more than 90% of BellSouth's 200,000 customers never lost telephone service. Presently, about 800 lines have been reported out of service. "The design of the network, as well as our local preparations, really paid off for our customers," said Kay Warner, BellSouth Director of Corporate and External Affairs. "Hurricane Bertha proved we are keeping our commitment to provide advanced, reliab le communications service that is second to none." Because the vast majority of the company's facilities in this area are below ground, physical damage was limited. "We had survey teams out last night and this morning," Warner said. "They found we have quite a few drops down, cables that are holding up trees, and some poles down. But there was no extensive damage." In addition to the 100 local technicians, 30 technicians arrived today from Greensboro and Charlotte to assist in repairing damaged aerial cable and service wires and installing new drop lines. On Monday, an additional 20 technicians will arrive from Sou th Carolina "We plan to have all our customers back in service by Wednesday," Warner said. Before the storm swept into town, a strike team of specialists from all nine BellSouth states arrived to begin coordinating distribution of mobile electrical generators, a crucial aspect of keeping telephones ringing when commercial electric power is out. "Central offices have emergency generators that automatically come when commercial power goes down," Warner said. "The distribution hubs in the network have batteries that take over when that happens. So we have to use mobile generators to provide power until commercial facilities are back on-line." More than a dozen generators were deployed last night before dark. Additional generators went on-line this morning. "We loaded 103 generators on trucks and kept them out of harm's way at Florence, SC, until Bertha passed," Warner said. "The trucks arrived at 2:30 this morning and technicians began deploying the generators at dawn." For Information Contact: Kay Warner 910-392-8728 ----------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: Newspaper/PacBell Marketing Alliance Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 16:59:48 PDT Date: Mon, 15 Jul 1996 08:55:54 -0700 From: sqlgate@list.pactel.com Subject: Newspaper Forms Marketing Alliance With Pacific Bell Internet Services To Promote New Service And Provide Users With Ready Internet Access FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ralph Frattura, Sacramento Bee (916) 321-1152 rfrattura@sacbee.com Dave Miller, Pacific Bell Internet Services (916) 972-2811 dnmille@legal.pactel.com Newspaper Forms Marketing Alliance With Pacific Bell Internet Services To Promote New Service And Provide Users With Ready Internet Access Sacramento Bee Launches Northern California's Premiere Source Of Online News And Information On The Internet SACRAMENTO - The Sacramento Bee debuted its new Internet Web site today, becoming Northern California's first major daily newspaper to provide computer users in Sacramento and around the world with useful, entertaining and timely online news and information. The newspaper also announced a joint marketing alliance with Pacific Bell Internet Services, one of California's leading Internet access providers for consumers and small businesses, to promote its service and attract new users. Sacbee.com is free and located on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet at http://www.sacbee.com . Produced by The Bee's New Media Department, sacbee.com will feature news stories, columns, editorials and classified ads from each daily edition of the newspaper. In addition, Sacramento Bee Online also offers users a Sacramento Almanac that provides a variety of useful regional information along with feature sections on humor, the movies and life at the office. "It's an exciting opportunity to supplement what we do well in The Bee," said Frank Whittaker, president and general manager of The Bee. "Nobody else has our capability to collect, interpret and present information. We welcome the challenge to apply these skills to a new medium." "Sacbee.com is going to be a fun and informative web site that computer users will enjoy visiting," said Ed Canale, The Bee's marketing director. "Because of the nature of online, sacbee.com can nicely support The Bee's daily newspaper coverage by providing added information for those wanting it. But it is not an electronic newspaper," he added. "It's a web site that will provide timely, and always accessible, information and features that are attractive to Sacramento's growing online audience." Currently, more than 176,000 residents in Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado and Placer counties, subscribe to an online service. To help handle that increased demand and ensure that virtually all users and the bulk of The Bee's subscribers have access via a local call, Pacific Bell Internet Services plans to triple the number of local dial up access points serving the four-county region by August. The Pacific Bell Internet access service offered in conjunction with the Sacramento Bee is available free for up to 30 days and features one-button access to sacbee.com and a special Sacramento regional home page, according to Rick Hronicek, president of Pacific Bell Internet Services. "This is a great partnership that leverages off the strengths of both companies by giving users fast, reliable and affordable high performance Internet connections along with access to the best content available on Sacramento and Northern California," said Hronicek. Pacific Bell Internet's service for The Bee offers local dial up Internet access at speeds up to 28.8 Kbps (Kilobits per second) from every point in the network. Prices range from $9.95 a month for 10 hours of access time up to $19.95 a month for unlimited access. Unlike other Internet service providers who require users to purchase telephone service in addition to Internet access to receive specific pricing, Pacific Bell Internet pricing plans are available to all prospective users. In addition to providing expanded news coverage and information, sacbee.com will also include upbeat and lively features unique to the site, according to Ralph Frattura, The Bee's new media manager. Smile!, produced every weekday in time for lunch on the West Coast, will include a collection of the best jokes from television talk shows, an entertaining sampling of shopping market tabloid stories and occasional looks at some of the most unusual home pages on the web. The Online Movie Club will give browsers the latest reviews, local theater times and other happenings in the world of movies, plus plenty of chances to win free movie tickets. At The Office will give web surfers plenty to digest in the area of career advice and a look at issues both serious and not so serious. Sacramento Almanac will be a developing feature of sacbee.com. It will provide a broad range of Sacramento information, including government services, parks, recreational opportunities, frequently called numbers and maps of the Sacramento area. Frattura said sacbee.com will be expanded to include additional information and features in the future, including an online Bee archive, a powerful search engine and new content categories. Prospective customers can subscribe to the Sacramento Bee version of Pacific Bell Internet by calling toll free 1-800-4bee (4233) or they can directly download the software from the Web at http://www.pacbell.net/sacbee. Pacific Bell Internet Services ( www.pacbell.net ) is a full service Internet access provider serving business and residential customers in California. The company offers a broad range of Internet access services that feature simple, affordable ways for reaching the estimated 30 million users on the world's largest and most powerful computer network. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Bell, the largest unit of parent company Pacific Telesis Group, a San Francisco-based diversified telelcommunications corporation. The Sacramento Bee is California's fifth largest newspaper and the largest in Northern California. The winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, The Bee publishes two daily regional editions covering all of Northern California. The Bee is owned by McClatchy Newspapers, a Sacramento-based news and information company that also publishes the Modesto Bee, Fresno Bee, the News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina and the Anchorage Daily News. ---------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ From: msm4174@aol.com (Msm4174) Subject: Call for Seminar Instructors Date: 18 Jul 1996 00:18:10 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: msm4174@aol.com (Msm4174) An international provider of IT, communications, and advanced computing seminars, located in Los Angeles, is seeking qualified instructors to deliver two day seminars in Latin America - Mexico, Colombia, Argentina. Immediate need is for an instructor to deliver a two day seminar on IT Project Management in Colombia in November. Instructor requirements: 10+ years (preferably 15) in the field; has held responsible positions with major organizations; has delivered seminars and other training programs previously, either publicly or with an established university extension program. Instructor would assist in preparation of publicity materials; develop viewgraphs, provide a copy of viewgraphs for printing, and deliver about five hours of instruction per day - ten hours over the two days. Sponsoring organization would handle all other details. Normal honorarium for this type of seminar is $600 per day of instruction plus all expenses. Typical audience is composed of senior managers and senior technical staff from the leading government and industry organizations. We are not looking for overview-type material, but the latest information presented in a practical, applied manner. Once the initial seminar has been evaluated, instructors would be asked to do other seminars in other Latin American markets. Below is the framework for the course curriculum. It is by no means a finalized curriculum, simply a starting point for discussion. Persons with "packaged" seminars on this topic are invited to propose an alternative curriculum. To respond, please email me at msm4174@aol.com or fax your materials (CV, a brief outline if you have one) to Mark Mitchell at 541-484-4174. I look forward to hearing from you. I. Managing Information Systems Projects Unique challenges in developing information systems Unique challenges in managing IS projects II. Planning the Project Estimating cost and schedule Benefit/cost ratios Bottom up vs. top down estimating Defining quality requirements Defining resource requirements Estimating reliability requirements Developing the implementation plan III. Systems Analysis and Design Analysis of company/business objectives Identifying entity relationships IV. Controlling the Project Selecting the project manager Tools for project management Managing project changes Assigning project responsibilities Cost, schedule and technical controls Evaluation and management of risks Documenting the system V. Building and Managing the Project Team The 10 Rules of project management Structuring the team Special guidelines for managing multiple projects VI. Using Metrics to Measure Work Performance Generating measures Using earned value techniques Trend analysis VII. Methodologies for Developing Information Systems Evaluation of development techniques Modeling entity relationships Functional decomposition Data flow analysis Object Oriented Methods VIII. Evaluation of CASE Support Tools to support project management Tools to support system development How to use CASE tools IX. Guidelines for Developing Information Systems Using reengineering concepts and techniques When and where to use external consultants 4GL development techniques Platform considerations Creating executive information systems X. Using Information Systems Role of the project manager as a link with end-users User interface requirements Managing system changes and modifications ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 18:20:24 BST From: izi@pavilion.co.uk (Izi Muraben) Subject: Telecoms @ the Internet II, 28-31 October, Geneva I produce ca. 20 telecoms conferences per year and I seriously do not plan to abuse precious bandwidth with self promotion. I do, however, honestly believe that Telecoms @ the Internet II is THE best conference I'm ever likely to produce and extremely relevant to Digest readers. Have a quick browse on http://iir.co.uk/tel-inet and please let me have your comments. I hope to see you in Geneva. Regards, IZI MURABEN izi@pavilion.co.uk CONFERENCES: IIR (Institute for International Research) Ltd tel +44 171 9155095 fax +44 171 9155001 PRIVATE: tel +44 1273 722986 ------------------------------ From: Mike King Subject: BellSouth Reports Record Earnings Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 16:08:48 PDT Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 13:54:26 -0400 (EDT) From: BellSouth Subject: BELLSOUTH REPORTS RECORD EARNINGS BellSouth .......................................July 18, 1996 ATLANTA - With the largest base of U.S. access lines growing at a record rate, and strong customer gains continuing in domestic and international cellular, BellSouth Corporation (NYSE: BLS) reported its 14th consecutive quarter of improved operating results, with earnings per share (EPS) of 63 cents in the second quarter of 1996. EPS of 63 cents increased 12.5 percent compared with the second quarter a year ago, when EPS was 56 cents excluding extraordinary charges. BellSouth's operations generated the highest profit for any quarter in the company's history. Net income of $629 million in the three months ended June 30, 1996 increased 12.9 percent compared with the second quarter of 1995, excluding the extraordinary charges. "We're marketing the services people want from BellSouth, and meeting our customers' needs continues to pay off," said John L. Clendenin, BellSouth's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our consistent and reliable operational performance adds to BellSouth's financial strength as we enter new markets in long distance, Personal Communications Services, video and Internet services." Spurred by successful region-wide marketing programs as well as by demand for telecommunications services related to the Atlanta Olympic Games, BellSouth's access line growth in the second quarter of 1996 eclipsed previous milestones. The company added 229,000 access lines, shattering the second quarter record of 176,000 BellSouth set just one year ago. Access lines grew at an annual rate of 5.0 percent, the fastest ever for BellSouth. Other highlights of the second quarter: * BellSouth extended its leadership in access lines, and continues to set the industry pace with 21,721,000; * In cellular, the company registered 100 percent-plus annual growth in international customers, and boosted its customer count on a worldwide basis to over 4 million for the first time. In the U.S., mobile phone customers totaled 3,231,000 at June 30, up 31 percent from a year earlier; * Business access lines increased at a record annual rate of 8.7 percent; * Marketing promotions drove an increase of 34,000 additional residential lines, which were up 20.6 percent from the same quarter a year ago; * BellSouth further increased market penetration of its telephone convenience features such as MemoryCallr service and Caller ID. MemoryCall voice mailboxes increased at an annual rate of 21 percent, while Caller ID features zoomed 99 percent. Revenue from these and other enhanced services increased 24 percent, to more than $236 million. BellSouth's revenues of $4.6 billion in the 1996 second quarter increased 5.2 percent compared with the same quarter a year earlier. Total operating expenses increased 4.2 percent. When the paging operations sold in January 1996 are excluded, quarterly revenues were up 7.3 percent, and total operating expenses increased 6.6 percent. In BellSouth's telephone operations, cash operating expenses were up only 2.8 percent. BellSouth is a $17.9 billion communications services company. It provides telecommunications, wireless communications, directory advertising and publishing, video and information services to more than 25 million customers in 17 countries worldwide. # # # NOTE: For more information about BellSouth Corporation, visit the BellSouth Web page at http://www.bellsouth.com/ BellSouth Corporation news releases dating back one year are available by fax at no charge by calling 1-800-758-5804, Ext. 096560. For Information Contact: Tim Klein (404)249-4135 Al Schweitzer (404)249-2832 -------------------- Mike King * Oakland, CA, USA * mk@wco.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 01:54:52 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Last Laugh! This is a True Story. Really. Reply-To: monty@roscom.COM Forwarded to the Digest FYI: Newsgroups: rec.humor.funny Organization: MDL Information Systems, Inc. From: gary@mdli.com (Gary Marquart) Subject: This is a true story. Really. Date: Tue, 16 Jul 96 19:30:01 EDT Our telephone system here goes on automatic outside normal hours and, like many others, invites callers to dial the desired extension; "If you don't know your party's extension, but do know their (sic) name, spell it, last name first." So, I got a call from someone who will go unnamed, who told me, "Your super fancy telephone system really sucks!" Why? I inquired. "Well, I called the other evening, but I forgot your extension. I tried spelling your name, and nothing happened!" Really, I said. Did you start with my last name? "Of course, just the way the system told me to." Well, maybe you entered it too fast. "I tried three times, and very slowly: M A R ... Q ..." Well, there isn't a Q on the dial. What key did you press for Q? --- Long pause --- "What do you mean, press keys?" After I stopped laughing, she'd hung up. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #346 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Thu Jul 18 22:27:06 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id WAA03948; Thu, 18 Jul 1996 22:27:06 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 22:27:06 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607190227.WAA03948@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #347 TELECOM Digest Thu, 18 Jul 96 22:27:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 347 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems (Linc Madison) Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems (Thor Lancelot Simon) AT&T Offers Callback to European Countries! (Eric Tholome) Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! (Bob Goudreau) Re: ISDN in MD, VA, PA, DC or NJ ... Help Needed (John Cropper) Re: Increasing Network Availability (Gary B. Page) Re: Providing De-regulated Dial Tone (John R. Levine) Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th (Toby Nixon) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com (Linc Madison) Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 01:07:52 -0700 Organization: Best Internet Communications In article , JSeder@syntel.com wrote: > I observe that the Pacific Bell Caller ID clock is 14 (fourteen) > seconds ahead of the correct time (determined with a shortwave radio > tuned to WWV). > Just for fun, I called 415-POPCORN and heard that their time > annunciator is about four seconds off. > Who is supposed to set these? Are they supposed to be accurate? Very interesting -- I spoke with a friend here in San Francisco earlier today; he just got Pacific Bell Caller-ID and reports that the time it displays is about a minute or a minute and a half SLOW. I just tried POPCORN against the U.S. Naval Observatory, and it was within about one second. I don't know how POPCORN (the local number for time in at least some Pacific Bell areas) is routed or how many different servers they use, and I have no idea what time base their Caller ID system uses. Linc Madison * San Francisco, Calif. * Telecom@Eureka.vip.best.com ------------------------------ From: tls@panix.com (Thor Lancelot Simon) Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems Date: 17 Jul 1996 22:17:22 -0400 Organization: Panix Reply-To: tls@rek.tjls.com In article , wrote: > I observe that the Pacific Bell Caller ID clock is 14 (fourteen) > seconds ahead of the correct time (determined with a shortwave radio > tuned to WWV). > Just for fun, I called 415-POPCORN and heard that their time > annunciator is about four seconds off. > Who is supposed to set these? Are they supposed to be accurate? I don't know about the Caller ID clock, but as regards 415-POP-CORN, you're at the mercy of the accuracy of the clock in their IVR system, probably a PC with a Dialogic voice board in it. One of our systems here seems to have a particualrly bad clock; it loses up to three seconds per hour. We keep its clock, and those of our other IVR systems, in very tight sync to the correct time; our firewall keeps Internet time via NTP, and it's redistributed through our network by our Cisco routers. We like to think that our time-of-day easter-egg in our IVR software is likely somewhat more accurate than the $0.75 976-1616. I doubt that most other operators of distributed IVR systems do this; in fact, I'm rather surprised that a few of them work at all. Thor Lancelot Simon tls@panix.COM ------------------------------ From: tholome@francenet.fr (Eric Tholome) Subject: AT&T Offers Callback to European Countries! Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 21:37:07 +0200 Do you remember the old times when AT&T were fighting against callback operators (operators who take advantage of the price difference between calls from Europe to the U.S. and from the U.S. to Europe to offer cheap calls to European countries by setting up their calls the other way around)? Well, sounds like they've changed their minds ... I've just received a letter offering me to sign up to AT&T's new callback service! "If you frequently make international calls from your home or office, then you should use the AT&T International Call Plan. The per minute rates are among the lowest in Europe. With the AT&T International Call Plan, a five-minute call from France to the U.S. costs only US$2.20. How does the service work? For extra discounts, just dial the AT&T platform directly, and you will be called back straightaway. [...] The AT&T International Call Plan is available to customers living in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Norway." As the French proverb says: "Y'a que les imbeciles qui ne changent pas d'avis" (only fools don't change their minds)... Eric Tholome | displayed with | private account 23, avenue du Centre | 100% recycled | tholome@francenet.fr 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux |___ pixels! ___| phone: +33 1 30 48 06 47 France \________/ fax: same number, call first! (if calling, remember that France is 6 to 10 hours ahead of the U.S.A.!) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 11:52:21 -0400 From: goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com (Bob Goudreau) Subject: Re: Olympic Payphone Gouging -- Thwarted! owen.adair@turner.com (Owen Adair) writes: > I work in the Inforum, overlooking Centennial Olympic(tm) Park and > ground zero for the Olympics. As I walk around in the area, there are > indeed *many* non-Bellsouth/AT&T phones being installed, but they are > in private parking lots, hillsides, and any other square inch of space > they can find. ACOG is powerless (amazing) to keep these out even with > Bellsouth a major sponsor. Well, I'd be amazed (and greatly disturbed) if it were otherwise. Running an Olympiad isn't supposed to give the ACOG or anyone else the power to run roughshod over the Constitution. Having a COCOT on private property is a matter between the property owner and the Public Utilities Commission only. ACOG shouldn't be allowed to get involved unless one of their property rights (say, illegal use of the Olympic rings logo) is being violated. Bob Goudreau Data General Corporation goudreau@dg-rtp.dg.com 62 Alexander Drive +1 919 248 6231 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA ------------------------------ From: psyber@usa.pipeline.com (John Cropper) Subject: Re: ISDN in MD, VA, PA, DC or NJ ... Help Needed Date: 15 Jul 1996 22:22:05 GMT Organization: MindSpring On Jul 14, 1996 23.25.37 in article , 'Monty Solomon ' wrote: > Last fall Bell Altantic (BA) filed terrible tariffs in each of its > states. These were about $30 per month plus one or two cents per > minute for usage, which was the killer. After much criticism, BA has > re-filed tariffs which are lower, but still way too high. In the new > filings, you can buy 140 hours of one ISDN B channel (70 hours if you > bond two together into a single 128 Kpbs line) for $60 per month. > This is about .7 cents per minute per channel, and you pay for a > block, even if you don't use it. (The actual rates are on the CPT > ISDN page). I know of two *individuals* who were offered service here (NJ) for a FLAT $30-$35 a month (mainly because they already had Centrex service installed at their locations. There is no reason that cannot be extended to ALL users in a timely (12-24 monthes urban/suburban, 36 monthes rural) manner. Sure it would entail a more accelerated plan to fiber certain areas, but fiber is getting pretty common in my general area anyhow. > ISDN doesn't cost the Telco much more than an analog phone, > according to several studies. Some telephone companies have > voluntarily filed much lower tariffs for ISDN, such as $17.90 per > month, flat rate, in Arkansas, or $29.50 flat rate in parts of > California. Ameritech filed flat rate tariffs of $28 to $35 in Ohio, > Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Bell Atlantic is a bit more "money-wise", knowing that they have a large concentration of people willing to pay "current filed rates" for it. > In states were the tariffs have been contested, good things have > happened. $27 flat rate in Tennessee, where a Commissioner was an > ISDN user. In New Mexico, US West wanted $184 for its flat rate, but > the Commission set the rate at $40. In Texas, the Commission just set > a flat rate of $41 for GTE. In Delaware, a Bell Atlantic state, the > Commission set a rate of $28.02 ($24.52 excluding the $3.50 interstate > SLC charge). In Washington DC, there is a proposal before the > Commission for a $32 flat rate. > Studies of usage costs have ranged from 10 cents per hour to 5 cent per > day. > In Delaware and Washington DC, Bell Atlantic has threatened to > withdraw the service if the Commissions insists on the lower rates. > But the new telecom act requires them to provide such services, the > Commissions have the legal power to make it happen, and Bell Atlantic > wants to buy NYNEX, and shouldn't be causing so much grief. NYC and Boston alone would almost double the potential revenue base for BA. If they market a flat-rate ISDN, they could triple their base. This would cause a bit of a service problem, though (especially in suburban and rural areas), as everyone is not yet "wired" (nor will they be for quite a few years). > If we intervene, with local residents or organizations or firms, it > sends a signal to the Commission that the issue is important (how to > price the new digital services), and that people want to get the > service at reasonable rates. Perhaps, but be ready for the "kicking and screaming" from BA, and its shareholders, who are more interested in profit, than the investment necessary to increase it down the road. John Cropper, President NiS / NexComm POB 277, Pennington, NJ USA 08534-0277 voice: 800-247-8675 (609-637-9434 inside NJ) psyber@usa.pipeline.com ------------------------------ From: gbpage@aol.com (Gbpage) Subject: Re: Increasing Network Availability Date: 17 Jul 1996 10:40:25 -0400 Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364) Reply-To: gbpage@aol.com (Gbpage) I am not much of a specialist in TCP network management, but this goes to the heart of the principles of general fault management that I try to use for my customers (I work for a small network management oriented consulting company). In my view, increasing network availability is one of the key goals of fault management. Availability is improved by either increasing the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) or decreasing the Mean Time To Repair(MTTR). Most fault management techniques address MTTR, but there are some that address MTBF as well. To understand the ways in which fault management can improve MTTR, we need to look at where the time is actually spent. First, there is some time that passes between the time of the failure and the time at which anyone sees a symptom. Fault management systems address this time by collecting symptom information (alarms) remotely, and delivering them to people at the operations center. If the problems affect things that are being used by humans, they also call in and report symptoms. Ideally, this information should be made available to the people responsible for coordinating repair activities. The people who are responding to problems may well be busy. We need to interrupt them only if the problem we have just detected is more important than the one they are working on. In order to do this, we need to determine what the problem is, and how important the effects of the problem are. A number of techniques are applied here. At the simplest level, we analyze the symptoms we are seeing, and look at the severity of the alarm type being reported, along with the "size" of the object affected. This gives us a first cut at how important the problem is. This is used as the basis in most systems for setting the color of the displayed version of the object, and for ordering alarms in a current alarm list. Both of these are techniques for getting the attention of users. Unfortunately, this rough approach can be misleading. First, it can point the analyst away from the site that has the real problem to a related site that is affected by the problem. Second, the user may be presented with far more symptoms than there are real problems, obscuring the situation, and slowing the response. In extreme cases, there may be 10,000-100,000 symptoms for a single problem. Third, since it only approximately reflects the impact of the problem, it can lead the user to addressing a problem that is not the one affecting the most important services. In the extreme, the analyst may attempt to solve a severe problem with a piece of the network that is not even in use yet, while neglecting a slightly less severe problem with a piece of the network that is heavily used. The problems are addressed through alarm (event) correlation. One use of alarm correlation is to determine what the real problem is, and associate with it the symptoms that can be explained by that problem. This is called Root Cause Alarm Analysis. We can then hide the problems that are explained. This makes the situation much clearer for the analyst. In addition, we can use correlation to help determine how important the problem is, by figuring out what the impact is. Both of these will allow the analyst to respond faster to the problem that is the most important. Alarm correlation is a complex problem. I teach a 2-3 day course on it, so I will not try to explain the techniques here. In some cases, it is necessary to gather additional information to determine what the real problem is. This can be handled through automated testing capabilities. Diagnosis can also be sped by using support for reasoning by the analyst (e.g., systems that lead the analyst through a diagnosis procedure). Time can also be wasted in a multiple analyst environment by having one analyst try to solve a problem that is already being worked on by someone else. This is addressed by techniques that allow analysts to select problems, and have them marked as under investigation, so others don't waste time. Once the problem is determined, and an analyst, or automated process, is addressing it, there are still things that can be done to speed the process. The simplest form of this is letting the analyst have remote access to the device console, so that no time is wasted going to the device itself. A more sophisticated approach, used for common, or very urgent, problems is to automate the commands sent to the device. Of course, some problems require physical intervention. Fault management can help with this by making available help on repair procedures, information about the equipment at the site, the location of the site, and even information on the inventory of repair parts available. Another way in which fault management can help is through tracking problems, so that none are forgotten about. Forgotten problems have a very long MTTR! There are also ways to improve MTBF of services. One is to improve repair time on backup equipment, so that there is more likely to be a backup in case of failure. Another is to analyze the history of previous failures to find symptoms that indicate approaching failures. Yet another is to support preventative maintenance programs by tracking the required preventative maintenance. Gary B. Page Senior Consultant INTERNATIONAL CENTERS FOR TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY page@ictt.com or Gbpage@aol.com 812-232-2276 Aleph Park 100 E. Campus Dr. Terre Haute, IN, USA 47803 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Jul 96 11:37 EDT From: johnl@iecc.com (John R Levine) Subject: Re: Providing De-regulated Dial Tone Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg, N.Y. > Can you have your own phone numbers and dial tone for others to dial > into instead of having numbers from the local phone company? [for your > own ISP] Depending on your local situation, this might just possibly make sense. The hardest part of running your typical telco is all the local loops out to all the customers, but if you just want to provide access to your ISP, you'd presumably colocate your telco switch with your ISP equipment, so the local loops would just run from one side of the patch panel to the other. You still need connections to the real phone company, which would presumably be at the least T1 trunks and more likely some SONET thing since you'd want 100% trunkage. It's not cheap to build all this, but it's possible. (Keep in mind that a teeny tiny phone switch is still prepared to handle several thousand lines, so you'd want to be a pretty darned big ISP to make this worthwhile.) You'd probably want to own the trunks so you get the incoming calls free or they might even pay you a little, since the separations depend on who owns how much of the interconnecting facilities. It also occurs to me that every large LEC in the country is dying to get into the long distance business where they think that there's enormous amounts of unregulated profit to be made.* But before they can do that, they need to show that they face competition for local service, so they're all just dying for the chance to show that they have a competitor, particularly if the competition is for a market they didn't really want anyway. You could even go into the modem bank business and subcontract the dial-in business for other local ISPs. It seems to me that modem banking is definitely a place where there's economies of scale, since monitoring a thousand modems is nowhere near ten times as much work as monitoring a hundred. And with your own switch, you could set up your own numbering plan so that each ISP had a separate range of dial-in numbers which you then mapped to a shared modem pool and told your router to connect the modem to the appropriate ISP. It'd be great. Then again, you could do the same thing without being a telco by ordering up a lot of DID trunks to a PBX and hooking the modems to that. * - Note to investors: based on the LECs' track record with other unregulated investments, they will lose billions of dollars while providing mediocre and not particularly cheap service. But I digress. John R. Levine, IECC, POB 640 Trumansburg NY 14886 +1 607 387 6869 johnl@iecc.com ------------------------------ From: Toby Nixon Subject: Re: Singapore's Internet Regulation Starts July 15th Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 10:25:11 -0700 bitblt@cybercom.net wrote: >> Although the SBA will have up to ten people monitoring cyberspace, he >> added that the success of its regulation would depend a lot on >> industry and community action. People can help, he said, by informing >> the SBA of the objectionable sites that they come across. > Why don't we do them the favor of finding all electronic copies of > their rules, and informing them that we find these rules objectionable? > By my understanding of what was stated there, that's exactly what > they're asking the world to do. We may not be able to depose their > goverment, but a large amount of grass-roots international pressure > might improve life for thier citizens. Does anybody have contact > information? The Singapore Broadcasting Authority web site is http://www.gov.sg/sba/ Information on their Internet Regulation is on http://www.gov.sg/sba/netreg/regrel.htm The content guidelines themselves are on http://www.gov.sg/sba/netreg/annexc.htm; I've attached them below. The "Content Management Requirements" are on http://www.gov.sg/sba/netreg/annexe.htm, and include such things as ISPs being required to "Deny access to blacklisted sites supplied by SBA", "Connect to provider's proxy server with blocked access to blacklisted sites", "Remove websites and/or webpages as directed by SBA", "Deny access to external newsgroups except those brought in by the IASPs", "Unsubscribe newsgroups and remove articles within newsgroups as directed by SBA", "Keep adequate audit trails and assist SBA in investigation of breach of license conditions", and "Assist SBA in gathering evidence and sanctioning errant users as directed by SBA". Scary. They ask you to send feedback to them at http://www.gov.sg/sba/feedback.htm SINGAPORE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY INTERNET CONTENT GUIDELINES Preamble The Internet is a valuable communication and research tool. The Authority shall continue to promote its use in the dissemination of information and the exchange of ideas. 2. It is the Authority's duty to safeguard the national interest of Singapore and to ensure that the benefits of the Internet are harnessed for the general good of our society. The Authority believes that regulating the Internet would aid in the development of a healthy Internet culture where responsible use of the positive aspects of the Internet is the norm. 3. All licensed Internet service providers and Internet content providers are required to comply with these content guidelines and to satisfy the Authority that they have taken adequate steps to fulfil this requirement. The Internet Content Guidelines: The following Internet contents should not be allowed: 4. Public Security and National Defence: a. Contents which jeopardise public security or national defence. b. Contents which undermine the public confidence in the administration of justice. c. Contents which present information or events in such a way that alarms or misleads all or any part of the public. d. Contents which tend to bring the Government into hatred or contempt, or which excite disaffection against the Government. 5. Racial and Religious Harmony a. Contents which denigrate or satirise any racial or religious group. b. Contents which bring any race or religion into hatred or resentment. c. Contents which promote religious deviations or occult practices such as Satanism. 6. Public Morals a. Contents which are pornographic or otherwise obscene. b. Contents which propagate permissiveness or promiscuity. c. Contents which depict or propagate gross exploitation of violence, nudity, sex or horror. d. Contents which depict or propagate sexual perversions such as homosexuality, lesbianism, and paedophilia. ---------------------------- [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: My goodness! They certainly do not leave anything to chance do they? I wonder how they plan to deal with all the spam; the get rich quick messages, etc? They'll probably just ban all those also. Maybe on this side of the world everyone should just reverse the process and blacklist everything which comes through with an '.sg' address on it. Just toss it in the bit bucket. Likewise, maybe the ISP's here could help out by refusing to pass along anything with '.sg' in the address. Just don't send them anything either. It would make the work of SBA a lot easier as I see it. :) If anyone misses them, let me know. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #347 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 19 00:14:07 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id AAA14077; Fri, 19 Jul 1996 00:14:07 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 00:14:07 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607190414.AAA14077@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #348 TELECOM Digest Fri, 19 Jul 96 00:14:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 348 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Telemedicine in Canada (Nigel Allen) Extra Charge for Trunk Line Hunting (phoneguy@hawkeyerec.com) SS7 Billing Question (Chris Telesca) Email to Fax Server (Rex Yan) Re: Availability of DTMF Dialing Outside North America (Gerben Vos) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Keith Southard) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Hillary Gorman) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Willis H. Ware) Caller ID: prv/anon/nodata (Ernest Mangini) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Gary Breuckman) Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem (Michael Stanford) Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking (Peter Bell) Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking (Justin Hamilton) Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking (Matt Schor) Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 (Michael Stanford) Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems (Stephen Satchell) Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? (Steven V. Christensen) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 16:19:42 EDT From: Nigel Allen Subject: Telemedicine in Canada Organization: Internex Online (shell.io.org), Toronto, Ontario, Canada A good overview of telemedicine in Canada can be found at http://ume.med.ucalgary.ca/~watanabe/htu/articles/telemedcanada.html Information on telemedicine at the University of Calgary can be found at http://ume.med.ucalgary.ca/htu/ Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario ndallen@io.org http://www.io.org/~ndallen/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 12:29:30 -0700 From: Jim Organization: Hawkeye Tri-County Subject: Extra Charge for Trunk Line Hunting While checking our phone bill recently, I discovered that we are being charged for rotary service, or hunt group service, as we should be. But our bill also shows a charge for trunk lines. The phone rep tells me that lines that terminate on a key system are called trunk lines and are charged at a higher price. We can have hunt group service without being charged an additional trunk line charge if the lines terminate on separate single line phone sets. Why can't I tell the phone company that I want the latter and terminate the lines on anything I want? After all, it's deregulated once inside our offices. Is there anything wrong with this reasoning? Jim ------------------------------ From: Chris Telesca Subject: SS7 Billing Question Date: 18 Jul 1996 19:27:30 GMT Organization: CampusMCI After an earlier posting about being billed for bogus remote-accessed call-forwarded calls, someone told me that BellSouth keeps a record of every time I make a call - its' called Signal System 7, or something along those lines. Basically, there's a record cut which tells the phone company who I called, when I made the call, how long the call lasted, and if any special call features (like Remote-Access Call-Forwarding) was used. Does anybody know how long phone companies (Bell South or others) keep those records for, and which field in the SS7 record contains the R-A C-F information, and which BellSouth office keeps those records? Thank you. Chris Telesca PO Box 98102 / Raleigh, NC 27624-8102 Voice/Fax (call first for fax): (919)676-2597 ------------------------------ From: Rex Yan Subject: Email to Fax Server Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 10:32:19 +0800 Organization: Infolink Communications (HK) Limited Can anybody provide the list for E-mail to Fax Server? Thanks in advance, Rex ryan@tmi.com.hk [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What do you mean by 'the list?' Do you mean a list of companies or ISP's which provide this service? If that is what you mean, perhaps some readers will respond direct to you with details. PAT] ------------------------------ From: gerben@cs.vu.nl (Gerben Vos) Subject: Re: Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America Organization: Fac. Wiskunde & Informatica, VU, Amsterdam Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 18:14:47 GMT Toby Nixon writes: > Does anyone know of a page on the WWW or other resource that indicates > the availability of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (TouchTone) dialing by > country? Or, assuming that might not be available, does anyone have > personal knowledge of particular countries outside North America where > TouchTone dialing is widely available and deployed? The last mechanical telephone exchanges in the Netherlands have been replaced by modern ones about two years ago. Since then, tone dialing has been possible in the entire country. It also meant the second dial tone (after the area code) could go away. I'm still not used to that. Of course, there are still lots of old pulse telephones around, but the telecommunications market is booming here also, and most new sold telephones use tone dialing. [Shpx gur Pbzzhavpngvbaf Qrprapl Npg] ... G e r b e n V o s <>< mailto:gerben@cs.vu.nl http://www.cs.vu.nl/%7Egerben/ Claimer: These are not opinions, these are facts. ------------------------------ From: Southard, Keith Date: Wed, 17 Jul 96 07:59:00 ADT Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So it appears she will not be able to > get the service from the telco at all and will have to handle private > calls through her own equipment as you note above. I'd still like to > know the difference between 'anonymous' and 'private' where B-A (her > telco) is concerned. Doesn't B-A send the message she sees on her > caller-id box? Does B-A have two different conditions like this? They > must, if they cause her box to print two different words. Now if > B-A handled 'anonymous' one way and 'private' another way then > perhaps she could use them. Any explanations on this? PAT] Anonymous and private calls are usually interpreted as the same thing. The difference can be attributed to the message a specific piece of equipment (your Caller ID display device) is programmed to display when it receives the "Private" indicator in the Calling Number data stream. Some will display "Private" others will display "Anonymous". The cause is the same in both cases, a "Private" indicator in the data fill instead of the calling number. The telephone switch doesn't send the message that is displayed, only the data, or the "private" indicator (which is a single letter, "P"). An "Unknown Caller" or "Out of Area" message is delivered by your Caller ID equipment when the calling number field is blank but no "Private" indicator in the data stream. The information is simply not there. There could be several causes for this to occur. First, the caller could be calling from an area that does not currently provide calling number display. Another cause could be that the call is being generated from behind a PBX system (most PBXs won't pass calling number information). Cellular telephones (for the largest part) do not pass calling number information, although here in Anchorage, one provider does provide Caller ID both inbound to its subscribers and on outbound calls. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But Hillary said she gets *both* types of response (anonymous and private) depending on who is calling. This would seem to imply B-A is sending one code one time and the other code other times. PAT] ------------------------------ From: hillary@netaxs.com (hillary gorman) Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: 17 Jul 1996 13:18:17 GMT Organization: Philadelphia's Complete Internet Provider [technical stuff snipped] > Hope this helps you out, Hillary. > Derek J. Balling Thanks for the ideas, Derek. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So it appears she will not be able to > get the service from the telco at all and will have to handle private > calls through her own equipment as you note above. I'd still like to > know the difference between 'anonymous' and 'private' where B-A (her > telco) is concerned. Doesn't B-A send the message she sees on her > caller-id box? Does B-A have two different conditions like this? They > must, if they cause her box to print two different words. Now if > B-A handled 'anonymous' one way and 'private' another way then > perhaps she could use them. Any explanations on this? PAT] Now, Pat -- according to Bell, they don't change the data as it comes into their switch from the "antiquated" Fairchild switch, and therefore the "anonymous" (according to Bell, which does send "private" when the privacy flag is checked, or -unavailable- if data is unavailable) is originating from Fairchild. According to Fairchild, they are not sending any data from the front desk at all. They say if they *are* sending anonymous, which they deny doing, but if they *are* (don't you love that?), then it is the fault of the ancient switch "doing it by itself." Uh-huh. So, I don't know, this is not my forte, as perhaps your more knowledgable readers have noticed :), but I am trying to understand. My friend (not cousin) Vinny is going to come over later this week, and we will call his mom at her 800 number (which has ANI) from the front desk, and see what it says on her end. I"ll let you know what happens. hillary gorman..........hillary@netaxs.com For Net Access questions, write to: ------------------------------ Reply-To: willis@rand.org Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: Wed, 17 Jul 96 09:20:12 PDT From: Willis H. Ware If I understand the situation properly ... Since the connection from the front desk is via an external Bell Atlantic line and since Ms. Gorman has a caller-ID device on her private line: Why doesn't her ID box show the number of the calling party which in the case of a front-desk call would be that of the apartment building in which she lives -- and hence easily recognizable? OR: Why couldn't it be arranged to show the apartment building number? Maybe the apartment building has default complete blocking (if that is available in her area) and it could be changed. OR: How about putting the distinctive ring feature on her phone and having the front-desk call on the related alternate number? The last is only a few dollars per month plus (probably) an installation charge. Willis H. Ware Santa Monica, CA [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Willis, I think you came into this discussion late. The problem is the front desk and the telephone contractor for same claim they are not blocking the number but that the equipment they use is unable to transmit it. Now why B-A does not treat that as 'data not available' or 'out of area' is one mystery we are trying to solve. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Ernest Mangini Date: Thu, 18 Jul 96 09:08:39 -0400 Reply-To: Ernest Mangini Subject: Caller ID: prv/anon/nodata Here's the explanation I've received *from one source*: private caller id info *intentionally* blocked by the caller. anonymous caller id not supported at the source. no data caller id data is lost somewhere along the link. HTH. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Everywhere else where Caller-ID is 'not supported at the source' it seems the end result on a caller-id box is 'out of area'. PAT] ------------------------------ From: puma@netcom.com (Gary Breuckman) Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 00:04:59 GMT On Tue, 16 Jul 1996, Patrick A. Townson wrote: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: So it appears she will not be able to > get the service from the telco at all and will have to handle private > calls through her own equipment as you note above. I'd still like to > know the difference between 'anonymous' and 'private' where B-A (her > telco) is concerned. Doesn't B-A send the message she sees on her > caller-id box? Does B-A have two different conditions like this? They > must, if they cause her box to print two different words. Now if > B-A handled 'anonymous' one way and 'private' another way then > perhaps she could use them. Any explanations on this? PAT] The caller_id string that the telco sends you has a position for the 10-digit calling number. If the call is "out of area" the letter "O" is substituted for the string. If the call has been marked private a "P" is substituted for the string. The wording "ANONYMOUS" or "PRIVATE" that you see on your caller_id equipment is generated locally when triggered by the "P" - the wording is provided by the equipment, not the telco. puma@netcom.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But to repeat, Hillary gets *both* messages depending on who is calling. B-A must be sending two different codes, wouldn't you think? PAT] ------------------------------ From: Michael Stanford Subject: Re: Anonymous Call Blocking Problem Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 00:33:37 -0400 > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, that is weird. Has anyone ever > seen a caller-id box that has both 'private' and 'anonymous' as two > different conditions available? I wonder what the difference is where Bellcore spec FSD 01-02-1051 says that the Caller ID type message (single and multiple format) carries: The calling line DN if available and able to be displayed; or: "P" if an anonymous indication is to be delivered in lieu of the calling line DN as the reason for absence of DN; or: "O" if an out-of-area/unavailable indication is to be delivered in lieu of the calling line DN as the reason for absence of DN. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Is B-A not following this spec or is Hillary mistaken on seeing both 'anonymous' and 'private' on her box? If she is seeing both, then it would seem B-A sends one message for some calls and the other message on other calls but nonetheless treats either condition as 'private'. Right or wrong? PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 18:57:20 -0400 From: Peter Bell Subject: Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking Organization: Yale University In article you write: > 1) Called the FCC. They inform me that they have regulated per call > blocking, forcing the telcos to provide the *67 to disable the display > for that call only. They have deferred to the states to regulate the > per-line blocking. They say the state has three options: a) disallow > per-line block b) permit per-line block, and c) require per-line block. > 2) Called the state of Virginia. The have decided on option (b) above, > to permit per line blocking. > 3) Many discussion with Bell Atlantic, up to and including the > President's office. Their position is we have decided to not provide > this feature. No explanation, no discussion. You need to check back with the FCC -- it sounds to me like *permitting* per-line block will indeed be at the discretion of the telco, as well as at the discretion of the customer. But before you try to involve lawyers, you'd be best off finding out if "permit per-line block statewide" obliges the telcos to offer it. Then the TELECOM Digest Editor added his meditation: > As for trying to get the merican riminal awyers nion > involved in your case, they only take cases which interest them a lot. > Let's face it Mister, John Wayne Gacy or Jeff Dahmer you're not; and > you don't run any pornographic news groups on Usenet do you? Pat, did the ACLU represent Gacy at trial? Dahmer? No? Who *runs* a pornographic newsgroup on Usenet? This may've escaped your attention, but as of now, most of Usenet isn't moderated, and relatively few groups can be said to be *run* by anyone. One recent instance in which the ACLU may've expressed interest (whether or not they have I can't recall) would be the dispute between employers and employees about whether or not a multiple-thousand dollar investment in a vehicle permits one to behave inside that vehicle as one chooses, when said actions are lawful but not considered Good by the owner of the land on which said vehicle is present. That's a fairly interesting clash of property rights. You expressed no interest in anyone taking it into court to let a judge think about it. Many cities currently have rather stringent anti-smoking ordinances. Would you be interested in letting the ACLU have a crack at it if one of those ordinances banning all smoking on public property were extended to smoking in vehicles traversing the public roads? Peter bell@minerva.cis.yale.edu | http://pantheon.cis.yale.edu/~bell/bell.html "I regret to say that we of the FBI are powerless to act in cases of oral-genital intimacy, unless it has in some way obstructed interstate commerce." -- J EDGAR HOOVER ------------------------------ From: Justin.Hamilton1@Bridge.BellSouth.Com (Justin Hamilton) Subject: Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 20:08:53 GMT Organization: BellSouth ATG lab Reply-To: JHamilton@Mindspring.Com wayne.cox@mail.wdn.com (wayne.cox) wrote: > My position in this matter is that my phone number is private and > should not be disclosed without my permission. I am formulating a > letter to Bell Atlantic reiterating this and informing them that is > they continue to provide my number without my permission, I will be > forced to take legal action to stop them. A small claims court case > for $1000.00 for each time they give my number out may get their > attention. Maybe a class action suit if enough people agree with my > position. My position is that if you don't want me to know you are calling me, then I don't want to talk to you. You have the right, and the ability to call me anonymously. I have the right, and the ability to ignore your call. > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I'll tell you something, Mister. >snip< > are looking for others with beliefs like your own, check out in Cali- > fornia. They've been having a circus with this very topic for quite > awhile now. PAT] But those folks in CA have some strange ideas anyway from what I've read. Justin Hamilton http://www.mindspring.com/~tmenet JHamilton@mindspring.com JHamilton@Bridge.BellSouth.Com ------------------------------ From: matt schor Subject: Re: Caller ID/Per Line Blocking Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 17:49:22 -0500 Organization: Eagle Eye Technologies, Inc. Sorry. Calling someone's home, and not disclosing your phone number, is not acceptable social behavior. Thank God technology has caught up with expectations so that we can stop prank calls, threatening calls, etc. I wouldn't answer the door if the person didn't announce who they were. If you want to make anonymous calls, use a pay phone. Matthew Schor ------------------------------ From: Michael Stanford Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Launches Caller ID Service July 8 Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996 00:32:43 -0400 Dr. Robert Jacobson wrote: >> California is the last state to offer Caller ID service which, >> along with Call Waiting and Call Return, has become one of the most >> popular Custom Calling Services nationwide. > This is from a press release. What substantiates this claim? Last I > heard (and admittedly, it was some time ago), subscribership among > residential customers (not big business, which uses Caller ID every- > day to collect information about callers) was running in the low > one-digit percentages. Ten thousand potential subscribers in a state > the size of California hardly constitutes unbridled enthusiasm for the > service. Some RBOC's report 25% penetration on residential lines. It is also one of the fastest growing services, still with double digit annual growth. It is bizarre that privacy advocates oppose Caller ID, when it is actually a privacy enhancing service, analogous to the little peephole in your front door. It is little known that there is a complementary service, "Anonymous Call Blocking," which automatically rejects anonymous calls to your line without your phone even ringing. This service is offered free by some LEC's, and should be of even greater interest to privacy advocates. It does not reject calls lacking Caller ID for technical reasons, only calls from people who have chosen to conceal their ID. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 22:10:44 -0700 From: satchell@accutek.com (Stephen Satchell) Subject: Re: Pacific Bell Clock Problems Organization: Satchell Evaluations In article , JSeder@syntel.com wrote: > I observe that the Pacific Bell Caller ID clock is 14 (fourteen) > seconds ahead of the correct time (determined with a shortwave radio > tuned to WWV). > Just for fun, I called 415-POPCORN and heard that their time > annunciator is about four seconds off. > Who is supposed to set these? Are they supposed to be accurate? Depends on what you call "accurate". I've noticed that the television networks seem now to have a spread of about 45 seconds, too. There is a question as to what time the WWV and WWVH clocks are set to. in the comp.protocols.time.ntp conference there was quite a discussion of the differences between UTC, GPS, and TAI. The message I printed had references I'll post here for those who are interested: Stephen Satchell, Satchell Evaluations http://www.accutek.com/~satchell ------------------------------ From: chrissv@ranger.tc.cat.com (Steven V. Christensen) Subject: Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? Date: 18 Jul 1996 21:48:13 GMT Organization: Caterpillar, Inc. Reply-To: chrissv@pobox.com In recent Sprint telephone commericls, the rate is quoted as $.25 for prime time also. But they say the $.10 rate is guaranteed "forever" (during thr 7P-7A times). Only time will tell, I guess ... I think the $.25 was a rate increase. Your question on lasting might have been (accidentally or on purpose) interpred as asking about the $.10 rate. From the desk of: Steven Christensen N9XJY Machine Systems Phone: 8-2306 or (309) 578-2306 Internet: chrissv@cat.com ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #348 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 19 01:52:17 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id BAA21356; Fri, 19 Jul 1996 01:52:17 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 01:52:17 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607190552.BAA21356@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #349 TELECOM Digest Fri, 19 Jul 96 01:52:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 349 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash (Danny Burstein) Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US (B. Mengelepouti) Re: FX/Hunt/IXC Question (Steve Bagdon) Re: Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone (Fred Atkinson) Re: Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here (Marko Ruokonen) Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? (Art Kamlet) Seeking NT Vantage 12 Parts (Jeff Otterson) Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant (Michael Bailey) Re: Availability of DTMF Dialing Outside North America (Jock Mackirdy) Re: Availability of DTMF Dialing Outside North America (Neil Ross) Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? (Julie Paque) More Thoughts About Hector Davila (Tim Shoppa) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: danny burstein Subject: A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 00:05:25 -0400 Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC Wednesday night, at about 20:40 EDT, a TWA 747 jetliner that had just taken off from NY's JFK airport enroute to Paris crashed into the ocean about 50 miles out of NYC. 230 people died in the disaster, and there is serious consideration that a bomb may have been on board or that a missile may have been fired at it. One piece of news is that an "anonymous" fax was received by an Arab language newspaper in England prior to the incident stating that an attack was going to take place against an American target. It's pretty clear that phone logs in Britain will soon be exhaustively searched. In the US the vast majority of telco exchanges do, in fact, log every outgoing call (although most customers don't realize this). So while it would be non trivial, it's certainly possible for law enforcement folk to query each CO to find out if any calls were made to the newspaper's fax number. Similarly, many central offices keep a caller-id(*) log of the numbers that have placed calls to it. So in a situation like this it would be possible to query the newspaper's CO and ask it for all phone numbers which have called it. (We saw some of these techniques used in the World Trade Center bombing investigation). Would one of our British readers be familiar with how available (from a technical, not legal) standpoint such records might be across the pond? (We'll leave out the possibility that, for national security reasons, all calls to such newspapers are being fully monitored ...) Thanks muchly, Danny * the number reaching the end office can be variously caller id or, the _usually but not always similar_, ANI (automatic number identification). However, this requires that (non techish explanation) both COs are a) quite modern, and b) that the call is connected between them over upgraded circuit paths. Figure this works for about 50% of calls in this country. dannyb@panix.com [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I've been watching CNN most of the evening with their coverage of the disaster. They also mentioned the fax which was received by the newspaper a full day before the incident. Quite a few people on television are also trying to make a connection to the opening of the games in Atlanta on Friday. I hope the fax can be traced and provides some clues. I've noticed the phone number for calls of inquiry regarding the disaster (number for families to call about passengers on board, etc) appears to be the same both in the USA and in Paris. At least the last six digits are the same: 800-464-9832 in the USA and in Paris they gave out 33-1-4864-9832. I imagine the Paris number is simply set up to ring the 800 number in the USA. What do you think? PAT] ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 19:36:35 PDT From: Babu Mengelepouti Subject: Re: Reasonably Priced Calling Card For Calls to US From Canada John R. Levine wrote: > I visit Toronto from time to time and am astounded at the rates I've > been charged for calling card calls back to the U.S. The card I > usually use, from one of my resellers, charges me about 81 > cents/minute (in U.S. dollars.) Sprint has a $1 surcharge, and runs > between 76 and 81 cents day rate. Surely I can do better than that. > Any suggestions? > One thing I didn't try was use Bell Canada and charge it to my LEC > calling card. Naturally, nobody in the U.S. has any idea what the > rates would be.* Can one of the Canadian readers dial 0 and ask what > the calling card rate from, say, Toronto to New York City or Toronto > to Los Angeles would be? Incidentally, my discount calling card offers a 21c/min rate with a 75 cent surcharge for calls from Canada to the US, and the same rate for calls from the US to Canada with no surcharge (as well as a 17.5 cent per minute rate with no surcharge from anywhere to anywhere in the US). I can tell you how to get one if you like. If you use your LEC calling card, you are charged the applicable Bell Canada rates as if you were using a Bell Canada card. This is usually far less than MCI, Sprint, etc. charge. The rates from the US to Canada on a calling card are obscene and those carriers charge you as if you were calling from the US point to the Canadian point (almost like with USA Direct calls), plus a hefty surcharge. If you call from a Canadian point to another Canadian point it's even worse: you get charged the hefty surcharge plus the rate from where you LIVE in the US to the Canadian point you call. Avoid using Sprint, MCI, etc. cards in Canada! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 07:09:34 -0500 From: bagdon@rust.net (S and K Bagdon) Subject: Re: FX/Hunt/IXC Question dennis@net66.com (Dennis Toeppen) said: > I am an Internet Service Provider in Champaign, Illinois. We want to > to set up pots service in Mansfield, IL, which is served by GTE. At > this time, we need eight lines in a hunt group. The GTE rep informed > us that the switch in Mansfield (don't know what model, not a 5ess) > can not handle hunt groups of > three lines. I asked if there was any > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There is a way to get around the limits > on hunt groups often found on older switches. We found this out Why not try finding a *stable* sight that is local to this particular switch, and install the phone lines there? The ISP I use has a fairly good working relationship with a lot of people out in the community. When they discover a region that isn't being service, and has a reasonably good market potential, they find either a place of business or residence that is local to that switch and 'borrow' a 3'x3' space on the wall. They run a T1 to the house/business from their ISP site, then dump a bunch of phone lines down. Then they give free (or discounted service) to the person lending them the space. I practically begged them to feel free to borrow a few feet of my garage. :) I would have loved T1 service to my house (get a direct feed from the terminal server off the T1, have them configure it at 115k, and run the serial line for a direct-connect PPP connection to my Mac). If I wanted even more speed, I guess I could have bought a T1<->10BaseT router for my use, but they might have frowned on this. A few years back, I thought it would be interesting to get into the telephone/real estate market. I started looking around, and discovered that there were a lot of residential neighborhoods *very* close to the CO (as in < 100 feet), that were very reasonable priced, and good neighborhoods. With the impending telecom explosion coming, it would have been 'prudent' to pick up some investment real estate, and then rent wall space to people. Since the run from the CO was <100 feet, dedicated leased lines would have been *cheap* (since the run was so short), for all sorts of people who wanted a phone number specifically in that CO - ISPs, BBSs, answering services, etc. Steve B. bagdon@rust.net (h) USFMDDKT@ibmmail.com (w) http://www.rust.net/~bagdon Katharine aNd Steve (KNS) ------------------------------ From: Fred_Atkinson/SkyTel_at_SkyTelNotesPO@mtel.com Date: Thu, 18 Jul 96 08:50:00 CST Subject: Re: Naval Observatory's Clock is Not Answering the Phone Chris Telesca wrote: > Is there any kind of internet time service (like from the Naval > Observatory) that can give me the atomic clock time over the 'Net? > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There sure is! Try 'tick' and 'tock', > the two machines providing this service at the Naval Observatory. > You would telnet to 'tick.usno.navy.mil 13' or 'tock.usno.navy.mil 13' > to get what you want. The '13' on the end refers to the socket or port > where the time signal is sent from. It will automatically disconnect > after one minute unless you disconnect first. PAT] There is even a cool winsock compliant utility that allows you to not only get the time from USNO but also sets the clock on your PC. It can be set to virtually any time zone in the entire world. It can be downloaded from: 'http://ftp.ameritel.net/mirrors/tucows/softsync.html". Select and download the 'Netdate' program. There is one there called 'Atomic Clock', but I don't know if it is any good or not because I haven't tried it. Fred ------------------------------ From: mruokonen@ibm.net (Marko Ruokonen) Subject: Re: Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 09:47:43 GMT Reply-To: mruokonen@compuserve.com Mark J. Cuccia wrote: > AT&T seemed to put the new NPA codes into their #5ESS "OSPS" Operator > switch which serves this part of the US, 601-0-T in Jackson MS > one-by-one. On Monday 1 July, I don't think any of the codes were > programmed in. [...] > One way to check to see if the LEC's and AT&T properly have the codes > loaded into their switches is to dial the following: > To check if the code is in the LEC switch to do 'standard' 1+ or 0+ > dialed calls, dial 0+ the NPA in question + 555-5555 (keep your finger > on the '5'). If the new code is *not* loaded into the switch, you > should get a recording from the LEC after the three digits of the NPA > code, or after the NPA-555-5, as if you had dialed 0+ seven-digits. I tried the different NPA from my ISDN here in Cologne/Germany and got some strange results: On several numbers, I just got the German "Incorrect number" recording or just 'Busy' with the display showing "Trunk busy (Gassenbesetzt)". Since I was not sure about where the problem was (NPA not known to German Telekom vs. not implemented in the US switch) I tried the NPAs 508 and 617. Dialing 001-508-555-5555 resulted in a (very faint) US recording "The LD company you selected is unable to complete your call at this time. Cambridge Tandem". Note: I cannot select a specific carrier here in Germany, yet :-(. However, when I redialed, the _German_ switch intercepted with the "Incorrect number" recording. I tried to redial the number slowly to transmit the digits one by one (vs. in one block) to the German switch and succeded once to hear the US recording, but most of the time, the German recording was heard. Same result happened with 001-617-555-5555, except the recording did not mention the "LD operator", but mere stated "cannot be completed" (in a different voice). "Cambridge Tandem" was the same voice as 508-555, though. I tried this also via my GSM phone - and got the same thing: first trial: US recording, next trials: German (GSM) Intercept: "Leider ist uns diese Rufnummer nicht bekannt. Bitte fragen Sie bei der Auskunft nach" (translation: We're sorry, this number is not known to us. Please call Directory Assistance."), sometimes I heard 2 or 3 "german" rings before the recording started. It seems the switches remember that they could not put a call through and "cache" the (full) numbers. A call to 001+508+555-5554 was put through to the US recording immediately for the first trial (after 555-5555 still was caught by the German recording). Of course, all of this may heavily depend on some network routing. Marko Ruokonen Cologne / Germany E-mail: mruokonen@compuserve.com Vox : +49 221 989 1543 ------------------------------ From: kamlet@infinet.com (Art Kamlet) Subject: Re: Area Code Splits - Poor Planning? Date: 18 Jul 1996 20:59:51 -0400 Organization: InfiNet Reply-To: kamlet@infinet.com In article , Tye McQueen wrote: > The Dallas area is in sore need of an _overlay_ or 8-digit local > numbers. But the courts were so silly as to rule that an overlay is > illegal since it unfairly disadvantages new-comer local service > providers, so we will never see one. While the NANPers are so silly > as to think that 8-digit local numbers will never be needed so why > start working toward making them possible The issue of overlays vs. split regions is basically political. Eight-digit local numbers, on the other hand, requires major changes everywhere, and Bellcore will have lots of work on their hands. For example, suppose Dallas folks agree on eight-digit local numbers. How will someone like me, here in Columbus, get an eight-digit local number through my local phone company? And shouldn't four digit NPAs and eight-digit numbers be coordinated? I think eight-digit local numbers present many more issues than simple politics. Art Kamlet Columbus, Ohio kamlet@infinet.com ------------------------------ From: otterson@mindspring.com (Jeff Otterson) Subject: Seeking NT Vantage 12 Parts Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 22:27:14 GMT Organization: MindSpring Enterprises Reply-To: otterson@mindspring.com Hi, I am desperately seeking some parts for an old Northern Telecom Vantage 12 key system. Specifically, I am looking for two line cards (NT0B43AB) and some (3-4) telephone sets (NT0B02AB), which are Vantage-Esprit sets. Vantage-Esprit plus is also ok, as is plain Vantage, but the Esprit sets are preferred. Somebody gave me the system, and I have it partially installed in my home, but I need these parts to finish it off. Thanks very much, Jeff Otterson otterson@mindspring.com Maker and user of tools PGP key available at http://www.mindspring.com/~otterson/pgp.htm ------------------------------ From: michaelb@well.com (Michael Bailey) Subject: Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant Date: 19 Jul 1996 04:18:54 GMT Organization: The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA Wm Randolph Franklin (wrf@speed.ecse.rpi.edu) wrote: > Where would I get a mapping from 518 exchanges to locations? This > used to be in the phone book, but no longer. There is now only a > partial map, from only local locations to exchanges. You mean prefixes, right? (there is a telephony term "exchange" and it has a different meaning) ... Let's say "657-" : you might ask the person "what CO does 657- work out of?" they would give you maybe a city name (if it's a small town) or maybe the CO is named after a subdivision. (Background: Bellcore, in its infinite wisdom, has assigned codes to every single CO so that four letters would be location, four more letters would be indicative of rls or host, and two more letters and a number which I don't know what they mean. So the Longbranch CO would be LGBHFLXAds0 for instance.) Anyway, the principle is that each CO has a name and a bunch of prefixes that live there ... so ... you get the service rep to tell you every CO in the 518 area code and which prefixes work there (but they are always adding new ones) and then you call your friend in Nynex's forecasting division and tell him or her that you need maps -- they do call them exchange maps sometimes. Now I don't know what level of detail you are looking for, but you can see that step one is going to take a bunch of time. However if you get a service rep who believes in service, they may do it for you. Getting copies of exchange maps is also possible (I got one for a customer once but it took two weeks and I wonder if I could do it again.) but it is more likely that you will be told, "if you give me a particular address I will tell you which CO (or exchange) it is served by (or in)." The reason they probably phased it out of the phone books is prefixes got way too numerous, the network got harder to explain, and nobody was paying for the service. (remember when they started to charge for 411? - same principle, except, not enough people want prefix mapping for Nynex to tariff and sell it.) You could ask them to prepare an ICB -- individual case billing -- and sell it to you, and if you took it high enough could probably get it. PUC might have some legality they could use to force Nynex to tell you, but I haven't heard of any. ------------------------------ From: Jock Mackirdy Subject: Re: Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 00:04:44 GMT Toby Nixon wrote: > Does anyone know of a page on the WWW or other resource that indicates > the availability of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (TouchTone) dialing by > country? Or, assuming that might not be available, does anyone have > personal knowledge of particular countries outside North America where > TouchTone dialing is widely available and deployed? My experience, > which is roughly three years old, was that phone sets with DTMF > generators were exceedingly rare outside North America; is that still > the case? I've seen quite a few phones with pushbutton dialers in > Europe, but they were all still pulse generators. Have you not had the UK on your itinerary? DTMF phones are needed for operating value-added services on digital exchanges (99% of the UK central offices) and are widely used for voice-response systems. The exception is public payphones, which were converted back to pulse dialling to avoid a scam. New ones are DTMF. DTMF penetration is high. Jock Mackirdy Business Advisory Services, Luton (UK) E-mail: jockm@basluton.demon.co.uk Tel/fax: +44 (0)1582 597878 Independent telecomms. and business advice ------------------------------ From: Neil Ross Subject: Re: Availability of DTMF (TouchTone) Dialing Outside North America Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 18:21:28 -0400 Organization: Whitaker Bank Corp Reply-To: whitcorp@ix.netcom.com Toby Nixon wrote: > Does anyone know of a page on the WWW or other resource that indicates > the availability of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (TouchTone) dialing by > country? Or, assuming that might not be available, does anyone have > personal knowledge of particular countries outside North America where > TouchTone dialing is widely available and deployed? My experience, > which is roughly three years old, was that phone sets with DTMF > generators were exceedingly rare outside North America; is that still > the case? I've seen quite a few phones with pushbutton dialers in > Europe, but they were all still pulse generators. As far as the UK goes, 99% of area is digital coverage. Although some people may not have upgraded their phone to DTMF yet. I think that you may be dreaming: Thinking that the U.S. is the only country in the world with digital exchanges; most digital exchanges in the UK were installed years ago -- even where I lived -- Pitmedden (a very small village!). Neil Ross Whitaker Bank Corp. whitcorp@ix.netcom.com People amaze me constantly. ------------------------------ From: j_paque@primenet.com (Julie Paque) Subject: Re: Another Sprint Bait and Switch Scam? Date: 18 Jul 1996 16:45:01 -0700 Organization: PrimeNet In article , Jim Hurley wrote: (bait and switch discussion deleted) > Last night while paying my bills I noticed that my daytime rate had > been increased to $.25 per minute. I received no notice from Sprint > about this change. I am really angry about this. I was thinking about > changing to another long distance provider; this accelerated that > action. If you have Sprint Sense California you need to check your bills very carefully. In both of the bills I received from Sprint since I switched some of the calls from 5pm to 7 pm have been billed at the daytime rate, but the lower rate begins at 5 pm in California (not 7 pm like the rest of the country). Some of the calls are billed correctly. I wrote a letter to Customer Service at Sprint that has been ignored (it was sent over a month and a half ago). Sprint also charges regular rates for Memorial Day and Fourth of July, unlike the other major companies. Julie M. Paque julie@paque.org ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 18 Jul 1996 11:17:42 -0700 From: Tim Shoppa Subject: More Thoughts Ahout Hector Davila Organization: Tri-University Meson Facility I no longer live in the LA area, but I can tell you that the address given in the latest spam is in an office building there called the "Taft Building". You can bet that if I lived in the LA area I would personally go and find out who these jerks are. Tim (shoppa@triumf.ca) [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: We already know quite a bit about Hector, and probably all we need to know. Word has reached me today that Mr. Davila has been named in newspaper articles on the west coast in the past as part of a syndicated crime operation. Some of our west coast readers -- if they are curious or want to follow up -- may wish to check his name in newspaper databases over the past few years. The stories about him are not very pleasant. I suppose it is inevitable that as more and more people become involved with the net organized crime will find its way here also. I mean, why not? I think there is a real possibility we may see some of the ISP's become infiltrated by organized crime in the not too distant future. Imagine the possibilities! Kiddie porn, to name only one example, has long been a big money maker for those people and the net is a great way to get porn from point A to point B in the twinkling of an eye. I am **not** saying that is what Hector Davila is about; not at all. But the newspapers in California have discussed his affiliation with other gangsters. Let's hope he gets discouraged with his net endeavors to date and finds some other method of selling his books and earning a living instead of bothering us further. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #349 ****************************** From ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Fri Jul 19 11:48:47 1996 Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id LAA26514; Fri, 19 Jul 1996 11:48:47 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 11:48:47 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199607191548.LAA26514@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #350 TELECOM Digest Fri, 19 Jul 96 11:48:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 350 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Re: Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here (Mark J. Cuccia) Re: My Bellsouth Problem: Solved (Trey Gregory) Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant (Thor L. Simon) Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant (Paul Palley) Re: A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash (Martin Baines) Re: A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash (Clarence Dold) Re: ATTWS/ATT LD Question (Jeffrey Rhodes) Last Laugh! Jeff Seems to be Miffed at the Net (ctyrre01@purch.eds.com) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 10:07:49 -0700 From: Mark J. Cuccia Subject: Re: Area Code Problems Being Fixed, at Least Here mruokonen@ibm.net (Marko Ruokonen): > Mark J. Cuccia wrote: >> AT&T seemed to put the new NPA codes into their #5ESS "OSPS" Operator >> switch which serves this part of the US, 601-0-T in Jackson MS >> one-by-one. On Monday 1 July, I don't think any of the codes were >> programmed in. >> One way to check to see if the LEC's and AT&T properly have the codes >> loaded into their switches is to dial the following: >> To check if the code is in the LEC switch to do 'standard' 1+ or 0+ >> dialed calls, dial 0+ the NPA in question + 555-5555 (keep your finger >> on the '5'). If the new code is *not* loaded into the switch, you >> should get a recording from the LEC after the three digits of the NPA >> code, or after the NPA-555-5, as if you had dialed 0+ seven-digits. > I tried the different NPA from my ISDN here in Cologne/Germany and got > some strange results: > On several numbers, I just got the German "Incorrect number" recording > or just 'Busy' with the display showing "Trunk busy (Gassenbesetzt)". > Since I was not sure about where the problem was (NPA not known to > German Telekom vs. not implemented in the US switch) I tried the NPAs > 508 and 617. > Dialing 001-508-555-5555 resulted in a (very faint) US recording "The > LD company you selected is unable to complete your call at this time. > Cambridge Tandem". Note: I cannot select a specific carrier here in > Germany, yet :-(. However, when I redialed, the _German_ switch > intercepted with the "Incorrect number" recording. I tried to redial > the number slowly to transmit the digits one by one (vs. in one block) > to the German switch and succeded once to hear the US recording, but > most of the time, the German recording was heard. > Same result happened with 001-617-555-5555, except the recording did > not mention the "LD operator", but mere stated "cannot be completed" > (in a different voice). "Cambridge Tandem" was the same voice as > 508-555, though. (snip) > It seems the switches remember that they could not put a call through > and "cache" the (full) numbers. A call to 001+508+555-5554 was put > through to the US recording immediately for the first trial (after > 555-5555 still was caught by the German recording). Of course, all of > this may heavily depend on some network routing. Maybe I should have stated in my original post that the ways to check or test of the new NPA codes are properly loaded in are valid from within the North American Network and Numbering Plan. The methods I described in my original post were using access numbers or prefixes where you wouldn't get charged at the time, but if the codes were all properly programmed in, you'd get a calling-card (and operator assisted) "bong-tone". I mentioned using "555-5555" as it would be easier to remember, and easier to keep your finger on the '5' button. But I also now realize that there could now be 555- numbers in some area codes with a working "info" line, -5555 as the last four digits! From overseas, it might be better to use the "test" numbers for new area codes as are frequently posted in this group. These test numbers aren't "supposed" to bill. They might actually "supervise", but in those cases, I would guess that the (legit) carriers would "nullify" the billing before it would reach your end. I would also assume that there are switches (most certainly the international gateways, many individual toll/tandem switches in a particular region, and a number of local central office switches) in most countries which actually do need each new NPA codes properly loaded in. Translating on just country code +1 (North America) isn't enough for proper rating and routing, as the NANP is quite large geographically, and contains some twenty individual national political jurisdictions. Translating down to the NPA (at least geographic POTS area codes) gives at least some further indication of the destination country or state/province/island within the NANP for proper rate and route. Introduction of new area codes anywhere in the world (and sometimes even new local central office codes) and/or changes in individual numbering plans isn't something which only affects a local, regional or national area. It *IS* a *WORLDWIDE* telephone phenomena! Just ask the telecom in Bermuda. It is now nearing the end for permissive dialing of +1-809 plus the seven digit local number. The new area code and dialing procedure (+1-441 plus the seven digit number) *WILL* become mandatory within a few months. There were some calls intended for Bermuda which did go astray to the UK (+44), as people didn't dial the +1 first. And then the '1' *after* the 44 is the third digit of Bermuda's NANP area code, as well as the first digit of UK's POTS STD (area) codes since their phONEday! When new country codes are assigned and/or activated, most local central office switches here in North America need to have them loaded in. The Long-Distance carriers here also need to properly load in any new area codes or numbering plan changes in other countries, into their own long distance network switches. "Time-T" occurs at the end of 1996 or beginning of 1997. That is the ITU's date where switches and networks all over the world should be capable of handling a full international number (excluding the access prefix before the leading '+') of fifteen digits. Presently, the maximum of digits is supposed to be no more than twelve. It seems that AT&T's switches in this area *are* "Time-T" capable. BellSouth's local central office switches are also capable of "Time-T" as well. I wonder if everyone else is also prepared! MARK J. CUCCIA PHONE/WRITE/WIRE: HOME: (USA) Tel: CHestnut 1-2497 WORK: mcuccia@mailhost.tcs.tulane.edu |4710 Wright Road| (+1-504-241-2497) Tel:UNiversity 5-5954(+1-504-865-5954)|New Orleans 28 |fwds on no-answr to Fax:UNiversity 5-5917(+1-504-865-5917)|Louisiana(70128)|cellular/voicemail ------------------------------ From: Trey Gregory Subject: Re: My Bellsouth Problem: Solved Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 21:12:36 -0400 Organization: ImageTel International, Inc. Ron Schnell wrote: > On Friday, they hooked up at the C.O. and reproduced the problem! It > was fixed this morning. According to the C.O. people, they installed > some new trunks in my area a few weeks ago, and there was a problem in > the "translation software". I'm not sure what that means, except that > it sounds to me like this probably affected more than just me, yet I > was the only one to complain about it! Anyone have any idea what > "translation software" is, or are they just making up terms? > By the way, BellSouth really dropped the ball on getting this fixed. > The first guy that came out really had no clue. He just closed out > the ticket as fixed, without doing anything. In speaking with a > service supervisor, I found out that you can say the magic words "I > demand a duty foreman", in order to get a more knowledgeable person to > the house. This helped a lot (he came on July 4th!). knew enough to > be able to say, "Yes, it is a C.O. problem," and make sure the right > people got on it. > I should also mention that I think BellSouth is great in general. I'm > very impressed with their 24 hour/day customer service and repair, and > flat rate ISDN for home and business. I also like being able to get > call-waiting during three-way-calling. For telecommunications needs, > I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. As a BellSouth ISDN customer both for business and residential service, I have had the opportunity to work closely w/BellSouth on a number of occasions. I am in complete agreement with your opinion of the terrific service by this LEC, although you could have gotten more prompt service by 1) not allowing the trouble ticket to be closed until the line was proven to work to your satisfaction, and/or 2) "escalating" the problem at regular intervals when no reasonable satisfaction was received. Hopefully, though, you'll have no more problems. Trey Gregory ImageTel Int'l ------------------------------ From: tls@panix.com (Thor Lancelot Simon) Subject: Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant Date: 19 Jul 1996 08:27:51 -0400 Organization: Panix Reply-To: tls@rek.tjls.com In article , Michael Bailey wrote: > Getting copies of exchange maps is also possible (I got one for a > customer once but it took two weeks and I wonder if I could do it > again.) but it is more likely that you will be told, "if you give me a > particular address I will tell you which CO (or exchange) it is served > by (or in)." > The reason they probably phased it out of the phone books is prefixes > got way too numerous, the network got harder to explain, and nobody > was paying for the service. (remember when they started to charge for > 411? - same principle, except, not enough people want prefix mapping > for Nynex to tariff and sell it.) You could ask them to prepare an > ICB -- individual case billing -- and sell it to you, and if you took > it high enough could probably get it. > PUC might have some legality they could use to force Nynex to tell you, > but I haven't heard of any. Heh. Nynex is *required by tarriff* to provide you with such a map upon request, at no charge. There was a thread in the local Panix newsgroup panix.nytel.abuse on this subject a few years ago; I believe that Carl Oppedahl (oppedahl@patents.com) finally managed to get such a map for area code 212, after repeated complaints. Here in Ameritech-land, I have no difficulty obtaining either an exchange map or a list of local prefixes from Ameritech, but both -- including the list of prefixes which are local or "band A" calls -- omit all information about other carriers. The former, I find reasonable, but the latter seems grossly anticompetitive. A local ISP has the number 4000000 (yes, really.) which is provided by Teleport. 847-400, however, is not on Ameritech's list of "band A" calls which they provide to customers on _any_ exchange. Customers could be easily misled into thinking that their ISP is lying to them about whether or not it's a local call. Thor Lancelot Simon tls@panix.COM ------------------------------ From: palley@worldnet.att.net (Paul Palley) Subject: Re: Exchange -> Location Map Wanted; NYNEX Still Ignorant Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 06:12:43 -0500 Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services In article , michaelb@well.com (Michael Bailey) wrote: > Wm Randolph Franklin (wrf@speed.ecse.rpi.edu) wrote: >> Where would I get a mapping from 518 exchanges to locations? This >> used to be in the phone book, but no longer. There is now only a >> partial map, from only local locations to exchanges. > You mean prefixes, right? (there is a telephony term "exchange" and it > has a different meaning) ... > The reason they probably phased it out of the phone books is prefixes > got way too numerous, the network got harder to explain, and nobody > was paying for the service. (remember when they started to charge for > 411? - same principle, except, not enough people want prefix mapping > for Nynex to tariff and sell it.) You could ask them to prepare an > ICB -- individual case billing -- and sell it to you, and if you took > it high enough could probably get it. From the Bellcore catalog: http://www.bellcore.com/NANP/tracat.html#tra13 > Geographic Exchange List (GEL) > The GEL is issued semi-annually (January and July), and is a complete > listing of all currently active > NPA/NXXs, with associated geographical data for each. Data includes: > City, State, Zip Code and V&H Coordinates of the switch, > Name and V&H Coordinates of the Rate Center, > State and Locality of the NPA/NXX, and > Place Name (usually appears on bills). > This product is issued semiannually in January and July, on a > DOS-formatted, 3 1/2" 1.44MB > diskette, to be processed locally by the user. The Bellcore documents are not particularly cheap, but should give a definitive answer to your question. Hope this helps. Paul Palley Chicago, IL palley@worldnet.att.net ------------------------------ From: Martin Baines Subject: Re: A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash Date: Fri, 19 Jul 1996 10:17:15 +0100 Organization: Silicon Graphics danny burstein wrote: > Wednesday night, at about 20:40 EDT, a TWA 747 jetliner that had just > taken off from NY's JFK airport enroute to Paris crashed into the > ocean about 50 miles out of NYC. 230 people died in the disaster, and > there is serious consideration that a bomb may have been on board or > that a missile may have been fired at it. > One piece of news is that an "anonymous" fax was received by an Arab > language newspaper in England prior to the incident stating that an > attack was going to take place against an American target. > It's pretty clear that phone logs in Britain will soon be exhaustively > searched. [snip] > Would one of our British readers be familiar with how available (from a > technical, not legal) standpoint such records might be across the pond? Legally if you hold a Public Telecommunications Operators (PTO) licence in the UK, you are required to hold your call details for quite a long time (I think seven years) in case you are required to disclose it by a court. I am not sure what the legal status is on police and other agengies getting their hands on it for investigative purposes. Technically how these records are held depends on the telco: most of the record are probably on tape, but some telcos are implementing "data warehouses" where they hold a large amount of the CDRs online for markting puposes: obviously this would make searches *much* easier. I wonder if the "average" terrorist know enough about the the UK phone systems to chose a place where getting the info was hard? If the newspaper that received the fax had a CLIP unit the number may already be recorded by them, although I suspect they would not disclose such information without being forced to: to "protect their sources". Of course, if the call originated outside the UK, it is unlikely the UK phone system would have full details of the calling number. > (We'll leave out the possibility that, for national security reasons, all > calls to such newspapers are being fully monitored ...) GCHQ or the Security Service monitoring a newspaper; it would never happen :-) Martin Baines - Business Development Manager Silicon Graphics, 1530 Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, UK, RG7 4SB email: martinb@reading.sgi.com phone: +44 118 925 7842 fax: +44 118 925 7606 vmail: +1 800 326 1020 (in USA), 0800 896020 (in UK), mailbox: 57940 URL: http://reality.sgi.com/martinb_reading/ Surf's Up at Silicon Graphics: http://www.sgi.com/International/UK/ ------------------------------ From: Clarence Dold Subject: Re: A Telecom Angle in the Tragic TWA Flight 800 Crash Date: 19 Jul 1996 14:45:29 GMT Organization: a2i network Steve Graham, who was the Marketing Director for Ameritel, in Napa, CA, was on board flight 800, en route to visit his parents, already vacationing in France. Clarence A Dold - dold@rahul.net - Pope Valley & Napa CA. ------------------------------ From: Jeffrey Rhodes Subject: Re: ATTWS/ATT LD Question Date: 19 Jul 1996 06:58:58 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Babu Mengelepouti wrote: > When visiting a local retailer, I stumbled upon a card bearing the > AT&T Wireless Services logo. It reads as follows: > "Recently, the United States Congress passed the Telecommunications > Act of 1996. As a result of this legislation, AT&T Wireless Services > and AT&T Long Distance can work more closely together to bring you > wireless and long distance services. > This new legislation enables AT&T Wireless Services to select AT&T > Long Distance as the preferred long distance provider. Therefore, > cellular calls made outside your AT&T Wireless Services local cellular > service area will be carried by AT&T." > I am curious what this means. I believe that ATTWS offers equal > access in the Seattle market. Does this mean that equal access, if > previously offered, is ending? Or does it mean that ATTWS was > previously sending intralata toll to USWest or another LEC and will > now be sending it to AT&T? Hopefully someone at ATTWS can clear this > up. Clear up what? ATTWS would love it if every AT&T long distance customer were to become an ATTWS cellular subscriber. I believe that the majority of US consumers of long distance have chosen AT&T long distance service because they share with ATTWS a high regard for the quality of that product. ATTWS naturally wants to be associated with this esteem. Since cellular air time is anywhere from two to ten times the cost of long distance time and since cellular air time is also charged for incoming calls and non-long distance calls, it naturally stands to reason that long distance charges are maybe only 20% (I'm guessing) of the average cellular monthly invoice. According to game theory, the largest cellular carrier has the most to lose and the smallest cellular carrier has the most to gain, by NOT offering Equal Access. While I'm not paid the big bucks to make these kinds of decisions, it would seem to me that it is good business for ATTWS to continue to offer Equal Access. Why risk cellular subscriber churn by bundling long distance, when long distance represents so little of the cellular company's revenue? OTOH, in emerging US PCS-1900 markets, maybe it makes sense to jump on the bundled AT&T bandwagon. ATTWS carries intra-LATA toll (usually) on their own facilities and doesn't involve the LEC or the subscriber's long distance provider for these calls. B-side cellular carriers owned by the LEC usually do, too. Jeffrey Rhodes at jeffrey.rhodes@attws.com ------------------------------ From: ctyrre01@purch.eds.com Date: Fri, 19 Jul 96 6:22:03 EDT Subject: Last Laugh! Jeff Seems to be Miffed at the Net {InfoWorld} has been running a series of articles by Ed Foster on the issue of junk e-mail (Ed does not like the use of the word spam). In the July 15, 1996 edition Ed interviews legitimate businessman Jeff Slaton who complained of being harassed by Netters calls to his 800 number. He even claims that one caller placed 2131 calls in 72 hours. The full text of the article should be available in the New Gripes forum on InfoWorld Electric at http://www.infoworld.com . [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Poor Jeff ... I wonder if he has learned his lesson yet. If one caller alone placed 2131 calls over a three day period, I shudder to think of the total number of calls he received in June alone. If a typical call costs about 25 cents (and that may be conservative; his outgoing message tape is two or three minutes long), this means that the one netter alone with 2131 calls cost him about ... ummm .. five hundred dollars. Pick up a copy of the July 15 issue of {Infoworld} at a bookstore or news- stand this weekend and read the sordid tale for yourself. It may be possible for Jeff to get a second mortgage on his home to pay the bill. I mean, he surely does not think his carrier is going to write all that off, does he? I suspect other spammers and would- be spammers have watched this affair with some interest and I hope what happened to Jeff was a good example for them. Anyone who wants to fetch the article at the web site and send it here to be printed in a few days is welcome to do so. PAT] ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. 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