---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <eb2cc330-49bc-4ff6-b587-4439ff924a9f@googlegroups.com> Date: 1 Mar 2019 11:46:07 -0800 From: HAncock4 <withheld@invalid.telecom-digest.org> Subject: Re: How SMS works On Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 1:11:57 PM UTC-5, Harold Hallikainen wrote: > The surprisingly complex journey a text message takes every time we > hit 'send.' This is where it began, seventy years ago at Western Union: Plug-and-jack switching: http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives/technical/western-union-tech-review/02-2/p075.htm Push button switching: http://massis.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives/technical/western-union-tech-review/02-3/p119.htm There are a long series of articles in WUTR describing the development and implementation of their automated switching systems. While technically sound, economically they were a failure. In the 1950s, the Bell System developed a direct-dialed carrier long distance network that allowed for cheap telephone calls. WU's network was labor intensive. Thus, it became cheaper and easier to phone than send a telegram, and WU's telegraph business took a serious decline. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <2bafffc6-3de5-4560-98d1-b63a451bcacf@googlegroups.com> Date: 28 Feb 2019 13:15:08 -0800 From: HAncock4 <withheld@invalid.telecom-digest.org> Subject: Re: New Bill Would Stop Internet Service Providers From Screwing You With Hidden Fees On Monday, February 25, 2019 at 2:30:10 PM UTC-5, Monty Solomon wrote: > Like the airline and hotel industries, the cable TV and broadband > sector has a masterful knack for obnoxious, hidden fees. From fees for > simply trying to pay your bill to broadband surcharges based entirely > on fluff and nonsense, the industry has spent years advertising one > rate, only to hit you with a significantly higher price once your bill > actually comes due. [snip] Although historically the traditional telephone bill was very straightforward, there was one item in a few areas that consumers resented--message units. In several large cities, suburban calls were billed on a bulk basis rather than itemized. This made it a lot simpler for Bell in that they didn't need AMA or ANI, they could just use a meter attached to each line with relatively simple pulsing. But customers would get a bill of message units with no listing of who they called or how long they talked. Heavy users got big bills and no way to control it. Message units depended on length of call and distance. It is still used in some places. When New York Telephone added Suffolk County (Long Island) to the message unit system, there was a lot of opposition, but it stuck. ------------------------------ Message-ID: <a2b59f4e-dd18-4282-9075-618dcb918f26@googlegroups.com> Date: 28 Feb 2019 14:12:05 -0800 From: "Neal McLain" <nmclain.remove-this@and-this-too.annsgarden.com> Subject: Reversing the Trend of Deregulation, FCC Tackles Caller ID Spoofing Head-on By Seth Williams, CommLawBlog,February 27, 2019 The Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or the "Commission") continued its long-running fight against unwanted robocalls earlier this month, but the steps the Commission proposed may not make a significant impact immediately. On Friday, February 15th, the FCC released a notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPRM") seeking comment on issues associated with implementing new caller ID spoofing rules adopted by Congress as part of the 2018 RAY BAUM Act ("RB Act"). The proposals are part of a broader set of Commission actions targeting the scourge of robocalls. https://tinyurl.com/y26t54wj Neal McLain Brazoria, Texas ------------------------------ ********************************************* End of telecom Digest Sat, 02 Mar 2019