From editor@telecom-digest.org Mon Jun 14 14:26:46 2004 Received: (from ptownson@localhost) by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.11.6p3/8.11.3) id i5EIQkP27323; Mon, 14 Jun 2004 14:26:46 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 14:26:46 -0400 (EDT) From: editor@telecom-digest.org Message-Id: <200406141826.i5EIQkP27323@massis.lcs.mit.edu> X-Authentication-Warning: massis.lcs.mit.edu: ptownson set sender to editor@telecom-digest.org using -f To: ptownson Approved: patsnewlist Subject: TELECOM Digest V23 #289 TELECOM Digest Mon, 14 Jun 2004 14:27:00 EDT Volume 23 : Issue 289 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Telecom Update (Canada) #437, June 14, 2004 (Angus TeleManagement) Re: Need Expert Legal and Medical Testimony for Lawsuit (Gene S. Berkowitz) Server Requirement For CT-Connect (Srini) Re: Help w/ DSL Problem - Connection Fails (John Salmon) Re: California: SBC Restrictions on DSL Are Illegal (Rahul Dhesi) New Web Ads Follow Visitors Around (Monty Solomon) Skeptics Question Wi-Fi's Viability (Monty Solomon) Re: Note to Unaware Long Distance Users (Frank@nospam.biz) Re: Transatlantic Fibre Connections (AES/newspost) HBF Group, Inc. Announces I-911 Voice Over IP (VoIP) Solution (VOIP News) All contents here are copyrighted by Patrick Townson and the individual writers/correspondents. Articles may be used in other journals or newsgroups, provided the writer's name and the Digest are included in the fair use quote. By using -any name or email address- included herein for -any- reason other than responding to an article herein, you agree to pay a hundred dollars to the recipients of the email. =========================== Addresses herein are not to be added to any mailing list, nor to be sold or given away without explicit written consent. Chain letters, viruses, porn, spam, and miscellaneous junk are definitely unwelcome. We must fight spam for the same reason we fight crime: not because we are naive enough to believe that we will ever stamp it out, but because we do not want the kind of world that results when no one stands against crime. Geoffrey Welsh =========================== See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details and the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 11:02:53 -0400 From: Angus TeleManagement Subject: Telecom Update (Canada) #437, June 14, 2004 ************************************************************ TELECOM UPDATE ************************************************************ published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group http://www.angustel.ca Number 437: June 14, 2004 Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous financial support from: ** ALLSTREAM: www.allstream.com ** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca ** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca ** CYGCOM INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES: www.cygcom.com ** GROUP TELECOM: www.360.net ** JUNIPER NETWORKS: www.juniper.net ** PRIMUS CANADA: www.primustel.ca ** SPRINT CANADA: www.sprint.ca ** TELUS: www.telus.com ************************************************************ IN THIS ISSUE: ** Bell to Offer IP Centrex ** Primus Launches Business VoIP Service ** MTS-Allstream Reorganizes Management ** Bell Seeks Cable TV Licences ** Telus Must File Tariff for Petro-Canada Contract ** ISP Tests Broadband over Powerline ** Cable Cuts Stop Phone Service to 250,000 ** RIM May Settle Patent Suit ** Business Line Rates Up in B.C., Alberta ** Bell, Microsoft Unveil Joint Portal ** Allstream Offers Mitel-Based Managed IP ** Rogers Raises $250 Million ** MTS Raises Funds for Allstream Purchase ** Bell Settles "Free Calls" Suit ** Bell Buys Infostream ** Certicom Finally in the Black ** Rogers Wireless Names President for West ** Is VoIP Really Nearing the Takeoff Point? ============================================================ BELL TO OFFER IP CENTREX: Telecom Update has learned that Bell Canada will announce an IP Centrex service today. We expect Bell West to offer it immediately, and Bell Canada to offer it in Ontario and Quebec when it receives CRTC approval. ** Bell filed a tariff for "Managed Internet Protocol Telephony" service on May 10, describing it as "compatible with" and "an IP alternative to" Centrex III. www.crtc.gc.ca/8740/eng/2004/b2_6813.htm PRIMUS LAUNCHES BUSINESS VoIP SERVICE: Primus Canada today launched two VoIP-based local telephone service packages for small and mid-sized businesses in 15 markets. TalkBroadband Pro ($27.95/month) provides basic phone service; TalkBroadband Enterprise ($29.95 per month) adds line hunting, conferencing, and other features. ** Primus has also launched an alliance program for interconnects and systems integrators who wish to connect PBXs or key systems to TalkBroadband. MTS-ALLSTREAM REORGANIZES MANAGEMENT: Following the acquisition of Allstream, Manitoba Telecom Services has announced a new management structure. Bill Fraser is now CEO, with Cheryl Barker (President, MTS Manitoba) and John A. MacDonald (President, Allstream) reporting directly to him. ** In Manitoba: Kelvin Sheppard is COO of MTS Communications, David Rourke heads MTS Media, and Randy Williams is General Manager of AAA Alarms. ** At Allstream: Tal Bevan is EVP Sales, Ron McKenzie is EVP Marketing, and Judy McLeod is EVP Customer Operations. ** MTS's e-Business subsidiary, Quanara, merges into Allstream ITS, headed by Dean Prevost. BELL SEEKS CABLE TV LICENCES: Bell Canada has filed applications for broadcast distribution licences covering 11 cities on Ontario and Quebec. The company plans to offer TV over its existing fibre/copper facilities, using VDSL. TELUS MUST FILE TARIFF FOR PETRO-CANADA CONTRACT: Responding to a complaint Call-Net filed last year (see Telecom Update #365), the CRTC has ruled that the services Telus provides Petro-Canada violate bundling rules. The telco has 60 days to file tariffs showing that the services cover costs, or discontinue them. ** The Commission dismissed Call-Net's complaints regarding Telus's services to three other business customers. www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2004/dt2004-38.htm ISP TESTS BROADBAND OVER POWERLINE: Trytel, an Internet Services Provider owned by Telecom Ottawa, is testing technology developed by Toronto's Electrolinks Corporation that provides broadband communication over in-building electrical wires. A service trial in the Ramada Inn and Conference Centre in Cornwall, Ontario, will run until November. CABLE CUTS STOP PHONE SERVICE TO 250,000: A deliberate cable cut near St. John's eliminated phone service for about half of Aliant's customers in Newfoundland, beginning about 10:30 pm on June 8. Full service was restored by early Wednesday afternoon. Another cut in Nova Scotia affected about 5,000 customers. The RCMP is investigating. RIM MAY SETTLE PATENT SUIT: A report issued by Canaccord Capital last week speculates that Research In Motion may settle the patent infringement suit filed by NTP rather than continue with legal actions. The analyst says that RIM made a strong case in a U.S. federal appeals court last week, but that both sides are likely to decide that the financial risk of losing is too great. BUSINESS LINE RATES UP IN B.C., ALBERTA: On June 1, business multi-line service in B.C. and Alberta increased by 3.9% to 6%. The rate hikes were proposed in Telus's 2004 price cap filing and approved in CRTC Telecom Order 2004-172. www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Orders/2004/o2004-172.htm BELL, MICROSOFT UNVEIL JOINT PORTAL: On June 9, Bell Canada and Microsoft Canada unveiled their joint website, Sympatico.MSN.ca, and announced new services, including mapping, video games, and children's content. A new $4.95/month Sympatico Mail option provides spam and virus filters and additional storage. ** Sympatico.MSN.ca is also being offered by Aliant. ALLSTREAM OFFERS MITEL-BASED MANAGED IP: Allstream has announced a managed Enterprise IP Telephony service that combines its IP Connectivity and Infrastructure Management with Mitel's 3300 IP-PBX platform. ROGERS RAISES $250 MILLION: In a "bought deal," Rogers Communications is issuing 9.5 million Class B Non-Voting shares, producing gross proceeds of about $250 million. MTS RAISES FUNDS FOR ALLSTREAM PURCHASE: Manitoba Telecom has raised $350 million in new debt to finance its purchase of Allstream, which closed June 4. BELL SETTLES "FREE CALLS" SUIT: Bell Canada will pay up to $10 million to settle a class action suit related to its First Rate long distance service. In the late nineties, the telco offered unlimited Canadian LD between 6 pm and 8 am, then put an 800-minute cap on the plan and changed the hours to 8 pm to 6 am. The suit said Bell did not give customers adequate notice of the change. ** Current Bell residential customers will receive a credit on their phone bills; past customers can apply to receive a prepaid phone card at www.bell.ca/classaction. BELL BUYS INFOSTREAM: Bell Canada has acquired Infostream Technologies, a Richmond Hill company that provides VoIP networks, storage area networks, and network management for enterprise customers. CERTICOM FINALLY IN THE BLACK: Mississauga-based Certicom, which supplies security software to makers of wireless devices, reports revenues of US$34.5 million for the year ending April 30, and net income of $17.2 million, its first- ever profit. ROGERS WIRELESS NAMES PRESIDENT FOR WEST: Darryl Levy, head of Rogers Wireless distribution, sales, and service for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northwest Ontario, now also fills this role for Alberta and B.C., with the title President, Western Canada. IS VoIP REALLY NEARING THE TAKEOFF POINT? It's widely believed that Voice over IP will disrupt the Canadian telecom industry. But how will it happen, and who will be disrupted? In the June issue of Telemanagement, Lis Angus and John Riddell analyze the views of industry leaders. Also in this issue: ** A Different Road to Call Centre Outsourcing ** Does Telecom Policy Need an Overhaul? ** Implementing Enterprise Mobile Data Applications To become a Telemanagement subscriber -- including unlimited access to Telemanagement's extensive online contentcall 800- 263-4415 ext 500 or visit www.angustel.ca/teleman/tm-sub- online.html. ============================================================ HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR TELECOM UPDATE E-MAIL: editors@angustel.ca FAX: 905-686-2655 MAIL: TELECOM UPDATE Angus TeleManagement Group 8 Old Kingston Road Ajax, Ontario Canada L1T 2Z7 =========================================================== HOW TO SUBSCRIBE (OR UNSUBSCRIBE) TELECOM UPDATE is provided in electronic form only. There are two formats available: 1. The fully-formatted edition is posted on the World Wide Web on the first business day of the week at www.angustel.ca 2. The e-mail edition is distributed free of charge. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: join-telecom_update@nova.sparklist.com To stop receiving the e-mail edition, send an e-mail message to: leave-telecom_update@nova.sparklist.com Sending e-mail to these addresses will automatically add or remove the sender's e-mail address from the list. Leave subject line and message area blank. We do not give Telecom Update subscribers' e-mail addresses to any third party. For more information, see www.angustel.ca/update/privacy.html. =========================================================== COPYRIGHT AND CONDITIONS OF USE: All contents copyright 2004 Angus TeleManagement Group Inc. All rights reserved. For further information, including permission to reprint or reproduce, please e-mail rosita@angustel.ca or phone 905-686-5050 ext 500. The information and data included has been obtained from sources which we believe to be reliable, but Angus TeleManagement makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. Opinions expressed are based on interpretation of available information, and are subject to change. If expert advice on the subject matter is required, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. ------------------------------ From: Gene S. Berkowitz Subject: Re: Need Expert Legal and Medical Testimony for Lawsuit Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 21:40:11 -0400 In article , knowledge@charterinternet.com says: > [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Not a telecom thing, but an interesting > problem facing a man who needs help obtaining a personal injury > lawsuit. Included here FYI and thoughts. PAT] > Im Hotep telecom-request@xx.lcs.mit.edu, > I'm a poor widows son rummaging around in a rubbish pile in Southeast > Missouri looking for a non biased, righteous living, clear thinking > medical doctor who is willing to testify in court to the possibility > of a person developing a life threatening disease a few weeks after > being struck broadside by a huge rotor rooter type van going nearly 60 > miles per hour. > I also need a sharp attorney who sees the potential of this case to > help me prosecute it. > The doctor should be well versed in endocrinology. The attorney in > personal injury law. > The female in the van admitted in the police report, that, they were > looking down on the floor of the van and ran the red light. They made > no efforts to stop. > I was driving a brand new National rental car 2000 Grand Prix with > about 50 miles on it, and making a left turn on two green left turn > arrows. > It happened on October 12 of 1999. My time to file a lawsuit runs out > in October 12 of 2004 > I have been told that I have a six digit or greater winnable lawsuit > if I can make the link between the sudden onset of the disease that > left me a fatality, and the car accident. > I have physicals from 1996 showing I was OK. I have another VA > physical from September 7, 1999 just six weeks before the accident > showing I was playing with a full deck. > I had just returned from a ten day vacation to N'awlins and the > south. I was feeling great eating the best of foods down there, and > drinking some excellent spirits. I was riding high. > I am a 14 year Air Force veteran with an honorable discharge. I have a > B.A. degree. I have never been involved with the criminal justice > system, and I don't like drugs; not even legal ones. I only take > one-a- day vitamins and aspirin. > I need to find cases on-line where people have already won judgments > in cases similar to the one I'm filing. > Without making this link all the insurance company is willing to pay > is $2,700 dollars to cover emergency room expenses. > They won't pay me not even a nickel for all of the post traumatic > stress, ??????s, sexual dysfunctions, major depression, dissolution of > my marriage. To my mind that is not JUSTICE. > The woman who struck me continues to raise her children and be happy > with her husband. They probably don't even remember the accident, and > she certainly doesn't know how it has ruined my life. > I can no longer work. I'm afraid to drive now. Every time I see a > Sport Utility Vehicle, or something bigger coming towards me on a two > lane road, I begin to hyper ventilate and sweat. If I don't watch > myself, I tend to steer to far to the right side of the road. Many > times, I have actually left the road and nearly over corrected getting > back on. > I can never forget the horrible sound and the force of the impact of > that person broad siding me. > Remember, There but for the grace of the SUPREME BEING go you! > Contact me at this email address if you have the expertise and are > willing to be a part of a landmark case. If you know someone who is > willing and able, then have them email me. > Thank you for the manner and spirit you have shown in taking the time to > read and consider this information. > knowledgeNee@charterinternet.com > So mote it be. > Amicably Yours > 1-212-561-5483 Pat, I'm pretty surprised that you saw this item fit to post. 1. If Poor Widows Son (PWS) has been told he has a "six digit or greater winnable lawsuit", there are plenty of lawyers, even around the rubbish piles of Missouri, who would take it on a contingency basis. 2. "knowledge@charterinternet.com" is bogus. Try searching for it in Google Groups. 3. "1-212-561-5483" is a Manhattan telephone number. Pretty high rent for a PWS. --Gene [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I think I did get taken. It was an odd message to say the least. But to address your specific points: (1) He may have been told he had a 'winnable case' but the lawyer did not really think so, or was not willing to expend the money and time to find out. (1-a) Missouri does not have 'rubbish piles' generally. There are a lot of very beautiful areas there such as the Ozarks. If you do not believe me, take a drive down Highway 54 from St. Louis south- west to Joplin. Exceptionally wonderful mountain range, etc. (2) I do not have the resources available to cross-check domain names versus their existenced. If a person says http://somewhere I just accept it as real. (3) Yes, I know that 212 is Manhattan, New York. It certainly is not Manhattan, KS (area 785 by Junction City, KS where I was located after first moving away from Chicago. (3-question) Has anyone yet called that 212 number to see what kind of a scam the person is running? If so, please report here. All things being equal I probably should have taken a few extra minutes to investigate that message further. PAT] ------------------------------ From: aone1504@yahoo.com (Srini) Subject: Server Requirement For CT-Connect Date: 14 Jun 2004 01:42:01 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Ours is a call center which receives about 5 lakh calls per day. I am exploring the option of CT-Connect for CTI functionality that includes screen pop. Can any one tell me what would be the sizing for the CTI server that runs CT-Connect, for this kind of call volume. (Specifically the server configuration and number of servers). Server could be either a Unix (Sun Solaris machine) or Windows 2000 advanced server. Thanks in advance, Srini ------------------------------ From: usenet@sugarinthegourd.com (John Salmon) Subject: Re: Help w/ DSL Problem - Connection Fails Date: 14 Jun 2004 06:36:33 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Thanks for the very helpful answer guys. I'm going to take a look at the wiring and splices inside the house & see what I can figure out. It's actually been working for a couple days straight now -- it seems to get worse as the weather gets hot. Don't know if that makes any sense or if it's just a coincidence. Best wishes, John ------------------------------ From: c.c.eiftj@California.usenet.us.com (Rahul Dhesi) Subject: Re: California: SBC Restrictions on DSL Are Illegal, Judge Rules Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 23:06:32 +0000 (UTC) Organization: a2i network bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi) writes: [ about SBC disallowing transfer of voice service to a competitor while still continuing DSL service on the same line ] > When the ILEC 'leases' a pair to a CLEC, that CLEC gets _exclusive_ > control of that pair.... > ...The law > *requires* that they give the CLEC _total_ control of that pair. They > _cannot_ say "you can use this pair for voice, but we're going to > continue to put a DSL signal on it." Question: Does the law prohibit an ILEC, a CLEC, and an end-user customer, from entering into a three-party contract, with the consent of all three parties, such that the ILEC provides voice service on the line to the end-user customer, while the CLEC provides DSL service on the same line to that customer? If there is such a law, what is the rational basis for it? Rahul ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 19:10:25 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: New Web Ads Follow Visitors Around By ANICK JESDANUN AP Internet Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- ESPN and other Web sites, eyeing the successes search engines have had with ads based on keywords, are exploring a new form of targeting that's tied to their visitors' online habits. Though some privacy advocates find the practice creepy, Web sites say the technology lets them deliver ads that readers find more relevant. - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=41928884 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 19:11:13 -0400 From: Monty Solomon Subject: Skeptics Question Wi-Fi's Viability By ELLEN SIMON AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) -- Alas, wireless Internet may not be the technology sector's salvation after all. Small companies, some publicly traded, are burning cash trying to turn Wi-Fi into viable business. Some have already shut down. Faster than you can say "industry bubble," skeptics are asking whether wireless Internet connections will become similar to the wired Internet of the late 1990s _ hot but rarely profitable. - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=41928966 ------------------------------ From: Frank@nospam.biz Subject: Re: Note to Unaware Long Distance Users Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 06:44:41 -0700 Organization: Cox Communications Steve H. wrote: > A Cautionary tale: unless you know for a fact that you are getting > "cheap" international long distance rates with MCI or your long > distance carrier, do not make an international long distance phone > call. I was charged up to $4.95 a minute by MCI and it was perfectly > legal. Caveat Emptor. > Steve Now that I am comfortable with my Vonage Voip, I placed complete toll restriction on my SWB wireline phone (our "incoming" line, if you will). There is no way we can get sucked into one of those scams, plus no one can tap the juncture in our condo's ulitity room and make a toll call. (It has happened). ------------------------------ From: AES/newspost Subject: Re: Transatlantic Fibre Connections Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 07:53:13 -0700 [Cross-posted to comp.dcom.telecomm, from original thread on s.c.f] In article <2j5fcfFsaih1U1@uni-berlin.de>, David wrote: >> For anyone interested in fiber optics and telecom, the site >> http://www.cybergeography.org/atlas/atlas.html >> is likely to be absolutely fascinating (though it may not answer the >> specific technical question posed above). > Thanks for this link, very interesting stuff > another link that may be of interest to the OP is > http://davidw.home.cern.ch/davidw/public/SubCables.html > This paper provides a simplified overview of sub sea cable up to > about 1998, Yes, well worth knowing about. As someone raised in an era when "long distance" was sufficiently expensive that my parents in Michigan would _write a letter_ to Uncle Harry in Oregon to tell him they'd be calling him next Sunday evening, I've always been curious to understand better: When I fire off a 20 MB PDF file to someone in Australia via the Internet, at zero apparent cost to me, (a) what would be a reasonable loaded cost (or price) for that transmission in today's Internet world? (b) What are the primary components of that cost? And (c) however minimal that cost may be, who's paying for it, and how? How do the various elements along the route of that message get paid for carrying it? ------------------------------ From: VOIP News Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 11:29:45 -0400 Subject: HBF Group, Inc. Announces I-911 Voice Over IP (VoIP) Solution Reply-To: VoIPnews@yahoogroups.com http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2004/6/emw133584.htm HBF Group, Inc. Announces I-911 Voice Over IP (VoIP) Solution for VoIP Providers and the Emergency Services Industry i-911 addresses the deficiencies in other commercially VoIP 911 available solutions by providing a 911 emergency calling service that is deployable immediately , requires little or no change to the public safety answering points (PSAPs). i-911 offers a significant improvement over other VoIP solutions as it delivers accurate call back and location information from a 9-1-1 call in real-time. (PRWEB) June 14, 2004 -- HBF Group, Inc. Announces I-911™ Voice Over IP (VoIP) Solution for VoIP Providers and the Emergency Services Industry. i-911 addresses the deficiencies in other commercially VoIP 911 available solutions by providing a 911 emergency calling service that is deployable immediately , requires little or no change to the public safety answering points (PSAPs). i-911 offers a significant improvement over other VoIP solutions as it delivers accurate call back and location information from a 9-1-1 call in real-time. HBF Group, Inc., North America's first provider of E9-1-1 technologies, has developed a revolutionary VoIP solution in that it emulates the current wireline 911 environment with the delivery of accurate location information and call back number. i-911 is designed to be evolutionary as well with a design that will grow as the VoIP industry changes and matures as industry standards evolve. Until now, most commercially available solutions have calls being delivered to a 10 digit PSAP telephone number with no callback telephone number or location information. i-911 leverages the VoIP provider's data infrastructure and NENA's (National Emergency Number Association) XML standards to deliver both callback and location information. This affords PSAPs the ability to dispatch emergency services even in the event that an emergency call is disconnected or the caller can not speak. HBF believes that the VoIP 911 solutions deployed to date are an accident waiting to happen. The average consumer does not understand that their VoIP phone will not give location information to the 911 first responders. "With i-911, VoIP providers can deploy a 911 solution that provides its customers with the coverage and functionality that they expect," says Hank Johnson, CEO of HBF Group. "We are pleased to be able to offer this life saving technology to the VoIP industry." HBF will unveil and demonstrate its i-911 VoIP solution at the annual National Emergency Number Association, June 14th in Tampa FL. ABOUT HBF HBF Group, Inc. is the 911 technology leader providing cutting edge solutions to the 911 industry. HBF deployed the first state-wide 911 deployment in the United States as well as the first province-wide deployment in Canada. HBF is very active in the standards setting bodies of NENA and ESIF, particularly for VoIP and XML technologies. HBF Group, Inc. 700 Lavaca, Suite 1200 Austin, TX 78701 512.481.0911 Media Contact: Phyllis Williams 512.481.0911 www.hbfgroup.com ### How to Distribute VoIP Throughout a Home: http://michigantelephone.mi.org/distribute.html If you live in Michigan, subscribe to the MI-Telecom group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MI-Telecom/ [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It is quite interesting that as I was editing this message the police/fire scanner started talking. The dispatcher and officers do not talk much over the radio, but when they do it is often times just administrative chatter, as in many towns. To announce it is an urgent matter, the dispatcher always begins by saying "I have a nine-one-one call!" EMTs needed at 514 South Second Street, a man is choking." EMT unit responds they are on the way, and a police officer says he will meet the EMT there to see what it is about. That address is only about two blocks from me; I was tempted to wander over there and observe it myself, but I decided against it. The interesting part, which re-affirmed my faith in Vonage was the dispatcher's next comment: (an officer had apparently asked the dispatcher to verify the address and phone number of the emergency caller); she replied "It was from the sheriff PSAP database; that new computer thing called 'Vonage', this is the first time we ever had one of those, let me know if it is a good call or flaky." Apparently it was 'good' since a few minutes later the EMT responds, "citizen had some food caught in his throat, we've cleared it but are taking him over to Mercy (Hospital) Emergency Room." My feeling is given enough time, Vonage and the other VOIP carriers will totally get their acts together and put traditional telephony to shame, financially, especially with their huge investment in outside plant (wires, etc) for which they are stuck and need to get paid for somehow. If you have not yet tried Vonage (as my favorite example of VOIP) then if you want to try it, I have e-coupons good for a month of free service. Just write ptownson@massis.csail.mit.edu and ask for an e-coupon. 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 networks such as Compuserve and America On Line, Yahoo Groups, and other forums. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. TELECOM Digest is a not-for-profit, mostly non-commercial educational service offered to the Internet by Patrick Townson. All the contents of the Digest are compilation-copyrighted. You may reprint articles in some other media on an occasional basis, but please attribute my work and that of the original author. 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End of TELECOM Digest V23 #289 ******************************