Telecom/1996-04-telecom-walnutcreek.iso/back.issues/1993.volume.13/vol13.iss751-800

Text File | 1993-12-05 | 1MB | 31,114 lines

Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa04796;
          11 Nov 93 5:45 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA13973
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 10 Nov 1993 21:15:51 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA28862
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 10 Nov 1993 21:15:17 -0600
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 21:15:17 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #751

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 10 Nov 93 21:15:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 751

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    URGENT: Article Correction Required (Andy Behrens)
    Billing Insert Regarding 900 Charges (Carl Moore)
    Feature Interaction (Tony Harminc)
    DCS6000 Dancall (Edzard Kolks)
    Macintosh Software for NIST (Eli S. Bingham)
    POTS -> Digital (PCM) Cards (Grant Brydon)
    TCI/Bell Atlantic Merger - International Ramifications? (William R. Hester)
    Minneapolis is no Picnic, Either (vs. Chicago) (Roy M. Silvernail)
    Problems With Michigan Bell (Steven M. Palm)
    Help: Need to Query V&H Database (Nathan Banks)
    Crummy Service in NY (Carl Oppedahl)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Andy Behrens)
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 19:29:35 -0500
Organization: Burlington Coat Factory
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: URGENT: Article Correction Required


Pat,

Can you publish the following correction AS SOON AS POSSIBLE...

The phone number that I gave in the original article was wrong, and
some poor woman is being flooded with calls from eager Telecom
subscribers.

I've cancelled the Usenet posting of the article also, but many people
may have read it already.

Thanks!
Andy

========================= CORRECTED ARTICLE  =========================
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 18:13:03 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Analog Telephone Interfaces For Computers

***  THE TELEPHONE NUMBER POSTED YESTERDAY FOR "COMPUTER TELEPHONY"  ***
***  MAGAZINE WAS INCORRECT -- THE AREA CODE WAS WRONG.  THE NUMBER  ***
***  APPEARING BELOW IS THE RIGHT ONE.                               ***

[e-mail] (Joe Picone) writes:
> Can somebody suggest a good state-of-the-art telephone interface that
> can be computer controlled?

Anyone who is interested in this sort of thing should read Computer
Telephony ("The magazine for Computer and Telephone Integration").
Lots of useful ads too.  It's free to qualified subscribers, $38/year
for others.  Ask them to send you a subscription card.

You can reach them by:

    Mail:       Computer Telephony, 12 West 21 St., New York, NY 10010
    Phone:      [phone]
    E-mail:     <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>


Andy Behrens
Burlington Coat Factory, Schoolhouse Rd., Etna, N.H. 03750    [phone]


[Moderator's Note: Others also wrote to report the error in the phone
number and I thank you for your correction. To the poor woman being
flooded with calls, sorry lady.  :(  PAT]


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

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 16:23:09 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Billing Insert Regarding 900 Charges


My newest bill from Diamond State Telephone arrived today.  It
includes the following (and I am not sure what "telephone billed
purchases" would be):

           THE TELEPHONE DISCLOSURE AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION ACT

This federal law gives you the following rights regarding 900 calls
and telephone billed purchases:

- You do no have to pay for 900 calls that do not follow federal rules
  and regulations.

- Neither your local nor long distance service will be disconnected if
  you do not pay these charges; however, the 900 service company may
  attempt to collect these charges from you and you may be reported to
  a credit or collection agency.  Also, if you do not pay legitimate
  charges, you ability to make 900 calls from your line may be blocked.

- You can call your local telephone company to have 900 calls blocked
  from your line.

- If you have a question about 900 calls or telephone billed purchases
  on your bill, call the number shown at the end of your 900 charges.
  Your call starts a review of these charges.  During this review you do
  not have to pay for the charges in question, but you do have to pay
  the other charges on your bill.  Upon completion of the review, your
  account will be credited for the amount of the charges in question or
  you will receive a letter explaining why no credit will be allowed and
  when the payment for the disputed charges is due.  if you do not pay
  the amount for these charges by the due date, you may be reported to
  a credit or collection agency.


[Moderator's Note: Ameritech (Illinois Bell) has the same notice
almost word for word going out in November bills here.  PAT]

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

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 17:08:02 EST
From: Tony Harminc <[e-mail]>
Subject: Feature Interaction


An unending topic, I know.  There is even a feature interaction
conference that's been mentioned here.  Each time I think I've thought
through all the possibilities I am surprised yet again.

I have Call Return on my line.  I called a friend, it was busy, so I
keyed *66 and the friendly voice told me I would be called back when
the line was free.  I went and did other things, including one period
of about five minutes when I made a fair amount of noise.

After about an hour, I wondered at my friend's line still being busy
(he has a modem line, so it wasn't that).  I dialed *66 again, mainly
out of curiosity to see if the system would give me the same friendly
message, or would tell me that I had already made the same request.

To my surprise, the line was not busy, and my friend answered on the
second ring.  He immediately asked me why I had called almost an hour
ago and had hung up (he has Call Display).  After a bit of discussion,
we concluded that perhaps Call Return was misbehaving and had called
me back, received no answer from me (because I had missed the ringback
because of the noise I was making), yet had allowed his line to ring.

To test this, we repeated the procedure, agreeing that I would not
pick up on the special ringback (short-short-long).  So I let it ring
 ... and on the fourth ring heard my answering machine pick up the call
in the other room.

So what had happened was that my machine had picked up on the ringback
and started its outgoing message, the switch had rung my friend's
line, his machine had picked up on the second ring just in time for my
machine to have started recording the "incoming" call.  Eventually
both machines VOXs shut them off.

So yet another explanation for strange "but I didn't call you!"
messages captured on the machine.

Presumably this wouldn't happen with a voicemail type service, i.e.
the switch would be bright enough to distinguish the *66 ringback from
a normal inbound call, and not forward it.


Tony Harminc

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

From: [e-mail] (Edzard Kolks)
Subject: DCS6000 Dancall
Date: 10 Nov 1993 22:49:37 GMT
Organization: Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands


Hello there,

I would like to get some info about the wireless telephone DCS6000
from Dancall.  It's a firm from Denmark, I think ... it could be that
it's been taken over by Amstrad.  If someone know's out there what's
happend to the DCS5000 it would interest me too!

Thanks in advance,


With kind regards,

Edzard Kolks

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

From: [e-mail] (Eli S Bingham)
Subject: Macintosh Software for NIST
Organization: Calif State Univ/Electronic Information Services
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 20:15:29 GMT


The October 1993 issue of BYTE Magazine mentions that you can access
the NIST atomic clock through the Internet at address 132.163.135.130
(time_a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov). However, our computer center is
Macintosh oriented and I cannot find software to set the Mac's clock
through this address (or, for that matter, through the more accurate
telephone connection). Can someone suggest MacTCP compatible software
for this? Or am I going to have to write it myself?


    Eli Bingham   [e-mail]           [e-mail]
    RIMENet Node #5272   Try Electric Magazine BBS at 707-961-0735


[Moderator's Note: Would someone like to summarize a bit more from the
article and explain how the clock is accessed through that address?
Is there a certain special login one would use, or would one telnet
to a given socket on that machine, or?   Thanks.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Grant Brydon)
Subject: POTS -> Digital (PCM) Cards
Organization: MPR Teltech Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 17:24:41 GMT


I'm looking for a pair of cards for conversion of the analog
subscriber loop signals into a digital stream.  I know of many cards,
and simple ICs, to correctly sample and code (u-law/a-law) the voice
channel but have not come across a set of cards which will include the
signalling information (ring, off hook, etc.) in the PCM stream for
use at the receive end.

The battery, ring, and other power will be supplied (if necessary) for
the card to feed into the analog subscriber loop.

I am aware of the T1 cards and systems, but need only a single channel
system with a lower bit rate than a T1.  My goal is to keep the bit
rate to less than 128 kbit/s.

Diagram:

         Card A                            Card B
    |-----|                           |------|
        |     |                           |      |
POTS<-->|     |<-----Single PCM Stream--->|      |<-->POTS
        |     |           <128kbit/s      |      |
        |-----|                           |------|
           ^                                  ^
           |                                  |
        Battery/Ring                      Battery/Ringi


Thanks,

GRANT BRYDON ([e-mail])     MPR TELTECH
8999 Nelson Way, Burnaby BC, Canada, V5A 4B5
Phone [phone]     FAX [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (William R. Hester)
Subject: TCI/Bell Atlantic Merger - International Ramifications?
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 17:52:32 GMT


Does anyone have any insights or ideas about the international
ramifications of the TCI/Bell Atlantic merger?

I have found out that TCI has some interests in a Mexican cable
operation, and that Bell Atlantic has purchased interest in a cellular
telephone system in Mexico.

How can NAFTA affect the telecommunications and cable business in
Mexico?

Any other countries involved in this merger?


Thanks,


Bill Hester, Ham Radio N0LAJ, Denver CO., USA - N0LAJ@W0LJF.#NECO.CO.USA.NOAM
Please route replies to: [e-mail] or uunet!nyx!whester
Public Access Unix @ University of Denver, Denver Colorado USA
(no official affiliation with the above university)

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy M. Silvernail)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 22:37:48 CST
Subject: Minneapolis is No Picnic, Either (vs. Chicago)


My apartment was robbed last week.  Gone are my stereo, all my CDs, a
ring and ... my Sprint Foncard.

You may recall that when I first received the Foncard, I called Sprint
and specifically asked for a card with no PIN on it.  The rep told me
it wasn't possible, and recommended that I memorize my PIN and leave
the card at home for security.

I guess we can see how well THAT works.  :-(

On the bright side, my rep was very helpful in cancelling my card and
told me I'd have a new one in seven to ten days.  The card hadn't been
used!  (I guess I got some luck out of this encounter, after all.)


Roy M. Silvernail |+|  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I'm sorry to hear this grim news. I hope for your
sake you did not violate any of the civil rights of the burglar; the
court may come down pretty hard on you if you did.  :(  You understand
of course that if the guy is caught, you still don't automatically
get your stuff back. You have to prove you own it rather than the
burglar. An interesting and increasingly common incident occurred here
recently. A home invader had broken into a house about five years ago.
He simply kicked the door in and entered. He went down into the base-
ment area to prowl around, but unknown to him, the residents there were
doing some remodeling in the basement and they had stacks of lumber
and paneling laying around; some had nails in it or nasty slivers of
wood and metal, etc. Without turning on the light switch, the home
invader stepped on some plank down there and started a chain-reaction
causing another piece of wood to flip up in the air. It had some
nails in it which hit him in the face. He was caught, but he sued the
people who lived there -- the people whose place he had violated -- and
about three months ago was awarded two hundred thousand dollars in
damages due to the scars he received on his face; his hospital bill,
etc. The people filed bankruptcy at that point, but the court ruled
the judgment could not be dismissed in bankruptcy, so I guess they
will be working a long time to pay off this guy. Let that be a lesson
to you. Keep your homes neat, clean and free of dangers. If someone
breaks in while you are gone (or some have the nerve to do it while
you are there!), you don't want them to injure themselves.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven M. Palm)
Subject: Problems With Michigan Bell
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 10:25:52 CST


Greetings!

I recived a letter a few months ago from a collection agency in
Michigan.  They explained that I had a past-due account with Michigan
Bell/Ameritech.  Since I reside in Wisconsin and have not had service
with Michigan Bell, I asked them what the address for the account was.
They stated that they did not have that information, so I explained
that I would contact Michigan Bell.  It is my understanding that even
if I *did* owe money to MI Bell, I would only have to deal with MI
Bell, not the collection agency.  I may be wrong, but that is another
issue.

I contacted Michigan Bell, and the address the provided was in Grand
Rapids.  I explained that I lived in Wisconsin and could not have had
service there.  They asked that I send proof of residence for that
period of time to them, which I did.

Several weeks later, they contacted me and stated that they had traced
the account to my brother.  Since it was a family member, they stated
that it was their policy to hold me liable for the charges.

I fail to understand how I can be legally responsible for the debts of
my brother.  I do not know how he obtained my social security number
to initiate the service, but I did not authorize it in any way shape
or form.

Michigan Bell refused to budge, so I contacted the consumer protection
agency in Wisconsin.  They referred me to the Wisconsin Banking
commission.  The gentleman I spoke with there asked me to detail all
of this in a letter to him, which I did.  He then proceeded to contact
the collection agency and Michigan Bell with the details, and asked
for an explanation of why they felt I was liable.  He recieved only a
terse note back stating that Michigan Bell's position has not changed.

My brother has not contacted my family for quite some time, and my
brother-in-law had co-signed a car loan for him that he has defaulted
on.  My brother-in-law has had to make the last five payments, and he
doesn't even have the car.  But he is legally bound to be responsible;
I do not feel that I am.

I feel that Michigan Bell should pursue my brother for the debt, and
for charges of fraud for illegally using my Social Security number.
But they said that they do not get involved with inner-family affairs.
I fail to see where they come from.  I don't think it's my responsiblity
to pay the debt and to pursue my brother legally for the charges as
Michigan Bell suggested.  For that matter, it's somewhat dubious as to
where my brother even IS.

My question is, WHAT CAN I DO?  I do not wish to have this left hanging
out in space, perhaps damaging my credit record, but on the other hand
I have absolutely no intention of paying Michigan Bell for a debt I
did not incur.

ANY suggestions would be MOST appreciated.  Thank you for your
consideration.

 FYI:  The collection agency:
     Midwestern Audit Services
     P.O. Box 1707
     Troy, MI  48099-1707

     Michigan Bell
     FINAL ACCOUNTS
     MRS DAK
     112 Grand River
     Room 100
     Port Huron, MI  48060


Steven M. Palm     [e-mail]
Milwaukee, WI      FidoNet:  1:154/600
Linux! :)       [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: The first thing you do is send a letter to the
agency with a copy to telco saying "You are requested to cease further
contact with me in any form effective at this time. You are to make
no further telephone calls or mail contact with me or members of my
immediate family residing at <address> and telephone number <number>."

Period. End of letter, but of course you include indentifying inform-
ation regards your account, the collection agency file number, the
Michigan Bell telephone number, etc. The agency is required by federal
law (the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act) to cease contact with you
on receipt of this request. Upon receipt, the agency will cease making
contact, but will at the same time mostly likely go back to their
client and recommend suit. Please note the FDCPA only applies to coll-
ection agencies, *not* to creditors and only partly to the creditor's
attorney; MBTel can continue to make contact if they choose. They may
or may not accept the advice of the collection agency and allow the
agency to file suit.

Then you send a letter to the corporate attorney for Michigan Bell (no
copy to the agency is needed or desirable; the attorney's name will
be easily located in various public records -- that's one of the
services my 'Digital Detective' operation performs). In that letter,
do *not* tell him your life story, and more important, do *not*
practice law; do *not* attempt to quote the law. In that letter you
state that his client MBT alleges that an adult member of your family
who does not reside in your household and whose whereabouts are not
known to you owes to them the sum of <money amount> for services
identified with <phone number>. State further that in an attempt to
collect the money alleged owing, his client has engaged in numerous
tactics including placing the account with an agency; writing letters
and making phone calls in which they claim a legal basis for
collection of <brother's> alleged indebtedness from yourself; and to
the best of your knowledge, corresponding with credit bureaus regards
the alleged indebtedness and yourself. Specifically state that you
have no obligation for the debts of your brother. Ask the attorney if
in his opinion he agrees with you that 'the actions of MBT in this
matter are unlawful and constitute harassment and/or retaliation.' And
if he does reach the same conclusion as yourself, you'd appreciate the
kind intervention of his office in bringing the matter to a conclusion
without the need for you to file suit; and of course in the event his
client does choose to sue frivilously, your response will be a countersuit.

Believe me, when his office gets your letter, someone will call MBT
and ask what its about. The file will get pulled from Mrs. Dak. MBT's
corporate attorney may contact you, or you may get a letter instead
 from the Chairman's Office at MBT from one of the highly placed
flunkies authorized to respond in the Chairman's name. They *know*
they cannot force you to pay; they're just trying to bluff. You call
their bluff in return.  PAT]

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

From: neptune![e-mail] (Nathan Banks)
Subject: Help: Need to Query V&H Database
Organization: iex
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 19:40:51 GMT


Howdy,

Here in Texas, the state Senate recently passed legislation (SB 632)
allowing rural communities to petition the PUC to extend their
respective local calling scopes to "communities of interest" of up to
22 miles.

I am currently researching my community's locality of interest by
looking at county maps and interviewing members of the community to
ascertain their civic and business needs outside of our current 2-3
mile local calling scope.

I was wondering if someone could suggest how I might access a "V&H"
coordinate database to query the following information.

List the npa-nxx of all exchanges which are less than 23 miles from
npa-nxx = "903 776". I would also like to do this at 25, 30 and 32
miles.

Any suggestions are welcome.


Nathan Banks
IEX Corporation                          Voice: 214.301.1206
2425 North Central Expressway, Suite 350 Fax: [phone]
Richardson, Texas 75080                  Email: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: Crummy Service in NY
Date: 10 Nov 1993 17:22:51 -0500
Organization: Oppedahl & Larson


Here I am in Manhattan, the telecommunications center of the world,
where radio jingles say "We're All Connected, New York Telephone".
Warm images of grandma talking to the beloved grandchildren ...
high-powered financial traders moving millions of dollars while
barking into speakerphones.  The White Pages urge us to sign up for
Pathways (r) and Digipath (r) and Superpath (r) and Flexpath (r) and
Infopath (r) and Switchway (r) and Intellipath (r), all high-powered,
modern, digital, cutting-edge wave-of-the-future kinds of things.  You
just pick up the phone and the breeze makes your hair flutter behind
you ...

Recently countless advertisements have told us of *69, which will call
back the person who just called.  "Available from most telephone
numbers" the full-page {New York Times} advertisement says.  Other
ads, on television (I wonder what they cost?), urge us to sign up for
Caller-ID.  Still other ads tout a service that will try a busy number
repeatedly until it goes through.  This sounds great ... until you
actually try to sign up for these things, or use them.

I tried *69 to call someone back.  It did not work.  Instead, an
unintelligible recording comes on, which I assume was meant to tell me
I misdialed my call.

I called the telephone company business office.  There's a reason that
I can't use *69, namely that my telephone exchange is too old.

Likewise I cannot sign up for Caller ID.  And I cannot use the automatic
redial.

Kind of suprising I have even been able to use touch-tone phones all
these years.

Oh, and I cannot get ISDN, either.

My service comes from the "Second Avenue" central office in Manhattan.
It contains twenty-five exchanges, or a theoretical quarter of a
million telephone lines.  Of those exchanges, my business office tells
me, only fifteen can support *69 or caller ID or the automatic redial
feature.  So perhaps two-fifths of the customers in my part of
Manhattan are in the same boat -- no modern telephone features
available.

And only two of the twenty-five support ISDN.  That's actually better
than many other central offices in Manhattan and elsewhere in the
state where zero of the exchanges support ISDN.  Just means that all
but a handful of the quarter of a million customers would have to get
a different telephone number to get ISDN.  (Of course, if more than
20,000 of them asked at once, the ISDN lines would be exhausted.)

Oh, and there is no scheduled date for upgrading my telephone exchange
to more modern equipment, according to the business office.

No wonder businesses move to New Jersey!


Carl Oppedahl AA2KW  (patent lawyer)
1992 Commerce Street #309
Yorktown Heights, NY  10598-4412
voice 212-777-1330

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #751
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa04949;
          11 Nov 93 5:49 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA27128
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 11 Nov 1993 03:08:29 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31044
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 11 Nov 1993 03:07:55 -0600
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 03:07:55 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #752

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 11 Nov 93 03:06:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 752

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Book Review: "A Manager's Guide to Multivendor Networks" (Rob Slade)
    _Naissance d'un virus_ Soon to be Published :-) (Jean-Bernard Condat)
    Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today (Gregory Youngblood)
    My Sprint Modem Arrived (Roy M. Silvernail)
    Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless (Mark Strow)
    Answering After Busy Signal (Clive Dawson)
    Seeking Net Connection in 417 Area (SW Missouri) (Bill Pfeiffer)
    Caller ID Between Area Codes 516 and 718 (Dave Niebuhr)
    Cellular FAQ Wanted (Chris Kalisiak)
    Re: ATM Newsgroup: is There Any? (Rudolf Meyer)
    Strange Ringback (Jeff Bamford)
    Re: Landline Telegraph Service (Gabe M. Wiener)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Steven King)
    Re: Looking For Software Distribution and/or File Transfer Pgms (F da Cruz)
    Re: Brought to You by the Letter Q (Al Stangenberger)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 10 Nov 93 11:47 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "A Manager's Guide to Multivendor Networks" by Enck


BKAMGTMN.RVW  931011

CBM Books
101 Witmer Road  PO Box 446
Horsham, PA   19044
215-957-4265   215-957-4287   Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]   [e-mail]
"A manager's guide to multivendor networks", Enck, 1991, U$35.00

In this case, the title really does say it all.  The author's
description, in the preface, of the difficulties encountered in
working with multi-vendor systems will strike a responsive chord with
just about every network manager or administrator.  Only the most
fortunate of systems operators these days exist in an ivory tower with
support from a single vendor.

In the divided world of "beards" and "suits," the term "manager" tends
to indicate a lack of technical background.  That is basically the
case here, although the material is technically sound.  There are some
interestingly detailed inclusions, going so far as a layout of the
frame structure of an Internet Protocol packet, but these are well
explained and should not present any trouble to the intelligent reader
who is nonetheless a technical novice.  On the contrary, this is an
excellent introduction to the basics of data communications technology
at certain points.

The work is quite practical at the managerial level.  Four major
vendors; DEC, IBM, HP and Sun; are examined in depth and in parallel.
Standards, LANs and WANs, services, TCP/IP and network management are
discussed.  This gives a good start to managers who have to be able to
evaluate competing claims (particularly from competing vendors).

The book is not without faults and even technical errors.  Although
the author is obviously thoroughly researched and comfortable with the
background of the whole network situation, certain parts that were up
to the minute in 1991 sound oddly archaic now.  Nevertheless, this is
an excellent background and starting point for anyone who either has,
or will have, charge of a modern business network.


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKAMGTMN.RVW  931011
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (cccf)
Subject: _Naissance d'un virus_ Soon to be Published
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 11:15:51 EST


By the general secretary of the Chaos Computer Club France (CCCF), the
French translation of "The Little Black Book of Computer Viruses" will
soon be published by Addison-Wesley France (fax: [phone]).

Naassance d'un Virus (dec 1993, 237 pages, circa 98 FF).


Jean-Bernard Condat, PO Box 155, 93404 St-Ouen Cedex, France
Phone: [phone], fax: [phone], email: [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: How about a review of the book for us? Tell us more
about it, and how it might be purchased here in the USA.   PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today
From: [e-mail] (Gregory Youngblood)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 00:22:09 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


[e-mail] (Rosella Bartonico) writes:

> It finally came today, after eight weeks (I switched to Sprint for the
> free modem about September 10).

> It is indeed an internal 1/4 card (half size, half heigth) PC modem.
> Not an external.

> The Smart One Fax Modem from Best Data Products, Inc.
> 9600/4800 bps send/receive fax
> 2400/1200/300 bps data modem
>   with V.42bis and MNP error correction and data compression

Interesting:

This modem could indeed be represented as a 9600 data/fax modem.

9600 bps send fax and 9600 throughput max with v.42bis.

That is how these modems are represented by several modem manufacturers.

That is indeed interesting.  As to the external vs. internal promise I
can't answer.

I am not a person knowledgable in law, but it would seem that Sprint
could use this in court to say they were delivering what they
promised.  After all, why should Sprint be penalized for what modem
companies advertise their products as, and unfortunately, they
advertise a 2400 modem with v.42bis as 9600 data.


Greg
The Complete Solution BBS     Allfiles List:    Anonymous UUCP Calls Accepted
707-459-9058 (24hrs, v.32)    ~/tcsbbs.lst      Login: nuucp  Password: nuucp
Telemate Distribution Site  [e-mail]      Cellular Telephony Groups

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy M. Silvernail)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 22:33:43 CST
Subject: My Sprint Modem Arrived


Strangely enough, although I was told I had a choice of DOS _or_
windows software, I received a disk with both.  It does v.42bis and/or
MNP5 with a software driver (that I haven't tested extensively).  It
gets a LAPM connect with my Connection 96+.  I'll check out the
v.42bis soon.

It's CUTE!  One chip, three glue logic chips and a couple of little amps,
with a discrete hybrid.  I just wish it did interrupts besides 3 & 4.
(but what the heck, it's a freebie)


Roy M. Silvernail |+|  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I am very excited waiting for mine to arrive also. UPS
left a note at my old address saying they tried to deliver it there and
'found no one home when they called'. I notified them of my new address
and it is supposed to be delivered Thursday or Friday.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Strow)
Subject: Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 16:23:43 GMT


Please reply to [e-mail].


Thanks,

M.

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

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 10:21:22 CST
From: Clive Dawson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Answering After Busy Signal


I placed a long distance call to 415-965-xxxx the other day, and
received a busy signal.  I guess I hesitated a little longer than
usual and listened to about four or five "tones" worth of busy signal.
Then, just as I was about to hang up, the person I was calling
answered!

Has anybody else experienced this?  Did I encounter some sort of race
condition, or a bug in a certain type of switching equipment?  Any
explanations would be welcome.  BTW, the number I called was a private
home number (i.e. not a PBX, etc.)


Thanks,

Clive Dawson   MCC    Austin, Texas

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Seeking Net Connection in 417 Area (SW Missouri)
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 02:20:59 CST


A friend of mine who lives between Springfield and Branson, Missouri
seeks a net-connected BBS or Public-Access Unix host in that vicinity.

He currently connects long distance to Chicago for news/mail.  He
needs a closer place, preferably in the 417 area.

Email replies are apprecaited, to save Pat the hassle, I will
summarize if I get anything useful.  Or you can write to him direct at
[e-mail] (Paul D Williams).  He will soon ba administering
a mailing list and the toll charges will kill him.


Thanks,

William Pfeiffer - Moderator rec.radio.broadcasting - Airwaves Radio Journal
For info on rrb and Airwaves,  email [e-mail] Subject: HELP

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

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 10:02:58 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Caller ID Between Area Codes 516 and 718


I received a telephone call from 718-XXX-YYYY (NYC minus Manhattan and
I live in area code 516 (Long Island) which says to me that Caller ID
is available between these two area codes so long as all of the
intermediate COs and switches are capable of passing the information.

What I suspect is that the caller made a mistake on my number since
there two digits the same in the number and the wrong one was dialed
twice by accident.  This happened quite a few times when I first
received the number.

There are still some exchanges that don't pass the ID but they mostly
serve big customers, but even those are slowly switching.

One thing, though, is that my employer is on one exchange for normal
telephone service in its offices and buildings (voice, data, fax,
etc.) and another one for the on-site housing plus telephone callback.
These numbers are listed as being on a third exchange which does pass
CID with no trouble.

The first two go in as 516-282-XXXX or 516-341-XXXX but come out as
516-924-9XXX and 516-924-8XXX.

The rationalization is: I call home from my job and the number shows
as 9XXX but if I dial in to work via a modem and go into 282-XXXX it
is routed to 341-XXXX for call back and shows up as 8XXX.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093


[Moderator's Note: What happens if you dial the 924 version either
from home or office or elsewhere?   PAT]

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

Date: Wed, 10 Nov 93 19:02:28 EST
From: [e-mail] (Chris Kalisiak)
Subject: Cellular FAQ Wanted


I am a newbie to cellular phones, and am currently researching into
the different brands of phones. I have determine that the three watt
models hard-mounted in the car are probably what I am looking for.
Possibly 'luggable', but definitely not the small hand-held models.

Is there a FAQ of some sort which might include descriptions of pros
and cons of different cellular phones currently on the market?


Thanks a lot,

Chris Kalisiak      [e-mail]
Tel/Fax:[phone]-8481    I'm a student; I don't speak for UB.

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

From: [e-mail] (Rudolf Meyer)
Subject: Re: ATM Newsgroup: is There Any?
Organization: Ascom Business Systems
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 21:15:14 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Kees de
Graaf) writes:

> I'm new to the comp.dcom.* newsgroups. I was wondering whether there
> is a group dedicated to the ATM standard/protocol (?) and its
> applications. Otherwise, what would be the group to read anything
> about ATM?

Hi Kees!

Have a look on:  comp.dcom.cell-relay


Cheers,

Rudolf Meyer   Ascom Business Communications Switzerland


[Moderator's Note: Thanks also to Ben Cox whose answer was identical.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeff Bamford)
Subject: Strange Ringback
Organization: Audio Research Group, University of Waterloo
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1993 14:35:27 GMT


    I had a rather bizarre experience with the phone last night
and thought that someone here may be able to shed some light on the
subject.  For starters the phone line has four features on it : Call
Display, Call Answer, Call Waiting and Three-Way Calling (Aside: Good
ole Bell Canada they may charge $30 to move your phone line but they
gave three features for free for eight weeks!).

    I dialed up someone and left a message via Call Answer to
myself.  That is I called my own number to leave a message.  Since the
calls forward to the Call Answer number when the line is busy I
immediately got my message.  I then left a message for someone else in
the household and hung up the phone. The phone then rang back (which
sometimes happens when you "hang up" on someone with Call Waiting).
The display showed no number was calling, in fact the Call Display
said nothing which I found curious.  I picked up the phone but there
was no one there so I hung up thinking that somehow the Call Waiting
got confused because I called myself.  I then tried the same thing
again (i.e. leave myself a message by phoning my number).  I left
another message and then hung up.

This time the phone also rang back with no display for the number.  I
let the phone ring more than four times which should forward it to the
answering service but this did not work.  It just kept ringing.  I
picked it up and was rather surprised to hear people talking on the
other end.  Not really knowing quite what to do I hung up.  I tried to
duplicate the experiment but I could not get the phone to ring back.
Perhaps I'll try again today.  Has this happened to anyone else?


Jeff Bamford     [e-mail] -- NeXT Mail welcome
 [e-mail]    /     [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Gabe M Wiener)
Subject: Re: Landline Telegraph Service
Date: 10 Nov 1993 14:12:54 GMT
Organization: Columbia University


In article <[e-mail]>, Gabe M Wiener  <gmw1@
konichiwa.cc.columbia.edu> wrote:

> Over the years we have seen many articles and had many discussions on
> the operation of cordboard service ... trunking, signalling, etc.  But
> I'm curious if anyone knows the specifics of how the landline
> telegraph service operated.

[my original query deleted]

> [Moderator's Note: The first TWX machine I recall seeing sometime in
> the 1950's was not a dial unit.

[Pat's excellend description of TWX operation deleted]

Pat, thanks for the info.  I was referring more to the telegraph
service of the 19th century ... keys and sounders ... more than to
teletypewriter service however.  Know anything about how switching was
accomplished then?


     Gabe Wiener -- [e-mail] -- N2GPZ -- PGP on request
 Sound engineering, recording, and digital mastering for classical music
   "I am terrified at the thought that so much hideous and bad music
     will be put on records forever."  --Sir Arthur Sullivan


[Moderator's Note: Well for a long time in the 19th century -- maybe
all of it, I really don't know -- there were certain 'hub cities'
where some rudimentary switching took place, with every telegraph
agent served out of that hub on a single line in series with all the
others.  That is, Chicago was one such hub and St. Louis was another.
Every agent between Chicago and St. Louis who started banging his key
was heard by all the other agents in between and both ends of the
circuit as well. There were no secrets transmitted. :) I think if
Chicago wanted to send a message to Kansas City, it was passed to St.
Louis and the agent there immediatly re-transmitted it to Kansas City.
There were numerous telegraph companies between towns which were
bought up by a consortium and merged into Western Union during that
time period, just in the same way AT&T hustled and extorted many small
independent telcos into selling out to 'The Bell' early in this
century.

In Chicago and other big cities in the 19th century, many business
houses and prominent citizens had their own 'keys'. The Chicago Board
of Trade had two, I believe, one for receiving and one for sending.
These terminated at the wire room downtown and there were relays of
some sort which would flip a little magnetized piece of metal down
like a 'flag' over the key which was active at the moment. The agent
could plug these into one another in such a way that the keys could
send back and forth to each other. Obviously, we are not talking about
heavy volumes of traffic. A message here, a message there, etc.

Western Union owned the facilities in the larger cities, but smaller
towns and rural areas were serviced by independent agents who worked
on commission only based on what traffic they generated or received.
No one could earn a living as a telegraph agent alone; if they could,
Western Union would own the facility and make the money. So most of
the small town agents were also agents for other services accomodating
the public 24 hours per day. A long-deceased relative of mine who
lived in Independence, Kansas about 1890 was the telegraph agent for
the town; her 'key' was set up behind the counter of her other
business: she also owned the local 'bus station' and was an
independent commission agent for the stage-coach company which was the
ancestor to what is known today as Greyhound Bus.

Very experienced in the code, I am told she could be writing up a bus
(stage-coach) ticket (they were all handwritten in those days) while
telling the people around her what 'the key' was talking about -- even
if it was a transmission between two other agents that did not concern
her at all.  If you wanted to tell your friends in Chicago you were on
the way to visit, first you told her what to say and she would put it
on the key to wherever she relayed or gatewayed through; after paying
her for that, then she'd write up your stage-coach ticket to Chicago
and get your money for that also. At night when she was asleep, someone
else was there to sell tickets and send/receive telegraph messages. A
story goes that one day two agents were involved in a transmission and
going quite fast. They were each able to keep up with it, and normally
she would have kept up with them at that speed, but she was trying to
write up a ticket or something that took some of her attention and she
lost track of what 'the key' was talking about. She actually put down
her other work, went over and tapped out something to the effect, 'you
guys slow down a little please.' The message tapped out to her in return:
'slow down? what for? so a snoopy old bit*h like you can stick her nose
into it?' :). After that she never would admit that she listened to
messages not intended for her site, but all the agents did the same thing
and knew everyone else's business.  There were no secrets.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven King)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Date: 9 Nov 1993 15:22:30 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Reply-To: [e-mail]


[e-mail] publicly declared:

> A friend of mine, without net access, has received some information on
> a product called "Cellmate Model B" It supposedly allows you to dial
> in a cellular phone number, and listen to both sides of the call.  How
> does this work? Is it reliable? Has anyone ever heard of any other
> products like this that are cheaper (this is ~$6000)?

I've never heard of this product, but it wouldn't be difficult to make
one that functions as you describe.

First, enter a mobile-ID.  This is the phone number of the phone you're
interested in monitoring.

The monitor device listens to the signalling channel in the current
cell waiting for the system to page that mobile, or for that mobile to
originate a call.  Since the mobile-ID is sent in the clear on the
signalling channel it's quite simple for a monitor device to pick it
off.

Once the target mobile acknowledges the page, the system directs it to
tune to a voice channel.  Again, this information is sent in the clear
and it would be easy for the monitor to tune to the same channel.

The monitor can follow handoffs as well, as the commands to hand off are
sent by muting audio and sending a burst of data on the voice channel.
The target phone understands this to mean "switch to another channel".
No reason why the monitor device can't do the same.  Repeat until the
target phone is too far away for its signal to be received.

I came up with this scheme in two minutes, given your description of
what was needed.  Obviously refinements could be made, but this is a
good basis for a cellular "wiretap" device.  The main limitation is
that the tapper can only lock onto the beginning of a conversation; he
can't tap into a call-in-progress for a specific mobile-ID.  There may
be ways around this limitation.  As I said, I've only given it two
minutes worth of thought!

The moral of the story?  The airwaves ain't private, folks.  And yes,
I too would like to see the cellular industry adopt an encryption
scheme.  Unfortunately, that's not my end of the business.  (I do
switching software.)


Steven King -- Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group

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

From: [e-mail] (Frank da Cruz)
Subject: Re: Looking For Software Distribution and/or File Transfer Programs
Date: 10 Nov 1993 02:42:11 GMT
Organization: Columbia University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Terry Hull)
writes:

>   I am looking for some automatic unattended file transfer programs
> running on Sun SparcStations. But first let me describe what my
> company has right now.  There are 40 branch offices across USA.
> ... Now, we are seeking a similar
> product, but it should run on SparcStations, and should support both
> modem dial-up and also IP-based transport mechanisam.  I was told that
> a company call CMI has a similar product.

CMI ... Could that be ColuMbia universIty?  Kermit software should be
just what you need -- it runs on both serial connections and TCP/IP
connections, it transfers files, it has a script programming language
to let you totally automate your nightly information transfers.  It's
available for UNIX (including SunOS), VMS, DOS, Windows, OS/2, and
hundreds of other environments, too.

Try it out.  Anonymous ftp to kermit.columbia.edu, directory kermit.
Follow the pointers.


Frank

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Stangenberger)
Subject: Re: Brought to You by the Letter Q
Date: 10 Nov 1993 04:15:33 GMT
Organization: U.C. Forestry & Resource Mgt.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]>, Bill Leeke
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> Why is there no digital equivilent for the letter Q or Z on my phone?

> [Moderator's Note: ...  Some very old telephones do have the letter
> Z where the Operator spot on the dial is located, but I can't think of
> a single instance where it was ever used.

I've always wondered whether the reason "ZEnith" was chosen for some
toll-free numbers (before WATS service) was that if somebody tried to
dial a ZE- number they would automatically dial the Operator.  Before
911 became universal, the emergency number for the CA Highway Patrol
was ZE-1-2000.  It made a certain amount of sense to route such calls
thru the operator, I guess.  I think that was about the only ZEnith
number in the SF Bay Area; all the other toll-free numbers I remember
were ENterprise numbers.


Al Stangenberger                    Dept. of Env. Sci., Policy, & Mgt.
[e-mail]          145 Mulford Hall - Univ. of Calif.
uucp:  ucbvax!ucbnature!forags      Berkeley, CA  94720
BITNET: FORAGS AT UCBNATUR          [phone]  FAX: [phone]


[Moderator's Note: I've never heard your theory before, nor can I
recall ever seeing Zenith numbers in the form ZE-1-xxxx. If anything,
it would be printed Zenith 12000. Very interesting. I think the only
difference between Zenith and Enterprise was the sponsoring telco.
Some used one name, the rest used the other. And I don't think a
subscriber in a telco using Enterprise as their toll free keyword
could call a Zenith number or vice versa. I think Zenith was largely
the independent telcos where Enterprise was mostly for the Bell System
companies. I remember reviewing phone books during the 1960's and the
Zenith numbers (it seems to me) were mostly on the west coast. I saw
several listed in the State of Washington and thought it peculiar at
the time.  All I ever recall seeing in this area was Enterprise, but
a couple writers here have said just the opposite about their towns in
those long ago times.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #752
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa12651;
          12 Nov 93 5:39 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA16100
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 12 Nov 1993 02:18:37 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA30855
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 12 Nov 1993 02:18:03 -0600
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 02:18:03 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #753

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 12 Nov 93 02:18:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 753

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Telcom Legislation (James Love)
    TAP Comments on PCS Auction (James Love)
    Microsoft Telephony API/SPI (Joe Armstrong)
    Accessing NIST via Macintosh (Bill Pfeiffer)
    Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Kevin Ian Cooke)
    Re: 800 Phone Sex, ANI, and Call Blocking Through PSN (Randal Hayes)
    Mixture of ATM and SONET/SDH (Jean Raymond)
    Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter (Ken Adler)
    NPA 456 Assigned to "Inbound International" Services (David Leibold)
    Re: Repeat of the Vote Now Underway (Earle Robinson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 11 Nov 93 19:43:30 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: James Love <[e-mail]>
Subject: Telcom Legislation


from TAP-INFO Internet Distribution List

Taxpayer Assets Project
Information Policy Note
November 10, 1993

Representative Markey is expected to soon introduce legislation
dealing with telco entry into cable, and cable entry into telco
markets.  The attached letter expresses our interest in common carrier
regulation to protect competition in "content" markets.


jamie love

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

                         Taxpayer Assets Project
                  P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC  20036

November 10, 1993

Representative Edward Markey
Chair, House Subcommittee on
Telecommunications and Finance
Committee on Energy and Commerce
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC  20515

Re:  Telecommunications legislation

Dear Representative Markey:

We are writing to urge you to use your influence as chair of the House
Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance to protect competition
in markets for information content and value added information
services.  As you know, the Congressional debate over the new National
Information Infrastructure (NII) has become largely a discussion over
what type of competition will be allowed between telecommunications
carriers.  Thus, we hear plenty about whether or not telcos will be
allowed to provide video programming to compete against cable
franchises, if cable franchises will be allowed to provide switched
voice and data services in competition with telcos, if RBOCs will be
allowed to enter long lines markets, or who will be allowed to own PCS
licenses.

Much of this debate assumes a much greater role for vertically
integrated services, with telephone, cable, and wireless carriers
being allowed to own significant amounts of the programming content
which travels over their facilities.  We believe that such vertical
integration raises grave problems, as firms will use their control
over carrier markets to exercise monopoly power in content markets.
The most relevant example of this is the long and well documented
history of anticompetitive problems in cable television markets, where
large cable franchise companies have used their control over carrier
facilities to benefit programming services in which they are
investors, at the expense of rival services.  This has reduced
competition in content markets, and raised important questions about
who controls the availability of information services.  It is simply
outrageous, for example, that TCI and Time-Warner were able to prevent
General Electric from offering CNBC as a news format channel, because
they were investors in CNN, the dominate incumbent source of cable
news.  If carriers can push around a firm as large as GE, they can
crush much smaller enterprises with ease.

Vertical integration also raises profoundly difficult problems for the
regulation of carrier rates.  In cable, much of the revenues are
derived from pay-for-view services or advertising.  Because cable
operators are allowed to own or control programming services and sell
advertising, it has become extremely difficult for regulators to
determine if consumers are paying excessive fees for the carrier
services.

Competition among carriers can be an important mechanisms to benefit
consumers, but even more important are the goals of promoting
competition in content markets, and providing a regulatory structure
that makes it possible to protect consumers from excessive rates for
carrier services.  These goals can best be achieved by no-nonsense
common carrier regulation in carrier markets, combined with rules that
bar vertical integration into programming services.

At a minimum, Congress must require that telephone, cable, and
wireless telecommunications carriers act as common carriers, giving
all content providers equal opportunities to compete against each
other.  However, it is important to note that in the absence of rules
against vertical integration, regulators will be faced with the
arduous task of reviewing tariff classes, encryption mechanisms,
promotional efforts, and endless contractual terms to guard against
anticompetitive behavior, and it will be extremely difficult to
regulate carrier rates to consumers when much of the company's
revenues are "off the books" for purposes of determining company
revenue requirements.

Any legislation that Congress considers this year should provide the
strongest possible common carrier protections, and promote the most
open systems of telecommunications.  Companies should not have the
incentives or power to extend their control over carrier markets to
control over content markets.

Access to information and the ability to provide information services
over the telecommunications infrastructure are the key issues in the
development of the new NII.  Congress needs to shift its attention
from competition among large carriers to the more important and
critical problems of making the NII promote a new era of freedom in
the exchange of information.


Sincerely,



James Love
Director

TAP-INFO is an Internet Distribution List provided by the Taxpayer
Assets Project (TAP).  TAP was founded by Ralph Nader to monitor the
management of government property, including information systems and
data, government funded R&D, spectrum allocation and other government
assets.  TAP-INFO reports on TAP activities relating to federal
information policy.  tap-info is archived at ftp.cpsr.org;
gopher.cpsr.org and wais.cpsr.org

Subscription requests to tap-info to [e-mail] with
the message:  subscribe tap-info your name

Taxpayer Assets Project; P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC  20036
v. 202/387-8030; f. 202/234-5176; internet:  [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 11 Nov 93 17:02:41 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: James Love <[e-mail]>
Subject: TAP Comments on PCS Auction


from TAP-INFO Internet Distribution List

Taxpayer Assets Project
Information Policy Note
November 10, 1993


         TAP Comments to FCC on PCS spectrum allocation

-    FCC asked to bar incumbent telephone, cable and cellular
     companies from obtaining wireless PCS licenses in their own
     service areas

-    FCC asked to withhold permission to aggregate licenses
     together until it determines that the benefits of
     aggregation (larger spectrum blocks) outweigh the
     disadvantages (fewer licenses) of less competition and
     diversity

-    FCC asked to award some licenses on the basis of royalty or
     profit sharing agreements, rather than upfront cash payments


The attached letter is the Taxpayer Assets Project comments on the
FCC's proposed rules for auction of spectrum for Personal
Communications Services (PCS).

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

                 James Love, Taxpayer Assets Project
                P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC  20036

November 10, 1993

Mr. William Caton
Acting Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street, NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC  20554

Re:  Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on spectrum auction,
     FCC 93-455.

Dear Mr Caton:

     The Taxpayer Assets Project is pleased to offer comments on the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on spectrum auctions, FCC 93-455.
We will address three points.

1.   Competition and diversity will be enhanced through
     restrictions on cross ownership.  Telephone, cable and
     cellular companies should not be able to acquire PCS
     licenses in their own service areas.

The FCC can best promote competition in telecommunications markets by
adopting rules which prohibit incumbent telephone, cable and cellular
companies from obtaining licenses to operate PCS services in their own
service areas.  The FCC's proposal to allow existing cellular license
holders to acquire an additional 10 MHz of spectrum, and to allow
telephone and cable companies to acquire up to 40 megahertz of
spectrum, could result in cases where the four incumbent
telecommunications carriers in a given market obtain 100 megahertz of
the available 120 MHz of new PCS spectrum.

Federal policy makers, including Congress and the Executive branch,
claim that competition will protect consumers from excessive carrier
rates.  The new PCS wireless services are supposed to be an important
element of a new competitive carrier market.  Competition can hardly
be enhanced if incumbent telephone, cable and cellular companies can
"own" most of the new PCS spectrum.  The recent decision by PACTEL to
divest its cellular licenses in order to allow the company to acquire
a full 40 MHz of PCS spectrum is a case in point.  In markets served
by PACTEL, incumbent telephone, cable and cellular companies will be
allowed to acquire 100 MHz of the 120 MHz of PCS spectrum which is to
be auctioned.  Under what economic theory can this possibility promote
"competition?"  Clearly there would be more competition if all PCS
license holders were new entrants in the service area.

In our judgement, the issue of cross-ownership restrictions and
competition is so obvious, the only mystery is why will the FCC allow
cross ownership.  What possible rationale can the FCC offer other than
the fact that telecommunications carriers appear to wield more
political influence than do consumers?


2.   Aggregation of PCS licenses into larger blocks should only
     be allowed after a finding by the FCC that such aggregation
     is in the public interest.

The FCC is proposing to issue seven PCS licenses per market, but also
to allow bidders to aggregate licenses together into larger blocks.
The only restrictions on the aggregation are the proposed limit of 40
MHz of licenses per firm.  In our previous comments on this issue we
urged the FCC to auction off PCS spectrum in the smallest possible
blocks, and then allow aggregation, contingent upon an FCC finding
that the aggregation was in the public interest.  The potential
benefits of aggregation, which may include the ability to provide some
broadband services which cannot be offered via smaller blocks, must be
weighted against the costs of aggregation, which will include less
competition and less diversity.  The FCC doesn't yet know if the
smaller PCS blocks can adequately serve PCS users, and it would be
wise to allow a certain amount of experimentation before it concludes
that the smaller PCS blocks can be aggregated into larger, but fewer
licenses.

3.   The FCC should allow some bidders on PCS spectrum to offer
     royalties or profit shares as an alternative to upfront cash
     payments.

Upfront cash payments for PCS spectrum offer a number of appealing
advantages, including the simplicity of the auction mechanism, and the
fact that the lump sum cost of the licenses will not involve marginal
costs per unit of service offered, arguably leading to more efficient
consumer prices.  On the other hand, upfront cash payments crate entry
barriers, and will lead to less competition in the auction, and we
believe, a lower present value to the public for license fees, due to
the differences between the bidders discount rates (the costs of
obtaining capital) and the government's discount rate (the
government's costs of obtaining revenue through the issuance of
government bonds).

At a minimum, the FCC should require that one Block C and one Block D
license in each market be auctioned on the basis of the highest
royalty or profit share.  To accomplish this, we suggest that the FCC
offer these blocks after the initial licenses are auctioned, and that
the license holders be required to pay upfront fees which are equal to
one third or one half the winning bids of the licenses sold for cash.
That is, the second round of licenses should be awarded to the firms
which agree to pay a fixed upfront fee, while "bidding" on the
government's contingent share of the PCS revenues.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on this issue.


Sincerely,


James Love

TAP-INFO is an Internet Distribution List provided by the Taxpayer
Assets Project (TAP).  TAP was founded by Ralph Nader to monitor the
management of government property, including information systems and
data, government funded R&D, spectrum allocation and other government
assets.  TAP-INFO reports on TAP activities relating to federal
information policy.  tap-info is archived at ftp.cpsr.org;
gopher.cpsr.org and wais.cpsr.org

Subscription requests to tap-info to [e-mail] with
the message:  subscribe tap-info your name

Taxpayer Assets Project; P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC  20036
v. 202/387-8030; f. 202/234-5176; internet:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joe Armstrong)
Subject: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI
Organization: Ellemtel Telecom Systems Labs, Stockholm, Sweden
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 16:11:39 GMT


Does anybody have any information available about products which use
the recently published Microsoft Telephony API/SPI?

Do you think the Microsoft Telephony API will catch on?  Up to now the
CCITT has been the principle organisation responsible for telephony
standards. The microsoft API seems to represent a radical departure
from this.  Is this the future?


Joe

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Accessing NIST via Macintosh
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 13:42:08 CST


> The October 1993 issue of BYTE Magazine mentions that you can access
> the NIST atomic clock through the Internet at address 132.163.135.130
> (time_a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov). However, our computer center is
> Macintosh oriented and I cannot find software to set the Mac's clock
> through this address (or, for that matter, through the more accurate
> telephone connection). Can someone suggest MacTCP compatible software
> for this? Or am I going to have to write it myself?

mac.archive.umich.edu has several programs for permitting your Mac to
call in and get it's clock cleaned (grin) or at least set, via the
NIST (and other) timeservers.

Not having a Mac, I am not aware of exactly what it is called, but it
does exist and several of my mac friends are using it quite
successfully.


Bill Pfeiffer
Moderator rec.radio.broadcasting/AIRWAVES email digest.
To Subscribe, send email to - [e-mail] -

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Ian Cooke)
Subject: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Date: 12 Nov 1993 03:01:50 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley


In light of the recent discussions about scanning cellular frequencies, I
would like your help with the following:

I am interested in writing a story about people who, from time to
time, like to listen to their nieghbors' cellular phone conversations.
I know you're out there, especially folks in the *.dcom.telecom
worlds, since (as I'm sure most of you know) it only takes slight
alterations to cell phones and FM scanners to get them to hear the
cellular frequencies.

I know that the above is illegal, and I know that anyone engaged in
such activity could be prosecuted.  That is why I'm posting here.  You
may reply anonymously, if you must, but I would like some general
information about you, as much as you're comfortable providing.  Have
you heard any good stories?  Do you feel that what you're doing is
wrong?  Did you see _Sliver_? :)

Flame if you must, but please realize that this medium is ideal for the
kind of research that I would like to pursue.  Thanks in advance.


Kevin Cooke                    [e-mail]    OR
UCB Grad School of Journalism  [e-mail]

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

From: <[e-mail]>
Date: 12 Nov 93 18:53 CST
Subject: Re: 800 Phone Sex, ANI, and Call Blocking through PSN


> The FCC recently ruled that this kind of billing back to the ANI
> from an 800 number is illegal *unless* the caller establishes a
> customer relationship with the company ...

Unfortunately, some of these businesses have found what they believe
to be a loophole in this ruling. We dealt with a situation in which
the caller dials an 800 number, and the company asks if this person
wants the service. With an affirmative response, the company
immediately sets-up a "calling card" for the caller with their
company, using the ANI number (one of our trunk numbers) and a 4-digit
PIN number. The caller can then call their other 800 number at any
time, giving this "calling card" number for billing purposes. The
company ignores the fact that the caller has no connection to the ANI
number that, as a DID trunk, is being paid for by us. They believe
this set-up constitutes establishment of a "customer relationship"
with them, and their opinion is they can then charge-back to this
number.

We resolved this incident with the company by calling the service
company number (who must get really tired of these sleazy schemes,
except for the $$$ rolling in), who removed the charges from our bill,
and placed the billing number they receive via ANI for our trunks in a
restricted status with their company. Of course, who will reimburse us
for the time required to clean up this mess and deal with this
garbage? Unfortunately, we simply do not have the time or staff to
pursue the matter and hopefully drive this service into the ground, so
it keeps going, and going, and going ...


Thoughts and opinions which are strictly my own from --

[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jean Raymond)
Subject: Mixture of ATM and SONET/SDH
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 13:19:32 GMT


Hi,

Does anybody have solutions on the possibility to mix ATM inside a
SONET ADM rings?  SONET rings can't support the add/drop of cells
from an STS-1 because SONET can't provide traffic protection to the
level of cells. And everybody knows cell is the key element of ATM.  I
read a very few lines on sheath ring and I'd appreciate if someone
could suggest me any articles on that topic or any other solution.


Thank you,

Jean Raymond, eng., Ph.D.

Hydro-Quebec   Telecommunications Control Centre
Complexe Desjardins, East Tower, Floor B1, C.P. 10000
Montreal, Canada, H5B 1H7
tel: [phone]   fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ken Adler)
Subject: Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter
Organization: Datability, Carlstadt, NJ
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 17:52:51 GMT


Does anyone know of any companies that make a box that takes in one or
more E1 trunks and convert it to multiple T1 trunks?

I urgently need contact info for companies that have such a product.

Please email to [e-mail].


Thanks,

Ken

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 93 21:43 EST
Subject: NPA 456 Assigned to "Inbound International" Services


I recently had contact with Bellcore, and got word of an assignment of
NPA 456 for "inbound international" services. This is not planned for
use within World Zone 1 (North American Numbering Plan) but rather the
intent is that 456 will be used from points in other nations to allow
special numbers that are assigned to carriers within the NANP (such as
AT&T, Teleglobe, MCI, Sprint, etc). Currently, calling from overseas
will not allow a choice of destination U.S. or Canadian carrier, even
though a few countries will allow a choice of which domestic carrier
will initiate the call. I forgot to find out when 456 would take
effect, though it seems likely to wait for the 1 January 1995
implementation of "interchangeable" area codes such as the 334 area
already announced to split Alabama NPA 205.

Bellcore did admit to two other new NPA assignments, but details on
these will not be released until the phone companies involved make
their announcement first. Candidates for new splits include 813
Florida, 206 Washington state and perhaps others.


David Leibold

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

Date: 11 Nov 93 19:43:18 EST
From: Earle Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Repeat of the Vote Now Underway


This is becoming ridiculous.  I refuse to participate in yet another
vote.  We've already voted.  Why yet another time?


er


[Moderator's Note: We are voting again because the first vote did not
turn out the way certain people wanted it to turn out. I assume if the
vote fails again, they will hold it a third time. Either that, or just
go ahead and install the group anyway, which was given a lot of con-
sideration prior to the second vote. Coincidental to the first vote
failing to pass, IMHO, I made some comments giving my own personal
opinion in the matter here, and when the vote failed, my having talked
about it here was just the hook or ammunition needed by the group's
proponents to cry foul. Also, there were a small number of voters who
don't otherwise have net access who participated, and this may or may
not have affected the outcome in a statistically significant way. So,
a handful of voters whose votes were of questionable validity depending
on how you feel about list members participating in Usenet votes, and
my comments caused some people to get one of their appendeges caught
in the wringer as the saying goes. So amid the uproar -- and it appeared
to me to be a terrible stink, although I don't follow Usenet enough to
be a judge of how nasty a place it can be -- David Lawrence suggested
to me perhaps an 'unmoderated' mailing by the proponents of the new
group and a revote would end some of the flaming. I agreed -- in
essence said be my guest, run a revote now, don't wait for the six
month moratorium.  So they did. Asbestos Dippold put out his summary
and now the vote is underway again. Let's see how it turns out this time
with no 'undue influence' (god, that one is a gas!) from me. If you
have not voted this time around, please do so, and list readers should
not vote unless they otherwise read Usenet News straight from a newsfeed
somewhere.  Most Compuserve/MCI Mail people would be ineligible to
vote under the guidelines.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #753
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa21476;
          13 Nov 93 15:12 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA22776
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:02:36 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA24140
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:02:01 -0600
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:02:01 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #754

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 13 Nov 93 12:02:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 754

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    The Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act (John R. Levine)
    Questionable Use of 900 Call Detail (Mike Bray)
    International Advanced Fax (Deborah LoPrinzi)
    NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Jamie Mason)
    Book Review: "Open Systems Networking" by Piscitello/Chapin (Rob Slade)
    What is ANI? (Christian Taube)
    Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted (Bob Longo)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 09:38 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: The Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act
Organization: I.E.C.C.


This is PL 102-556, enacted October 28, 1992, sponsored by Rep.
Markey.  It was apparently quite uncontroversial, since it whizzed
through the congress in two days.  In the following summary, you'll
note that it explicitly outlaws schemes where you call an 800 number
and they charge you, either directly or via collect callback.

Summary (from Library of Congress LOCIS):

    Telephone Disclosure and Dispute Resolution Act - Title I: Carrier
Obligations and Consumer Rights Concerning Pay-Per-Call Transactions -
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a system for the
oversight and regulation of pay-per-call services.

    Requires the FCC's final rules to: (1) include measures that
provide a consumer of pay-per-call services with adequate and clear
descriptions of the rights of the caller; (2) define the obligations
of common carriers with respect to the provision of such services; (3)
include requirements on such carriers to protect against abusive
practices by service providers; (4) identify procedures by which
common carriers and providers may take affirmative steps to protect
against nonpayment of legitimate charges; and (5) include requirements
that such services be offered only through the use of certain
telephone number prefixes and area codes.

    Directs common carriers that contract with a provider of
pay-per-call services to make available on request: (1) a list of
telephone numbers, a description, and a statement of fees for each
service it carries; and (2) other information the FCC considers
necessary.

    Requires common carriers contracting with providers to terminate
services if the service is not in compliance with this Act.

    Prohibits common carriers from disconnecting or interrupting a
subscriber's local or long distance service because of nonpayment for
any pay-per-call service.  Authorizes common carriers that provide
local exchange service to offer subscribers the option of blocking
access to pay-per-call service.  Permits the cost of blocking to be
recovered by contract or tariff but bars recovery of costs from local
or long distance ratepayers.

    Directs common carriers to prohibit by tariff or contract the use
of any toll-free number in a manner that would result in the calling
party being: (1) assessed a charge for the call; (2) connected to a
pay-per-call service; (3) charged for information conveyed during the
call unless the party has a preexisting agreement to be charged for
the information; or (4) called back collect for the provision of audio
information services or simultaneous voice conservation services.

    Requires common carriers that contract with, and offer billing and
collection services to, providers of pay-per-call services to: (1)
ensure that a subscriber is not billed for services that are provided
in violation of regulations issued pursuant to title II of this Act or
under circumstances necessary to protect subscribers from abusive
practices; (2) provide information on subscribers' and carriers'
rights regarding pay-per-call services; and (3) include certain
information in billing for pay-per-call services.

    Exempts a common carrier from civil or criminal liability under
this Act solely because it provided transmission or billing and
collection services for a pay-per-call service unless the carrier knew
that such services violated this Act or other Federal law.

    Bars causes of action in courts or administrative agencies against
common carriers on account of acts to terminate pay-per-call services
to comply with this Act or other Federal law.

    Requires regulations to ensure that carriers and other parties
providing billing and collection services with respect to pay-per-call
services provide refunds to subscribers who have been billed for
services violating this Act or other Federal law.  Permits recovery of
costs from providers, but bars recovery from local or long distance
ratepayers.  Directs the FCC to submit recommendations to the Congress
with respect to the extension of such regulations to persons that
provide, for a per-call charge, data services that are not
pay-per-call services.

    Specifies that nothing in this Act shall affect provisions of the
Communications Act of 1934 concerning obscene or harassing phone
calls.

     Title II: Regulations of Unfair and Deceptive Acts and Practices
in Connection with Pay-Per-Call Services - Directs the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit unfair and deceptive
acts and practices in any advertisement for pay-per-call services.

     Provides that such rules shall require persons offering such
services to: (1) disclose in any advertising the cost of the use of
the telephone number; (2) disclose the odds of receiving a prize in
the case of an advertisement which offers a prize; (3) disclose that a
service is unauthorized by a Federal agency in the case of an
advertisement that promotes a service that is not operated by a
Federal agency but provides information on a Federal program; (4) not
direct an advertisement at children under the age of 12; (5) state
that an individual must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian
in the case of an advertisement directed primarily to individuals
under 18; (6) not use advertisements that emit electronic tones which
automatically dial a pay-per-call number; (7) ensure that whenever the
number is shown in television and print media advertisements that the
charges for the call are clearly displayed; (8) specify the total cost
in delivering any telephone message soliciting calls to a pay-per-call
service; and (9) not advertise any toll-free number from which callers
are connected to an access number for a pay-per-call service.

    Directs the FTC to prescribe rules requiring each provider of
pay-per-call services to: (1) include a specified introductory
disclosure message in each pay-per-call message; (2) enable the caller
to hang up at or before the end of the introductory message without
incurring any charge; (3) not direct such services at children under
12 unless the service is an educational service; (4) stop the
assessment of time-based charges immediately upon disconnection by the
caller; (5) disable any bypass mechanism which allows frequent callers
to avoid listening to the disclosure message after the institution of
any price increase; (6) be prohibited from providing services through
a toll-free number; (7) be prohibited from billing consumers in excess
of the amounts described in the introductory message; (8) meet
specified requirements for billing statements; (9) be liable for
refunds to consumers for services provided in violation of Federal
law; and (10) comply with additional standards to prevent abusive
practices.

    Directs the FTC to require a common carrier that provides
telephone service to a pay-per-call service provider to make available
to the FTC any records and financial information relating to the
arrangements (other than for the provision of local exchange service)
between the carrier and the provider.

    Authorizes States to bring civil actions to enjoin practices
violating FTC rules and obtain damages or other relief on behalf of
their residents whenever there is reason to believe that State
residents are adversely affected by such practices.  Bars States from
instituting such actions during the pendency of a civil action by the
FTC.

    Provides for principal enforcement of this title by the FTC under
the Federal Trade Commission Act.

     Title III: Billing and Collection - Directs the FTC to promulgate
rules to establish procedures for the correction of billing errors
with respect to telephone-billed purchases and that impose
requirements similar to requirements imposed with respect to the
resolution of credit disputes under the Truth in Lending and Fair
Credit Billing Acts.

    Sets forth provisions with respect to: (1) resolving
inconsistencies between State laws concerning telephone billing
practices and this title; (2) regulatory exemptions from this title
which may be granted by the FTC for transactions in a State offering
substantially similar or greater protection to the consumer; and (3)
enforcement of this title.

     Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Assistant
Secretary of Energy for Conservation and Renewable Energy to submit to
the Congress a proposal for demonstrating the ability of innovative
communications equipment and services to further the national goals of
conserving energy and protecting health and safety.

    Requires the Secretary of Energy to consider requesting the
authority to use radio frequencies from the Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Communications and Information to carry out demonstration
projects designed to demonstrate the energy conservation potential of
communications technologies.

    Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exempt from restrictions
on the use of automated telephone equipment calls to a telephone
number assigned to a cellular telephone service that are not charged
to the called party subject to conditions in the interest of privacy
rights.

    Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations denying equipment
authorization under any part of the FCC's regulations for any scanning
receiver that is capable of: (1) receiving transmissions in the
frequencies allocated to the domestic cellular radio telecommunications
service; (2) readily being altered by the user to receive transmissions
in such frequencies; or (3) being equipped with decoders that convert
digital cellular transmissions to analog voice audit.  Bans the
manufacture or importation of any scanning receiver having such
capabilities.

    Directs the FCC to report to the Congress on available security
features for analog and digital radio signals.

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 04:33:47 EDT
From: [e-mail] (Mike Bray)
Subject: Questionable Use of 900 Call Detail


A while back, there were some notes posted here about how long
distance companies can get your mailing address for billing purposes.
It's reasonable for these folks to have a way to directly bill you for
their services, and it's also reasonable for IPs to have access to the
same information for their billing purposes.  But this address
information should be used only for billing purposes.

With the potential of abuse of mailing address information in mind,
I present a portion of a recent article from DM News ...

>From the October 25th issue of Direct Marketing News, page 67:

National Psychic Network Posts 900-Number Callers

Hightstown, NJ - <company name removed> has been appointed to
manage The National Psychic Network file.

     It is made up of 30,000-name last-three-month and 10,000-
name monthly hotline callers selections.

     The National Psychic Network is a live call-in hotline for
people wishing to speak to their own personal psychic advisor.
They call for answers to questions about love, money, careers
and other decisions they are currently facing.

     <3 additional paragraphs with contact information and non-
relevant details deleted>

What do you (all) think?  Do you (also) suspect there might be
some abuse of the mailing address information happening here?


Mike Bray     [e-mail]   (or)   ...!apple!camphq!mike

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

From: [e-mail] (Deborah LoPrinzi)
Date: 13 Nov 93 14:56:18 GMT
Subject: International Advanced Fax


Contact:
Albert Chu
[phone] (Office)
[phone] (Home)

David Bikle
[phone] (Office)
[phone] (Home)


AT&T EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED FAX SERVICE TO HONG KONG, JAPAN

     Basking Ridge, N.J. -- AT&T today announced the expansion of its
premier international fax service to Hong Kong and Japan.  Effective
immediately, businesses using the AT&T International Advanced FAX
Service for faxing to Hong Kong and Japan can look forward to
improvement in quality, reliability and speed of service.  The service
has been available between the U.S. and the Philippines since June.

     "One out of every three international business long distance
calls is a fax call," said Richard Bush, a marketing director of
AT&T's Business Communications Services unit, "and the fax traffic
between the United States and such economic centers as Japan and Hong
Kong has been heavy and growing fast."

     "Introduction of the AT&T International Advanced FAX Service has
raised the bar for quality and reliability in international faxing, "
said Bush.  "Businesses lose time and opportunities when fax messages
are cut off before completion, are illegible, or are not received for
any reason.  Our new offering represents a new class of service for
international faxes."

     AT&T International Advanced FAX Service uses specially-
designated digital international circuits for transmission, supported
by a high-tech computerized tool called the FAXALYZER System.
Designed by AT&T Bell Laboratories, this system monitors the quality
of the fax network to detect any developing problems and locates the
source of problems when they occur.

     AT&T also established a specialized Fax Service Center in June
1993 to help resolve customers' fax problems more quickly and
accurately.

     Current U.S. customers of many of AT&T's business services,
including CustomNet(sm) Service, PRO(R) WATS Service, MEGACOM Service,
UniPlan and Global Software Defined Network Service, can use the new
fax service by simply inserting a "0" (zero) after the country code
when dialing the Philippines, Hong Kong or Japan from their fax
machines.  No special phone lines are required.

         Until January 1, 1994, charges for International Advanced FAX
Service will be the same as the customer's existing service.  New
rates will apply beginning January 1.  AT&T said demand for the
premium fax service has been heavy, and that the service will be
rolled out to additional countries as soon as service agreements can
be negotiated with other carriers.

       AT&T was the first carrier to introduce a series of
fax-specific pricing options which offer lower rates for short
international fax calls.  Named the AT&T FAX Family Options, the
series includes CustomNet(sm) FAX Option, PRO(R) FAX Option, and
FAXLine Service.  The American Facsimile Association voted the AT&T
FAX Family Options the "Best Affordable Fax Transmission Offering of
the Year" (1992).

     For information on the AT&T International Advanced FAX Service or
any other AT&T fax service, businesses can call toll-free
1-800-222-0900.  For fax trouble reporting, businesses can call
1-800-FAX-INTL (1-800-329-4685).

                          #   #   #

   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE AT&T FAXALYZER(TM) SYSTEM

     The FAXALYZER System is a package of proprietary,
software-controlled monitoring and diagnostic tools designed to work
only in AT&T's Worldwide Intelligent Network.  The system
non-intrusively monitors the performance of the group of lines
reserved for International Advanced FAX Service to ensure that they
consistently function at a high-quality level.  As a result, many
network conditions that may affect fax quality can be dealt with
before they can cause service problems. The system is also used to
trouble-shoot.

     AT&T's Fax Service Center is equipped to take appropriate steps
to help resolve most faxing problems in much less time than is
required by today's process.  Customers who use AT&T's international
business services and experience any faxing problem can report the
trouble to the Fax Service Center at any time.  Specially-trained
technicians there can use the FAXALYZER System to quickly identify the
location and nature of the problem, whether it be in the network or at
the customer's location.

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

From: Jamie Mason <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 11:58:06 -0500
Subject: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: University of Toronto Computing Disciplines Facility
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 16:58:00 GMT


Seen in _The Toronto Star_, November 12, 1993:

                ---------

        905 area code isn't ringing bell in U.S.

    Bell Canada says its new 905 area code isn't getting enough
respect south of the border.

    The United States has literally hundreds of phone companies that
need to know about last month's change for parts of the 416 area code
 -- but some are still telling callers that the number doesn't exist.

                ---------

    Now, correct me if I am wrong here, but is it not the case that
NPAs for North America are assigned by Bellcore?  Presumably the split
of the old 416 into 416 and 905 was authorized by Bellcore.

    I was under the impression that Bellcore publishes, on a regular
basis, its list of NPA assignments ... and I would assume that any LEC
or IXC with enough chutzpah to call themselves a "phone company" would
go to the trouble of reading these lists, and programming their
computers with them.

    This seems, then, like an odd situation.  How is it possible that
there exist "phone companies" that don't notice an area code split?  I
suppose the "new style" NPAs (with the middle digit other than 0 or 1)
will confuse these carriers no end.


Jamie

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

Date: 13 Nov 93 10:11 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Open Systems networking" by Piscitello/Chapin


BKOPSYNT.RVW  931013

Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 520   26 Prince Andrew Place
Don Mills, Ontario    M3C 2T8
416-447-5101  fax: [phone]
or
Tiffany Moore, Publicity  [e-mail]
John Wait, Editor, Corporate and Professional Publishing [e-mail]
1 Jacob Way
Reading, MA   01867-9984
800-527-5210  617-944-3700
5851 Guion Road
Indianapolis, IN   46254
800-447-2226
"Open Systems Networking", Piscitello/Chapin, 1993
[e-mail] [e-mail]

Open systems and networking are two of the current "big issues" in
computing and information systems planning, even if few can tell you
what they actually are.  Every proprietary system is "open," and every
company making even the most peripheral component is committed to
"networking".  OSI and TCP/IP are recognizably two of the major
"players' in this game, although their positions may not be clear.
This state of affairs is not made any better by the many rumours and
myths: TCP/IP is an academic toy; TCP/IP is an *example* of OSI;
buying OSI compliant products will guarantee inter-operability; TCP/IP
now has the commercial "high ground" and it is now *OSI* that is the
academic toy.  This book is both a conceptual introduction to open
systems networking, and a detailed comparison of the structures of
TCP/IP and OSI.

That said, it is still easier, as with Usenet, to define what it is
not, than what it is.

This is not a technical manual.  Technical detail there is, and
competent, too.  This is not, however, a reprinting of the standards,
although it is a good guide to and through them.  While the work gives
a good background for programming and implementation, one suspects it
is more for the manager than the programmer.

When one is examining technical books, the mere sight of a "series"
cover sets off alarms.  Series books tend to be textbooks, or boring,
or both.  This book is not boring.  The writing style is lively, with
the best (or most outrageous) parts set off by ".AHA." boxes and
italic text.  The anecdotes and background will be of interest to
anyone in the communications or networking field.

The preface is decidedly odd, and chapter one seems to be the preface.
Chapter two is a quick overview of both the OSI and Internet
structures.  Part two, chapters three to five, is entitled, "Open
Network Architecture": it covers the concepts and vocabulary of open
systems, and compares the terms of the two structures.  Part three
deals with the way the "upper layers" and common applications are
handled, while part four covers the lower layers.  Finally, part five
makes, in a number of different ways, the point that the choice does
not have to be TCP/IP or OSI -- the two systems can be complementary.

The references section contains many valuable listings.  An annotated
bibliography would have been helpful.  In a sense there is one --
distributed throughout the book.  It would have been handy to have
collected some of this into a single section.

This work provides a unique perspective, and some very important
information.  It belongs on every MIS shelf.  It also belongs in every
college and university library where any type of data communications
and networking courses are taught.  It should also come in very handy
for every development project where there is a question as to why TCP
is being used rather than OSI ... or vice versa ...


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKOPSYNT.RVW  931013
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated mailing lists/newsgroups.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Christian Taube)
Subject: What is ANI?
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 19:39:16 MET


Hello Folks,

This is a movie-related question -- yes, I know that this is quite
late, but we don't get most american movies that fast over here, you
know :-)

Last week, I finally saw "In the Line of Fire" (with Clint Eastwood)
and was fascinated (again) by the role that telecommunication
(especially voice) can play in a good thriller. What would thrillers
in the nineties be without ISDN, answering machines, and all of that? :-)

Anyway, here's the technical question: What is ANI? As a telecom
layman, I have a hard enough time understanding how tracing a phone
call works at all, so I didn't really understand how the Malkovich
character (Carney?) went about laying a track that would have the
Secret Service people go off in the wrong direction. From what I
remember, he manipulated a something called "ANI" to do that.

Can somebody of you knowledgable poeple explain to me (in simple terms
:-) what that is, and what Malkovich does?


Christian   [e-mail]/[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: ANI = Automatic Number Identification. It is
similar to but not identical to Caller-ID. I did not see the movie in
question, so can't comment on the specifics of how it was done there,
but the use of ANI is a common method of tracing calls. It is sent
automatically between telephone companies to identify the calling
party to the called party in the case of 800 service among other
things. PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bob Longo)
Subject: Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted
Date: 13 Nov 93 11:55:07 PDT
Organization: Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines


I read something here a few months ago in which someone mentioned a
"blue tech manual" on the Motorola flip-phones.  Apparently this
manual costs about $40.

Can someone please tell me where and how to order this manual?


Thanks,

Bob Longo ([e-mail])  Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines   Los Angeles, CA

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #754
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa22309;
          13 Nov 93 17:46 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA15267
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 14:09:25 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA04488
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 14:09:02 -0600
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 14:09:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #755

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 13 Nov 93 14:09:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 755

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    FBI Operation "Root Canal" (Dave Banisar)
    "Escort" Cordless Phone (Dick Rhoads)
    Replace KXT616 KSU With ??? (Robert Jesse)
    Check From MCI; What to Do? (Henry Mensch)
    Corning Fiber Optic Cable (James D. Gillmore)
    Need Statistics on Lost Crypto Sales (SPA via Mark Boolootian)
    Information Wanted on Lincompex (Andre van Heerden)
    Switch Comparison Information Requested (David Foster)
    Long Distance Company Offers 800 Internet Access (Klaus Dimmler)
    Information Wanted on Cell Phone ROMs (Nathaniel Polish)
    Need List of Country Codes (Malcolm Dunnett)
    Information About Iridium Wanted (Ravi Prakash)
    Display Phone With Swedish CID (Claes Gussing)
    Specialized Mobile Radio (Jon Anhold)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (William H. Sohl)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Organization: CPSR Washington Office
From: Dave Banisar <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 9:17:03 EST
Subject: FBI Operation "Root Canal"


  FBI Operation "Root Canal" Docs
 From the CPSR Alert 2.05 (Nov. 12, 1993)

FBI's Operation "Root Canal" Documents Disclosed

In response to a CPSR Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, the FBI this
week released 185 pages of documents concerning the Bureau's Digital
Telephony Initiative, code-named Operation "Root Canal." The newly
disclosed material raises serious doubts as to the accuracy of the
FBI's claim that advances in telecommunications technology have
hampered law enforcement efforts to execute court-authorized wiretaps.

The FBI documents reveal that the Bureau initiated a well-orchestrated
public relations campaign in support of "proposed legislation to
compel telecommunications industry cooperation in assuring our digital
telephony intercept requirements are met."  A May 26, 1992, memorandum
from the Director of the FBI to the Attorney General lays out a
"strategy ... for gaining support for the bill once it reaches
Congress," including the following:

     "Each FBI Special Agent in Charge's contacting key law
     enforcement and prosecutorial officials in his/her territory
     to stress the urgency of Congress's being sensitized to this
     critical issue;

     Field Office media representatives educating their contacts
     by explaining and documenting, in both local and national
     dimensions, the crisis facing law enforcement and the need
     for legislation; and

     Gaining the support of the professional associations
     representing law enforcement and prosecutors."

However, despite efforts to obtain documentation from the field in
support of Bureau claims of a "crisis facing law enforcement," the
response from FBI Field Offices was that they experienced *no*
difficulty in conducting electronic surveillance.  For example, a
December 3, 1992, memorandum from Newark reported the following:

     The Newark office of the Drug Enforcement Administration
     "advised that as of this date, the DEA has not had any
     technical problems with advanced telephone technology."

     The New Jersey Attorney General's Office "has not experienced
     any problems with the telephone company since the last
     contact."

     An agent from the Newark office of the Internal Revenue
     Service "advised that since the last time he was contacted,
     his unit has not had any problems with advanced telephony
     matters."

     An official of the New Jersey State Police "advised that
     as of this date he has had no problems with the present
     technology hindering his investigations."

Likewise, a memorandum from the Philadelphia Field Office reported
that the local offices of the IRS, Customs Service and the Secret
Service were contacted and "experienced no difficulties with new
technologies."  Indeed, the newly-released documents contain no
reports of *any* technical problems in the field.

The documents also reveal the FBI's critical role in the development
of the Digital Signature Standard (DSS), a cryptographic means of
authenticating electronic communications that the National Institute
of Standards and Technology was expected to develop.  The DSS was
proposed in August 1991 by the National Institute of Standards and
Technology.  NIST later acknowledged that the National Security Agency
developed the standard.  The newly disclosed documents appear to
confirm speculation that the FBI and the NSA worked to undermine the
legal authority of the NIST to develop standards for the nation's
communications infrastructure.

CPSR intends to pursue further FOIA litigation to establish the extent
of the FBI involvement in the development of the DSS and also to
obtain a "cost-benefit" study discussed in one of the FBI Director's
memos and other documents the Bureau continues to withhold.

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

To subscribe to the Alert, send the message:

"subscribe cpsr <your name>" (without quotes or brackets)
to [e-mail].  Back issues of the Alert are available at
the CPSR Internet Library FTP/WAIS/Gopher cpsr.org /cpsr/alert

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

From: [e-mail] (Dick Rhoads)
Subject: "Escort" Cordless Phone Information Wanted
Date: 13 Nov 1993 14:33:59 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard NARC Atlanta


I saw an ad in {USA Today} this week for an "Escort" 900 MHz cordless
phone manufactured by Cincinnati Microwave (they make the Escort
automotive radar detectors).

Has anyone tried one of these yet?  Do you have any comments on its'
range, quality, etc ...?


Dick Rhoads                   Hewlett-Packard Company
Phone   : [phone]        Atlanta Technology Center
FAX     : [phone]        2015 South Park Place
HPDesk  : Dick Rhoads/HPATC   Atlanta, Georgia 30339 USA
Internet: [e-mail]
X.400   : C=US; AD=ATTMAIL; PD=HP; ORG=HP; OU1=HPATC; SN=RHOADS; FN=DICK

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 11:16:54 -0800
From: Robert Jesse <[e-mail]>
Subject: Replace KXT616 KSU With ???
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I have a Panasonic KXT61610 KSU that I'd like to replace.

Eight display telephones and eight POTS ports will be plenty of
extension capacity. The main reason for upgrading is to get more CO
lines (eight would be ok, ten or more plenty) and DISA, and for this
the Panasonic KXT123211 would do nicely.

However there are some features I'd like to have in a new system that
Panasonic doesn't support (at least that I know of on the analog
systems).  Since I have a buyer for both the old KSU and the
telephones, I have the option of starting from scratch with an
entirely different system. Do you know of anything that supports the
following?

- pass CPC from CO lines to analog POTS extensions (so answering machines
  can detect hangup cleanly);

- decode caller ID from CO lines and send to display telephones;

- single button on-hook speed dialing (not having to push the speakerphone
  button to go off-hook before pressing the speed dial button).

Particularly if you recommend a digital system, it would be helpful if
you'd comment on the sound quality -- some that I've heard are pretty
noisy. Thanks!

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

Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 21:42:48 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Henry Mensch)
Subject: Check From MCI; What to Do?


For my residential long distance I currently use AT&T ... I got a
check in the mail from MCI last week (not a very big one, as they say;
only $20) which I get to cash if I let them switch me to MCI (and
friends and informants, or whatever it is this week).

Now, I remember reading in this space that some folks were able to
redeem these checks with their current LD carrier without having to
switch carriers ... has anyone done this lately ... with AT&T?  If so,
how ...?


# henry mensch / <[e-mail]> / pob 14592; sf, ca  94114-0592; usa

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

From: [e-mail] (James D. Gillmore)
Subject: Corning Fiber Optic Cable
Date: 13 Nov 1993 06:29:40 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


We are considering wiring to the desk top with fiber.  On of the vendors
suggested that we spec Corning fiber only.  Is there a reason to do this
other than giving some vendors a better chance at responding to our RFP?
I would appreciate it if you would write back directly as we don't support
UUCP news services at this time.  We will in a few weeks though.. :)


Jim Gillmore     E-mail [e-mail]
Manager Network Services         VOICE 215.683.4199
Kutztown University of PA          FAX [phone]
LMS Annex Room 105             HOME 717.865.5820
              Holidays & Weekends 717.567.3931

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Boolootian)
Subject: Need Statistics on Lost Crypto Sales
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 08:32:06 PST


[Moderator's Note: Passed along FYI to us by Mark.  PAT]

NEED STATISTICS ON LOST CRYPTO SALES

The Software Publishers Association (SPA) has been working to bring
about the liberalization of export controls on mass market software
with encryption capabilities.  SPA's much-publicized study of the
foreign availability of cryptographic products has clearly
demonstrated the widespread and easy availability of encryption that
is stronger than what U. S. firms have been able to export.  However,
NSA claims that software companies have not demonstrated sufficiently
the economic harm they have suffered from export controls.  Congress
has told us that without better economic harm statistics, our chances
of liberalizing the export laws are slim.  Therefore, WE NEED YOUR
HELP.

If you or your firm has lost business because you have not been able
to export your encryption product, please let us know.  Be as specific
as possible.  It is the cumulative effect of this information that
will be most compelling.

Please pass this on to those in your firm who might know about
these matters or might also be able to respond.

Please send replies to [e-mail] or to

Ilene Rosenthal, General Counsel
Software Publishers Association
1730 M St. NW, Suite 700
Washington DC 20036
[phone] ext. 318

or to

Douglas Miller
(same address)
[phone] ext. 342

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

From: Andre van Heerden <[e-mail]>
Organization:  Rand Afrikaans University
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:23:05 GMT
Subject: Information Wanted on Lincompex
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I would like information on Lincompex (Linked Compressor and Expansion).
Especially the digital implementation of the lincomplex.

E-mail me directly.


Thank you,

Andre van Heerden           Tel: [phone]
Cybernetics Laboratory      Fax: [phone]
Rand Afrikaans University   Email: [e-mail]
P O Box 524   Aucklandpark  2006   SOUTH AFRICA

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

From: [e-mail] (David Foster)
Subject: Switch Comparison Information Requested
Date: 12 Nov 1993 21:14:45 GMT
Organization: Motorola - Wireless Data Group; Richmond, BC


Has anyone information on, or can direct me to articles/sources
on the following:

1. Telco, Celluar, Mobile data, Message or similar switches.
2. Basic functionality.
3. Basic list prices.
4. Price/performance aspects.
5. Technology/delpoyment platform/appliactions.
6. Comparative studies.

This request for information is relatively urgent (as usual!!)


Thanks,

Dave Foster

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

From: [e-mail] (Klaus Dimmler)
Subject: Long Distance Company Offers 800 Internet Access
Organization: Community_News_Service
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:20:35 GMT


Telephone Express, a regional long distance carrier in the Western
States, is offering national 800 Internet access for less than the
cost of a long distance phone call! For only 13 cents per minute,
access to a T1-Internet connected host is available from anywhere in
the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Alaka!
The host is connected directly to the ANS backbone.

For information on this, please call 800-748-1200 (voice), or write to
[e-mail].


Klaus Dimmler    [e-mail]  CNS, Inc
1155 Kelly Johnson Blvd, Suite 400
Colorado Springs, CO 80920    719-592-1240


[Moderator's Note: Are you using it? How well does it work and what
else can you tell us about it?  How is billing done, etc?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Nathaniel Polish)
Subject: Information Wanted on Cell Phone ROMs
Date: 13 Nov 1993 11:02:43 -0500
Organization: Columbia University Department of Computer Science


A friend of mine posed an interesting problem to me the other day.  He
has several cell phones.  He wants to be able to use one from his
boat.  He wants the phone on the boat to look like the one in his car.
To this end he would like to be able to reprogram the ROM in the phone
to match the one in his car.  Is there a repository of ROM formats for
various phones anywhere?  Obviously an unscrupulus individual could
use this information to steal phone service from others.  I presume
that this goes on all the time just like credit card fraud.  Anyway,
is this information available?


Thanks,


Nathaniel Polish    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Interesting you mention it, as this discussion goes
on here frequently and we just finished a thread on the topic. He is
not supposed to do what he wants. His cellular carrier will probably
tell him it is against their rules and in violation of his contract.
But yes, there are books around which explain how to do it and companies
which offer to clone one cellular phone so it looks like another, etc.
I imagine one of the people reading this who is in the discussion here
almost every time it comes up will send you email with sources.  PAT]

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

From: Malcolm Dunnett <[e-mail]>
Subject: Need List of Country Codes
Organization: Malaspina College


  I'm looking for a list of all the "Country Codes"; either an FTP
site or someone to post/mail me a copy.

  Any help?

  Thanks in advance.


Malcolm Dunnett    Malaspina University-College     Email: [e-mail]
Computer Services  Nanaimo, B.C. CANADA V9R 5S5       Tel: [phone]


[Moderator's Note: We have a comprehensive list in the Telecom Archives.
To use the archives with anonymous ftp, connect with lcs.mit.edu then
'cd telecom-archives' and check out the /country.codes sub-directory.
While you are there, Carl Moore tells me the /areacodes sub-directory is
being updated this weekend with some revisions. If you do not have ftp
access at your site, then use the Telecom Archives Email Information
Service. Send email to '[e-mail]' and in the text of
your letter (the subject does not matter) issue these commands:

REPLY yourname@site     NOTE: This *must* be the first command.
GET country.codes
END                     NOTE: Please add this as the final command.

If you are not familiar with the Email Information Service or need to
get a complete index of topics and help in using it, then add these
commands in your request:

INFO
HELP
INDEX            NOTE: This index is updated three times daily. Stay
                 current with the Archives by fetching a copy often.

 ... and you will get a few more files to brouse through. You can also
get single back issues of the Digest, or large files of fifty back
issues at a time.  To the several hundred people who use the service
on a regular basis, thanks for making it a big success.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (ravi prakash)
Subject: Information About Iridium Wanted
Date: 13 Nov 1993 08:01:04 -0500
Organization: The Ohio State University Dept. of Computer and Info. Science


I would like to get information about the following:

- Iridium : a low earth orbit mobile satellite system

that Motorola Satellite Communications, Inc. is planning to implement.
They had submitted an application to the Federal Communications
Commission, Washington, D.C., in 1990. Is there any way I can get a
copy of that application?

Besides, if anobody could provide me with an e-mail/snail-mail address
of someone to contact at Motorola about this, it would be of great
help.


Thanks,

Ravi Prakash                                  Office : Bolz Hall, #319b
[e-mail]                    Phone  : [phone] - Off.
Department of Computer & Information Science, Fax    : [phone]
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210


[Moderator's Note: And you also might want to check out the Telecom
Archives. You'll find some stuff in the special reports and technical
sub-directories on Iridium. We had a special issue on it a while
back.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Claes Gussing)
Subject: Display Phone With Swedish CID
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Ericsson
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 13:04:50 GMT


Anybody out there know of a cheap Display phone that applies to the
Swedish standard for Caller ID, Distinctive Ring, etc? The major
Swedish telephony supplier, I hear, is planning to release these
services next year, and I'm looking for a supplier to become Swedish
agent for.


Regards,

Claes Gussing    [e-mail]

The opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jon Anhold)
Subject: Specialized Mobile Radio
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 06:50:21


Does anyone have any information on Specialized Mobile Radio?
Specifically, types of radios, what bands they are on, and common uses
for SMR?


Thanks,

Jon Anhold N8USK                          [e-mail]
1008 Steeb Hall   AX.25->n8usk@n8lwg.#neoh.oh.usa.noam
70 W.11th Ave                         Riker/Picard '96
Columbus, Ohio 43210         Dreamland Network Systems
#include std/disclaimer.h

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

From: [e-mail] (sohl,william h)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 16:09:43 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Kevin Ian Cooke) writes:

> In light of the recent discussions about scanning cellular frequencies, I
> would like your help with the following:

> I am interested in writing a story about people who, from time to
> time, like to listen to their nieghbors' cellular phone conversations.
> I know you're out there, especially folks in the *.dcom.telecom
> worlds, since (as I'm sure most of you know) it only takes slight
> alterations to cell phones and FM scanners to get them to hear the
> cellular frequencies.

> I know that the above is illegal, and I know that anyone engaged in
> such activity could be prosecuted.

In the above, the ONLY illegal activity is actually listening to
cellular calls (by virtue of the ECPA).  Modifying scanners to be able
to receive cellular calls is not now, nor will it be in the future
illegal.  Indeed, one can still manufacture and import scanners that
receive cellular without needing an modification (e.g. the ICOM R100
receiver).  Such importation and manufacture will not be illegal until
after April 1994.  Even after that date, the law prohibiting
importation or manufacture of cellular capable scanners does NOT
prohibit any of the following:

 (1) Modification of a scanner,
 (2) Continued sales of cellular capable scanners that were imported
 or manufactured before April 26, 1994.  (i.e. stores can continue to
 sell existing stocks of those cellualr capable scanners),
 (3) Sales of used cellular capable scanners, and
 (4) ownership of any cellular capable scanner.

As to anyone being prosecuted under the existing ECPA (the law that
forbids listening to cellular), it is interesting to note that despite
the occasional revelation in the press that "this or that was learned
by listening to cellular calls." the level of any prosecution seems to
be all but non-existent.  Indeed, even folks in this newsgroup (some,
not all) seem to be willing to allow the police to be above the law
when listening to cellular calls results in the arrest of a criminal.
That's a true double standard in my not so humble opinion.

As to my personal opinion, the ECPA is a joke and only provides a
false sense of security to cellular users who buy into sales
statements that because it is illegal to listen to cellular, then the
security of cellular converstations is assured.  In fact, the ability
to PROVE a violation of the ECPA occurred is all but impossible unless
the violator publicly admits they have listened to cellular.  Bottom
line is that the ECPA is essentially an unenfoceable law that ranks in
the same catagory as the old sodomy laws.

Even the new law which will forbid manufacture and importation of
cellular capable scanners does little to thwart anyone who really
wants to eavesdrop from doing so.  After April 1994, any potential
eavesdropper can simply --

(1) buy a used cellular capable scanner;

(2) buy a non-cellular capable scanner and build a frequency downverter (a
trivially simple piece of electronics for which construction articles
have already been published ... Feb/Mar 93 {Radio Electronics} Magazine) or

(3) buy a double conversion non-cellular scanner and listen to the
cellular frequencies by tunbing to the "image" (two times the IF or
intermediate frequency).

Do I own a cellular scanner ... nope and I have no interest in doing
so, BUT I think laws that attempt to regulate what types of electronic
equipment individuals may buy (or own) are just a step away from the
totalitarian mindset that would regulate ownership of all types of
reception equipment.


Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.

Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!cc!whs70
201-829-2879 Weekdays      email via Internet  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: That's really something, to equate the laws
pertaining to privacy in communications with the old (but still in
force in about half the states in the USA) laws on sodomy. The latter
are considered by many people to be an invasion of individual privacy,
while the former are considered by many people to promote and protect
individual privacy. In any event, they are all a bunch of worthless,
unenforceable laws, eh?  So what else is new in these United States?  PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #755
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa22611;
          13 Nov 93 18:15 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA32224
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:37:06 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA20635
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:36:31 -0600
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:36:31 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #756

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 13 Nov 93 15:36:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 756

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Macintosh Software for NIST (Linc Madison)
    Re: Macintosh Software for NIST (John Pescatore)
    Re: Macintosh Software for NIST (Charlie Mingo)
    Re: Macintosh Software for NIST (John R. Bruni)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (William Bauserman)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Timothy H. O'Hara)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Brendan M. O'connor)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Dave Niebuhr)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Nathaniel Polish)
    Re: What is Transpac? (Philippe Devaux)
    Re: What is Transpac? (Neil R. Henry)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Nathan Lane)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Andrew Klossner)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Lukas Zahas)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (David A. Kaye)
    Re: Earthquake Preparedness (Steve Forrette)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: Macintosh Software for NIST
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:55:33 GMT


Eli S Bingham ([e-mail]) wrote:

> The October 1993 issue of BYTE Magazine mentions that you can access
> the NIST atomic clock through the Internet at address 132.163.135.130
> (time_a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov). However, our computer center is
> Macintosh oriented and I cannot find software to set the Mac's clock
> through this address (or, for that matter, through the more accurate
> telephone connection). Can someone suggest MacTCP compatible software
> for this? Or am I going to have to write it myself?

I have no information on doing this by MacTCP on an Internet
connection, but there is a very good freeware application for setting
the Macintosh clock over a dial-up connection to NIST or other time
source.  It's called "Set Clock" by Jim Leitch (Leitch Video Int'l),
and it's available by anonymous FTP from sumex-aim.stanford.edu in the
file info-mac/util/set-clock-33.hqx.  The program makes a modem
connection for about ten seconds (at 300 or 1200 bps) to your choice
of atomic clocks in Toronto, Washington, or Boulder.  It even has
built-in support for modem strings to allow high-speed modems to
connect at 300 bps.


Linc Madison  *  Oakland, California  *  LincMad@{Netcom | AOL}.com

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

From: [e-mail] (John Pescatore)
Subject: Re: Macintosh Software for NIST
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 07:58:24 -0500
Organization: Rockville, MD


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Eli S Bingham) wrote:

> The October 1993 issue of BYTE Magazine mentions that you can access
> the NIST atomic clock through the Internet at address 132.163.135.130
> (time_a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov). However, our computer center is
> Macintosh oriented and I cannot find software to set the Mac's clock
> through this address (or, for that matter, through the more accurate
> telephone connection). Can someone suggest MacTCP compatible software
> for this? Or am I going to have to write it myself?

> [Moderator's Note: Would someone like to summarize a bit more from the
> article and explain how the clock is accessed through that address?
> Is there a certain special login one would use, or would one telnet
> to a given socket on that machine, or?   Thanks.   PAT]

I am using NetworkTime 2.0 by Pete Resnick. It works great on our
network, where we have a Sun with one of those WWV time receivers
attached. I tried it using the NIST address and it works even better!

I have no idea how it works from a telnet point of view, NetworkTime
is a control panel device for the Mac. I also have no more info on
NetworkTime, it was installed on a Mac that I inherited at work. Doing
a Get Info doesn't get me any more info.


John Pescatore WB2EKK   GTE Government Systems
Rockville, MD    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I'd like to know if one can get the time signal
sent over the telnet connection in the same way one gets the time
signal when calling the phone number for the service.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Charlie Mingo)
Subject: Re: Macintosh Software for NIST
Date: 13 Nov 1993 04:11:55 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC


I haven't read the article, but I think I know what is being
described.

There is an Internet protocol known as NTP (for Network Time
Protocol).  An NTP client program (running on your Mac) telnets into a
special port on an NTP time server to obtain an accurate fix.

There are lots of NTP servers on the Internet other than this NIST
one.  For a complete listing, ftp to louie.udel.edu and look in the
/pub/ntp/docs folder for clock.txt.  You can probably find a site that
is closer to you than time_a.timefreq.bldrdoc.gov (the closer the
site, the more quickly the NTP server responds, and the more accurate
your time fix is).

You will need an NTP client for your Macs as well.  There are two
clients freely-distributed: network-time-201.hqx and macntp-10.hqx,
both of which can be found on sumex-aim.stanford.edu in info-mac/
comm/net (and on sumex mirror sites).

If you have a modem on your Mac, and would prefer to use a telephone
connection, then I strongly recommend AutoClock 1.4.  It will not only
call in to either the NIST or USNO machines in Boulder or Washington,
DC, but will also calculate the rate of drift of your Mac clock, so
that you are never more than about a second off.  The most recent
version also handles Daylight Savings Time for all countries in the
world.

AutoClock can be found on mac.archive.umich.edu:/mac/util/comm as
autoclock1.4.cpt.hqx.

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 09:34:40 PST
From: John R. Bruni <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Macintosh Software for NIST


VersaTerm has a handy utility called "Time Client" that works great
for Macs.  It's a control panel that runs through MacTCP & can be run
automatically (or manually if you so chose.)  All you have to do is
enter the address of the time server you want to use.  No further
action is necessary.  The program does the rest.

Incidentally, there is a new version of MacTCP...v. 2.0.4 from Apple
... it's supposedly still in test but I have had no problems with it.
It can be FTP'd from sumex-aim.stanford.edu.


[e-mail]      a.k.a.: "Cowboy Buddha"    "Rocky"
San Francisco Engineering, Inc.
Non-disclaimer:  As a matter of fact I _do_ speak for the company!


[Moderator's Note: Are you one of the California Cowboys?  :)   PAT]

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

Date: 13 Nov 93 13:01:06 -0800
From: Bauserman, William <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk


[e-mail] (John Eichler) wrote:

> Apparently this is not only a problem in New York but elsewhere as
> well.  I guess the telephone companies are just sitting back waiting
> for the cable companies to be the first ones to bring high speed
> two-way digital communications technology into small businesses and
> homes.

> It's almost a 'catch-22' proposition.  The phone companies are slow to
> implement ISDN because there is little demand for it and the demand is
> waiting for the service to become available.  This is just another
> example of the difficult time we will have installing a nationwide
> 'information highway'.  I guess the only way to move the telephone
> companies is for tens of thousands of us little guys to keep asking
> them for ISDN until they wake up and realize that they are losing big
> bucks in not providing this vital service.

Well, here is my two cents worth: Don't forget that telco's are still
regulated.  I know of one "Consumer Protection" group that claims the
only reason a telco puts in fiber is to position itself for delivering
video to the home.

This group would actually complain to the PUC everytime it saw a fiber
job going in.

Granted, this is an idiotic extreme, but, the point is that as along
as network equipment is placed in the rate base, the telco should not
indiscriminately go out and spend loads of money on a service that
won't sell.  Notice I said "should not".

If you want it -- ask for it, just remember that you can't always get
what you want ... but, you just might find, you get what you need :^)


Bill Bauserman    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Timothy H O'Hara)
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
Organization: University at Buffalo
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 03:03:00 GMT


New York Tel. is always doing stupid stuff like this.

For example, when they rolled out CallerID/Call return in my CO (rural
community, Newfane NY (716) 778-####) they made a big deal about it.
They never really mentioned that we were one of the first exchanges in
the area to get the service -- and that both numbers needed to have
the service available.  Anybody I would want to use Repeat Dial (read
girlfriend) to call wouldn't do me any good anyway!

I'm glad my telephone dollars pay for all this slick Madison Avenue
advertising.


Tim O'Hara   [e-mail]     SUNY Buffalo


[Moderator's Note: Please note, both *central offices* have to be
equipped for these services, but it is not necessary for both
*subscribers* to be equipped. If any one subscriber in an upgraded
CO is equipped to use the new features, s/he can use them in
calls to others in an upgraded CO regardless of the other person's
personal status.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Brendan M O'connor)
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
Date: 12 Nov 93 22:30:40 GMT
Organization: NYU Stern School of Business


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Carl
Oppedahl) writes:

> My service comes from the "Second Avenue" central office in Manhattan.

Second Ave. has three switches: a small 5ESS (23,000+ lines), a large
DMS-100 (62,000+ lines) and a large 1AESS (67,000+ lines). (Local
rumor has it that this is the largest WIRED 1AESS in the U.S.)

You are obviously supported by the 1AESS.

> And only two of the twenty-five support ISDN.  That's actually better
> than many other central offices in Manhattan and elsewhere in the

ISDN is available to you if you are willing to change your number. If
not (and I can understand why you don't want to), you will have to
wait until your 1AESS is retired. Sad, but true.

> Oh, and there is no scheduled date for upgrading my telephone exchange
> to more modern equipment, according to the business office.

My Second Ave. engineer has just started work on the 1AESS retirement.
I'm not at liberty to announce its retirement date, but I assure you,
you will have access to all the services you are looking for. I
apologize for the fact that the business rep you contacted was not
aware of the upgrade plans.


boc.

These are my opinions. NYNEX and New York Telephone may have other opinions.


[Moderator's Note: No doubt everyone noticed that Brendan O'Connor's
initials also could be taken to mean 'Bell Operating Company'. Actually
Brendan, how do *we* know you are a real person and not just a figment
of the imagination of someone at NY Tel whose job it is to spread
propoganda around Usenet?  I'm a tool of AT&T you know; just yesterday
in email I got a note from some crackpot outlining everything I had
said in AT&T's favor over the last several years. His missive went on
for over 100,000 K of text, all manually typed in I think. I ought to
post the whole diatribe from him in news.groups with cross-postings to
several dozen other Usenet groups. That's how they get off, and who am
I to dictate if people should read or post to Usenet in the privacy of
their own homes.  :)  PAT]

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 07:05:45 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY


In TELECOM Digest V13 #751 [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:

> Here I am in Manhattan, the telecommunications center of the world,
> where radio jingles say "We're All Connected, New York Telephone".
> Warm images of grandma talking to the beloved grandchildren ...
> high-powered financial traders moving millions of dollars while
> barking into speakerphones.  The White Pages urge us to sign up for
> Pathways (r) and Digipath (r) and Superpath (r) and Flexpath (r) and
> Infopath (r) and Switchway (r) and Intellipath (r), all high-powered,
> modern, digital, cutting-edge wave-of-the-future kinds of things.  You
> just pick up the phone and the breeze makes your hair flutter behind
> you ...

We're still getting those ditties on Long Island also since we receive
NY City radion and TV stations.

> Likewise I cannot sign up for Caller ID.  And I cannot use the automatic
> redial.

That happened on Long Island also (area code 516) last year.

> Kind of suprising I have even been able to use touch-tone phones all
> these years.

Remember though, that the original tone dialing was converted in the
CO to rotary/pulse via relays.  However, true touch tone has been
around for years and its capabilities should be exploited faster than
it has been.

> Oh, and I cannot get ISDN, either.

Same for Long Island.

> My service comes from the "Second Avenue" central office in Manhattan.
> It contains twenty-five exchanges, or a theoretical quarter of a
> million telephone lines.

My feeling is that NYTel should upgrade all switches at the same time
that are in the same CO unless there is a compelling need not to and I
don't think that other than certain agencies (police, shelters, etc.)
have a compelling need.

Carl mentioned, and I unfortunately deleted, a statement about
businesses moving to New Jersey.  I apologize.

Going further, it is not only the telcos, it is the electric/gas
companies and the horrendous taxes in the NY City Metropolitan Area in
those areas that are in NY State.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

From: [e-mail] (Nathaniel Polish)
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
Date: 13 Nov 1993 11:11:58 -0500
Organization: Columbia University Department of Computer Science


Bitch, bitch, bitch.  It took me years to get to the point where I
could get a phone line from my apartment on 111th street to Columbia
on 116th street that would support a modem connection for more than five
minutes.  For most of that time the phone company's position was that
"voice grade" did not mean free from pops and clicks.  I am now very
very grateful that I can support a 14.4kbs channel for hours with no
errors almost all of the time.

It does, however, seem rather stupid for NYTel to spend a fortune
advertising services that will not be available for years.  I would
just bet that it will be so disruptive when they update the switch
that I will look back on the low-tech days as being days of simple
reliablility.

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

From: [e-mail] (Philippe Devaux)
Subject: Re: What is Transpac?
Organization: The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 22:53:33 GMT


Philip Green ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Can anyone tell me what Transpac is? A public network in France
> perhaps?  Thanks.

Transpac is a packet switching value added network (VAN) operated by
France Telecom, the French PTT organization.

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

From: [e-mail] (Neil R. Henry)
Subject: Re: What is Transpac?
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 07:40:29 GMT


Tranpac operates a public X.25 network in France.  In the last three
years they have been very aggressive in the UK market as well.  My
recollection is that they are (partially?) owned by France Telecom.

My UK contact is: Orion House, 5 Upper St. Martin's Lane London WC2H
9EA In town telephone numbers have changed but I list 44 71 379 4700
for the main number and 44 71 379 1404 for the FAX.


Philip Green   (MSc student) [e-mail]
Department of Computer Science, University of the Witwatersrand
2050 Wits, South Africa

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

Date: Fri, 12 Nov 1993 16:43:39 -0800
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications


> After the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, the phone system in the Bay Area
> was approximately useless due to the extremely high load on the
> system.  It took minutes to get a dial tone, and so many calls came
> from out of the area that the LD carriers had to shut off incoming
> calls.

This is definitely true.  All of my relatives from all over the
country tried to call in.  Stupid, I would say, in a natural disaster.
It took about 90 seconds to get a dial tone in Alameda, near Oakland,
with gradually reduced time until about six hours after the earthquake
when dialtones were normal again (at least in Alameda).  In Daly City,
just south of San Francisco, dialtones took about two minutes.  In the
City itself, where power was out in most areas for at least two days,
it took several minutes.  Local calls were also subject to "all
circuits busy".

What I decided to do was make ONE LD call to a single relative out of
state.  Give that relative all the phone numbers of other relatives
(also out of state) and asked that that person relay the "we're all
okay" information, rather than having them clog up the phone system.

I will congratulate the phone company for keeping communications up.
It was an odd site from a hill in Daly City to see the ENTIRE city of
San Francisco dark, except for a very few lights on the tops of
buildings.  From a possibly unreliable source, I heard that in
downtown San Francisco, the phone exchanges actually have JET engines
running turbines to provide power during emergencies.  (Locally, the
phone company uses diesels, but I do not know the capacity).


Nathan Lane   Triicon Systems, Inc., Lompoc, CA

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

From: [e-mail] (Andrew Klossner)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Date: 12 Nov 1993 00:28:24 GMT
Organization: Tektronix Color Printers, Wilsonville, Oregon
Reply-To: [e-mail]


> "In approximately 1969 there was a serious earthquake in Santa
> Barbara, Calif., which damaged several telephone company central
> offices."

Do tell?  I lived in Santa Barbara throughout 1969, and noticed no
earthquake, serious or otherwise.

The Sylmar quake of 1971 was the first significant quake to hit Santa
Barbara in several years.


Andrew Klossner  ([e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail] (Lukas Zahas)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Date: 13 Nov 1993 05:00:19 GMT
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Lukas Zahas)


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> It may have been the only one to affect the phone system physically
> (destruction of telecom facilities), but most earthquakes (and other
> natural disasters) bring the system to its knees with the overload of
> phone calls.  After the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, the phone system in
> the Bay Area was approximately useless due to the extremely high load
> on the system.  It took minutes to get a dial tone, and so many calls
> came from out of the area that the LD carriers had to shut off
> incoming calls.

I've been told that after an earthquake, if you can't get a call
through, try using a payphone.  Supposedly, the phone company will
arbitrarily put some calls through and not others when the load is too
high, but payphone calls will always go through.  After the Loma
Prieta quake, we tried calling a high school teacher while reporting
for the school paper.  No one previously had been able to reach her
(calling SF from Oakland), but we did from a payphone, so it
apparently works.


Lukas Zahas        [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Or else that particular payphone at that particular
time was one of the arbitrarily chosen phones to get a line out.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Date: 13 Nov 1993 11:50:34 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


ethan miller ([e-mail]) wrote:

> phone calls.  After the 1989 Loma Prieta quake, the phone system in
> the Bay Area was approximately useless due to the extremely high load
> on the system.  It took minutes to get a dial tone, and so many calls
> came from out of the area that the LD carriers had to shut off
> incoming calls.

However, the phone system STAYED UP!  I was managing a voicemail
company at the time and we did not lose anything.  Our DID lines were
remoted via another central office and thus they provided battery to
our system.  The battery didn't even go down.  Sure, it took awhile to
get a dialtone, but our pager dialout kept working and eventually got
through.  I understand, though that the power to some switching
offices was so long in coming back that some of Pacific Bell's were
actually draining battery from AT&T.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)
Subject: Re: Earthquake Preparedness
Date: 13 Nov 1993 01:46:44 GMT
Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)


In <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(russell sharpe) writes:

> In New Zealand, because of our geographical nature, on the border of
> the Pacific, and Austrailasion Plates, we are pretty conscious of
> earthquakes, and volcanoes.

> Here are some of the precautions we take.
>   - All switches are strongly bonded to the building with steel seismic
>     braces, so no equipment will have the tendency to fall over.

This reminds me of a story I heard a few years ago during a CO tour.
My guide related an earthquake story that happened at Pacific Bell.
They had installed some sort of adjunct processor to a DMS-100.  It
was a rackmounted unit, in a standalone cabinet about 8 feet high.  It
was placed in a temporary location, a few feet away from the older
unit that it was replacing.  This was a temporary location for it --
they needed to have the new unit in service before the old one could
be removed, and they were planning to do a "hot slide": that is, slide
the new one into position while it was running after the old one had
been removed.  As such, it was not bolted down to the ground, and
there were a few feet of extra length coiled in the ceiling wiring
tracks for all power and signalling cables.

With the equipment in this state, and earthquake occurred, and the new
unit fell over since it was not bolted down.  The thing is, since all
of the cables had enough extra slack that had uncoiled when it fell
over, nothing broke, and it was indeed still functioning perfectly and
in service.  Pacific Bell placed a call to Northern Telecom to enquire
as to what the recommended procedure was to upright the cabinet while
it was in service.  This reportedly took NT quite by surprise, as they
had never encountered or even thought of such a situation.  They
finally got back to them with instructions to lift it back to the
regular position by hand while leaving it in service, and to bolt it
down this time.


Steve Forrette, [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #756
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa23030;
          13 Nov 93 20:13 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31045
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 17:30:15 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA29976
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 13 Nov 1993 17:29:39 -0600
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 17:29:39 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #757

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 13 Nov 93 17:27:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 757

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless (Steve Cogorno)
    Re: Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless (Mark Strow)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Tony Pelliccio)
    Re: Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter (William T. Sykes)
    Re: Preparing My Case Against Sprint (Alan Frisbie)
    Re: Preparing My Case Against Sprint (Chris Ambler)
    Re: Novell Networking Question (D.R. Hilton)
    Re: Novell Networking Question (Gary Breuckman)
    Re: "Fake Switch" Box or Tester (Paul Cook)
    Re: "Fake Switch" Box or Tester (Alan Boritz)
    Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI (Dan J. Declerck)
    Re: Sat Pagers = Modems? (John Gilbert)
    Re: Remote Call Forwarding (Paul Barnett)
    Re: Telephone Query System Questions (Robert Virzi)
    Re: East-West or North-South? (R. Kevin Oberman)
    Re: East-West or North-South? (David A. Cantor)
    Re: PC Pursuit No Longer Accepting New Users (Bill Bradford)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Steve Cogorno)
Subject: Re: Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:17:17 PST


Said by: Mark Strow

> Please reply to [e-mail].

Well, we can't give you Merlin programming codes (or star codes for
that matter) unless you tell us what kind of Merlin you have (also
what release it is) and the features you are looking for.


Steve   [e-mail]
#608 Merrill * 200 McLaughlin Drive * Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1015

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 10:36:49 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Mark Strow)
Subject: Re: Wanted: AT&T Merlin Cordless


Thanks for the reply to my post regarding the AT&T Merlin Cordless.
I'm sorry if my post wasn't clear. I'm not looking for programming
instructions, rather I am looking for an AT&T Merlin Cordless to
*purchase*.

I have a "Classic" Merlin 410 in my home, and have always wanted the
Cordless to go along with it, but can't quite justify th $400+ AT&T
wants for a new one.

Do you happen to know anyone who might sell one second-hand?


Thanks again,

M.

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

From: [e-mail] (Tony Pelliccio)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Date: 13 Nov 1993 18:48:18 GMT
Organization: Brown University Alumni & Development Office


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Kevin Ian Cooke) wrote:

> In light of the recent discussions about scanning cellular frequencies, I
> would like your help with the following:

> I am interested in writing a story about people who, from time to
> time, like to listen to their nieghbors' cellular phone conversations.
> I know you're out there, especially folks in the *.dcom.telecom
> worlds, since (as I'm sure most of you know) it only takes slight
> alterations to cell phones and FM scanners to get them to hear the
> cellular frequencies.

This is true. Matter of fact a friend of mine is so close to a cell
site that his scanner, when it's on the 70cm ham band, picks up
cellular calls with ease. It's made for some rather amusing listening.

> I know that the above is illegal, and I know that anyone engaged in
> such activity could be prosecuted.  That is why I'm posting here.  You
> may reply anonymously, if you must, but I would like some general
> information about you, as much as you're comfortable providing.  Have
> you heard any good stories?  Do you feel that what you're doing is
> wrong?  Did you see _Sliver_? :)

 From what I've been told, it's not so much illegal to listen to it,
as it is to use the information you gather. I've listened to quite a
few calls in the past and you'd be AMAZED by how stupid some people
are.


Tony Pelliccio, KD1NR   [e-mail]
Brown University Alumni & Development Computing Services
Box 1908    Providence, RI 02912   [phone]


[Moderator's Note: No, I am not amazed by how stupid some people are.
Are you amazed by it?  Many people are a lot stupider than you give
them credit for being.    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (wts1)
Subject: Re: Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter
Organization: AT&T Federal Systems Advanced Technologies - Greensboro, NC
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:07:55 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ken
Adler) writes:

> Does anyone know of any companies that make a box that takes in one or
> more E1 trunks and convert it to multiple T1 trunks?

> I urgently need contact info for companies that have such a product.

Tellabs makes a T1 to CEPT (E1) PCM standards converter.

Tellabs International Inc.
4951 Indiana Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532

PH:  [phone]
FAX: [phone]

We have used this converter, along with AT&T Network Systems
International.  One caveat -- this device is not BABT approved for use
on customer premise applications in the UK.  I think this device used
to be referred to as the Delta converter, so named for the Irish firm
that Tellabs bought out that makes the converter.

Also, methinks that Dowty also makes an E1/T1 converter.  DSC may, but
I think they require a multiplexer to do the conversion.  A Newbridge
Networks MainStreet 3600 Multiplexer can be configured to perform this
conversion, and is BABT approved, but is quite pricey compared to the
Tellabs converter.


William T. Sykes  AT&T FSAT-Engineering att!gcuxb!gcwts

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

From: Alan Frisbie <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Preparing My Case Against Sprint
Date: 13 Nov 93 10:04:55 PDT
Organization: Flying Disk Systems, Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Chris
Labatt-Simon) writes:

> In most states, you can't take a corporation to small claims court.
> Actually, I think that's a Federal statute.  You have to hire a
> professional lawyer (or an unprofessional lawyer -- it's up to you) to
> follow standard legal procedures.

> [Moderator's Note: You certainly can take a corporation into Small
> Claims Court. I've done it with First National Bank of Chicago and
> a few other times.  That's the rule in Illinois at least.   PAT]

You can also sue a corporation in small claims court in California.  I
just checked the "Small Claims Manual of Procedures" published by the
Association of Municipal Court Clerks of California, Inc.  There are
several references that describe the procedures used when either the
plaintiff or the defendant is a corporation.

For example, they reference California Commercial Code section 416.10
to determine who the "service" must be made to when the suit is
against a corporation.


Alan E. Frisbie               [e-mail]
Flying Disk Systems, Inc.
4759 Round Top Drive          [phone] (voice)
Los Angeles, CA 90065         [phone] (FAX)


[Moderator's Note: When suing a corporation, service has to be made
upon the registered agent for the corporation who will frequently
also be the corporate attorney, but this is not required. Registered
agents for corporations, along with the names, addresses and other
details of the officers of corporations are public records. Often
times officers of corportions try to hide and/or pretend they are not
personally liable for corporate affairs. Maybe so, maybe not. In the
years I worked with the attornies in Chicago, I don't know how many
times I'd talk to the president of a defunct corporation only to have
him tell me he wasn't liable for bills the company racked up. But I'd
go find a copy of the personal guarantee he had given our client, or
a copy of the NSF check the company had written which he had not
explicitly signed in his corporate capacity and then of course, he'd
start dodging my phone calls at his office. But that's okay. Usually
the (former) corporate attorney would also be the (former) corporate
officer's personal attorney. I'd just look up his name, call him and
tell him I was fixing to sue his client, and why. The attorney would
take care of explaining things to his client for me, and I'd get a
call back the next day from the guy asking to make arrangments to get
the bill paid. Usually I would then dodge *his* calls for a couple
days just to let him sweat and show him others can play the game.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Ambler - Fubar)
Subject: Re: Preparing My Case Against Sprint
Organization: The Phishtank
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 15:18:48 GMT


> [Moderator's Note: You certainly can take a corporation into Small
> Claims Court. I've done it with First National Bank of Chicago and
> a few other times.  That's the rule in Illinois at least.   PAT]

Indeed, I have been advised that I serve their California Agent.

I'm not going to turn this into a legal discussion and take it off
topic, but I've been advised by a lawyer that there was a valid
contract, and that it's pretty much an open and shut case. We shall see,
and I will keep you all up to date.


Christopher(); // [e-mail], home of the .plan of Doom!
Christopher J. Ambler, Author, FSUUCP 1.41, FSVMP 1.0, [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: There is nothing complicated or dramatic about serving
an attorney with legal process. Usually it amounts to handing it to his
secretary who timestamps it and tosses it in the 'in-box'. And remember
at all times (unless you *are* an attorney) NEVER practice law. NEVER
quote the law. Some of those birds are waiting for you to engage in
the practice of law without a license so they can complain. Keep your
correspondence short and sweet. Use phrases like 'attornies have said
to me that, etc ....'. NEVER use phrases like 'the law in California
says, etc ...'. Its okay if 'an attorney told me xyz', or 'attornies
have reminded me that xyz' ... it is *not* okay for you claim what the
law says based on your own understanding of it. That amounts to the
illegal practice of law without a license (in other words, membership
in the old-boy's club). One of the functions of my Digital Detective
service is locating the names of agents and officers of corporations
all over the USA, and explaining to people how to sue them.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Doc)
Subject: Re: Novell Networking Question
Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 05:05:32 GMT


I'm doing this with a client right now.     We have just one network with
two file servers.  Each day we copy the entire data base from one to
the other.  If one dies, the users just log into the other and go back
to work.

E-Mail me if you have specific questions or want more details.


Best,

[e-mail] - "Doc"

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

From: [e-mail] (Gary Breuckman)
Subject: Re: Novell Networking Question
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 19:45:51 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Tony
Simkus) writes:

> Does anyone know the anser to this question? If I have two NOVELL
> networks, two separate file server serving each network, what should I
> do if one network goes down? Can I use the other file server to
> service the other network? If so, what addressing information and
> software must I use to approach this problem.  I am looking for a
> networking scheme that will that will still be usable if one server
> goes down. The workstations on the server that go down must know where
> to access the new programs.

The easiest way to do this, that I can think of, is to make this one
network with all the users and both file servers.  The NETX command
can include a parameter to specify the default server, so you can
still divide up the clients to their own server.  You can also specify
in the logon which server you want login: serv1/name and once logged
in you can log into the other server with 'session' or be logged into
both, or be logged into one and map a directory to someplace on the
other server, or use printer services on the other server, the
combinations are endless.

If you don't want one network all the time, you could still make
provisions to interconnect them when you have a problem.  For 10Base-T
that could be just a single cable between the two hubs, that is
connected when needed.  It's a bit harder with thinnet since you would
need to connect one end of each network (where the terminators are)
together.

The only other problem is authorizing accounts on both servers, and
keeping duplicate files where needed.


[e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 14:05 EST
From: Proctor & Associates <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: "Fake Switch" Box or Tester


[e-mail] (Karl Bunch) writes:

> I'm looking for a circuit or "magic box" that would allow me to
> basicly plug to phones back-to-back.  Given Phone A & B if phone A
> were picked up Phone B would ring, and when phone B is picked up they
> could converse as normal until one of them hangs-up.  The same could
> be true in the reverse (Phone B would ring A if it's on-hook etc.)

> I want to hook up a phone to a voice-mail board and allow the board to
> ring the phone or the phone to "call into" the board without using up
> phone lines etc.

Use a ringdown circuit.  Proctor & Associates makes one that provides
normal telephone loop current and ringing voltage.  Go off hook on a
phone or device connected to one jack, and it rings through to the
other one.

Contact Proctor via one of the phone, fax or email numbers below,
and ask for info on the 46220 Ringdown Circuit.

If you want line simulator that provides dialtone and won't just ring
as soon as you go off hook, but requires a number to be dialed, check
out one of the telephone demonstrators that Proctor makes.  There is
even one now that emulates CENTREX and Caller ID.


Paul Cook                       206-881-7000
Proctor & Associates       MCI Mail 399-1080
15050 NE 36th St.          fax: [phone]
Redmond, WA  98052-5378  [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: "Fake Switch" Box or Tester
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 06:34:44 EST
Organization: Harry's Place BBS - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


[e-mail] (Karl Bunch) writes:

> I'm looking for a circuit or "magic box" that would allow me to
> basicly plug to phones back-to-back.  Given Phone A & B if phone A
> were picked up Phone B would ring, and when phone B is picked up they
> could converse as normal until one of them hangs-up.  The same could
> be true in the reverse (Phone B would ring A if it's on-hook etc.)

What you want is a simple ring-down-tie-line module.  They've become
somewhat rare since dc pairs upon which to operate them became very
expensive.  It's been a while since I've used them, but you should be
able to find modules that will emulate the original tie line function,
as well as one that emulates it over a dialup circuit.  Alltel or
Graybar might be one place to start.  North Supply might be too, if
they decide you buy enough from them in a year to be worth talking to. ;)


[e-mail]  or  uunet!drharry!aboritz
Harry's Place BBS (drharry.UUCP) - Mahwah NJ USA - [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dan J. Declerck)
Subject: Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI
Date: 13 Nov 1993 15:08:15 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group


In article <[e-mail]>, Joe Armstrong
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> Does anybody have any information available about products which use
> the recently published Microsoft Telephony API/SPI?

> Do you think the Microsoft Telephony API will catch on?  Up to now the
> CCITT has been the principle organisation responsible for telephony
> standards. The microsoft API seems to represent a radical departure
> from this.  Is this the future?

After reading it, it appears to be an X-lib like specification for
telephony. It seems to have some of the "old" ways of thinking about
telephones in it (like flashing lights, etc).

Given, that this spec is supported, and written by a joint venture of
two companies with little or no communications experience (Intel and
Micro$oft), it seems to have little promise of being adopted as a
standard.

This may change, if a major PBX or switch vendor buys into it.


Dan DeClerck      EMAIL: [e-mail]
Motorola Cellular APD    Phone: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Gilbert)
Subject: Re: Sat Pagers = Modems?
Organization: Motorola, LMPS
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 12:11:39 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Ken Kopin) wrote:

> Ok, please correct my ignorance if I get any of my facts wrong.

> 1. Are there such things as pagers that receive signals from Satellites?

The current so called "satellite" pagers are not receiving their
signals directly from a satellite.  The signals are distributed to
terrestrial transmitters via a satellite link from the paging
terminal.  There has been talk about doing paging directly from a
satellite in the future.  The problem is that reception of satellite
signals is great outdoors, but doesn't work so well in buildings where
most people use their pagers.  Modems would also have this problem.
You would pretty much need to be right in front of a window with a
Southern exposure for it to work directly from the satellite.

I believe many people think that the system works directly from the
satellite. The advertising you often see in business and airline in-flight
magazines is very misleading.


John Gilbert         [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul Barnett)
Subject: Re: Remote Call Forwarding
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 19:21:49 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Gary Morris
@ignite) writes:

> Yes, sort of, use a handheld cellular phone to set your forwarding.
> At a recent PacTel sale I picked up a GE (CT-100) handheld cell phone
> for $99.  My total monthly cost is $20 for the cellular service.  I
> can forward the cellular number to another phone.  There are no
> airtime or per minute charges for the forwarded calls (unless the
> number is a long distance call, of course) or to change the
> forwarding.  Forwarding changes take effect right away, I just dial
> *72nnn-nnnn on the cell phone and it's set.  Plus calls to the cell
> number are toll free over a much wider area than regular landline
> calls, callers don't pay toll charges and I don't pay airtime for
> forwarded calls.

[remainder deleted]

This is the same solution that I use.  However, I would like to point
out that not ALL cellular providers will forward your calls free.
According to my third-party compilation of roaming agreements and
standard service policies, some charge air-time even when a call is
simply routed through their switch and forwarded to another number.

If my cellular provider were to change their policy and do this, I
would switch to their competitor the next day.


Paul Barnett
MPP OS Development     (214)-497-4846
Convex Computer Corp.  Richardson, TX

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert Virzi)
Subject: Re: Telephone Query System Questions
Date: 13 Nov 93 15:20:45 GMT
Organization: GTE Laboratories


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
Edu (Kevin Tsuji) writes:

> I'm a Computer Specialist who primarily work with the Macintosh.  I'm
> in charge of setting up a telephone query system.  Something very
> similar to the systems set up by banks and other financial
> institutions to handle balance and payment queries for credit cards.
> Anyone here know a vendor(s) specializing in telephony products
> for Macintosh?

> I don't mind working with the IBM PC -- it's what I grew up with, so
> if you have set up a system in this environment, please do send me
> your vendor and your experiences.

Kevin,

I know of two Mac products for doing Interactive Voice Response (IVR).
They are PhonePro (Cypress Research) and TFLX (Magnum Software).  Both
solutions are currently single line, so I doubt they will meet your
needs.  I think Magnum will be coming out with a multi-line solution
soon, so check with them.  (Basically, I think they may be using a Mac
and there software to control a PC with dialogic boards, but could be
mistaken.)

Both of these systems use iconic programming languages to create the
telephony applications.  We use them extensively here for prototyping.
Very easy to learn, but somewhat inflexible.  If you go with a Dialogic
board in a PC, you will have to do most of the programming in C.  Very
flexible but somewhat harder to get working.

A word of caution.  The user interface to your product can make or
break it.  Consider getting some human factors input regarding the
design of the service so that it is usable.  Audio interfaces are very
different than screen based applications.  If you don't get a HF
consultant, make sure you do lots of user testing.  You'll learn a lot
about what works and what doesn't.  Another suggestion is to listen to
and play with lots of existing systems.  Pay attention to how they
work.  In your case, I think you will find lots of universities
already have IVR course registration.  Find out about them.

I'd be interested in hearing what other people are using to prototype
or build IVR applications.  Particualrly, which ones are flexible and
easy to modify.


Bob Virzi

[e-mail]     [phone]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: East-West or North-South?
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 19:49:42 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory


In article <[e-mail]> Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
writes:

> There are other cases where a compass direction associated with a
> route number is quite different from the actual direction the road is
> pointed in right there.

In the San Francisco area you can be on I-80 East and I-580 West at
the same time. For what little it's worth, you will be going north at
the time.


R. Kevin Oberman        Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Internet: [e-mail]    [phone]


[Moderator's Note: As you yourself have pointed out from time to time,
it's not easy keeping up your reputation as a smart-aleck is it?  :)
Next time you come to Chicago, ask the cab driver to take you to the
corner of Broadway and Sheridan and let him think about that for
awhile. (Those two streets intersect at *four* geographically separate
and distinct locations here.) Or tell him you want to go to the 1100
block on Sheridan and let him insist all he wants that Sheridan does
not begin until 2800 North. Have him take you to the campus of Loyola
University then point out to him the two block stretch of Sheridan
which runs east and west at that point, and uses east/west street
numbers just to kink things up a little.  In other words, the building
at 63xx Sheridan sits next to a building known as 11xx Sheridan because
it is around the bend in the road.   PAT]

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

From: David A. Cantor <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: East-West or North-South?
Organization: MV Communications, Inc.
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 04:14:13 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> Just a tiny spinoff from a comment about the Pacific Coast Highway at
> Malibu: It was said in the Digest that it runs east-west.

Things can get even more confusing.  In Massachusetts, there is a
section of road which runs west to east and is signed I-93 NORTH and
(state) Rt. 128 SOUTH.  The opposite side of the road (running east to
west, of course) is signed I-93 SOUTH and Rt. 128 NORTH!

In some parts of the country, the compass point designations indicate
the actual direction of the road at that point (well, rounded to the
nearest primary compass point, I assume), but in other parts of the
country the words 'north', 'south', etc. really mean 'northbound',
'southbound', etc.


David A. Cantor           [phone] (203-444-RANT)
453 Bayonet St., #16      Foxwoods blackjack dealer
New London, CT  06320     Relocated from Nashua, NH to New London, CT

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 14:01:49 CST
From: Bill Bradford <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: PC Pursuit No Longer Accepting New Users


Another thought about the PCP new-user-shutoff:

It may be LACK of users that is causing the shutoff.  The recent price
wars on 9600 baud and higher modems (Best Buy in OKC has internal
14.4s for $129, externals for $159) may have effectively eliminated
their user base.  Instead of paying $30 a month for 30 hours of use,
people may now be getting high-speed modems and getting cheaper
service by dialing direct.  PC Pursuit never had outdial nodes that
ran faster than 2400.

IMHO, it was a great service when 2400 was the fastest you could go.
I met our esteemed Moderator on the PC Pursuit Net Exchange support
BBS, back when I was a member.  Through our online friendship, I was
able to meet Pat in person a number of times, the most memorable being
the "REAL Chicago tour" shortly after the downtown flood of '92.  I
was in the Windy City for a week, and those two or three hours are
what I still remember most.  Thanks, Pat, and keep up the good work!


Bill Bradford * [e-mail] * U. of Science & Arts of OK
My opinions and views do not reflect those of the University


[Moderator's Note: So you remember our stop at the infamous, known
around the world Dunkin Donuts on Clark and Belmont, eh?  <grin> ...
Or was it Belmont and Sheffield that got you all in a dither? I quite
agree its not on any tourist maps; very little is other than right
along the lakefront from McCormick Place to somewhere on the near
north side. I had forgotten, but yes, you were here right after the
'flood' when everywhere you walked downtown had those noisy generators
sitting at the curb with fire hoses snaking out of the basements of
all the buildings pumping water out into the street sewers. I'm glad
to be gone from Chicago, at least technically on paper.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #757
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa28302;
          14 Nov 93 17:17 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA16227
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 14 Nov 1993 14:43:51 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA00396
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 14 Nov 1993 14:43:15 -0600
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 14:43:15 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #758

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 14 Nov 93 14:43:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 758

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers (Pat Myrto)
    Strange T1 Behavior (Tom Lowe)
    Network Timing (Steven L. Spak)
    Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (Thomas Neudecker)
    Billing Insert: Regulation of 900 Charges (Susan J. Bahr)
    Radio Shack Video Home Security Thing (H. Shrikumar)
    Calling Card Question (Danny Burstein)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (William H. Sohl)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Kevin Martinez)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Michael D. Sullivan)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Gregg Siegfried)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (David Leibold)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Allen Mcintosh)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Danny Burstein)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (David A. Kaye)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: ole!rwing![e-mail] (Pat Myrto)
Subject: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers
Date: 14 Nov 93 03:15:39 GMT


Perhaps someone in the group -- or the Moderator -- can help me get
some information.  Does anybody know the regulations and rates for
determining if tax is applicable, and what taxes, a LD provider
located OUTSIDE of California for long distance calls originating
within (and if applicable) outside of California?

Telccom outfits in CA are quite evasive on the subject (read: no
useful information), and there has been not very much luck in getting
meaningful information from authorities.  This has been going on for
awhile.

Ideally the formula for computing applicable taxes, and when they
apply, or a table of the rates if its derived from a table would be
the ticket.  A file containing this info available for ftp would be
great.  I did a search using archie looking for anything with 'tax'
and all I got was a lot of 'syntax' matches.  :-(

Response by e-mail would be preferable, but I will be keeping an eye
on the group to see what happens.  This is for a friend who is the
book keeper for a small LD provider who purchses wholesale time from
the larger providers who have their own infrastructure.

I can receive email at the uucp host this originated from, or from
another account at [e-mail].


Thank you,


[e-mail]      [Without prejudice UCC 1-207]     (Pat Myrto) Seattle, WA
         If all else fails, try:       ...!uunet!pilchuck!rwing!pat


[Moderator's Note: No, no, you do not want to get involved in utility
tax accounting and procedures. Repeat after me, "I do not want to know
about utility tax accounting procedures ...".  Say it a few more times.

Rooms and rooms full of people at desk after desk sit all day long
day after day with pens, calculators, computer printouts, giant books
full of spiral-bound notebook-like pages of tiny print listing the
proper percentages to the fifth decimal point of taxes to be paid, how
they apply, when and where they apply, how each telephone company
acting as collection agent for all other telephone companies is to go
about paying the taxes due to the *thousands* of government entities
for which they collect including every state in the union, the federal
government, every town in the USA which has a tax on telephone service
and whether or not the tax is only on interstate, intrastate or local
calls or all three categories. When that 25 cent coin is put in the
box on the payphone, how many ways do you suppose it gets divided?
A penny for the local government; two pennies for the state; another
penny or two for the federal government; a few cents to the telco whose
equipment terminated the call; if the customer put the call on his
calling card then a few pennies to the telephone company which issued
the card in exchange for their collection and billing services in
getting the customer to pay the 25 cents when his bill comes out, etc.

Telco accounting back-offices in general are not nice places to work
unless you have a very good mind for detail and enjoy very detailed
work with numbers, percentages, forms to be filled out in quintuplicate
and similar. The *tax accounting* people get all the above times
three or four.

I don't know of any single source where you could look at a 'table'
and see how much tax is paid on a given piece of telco traffic. It all
is relative to where the call originates and terminates, and the
number of taxing agencies which sit on either end or in the middle.
You could go to two different people in telco tax accounting and give
them the same data and get two different answers, just like at the
federal Internal Revenue Service; that's how complex and obscure the
rules are. But you'd never get to those people anyway, since telco
does not like customers speaking to anyone except the Business Office
reps. And just about the time telco tax-accounting droids think they
have it all figured out, the government says the rules are different
and maybe even retroactive.

Go to the state department of revenue or taxes; whatever they call it.
Ask them for printed information on telephone taxes. They probably
have some brochure with basic details. If you somehow find someone who
is willing to add you to a 'mailing list' dealing with changes in
tax rates, procedures and changes therein, you'd probably fill up a
room with file cabinets very quickly.    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Tom Lowe)
Subject: Strange T1 Behavior
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 16:34:05 PST


I have a client with several T1s from Sprint.  A strange thing happens
when I place a 14.4 modem call to one of the channels and a voice call
to an ADJACENT channel (using 800 numbers).  A static type of noise
becomes present on the voice call when the far end is talking.  It is
especially noticable when listening to ringback or busy signal.  If I
disconnect the modem call, the static goes away.

If there is one or more channels between the calls, there is no problem.
The T1 is using D4 and AMI formats.  I am not getting any timing slips.
Has anyone experienced such behavior or have any ideas?


Thanks!

Tom Lowe   [e-mail]    609-698-7044 X201

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven L. Spak)
Subject: Network Timing
Date: 14 Nov 1993 00:44:24 GMT
Organization: George Washington University


I attended the Federal Radionavagation User's Conference last week at
the FAA headquarters in DC to add a voice to those making policy for
such systems as Loran-C, GPS, and other important references.

A US Coast Guard commander indicated that those users depending upon
these systems (I use Loran-C to time a vast communications network)
need to respond in writing.  There has been considerable pressure to
minimize the number of radionav systems.  People are exaggerating the
usefulness of GPS, especially as a dependable and precise time
reference.

If you don't want Uncle Sam to shut down Loran, please respond
to the following address:

Navagation Working Group
DOT/RSPA/DRT-20
Washington DC 20590

Deadline for comments for their plan is February 11, 1994.

It seems that these feds go through this process every two years!


Steven Spak        [e-mail]  Transmission Engineer
Tel: [phone]   Fax: [phone]

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

From: Thomas Neudecker <[e-mail]>
Subject: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1993 23:04:22 -0500
Organization: Sponsored account, Drama, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


I recently upgraded my modem to LineLink 14.4 modem. I now use a SLIP
connection to connect to the network. On the other modems I have had
Call Waiting would break the connection. I know about the *70 tone
signal to deactivate call waiting. My problem is that the error
correction on the modem doesn't accept the call waiting tones until
after eight to twelve rings and people I need to talk to can't get
through. Bell of PA said they hadn't seen this use of call waiting
before and that the 5ESS switch at my CO is has a very short off hook
time for the tone to be sent. Does anyone know of a modem init string
to let call waiting and the modem work as I wish?


Tom Neudecker    [e-mail]
Voice: 412 828-7621   Local Data System: 412 828-8011

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

Date: 13 Nov 93 22:10:23 EST
From: Susan J. Bahr <[e-mail]>
Subject: Billing Insert: Regulation of 900 Charges


The FCC and FTC both are regulating the provision of 900-type
services.  The FCC generally refers to the services it is regulating
as "pay-per-call" services, and the FTC refers to the ones that were
to be discussed in notices sent to customers as "telephone-billed-
purchases."  Repeating their definitions of these services may not be
much more illuminating.  The one thing to keep in mind: if you ever
get billed incorrectly for a service you received via a 900-number,
there are now more rules that may apply to resolving your billing
dispute for that specific service, and these are rules which you and
the other parties involved should follow in resolving the billing
dispute.

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

From: [e-mail] (H. Shrikumar)
Subject: Radio Shack Video Home Security Thing
Date: 14 Nov 1993 17:34:43 GMT
Organization: UMass, Amherst MA + Temporal Systems Bombay India


Hi,

   I saw in a recent Radio Shack catalog a mention of a Home Security
Video thingummy they have introduced. So I looked it over when I
dropped by to pick up batteries for my smoke alarm (that time of the
year :-)

   The door unit is maybe 5x3x1 inch, and has speakerphone and video
camera functionality. It has two two-terminal tie posts ... one sends
a twisted pair to the base unit, and the other a pair to your door
opener relay.

  I presume that the twisted pair between the base unit and the
door unit carries power as well as data which multiplexes the
video, audio and control. I assume it is data ... just guessing.

  The base unit looks like a integrated phone + answering machine ...
only there is a LCD display and a contrast control that you need to be
a little clever to set right.

   You can have it all for $2XX ... where the XX I am sure is 99 :)

Q: Does anyone have any technical info on this?
   What runs on that line between the units? What compression, etc?
   Any "alternate uses" ... or cute ideas for it?

Q: Does not seem to integrate with the POTS, nor does it seem to have
   a one door unit + multiple base unit version for use with door
   buzzers in apartment blocks. Radio Shack oversight in product
   design and positioning?


shrikumar ([e-mail], [e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail] (danny burstein)
Subject: Calling Card Question
Date: 14 Nov 1993 04:06:48 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


In yet another display of my ignorance, I ask the following question:

  Can a calling card be acquired from either the LEC or an IXC with
the following restriction: that it can -only- get billed by the Local
Carrier (where appropriate) or by the disgnated IXC?

  This would do a good job of reducing the tele-zleaze surcharges.


Thanks,

[e-mail]
[e-mail] adds: all the usual disclaimers regarding liability,
intelligence, accuracy apply. spelling disclaimer is doubled.

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

From: [e-mail] (sohl,william h)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 04:45:32 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
com (sohl,william h) writes:

> As to my personal opinion, the ECPA is a joke and only provides a
> false sense of security to cellular users who buy into sales
> statements that because it is illegal to listen to cellular, then the
> security of cellular converstations is assured.  In fact, the ability
> to PROVE a violation of the ECPA occurred is all but impossible unless
> the violator publicly admits they have listened to cellular.  Bottom
> line is that the ECPA is essentially an unenfoceable law that ranks in
> the same catagory as the old sodomy laws.

> [Moderator's Note: That's really something, to equate the laws
> pertaining to privacy in communications with the old (but still in
> force in about half the states in the USA) laws on sodomy. The latter
> are considered by many people to be an invasion of individual privacy,
> while the former are considered by many people to promote and protect
> individual privacy. In any event, they are all a bunch of worthless,
> unenforceable laws, eh?  So what else is new in these United States?  PAT]

Pat, when a law is unenforceable, it is both useless, and a waste of
time to even enact.  Can you truly say that the ECPA has improved the
privacy of cellular?  I doubt it.  The ECPA is a "feel good" law with
no true impact.  The politicos who passed can say ... "boy we feel good
about striking a blow for privacy" even though the blow has the impact
of a feather against a brick wall.  Since listening to cellular isn't
something done in public (anymore than sodomy is) just how do you see
the ECPA helping communications privacy?


Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.
Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!cc!whs70
201-829-2879 Weekdays      email via Internet  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Martinez)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Organization: a2i network
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 03:46:48 GMT


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Tony
Pelliccio) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (Kevin Ian Cooke) wrote:

>> In light of the recent discussions about scanning cellular frequencies, I
>> would like your help with the following:

>> I am interested in writing a story about people who, from time to
>> time, like to listen to their nieghbors' cellular phone conversations.
>> I know you're out there, especially folks in the *.dcom.telecom
>> worlds, since (as I'm sure most of you know) it only takes slight
>> alterations to cell phones and FM scanners to get them to hear the
>> cellular frequencies.

> This is true. Matter of fact a friend of mine is so close to a cell
> site that his scanner, when it's on the 70cm ham band, picks up
> cellular calls with ease. It's made for some rather amusing listening.

In regard to the above, I live right under a cell site antenna tower
and *every* radio and TV I own picks up these annoying conversations
on occasion.  Even my telephone (noncordless) picks them up sometimes.
I keep thinking of the Gilligan's Island episode where his filling
becomes a rectifier and detects broadcast band radio.

Does the ECPA make it illegal to live in my neighborhood or only to
possess a receiving device (or a filling)? Would these cold evenings
be even colder without the comforting rays of this antenna? Perhaps
this is the cause for retries on zmodem transfers ....


Kevin Martinez  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael D. Sullivan)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Date: 14 Nov 1993 03:02:59 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA


The only thing I would add is that making a device like this and
*using* it would violate the federal wiretapping laws, which is a
felony.

It may be true that cellular phone use isn't really private, because
anyone could be listening, but it's no more legal for them to listen
than it is for them to bug your bedroom or boardroom.

Under federal law, any conversation going through a cellular switch is
considered a telephone conversation subject to the wiretap laws (the
technical term is "wire communication".  A cellular phone is just as
private as a landline phone, because people have the same legal right
not to be "scanned" as they do not to have someone tapping in on a
craft set.


Michael D. Sullivan | [e-mail]        [e-mail]
Washington, D.C.    | [e-mail]     [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 19:08 PST
From: [e-mail] (Gregg Siegfried)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: Claircom Communications, L.P.


In article <[e-mail]> Steven King writes:

> [e-mail] publicly declared:

>> A friend of mine, without net access, has received some information on
>> a product called "Cellmate Model B" It supposedly allows you to dial
>> in a cellular phone number, and listen to both sides of the call.  How
>> does this work? Is it reliable? Has anyone ever heard of any other
>> products like this that are cheaper (this is ~$6000)?

> [ excellent back of the envelope cellular monitoring description deleted ]

The Cellmate does indeed exist.  It functions, actually, quite
similarly to what Steven describes, although I'm not sure about its
ability to deal with handoffs.  It's certainly very plausible.

I was recently being monitored by one of these things.  They work.
And neither your friendly cellular carrier nor the FBI really cares.

Theoretically, the Cellmate is not available for sale in the United
States, except in a situation similar to duty-free shopping. You must
show a ticket out of the country.  However, the electronic
countermeasures specialist/vendor I discussed the device with said I
could purchase one merely by showing a bus ticket to Vancouver BC, for
example, on the order of a hundred bucks from here in Seattle.  When
you are purchasing a 6K device, another hundred bucks for a bus ticket
you're not going to use isn't a big deal.  So, they're around.

The way I came in contact with the device was after I discovered I was
being monitored, I essentially verbally drew the same picture that
Steven did for the aforementioned countermeasures expert, and he came
back right away with "Oh, you mean the Cellmate.  Sure ... I have them
for $6K".

I have no idea whether a CDMA or TDMA digital version of the Cellmate
exists.

The experience did spark an interest in electronic countermeasures for
me, although it seems quite like the arms race.  I especially liked
the scanner that covered everything from 0-1.2Ghz, although I didn't
purchase it.


Gregg Siegfried    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: You can always send the ticket back to Greyhound
and get a refund you know, less a small handling charge. Tell 'em you
decided not to make the trip after all. Or what the heck, go up and
check out Vancouver or Victoria; they're both lovely places to visit.
When purchasing verbotin radios and equipment around Chicago, one need
not bother with bus tickets. One shop selling stuff like linear ampli-
fiers for the eleven meter band and a variety of snooping equipment
has you sign a 'certification' (yuk yuk!) saying the radio is only
being purchased for the purpose of export outside the USA to your
'customer' in some other country where such things are legal.  The
proprietor said to me once that an odd thing about most of his cus-
tomers is they are all named 'John Smith', or at least that is the
way the certification form was signed. But if you do decide to make
the bus trip north, stop off at Port Townsend, WA and visit the nice
folks at Loopmanics; they have some neat books and other things for
sale to people who value privacy or love violating it, either way.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 93 22:50 EST
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized


Jamie Mason <[e-mail]> wrote:

>            905 area code isn't ringing bell in U.S.

>    The United States has literally hundreds of phone companies that
> need to know about last month's change for parts of the 416 area code
> -- but some are still telling callers that the number doesn't exist.

The Star specifically mentioned one person's experience in Frankenmuth,
Michigan. I can't verify whether the company involved is Ameritech, GTE
or whoever, though the Phonefiche says this is supposed to be under the
Bay City/Saginaw directory area. Wonder how those folks will do when
810 gets started next month (splitting 313 Detroit region).

Other cities reporting problems are Sebring, Florida (GTE or Centel?)
and Palm Springs, California (GTE? PacBell?). Anyone confirm the telcos
involved?

Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
(pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
provide the work number(s) on request.


David Leibold


[Moderator's Note: Well, it works from 708-329 in Skokie. I know a
couple years ago I had a battle with IBT over a new exchange which
opened in the 414 area of Wisconsin. It took them two months to get
around to putting it in the tables here.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Allen Mcintosh)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: Bellcore, Morristown NJ
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 04:13:50 GMT


We have relatives in Canada, and our long distance carrier (one of the
biggies) offers a plan that gives us a discount on certain numbers.
Shortly after 905 became active, we called them up and asked to have
the NPA changed.  They were unable to do it -- whatever OSS they were
using hadn't been updated.  It was possible to place a call using 905,
so they had at least done something.  We're going to keep using 416
for a while ...

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

From: [e-mail] (danny burstein)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 14 Nov 1993 14:10:17 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


The most likely scenario is that these calls are coming from in-house
PBXs or similar setups, and get blocked at that end. And, let's not
forget the COCOTS.

Then again, since we're dealing with '905', which is pretty close to
'900' (which routinely gets blocked for the obvious reasons) could it
be that some systems are set up to blcok '90X' area codes?

Anyone out there try calling other 90X area codes and get blocked?


[e-mail] adds: all the usual disclaimers regarding liability,
intelligence, accuracy apply. spelling disclaimer is doubled.

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 14 Nov 1993 12:41:02 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


Jamie Mason ([e-mail]) wrote:

>     "Bell Canada says its new 905 area code isn't getting enough
> respect south of the border."
>     This seems, then, like an odd situation.  How is it possible that
> there exist "phone companies" that don't notice an area code split?

The problem MAY stem from the fact that 905 was previously one of the
area codes assigned to Mexico a few years ago, before it was decided
that Mexico would be reached only via country code.  Until about three
years ago you could reach them both ways.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #758
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa01031;
          15 Nov 93 2:48 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA26147
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 14 Nov 1993 23:53:50 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA18572
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 14 Nov 1993 23:53:14 -0600
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 23:53:14 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #759

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 14 Nov 93 23:53:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 759

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record? (Tony Pelliccio)
    Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record? (Steve Forrette)
    Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet (David Jones)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (John R. Levine)
    Wiring a New Home - Suggestions? (Bob Tykulsker)
    Re: Wiring a New Town (Tony Harminc)
    Re: Those Sprint FaxModems (Gary Breuckman)
    Re: TRW Phone Print to Fight Cellular Fraud (Raj Sanmugam)
    Re: Strange Ringback (Robert Clark)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Russell Sharpe)
    Re: Earthquake Preparedness (Russell Sharpe)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Tony Pelliccio)
Subject: Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record?
Date: 14 Nov 1993 16:06:22 GMT
Organization: Brown University Alumni & Development Office


In article <[e-mail]>, uswnvg![e-mail]
(Jack Brand) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
> (Denis) writes:

>> I was always under the impression that records of local telephone
>> calls were kept on magnetic tape for a certain period of time by the
>> local telco.  But when I asked Michigan Bell for their records to a
>> certain number (an attorney was all set to send in a subpoena) they
>> said they didn't keep such records.  Was I infomed correctly?  Does

>> [Moderator's Note: Whoever you spoke with misinformed you. The best
>> approach is to simply have issued the subpoena from the beginning.
>> Call records are available for some period of time, and telco will

> Are we sure about this one?  Denis is referring to *local* calls.
> Some switches don't even bother to keep records of local calls, since
> there is no billing to be done on them, or at least they didn't used
> to.

You can bet that just about every switch made is built with the
capability to record ALL the data involved with switching a call for
"diagnostic" purposes of course. But subpoena records from a telephone
company and I'd love to see the look of surprise on your face when
they can produce records of EVERY call you've made. To that end, it's
a common feature even on little KSU's called an SMDR port. This
continually streams call data to a computer or printer. It captures
time, date, start time, end time, number called, number of rings
before pickup, which extension picked up, etc. So don't think a
multimillion dollar ESS doesn't have it.


Tony Pelliccio, KD1NR
[e-mail]
Brown University Alumni & Development Computing Services
Box 1908
Providence, RI 02912
[phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)
Subject: Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record?
Date: 14 Nov 1993 22:49:02 GMT
Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)


In <[e-mail]>, uswnvg![e-mail] (Jack
Brand) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
> (Denis) writes:

>> I was always under the impression that records of local telephone
>> calls were kept on magnetic tape for a certain period of time by the
>> local telco.

> [Moderator's Note: If the switch is ESS, then there are local call
> records kept for some period of time.   PAT]

Not necessarily.  It is true that just about any SPC switch is able to
log all sorts of events to tape.  Whether it is standard pratice for a
particular telco to log unbilled local calls to tape at all is another
question.  The switch will log those calls that the telco has
configured it to log.  It may be that most telcos to enable this
logging, but it is more of a prodecural and policy issue rather than a
technical one.

It is also quite possible that if there is no standard way for the
customer service people to access the records, then as far as they are
concerned they don't exist.  Perhaps the telco keeps them only for
traffic analysis and problem resolution purposes, and filters them out
before they get into the billing database.  But it is wrong to
conclude that just because it is a SPC switch that it has the logging
enabled.


Steve Forrette, [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David Jones)
Subject: Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 16:27:54 -0500


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Chris
Labatt-Simon) writes:

> I just tried the traceroute, and: traceroute to kremvax.demos.su
> (192.91.186.200), 30 hops max, 40 byte packets

> 1  vccfr2 (128.113.75.254)  2 ms  2 ms  2 ms
> 2  psi1.rpi.edu (128.113.100.1)  27 ms  3 ms  3 ms
> 3  rpi.albany.pop.psi.net (38.145.34.1)  53 ms  9 ms  13 ms
> 4  core.net223.psi.net (38.1.2.6)  51 ms  66 ms  77 ms
> 5  Washington.DC.ALTER.NET (192.41.177.248)  172 ms  48 ms  30 ms
> 6  New-York.NY.ALTER.NET (137.39.128.2)  92 ms  420 ms  413 ms
> 7  Demos-gw.ALTER.NET (137.39.96.2)  707 ms  656 ms 733 ms  679 ms
> 8  kremvax.demos.su (192.91.186.200)  709 ms  733 ms  679 ms

> Seems like it made it to me ...

Interesting...

/ecl/dej> traceroute kremvax.demos.su traceroute to kremvax.demos.su
(192.91.186.200), 30 hops max, 40 byte packets

 1  cyclops.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.185)  2 ms  1 ms  1 ms
 2  medusa.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.187)   2 ms  2 ms  2 ms
 3  sand.gw.toronto.edu (128.100.1.224)  3 ms  3 ms  3 ms
 4  utorgw.gw.utoronto.ca (128.100.96.19)  4 ms  4 ms  4 ms
 5  Epsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.55.4)  71 ms  91 ms  82 ms
 6  * Xpsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.53.1)  131 ms  128 ms
 7  ENSS133.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (192.35.82.101)  201 ms  184 ms  174 ms
 8  t3-1.Hartford-cnss49.t3.ans.net (140.222.49.2)  147 ms  165 ms  134 ms
 9  t3-3.Hartford-cnss48.t3.ans.net (140.222.48.4)  196 ms *  127 ms
10  t3-2.Cleveland-cnss40.t3.ans.net (140.222.40.3)  96 ms  136 ms  195 ms
11  t3-2.Chicago-cnss24.t3.ans.net (140.222.24.3)  165 ms  198 ms  185 ms
12  * t3-1.San-Francisco-cnss8.t3.ans.net (140.222.8.2)  330 ms *
13  t3-0.San-Francisco-cnss9.t3.ans.net (140.222.9.1)  183 ms  273 ms  319 ms
14  t3-0.San-Francisco-cnss11.t3.ans.net (140.222.11.1)  275 ms  292 ms *
15  * * *

/ecl/dej> traceroute iguana.reptiles.org traceroute to
iguana.reptiles.org (142.57.253.130), 30 hops max, 40 byte packets

 1  cyclops.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.185)  2 ms  1 ms  1 ms
 2  medusa.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.187)  2 ms  2 ms  2 ms
 3  sand.gw.toronto.edu (128.100.1.224)  4 ms  17 ms  5 ms
 4  utorgw.gw.utoronto.ca (128.100.96.19)  6 ms  7 ms  4 ms
 5  Epsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.55.4)  28 ms  32 ms  31 ms
 6  Xpsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.53.1)  140 ms  167 ms *
 7  ENSS133.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (192.35.82.101)  183 ms  144 ms  87 ms
 8  t3-1.Hartford-cnss49.t3.ans.net (140.222.49.2)  138 ms  136 ms  174 ms
 9  * t3-3.Hartford-cnss48.t3.ans.net (140.222.48.4)  146 ms  107 ms
10  t3-2.New-York-cnss32.t3.ans.net (140.222.32.3)  150 ms  76 ms  66 ms
11  t3-1.Washington-DC-cnss56.t3.ans.net (140.222.56.2)  108 ms  115 ms  178 ms
12  t3-0.Washington-DC-cnss58.t3.ans.net (140.222.58.1)  137 ms  148 ms  127 ms
13  t3-0.enss136.t3.ans.net (140.222.136.1)  118 ms  222 ms  243 ms
14  Washington.DC.ALTER.NET (192.41.177.248)  290 ms  247 ms  277 ms
15  * Falls-Church1.VA.ALTER.NET (137.39.128.6)  265 ms  269 ms
16  * Falls-Church2.VA.ALTER.NET (137.39.1.2)  246 ms  369 ms
17  * alternet-gw.Toronto.UUNET.CA (137.39.7.2)  753 ms  295 ms

I can't make it to demos.su (It starts off OK, but then turns west.
Not good) But I can make it to the Alternet.  Hmmm...


David Jones, M.A.Sc student, Electronics Group (VLSI), University of Toronto
email: [e-mail], finger for more info

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 17:41 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> I personally suspect this is a bit of a religious debate, exactly like
> Betamax vs. VHS, and while technical arguments pro and con can be
> made, whoever has the best marketing is going to win.  (wink wink)

It's certainly the case that the debate will be settled politically,
but it turns out that CDMA has major technical advantages: all those
claims about lots more stations, lower power, smoother handoffs,
better reception in noisy and cluttered environments, shared
bandwidth, more security, etc., are as far as I can tell entirely
true.  Spread spectrum is great stuff, it lets you substitute CPU
power for broadcast power, a very good tradeoff these days.  This
message, for example, was sent in via a 900MHz spread spectrum
wireless Ethernet which shares its band effortlessly with any other
900MHz equipment in the neighborhood.

The hangup about CDMA is that it requires a lot more computation in
the phone, so it's basically waiting for the required chips to be
ready at a price and volume that makes the units practical, while TDMA
is computationally much simpler so can be rolled out faster.  Perhaps
someone else can comment on what CDMA and TDMA chip sets are likely to
be available when.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [e-mail] (Bob Tykulsker)
Subject: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions?
Date: 14 Nov 93 06:04:45 GMT
Organization: NETWORK EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGIES


Hello,

I am having a new home built and would like to install the wiring now
that I might need for future technologies.  What would you recommend?
Cable, fiber, copper, etc. Any suggestions welcome.


Regards,

Bob Tykulsker, [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 12:41:24 EST
From: Tony Harminc <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Town


From: [e-mail] (Larry Walker)

> This is a request for advice on how one should go about wiring a New
> Town.  I am working with a group that is designing and building a
> "neo-traditional neighborhood" from scratch. Neo-traditional refers to
> the concept of designing real neighborhoods with retail, commercial
> and office space, a school, a neighborhood center, etc. all
> integrated. It is the exact opposite of the current style of urban
> growth, with isolated subdivisions here, office complexes there, and a
> shopping mall somewhere else entirely.

> The planner knows only that he's heard he needs 4" PVC conduit on the
> streets and 2" PVC conduit to the house in order to accomodate fiber.
> I am looking for suggestions as to what other technical issues he
> should try to build into the plan. He has a much broader control over
> requirements than is typical: If it makes sense and doesn't drive
> costs up too much, he is anxious to design it in from the start, both
> in the infrasructure design and in the building code.

> 1) Require that all inside phone wiring be twisted pair. Q: How many
> pair minimum? (Remember that this minimum would be be imposed on all
> residents, not just the techno-freaks with multiple modems and fax).

The incremental cost of a few more pairs is tiny in the scheme of
things.  I'd say four pairs minimum to each room, star topology -- not
looped.

> 2) On another project, he has gotten what he feels are very
> competitive prices on pre-wiring all units with cable (like $150 per
> house, before drywall goes on). Q: Does this make sense / is this
> sufficient, with fiber-to-the-curb pending? Q: How many / which rooms
> get cable? (Again, this would be a mandate for all units).

Sounds like a good deal.  But I think the lesson many of us have
learned is that you aren't going to be able to anticipate all
requirements.  The only solution to this is liberal use of conduit.
In may depend on local building/electrical/fire codes, but for telecom
and similar low voltage wiring, it probably doesn't have to be
traditional EMT or even PVC conduit -- polyethylene will do.  It's not
protecting the wiring as much as providing an easy alternative to
fishing wires in the future.  One run of 3/4" or 1" poly pipe from
each room, homed on a common basement location should be ample.  Often
one run can serve two rooms sharing a wall.  And the basement portion
doesn't have to be installed until/unless the basement is finished.

> What would you like to see the urban planner and the architects
> provide in your neighborhood, if you planned to move into this "clean
> slate" community?

Expanding beyond the telecom question -- the first thing planners and
architects should do is read some (preferably all) of the Jane Jacobs
books, starting with "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" and
"Cities and the Wealth of Nations".

Then consider the relative priorities to be given to cars and
pedestrians.  If you choose cars, then there's not much more I can
say.

And one personal crusade: consider the nature of street lighting.  If
at all possible, use incandescant lights, preferably halogens.  If
energy efficiency concerns won't allow this, use metal halides.  Avoid
like the plague sodium and mercury lighting.  Light the sidewalks
first, and worry about the streets later, if at all.  You want a
community where people *want* to be out and about on the streets and
public places at all hours - not locked behind bolted doors and alarm
systems.  Obviously street layout and lighting are not the only
determinants of this, but they are a base.

This sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.  Good luck!


Tony Harminc

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

From: [e-mail] (Gary Breuckman)
Subject: Re: Those Sprint FaxModems
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 20:00:47 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mark
Earle) writes:

>  The V.42 and MNP 2-4 are in _software_ when using the provided Quick
> Link ][ fax/data software.

> Using the modem with a "standard" program such as Procomm gets you a
> plane jane 2400 modem.

> Oh, speed of data: Despite having mnp and v42, you can't select higher
> than 2400 as the modem to computer speed. If you select 9600, you can
> talk to the modem, but it connects to the host at 300. This may be

Talking to the modem at faster than 2400 would not be possible or any
advantage.  With a 'real' V.42/V.42bis modem, using a faster computer-
to-modem speed is an advantage because the compression is being done
in the modem.  In this case, the compression is being done in the
software, and the already compressed data being sent to the modem.  It
can't take it faster than 2400 anyway.


[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Raj Sanmugam)
Subject: Re: TRW Phone Print to Fight Cellular Frau
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Ericsson Communications Inc.
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 21:00:04 GMT


Steve Forrette, [e-mail] Writes:

> One detail that is conspicuously absent from the description is how it
> works with roamers.  Since the PacTel Los Angeles system won't have a
> fingerprint on file for every phone in North America, it has no way of
> verifying the legitimacy of a roamer.  And isn't this where all of the
> phraud is?  Will PacTel only accept roamers from systems that also
> have this system?  This doesn't seem practical, but any other option
> would result in the bad guys using MINs/ESNs from systems that don't
> have the new system in place.

Personaly, the fingerprinting concept appears to be too good to be
true.  Let us assume it works, then one possible way roaming can be
supported is as follows. The signal transmission characteristics or
the fingerprint of each mobile could be recorded and made available in
a national database such as the one called for in the IS-41, the EIR.
Whenever a roamer requests a service, the fingerprint measured at the
accessing site along with the mobile's identity could then be
transferred to the EIR for validation. This is sort of like the early
manual roamer clearing house solutions...

> Another poster assumed that the fingerprint might only be specific
> down to the model of phone.  I think this is not true from the
> description others have posted, but the question came up as to how the
> thieves would find out the make and model for the MIN/ESN they want to
> clone.  Aren't the ESNs issued in blocks to manufacturers from some
> central body, much like automobile VIN's?  If so, then the
> manufacturer would be a matter of public record based on the first few
> digits of the ESN, and the breakdown amongst a single manufacturer's
> models could be determined through general observations.

You are right! According to EIA/TIA 553, the ESN is made up of an
eight bit manufacturer code and a seventeen bit serial number and six
bits of reserved bits. The FCC allocates a block of serial numbers to
each manufacturer. In fact, a popular fraud technique known as
"tumbling" uses these information to cycle through the serial numbers
until a valid one is found.

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert Clark)
Subject: Re: Strange Ringback
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Robert Clark)
Organization: The National Capital Freenet
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 19:53:15 GMT


In a previous article, [e-mail] (Jeff Bamford) says:

> I had a rather bizarre experience with the phone last night
> and thought that someone here may be able to shed some light on the
> subject.  For starters the phone line has four features on it : Call
> Display, Call Answer, Call Waiting and Three-Way Calling (Aside: Good
> ole Bell Canada they may charge $30 to move your phone line but they
> gave three features for free for eight weeks!).

> I dialed up someone and left a message via Call Answer to
> myself.  That is I called my own number to leave a message.  Since the
> calls forward to the Call Answer number when the line is busy I
> immediately got my message.  I then left a message for someone else in
> the household and hung up the phone. The phone then rang back (which
> sometimes happens when you "hang up" on someone with Call Waiting).
> The display showed no number was calling, in fact the Call Display
> said nothing which I found curious.  I picked up the phone but there
> was no one there so I hung up thinking that somehow the Call Waiting
> got confused because I called myself.  I then tried the same thing
> again (i.e. leave myself a message by phoning my number).  I left
> another message and then hung up.

> This time the phone also rang back with no display for the number.  I
> let the phone ring more than four times which should forward it to the
> answering service but this did not work.  It just kept ringing.  I
> picked it up and was rather surprised to hear people talking on the
> other end.  Not really knowing quite what to do I hung up.  I tried to
> duplicate the experiment but I could not get the phone to ring back.
> Perhaps I'll try again today.  Has this happened to anyone else?

I've never experienced the "ring back" that you described. But I do
fairly frequently find that my "Call Answer" (i.e. Bell Canada's voice
mail service) message include _both_ sides of a conversation  ... the
most recent episode seemed to be between the wife of one of the
recently fallen Progressive Conservative government's CABINET
MINISTERS and one of his staff or friends discussing the "changes" to
their lives about to occur.

Don't know how this finds it's way into my voice mailbox though!


Rob Clark    Ottawa, Canada      [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Russell Sharpe)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Date: 14 Nov 1993 10:01:50 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council, Public Access
Reply-To: [e-mail]


> I've been told that after an earthquake, if you can't get a call
> through, try using a payphone.  Supposedly, the phone company will
> arbitrarily put some calls through and not others when the load is too
> high, but payphone calls will always go through.  After the Loma
> Prieta quake, we tried calling a high school teacher while reporting
> for the school paper.  No one previously had been able to reach her
> (calling SF from Oakland), but we did from a payphone, so it
> apparently works.

> [Moderator's Note: Or else that particular payphone at that particular
> time was one of the arbitrarily chosen phones to get a line out.  PAT]

In New Zealand we have facilities that can be added to lines:

*LOAD SHEDDING PRIORITY* which will, in the event of a switch load
shedding, These lines will be among the last to be cut off, and the
first to be reinstated.

*STD Priority* Allows the caller to make Toll calls though <100%
restricted switches.

The above facilities, can be applied to a line for a *small fee*

*OPERATOR CATEGORY* Is applied only to Emergency Services, and
Toll/Emergency Operator Lines.

*MAINTENANCE CATEGORY* Is used by the Telco Technicians, for the
*resurrection* of service. This is the last to be restricted in the

I assume in the States there will be similar services available. Can
anyone confirm this?


Cheers,

Russell Sharpe        UseNet: [e-mail]
FidoNet: 3:771/370 & 3:771/160   Voice: [phone]
snailmail: 171 Holborn Drive   Stokes Valley 6008   New Zealand

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

From: [e-mail] (Russell Sharpe)
Subject: Re: Earthquake Preparedness
Date: 14 Nov 1993 10:16:15 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council, Public Access
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Steve
Forrette) writes:

> In <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (russell sharpe) writes:

[BITS DELETED AD NAUSEUM]

> With the equipment in this state, and earthquake occurred, and the new
> unit fell over since it was not bolted down.  The thing is, since all
> of the cables had enough extra slack that had uncoiled when it fell
> over, nothing broke, and it was indeed still functioning perfectly and
> in service.  Pacific Bell placed a call to Northern Telecom to enquire
> as to what the recommended procedure was to upright the cabinet while
> it was in service.  This reportedly took NT quite by surprise, as they
> had never encountered or even thought of such a situation.  They
> finally got back to them with instructions to lift it back to the
> regular position by hand while leaving it in service, and to bolt it
> down this time.

This leads me to yet another story ... one of my colleagues, sadly
long deceased, related a story of rotary switches in London during
WWII.

One switch, after the building being bombed, continued working, albiet
badly, despite the fact that there was no longer a floor!!! The switch
was hanging by its cables over an abyss.

I find this most impressive, considering cables in those days were wax
cotton coated and/or enammelled.

The fault rate must have been incredible!!!

Does anyone have any more exciting or unbelievable stories?


Cheers,

Russell Sharpe   UseNet: [e-mail]
FidoNet: 3:771/370 & 3:771/160   Voice: [phone]
snailmail: 171 Holborn Drive  Stokes Valley 6008  New Zealand

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #759
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa01647;
          15 Nov 93 4:42 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA22734
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 01:33:10 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA07946
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 01:32:34 -0600
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 01:32:34 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #760

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 15 Nov 93 01:32:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 760

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Remote Call Forwarding (Peter Tindall)
    Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage? (Macy M. Hallock)
    Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers (Ken Thompson)
    Re: Problems With CNID (Chris Farrar)
    Re: Nationwide Caller ID (Chris Farrar)
    Need Caller ID / Number Identification Help (Reinhard A. Hamid)
    Re: Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted (Ed Greenberg)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Jack Decker)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (James Taranto)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (James R. Ebright)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Brett Frankenberger)
    Cell Phone Suggestions Sought (John R. Levine)
    Re: Help: Need to Query V&H Database (Dave Niebuhr)
    Questions About New Numbering Plan (Jim Wohlford)
    Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI (Nigel Roles)
    "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English? (Steve Atlas)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Re: Remote Call Forwarding
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 00:29:00 EST
From: Peter Tindall <[e-mail]>


In article <telecom.13.757.13>@eecs.nwu.edu [e-mail] (Paul
Barnett) writes:

> This is the same solution that I use.  However, I would like to
> point out that not ALL cellular providers will forward your calls free.
> According to my third-party compilation of roaming agreements and
> standard service policies, some charge air-time even when a call is
> simply routed through their switch and forwarded to another number.

Yes.

Cantel (at least in Ontario and Quebec) has started charging for call
forwarding minutes (only when the total call forwarding in a month
exceeds 1000 minutes).

Example:   You use 999 minutes  : No charge
       You use 1000 minutes : you pay $500.00 (+50c/minute for all
                           minutes extra).

I really believed this was a typo -- so I contacted the regulator here
in Canada (the CRTC) and obtained a copy of the amended tariff page.
Sure enough it is correct.

I also understand that the no charge threshold was recently increased
from 1000 to 2500 for corporate users, although I have no official
confirmation -- just the mumblings of a Cantel customer service rep.

I do believe that a token charge is in order since some resources are
tied up, but charging the same (50c) per minute for both airtime and
call forwarding time (which uses only a tiny part of the switch's
resources) is unfair.


Peter Tindall  VE3TJP      [e-mail]
[phone]             [e-mail]

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

From: fmsystm!fmsys![e-mail]
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 08:09 EST
Subject: Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage?
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: F M Systems/Telemax  Medina, Ohio USA


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Brian
Nunes) writes:

> I work in West Los Angeles, also covered by GTE, and we too could not
> dial out to any 800 numbers yesterday.

GTE here in Ohio lost their link to the 800 database at least twice
not too long after 800 portability went into effect.  I've had clients
give me trouble reports since then that sound like the link has been
out of service for several short periods since then.


Macy M. Hallock, Jr. N8OBG  +1.216.723.3030  [e-mail] [e-mail]
Telemax, Inc. - F M Systems, Inc.       152 Highland Drive  Medina, OH USA

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

From: ken thompson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers
Date: 14 Nov 93 14:42:00 GMT
Organization: NCR Corporation Wichita, KS


[e-mail] (Dave Levenson) writes:

> Don't forget ... this directory lists only those businesses who have
> AT&T 800 service. A great many other businesses also have 800 numbers,
> but won't be in the book.

Actually only those who PAY to be in the book are listed.


Ken Thompson    N0ITL     Disk Array Hardware Development
Peripheral Products MPD-Wichita   NCR Corp.  an AT&T company
3718 N. Rock Road  Wichita,Ks 67226  [phone]
[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: You are correct. The default on 800 numbers is
exactly the opposite of regular (or 'POTS') service where the norm
is be listed for free and pay for non-pub. With 800 service, non-pub
is free and you pay to be listed, either in printed books or with the
800-555-1212 database.   PAT]

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Problems With CNID
From: [e-mail] (Chris Farrar)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 11:16:00 -0600
Organization: C-9 Communications


Lunatix![e-mail] said something along the lines of the
following:

> When the in-use light went on, some rather strange data noises could
> be heard over the scanner, then nothing (like a dead line).  I left it
> there for a long while and never heard anyone talking or anything like
> that.

> Could it be possible that Caller ID is at fault?  Or, more likely (in
> my opinion), the phone needs to be junked.  It seems as if the phone
> *itself* is calling places at random.

I'd say it was the phone myself.  He should try a normal phone on his
line, and see if the problem disappears.  From the sounds of it,
someone in the area may have a cordless that is triggering his base.


Chris    [e-mail]
Origin: CSRNET Reply To: [e-mail]     (11:100/160)

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Nationwide Caller ID
From: [e-mail] (Chris Farrar)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 11:36:00 -0600
Organization: C-9 Communications


[e-mail] said something along the lines of the
following:

> but not from others where Caller ID definitely works. Dialing *67 has
> no effect -- your number is always transmitted onto the Caller ID box
> regardless of privacy setting. This may indicate that Caller ID data
> is really sent on all calls, including the private ones, which means
> the possibility exists of capturing it on non-800 calls.

Strange.  I have a caller id system on my computer, and it actually
lets you see what was sent.  Bell Canada uses the multi-message
format, and when you dial *67 before making the call, the string in
the computer definitely shows an absene of the incoming number.

Caller ID signal with a phone number (multi-message format):

ff80 13 1 8 31 31 30 36 30 39 31 34 3 7 39 37 39 34 32 30 38 4d

Caller ID signal with call blocking received

ff80 d 1 8 31 31 30 36 31 32 37 4 1 50 ff83

Field 1 has 8 digits, and contains date and time.  Field 3 (in first example,
contains 7 digits, and is the phone number, with 4d as the checksum.  In the
call with blocking, field 3 is missing, but there is a field 4, which
contains 1 digit, namely 50 hex, which indicates the reason the message is
missing is because the caller is using blocking (*67)


Chris     Origin: CSRNET Reply To: [e-mail]     (11:100/160)

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

From: [e-mail] (Reinhard Abdel Hamid)
Subject: Need Caller ID / Number Identification Help
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Universitaet Hannover, Theoretische Nachrichtentechnik
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:37:38 GMT


Hello Americans !

I am able to use an international voicemail network that is able to
send messages to every telephone in the United States.  But for a test
I would like to know the American number it is calling from, when it
sends messages.

So, who (with an caller-id display) could help and email me the
telephone-number I can send my test voicemail to?  Later I will call
you and ask for the number, the display showed during my voicemail.
Thanks in advance.

Greetings from Germany.


Reinhard    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: The thing you'll need to take care on is to find a
place where *inter-lata* caller-id is working; otherwise you'll want
someone in the same community as the voicemail. Do you know *where* in
the USA the voicemail system is located? What town or what state? You
may otherwise waste your time putting through calls only to get a
report from your American contact that the caller-id display said the
calling number was 'out of area' or similar. Caller-id is not yet
universal here you know, or even very common between different LATAs.  PAT]

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:27:57 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Ed Greenberg)
Subject: Re: Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)


The manual is called the Technical Training Manual and costs $30 plus
S&H from Motorola.  The number is 1-800-331-6456 for USA transactions
only.  Overseas orders and inquiries may be sent by FAX ONLY to +1 708
523 8060.

I will be receiving mine early next week.  I will post a review to
{Telecom-Tech} and TELECOM Digest.

Note: Although I haven't received it, my credit card was charged about
$38 already.  The claimed next day shipment by UPS, and I didn't
expect to have it yet (and don't :-)


Ed Greenberg           [e-mail]        Ham Radio: KM6CG

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 18:07:02 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In a previous article, [e-mail] (David Leibold) says:

> The Star specifically mentioned one person's experience in Frankenmuth,
> Michigan. I can't verify whether the company involved is Ameritech, GTE
> or whoever, though the Phonefiche says this is supposed to be under the
> Bay City/Saginaw directory area. Wonder how those folks will do when
> 810 gets started next month (splitting 313 Detroit region).

According to my Michigan LATA map, Frankenmuth is Michigan Bell (now
Ameritech), as is all but one of the adjacent exchanges (the exception
is Millington, served by the Wolverine Telephone Company).
Frankenmuth is in the Saginaw LATA (northern half of the 517 area
code).


Jack

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

From: [e-mail] (James Taranto)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 14 Nov 1993 21:07:44 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


[e-mail] wrote:

> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
> (pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
> provide the work number(s) on request.

It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!


Cheers,

James Taranto  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (James R Ebright)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 15 Nov 1993 03:33:11 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John Eichler) writes:

> [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:

>> I should think that New York Telephone, which fills the front pages of
>> every telephone directory with glowing talk of up-to-date digital
>> technology, would be embarassed at its apparent failure to deploy ISDN
>> beyond a handful of Manhattan exchanges.

> It's almost a 'catch-22' proposition.  The phone companies are slow to
> implement ISDN because there is little demand for it and the demand is
> waiting for the service to become available.

Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market forces.
ISDN 0, Market 1.

> This is just another example of the difficult time we will have
> installing a nationwide 'information highway'.

It will be if TPC (the phone company) is in charge of installation ;)

> I guess the only way to move the telephone companies is for tens of
> thousands of us little guys to keep asking them for ISDN until they
> wake up and realize that they are losing big bucks in not providing
> this vital service.

Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...


Jim Ebright   e-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Brett Frankenberger)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 03:34:19 GMT


[e-mail] (Michael D. Sullivan) writes:

> The only thing I would add is that making a device like this and
> *using* it would violate the federal wiretapping laws, which is a
> felony.

No.  It is illegal, but it violates the ECPA, not wire tapping laws.

> It may be true that cellular phone use isn't really private, because
> anyone could be listening, but it's no more legal for them to listen
> than it is for them to bug your bedroom or boardroom.

As a practical matter, though, it might as well not be illegal,
because it is virtually unenforcable.  And I know of no instances of
prosecution for violation of the ECPA.  (Some people feel that it is
unconstitutional, but that's a separate issue).

> Under federal law, any conversation going through a cellular switch is
> considered a telephone conversation subject to the wiretap laws (the
> technical term is "wire communication".  A cellular phone is just as
> private as a landline phone, because people have the same legal right
> not to be "scanned" as they do not to have someone tapping in on a
> craft set.

Nope.  In fact, cordless telephones do not have a special act
protecting them, and it is perfectly legal for you to listen to your
neighbors (or anyone else's) cordless telephone conversations
(providing that you do so by monitoring the air waves, not by tapping
into their physical wires).  The fact that the conversation eventually
passes through a regular land-line switch (or even, a cellular switch,
if they happen to be talking to a celluler phone on the other end), is
not relevant.


Brett  ([e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Cell Phone Suggestions Sought
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 0:14:16 EST


I'm looking for a cell phone for my car.  I go back and forth between
home, in Boston where cell service works fine, and my tiny timber
barony, in northern Vermont, where cell service is marginal, though
supposed to be better when they add towers in a few months.

Desirable criteria:

 -- good performance in marginal conditions
 -- multiple NAMs
 -- hands free feature, if it works well enough that callers can hear you
    over the noise in the car

Any suggestions?

Also, experience with the local cell carriers here (NYNEX and Cell
One/Boston) and Vermont (Contel and Cell One/Vermont-Western-New-
Hampshire) would be appreciated.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 16:41:08 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Help: Need to Query V&H Database


In TELECOM Digest V13 #751 neptune![e-mail] (Nathan Banks)
writes:

> Here in Texas, the state Senate recently passed legislation (SB 632)
> allowing rural communities to petition the PUC to extend their
> respective local calling scopes to "communities of interest" of up to
> 22 miles.

> I am currently researching my community's locality of interest by
> looking at county maps and interviewing members of the community to
> ascertain their civic and business needs outside of our current 2-3
> mile local calling scope.

> I was wondering if someone could suggest how I might access a "V&H"
> coordinate database to query the following information.

If a little work isn't minded, then the first thing to do would be to
get a local map and using the mileage guide (how many miles to an
inch) and take a compass, set it to as close to the mileage desired as
possible and draw a circle around the desired community(ies) using
your community as the center of the circle.

Then using the telephone book, look up the community names within that
circle and obtain the NXXs for them.  Failing that, you could contact
the telco for information.

Another way is by driving to those communities and noting the mileage.
Say you have to take care of some business in Community B and you live
in Community A.  Just note the mileage on your vehicle when you start
and note it when you get to Community B.

You probably come up with the figures that the telco has since I think
that they are based on airline miles, not road; you'll be close
though.

I do this when I travel to compute driving costs per mile, time per
trip, driving costs per mile including food stops/breaks, overall
time, etc.  Sounds nutty but its fun to me and helps me keep track of
expenses.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Subject: Questions About New Numbering Plan
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 00:38:08 EST
From: Jim Wohlford <[e-mail]>


I am researching for a paper on numbering plan changes, and would
appreciate any late breaking news or information concerning the
following:

    1) Who will administer the plan after Bellcore retires?
    2) How will the PBX world deal with maintenance and upgrade
       of their routing plans?
    3) What, if any, involvement might the FCC have?
    4) How will telecom ever be simple again?

Any info will be graciously accepted at [e-mail].  I have read
all that I can find in the industry magazines, but I find more questions
than answers.  I will summarize my findings for a later posting.

Thanks in advance!


Jim Wohlford      Compuserve 70214,636     [e-mail]
George Mason University          Telecommunications Program

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

From: [e-mail] (Nigel Roles)
Subject: Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Interconnect
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:19:09


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Joe
Armstrong) writes:

> Does anybody have any information available about products which use
> the recently published Microsoft Telephony API/SPI?

> Do you think the Microsoft Telephony API will catch on?  Up to now the
> CCITT has been the principle organisation responsible for telephony
> standards. The microsoft API seems to represent a radical departure
> from this.  Is this the future?

[Select Switch Designers Hat]

Good question. Anyone can invent a standard, but in telephony unless
it follows existing standards you might have an acceptance problem.
Conversely Miscrosft are inevitably a force to be reckoned with.
Personally, the AT&T Novell Telephony API looks much better. It
follows the CSTA call model, and as such looks much more professional
in that it appears to have been written from the telecomms
perspective, not the computer perspective. This strikes me as vital if
you want switch manufacturers to support it. There are other issues as
well; both specs. are pretty big, but Microsoft's looks quite
unmanageably large, as opposed to just plain daunting. We intend going
the AT&T Novell route.

[Select PC Programmers Hat]

There is not a lot to choose between the two specs. A non-telecomms
programmer might not perceive the better pedigree of the AT&T Novell
one because the nomenclature (calls, connections, devices, states)
will be completely new stuff either way.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Atlas)
Subject: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English?
Organization: PictureTel Corporation
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 04:27:04 GMT


> [Moderator's Note: ...
> The problem with Q is that it must be followed by U in 99 percent of all
> words in common use ...]

Pat,

Your explanation of why Q and Z don't appear the telephone dial was
interesting, but to be picky, what English words contain the letter
"q" not followed by "u"?  I know there are Arabic names such as Iraq
and Qatar, as well as people whose Arabic names are transliterated.
But English words?


Steve Atlas        [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Well, if you want to discriminate against the
Arabs, you're going to make my job answering this one a lot harder. :)

QADARITES were members of an early Muslin philisophical school assert-
ing the doctrine of free will in opposition to the Jabarites.

QINTARS are monetary units in Albania. Each QINTAR is equal to 1/100 lek.

QOPH (sometimes spelled KOPH) is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

A few you can look up on your own:

QARMATION    QASHQAI    QERE    QERI  QYRGHYZ

A real motley collection, eh? In conclusion, please remember that
TELECOM Digest is supported through the generous gifts of readers who
benefit by the articles here and the material in the Telecom Archives.
I pay the bills (mostly for the phone, generally about $200-300 per
month for the connection, etc, and friends help me pay my phone bill
and feed the cats. All gifts are acknowledged and appreciated. Checks
payable to Ameritech are perfectly acceptable and will be used to
retire my old phone bill in Chicago. (Skokie phone rates are much
cheaper; I don't expect the bill to go over a hundred dollars per
month here). If you prefer, checks can also be payable to TELECOM Digest
earmarked for production and distribution of this journal. If you
want a specific accounting of how your gift was used, just ask for it
anytime. Our mailing address remains: 2241 W. Howard, Chicago, IL 60645.
Thanks very much for all your help.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #760
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa02091;
          15 Nov 93 5:21 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA04915
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:24:29 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA04169
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:23:48 -0600
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:23:48 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #760


TELECOM Digest     Mon, 15 Nov 93 01:32:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 760

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Remote Call Forwarding (Peter Tindall)
    Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage? (Macy M. Hallock)
    Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers (Ken Thompson)
    Re: Problems With CNID (Chris Farrar)
    Re: Nationwide Caller ID (Chris Farrar)
    Need Caller ID / Number Identification Help (Reinhard A. Hamid)
    Re: Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted (Ed Greenberg)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Jack Decker)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (James Taranto)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (James R. Ebright)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Brett Frankenberger)
    Cell Phone Suggestions Sought (John R. Levine)
    Re: Help: Need to Query V&H Database (Dave Niebuhr)
    Questions About New Numbering Plan (Jim Wohlford)
    Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI (Nigel Roles)
    "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English? (Steve Atlas)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Re: Remote Call Forwarding
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 00:29:00 EST
From: Peter Tindall <[e-mail]>


In article <telecom.13.757.13>@eecs.nwu.edu [e-mail] (Paul
Barnett) writes:

> This is the same solution that I use.  However, I would like to
> point out that not ALL cellular providers will forward your calls free.
> According to my third-party compilation of roaming agreements and
> standard service policies, some charge air-time even when a call is
> simply routed through their switch and forwarded to another number.

Yes.

Cantel (at least in Ontario and Quebec) has started charging for call
forwarding minutes (only when the total call forwarding in a month
exceeds 1000 minutes).

Example:   You use 999 minutes  : No charge
       You use 1000 minutes : you pay $500.00 (+50c/minute for all
                           minutes extra).

I really believed this was a typo -- so I contacted the regulator here
in Canada (the CRTC) and obtained a copy of the amended tariff page.
Sure enough it is correct.

I also understand that the no charge threshold was recently increased
from 1000 to 2500 for corporate users, although I have no official
confirmation -- just the mumblings of a Cantel customer service rep.

I do believe that a token charge is in order since some resources are
tied up, but charging the same (50c) per minute for both airtime and
call forwarding time (which uses only a tiny part of the switch's
resources) is unfair.


Peter Tindall  VE3TJP      [e-mail]
[phone]             [e-mail]

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

From: fmsystm!fmsys![e-mail]
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 08:09 EST
Subject: Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage?
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: F M Systems/Telemax  Medina, Ohio USA


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Brian
Nunes) writes:

> I work in West Los Angeles, also covered by GTE, and we too could not
> dial out to any 800 numbers yesterday.

GTE here in Ohio lost their link to the 800 database at least twice
not too long after 800 portability went into effect.  I've had clients
give me trouble reports since then that sound like the link has been
out of service for several short periods since then.


Macy M. Hallock, Jr. N8OBG  +1.216.723.3030  [e-mail] [e-mail]
Telemax, Inc. - F M Systems, Inc.       152 Highland Drive  Medina, OH USA

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

From: ken thompson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers
Date: 14 Nov 93 14:42:00 GMT
Organization: NCR Corporation Wichita, KS


[e-mail] (Dave Levenson) writes:

> Don't forget ... this directory lists only those businesses who have
> AT&T 800 service. A great many other businesses also have 800 numbers,
> but won't be in the book.

Actually only those who PAY to be in the book are listed.


Ken Thompson    N0ITL     Disk Array Hardware Development
Peripheral Products MPD-Wichita   NCR Corp.  an AT&T company
3718 N. Rock Road  Wichita,Ks 67226  [phone]
[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: You are correct. The default on 800 numbers is
exactly the opposite of regular (or 'POTS') service where the norm
is be listed for free and pay for non-pub. With 800 service, non-pub
is free and you pay to be listed, either in printed books or with the
800-555-1212 database.   PAT]

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Problems With CNID
From: [e-mail] (Chris Farrar)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 11:16:00 -0600
Organization: C-9 Communications


Lunatix![e-mail] said something along the lines of the
following:

> When the in-use light went on, some rather strange data noises could
> be heard over the scanner, then nothing (like a dead line).  I left it
> there for a long while and never heard anyone talking or anything like
> that.

> Could it be possible that Caller ID is at fault?  Or, more likely (in
> my opinion), the phone needs to be junked.  It seems as if the phone
> *itself* is calling places at random.

I'd say it was the phone myself.  He should try a normal phone on his
line, and see if the problem disappears.  From the sounds of it,
someone in the area may have a cordless that is triggering his base.


Chris    [e-mail]
Origin: CSRNET Reply To: [e-mail]     (11:100/160)

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Nationwide Caller ID
From: [e-mail] (Chris Farrar)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 11:36:00 -0600
Organization: C-9 Communications


[e-mail] said something along the lines of the
following:

> but not from others where Caller ID definitely works. Dialing *67 has
> no effect -- your number is always transmitted onto the Caller ID box
> regardless of privacy setting. This may indicate that Caller ID data
> is really sent on all calls, including the private ones, which means
> the possibility exists of capturing it on non-800 calls.

Strange.  I have a caller id system on my computer, and it actually
lets you see what was sent.  Bell Canada uses the multi-message
format, and when you dial *67 before making the call, the string in
the computer definitely shows an absene of the incoming number.

Caller ID signal with a phone number (multi-message format):

ff80 13 1 8 31 31 30 36 30 39 31 34 3 7 39 37 39 34 32 30 38 4d

Caller ID signal with call blocking received

ff80 d 1 8 31 31 30 36 31 32 37 4 1 50 ff83

Field 1 has 8 digits, and contains date and time.  Field 3 (in first example,
contains 7 digits, and is the phone number, with 4d as the checksum.  In the
call with blocking, field 3 is missing, but there is a field 4, which
contains 1 digit, namely 50 hex, which indicates the reason the message is
missing is because the caller is using blocking (*67)


Chris     Origin: CSRNET Reply To: [e-mail]     (11:100/160)

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

From: [e-mail] (Reinhard Abdel Hamid)
Subject: Need Caller ID / Number Identification Help
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Universitaet Hannover, Theoretische Nachrichtentechnik
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:37:38 GMT


Hello Americans !

I am able to use an international voicemail network that is able to
send messages to every telephone in the United States.  But for a test
I would like to know the American number it is calling from, when it
sends messages.

So, who (with an caller-id display) could help and email me the
telephone-number I can send my test voicemail to?  Later I will call
you and ask for the number, the display showed during my voicemail.
Thanks in advance.

Greetings from Germany.


Reinhard    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: The thing you'll need to take care on is to find a
place where *inter-lata* caller-id is working; otherwise you'll want
someone in the same community as the voicemail. Do you know *where* in
the USA the voicemail system is located? What town or what state? You
may otherwise waste your time putting through calls only to get a
report from your American contact that the caller-id display said the
calling number was 'out of area' or similar. Caller-id is not yet
universal here you know, or even very common between different LATAs.  PAT]

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:27:57 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Ed Greenberg)
Subject: Re: Motorola Cellular Tech Manual Wanted
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)


The manual is called the Technical Training Manual and costs $30 plus
S&H from Motorola.  The number is 1-800-331-6456 for USA transactions
only.  Overseas orders and inquiries may be sent by FAX ONLY to +1 708
523 8060.

I will be receiving mine early next week.  I will post a review to
{Telecom-Tech} and TELECOM Digest.

Note: Although I haven't received it, my credit card was charged about
$38 already.  The claimed next day shipment by UPS, and I didn't
expect to have it yet (and don't :-)


Ed Greenberg           [e-mail]        Ham Radio: KM6CG

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 18:07:02 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In a previous article, [e-mail] (David Leibold) says:

> The Star specifically mentioned one person's experience in Frankenmuth,
> Michigan. I can't verify whether the company involved is Ameritech, GTE
> or whoever, though the Phonefiche says this is supposed to be under the
> Bay City/Saginaw directory area. Wonder how those folks will do when
> 810 gets started next month (splitting 313 Detroit region).

According to my Michigan LATA map, Frankenmuth is Michigan Bell (now
Ameritech), as is all but one of the adjacent exchanges (the exception
is Millington, served by the Wolverine Telephone Company).
Frankenmuth is in the Saginaw LATA (northern half of the 517 area
code).


Jack

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

From: [e-mail] (James Taranto)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 14 Nov 1993 21:07:44 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


[e-mail] wrote:

> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
> (pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
> provide the work number(s) on request.

It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!


Cheers,

James Taranto  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (James R Ebright)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 15 Nov 1993 03:33:11 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John Eichler) writes:

> [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:

>> I should think that New York Telephone, which fills the front pages of
>> every telephone directory with glowing talk of up-to-date digital
>> technology, would be embarassed at its apparent failure to deploy ISDN
>> beyond a handful of Manhattan exchanges.

> It's almost a 'catch-22' proposition.  The phone companies are slow to
> implement ISDN because there is little demand for it and the demand is
> waiting for the service to become available.

Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market forces.
ISDN 0, Market 1.

> This is just another example of the difficult time we will have
> installing a nationwide 'information highway'.

It will be if TPC (the phone company) is in charge of installation ;)

> I guess the only way to move the telephone companies is for tens of
> thousands of us little guys to keep asking them for ISDN until they
> wake up and realize that they are losing big bucks in not providing
> this vital service.

Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...


Jim Ebright   e-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Brett Frankenberger)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 03:34:19 GMT


[e-mail] (Michael D. Sullivan) writes:

> The only thing I would add is that making a device like this and
> *using* it would violate the federal wiretapping laws, which is a
> felony.

No.  It is illegal, but it violates the ECPA, not wire tapping laws.

> It may be true that cellular phone use isn't really private, because
> anyone could be listening, but it's no more legal for them to listen
> than it is for them to bug your bedroom or boardroom.

As a practical matter, though, it might as well not be illegal,
because it is virtually unenforcable.  And I know of no instances of
prosecution for violation of the ECPA.  (Some people feel that it is
unconstitutional, but that's a separate issue).

> Under federal law, any conversation going through a cellular switch is
> considered a telephone conversation subject to the wiretap laws (the
> technical term is "wire communication".  A cellular phone is just as
> private as a landline phone, because people have the same legal right
> not to be "scanned" as they do not to have someone tapping in on a
> craft set.

Nope.  In fact, cordless telephones do not have a special act
protecting them, and it is perfectly legal for you to listen to your
neighbors (or anyone else's) cordless telephone conversations
(providing that you do so by monitoring the air waves, not by tapping
into their physical wires).  The fact that the conversation eventually
passes through a regular land-line switch (or even, a cellular switch,
if they happen to be talking to a celluler phone on the other end), is
not relevant.


Brett  ([e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Cell Phone Suggestions Sought
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 0:14:16 EST


I'm looking for a cell phone for my car.  I go back and forth between
home, in Boston where cell service works fine, and my tiny timber
barony, in northern Vermont, where cell service is marginal, though
supposed to be better when they add towers in a few months.

Desirable criteria:

 -- good performance in marginal conditions
 -- multiple NAMs
 -- hands free feature, if it works well enough that callers can hear you
    over the noise in the car

Any suggestions?

Also, experience with the local cell carriers here (NYNEX and Cell
One/Boston) and Vermont (Contel and Cell One/Vermont-Western-New-
Hampshire) would be appreciated.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 16:41:08 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Help: Need to Query V&H Database


In TELECOM Digest V13 #751 neptune![e-mail] (Nathan Banks)
writes:

> Here in Texas, the state Senate recently passed legislation (SB 632)
> allowing rural communities to petition the PUC to extend their
> respective local calling scopes to "communities of interest" of up to
> 22 miles.

> I am currently researching my community's locality of interest by
> looking at county maps and interviewing members of the community to
> ascertain their civic and business needs outside of our current 2-3
> mile local calling scope.

> I was wondering if someone could suggest how I might access a "V&H"
> coordinate database to query the following information.

If a little work isn't minded, then the first thing to do would be to
get a local map and using the mileage guide (how many miles to an
inch) and take a compass, set it to as close to the mileage desired as
possible and draw a circle around the desired community(ies) using
your community as the center of the circle.

Then using the telephone book, look up the community names within that
circle and obtain the NXXs for them.  Failing that, you could contact
the telco for information.

Another way is by driving to those communities and noting the mileage.
Say you have to take care of some business in Community B and you live
in Community A.  Just note the mileage on your vehicle when you start
and note it when you get to Community B.

You probably come up with the figures that the telco has since I think
that they are based on airline miles, not road; you'll be close
though.

I do this when I travel to compute driving costs per mile, time per
trip, driving costs per mile including food stops/breaks, overall
time, etc.  Sounds nutty but its fun to me and helps me keep track of
expenses.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Subject: Questions About New Numbering Plan
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 00:38:08 EST
From: Jim Wohlford <[e-mail]>


I am researching for a paper on numbering plan changes, and would
appreciate any late breaking news or information concerning the
following:

    1) Who will administer the plan after Bellcore retires?
    2) How will the PBX world deal with maintenance and upgrade
       of their routing plans?
    3) What, if any, involvement might the FCC have?
    4) How will telecom ever be simple again?

Any info will be graciously accepted at [e-mail].  I have read
all that I can find in the industry magazines, but I find more questions
than answers.  I will summarize my findings for a later posting.

Thanks in advance!


Jim Wohlford      Compuserve 70214,636     [e-mail]
George Mason University          Telecommunications Program

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

From: [e-mail] (Nigel Roles)
Subject: Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Interconnect
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:19:09


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Joe
Armstrong) writes:

> Does anybody have any information available about products which use
> the recently published Microsoft Telephony API/SPI?

> Do you think the Microsoft Telephony API will catch on?  Up to now the
> CCITT has been the principle organisation responsible for telephony
> standards. The microsoft API seems to represent a radical departure
> from this.  Is this the future?

[Select Switch Designers Hat]

Good question. Anyone can invent a standard, but in telephony unless
it follows existing standards you might have an acceptance problem.
Conversely Miscrosft are inevitably a force to be reckoned with.
Personally, the AT&T Novell Telephony API looks much better. It
follows the CSTA call model, and as such looks much more professional
in that it appears to have been written from the telecomms
perspective, not the computer perspective. This strikes me as vital if
you want switch manufacturers to support it. There are other issues as
well; both specs. are pretty big, but Microsoft's looks quite
unmanageably large, as opposed to just plain daunting. We intend going
the AT&T Novell route.

[Select PC Programmers Hat]

There is not a lot to choose between the two specs. A non-telecomms
programmer might not perceive the better pedigree of the AT&T Novell
one because the nomenclature (calls, connections, devices, states)
will be completely new stuff either way.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Atlas)
Subject: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English?
Organization: PictureTel Corporation
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 04:27:04 GMT


> [Moderator's Note: ...
> The problem with Q is that it must be followed by U in 99 percent of all
> words in common use ...]

Pat,

Your explanation of why Q and Z don't appear the telephone dial was
interesting, but to be picky, what English words contain the letter
"q" not followed by "u"?  I know there are Arabic names such as Iraq
and Qatar, as well as people whose Arabic names are transliterated.
But English words?


Steve Atlas        [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Well, if you want to discriminate against the
Arabs, you're going to make my job answering this one a lot harder. :)

QADARITES were members of an early Muslin philisophical school assert-
ing the doctrine of free will in opposition to the Jabarites.

QINTARS are monetary units in Albania. Each QINTAR is equal to 1/100 lek.

QOPH (sometimes spelled KOPH) is the 19th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

A few you can look up on your own:

QARMATION    QASHQAI    QERE    QERI  QYRGHYZ

A real motley collection, eh? In conclusion, please remember that
TELECOM Digest is supported through the generous gifts of readers who
benefit by the articles here and the material in the Telecom Archives.
I pay the bills (mostly for the phone, generally about $200-300 per
month for the connection, etc, and friends help me pay my phone bill
and feed the cats. All gifts are acknowledged and appreciated. Checks
payable to Ameritech are perfectly acceptable and will be used to
retire my old phone bill in Chicago. (Skokie phone rates are much
cheaper; I don't expect the bill to go over a hundred dollars per
month here). If you prefer, checks can also be payable to TELECOM Digest
earmarked for production and distribution of this journal. If you
want a specific accounting of how your gift was used, just ask for it
anytime. Our mailing address remains: 2241 W. Howard, Chicago, IL 60645.
Thanks very much for all your help.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #760
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa02803;
          15 Nov 93 6:57 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA32416
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:21:07 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31835
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:20:32 -0600
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:20:32 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #761

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 15 Nov 93 02:20:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 761

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Bill Fischer)
    Re: ADSI (Al Varney)
    Re: Cordless Phone Systems (Gordon Hlavenka)
    Re: Problems With Michigan Bell (John Perkins)
    Re: Information About Iridium Wanted (Jeffrey Oliver Breen)
    Re: Calling Card Question (Carl Oppedahl)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Ed Casas)
    Re: Need List of Country Codes (Gordon Torrie)
    Re: Feature Interaction (Ed  Leslie)
    Strange Telephone Behavior (Jason Hunsaker)
    Re: What is Transpac? (John R. Levine)
    Re: What is Transpac? ([e-mail])
    Re: What is Transpac? (Fazal Majid)
    Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History (Paul J. Bell)
    Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History (David A. Kaye)
    Re: Minneapolis is no Picnic Either (vs Chicago) (Bill Pfeiffer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail]
Organization: T-8000 Information System
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 21:08:00
Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems


Robin Singla ([e-mail]) had a few questions about cellular
phone monitoring systems.  For the benefit of all readers, the basics
of such monitoring follows:

Calls to and from all phones in a particular cell can be monitored, or
specific numbers can be entered into a log, and all other calls
ignored.  The equipment monitors the data on the cell's control
channel and switches a radio scanner to the specified voice frequency
when the phone makes or receives a call in that cell.  The equipment
will change to a new voice frequency each time the phone switches,
ensuring that the complete call is monitored from start to finish.

We have a Cellular Surveillance Interface that performs this function.
It doesn't cost $6000, and it will work on both the AMPS (USA, Canada,
Mexico, Australia) and TACS/ETACS (Europe, Middle East, Southeast
Asia) cellular systems.

I've sent Robin a copy of our brochure by private e-mail to maintain
the non-commercial nature of this forum ;-)


Regards,

Bill Fischer                     Internet: [e-mail]
Electronic Countermeasures Inc.  Voice: [phone]
65 - 31 Avenue South West        Calgary, AB, Canada T2S 2Y7


[Moderator's Note: No doubt you will send your brochure to anyone who
requests it after seeing your message here also.   PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 00:41:17 CST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: ADSI
Organization: AT&T


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Robert
Hettmansperger) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] wrote:

>>    TR-1273 says feature-specific TRs will determine if Call Waiting
>> can interrupt a given ADSI "session" (SPCS or "server").  I haven't
>> seen such requirements.  Also, the recovery from an interrupted
>> session is up to the "server".  Just to check the latest,
>> TA-NWT-001436, Visual Screen List Editing, August 1993 (issued 8
>> months after TR-1273) says not one word, zip, about session
>> interruptions of any kind.

> This is not quite true.

    [And Robert explains why Call Waiting won't bother VSLE users,
assuming the switch programmers follow the reference threads ...]

   Thanks, Robert, for pointing out my error.  I still claim there is
no requirement dealing with interrupted sessions in general, but
that's just being picky.

   And also thanks for giving me a chance to correct a mis-conception
spread by my original article.  Even co-workers felt I was a little
"hard" on ADSI -- that was NOT my intent.  ADSI is a reasonable
extension of the Caller-ID interface and provides an improved "feature
control" capability for complex features such as CLASS, as well as to
Call Waiting.  It opens the door to other service providers who don't
need user terminals with full screens and a keyboard.  (See, I'm not
against it!)

   Nor am I concerned with the way Bellcore and/or NTI have pushed the
ADSI interface.  Every new protocol/interface has to have a sponsor,
and prototyping and demonstrating interfaces almost always results in
better standards and requirements, and an overall shorter
idea-to-product window.  I think this has been a good example of
vendor/industry cooperation.

   My only concern was/is related to the issue of "spoofing" such
terminals in the same way TR-30 caller ID boxes can be "spoofed" with
off-hook signaling.  While Bellcore and other close to the original TA
reviews may have been aware of this issue, it did not appear in any
CPE vendor documents.  Awareness could prevent some problems and make
ADSI less "hacker-friendly".  Nothing in the current requirements says
something as simple as a "off-hook message" indicator couldn't be used
to let the user know what's happening.  But if the CPE vendors aren't
reminded to think about it, we can hardly fault them for not doing so
on their own.

> Applications which use a non switch-based server (such as banking,
> etc.)  can not rely on the switch to prevent such interruptions.
> Therefore, they will have to depend on the customer (or the customer's
> CPE) utilizing the Cancel Call Waiting feature.

    Cancel Call Waiting was also mentioned to me by a co-worker as a
specific way around the Call-Waiting-interruption problem with
servers.  Some providers do not bundle Call Waiting and CCW, so that
might have to be required for ADSI "server-based" users who also have
Call Waiting.


Al Varney - just my opinion

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

From: [e-mail] (gordon hlavenka)
Subject: Re: Cordless Phone Systems
Organization: Vpnet - Public Access Unix and Usenet
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 22:02:56 GMT


Delavar K. Khomarlou <[e-mail]> wrote:

> Our company is investigating the use of cordless phones (with mobile
> base stations) in our stations (harsh environment).
> We are looking at an 800 Mhz and a 1.2 Ghz
> (European) system.  Can someone tell me which system would have better
> propagation characteristics in this environment?

We've had a SpectraLink system in my office here for about two weeks.
This is an 800MHz system in a normal office environment.

Perhaps our installation is flawed (it was done in one evening by a
non-telco type) but it has not performed well here.  The PTs cut out a
lot, and there is a strong "digital" character to the audio.  Plus an
echo problem.  Cutting out could be explained by poor cell siting, but
the distortion is apparent even when the signal is strong and echo has
nothing to do with (RF) signal strength.


I'd stay away from this one ...


Gordon S. Hlavenka           [e-mail]
Proud father of Daniel Scott     born August 9, 1993

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

From: [e-mail] (John Perkins)
Subject: Re: Problems With Michigan Bell
Organization: Rosemount, Inc.
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 23:00:11 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Steven M.
Palm) writes:

> [Deleted: long account of incorrect billing by Michigan Bell and
writer's valiant attempt to straighten it out.]

> [Deleted: long list of recommendations by the Moderator on how the
> original writer should proceed]

Here's another approach (that has worked very well for me in the past):

Ignore the whole thing and save yourself a lot of trouble.  There's
really nothing they can do and eventually they'll get tired and give
up.


John Perkins


[Moderator's Note: The only reason I did not suggest that as an
alternative to the original writer was because MBT's collection
agency *might* let something go to a credit bureau on it and then he
would be stuck with removing that. While getting credit bureau repairs
is not impossible, or all that difficult, it still might leave his
credit messed up for awhile in the interim.   PAT]

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

From: Jeffrey Oliver Breen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Information About Iridium Wanted
Organization: Dept. of Astronomy, University of Virginia
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 22:00:32 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(ravi prakash) writes:

> I would like to get information about the following:

> - Iridium : a low earth orbit mobile satellite system

The latest issue of _Wired_ magazine (1.5 - November 1993) has a
feature article on Iridium and other competing systems (Globalstar,
Ellipso, Aires, and Odyssey).

It's a pretty good review article with some interesting tidbits.  For
example, Iridium is so named (at least partly) because its original
spec called for 77 satellites in orbit: Iridium is element number 77
(==> 77 electrons in orbit). Besides, as the author correctly points
out, "Iridium" sounds better than "Dysprosium", element number 66,
which matches the current spec. :)

_Wired_ lists the following contact information for Iridium:

Iridium, Inc.
13501 Street, NW
Washington, D 20005
[phone]


Best Regards,

Jeffrey Oliver Breen        Internet: [e-mail]
Department of Astronomy     University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903   [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: Re: Calling Card Question
Date: 14 Nov 1993 18:48:12 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (danny burstein)
writes:

> In yet another display of my ignorance, I ask the following question:

>  Can a calling card be acquired from either the LEC or an IXC with
> the following restriction: that it can -only- get billed by the Local
> Carrier (where appropriate) or by the disgnated IXC?

>  This would do a good job of reducing the tele-zleaze surcharges.

The answer is, "sort of".  All you have to do is to get a calling card
issued by someone *other* than AT&T or a local operating company.

For example, you could get a card issued by MCI or Sprint.  All calls
are placed via an 800 number or a 950 number or 10XXX, and there are
never any surprises about what the call will cost.  It will always be
billed by MCI or Sprint, at their rates.

You might wonder how local calls are handled in that case.  Don't ask;
it would get MCI or Sprint in trouble if the local operating companies
were to learn that MCI or Sprint sometimes connects local calls in
competition with the local operating company.

Now, it is also the case that *some* of AT&T's cards are also safe
against sleaze.  But why choose a company that costs *more* and only
protects some of its cards?


Carl Oppedahl AA2KW  (patent lawyer)
1992 Commerce Street #309
Yorktown Heights, NY  10598-4412
voice 212-777-1330


[Moderator's Note: He can also get a totally 'independent' calling
card like the Orange Card (25 cents per minute of use, billed in
30 second increments with no surcharge) or use one of his VISA/MC
cards through the hookup they have with MCI.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed Casas)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 93 23:21:19 PST


In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]> wrote:

>> I personally suspect this is a bit of a religious debate,
>> exactly like Betamax vs. VHS, and while technical arguments
>> pro and con can be made, whoever has the best marketing is
>> going to win.  (wink wink)

> It's certainly the case that the debate will be settled
> politically, but it turns out that CDMA has major technical
> advantages: ...

I think these "technical advantages" are mostly a result of Qualcomm
marketing.  For example, I looked at Qualcomm's claims for capacity
improvement and found that their claims were made on the basis of
grossly unfair comparisons.  For example, the Qualcomm system assumed:
more-directional base station antennas, turning off the transmitter
during silent periods to reduce interference, the use of low-rate
high-gain codes, the use of low-rate speech coding, etc.

A fair comparison would have been between a second-generation TDMA
system (which could make use of many of the above techniques) and a
CDMA system.  I think you would then see the capacity advantage for
CDMA eliminated.  You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts
off with a major handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals
anywhere near as well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.  You have to use
a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.

To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.


Ed Casas ([e-mail])

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

Subject: Re: Need List of Country Codes
From: [e-mail] (Gordon Torrie)
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 10:18:22 -0500
Organization: Torrie Communications Services


Malcolm Dunnett <[e-mail]> writes:

>   I'm looking for a list of all the "Country Codes"; either an FTP
> site or someone to post/mail me a copy.

While one might suppose that because Malcom posted his message to this
group he meant the numeric codes one dials to route a call to a
particular country, this was not explicitly stated.

In the event that what he meant was a list of the country codes
assigned by the ISO I will point out that a summary of them is
available by anonymous FTP from ftp.uni-erlangen.de in directory
pub/doc/ISO/english.


Gord Torrie

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed  Leslie)
Subject: Re: Feature Interaction
Organization: York University
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 11:45:42 -0500


Tony Harminc ([e-mail]) wrote:

> After about an hour, I wondered at my friend's line still being busy
> (he has a modem line, so it wasn't that).  I dialed *66 again, mainly
> out of curiosity to see if the system would give me the same friendly
> message, or would tell me that I had already made the same request.

Does call return not limit its trials to a 30 minute period (assuming
that after that length of time, you have moved on to other things)?


Ed Leslie

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

From: Jason Hunsaker <[e-mail]>
Subject: Strange Telephone Behavior
Date: 14 Nov 93 13:43:19 MDT
Organization: Utah State University


I had an experience last night that I find difficult to understand.

My telephone rang.  I answered.  There was no response.  I was about
to hang up when I heard a click followed by a busy-signal.  This
continued for a few seconds, and then I heard another click.

Then, with the receiver still in my hand and the phone still off hook,
my telephone rang.  I had to hangup to answer the incoming call.  How
is it possible for my phone to be off hook and still activate the
ringer?


Internet: [e-mail] (Jason Hunsaker),  Logan, Utah

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 00:35 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: What is Transpac?
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> Can anyone tell me what Transpac is? A public network in France
> perhaps?  Thanks.

It's the French X.25 network.  Dialup access is available nationally
via special phone numbers.  Here is some somewhat obsolete information
courtesy of MCI Mail:

Contact:
          Mr. J.M. Chevalier - Tel: [phone]
          Direction des Telecomications des Reseaux Exterieurs
          INTELCOMFRANCE
          Tour Franklin
          92081 Paris La Defense Cedex 11, France
          Telex: (842) 610586  A/B: CPTI 610586F
                    or 610329  A/B: CPTI 610329F

Prices:
          All charges in French Francs (FFr)

          Initial Fee:                       160    FFr/NUI
          Monthly Fee:                        80    FFr/month
          Connect Time Charge:                 0.70 FFr/minute at  300 bps
                                               0.90 FFr/minute at 1200 bps
                                               1.00 FFr/minute at 2400 bps
          Volume Charge:                      38    FFr/kilosegment

          A 18.6% VAT should be added to the above charges.

Dialup (once you have an account):
          All cities in France may access TRANSPAC with the national
          numbers given below.

          300 bps access:                     36 01
          1200 bps access:                    36 00
          1200/75 bps access (incl. Minitel): 36 13
                                              36 21 (ASCII mode)
          300/1200/2400 bps MNP error-corr.:  36 06 24 24

DOMPAC and TOMPAC provide similar service at slightly higher prices in
the overseas parts of France.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What is Transpac?
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Corporation for Open Systems
Date: Sun, 14 Nov 1993 14:26:06 GMT


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Philip
Green) writes:

> Can anyone tell me what Transpac is? A public network in France
> perhaps?  Thanks.

You win the teddy bear! Transpac is the French Public Packet-switched
Data Network operating according to Recommendation X.25. Transpac,
DATApac (Canada), Telenet (USA), and the U.K. network (forgotten the
name) were the first national packet-switched networks. Main reason
that I remember is because I was on the team that did DATApac.


Bob Blackshaw

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

From: [e-mail] (Fazal Majid)
Subject: Re: What is Transpac?
Date: 14 Nov 1993 00:06:33 GMT
Organization: Telecom Paris - France


Philip Green ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Can anyone tell me what Transpac is? A public network in France
> perhaps?  Thanks.

Transpac (now officially called France Telecom Transpac) is a French
public X.25 network operated by France Telecom, the national carrier,
recently spun off from the PTT administration.

Among other things, "Minitel" videotext services are carried by Transpac.


Disclaimer: I work for France Telecom, but not in the Transpac division

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul J. Bell)
Subject: Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: The 23K Group, Inc.
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 02:09:06 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, TELECOM Moderator noted:

> [Moderator's Note: Actually, I have but three lines: one for voice,
> one for data and one for fax. I'll make do somehow. The fax is now
> on a full time dedicated line and available to anyone who wants to
> use it:  708-329-0572. The Skokie area was also the home of Teletype
> Corporation as some old-timers may recall. I am just just hoping
> very desparately that things will work out financially for me and
> the family.  :(   PAT]

When Western Electric's Teletype Corp. was located in Skokie, the
plant (on Touhy Ave.) was the largest open area manufacturing facility
in the world. At it's peak, well into the '70, they received more
orders for Teletype machines in a month than they could build in a
year.  It was a very interesting place to visit.  I left Chicago in
the early sixties and have no idea what happened to the area. Does
anyone know the fate of the Teletype complex ?


Cheers,

Paul

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History
Date: 14 Nov 1993 21:58:28 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


Dave Levenson ([e-mail]) wrote:

> It was reported in that year that the largest number of telephones per
> capita (86 per 100 population) anywhere in the world was in the
> District of Columbia, USA.  The second largest value of this number (I
> think the number was around 70 or so) was in Skokie, Illinois.

I don't know if it's still true or not, but the city of San Ramon (25
miles east of SF) had 102 phones per 100 population.  This fact used
to be in the back of the Pacific Bell yellow pages for that area,
which I think is the Central Contra Costa book.  I would think there
might be an explanation here, but I don't know what it is.  This was
before cellular, and the community doesn't seem to have that much more
business than any other community.

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Re: Minneapolis is no Picnic Either (vs Chicago)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 03:54:09 CST


> [Moderator's Note: I'm sorry to hear this grim news. I hope for your
> sake you did not violate any of the civil rights of the burglar; the

[...]

> The people filed bankruptcy at that point, but the court ruled
> the judgment could not be dismissed in bankruptcy, so I guess they
> will be working a long time to pay off this guy. Let that be a lesson
> to you. Keep your homes neat, clean and free of dangers. If someone
> breaks in while you are gone (or some have the nerve to do it while
> you are there!), you don't want them to injure themselves.   PAT]

Nice piece of urban folklore, Pat.  But we all know that it is
hogwash.  You can shoot a burglar in your home (like the 90 year old
woman just did on the south side when a 15 year-old broke in and
wheeled her around in her wheelchair demanding that she point out
valuables).  She shot him after asking him to leave several times.
She has not been, and will not be, charged.

If someone invades your home (unlike your business) all bets are off.
Although I have heard these tales too, they are not true.  You CAN be
sued, or even arrested, if you set up a booby-trap to either fire a
weapon or do other bodily harm, via an automatic system (like pointing
a shotgun at a doorway, triggered by a solinoid, connected to a door
switch).

But rest-assured, you may blow someone away without an eyeblink if
they are inside your home uninvited.


     William Pfeiffer - Moderator/Editor
rec.radio.broadcasting - Airwaves Radio Journal
              - Internet email -
Article Submission: [e-mail]
Subscription Desk:  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I think you are in error. It is not quite that cut
and dry. Yes, you have some rights inside your home you do not have
outside your home, but I'm afraid shooting someone in your home would
at least cause a few eyes to blink. I suspect you would get a lot of
hassles from the police over it, etc.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #761
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa08677;
          15 Nov 93 18:18 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA01442
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 12:55:39 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA13215
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 15 Nov 1993 12:55:00 -0600
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 12:55:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #762

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 15 Nov 93 12:55:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 762

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Supreme Court Decision on Baby Bells Info Services (AP via William Sohl)
    AT&T at COMDEX (Andrew B. Myers)
    65 per Line or 65*per Line? (Paul Robinson)
    In the Matter of: Connecting to Kremvax.demos.su (Paul Robinson)
    Reverse Phone Directory News (Compuserve via Ray Normandeau)
    Videoconference System Questions (Hyeong-Kyo Kim)
    Minitel Questions (Michael Jansson)
    Synoptics 5000 Intelligent Hub (Alex Cena)
    Info on Old Key System Wanted (Caleb Hess)
    Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions? (Paul Robinson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (sohl,william h)
Subject: Supreme Court Decision on Baby Bells Info Services
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 16:22:53 GMT


Electronic Yellow Pages and Other Phone Information Services OK
By LAURIE ASSEO
Associated Press Writer

           WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Supreme Court today let the nation's
regional telephone companies continue offering information services
such as home education and electronic yellow pages.

           The court, without comment, rejected arguments by consumer
groups and information competitors that a lower court wrongly let the
seven "Baby Bell" companies enter the highly competitive market.

           Those groups say the regional Bells could gain a
monopolistic advantage through their ownership of the phone lines.

           The case stems from the 1982 court-supervised breakup of
American Telephone & Telegraph as the result of the federal
government's antitrust lawsuit.

           The breakup agreement approved by U.S. District Judge
Harold Greene stripped AT&T of its local phone companies and set up
the regional Bells.

           The agreement barred the seven companies from providing
information services by telephone. But in 1987, the Justice Department
reversed its position and backed their request to start offering
services such as home shopping, stock quotes and transmission of
medical records.

           Greene ruled against the regional companies. But the U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered him to
reconsider and base his ruling on whether he could be certain that
letting the regional Bells offer such services would harm competition.

           After the Supreme Court let the appeals court ruling stand,
Greene reluctantly lifted the ban in July 1991. He said the appeals
court ruling left him with no choice.

           The appeals court later ruled that Greene only had the authority
to decide whether the Justice Department's recommendation was
reasonable _ a standard under attack in the appeal acted on today.

           The growing information market and regulatory safeguards
are enough to keep the Bells from taking over, the appeals court said.
Their competitors _ including General Electric, AT&T, IBM and Sears _
are not pushovers, it added.

           In the appeal acted on today, the consumer and information
groups' lawyers said the ruling gives the Justice Department
"effective control over judicial decisions" on whether to approve any
settlement involving the government.

           "Courts do not lose their competence to determine competitive
impact when the government settles a case," the appeal said.

           Justice Department lawyers said the ruling does not require
automatic approval of antitrust agreements. But they said the federal
government, not a judge, should have the authority to decide whether
an agreement will promote competition "as long as it has a reasonable
basis for its prediction."

           The regional Bells' lawyers said the ban that kept them
from providing information services was obsolete, and that there has
been no evidence of harm to competition since they entered the market.

           "Investments have been made and fundamental changes in the
industry have occurred," they said. "There is no reason for
reversing course at this late date."

           The seven regional bells are Ameritech, Bell Atlantic,
BellSouth Corp., NYNEX Corp., Pacific Telesis Group, Southwestern Bell
and U S West Inc.

           The case is Consumer Federation of America vs. U.S., 93-318.

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 10:41:53 EST
From: [e-mail] (Andrew B Myers [phone])
Subject: AT&T at COMDEX


AT&T SHOWS ITS WARES AT COMDEX FALL '93 COMPUTER TRADE SHOW

     BASKING RIDGE, N.J. -- Eight AT&T business units plan to
showcase more than 25 products and services this week at the
nation's largest computer trade show.  The COMDEX Fall '93 show
begins today, Nov. 15, and continues through Friday, Nov. 19

     For copies of AT&T news releases, dial via modem to AT&T
News Online, a database containing more than 5,000 AT&T news
releases, the two most recent AT&T Annual Reports and the most
up-to-date AT&T Fact Book.  Set your software for 7 data bits,
1 stop bit, even parity, and dial 908-221-8088.  The system
autobauds up to 9600 bits per second.

     Following is a list of key AT&T exhibits and announcements
scheduled at COMDEX.

AT&T EASYLINK SERVICES

     Located at Booth No. L930, media contact Kevin Compton.  Key
displays from AT&T EasyLink include:
   o AT&T Mail.
   o Mobile messaging, LAN connectivity, fax solutions, forms
     solutions, information services.
AT&T EasyLink plans to announce:
   o How road warriors on Harleys or foot soldiers at the office
     use messaging to do business around town and around the
     world.

AT&T EO
     Located at Booth No. L2848, media contact Kevin Compton.
Key displays from AT&T EO include:
   o EO 440 and EO 880 Personal Communicators.
The major announcement from AT&T EO will be:
   o New applications and customer solutions for AT&T EO Personal
     Communiators.

AT&T GLOBAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
     Located in Booths No. L2348 and No. 1130, media contact Jo
Johnston.  AT&T GBCS displays will include:
   o Desktop and networked videoconferencing.
   o Passage Way(TM) Solution computer-telephone integration.
   o PhoneWriter(TM) desktop pen-based communicator.
AT&T GBCS stories expected to be announced include:
   o AT&T TeleMedia Personal Video System being shipped to
     customers.
   o AT&T PassageWay Solution provides computer-telephone
     integration.

AT&T MICROELECTRONICS
     Located in Booth No. L2348, media contacts Sam Gronner, Pat
Mallon, Terri Hodges.  Displays will include:
   o AVP(TM) Video Codec Chip Set.
   o DSP 3210/VCOS(R) Multimedia System.
   o Outrigger(TM) LAN/Fax/Modem PCMCIA chips.
   o 100 Mbps LANs.
   o New Hobbit(TM) chipsets.
   o DA400 Clock Distribution Chip.
AT&T Microelectronics plans to announce these stories:
   o Desktop visual communication arrives.
   o Multimedia DSPs and LANs.
   o V32.terbo modems shipping to end users.
   o PCMCIA modem/fax/LAN cards coming.
   o Clock chip for high performance CPUs.

AT&T NCR
     Located in Booth No. 1130, media contact Christine Imwale.
NCR displays will include:
   o Mobile computing.
   o Servers.
   o AT Bus products.
   o Telemedia Connection.
   o MicroChannel products.
AT&T NCR will announce these stories:
   o Telemedia customer announcements.
   o AT&T branded PC distrbution expands.
   o NCR and IBM provide LAN Manager for AIX.
   o New fax and data security software.
   o Price reductions on NCR 3360 series computers.

AT&T PARADYNE
     Located in Room No. LN102, media contact Garrick Case.  AT&T
Paradyne will display:
   o VoiceSpan(TM) multimedia modem.
AT&T Paradyne will announce:
   o Integration of data, fax and voice sets stage for new
     consumer multimedia products.

 AT&T SECURE COMMUNICATIONS
    Located in Booth No. 1130, media contact David Arneke.  AT&T
 Secure Communications will display the following:
   o PC security software.
   o Security for mobile computing.
 AT&T Secure Communications will have two announcements:
   o New software for data and fax security.
   o Broad range of data security solutions.

 AT&T MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS
   This unit, formerly known as AT&T Graphics Software
Solutions, will be represented by media relations representatives
Christine Colborne and Cherie Carter.  AT&T MSS will display the
following:
   o A variety of multimedia software applications for
     drawing, animation and presentation packages.
   o Multimedia packages for Windows and Windows-NT environments.
   o Illustration, animation and interactive multimedia authoring
     software including RIO, RIO Animator and Panorama for the
     high-end DOS market.
                            #   #   #

CONTACT:
Andrew Myers - AT&T Media Relations
908-221-2737 (office), 908-522-9485 (home)

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 10:11:38 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: 65 per Line or 65*per Line?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


Well, a misunderstanding is back again.

I originally had four telephone lines.  The application I was using
the fourth line for ended, so I had that line disconnected.  I now have
three phone lines.  They were all set up for unlimited service, which
is required under the current tariff schedules.  So I decided to
change them.  Being told that if I want to take a 65-call-per-month
allocation, then each line is metered for 65 calls and if I have two
lines, and use 66 on one line and 5 on the other, it will cause me to
be charged for one meter unit.

So I broke up my account and had someone else who lives here listed as
the "owner" of the primary phone line, set that to no call allocation
(meaning charge 9c per call) because that line is used almost
exclusively for incoming calls and set my computer and spare line to
65 calls per month each.  I didn't like being "split in half" but it's
the way the system is set up.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to order Caller-ID on my computer line
so that I can test the Caller-ID capability of my modem. (A report on
how the data stream looks and some things I discovered, will be made
later.) So then the clerk at the phone company told me that the number
of phone calls that can be made on an account without being charged is
65 times the number of lines assigned to that account, e.g. for an
account with three lines, there would be no message unit charge until
the account used more than 190 calls.

Finding out that this seemingly sane policy is what is supposed to be
in effect, I have my service set to put all of my lines back together.

I have finished the testing I wanted to do and have one more thing to
try so I called today to take Caller-ID off one line and put it on a
different one. Now I am told the original story -- that each line has
a limit of 65 calls whether or not the lines are billed to one party
or separately billed -- e.g. if I use 66 on one line and 5 on the
other, I will be charged for one message unit. The phone company clerk
tells me that each line is individually metered and it doesn't matter
whether the three lines are attached to one account or billed to three
different accounts.

I have gotten totally disgusted at this whipsaw effect.  I explained
to the clerk that I want her to get ahold of her supervisor and find
the tariff schedule and mail me a copy of the tariff.  I explained to
her that if what she is telling me is correct, then I need to reset my
phone service back the way I had it before.

She said she would call me back before mailing me a copy of the
tariff, so I will have a written exact statement.  If there is a
question of ambiguity about it, I'm going to push for a PUC analysis
as I'd prefer to be blended than separately charged.

I am going to get to the bottom of this once and for all.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 08:37:44 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: In the Matter of: Connecting to Kremvax.demos.su
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


In TELECOM Digest recently there was mention that sites in the U.S.
cannot connect (due to U.S. Government pressures) with some sites
behind the former Iron Curtain.  One example of which is the site
kremvax.demos.su.  Evidence from this message implies it is not the
government doing this, it is someone else.

A writer [e-mail] (Chris Labatt-Simon) indicated that he got
through from his site (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
12181, according to the WHOIS database):

> 1  vccfr2 (128.113.75.254)  2 ms  2 ms  2 ms
> 2  psi1.rpi.edu (128.113.100.1)  27 ms  3 ms  3 ms
> 3  rpi.albany.pop.psi.net (38.145.34.1)  53 ms  9 ms  13 ms
> 4  core.net223.psi.net (38.1.2.6)  51 ms  66 ms  77 ms
> 5  Washington.DC.ALTER.NET (192.41.177.248)  172 ms  48 ms  30 ms
> 6  New-York.NY.ALTER.NET (137.39.128.2)  92 ms  420 ms  413 ms
> 7  Demos-gw.ALTER.NET (137.39.96.2)  707 ms  656 ms 733 ms  679 ms
> 8  kremvax.demos.su (192.91.186.200)  709 ms  733 ms  679 ms

Writer [e-mail] (David Jones) tried:

>  1  cyclops.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.185)  2  1 ms  1 ms
>  2  medusa.eecg.toronto.edu (128.100.10.187)   2 ms  2 ms  2 ms
>  3  sand.gw.toronto.edu (128.100.1.224)  3 ms  3 ms  3 ms
>  4  utorgw.gw.utoronto.ca (128.100.96.19)  4 ms  4 ms  4 ms
>  5  Epsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.55.4)  71 ms  91 ms 82 ms
>  6  * Xpsp.ON.CAnet.CA (192.68.53.1)  131 ms  128 ms
>  7  ENSS133.CIT.CORNELL.EDU (192.35.82.101)  201 ms  184 ms 174 ms
>  8  t3-1.Hartford-cnss49.t3.ans.net (140.222.49.2) 147 ms  165 ms
>  9  t3-3.Hartford-cnss48.t3.ans.net (140.222.48.4)  196 ms *  127
> 10  t3-2.Cleveland-cnss40.t3.ans.net (140.222.40.3)  96 ms  136
> 11  t3-2.Chicago-cnss24.t3.ans.net (140.222.24.3)  165
> 12  * t3-1.San-Francisco-cnss8.t3.ans.net (140.222.8.2)  330 ms *
> 13  t3-0.San-Francisco-cnss9.t3.ans.net (140.222.9.1)  183 ms  2s
> 14  t3-0.San-Francisco-cnss11.t3.ans.net (140.222.11.1)
> 15  * * *

I tried it from my full internet provider, Digital Express from site
access.digex.net (164.109.10.3):

 1  enss230.digex.net (164.109.1.1)  2 ms  1 ms  1 ms
 2  t1-3.Washington-DC-cnss59.t3.ans.net (140.222.59.3)  4 ms  4 ms  5 ms
 3  t3-3.Washington-DC-cnss58.t3.ans.net (140.222.58.4)  4 ms  6 ms  4 ms
 4  t3-3.Washington-DC-cnss56.t3.ans.net (140.222.56.4)  5 ms  4 ms  4 ms
 5  t3-0.New-York-cnss32.t3.ans.net (140.222.32.1)  10 ms  12 ms  10 ms
 6  t3-1.Cleveland-cnss40.t3.ans.net (140.222.40.2)  22 ms  21 ms  21 ms
 7  t3-2.Chicago-cnss24.t3.ans.net (140.222.24.3)  28 ms  29 ms  28 ms
 8  t3-1.San-Francisco-cnss8.t3.ans.net (140.222.8.2)  70 ms  70 ms  70 ms
 9  mf-0.San-Francisco-cnss11.t3.ans.net (140.222.8.195)  165 ms  71 ms
10  * * *
11  * * *

This confirms what has been inferred on the com-priv list <com-priv@
psi.com>:

Digital Express (and U of Toronto) connect to the U.S. Internet via
ANS CO+RE.  Rensaeler connects to the U.S. Internet via the Commercial
Internet Exchange (CIX) member ALTERNET, as apparently does Kremvax.

This appears to confirm what was implied before: that CIX members are
not connecting non-CIX member Internet sites to the CIX member portion
of the Internet.  Since they are a commercial installation, this is
their privelege to do; they are paying for the backbone, they can
decide to refuse connections from sites that aren't paying them for
access.

Sounds like the days when cities had two telephone companies and
larger sites had to have phones on both systems.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

Subject: Reverse Phone Directory News
From: [e-mail] (Ray Normandeau)
Date: 15 Nov 93 11:21:00 GMT
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York City, NY - 212-274-8298v.32bis
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Ray Normandeau)


 From CompuServe: TRY PHONE*FILE WITHOUT SURCHARGES

Search Phone*File, CompuServe's online people directory, through
17-Nov and the $15 per hour connect-time surcharge is waived.

Phone*File allows you to access name and address information on more
than 75 million U.S. households. Use Phone*File to locate old friends
and update your mailing list before sending your holiday greetings.

To access Phone*File, a part of CompuServe's extended services, GO
PHONEFILE.

Phone*File is only available during certain hours:
Monday through Saturday 6:00 am to 2:30 am EST
Sunday 10 am to 8 pm EST

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

It has been operating VEEEERY SLOWLY due to large amount of people now
accessing it.

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

From: [e-mail] (Hyeong-Kyo Kim)
Subject: Videoconference System Questions
Organization: ETRI
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 09:05:21 GMT


Hi,

Where can I find material (books or papers) on video conference
systems?  Your help would be greatly appreciated.


Hyeong-Kyo Kim   Senior Member of Research Staff
Media Application Section, Human Interface Dept.

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

From: Michael Jansson <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 13:48:33 +0100
Subject: Minitel Questions


Hello, I saw in a message that you know things about Minitel.

Perhaps you could help me to find out if there is any termcap for the
MiniTel terminals that could be used on a Unix system?

I must admit that I have not much knowledge about MiniTel, but the way
it's been explained to me it is basically a terminal with a built in
modem and rather specialized graphics. It seems possible to use it as
a (rudimentary) terminal for a Unix system.

    Am I wrong? Thanks for your help / Jonas

PS. Please reply to me as [e-mail] - this is just were I look
for newsgroups that our system does not receive.


[Moderator's Note: Everything I know about Minitel is in the Telecom
Archives, accessible using anonymous ftp lcs.mit.edu. You would log
in, then 'cd telecom-archives' and 'cd minitel'. To pull those files
be sure and set type 'I' since they are compressed. Email service
users would get them with the SENDPACK command.   PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 08:58:46 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: Synoptics 5000 Intelligent Hub


I am looking for organizations that have had a chance to evaluate
Synoptics' new 5000 intelligent hub.  The 5000 proposes a new wiring
scheme for networks.  That is, a migration from router-centric
networks to structured wiring networks based on MDF hubs.

Specifically, my questions are:

   The composition of your networks in terms of hubs and routers.

   What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of this strategy?

   How long will it take to make this migration?  Impact on router ports
   required within this new paradigm?

   Have you had an opportunity to evaluate other vendors MDF-based hubs?

Thank you very much in advance.


Alex M. Cena   Lehman Brothers   [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 12:55:10 -0500
From: Caleb Hess <[e-mail]>
Subject: Info on Old Key System Wanted


I recently moved into a house that included a TIE EK-516B phone
system.  Can anyone provide technical details on this system, such as
how to upgrade it with features like autoredial?  Or is it a hopeless
relic, useful only as a room-to-room intercom?

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 08:46:43 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


Bob Tykulsker <[e-mail]>, writes:

> I am having a new home built and would like to install the wiring
> now that I might need for future technologies.  What would you
> recommend? Cable, fiber, copper, etc. Any suggestions welcome.

Unless fiber is available in your area now, go with a large amount of
copper wire. Put your demarc in the basement, and run at least twisted
six-pair to each room, in star format, e.g. each room's wiring is
separate.  This allows you to have two phone lines and still have room
for two four-line circuits.  The difference in price between four pair
and six pair is probably negligible (less than 5c per foot, maybe even
the same price); I know the last time I checked the price of 25 pair
was about 10c a foot more than four pair. Count on the fact that the
amount of information being sent will require more wiring and more
circuits, not less.  Having too much wiring simply means a slight
extra expense since more than 5/8 of the cost of wiring is the wages
for the installer.

Let's say you end up using 200 feet of six-pair twisted at 40c a foot,
versus buying 200 feet of four-pair at 35c.  The cost for the extra
two pairs will have added an extra $10 to the cost. If you ever need
another line, it's going to cost a lot more than $10.  And don't
forget that the time taken for the install is going to be the same in
either case.

One possibility is to have "wire trap" capability; it's done in
buildings because people have to reinstall new equipment; almost never
have I seen it done in homes.  Here's what you do.  Run wiring through
specific holes in the walls or airspaces specifically set aside for
wiring.  At the base of the point where the wiring runs up and down
the wall from floor to floor, at floor level you put in a wall-jack or
a blank face plate.

Behind that face plate is the hole that leads down to the area where
the wire comes from.  Someone can drop a weighted string down the
hole, and reach the demarc, then pull new wire up through the hole.
Then run it from there to wherever it has to go.  In short, leaving a
straight-line accessible empty space sufficient to reach to the wire.
Another thing to do is to run the wire in a "trap box" behind the
baseboard; have each jack open into the trap box which means a stiff
line with a loop on it can be used to pull new wire through later on.
Note that this is used only for communications.  You can run a second
trap box, separated from it, to house the BX cable for the electric
sockets, so as to reduce RFI.

Also, in each room with a south-facing window, put a 220 plug for air
conditioning even if you have central air.  At some point someone may
want to use a single air conditioner without enabling the entire
system.  Also, put each room's wall sockets on separate breakers from
the lights, and if there is a room that a computer is going to go in,
pick a spot and put that wall socket on its own 10- or 15- amp socket,
or set up a group of sockets that will be used only for a computer and
put all of them on their own 30 amp socket, and make sure the sockets
for that purpose are marked as "for computer use" because the computer
may be drawing a lot more power.  Make sure those circuits have good
grounding, perhaps even put in grounded outlets specifically for the
computer outlets.

Oh yes; for the benefit of the future occupants, find the gas line and
permanently attach laminated red tags that say "GAS LINE - DO NOT USE
FOR GROUND."

Make sure the breaker box in the basement has an indicator as to what
each switch turns on and off.  There's nothing more frustrating than a
house with 30 breakers and a blank indicator that doesn't tell you
anything about what each switch turns on and off.

Also, put in cable-tv wire to each room in the house at the same time
and also run the wire to the roof with an outdoor weather insulated
terminator there and include a weatherized outdoor electrical socket
in case the dish or your antenna has an electric motor; this will
allow you to hook up your house to the TV antenna or satelite dish
much easier.  As a PS to this, if you will be putting a satellite dish
on your house, try to see if you can't get the house eaves created in
such a way that there is a flat place on the roof not visible from the
street; this will allow the dish to be more stable and prevent
complaints about your satellite dish (since the city doesn't get cable
license fees from private satellite dishes, they sometimes make
trouble even thought this is permitted under federal law.)


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #762
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa12667;
          16 Nov 93 6:43 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA04601
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 03:11:32 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA14733
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 03:10:55 -0600
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1993 03:10:55 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #763

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 16 Nov 93 03:10:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 763

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Book Review: "Communications for Cooperating Systems" (Rob Slade)
    Community Plan vs Circle Plan (was 65 per Line or 65*per Line) (R Topolski)
    More Contact From Sprint (Chris Ambler)
    Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today (Roy M. Silvernail)
    DMS 100 CID vs. SMDI Revisited (Michael D. Corbett)
    GTE Responds! (Was: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage November 5th) (R. McMillin)
    Comdex Information Wanted (Mike Boeur)
    Along the Delaware River (Carl Moore)
    USA Providers of X.25 (J. R. Pendleton)
    MCI Internet Service (David J. Cazier)
    Common Carrier - Information Please (Thomas Freeman)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 15 Nov 93 15:06 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Communications for Cooperating Systems" by Cypser


BKCMCOOP.RVW  931014

Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
Kelly Ford, Promotion/Publicity Coordinator
P.O. Box 520  26 Prince Andrew Place
Don Mills, Ontario   M3C 2T8
416-447-5101   fax: [phone]
or
Tiffany Moore, Publicity  [e-mail]
1 Jacob Way
Reading, MA   01867-9984
800-527-5210    617-944-3700
5851 Guion Road
Indianapolis, IN   46254
800-447-2226
"Communications for Cooperating Systems", Cypser, 1991

The subtitle of this book is "OSI, SNA and TCP/IP," thus giving a
nice, neutral alphabetic ordering to the systems.  In reality this is
"SNA with OSI and TCP/IP."  The organization, examples and slant to
the material is all unmistakably IBM: not altogether surprising, given
that they sponsored the Systems Programming Series from which it
comes.

Regardless of the generalities given in the preface, the intent seems
to be to prove that SNA can "fit in" with OSI and TCP/IP.  That it
does need not be surprising: both systems are quite flexible.
However, please do note the emphasis here.  You *can* learn about OSI
and TCP/IP from this book, but it will be, as it were, through
IBM-coloured glasses.  The structure of the book itself follows the
SNA/SAA (systems network/application architecture) model, with a
four-layer model which only fits the OSI (open systems
interconnection) seven-layer or TCP/IP (transmission control
protocol/internet protocol) five-layer model after some degree of
work.

Part one comprises an overview and introduction, with three chapters
listing the usual platitudes regarding the needs and desires for open
systems.  Part two describes "Application - Services," which is "above
the top" of both the OSI and TCP/IP models, and has no parallel
structures other than application programs.  Part three discusses the
"End-to-End Data-Exchange Facilities" which relates to the
applications layer on both OSI and TCP/IP diagrams.  Part four talks
of "Transport Inter-Subnetwork Facilities" relevant to the
presentation and session layers of OSI (and subsumed within the
application layer in TCP/IP).  Part five deals with
"Link/Subnetwork-Access Facilities" which comprise the bottom four
layers of both models.  (Notable here is chapter seventeen which,
somewhat surprisingly, gives an excellent overview of local area
networks and all component parts.)

While the book is fair and accurate as far as it goes, the IBM bias is
deeply entrenched, mostly in terms of what is *not* covered.  It is
instructive to note that neither OSI nor TCP/IP are defined in the
glossary (or anywhere else).  As only one example, in discussions of
presentation, ASCII and EBCDIC are listed but not Unicode, and there
is no mention of MIME at all.

An attempt has been made to present the book as a possible course
text.  "Exercises" are found at the end of each chapter.  They are
simple queries taken from the bottom of the questioning taxonomy.  To
answer all correctly you need only read the chapter and recognize a
few key words.  The "technical references" are of use only if you work
within an SNA/SAA environment.  The two bibliographies could have been
compiled by collating "Books in Print" with a periodical index.

There is a very definite need for this book.  SNA/SAA, although by no
means an "open" system, has a large installed base, and one that is
still expanding.  Those both inside the IBM camp and without have
requirements to "cooperate" with each other.  This work serves as a
valuable guide not to the implementation of gateways, but to the IBM
mindset and jargon.  Those on both sides will find it a helpful
introduction to "how the other half lives."

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKCMCOOP.RVW  931014
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Robb Topolski)
Subject: Community Plan vs. Circle Plan (was 65 per Line or 65*per Line?)
Organization: KJ6YT
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 22:32:14 GMT


Paul Robinson ([e-mail]) wrote:

> [...] So then the clerk at the phone company told me that the number
> of phone calls that can be made on an account without being charged is
> 65 times the number of lines assigned to that account, e.g. for an
> account with three lines, there would be no message unit charge until
> the account used more than 190 calls.

> I have finished the testing I wanted to do and have one more thing to
> try so I called today to take Caller-ID off one line and put it on a
> different one. Now I am told the original story -- that each line has
> a limit of 65 calls whether or not the lines are billed to one party
> or separately billed -- e.g. if I use 66 on one line and 5 on the
> other, I will be charged for one message unit. The phone company clerk
> tells me that each line is individually metered and it doesn't matter
> whether the three lines are attached to one account or billed to three
> different accounts.

> I have gotten totally disgusted at this whipsaw effect.  I explained
> to the clerk that I want her to get ahold of her supervisor and find
> the tariff schedule and mail me a copy of the tariff.  I explained to
> her that if what she is telling me is correct, then I need to reset my
> phone service back the way I had it before.

> [...] I am going to get to the bottom of this once and for all.

I had a similar thing happen earlier this year.  I called Pacific Bell
and asked them to sign me up for CALL BONUS COMMUNITY PLAN.  For 16.50
+ $5 "installation", I got a discount of 30% to calls to a particular
CO and an ititial allowance of $33.00 against those calls.  I remember
when I signed up, I explained that I was going to be making a lot of
calls and wanted the maximum discount I could get.  I even investigated
getting a foreign exchange or doing some remote call-fowararding hopping.
I was assured this would be the cheapest.

My first telephone bill, with the discount, was 336.00.  This prompted
Pac Bell to call me and offer to add CALL BONUS CIRCLE CALLING.  $4.75
plus $5 "installation" bought me an additional 30% discount on these
calls and others made within a wide circle around my home.

My second telephone bill, with the double discount, was 507.24.
Looking over the bill, it seemed to me that the CALL BONUS CIRCLE PLAN
30% discount was applied only to calls made to CO's OTHER than the one
I had signed up for under the CALL BONUS COMMUNITY PLAN.

I called PacBell and spoke to a billing clerk who explained that the
two plans exclude each other, and that the tariff doesn't allow them
to combine the two.  I finally did get to speak with a supervisor who
issued a one-time $210 credit for the errantly promised additional
discount, fees, and installation charges.

This was satisfactory, especially since I've learned that they are
protected from their own bad information.  In California, if the
telephone company gives you information that contradicts the tariff,
the tariff (since it is a readily available public document) prevails.

And this is the way it has always been with Pacific Bell and me.  I've
heard horror stories about GTE and the way they treat their customers.
Other than the occasional error (like this one), I am treated well.

And, in case you're wondering, my big telephone bill days are over.  I'm
back to paying about $70 a month.


Robert M. Topolski <[e-mail]>

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Ambler - Fubar)
Subject: More Contact From Sprint
Organization: The Phishtank
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 23:50:00 GMT


Another in the never ending saga of the Sprint Modem Offer gone Bad.
If you'll recall, in our last episode, I recalled how it was going,
and that I was waiting for word from the California Secretary of State
on Sprint's registered agent in this state.

The following is a recap of the events of today, as I did promise to
keep you all up to date. This is all to the best of my memory and my
notes, but I will state (and you will see why) that it is all my
opinions here.

I received a call this afternoon from a David Matson at Sprint. He
asked that I not post his phone number, so I am complying with that
request. He identified himself as a CSG with Sprint.

It appears, and this is my opinion, that Sprint has copies of all my
posts here to comp.dcom.telecom. Mr. Matson seemed to quote directly
from them, though he denied that he had them in front of him when I
asked. He was very concerned with the 'truth,' as he said, and
continually queried me on whether or not all items I have posted to
the net were absolutely true.  (Hence, the "opinion" at the beginning
on this paragraph). He advised me that my previous posts did not
appear to be in opinion, but a statement of fact, to which he
questioned some of the facts.

During the initial call he was very vague, and seemed to be feeling me
out for information. When I told him what my grievance with Sprint
was, he asked me where I'd heard the information on the offer, and
made analogies to situations in an attempt to see if I agreed that
they were similar.  When I mentioned that I had heard of the offer
from a friend, and called a Sprint customer service rep to get
details, he attempted to draw the conclusion that I had not heard the
original radio advertisement, and that that was a problem. I advised
him of what I had been counseled regarding public offers,
advertisements, and contracts. He made a bad joke about people who
think they are lawyers.

He asserted that he believed that I was recording the conversation.

He brought up the question as to whether or not I had been completely
truthful when I had said that I had sent off to the Secretary of State
for their registered agent, and sent mail to Sprint outlining my
problem with them. When I told him that I was under the impression
that I could not send that to anyone other than their registered
agent, and as such, I was waiting for a reply from the SOS office, he
implied that I had posted an untruth, and had better take pains not to
do that in the future.

When I queried him, at the end of our first call (there were two) as
to his name, the line went silent, and disconnected about two minutes
later. He called back shortly thereafter and asked if I had hung up. I
said no, and asked again for his name and phone number which he gave,
the phone number on the condition that I not post it to the net.

All in all, and again, in my opinion, I found the phone call in bad
taste, productiveless, and bordering on harassing. It did, however,
give me quite a bit to talk with counsel about. I seriously question
some of the things that he told me.

I'm being somewhat vague here, since it is apparent to me now that
Sprint is reading all posts on here. Greetings.

It is apparent to me, in my opinion, that Sprint is preparing to fight
this.  I am prepared as well, and no amount of phone calls from Sprint
is going to convince me that they should be released from being
accountable for what they seem to think is an honest error, or an
error on my part.

And once again, lest they try to hang it over my head, this entire
post has come live and direct from the opinion of none other than
myself. Any facts contained herein are still a product of my opinion.

Is it obvious that I am bitter?

Again, anyone with anything to add, pointers to legal issues, a letter
stating that Sprint made you the same offer, or anything, please drop
me email!


++Christopher(); // [e-mail], home of the .plan of Doom!
Christopher J. Ambler, Author, FSUUCP 1.41, FSVMP 1.0, [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: There have been many Sprint employees on the Digest
mailing list for years, and from time to time they send in articles as
well.   PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today
From: [e-mail] (Roy M. Silvernail)
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1993 22:20:57 CST
Organization: The Villa CyberSpace, executive headquarters


In comp.dcom.telecom, [e-mail] writes:

> [e-mail] (Rosella Bartonico) writes:

>> The Smart One Fax Modem from Best Data Products, Inc.
>> 9600/4800 bps send/receive fax
>> 2400/1200/300 bps data modem
>>   with V.42bis and MNP error correction and data compression

> Interesting:

> This modem could indeed be represented as a 9600 data/fax modem.

> 9600 bps send fax and 9600 throughput max with v.42bis.

Yes, but the v.42/v.42bis/MNP is handled by a software driver, so it's
not actually _in_ the modem.


Roy M. Silvernail |+|  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: My modem showed up via UPS on Monday, with the
letter enclosed about the disruptions in California. I spent a couple
hours Monday evening installing it and getting aquainted with it, and
I really like it. I tried both the fax and data aspects of it and
although it is 2400 on data, it seems to do a lot better at that
speed than the other external units I have which are much older. In
fact, I am now going to be making the Digest available by fax to any-
one who wants to receive it that way for the cost of the phone calls.
I think this was a great offer from Sprint, even if there has been
various misunderstandings about exactly what was offered.   PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 17:30:02 -0800
From: Michael D. Corbett <[e-mail]>
Subject: DMS 100 CID vs. SMDI Revisited


Hello again,

About two months ago, I posted a note to this Digest asking about
Caller ID, and how that would affect an SMDI data link.  Briefly, when
CID is activated, it appears that the information is reformatted into
a valid SMDI data link packet, and sent in _addition_ to the SMDI
packets.

A few kind souls responded to me and indicated it was a software
switch, and the CO could disable the CID packets being sent to the
SMDI link.  Initially this seemed to work, but as more CO's enable
this feature, certain CO's claim "It CAN'T be done!", while others
seem to have no problem.  The particular switch in question is a DMS
100.  Is there anyone that can point me in a particular direction to
find documentation explaining just how a CO tech would go about
disabling this feature?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Mike Corbett               Internet: [e-mail]
Applied Voice Technology   Voice:    [phone]
P.O. Box 97025             Fax:      [phone]
Kirkland WA 98083          I speak only for myself, not AVT!

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 20:51 PST
From: [e-mail] (Robert L. McMillin)
Subject: GTE Responds! (was Nationwide GTE 800 Outage November 5th)


I had received only one reply to my earlier query about trouble
accessing 800 numbers out of the Redondo Beach, CA exchange, an area
serviced by GTE.  That reply said that GTE had experienced no outage,
at least, not a nationwide one.

That would have ended the story there, except for a tidbit that
arrived in today's e-mail.  Gery Sommer, a GTE employee, responded to
my query on the Digest, saying that during the process of "upgrading
switch software ... [a] glitch prevented customers in the Los Angeles
basin from reaching 800 numbers.  The glitch occurred at approximately
11 a.m. Thursday ... [and was fixed by] 1:15 p.m. Thursday."

While this doesn't excuse problematic software swaps (why weren't they
doing this in the middle of the night?), I have to say that after many
years of decidedly inferior service from GTE (as opposed to Pac*Bell),
this is a refreshing change.  What impressed me further were his
comments that GTE is experimenting with various computer networks --
including the Internet -- as a tool for resolving problems with the
GTE network.  Hopefully, this is a sign that the days of bad service
are over, or at least, are starting to end.


Robert L. McMillin | Surf City Software | [e-mail] | Dude!

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Boeur)
Subject: Comdex Information Wanted
Date: 16 Nov 93 03:52:43 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada


Hi there. Can anyone please tell me how long Comdex goes on for this week?
Also, does anyone know:

 1. Is Spectrum Information Technologies exhibiting at Comdex?
 2. Is John Sculley (New president) speaking at any events associated with
Comdex in Las Vegas this week?

Please e-mail your responses to [e-mail]. If you have
any faxable information, please fax to Michael Boeur at the Science
Council of BC, FAX [phone]. Thanks a million. Much appreciated.


[Moderator's Note: In an issue of the Digest on Monday, I printed a
very detailed article outlining AT&T's participation in the show.  PAT

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 16:31:12 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Along the Delaware River


I recall 215-297 Carversville along the Delaware River and including
Point Pleasant, where I went on a tubing outing in July.  Apparently
the next exchange north along Pennsylvania route 32 (which parallels
the Delaware River) is 215-294 (Uhlerstown), which is on a list I have
received for the 610 area (297 is not). Exchanges across the river
are 609-397 Lambertville and 908-996 Frenchtown.  So 215, 610, 609,
and 908 will meet or almost meet at a corner.

(Next exchange SOUTH along the river from Carversville is 215-862 New
Hope, the town which is across from the town of Lambertville.)

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

From: [e-mail] (J. R. Pendleton)
Subject: USA Providers of X.25
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 22:48:17 GMT


I have been working on a project that uses dedicated phone lines to
have data communications between small (PC) computers and big (Sierra)
computers.  The data thruput requirements are not high and tends to
occur in bursts.  A 2400 baud modem handles the traffic just fine.
(We are running Burroughs Poll-select and SNA via SDLC)

The cost of dedicating a string of copper between two geographically
distant computers is prohibitive. Our group has been discussing the
possibilities of reducing line costs by using X.25 networks.  We
suspect that if the billing is done by volume, we can get a big win by
converting to packet.  I understand there are X.25 providers in
europe.  But what about the United States?

If anyone has any insight on existing USA based X.25 public networks I
would be grateful.  Information on costs and any experience with the
above protocols on packet (yes, I know, synchronous methods on
packet ...) would really be appreciated.

I will be happy to summarize for the group if requested.

Many thanks in advance from a bunch of X.25 idiots.


Jerry Pendleton
[e-mail]    Voice: [phone]
Jerald R. Pendleton  Amateur: KC6RTO
Castro Valley, Ca.   Party: Republican

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

From: [e-mail] (David J. Cazier)
Subject: MCI Internet Service
Date: 15 Nov 1993 23:16:54 GMT
Organization: Software Technology Branch, Johnson Space Center, NASA
Reply-To: [e-mail]


While I don't want to focus on MCI, I reference MCI as an example to
pose my question. I have a friend living in Grants Pass, Oregon, who
wishes to connect to Internet but currently has to call long distance
to gain access to a univeristy account for e-mail access. MCI offers
something similar via an 800 number but you have to pay $0.50 for the
first K of data and then $0.29 for each K thereafter ... this may be
about the best deal one can get from a site like Grants Pass ... but
it would seem that the Northwest Bell system would offer some type of
inexpensive Eugene, OR, line so he could access Internet via the
University there.

Is anyone aware of inexpensive services like this that interface with
Internet?  Or other means to legally access Internet e-mail?


[Moderator's Note: If all he wants to do is get email, there are lots
of ways to get that. If he wants real-time live interconnection to use
things like IRC, Telnet, FTP and etc then that is a different matter.
If all he wants is email access, then MCI Mail offers that, as does
Sprint Mail and ATT Mail.  Is that all he wants?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Thomas Freeman)
Subject: Common Carrier - Information Please
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 23:25:11 GMT


I have had e-mail with a couple of people since I originally posted
this message.

At the end of this message is a section of a message that I sent to
Mike Godwin of EFF, and his reply.

I found the files:   computer.bbs.and.the.law  and sysops.legal.liability
in the telecom-archives directory at lcs.mit.edu to be relevant to
what I was really interest in.

My expanded query:

>> What I'm actually interested in is knowing more about the liability
>> involved in running a BBS system.  Since posting that query I have
>> read two summaries about such liability in the telecom archives on
>> the machine lcs.mit.edu.  If you do know of a good source of information
>> on any of these issues I would certainly appreciate a pointer.
>> One person as asked me to share whatever I find out, and I may post
>> a follow-up to the newsgroup if there seems to be more interest.

The reply:

> The short answer is, you can't become a common carrier, and you don't want
> to be one. A common carrier gets exempt from liability, but only as a
> trade for regulation, and for a commitment to carry all traffic from all
> people. No BBS I've ever heard of wants to run that way -- they at least
> want to be able to prune off-topic postings, sanction disruptive users,
> and preserve the character of the system.


[Moderator's Note: I would disagree with Mike Godwin on the 'commitment
to carry all traffic from all people'. Common carriers can have
qualifications required to use the system, along with regulations and
rules pertaining to its use. The bus company is a common carrier, but
if the bus goes to Detroit and you want to go to Chicago, you have to
find another bus; you can't force them to take you. Neither is a
common carrier obliged to serve customers who are disruptive to the
other customers or who pose a security risk. How this relates to a BBS
is simply that a BBS can define its purpose and intentions; then it
must accept all users equally without favor or discrimination who
desire to also share the same purpose and intentions. If my BBS is
clearly devoted to discussions about classical music and social
issues, I need not take users who want to discuss acid rock and the
Chicago White Sox. I can be a common carrier and still regulate my
user's behavior in a reasonable, non-discriminatory way to all
*qualified* users.  PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #763
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa16023;
          16 Nov 93 15:26 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA14016
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 11:45:46 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA02621
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 11:45:00 -0600
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1993 11:45:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #764

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 16 Nov 93 11:45:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 764

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Fred R. Goldstein)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Carl Oppedahl)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Marco S. Hyman)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (R. Kevin Oberman)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Dick Rawson)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Samir Soliman)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (David Boettger)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (James R. Ebright)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Tom Crawford, Qualcomm via Alex Cena)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (David Hough)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Fred R. Goldstein)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 15 NOV 93 17:48:14
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton MA USA


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]-
state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:

> Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
> regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market forces.
> ISDN 0, Market 1.

> Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
> the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...

At the risk of seeming boring, let me restate the laws of physics.

Modems are designed for analog lines, which in turn are implemented in
most cases using digital techniques.  So you take a 62ish (64 kbps
minus signaling) kbps channel, convert it to analog for the modem, and
convert data to analog in the modem.  With these two conversions on a
GOOD line, you can get 28.8 kbps with a V.fast modem.  That's the
bleeding edge, and approaches the "Shannon limit" for typical lines
(though some phone lines are better).

ISDN just takes the 64 kbps channel, which _might_ lose 8 kbps for
signaling, and passes it right to the end user without the D:A:D
conversion.  So it's roughly twice as fast as any modem can ever be.

IF you can get ISDN, then it'll blow the doors off of any modem.  And
yes, you can compress data over ISDN.  Take a BRI with two B channels,
run serious compression over low-entropy data, and get a megabit/sec
over a local phone line!  Of course, that's only if you believe in 8:1
compressibility, which applies to very little data in any case.


Fred R. Goldstein   [e-mail]
k1io             or [e-mail]   voice:[phone]
Standard Disclaimer:  Opinions are mine alone; sharing requires permission.

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 15 Nov 1993 19:36:06 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(James R Ebright) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> john.eichler@grapevine.
> lrk.ar.us (John Eichler) writes:

>> [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:

>>> I should think that New York Telephone, which fills the front pages of
>>> every telephone directory with glowing talk of up-to-date digital
>>> technology, would be embarassed at its apparent failure to deploy ISDN
>>> beyond a handful of Manhattan exchanges.

>> It's almost a 'catch-22' proposition.  The phone companies are slow to
>> implement ISDN because there is little demand for it and the demand is
>> waiting for the service to become available.

> Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
> regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market forces.
> ISDN 0, Market 1.

No, that's not right.  even a V.fast modem only reaches what, 28 kbps.
Some people say "oh, but with data compression the rate can be much
higher".  But that same data compression can be employed on a 56KBPS
line (or, if the carriers get it worked out, 64KBPS) to maintain a
two-to-one advantage.  Besides which, the fundamentally asynchronous
nature of V.32++ modems is ever-so-slightly less efficient in the time
domain than a synchronous link.

Finally, let's not forget that for some applications the call setup
time really matters.  ISDN call setups can be less than a second, I'm
told, while a local V.32bis/V.42bis setup can take 22 seconds or more,
and a long-distance one can be 50 seconds or more.  If you want to
have a real-time pseudo-continuous link between, say, two LANs, where
the link is setup when needed and then turned off, the call setup time
of a modem might be prohibitive.

And for some people, the D channel of ISDN is likely to be handy.
Burglar alarm monitoring, credit card validations ... lots of other
things too.

For still others, the B channel data delivery on voice calls would be
handy.  (ANI, CNID, etc.)

>> This is just another example of the difficult time we will have
>> installing a nationwide 'information highway'.

> It will be if TPC (the phone company) is in charge of installation ;)

>> I guess the only way to move the telephone companies is for tens of
>> thousands of us little guys to keep asking them for ISDN until they
>> wake up and realize that they are losing big bucks in not providing
>> this vital service.

> Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
> the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...

Of course for many applications you are right.  But for some applications,
ISDN would offer advantages.


Carl Oppedahl AA2KW  (patent lawyer)
1992 Commerce Street #309
Yorktown Heights, NY  10598-4412
voice 212-777-1330

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

From: [e-mail] (Marco S Hyman)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: Codewrights/Ascend Communications
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 18:31:10 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]-
state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:

> Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
> regular analog lines can almost do this today.

Arrgggghhh!  How come this apples to oranges comparison comes up again
and again?  Your analog modem today does 14.4 kbit/s and uses
compression to get to 57.6.  This is fine IFF YOUR DATA CAN BE
COMRESSED 4:1.  If you're sending pre-compressed data you get 14.4.

If your 14.4 kbit/s phone line does 57.6 then my 56 kbit/s digital
service can do 224 kbit/s and isdn lines can do 256 kbit/s.

Of course this leaves out the other difference -- your modem probably
has an async serial interface and the digital service probably has a
sync serial interface.


marc     [e-mail] or [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 18:41:06 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]-
state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:

> Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
> the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...

V.Fast modems are pretty impressive, but ISDN they ain't!

I don't understand how people can keep saying that V.fast is "just
about as fast as ISDN". I belive that V.fast is 28 Kbps. That's a LOT
less than a single 64 Kbps ISDN B channel and not even in the ballpark
of the 128 Kbps available on the two B channels in a BRI.

While some modem purveyors are claiming much faster speeds, these are
the result of data compression which works just as well over ISDN as
over a modem.  If you stick to apple-apples comparisons it's still 128
Kbps vs. 28 Kbps and that's a big difference by any measure.


R. Kevin Oberman        Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Internet: [e-mail]    [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dick Rawson)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 15 Nov 1993 17:19:50 GMT
Organization: BT North America, San Jose CA.


> Buy a V.fast modem for $499 and get most of the benefit without
> the aggrevation of Waiting For Godot ...

"Most of the benefit"?

Well, half the speed!  On a clear day, you can see, say, 24 to 28 k
bits/sec from a "V.fast" modem.  That's at most half the 56 to 64 k
bits/sec of a single ISDN B-channel, and the ISDN Basic Rate Interface
has two B-channels.  (And your LEC would like to charge you for both
of them.)

You can run a compression algorithm over either bit stream, so it is
not appropriate to compare a "compressed V.fast" with "uncompressed
B-channel" connection.


Dick Rawson    [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 13:49:53 -0800
From: Samir Soliman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


In article <[e-mail]>, Ed Casas <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> I think these "technical advantages" are mostly a result of Qualcomm
> marketing.  For example, I looked at Qualcomm's claims for capacity
> improvement and found that their claims were made on the basis of
> grossly unfair comparisons.  For example, the Qualcomm system assumed:
> more-directional base station antennas, turning off the transmitter
> during silent periods to reduce interference, the use of low-rate
> high-gain codes, the use of low-rate speech coding, etc.

> A fair comparison would have been between a second-generation TDMA
> system (which could make use of many of the above techniques) and a
> CDMA system.  I think you would then see the capacity advantage for
> CDMA eliminated.  You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts
> off with a major handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals
> anywhere near as well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.  You have to use
> a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.

> To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.

All the features you have mentioned (except for the more-directional
base station antennas) are true features of the existing CDMA system.
A system that has been extensively tested by Qualcomm and other
interested customers. Some customers did the testing on their own and
others in cooperation with Qualcomm.

I don't know what did you mean by "more-directional base station
antennas".  If you mean more sectorized sites, let me tell you that
although sectorization improves the trunking efficiency in CDMA,
nevertheless we don't count its effect in calculating the relative
capacity of CDMA (we usually compare the CDMA capacity to AMPS
capacity, therefore if the AMPS uses sectorized cells we calculate
capacity based on sectorized sites too).

The parameters that really gets factored into the capacity equations
are the voice activity factor, processing gain and the frequency reuse
efficiency.

Talking about fairness, you need to compare what TDMA can offer now
vs.  what CDMA can offer now. Otherwise you are giving fairness a bad
name.


Samir S. Soliman        Staff Engineer/Manager
Qualcomm Incorporated   email: [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 14:18:00 +0000
From: David Boettger <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


In article <[e-mail]> was written:

> In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]> wrote:

>> I personally suspect this is a bit of a religious debate,

> I think these "technical advantages" are mostly a result of Qualcomm
> marketing.  For example, I looked at Qualcomm's claims for capacity
> improvement and found that their claims were made on the basis of
> grossly unfair comparisons.  For example, the Qualcomm system assumed:
> more-directional base station antennas, turning off the transmitter
> during silent periods to reduce interference, the use of low-rate
> high-gain codes, the use of low-rate speech coding, etc.

Have you read IS-95 (CDMA spec) or IS-54B (TDMA) spec? You cite
discontinuous transmission, high-gain channel coding, and low-rate
source coding as reasons why the comparison is "grossly unfair".
First, they are not assumptions; they are part of the CDMA spec.
Second, IS-54B _also_ specifies high-gain channel coding and low-rate
source coding. I don't see the gross unfairness. As far as "more
directional base station antennas" goes, I've not heard anything of
that.

> CDMA eliminated.  You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts
> off with a major handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals
> anywhere near as well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.  You have to use
> a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.

What do you mean "separating signals"? If your're talking about
multipath, IS-95 specifies a five-fingered RAKE receiver, designed for
just that. If you're talking about co-channel interference, the reason
CDMA works is that, if one chooses codes properly, many users can
share one frequency resource. CDMA's correlators, by definition, MUST
do a superlative job of signal separation.

> To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.

I certainly won't take issue with that.


David Boettger    [e-mail]
I don't speak for my employer.

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

From: [e-mail] (James R Ebright)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Date: 16 Nov 1993 03:43:27 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ed Casas)
writes:

> A fair comparison would have been between a second-generation TDMA
> system (which could make use of many of the above techniques) and a
> CDMA system.  I think you would then see the capacity advantage for
> CDMA eliminated.  You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts
> off with a major handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals
> anywhere near as well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.  You have to use
> a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.

> To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.

TDMA is certainly in wider use than CDMA ... but that's not saying
much :)

The phone folks I spoke to were experimenting with CDMA but if they
had to put something on the air today, most used TDMA and hoped for
the abovementioned improvements.

BTW, did the Qualcomm suit against the other CDMA vendor ever get
settled?  Single vendor technologies are not usually welcomed in the
telcom industry ;)


Jim Ebright   e-mail: [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 16 Nov 93 10:55:49 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


Attached are comments from Tom Crawford at Qualcomm after I forwarded
him a copy of the TDMA vs CDMA debate on the Digest.

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

Alex,

I am sure you knew the TDMA vs. CDMA comments would get under my skin
and I would have to respond.  How do I send this response to Ed Casas,
or to the network?  My comments are in caps:

In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]> wrote:

>> I personally suspect this is a bit of a religious debate,
>> exactly like Betamax vs. VHS, and while technical arguments
>> pro and con can be made, whoever has the best marketing is
>> going to win.  (wink wink)

CARRIERS ARE GOING TO INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, IF NOT
MORE, IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.  I SUSPECT THEY WILL LOOK BEYOND THE
"BEST MARKETING" PITCH TO THE UNDERLYING CAPABILITIES OF THE
TECHNOLOGIES.

> It's certainly the case that the debate will be settled
> politically, but it turns out that CDMA has major technical
> advantages: ...

I think these "technical advantages" are mostly a result of Qualcomm
marketing.  For example, I looked at Qualcomm's claims for capacity
improvement and found that their claims were made on the basis of
grossly unfair comparisons.  For example, the Qualcomm system assumed:
more-directional base station antennas, turning off the transmitter
during silent periods to reduce interference, the use of low-rate
high-gain codes, the use of low-rate speech coding, etc.

"GROSSLY UNFAIR COMPARISONS" ARE HARDLY AN ACCURATE WAY TO DESCRIBE
CLEAR ADVANTAGES.  QUALCOMM'S CAPACITY IS 10X TO 20X AMPS CAPACITY
USING A 3 SECTOR CELL, HARDLY "MORE-DIRECTIONAL BASE STATION
ANTENNAS".  CDMA CAN READILY UTILIZE HIGHER DEGREES OF SECTORIZATION
TO ATTAIN EVEN HIGHER CAPACITY SHOULD THAT BE NEEDED.  UTLIIZATION OF
HIGHER DEGREES OF SECTORIZATION IS ACHIEVED MUCH MUCH MORE EASILY WITH
CDMA THAN IN A TDMA SYSTEM WHERE FREQUENCY PLANNING ISSUES BECOME
INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AS SECTORIZATION INCREASES.

WITH RESPECT TO "TURNING OFF THE TRANSMITTER DURING SILENT PERIODS TO
REDUCE INTERFERENCE", WHAT DO YOU THINK TDMA DOES?  IT ONLY TRANSMITS
1/3 OF THE TIME.  WHY?  INTERFERENCE.  THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE AN
"UNFAIR COMPARISON" TO ME.

"the use of low-rate speech coding" IS AN OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD
ADVANTAGE OF CDMA.  IS-95 USES A VARIABLE RATE VOCODER.  WHEN THE
CALLER IS SPEAKING, THE CONVERSATION IS ENCODED AT 8 KBPS.  DURING A
PAUSE THE RATE GOES DOWN TO 4, OR 2, OR 1 KBPS. THIS VOCODER AVERAGES
ABOUT 4 KBPS.  JUST BECAUSE TDMA USES AN 8 KBPS VOCODER ALL THE TIME
IS THIS AN UNFAIR COMPARISON?  NOT AT ALL.  BY USING A VARIABLE RATE
VOCODER, AND THROUGH THE COMMON USE OF THE CDMA CHANNEL BY ALL CALLERS
SIMULTANEOUSLY, CDMA IS ABLE TO USE THE VOICE ACTIVITY FACTOR AND
ESSENTIALLY IMPLEMENT DIGITAL SPEECH INTERPOLATION.  THIS IS SOMETHING
TDMA IS EVOLVING TO WITH ETDMA.  HOWEVER, NOTE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE:
ETDMA WILL HAVE TO UTILIZE A HALF RATE VOCODER (4 KBPS) TO OBTAIN THE
ADDITIONAL CAPACITY.  THIS MEANS HALF RATE ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST ON
AVERAGE.  WE DO NOT FEEL THAT VOCODER TECHNOLOGY CAN CURRENTLY PROVIDE
QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS LINK USING A HALF RATE VOCODER.  IF WE ARE
WRONG AND A GOOD HALF RATE VOCODER IS AVAILABLE, QUALCOMM CAN ALSO USE
IT IN A VARIABLE RATE IMPLEMENTATION (AGAIN THROTTLING DOWN DURING
PAUSES) TO ACHIEVE AN ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF 2 IN CAPACITY GAIN, IE NOW
20X TO 40X AMPS.  ALSO, ETDMA'S USE OF DIGITAL SPEECH INTERPOLATION
WILL REQUIRE RAPID CHANNEL ALLOCATION, ESSENTIALLY MINI-HANDOFFS
DURING EACH PAUSE.  THIS IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE WITHOUT SOME CLIPPING
OF SPEECH.  QUALCOMM'S COMMUNICATION CHANNEL IS ALWAYS UP, HENCE NO
DYNAMIC ALLOCATION OF CHANNELS IS NECESSARY.  THESE BENEFITS ARE
INHERENT TO CDMA.

A fair comparison would have been between a second-generation TDMA
system (which could make use of many of the above techniques) and a
CDMA system.  I think you would then see the capacity advantage for
CDMA eliminated.

FROM MY DISCUSSION ABOVE YOU SHOULD NOW REALIZE THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE.
ETDMA WILL UTILIZE A HALF RATE VOCODER (INCREASING TDMA CAPACITY FROM 3X TO
6X, AND DIGITAL SPEECH INTERPOLATION, INCREASING THE CAPACITY FROM 6X TO
ABOUT 12X OR 15X, ASSUMING EVERYTHING WORKS WELL).  CDMA, WITH A HALF RATE
VOCODER WILL THEN BE AT 20X TO 40X (EVEN WITHOUT BETTER USE OF
SECTORIZATION).

You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts off with a major
handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals anywhere near as
well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.

THE CDMA SIGNAL IS ACTUALLY BELOW THERMAL NOISE LEVEL, AND IS "SEPARATED"
FROM THE OTHER SIGNALS THROUGH THE PROCESSING GAIN, A FEAT ANY TDMA
RECEIVER IF FILTER WOULD BE UNABLE TO DO.  THE WHOLE POINT OF CDMA IS THAT
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SEPARATE THE SIGNALS OVER THE CHANNEL BY FREQUENCY OR
TIME.  DIFFERENT CODES PERMIT YOU TO PICK OUT YOUR CONVERSATION.

You have to use a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.
To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.

"TRICKS" IMPLY DECEPTION.  CDMA'S TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE AND BENEFITS HAVE
BEEN WELL TESTED AND PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN IN NUMEROUS TRIALS.  THESE
TRIALS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK; CHICAGO,ILLINOIS;
TAMPA, FLORIDA; WASHINGTON, D.C.; DALLAS, TEXAS; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA;
SEOUL, KOREA; MUNSTER, GERMANY; GENEVA, SWITZERLAND; AND SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.
 CARRIERS HAVE PUBLISHED REPORTS ON TRIALS IN SEVERAL OF THESE CITIES.  IN
ADDITION, CDMA HAS BEEN THROUGHALLY EXAMINED AND PROBED BY THE TIA IN
PREPARATION FOR IS-95 STANDARDIZATION.  THE RESULTS OF CDMA TESTING,
CLEARLY DEMONSTRATING THE BENEFITS, ADVANTAGES AND PERFORMANCE CAPABILITIES
ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO PARTIES WHO ARE TRUELY INTERESTED IN EXAMINING
THEM.


THOMAS R. CRAWFORD
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, DIGITAL CELLULAR AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
QUALCOMM
[e-mail]
Tom Crawford
(X 4820)

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

From: [e-mail] (David Hough)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1993 07:16:22 GMT


TDMA has one big disadvangate in the modern world ... it can cause all
sorts of interference to nearby electronics. In the UK, the first GSM
phones have arrived, and one of their characteristics is to cause a
buzz at a few hundred hertz in sensitive electronics nearby. Most
susceptible appears to be hearing aids, especially if the phone user
also wears one!

As any radio amateur worth his salt will know, 100% amplitude
modulation of a signal with what amounts to a square wave is bound to
cause problems. Still, look at it the other way: now we have something
else to blame when the TV picture breaks up into a mass of
interference :-)


Dave  G4WRW @ GB7WRW.#41.GBR.EU AX25
[e-mail]  Internet
[e-mail]      Amprnet

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #764
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa16751;
          16 Nov 93 16:56 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA14419
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 12:25:41 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31176
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 16 Nov 1993 12:25:01 -0600
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1993 12:25:01 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #765

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 16 Nov 93 12:25:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 765

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Mark Brader)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Paul Robinson)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Rick Blaiklock)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (James Renals)
    Re: TDMA vs CDMA = Betamax vs VHS? (Alex Cena)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Jack Decker)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Michael D. Sullivan)
    Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels? (Alex Cena)
    Re: In the Matter of: Connecting to Kremvax.demos.su (Petri Helenius)
    Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions? (Rich Greenberg)
    Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions? (John Powell)
    Re: Wiring a New Town (David G. Cantor)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Mark Brader)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, Canada
References: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 93 10:36:36 GMT


>> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
>> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
>> (pre-recorded message).

For greater clarity: Toronto is in 416.  676, however, is a Mississauga
(or as Bell says, Malton) prefix; presumably it's the meteorological
office at the Toronto international airport, which is in Mississauga.
So it's in 905.

Digression: the following dialogue was reported by a returning traveler
at Canadian customs/immigration *at the airport* some years back.

   "Where do you live?"
   "Mississauga."
   "I asked you where you live, not what your name is."

> It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
> degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!

SEVENTIES?!!  The all-time world record is only 58 degrees!

Oh, right.  Fahrenheit.  Chuckle.


Mark Brader    SoftQuad Inc., Toronto   utzoo!sq!msb, [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 09:32:09 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


 From a 301-585 number, 10288 1 905 676 3066 (ATT) and 10222 1 905 676
3066 (MCI) go through without any trouble.  I suspect Sprint doesn't
have enough trunks; the first three times I dialed 10333 1 905 676
3066 I got a busy signal.  All three of them went to the recording for
Toronto Weather.

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

From: [e-mail] (Rick Blaiklock)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Rick Blaiklock)
Organization: The National Capital Freenet
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 22:00:17 GMT


In a previous article, [e-mail] (James Taranto) says:

> [e-mail] wrote:

>> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
>> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
>> (pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
>> provide the work number(s) on request.

> It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
> degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!

9 degrees C(elcius) is approx 50 degrees F.

PS: Did you know that only two countries in the world don't use the
metric system?

I'm told the other one is Liberia.

Just a comment, no flames please.


Rick Blaiklock   [e-mail]    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada


[Moderator's Note: Actually we use some metric notation. We have 9 mm
bullets for our weapons.  :) My thanks to Mark Brader for passing
along that chuckle, which he got from Dave Berry.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (James Renals)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 19:54:40 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
> (pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
> provide the work number(s) on request.

Tried to dial the above number from the U.K., using BT and Mercury,
and success fully got through on both occaisons.  Interesting to think
that foreign telecos are more up-to date than local ones :)


James Renals  [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 93 08:28:47 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs CDMA = Betamax vs VHS?


In Telecom Digest #761 Ed Casas ([e-mail]) wrote:

> A fair comparison would have been between a second-generation TDMA
> system (which could make use of many of the above techniques) and a
> CDMA system.  I think you would then see the capacity advantage for
> CDMA eliminated.  You should understand that a CDMA receiver starts
> off with a major handicap -- its correlator cannot separate signals
> anywhere near as well as a TDMA receiver's IF filter.  You have to use
> a lot of tricks to overcome that initial disadvantage.

I believe Ameritech, which has tried the most recent generation of
TDMA systems available, publicly stated the results of its TDMA trials
in Chicago.  Ameritech held three trials: TDMA vs CDMA Fall of 1992;
TDMA only Jan/Feb 1993; and TDMA only in May/June.  The final May/June
test was held in order to allow vendors a chance to show off their
latest generation of equipment.  In fact, Ameritech issued a press
release indicating TDMA was not ready for commercial deployment since
its customers did not perceive any incremental value in the service
over current analog.  In a blind survey of 15 high-usage customers
eight said TDMA was better than analog and six said it was worse. This
compares to CDMA where most rated it as excellent or very good
relative to analog.

> To me (at least) the technical superiority of CDMA is far from proven.

In my opinion, we still are in the second inning of this ball game.
The score is 3 to 2 with US West New Vector, Pactel Cellular and Bell
Atlantic Mobile Systems purchasing CDMA-based equipment, while
Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems and McCaw opting for TDMA.  It gets
somewhat confusing in areas like Bay Area Cellular in San Francisco,
which is equally owned by McCaw and Pactel.  Since Bay Area Cellular
is composed of Ericsson switches and radios, I'm counting it as a part
of the McCaw vote.  The ball game internationally is quite different
since GSM seems to have quite a bit of momentum.


Alex M. Cena   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Date: 15 Nov 1993 18:37:20 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net


On Sat Nov 13 23:45:32 1993, [e-mail] (sohl,william
h) wrote:

>> [Moderator's Note: That's really something, to equate the laws
>> pertaining to privacy in communications with the old (but still in
>> force in about half the states in the USA) laws on sodomy. The latter
>> are considered by many people to be an invasion of individual privacy,
>> while the former are considered by many people to promote and protect
>> individual privacy. In any event, they are all a bunch of worthless,
>> unenforceable laws, eh?  So what else is new in these United States?  PAT]

> Pat, when a law is unenforceable, it is both useless, and a waste of
> time to even enact.  Can you truly say that the ECPA has improved the
> privacy of cellular?  I doubt it.  The ECPA is a "feel good" law with
> no true impact.  The politicos who passed can say ... "boy we feel good
> about striking a blow for privacy" even though the blow has the impact
> of a feather against a brick wall.  Since listening to cellular isn't
> something done in public (anymore than sodomy is) just how do you see
> the ECPA helping communications privacy?

Well, I have a fervent belief that unenforceable law is bad law, and
that it causes people to lose respect for the law in general.  The
ECPA is particularly bad law precisely because it makes listening to
cellular phone calls a felony, but it is virtually impossible to
detect someone listening to a cellular phone call, so the law is
generally unenforceable.

However, think like a lawmaker for a moment.  Assume that there are
several undesirable outcomes that may occur when someone listens in on
a cellular call.  People's privacy may be violated.  People may gain
access to information they would otherwise not have had, that they can
use to their financial (or other) advantage (for example, you might
hear something about a famous person that could be sold to the press,
or used to blackmail them, or to ruin a political career).  The
cellular telephone industry may lose money because potential users
perceive that their calls are not private (which of course they
aren't, but apparently many cellular users don't know that).

If one considers these outcomes so undesirable that legislation is
required, then it should legislate against these outcomes.  In some
cases, the necessary laws existed prior to the enactment of the ECPA
(for example, laws making it illegal to reveal what you heard to a
third party, or to use information you heard to your advantage).  I
think everything else that the ECPA might accomplish could have been
achieved by banning the sale or importation of any receiver capable of
receiving cellular frequencies, and making it illegal to advertise any
device as having the capability to receive cellular calls.  Those are
things you can regulate, at least to a much greater extent than what a
person does in the privacy of their home.

You could make a similar argument about the sodomy laws ... they may
not stop what goes on in the privacy of someone's home, but they do
stop (at least to some extent) folks from openly soliciting for it
(depending to some extent on whether local authorities are willing to
actually prosecute offenders).  But more to the point, they do give
folks a bit of a handle on the situation when such practices are
openly advocated.  For example, if a public school teacher wishes to
teach students that homosexuality is just another acceptable lifestyle
choice, parents who disagree can point out that the teacher is really
advocating commission of an illegal act (if sodomy is still a crime in
that state).  It might be better if the laws actually addressed the
undesired behavior (making it illegal simply to solicit, and to teach
about sexual preferences in the classroom) but when you get that
specific you draw fire from groups like the ACLU, who claim that you
are somehow restricting free speech or something.  In some cases it is
easier to just keep the existing laws on the books -- they may be
overly broad but because of that, they're less likely to attact a
constitutional challenge.

I think the ECPA may be like that, too ... there may be a fear that if
you try to convict someone based on a law that says they can't reveal
what they heard on the airwaves, they could plausibly claim that their
constitutional right of free speech is bening violated.  Since there
is no constitutional right to listen to certain frequencies, you are
on less shaky legal grounds to attack that.  Thus we play legal games,
where the law as it is written is known to be virtually unenforceable,
but it allows the government to place sanctions against other types of
behavior that it is difficult to legislate against directly.

In my opinion, we need to first get rid of the liberal judges that
don't seem to have a lick of common sense, but kowtow to the every
whim of the ACLU, and then pass laws that actually sanction the
behavior we really want to limit (that is, get rid of the "back door"
approach to lawmaking).  At present, it's just too easy for lawmakers
to pass the overly-broad laws ... much less friction that way.

Having said all of that, I still consider the ECPA a fine example of
"special interest" legislation, passed at the behest of political
lobbyists.  The cellular companies should have been told to go develop
an effective scrambling system, if they truly wanted privacy of
communications.  It is really sad that special interests with enough
money and/or political clout can buy legislation favorable to
themselves, no matter how nonsensical that legislation is.  But of
course, this is nothing new ... the telephone companies of America
have honed this practice (of buying favorable legislation) to a fine
art over the years!  :-(


Jack

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael D. Sullivan)
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?
Date: 15 Nov 1993 04:07:13 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA


[e-mail] (Kevin Martinez) writes:

> In regard to the above, I live right under a cell site antenna tower
> and *every* radio and TV I own picks up these annoying conversations
> on occasion.  Even my telephone (noncordless) picks them up sometimes.
> I keep thinking of the Gilligan's Island episode where his filling
> becomes a rectifier and detects broadcast band radio.

> Does the ECPA make it illegal to live in my neighborhood or only to
> possess a receiving device (or a filling)? Would these cold evenings
> be even colder without the comforting rays of this antenna? Perhaps
> this is the cause for retries on zmodem transfers ....

Of course it's illegal for you to live there, or to have fillings, you
wiretapper, you!  (Dano, book him for criminal possession of a filling
with intent to eavesdrop!)


Michael D. Sullivan  [e-mail]        [e-mail]
Washington, D.C.     [e-mail]     [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 16 Nov 93 08:43:09 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Do You Monitor Cellular Channels?


In Telecom Digest #761 Bill Fischer [e-mail] wrote:

> Calls to and from all phones in a particular cell can be monitored, or
> specific numbers can be entered into a log, and all other calls
> ignored.  The equipment monitors the data on the cell's control
> channel and switches a radio scanner to the specified voice frequency
> when the phone makes or receives a call in that cell.  The equipment
> will change to a new voice frequency each time the phone switches,
> ensuring that the complete call is monitored from start to finish.

> We have a Cellular Surveillance Interface that performs this function.
> It doesn't cost $6000, and it will work on both the AMPS (USA, Canada,
> Mexico, Australia) and TACS/ETACS (Europe, Middle East, Southeast
> Asia) cellular systems.

Can this equipment be used to monitor digital cellular networks?  How
do you know where your target may pop up since there may be hundreds
of cell sites in a large city?  Do you essentially have to set up
monitoring stations in every cell site?

Moreover, are you familiar with the equipment vendors used by many
intelligence agencies besides E-Systems Melpar division?  I am asking
because of research I am conducting on a companwy called Comverse
Technology that specializes in monitoring systems called AudioDisk.
For obvious reasons, the company cannot reveal the name of its
customers for me to survey so I am concentrating on identifying its
competitors.

If possible, could you send me a copy of your brochure by private
e-mail.


Alex M. Cena   Lehman Brothers
200 Vesey Street, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10285
Internet: [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 21:39:23 +0200
From: Petri Helenius <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: In the Matter of: Connecting to Kremvax.demos.su


Paul Robinson <[e-mail]> wrote:

> On the list Telecom Digest <[e-mail]> there is mention
> that sites in the U.S. cannot connect (due to U.S. Government pressures)
> with some sites behind the former Iron Curtain.  One example of which is the
> site kremvax.demos.su.  Evidence from this message implies it is not the
> government doing this, it is someone else.

NSFNET/ ANS CORE. Name it anything you want. Our Russian friends have
been connected to NSFNET occasionally, but every time this has been
noticed, MERIT or ANS has cut them off, because they are not allowed
to connect to NSFNET. They can connect to all non-ANS sites in the US,
so this is not a government regulation.


Pete

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

From: [e-mail] (Rich Greenberg)
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions?
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1993 18:48:31 GMT


Pat, isn't this in the FAQ yet?  If not ...

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Bob
Tykulsker) writes:

> I am having a new home built and would like to install the wiring now
> that I might need for future technologies.  What would you recommend?
> Cable, fiber, copper, etc. Any suggestions welcome.

Nobody knows what YOU will need or want in the future.  Not even
yourself.  Anybody else will be just guessing, and who knows what new
technology is just around the corner?

Anyway, since you are not certain now, possibly the best approach is
to lay conduit.  Run plastic conduit as large as practical (at least
an inch ID, bigger==better, from a central point (basement, closet,
???)  to EVERYWHERE that you MIGHT possibly need access in the future.
Keep in mind cable TV, and "smart" appliances as well as any home
computer(s) and related equipment.  At each location, terminate in at
least a 4x4 deep box which can be papered over or just put on a blank
plate.  Inside each pipe run a strand of heavy cord, preferably a
synthetic that won't rot or be eaten by bugs/rodents that can later be
used to pull wires (and another length of cord!) as needed.  Leave
several feet of slack at each end.  Make sure each conduit is marked.
Make sure you have a map that says where each conduit comes out.


Rich Greenberg    Work: ETi Solutions, Oceanside & L.A. CA 310-348-7677
N6LRT TinselTown, USA    Play: [e-mail]  310-649-0238
I speak for myself only.  Canines: Chinook & Husky

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

From: John Powell <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions?
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 93 01:30:15 -0600
Organization: Valcom/PCC


> Unless fiber is available in your area now, go with a large amount of
> copper wire. Put your demarc in the basement, and run at least twisted
> six-pair to each room, in star format, e.g. each room's wiring is
> separate.  This allows you to have two phone lines and still have room
> for two four-line circuits.  The difference in price between four pair
> and six pair is probably negligible (less than 5c per foot, maybe even
> the same price); I know the last time I checked the price of 25 pair

I agree, but I personally like to run two (or more) four-pairs to each
location.  This will allow for more isolation and multiple signal
types/services to be sent to each room.  It is standard practice to
separate such things as voice lines, digital data, etc. as they can
interfere with each other (ie. ringing voltage can affect LAN data).
You will also be able to connect each cable to an RJ45 (ie. two RJ45's
in each location) and maintain a standard that can accomodate many
things from standard analog (one or two line) phone lines, ISDN, 10bT,
Token Ring, etc. without any modification to the connectors, just
change the connections in the basement.  The REAL cost of wiring is
pulling the cable, not the wire itself, and pulling two cables
shouldn't cost much more than one.  Also, there is no universal
standard for six pair that everyone can follow; four pair is as
universal as they get and any decent electrician or phone tech can
manipulate it as needed without the designer being there to explain
the kluge that would result from using six pair.


John

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Town
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 93 12:01:45 -0800
From: David G. Cantor <[e-mail]>


In Telecom-Digest: Volume 13, Issue 759, Tony Harminc states:

> And one personal crusade: consider the nature of street lighting.  If
> at all possible, use incandescant lights, preferably halogens.  If
> energy efficiency concerns won't allow this, use metal halides.  Avoid
> like the plague sodium and mercury lighting.  Light the sidewalks
> first, and worry about the streets later, if at all.  You want a
> community where people *want* to be out and about on the streets and
> public places at all hours - not locked behind bolted doors and alarm
> systems.  Obviously street layout and lighting are not the only
> determinants of this, but they are a base.

This is a major political issue in the City of San Diego. Mt.  Palomar
Observatory is nearby.  Low-pressure sodium lighting only minimally
interferes with the observatory because it's mono-frequency and can be
easily filtered out.  All of the other lights mentioned fog the
astronmer's films.

There is strong evidence that the kind of lighting is not the
important factor.  It's the brilliance.  Low-pressure sodium is MUCH
MORE efficient than the other choices and so the "green" position is
to use low-pressure sodium.

After prohibiting them for many years, the City of San Diego, over the
strong opposition of the Palomar astronomers, has just allowed
white-lights in certain high-crime areas.  We shall see if this deters
crime and we shall also see how much longer Mt.  Palomar remains a
useful observatory.



David G. Cantor   Center for Communications Research
4320 Westerra Court    San Diego, CA 92121   [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #765
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa28015;
          18 Nov 93 7:03 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA06434
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 18 Nov 1993 04:03:05 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA15934
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 18 Nov 1993 04:02:17 -0600
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 04:02:17 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #766

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 18 Nov 93 04:02:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 766

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Toll Fraud on French PBXs -Phreaking :-) (Jean-Bernard Condat)
    Sprint Upgrading Internet Backbone (John D. Gretzinger)
    Finally Got REAL Phone Service (Jack Decker)
    Research Assistant - High Speed Wireless Networking Research (Joseph Evans)
    Announcement of New Moderator (Dennis G. Rears)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (cccf)
Subject: Toll Fraud on French PBXs - Phreaking :-)
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 14:48:59 EST


In France it is estimated that PBX trunk fraud (toll fraud) costs
companies over $220 million a year. Criminal phreakers figure out how
to access PBXs owned by businesses and then sell long-distance calling
capacities provided by these systems to the public. In European
markets where PSTN to PSTN connections are illegal it has not to date
been such an issue. However, for a number of reasons this is likely to
change.

Trunk to trunk connection barring through PBXs is expected to be
deregulated throughout Europe.

The telecom industry has done more this year to prevent toll fraud
than any other time. Yet, toll fraud losses will top more than $2
billion again this year. If you aren't doing anything to prevent being
hit, it's not a matter of if you'll be hit, it's when you'll be hit
and for how much. So, here are some low-cost ways to stop toll
fraud-or at least lessen the blow if you do get hit.

Increasing numbers of international companies have private networks
and provide DISA (Direct Inward System Access) access to employees.
Such companies are prime victims for phreaking. For example, a phone
hacker can access the network in the UK, France, or Germany and break
out in another country where it is legal to make trunk to trunk calls,
and from that point they can call anywhere in the world.

Voice mail is taking off across Europe. This, together with DISA, is
one of the most common ways phreakers enter a company's PBX.

Raising these issues now and detailing precautionary measures will
enable companies to take steps to reduce such frauds.  The following
looks at the current situation in France.

In France a whole subculture, like a real phone underground culture,
of these technology terrorists is springing up on city streets. Stolen
access codes are used to run call-sell operations from phone booths or
private phones. The perpetrators offer international calls for circa
FF 20, which is considerably less than it could cost to dial direct.
When calls are placed through corporate PBXs rather than carrier
switches, the companies that own the PBXs end up footing the bill.

What are the warning signs that your own communication systems are
being victimized by toll fraud? In inbound call detail records, look
for long holding times, an unexplained increased in use, frequent use
of the system after normal working hours, or a system that is always
busy. In records of outbound calls, look for calls made to unusual
locations or international numbers, high call volumes, long duration
of calls, frequent calls to premium rate numbers and frequently
recurring All Trunks Busy (ATB) conditions.

Toll fraud is similar to unauthorized access to mainframe computers or
hacking. Manufacturers such as Northern Telecom have developed
security features that minimize the risk of such theft.

Telecommunication managers, however, are the only ones who are ensure
that these features are being used to protect their systems from
fraud.

Areas of Intrusion Into Corporate Systems:

PBX features that are vulnerable to unauthorized access include call
forwarding, call prompting and call processing features. But the most
common ways phreakers enter a company's PBX is through DISA and voice
mail systems.  They often search a company's rubbish for directories
or call detail reports that contain a companies own '05' numbers and
codes. They have also posed as system administrators or France Telecom
technicians and conned employees into telling them PBX authorization
codes. More sophisticated hackers use personal computers and modems to
break into data bases containing customer records showing phone
numbers and voice mail access codes, or simply dial '05' numbers with
the help of sequential number generators and computers until they find
one that gives access to a phone system.

Once these thieves have the numbers and codes, they can call into the
PBX and place calls out to other locations. In many cases, the PBX is
only the first point of entry for such criminals. They can also use
the PBX to access company's data system. Call-sell operators can even
hide their activities from law enforcement officials by using
PBX-looping-using one PBX to place calls out through another PBX in
another state.

Holding the Line-Steps That Reduce Toll Fraud:

Northern Telecom's Meridian 1 systems provide a number of safety
features to guard against unauthorized access. It is the most popular
PBX phreaked in France. The following information highlights Meridian
1 features that can minimise such abuse.


DISA Security:

The DISA feature allows users to access a company's PBX system from
the public network by dialing a telephone number assigned to the
feature. Once the system answers the DISA call, the caller may be
required to enter a security code and authorisation code. After any
required codes are entered, the caller, using push button tone
dialling, is provided with the calling privileges, such as Class of
Service (COS), Network Class of Service (NCOS) and Trunk Group Access
Restrictions (TGAR), that are associated with the DISA DN or the
authorisation code entered.

To minimize the vulnerability of the Meridian 1 system to unauthorized
access through DISA, the following safeguards are suggested:

1) Assign restricted Class of Service, TGAR and NCOS to the DISA DN;

2) Require users to enter a security code upon reaching the DISA DN;

3) In addition to a security code, require users to enter an authorization
code. The calling privileges provided will be those associated with the
specific authorization code;

4) Use Call Detail Recording (CDR) to identify calling activity
associated with individual authorization codes. As a further
precaution, you may choose to limit printed copies of these records;

5) Change security codes frequently;

6) Limit access to administration of authorization codes to a few,
carefully selected employees.

Meridian Mail Security:

Northern Telecom's Meridian Mail voice messaging system is also
equipped with a number of safeguarding features. The features that
allow system users to dial out; Through Dial, Operator Revert and
Remote Notification (Outcalling) should be controlled to reduce the
likelihood of unauthorised access. The following protective measures
can be used to minimise tool fraud:

Voice Security Codes -

Set security parameters for ThroughDial using the Voice Security
Options prompt from the Voice Systems Administration menu. This prompt
will list restricted access codes to control calls placed using the
Through-Dial function of Meridian Mail. An access code is a prefix for
a telephone number or a number that must be dialled to access outside
lines or long-distance calling. If access codes are listed as
restricted on the Meridian Mail system, calls cannot be placed through
Meridian Mail to numbers beginning with the restricted codes. Up to ten
access codes can be defined.

Voice Menus -

With the Through-Dial function of Voice Menus, the system
administrator can limit dialling patterns using restricted dialling
prefixes. These access codes, which are defined as illegal, apply only
to the Through-Dial function of each voice menu. Each Through-Dial
menu can have its own restricted access codes. Up to ten access codes
can be programmed.

Meridian Mail also allows system administrators to require that users
enter an Access Password for each menu. In this way, the Through-Dial
menu can deny unauthorized callers access to Through-Dial functions,
while allowing authorised callers access.

Additional Security Features -

The Secured Messaging feature can be activated system-wide and
essentially blocks external callers from logging to Meridian Mail. In
addition, the system administrator can establish a system-wide
parameter that forces user to change their Meridian Mail passwords
within a defined time period. Users can also change their passwords at
any time when logged in to Meridian Mail.

System administrator can define a minimum acceptable password length
for Meridian Mail users. The administrators can also determine the
maximum number of times an invalid password can be entered before a
log-on attempt is dropped and the mailbox log-on is disabled.

Some of the features that provide convenience and flexibility are also
vulnerable to unauthorized access. However, Meridian 1 products
provide a wide array of features that can protect your system from
unauthorised access.

In general, you can select and implement the combination of features
that best meets your company's needs.

General Security Measures:

Phone numbers and passwords used to access DISA and Meridian Mail
should only be provided to authorized personnel. In addition, call
detail records and other reports that contain such numbers should be
shredded or disposed of in an appropriate manner for confidential
material. To detect instances of trunk fraud and to minimize the
opportunities for such activity, the system administrator should take
the following steps frequently (the frequency is determined on a per
site basis according to need):

1) Monitor Meridian 1 CDR output to identify sudden unexplained increases in
trunk calls. Trunk to trunk/Tie connections should be included in CDR output;

2) Review the system data base for unauthorised changes;

3) Regularly change system passwords, and DISA authorisation and security
codes;

4) Investigate recurring All Trunks Busy (ATB) conditions to determine
the cause;

5) If modems are used, change access numbers frequently, and consider
using dial-back modems;

6) Require the PBX room to be locked at all times. Require a sign-in
log and verification of all personnel entering the PBX room.

Two Practical Cases:

Bud Collar, electronic systems manager with Plexus in Neenah, Wis.,
transferred from its payphone operations branch. As the PBX manager,
he's blocked all outside access to his Northern Telecom Meridian 1 and
meridian Mail. Just in case a phreaker does gain access, Collar
bought a $600, PC-based software package from Tribase Systems in
Springfield, NJ, called Tapit. With Tapit, Collar runs daily reports
on all overseas call attempts and completions. But the drawback to
Tapit is that by itself it has no alarm features, so if a phreaker
does get in, Collar won't know about it until he runs the next report.
Tribase does offer Fraud Alert with alarms for $950, but Collar chose
not to use it.

Erica Ocker, telecom supervisor at Phico Insurance in Mechaniscsburg,
PA, also wanted to block all of her outside ports. But she has
maintenance technicians who need routine access, so she needed a way
to keep her remote access ports open, without opening up her Rolm 9751
to toll fraud. The solution is to buy LeeMah DataCom Security Corps's
TraqNet 2001. For $2,000, Ocker got two secured modems that connect to
her maintenance port on her PBX and to her Rolm Phone Mail port. When
someone wants to use these features, they dial into the TraqNet and
punch in their PIN number. TraqNet identifies the user by their PIN
and asks them to punch in a randomly selected access code that they
can only get from a credit card-sized random number generator, called
an InfoCard. That access code matches the codes that are generated
each time the TraqNet is accessed. The TraqNet 2001 is a single-line
model that supports up to 2,304 users for $950. More upscale can
support up to 32 lines and run call detail reports, but they cost as
much as $15,000.  InfoCards each cost an additional $50.

Conclusions:

The ultimate solution will be, as I read in a French consultancy
review, <to program the PBX ACD agent ports as toll denied.>

The more pleasant story directly linked with French phreaking was the
night that I saw on my TV screen in Paris a luxurous computer ad for
the Dell micro-computers. At the end of the ad, a toll-free number was
presented in green: 05-444-999. I immediately phoned this number ...
and found the well-known voice of all French Northern Telecom's
Meridian Mail saying in English: "For technical reasons, your call
cannot be transferred to the appropriate person.  Call later or leave
a message after the tune." The dial of 0* gave the open door to more
than Dell information. My letter to this company already is without
(free voice-) answer!


Jean-Bernard Condat, General Secretary
Chaos Computer Club France [cccf]
First European Hacking, Phreaking & Swapping Club
Address: B.P. 8005, 69351 Lyon cedex 08, France.
Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 17 Nov 93 16:53:35-0500
Subject: Sprint Upgrading Internet Backbone


Pat -

This just came across our internal network and looks to be of
interest.

On another note, dial access to SprintLink is currently being tested
and should be available the first quarter of next year.  More on that
as it becomes available.


John D. Gretzinger
+1.310.797.1187
+1.310.4430.1761 (FAX)
I don't speak for Sprint, and they don't speak for me.

   <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<forwarded message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


SPRINT UPGRADES SPEED, CAPACITY OF INTERNET BACKBONE SERVICE

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 1993 -- Sprint today became the first
carrier-based Internet service provider to announce plans to upgrade
its transmission network -- SprintLink(SM) -- to accommodate transit
speeds of 45 megabits per second by the first quarter of next year.
The upgrade includes cutting-edge routing and network management
technologies that significantly improve the network's performance.

   The SprintLink network upgrade anticipates the transition of
Internet traffic from the National Science Foundation network, NSFNet,
to commercial service providers, which is expected to begin in spring
of 1994.  The NSFNet is the U.S. backbone for the Internet, the global
"network of networks" that interconnects more than 18,000 networks and
over 2,000,000 host computers worldwide.

    One of the first phases in the network upgrade is a cooperative
test with the NSF to transfer some of its global transit services
across the new Sprint backbone.  The test builds on Sprint's existing
role as the international connections manager for the NSFNet, through
which it already carries most of NSFNet's international traffic.

    As the international connections manager for the NSFNet, Sprint
has the most comprehensive global routing tables of any service
provider -- the "road maps" of the information highway.  To further
enhance the network's ability to route information, Sprint will
replace existing routers with Cisco 7000 routers, one of the
industry's highest performing models.

     Sprint also is embedding Silicon Graphics' Indigo(R) workstations
within its network hubs to manage "domain name" service.  These
powerful systems maintain the extensive and ever-changing list of
"domains" -- user groups or networks -- on the Internet and their
corresponding addresses, from regional research networks to public
electronic messaging service providers.

     Sprint has developed a "flat" network architecture -- a
streamlined design that sends information through fewer levels of
equipment, permitting higher speeds, less chance of failure and the
smooth transition to future services, including Asynchronous Transfer
Mode.  In 1994, high-bandwidth customers will be able to connect to
SprintLink using Sprint's ATM service through any of Sprint's more
than 300 network points of presence in the United States.

     ATM currently allows data transmission at 45 megabits per second
 -- fast enough to send a 400-page book across the country in one
second.

    "The tremendous growth of users on the Internet is fueling the
demand for higher-speed, easily upgradable commercial services," said
Don Teague, general manager for Sprint's Government Systems Division,
which manages the company's business with the federal government.
"This upgrade takes our network service to the next technological
plane -- those high-bandwidth services required to support the
research and scientific community, as well as a growing number of
commercial users engaged in electronic commerce and other leading-edge
information technologies."

     Sprint is a diversified international telecommunications company
with more than $10 billion in annual revenues and the United States'
only nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network.  Its divisions
provide global long distance voice, data and video products and
services, local telephone services to more than six million subscriber
lines in 19 states, and cellular operations that serve 42 metropolitan
markets and more than 50 rural service areas.


         Silicon Graphics and Indigo are registered trademarks of
         Silicon Graphics Inc.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Finally Got REAL Phone Service
Date: 18 Nov 1993 06:31:36 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)


It has been almost a year since I moved into GTE land, and some of you
may recall that when I got my phone service, it was provided via some
obsolete (no longer manufactured) subscriber carrier equipment that
has given me all sorts of problems over the past year (on no less than
five occasions, it has gone out completely).  At one point (after I
complained to the Michigan Public Service Commission) GTE even gave me
a credit ($25 plus the equivalent of three days' service) on my phone
bill in compensation for the problems I had experienced.

Well, today they cut me onto the new system.  It's a remote unit
located probably a mile and a half away from me.  The cable between
there and the downtown central office is fiber, and between the new
unit and my home is all new underground cable, replacing aerial cable
that is being taken out of service.

After the cutover I noticed several things immediately:

1) My on-hook line voltage increased from ~15 volts to ~44 volts DC.
Also, the tip/ring polarity reversed from what it had been when I was
on the carrier.

2) So far I am getting considerably less noise and garbage on my modem
calls.

3) On voice calls, the difference is amazing!  I was actually starting
to think that I was getting hard of hearing because I had trouble
hearing people on the phone.  Suddenly, voices on the other end seem
MUCH louder and clearer.  This is also appparent with the volume of
dial tone.  My modem is set to let me hear it dial and connect, and
now when it first seizes the line the dial tone will about knock you
out of your chair compared to what it used to be.  And my mother used
to complain about not being able to hear me on the phone; I called her
tonight and she says I am much louder on her end, too.

4) I think the phone ring cadence is SLIGHTLY different ... maybe it's
my imagination, but to me it sounds like the rings are slightly
shorter (like maybe a quarter of a second or half a second shorter).
I will add that I'm probably really pushing the limit on Ringer
Equivalence Numbers on my line, but both the old and new systems seem
to be able to handle that equally well.

5) CPC now works ... before, if the CO dropped current for a moment, I
would hear a couple of faint clicks, but the voltage on my line would
remain constant.  Now, when the CO drops current, my line goes stone
cold dead for that fraction of a second.

6) And finally, the new unit still will not accept dial pulses at 20
pps.  When I mentioned this originally, I was told that this was a
design limitation of the GTD-5 switch in my central office ... that 20
pps was NOT considered a standard dialing speed, and even though some
AT&T and other switches may support it, the designers of the GTE
switches didn't feel they should.  Now, what I do not know is whether
the new remote unit (the crew out here keeps referring to it as a MUX)
actually provides dial tone itself, or simply relays dial tone from
the CO downtown.  I had sort of hoped that it would provide its own
dial tone, and would therefore support 20 pulses per second, but no
such luck.  I'd still like to know where the dial tone is really
coming from.  I did retain my same phone number, if that's any clue.

All in all I'm quite pleased so far, especially with the far better
voice quality and volume.  I think it will also make my service FAR
more reliable than it has been, assuming of course that some idiot
doesn't dig up the new fiber cable and cut it.

As for the carrier box that was hanging on the utility pole out front,
it's still there.  I think they intend to collect them all at once.  I
suggested to the guys that they could take it down and back their
truck over it a few times, but the said it would probably be reused
elsewhere.  I definitely pity whoever gets stuck with that thing next! :-)


Jack

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

Subject: Research Assistant - High Speed Wireless Networking Research
From: [e-mail] (Joseph B. Evans)
Date: 17 Nov 93 17:14:16 CDT
Organization: Elec. Eng. & Comp. Sci., Univ. of Kansas


                 Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
                              for
              High Speed Wireless Networking Research

                       University of Kansas
       Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
      Telecommunications and Information Sciences Laboratory (TISL)
                        Lawrence, Kansas

TISL is looking for qualified, creative individuals with a desire to
pursue graduate research and education in high speed wireless link and
networking technologies. The position requires an undergraduate or MS
degree in EE, ECE, or CS with credentials for admission to the
University of Kansas Graduate School.  Good communication skills,
strong self-motivation, and the ability to work as part of a team are
required.  A background in communications systems and/or networking is
desired.  The individual will join a team of faculty and students
pursuing sponsored research in high speed wireless communications
networks and in the hardware and software development of a prototype
high speed wireless Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) system.

This position is an opportunity to develop the telecommunications
technology of the future.  TISL has state-of-the-art communications
and computing facilities.  We are a founding member of the MAGIC
gigabit testbed and have experiential ATM and long distance SONET
facilities.  Within TISL, faculty and students address challenging
research issues in various aspects of telecommunications, ranging from
high speed networks to wireless communications systems and advanced
spread spectrum techniques.  The interaction between the laboratory
and the other EECS faculty contribute to the stimulating intellectual
environment.

The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, a city of about
75,000 people, which is situated in the rolling hills of eastern
Kansas, about an hour's drive from Kansas City.  The city of Lawrence
has a long history and retains may interesting reminders of its
colorful past.  The community has 1,257 acres of public parks, indoor
and outdoor community swimming pools, an arts center, an historical
museum, and an active community education and recreation program.

Interested applicants should submit two copies of both a resume and
cover letter requesting application forms to:

Dr. Victor S. Frost
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Telecommunications and Information Sciences Laboratory
University of Kansas
2291 Irving Hill Road
Lawrence, KS 66045-6929
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 15:11:17 EST
From: Dennis G. Rears <[e-mail]>
Subject:  Announcement of New Moderator


    I will relinquish Moderator duties of the Computer Privacy Digest
in a couple of weeks. Prof. L. P. Levine <[e-mail]>
will take over as the new Moderator of the Computer Privacy Digest
(comp.society.privacy) sometime in the next few weeks.  Currently we
are working on the transition.  A message will go out shortly on the
new addresses.

  The primary reason I am leaving the group is time.  In the last few
months I have not had the time to adequately perform the duties of
being a Moderator.

  I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the
Digest and those people who have provided me with pointers on making
the Digest better.  I have for the most part enjoyed moderating the
group.  I will miss the off-line discussions I have had with many of
you.

  The CPD had it origins in the telecom-privacy mail list which I set
up in August of 1990.  Telecom-priv started out to address concerns of
Caller Id.  It was an outgrowth of a discussion that was started on
the TELECOM Digest.  The telecom privacy mail list was merged into the
Computer Privacy Digest on 27 April 1992.  According to the October
USENET readership report comp.society.privacy is read by about 44,000
people, 73% of USENET sites receive this and is ranked at 683.  I have
about 500 subscribers/exploder lists.  I think we have come a long way
since the first issue was published in April 1992.

  I wish Professor Levine good luck in his new role.  I plan to assume
a role as Official Lurker.


            Dennis G. Rears
MILNET:   [e-mail]     UUCP:  ...!uunet!cor5.pica.army.mil!drears
INTERNET: [e-mail]    USPS:  Box 210, Wharton, NJ 07885
Phone(home): 201.927.8757       Phone(work): 201.724.2683/(DSN) 880.2683
USPS:        SMCAR-FSS-E, Bldg 94, Picatinny Ars, NJ 07806


[Moderator's Note: I'm sure all telecom readers join me in thanking you
for your splendid service over the past three years. Best wishes to you
in your future endeavors and to your successor as Moderator.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #766
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa02389;
          18 Nov 93 18:09 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA29422
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 18 Nov 1993 14:18:48 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA29923
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 18 Nov 1993 14:18:08 -0600
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 14:18:08 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #767

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 18 Nov 93 14:18:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 767

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: MCI Internet Service (Jim Graham)
    Re: MCI Internet Service (Steven King)
    Re: 65 Per Line or 65*per Line? (Paul Robinson)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (David Esan)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Andrew M. Dunn)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Scott D. Fybush)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Tony Harminc)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (John Little)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Carl Moore)
    NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (Robert Casey)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Steve Lamont)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Mark W. Schumann)
    Re: Strange T1 Behavior (David Devereaux-Weber)
    Re: Strange T1 Behavior (Dave Levenson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jim Graham)
Subject: Re: MCI Internet Service
Organization: Future site of Vaporware Corporation (maybe).  --Teletoons (NW)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 02:39:49 GMT


Well, I do believe we have a record here!  This makes three posts from
me to comp.dcom.telecom in less than one week (I normally expect my
posts here to go the same route as the first two of the three this
week ... into the Moderator's bit bucket, regardless of the content, so
I usually just don't bother).

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
gov writes:

> I have a friend living in Grants Pass, Oregon, who wishes to connect
> to Internet but currently has to call long distance to gain access to
> a univeristy account for e-mail access. MCI offers something similar
> via an 800 number but you have to pay $0.50 for the first K of data
> and then $0.29 for each K thereafter ...

Ugggghhhh ....  what a horrible price!  Your friend needs to setup
some type of batched process for getting mail and downloading it (UUCP
would be an ideal solution).  With a V.32bis modem and V.42 error
control, you're looking at around 1724 cps (see the first of my three
posts to comp.dcom.telecom in this past week for details on how to get
at that number).  At 1724 cps, that amounts to about 800k per minute,
and with the AT&T calling plan I'm on, that's 10 cents for around
800k, vs around $230 for that same amount of data, assuming batched
mail handling (such as UUCP).

Ok, your friend doesn't want to setup UUCP?  No problem.  Just get on
something like the program I'm on (I think it's called Evening Plus,
or something like that), and from 1900 to 0800 S-F, and 1900 Fri to
1700 Sunday, it's ten cents/minute flat rate within the US (intra-state
calls are more, obviously, and your mileage may vary).  And then don't
spend time reading mail online -- save it to a file, download it (if
you can, use Zmodem), read it, type up any response(s), upload the
response(s), and then mail them.

> Or other means to legally access Internet e-mail?

The easiest, and usually by far the cheapest, is to get a local UUCP
feed.  If you run dog on a PC, you'll need something like UUPC, which
is UUCP for the PC.  :-) That's how I'm setup here.  I have a UUCP
feed (actually, I have two feeds), and all of my Internet e-mail is
via those feeds.  Setup is a bit tricky if you're not a computer whiz
(I personally found setting up UUCP to be rather trivial, for the most
part), but once it's setup, you just let it run on its own.

Another thing you can always do is find a local public access UNIX
site.  Refer to the nixpub listing (which, I believe, is still posted
regularly in comp.misc) for sites near you.

Feel free to e-mail me for info on how to find a local feed, etc., as
well as more details on setting things up, good reference material,
and so on.

> [Moderator's Note: If all he wants to do is get email, there are lots
> of ways to get that.

 [ .... -jdg ]
> If all he wants is email access, then MCI Mail offers that, as does
> Sprint Mail and ATT Mail.  Is that all he wants?   PAT]

Those are rather expensive options, compared to something as cheap as
a simple UUCP feed or using a public access UNIX site ... I personally
would *NOT* recommend those choices, unless you just have money to
burn, and don't care about some of the problems you might encounter
(e.g., my previous employer uses one of the above, and incoming mail
has this nasty habit of not being delivered, and not having any error
messages sent to the originator of the e-mail ... in other words, it
isn't worth a d*mn).

Well, considering the fact that it's highly doubtful that this will even
get posted, I think I'll stop here ...


jim
#include <std_disclaimer.h>                                  73 DE N5IAL (/4)
INTERNET: [e-mail]  |  [e-mail]     ICBM: 30.23N 86.32W
AMATEUR RADIO:  (packet station temporarily offline)       AMTOR SELCAL: NIAL


[Moderator's Note: Why do you feel it is 'highly doubtful it will get
posted'? I can't remember any messages from you which specifically were
not posted recently, although at 100-125 messages per day, the majority
being replies to something previously posted/replied to, there has to
be a cut off somewhere.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven King)
Subject: Re: MCI Internet Service
Date: 18 Nov 1993 15:01:50 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In comp.dcom.telecom [e-mail] writes:

> While I don't want to focus on MCI, I reference MCI as an example to
> pose my question. I have a friend living in Grants Pass, Oregon, who
> wishes to connect to Internet but currently has to call long distance
> to gain access to a univeristy account for e-mail access. MCI offers
> something similar via an 800 number but you have to pay $0.50 for the
> first K of data and then $0.29 for each K thereafter ... this may be
> about the best deal one can get from a site like Grants Pass ... but
> it would seem that the Northwest Bell system would offer some type of
> inexpensive Eugene, OR, line so he could access Internet via the
> University there.

> Is anyone aware of inexpensive services like this that interface with
> Internet?  Or other means to legally access Internet e-mail?

Gahh!!!  Are you sure you're not quoting prices per MEGAbyte of data,
instead of per KILObyte of data?  Remember that a kilobyte, 1024
bytes, is less than a full screenful of text.  $.29/K would be the
most exhobitant rate I've ever heard of.

There's a company called Speedway you might be interested in.  I don't
work for them and I'm not even a customer, but they might fit your
needs nicely.  They give free dial-up access to the net.  The catch?
You must call them via AT&T.  They're directly connected to AT&T, not
the local telco, and they make their money off of kickbacks.  Since
you can use any AT&T calling plan you normally would, this can be a
pretty good deal.  For example, AT&T's Reach Out America plan puts
long distance at $.12/minute or thereabouts.  Using a 14.4 kbps modem
and a batch transmission like UUCP, PPP, or SLIP this works out to
around 100K/minute.  This is quite reasonable for a news and mail
feed.

Also, look for the Public Dialup Internet Access List (PDIAL). This
lists a lot of public access Internet providers. Most if not all of
these are for-pay commercial services. The newsgroup alt.internet.access.
wanted may also be of service to you.

If you're primarily interested in Usenet news and email and not so
much in ftp, telnet, and other Internet goodies check out the Nixpub
list.  This is a listing of public access Unix systems. These systems
may or may not have what you're looking for and they may or may not
charge, but it's certainly a place to begin your investigations.

Another source is looking for BBS lists local to your area. You can
look on the net in alt.bbs.lists and maybe comp.bbs.misc. Also, call
around to local computer stores and user's groups and ask if they know
of any BBSs in the area. Most BBSs carry lists of other local BBSs so
you get kind of a snowball effect very quickly. Hopefully you can find
one that carries what you need.

    Public Dialup Internet Access List (PDIAL)
    [e-mail] (Peter Kaminski)
        alt.internet.access.wanted, alt.bbs.lists, ba.internet,
    news.answers

    Nixpub List
    [e-mail] (Phil Eschallier)
    all.bbs, comp.bbs.misc, comp.misc

The above lists can be found in the listed groups and are available
for ftp at rtfm.mit.edu.


Steven King -- Motorola Cellular Infrastructure Group

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 13:18:59 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: 65 Per Line or 65*per Line?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


Someone asked me about the charge for message units on phone service:

>> different one. Now I am told the original story -- that each
>> line has a limit of 65 calls whether or not the lines are
>> billed to one party or separately billed -- e.g. if I use 66
>> on one line and 5 on the other, I will be charged for one
>> message unit. The phone company clerk tells me that each line
>> is individually metered and it doesn't matter whether the
>> three lines are attached to one account or billed to three
>> different accounts.

> This implies that there's a per call charge after your 65th
> call.   Can you offer a few details on the billing and let me
> know who your telco is?

There are three 'flavors' of phone service which is provided by C&P
Telephone of Maryland.  Rates are per month and do not include long
distance usage but DO include the $3.50 per line carrier access charge:

1.  Unlimited local calls in the service area, which is all of the
Washington Metro area which extends from Dulles Airport, VA to
Rockville, MD to Prince Georges County, MD to Columbia, MD,
encompasing four area codes from Silver Spring.  Note that this option
is only available to residential customers.  This costs about $22 a
month with taxes.

2.  Metered by time.  All calls costs 3.1c for the first minute and
1.3c for each additional minute.  Residential customerts have an
option of obtaining $5.85 worth of metering for $3. This costs about
$11 if you take it with no meter allocation, or $14.50 with the extra
$5.85, including taxes, plus any usage if no meter allocation or more
than $5.85 is used, respectively.

3.  Metered by count.  All calls cost 9c regardless of how long you
are on the line.  Residential customers have an option of obtaining 65
calls for $3.  This costs about $11 with no meter allocation, or
$14.50 with 65-call count, including taxes, plus any usage if no meter
allocation or more than 65 calls are made, respectively.

A commercial telephone will pay about $15 a month over these rates,
and all calls are billed either at 3.1c a call/1.3c a minute or 9c a
call.  Except for touch tone, all other services (call forwarding,
three-way, call waiting, caller id, etc.) are at an additional charge.

I switched my service from 1 to 3 with 65 metered calls.

> I'm guessing that you pay a monthly service charge for Caller
> ID.  But this "per message" charge over the 65th call is news
> to me.

You only pay for message charges if you choose to take metered
service.  Caller ID costs $6.50 a month.  I'm only keeping it for the
duration of the test I'm doing, which means in a month I'll drop it
since I will know everything I wanted to know about it.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David Esan)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 18 Nov 93 14:44:46 GMT
Organization: Moscom Corporation, Pittsford NY


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Jamie Mason) writes:

>    Now, correct me if I am wrong here, but is it not the case that
> NPAs for North America are assigned by Bellcore?  Presumably the split
> of the old 416 into 416 and 905 was authorized by Bellcore.

>    I was under the impression that Bellcore publishes, on a regular
> basis, its list of NPA assignments ... and I would assume that any LEC
> or IXC with enough chutzpah to call themselves a "phone company" would
> go to the trouble of reading these lists, and programming their
> computers with them.

Since I don't get tapes from BellCore any longer I can't speak
directly about them, but I can add some experiences.  The tapes from
BellCore generally parallel the additions to the document FCC #10, in
terms of time of addition.

Now, the information for NPA 905 just arrived (11/15/93), even though
905 has been implemented for more than a month.  Why?  I don't know.
We got the information for 810 and 910 in October, and the informtion
about 610 in November.  Both were some time before these codes were
implemented.

I don't think this is strictly a problem because it is a Canadian area
code.  We have gotten in information on some splits a years in
advance, most about three months in advance, and a few after the fact.


David Esan      [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Obviously instead of relying on Bellcore to get you
the information in a timely way, you need to read this Digest for the
latest news on area code splits, etc.  :)  We were talking about 905
long before it occurred. We were even talking about 905 back in the
days when it used to be an 'area code' for Mexico.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Andrew M. Dunn)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: A. Dunn Systems Corporation, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 15:08:52 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (James
Taranto) writes about calling the Toronto Ontario Canada weather info
number:

> [e-mail] wrote:

> It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
> degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!

Yikes!  70 degrees!  That's close to the boiling point of water.  I'd
hate to be outdoors in that kind of heat ... you could fry an egg on
your forehead.   :-)

(Hint ... in Canada we use the metric Celsius system of temperature
measurement, not Fahreinheit.  100 degrees C = 212 degrees F, 20
degrees C is a pleasant 68 degrees F, 0 degrees C is 32 F, and 9
degrees C is around 48 degrees F, quite normal for this time of year
in southern Ontario).


Cheers,

Andy Dunn    <[e-mail]> or <uunet!mongrel!amdunn>


[Moderator's Note: In the USA, we use the metric system to measure the
size of the ammunition for our weapons. :)  9mm bullets are common.
Ooops, I said that one yesterday, but it bears repeating I guess. :)  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott D Fybush)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 04:04:00 GMT


Could someone with knowledge of the 416/905 split enlighten me about
416-551?  The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission hotline was at
416-551-3409, and I had thought that area was going to 905.  Yet from
617-254 Brighton, here's what I get when trying to call 905-551-3409:

Via AT&T: Loud rushing noise with occasional clicks and pops.
Via MCI and Sprint: "Your call cannot be completed as dialed".
Via Westinghouse internal network: Ditto

416-551-3409 connects just fine.  It's not that 905 isn't working, I
can call Mississauga numbers in 905-820-XXXX just fine via all four
carriers.

Is there something weird about 416/905-551?

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 13:18:36 EST
From: Tony Harminc <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized


[e-mail] (James Taranto) wrote:

>> Digest readers who are interested in testing 905 out could try to get
>> Toronto weather information at +1 905 676.3066 to see if 905 will work
>> (pre-recorded message). I work in (905) area as well, and could
>> provide the work number(s) on request.

> It works from Brooklyn, N.Y., though the recording said it was nine
> degrees out.  Can that be right?  It was in the 70s today in NYC!

Well it has been a bit chilly here lately -- nine degrees sounds about
right.  But 70s in NYC !?  Let's see -- a hot day in Death Valley would
be around 55 degrees.  My water heater thermostat is set to 65 degrees.
Water boils at 100 -- freezes at 0.

Could it be that NYC uses some funky temperature scale not used anywhere
else in the civilized world ... ?


Tony Harminc   (in the heart of 905 country)

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

From: [e-mail] (John Little)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: UUNorth's AccessPoint Service
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 19:26:43 GMT


When my parents try to call me (905 area code) from Central Florida,
using AT&T, they get an error, and have to use 416 to reach me.  They
live in the 407 area code, and the LEC is Southern Bell, with AT&T as
the LD carrier, you would assume that they would get the most recent
information.


[Moderator's Note: AT&T has nothing to do with the error message your
parents are reaching. Southern Bell is picking it off before it even
leaves the local phone exchange. All the telcos examine the digits
which are given to them for validity and to see if it is a call they
should handle (or hand off to a long distance carrier). Southern Bell
can't find it in their table, and claim it is an error. To prove this
for yourself, have your parents *bypass the local central office* by
going direct to AT&T on 800-CALL-ATT or similar, then dialing the
905 number. It'll go through okay. Another proof will come when you
have your parents dial through the central office as before, but
using a carrier access code such as 10333 for Sprint or 10222 for
MCI (or 10288 for AT&T). The same thing will occur: the call will
be rejected, and one would think Sprint or MCI did not know about 905
either, but in truth, they are never even seeing the request because
Southern Bell is not handing it to them.

And when you call the local telephone company and politely suggest
they get their act together, the clerk first tries to pass you off to
the long distance carrier ('you will have to complain to them') or
maybe they ask if you have tried from all the phones in your house and
get the same problem from each phone, and that they can have someone
come out a week from next Thursday but if the problem is discovered to
be on your end, boy are you gonna pay for it. Illinois Bell had a
prefix missing from their table for area 414 for the longest time. No
amount of talking to them did any good. Finally I reached a reasonably
intelligent supervisor at AT&T who passed the message to her co-worker
in charge of those things, and he called someone at IBT who corrected
it.  PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 11:32:05 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized


I take it that traveler living in Mississauga was a woman?  On rare
occasions, I do hear the play on words where "Mrs."  is heard in the
first part of "Mississippi".

So whoever said "I asked for residence not name" should have
recognized that he/she was right at Mississauga, right?


[Moderator's Note: No, what directory should have said next was
'What town does Mrs. Ogga live in?'    :)   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert Casey)
Subject: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 04:32:22 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
writes:

> The problem MAY stem from the fact that 905 was previously one of the
> area codes assigned to Mexico a few years ago, before it was decided
> that Mexico would be reached only via country code.  Until about three
> years ago you could reach them both ways.

Would NAFTA have any impact on area code assignment?  If USA, Canada,
and Mexico are gonna be an economic unit, would there be motivation to
make phone calling to Mexico similar to the style used to call Canada
and USA (outside your local area code)?  Well, they probably couldn't
give back 905 to Mexico, but make up a new sort of area code for
them?


[Moderator's Note: I don't think NAFTA will matter. Besides, TelMex
has never had the same historic relationship with telcos in the USA
and Canada that the telcos in this country have had with each other.
I rather suspect Mexico will remain an 'international' point.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Lamont)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 15:17:04 -0800
Organization: Connected INC -- Internet Services


Henry Mensch ([e-mail]) wrote:

> For my residential long distance I currently use AT&T ... I got a
> check in the mail from MCI last week (not a very big one, as they say;
> only $20) which I get to cash if I let them switch me to MCI (and
> friends and informants, or whatever it is this week).

> Now, I remember reading in this space that some folks were able to
> redeem these checks with their current LD carrier without having to
> switch carriers ... has anyone done this lately ... with AT&T?  If so,
> how ...?

I heard someone say that if you (1) call your local telephone company
(i.e., your LEC) and tell them you don't want your phone slammed
(which means you want to freeze any changes to your long distance
carrier) and (2) cash the check at the bank, the carrier pays you the
money but their change order for their long distance service does not
get processed.  You could say you get to take the money to the bank!

I have never tried this, which is unfortunate because some of my
"checks" have been for $75.


Steven Lamont   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I would suggest that to deliberatly connive and
structure things in that way amounts to fraud even though all you
are doing is taking advantage of flaws in the system.  Anyway, to
be 'slammed' means to process the change without your signature. The
carrier has your signature on the back of the check you signed, and
if your signature is not sufficient to dictate your choice of carrier
then I don't know what would be. Actually, if the local telco froze
changes on your account on the basis of your phone call alone, in
effect you 'slammed' yourself. Slamming by definition means the
undocumented change or confirmation of carriers. Your signature is
adequate documentation.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark W. Schumann)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Date: 17 Nov 1993 23:27:26 -0500
Organization: Akademia Pana Kleksa, Public Access Uni* Site


In article <[e-mail]>, Henry Mensch <hcm@netcom.
com> wrote:

> Now, I remember reading in this space that some folks were able to
> redeem these checks with their current LD carrier without having to
> switch carriers ... has anyone done this lately ... with AT&T?  If so,
> how ...?

Yes, you have to switch carriers.

But read the fine print.  You can switch to the new carrier and change
right back again the next day if you like; just wait for the check to
clear and the paperwork to go through.

What's neat about this is if you have AT&T, then cash an MCI check,
you will likely get a check from AT&T to come back.  If you play your
cards right it can be a lot of free money.  :-)

In answer to the obvious question, yes, I am really a pain in the neck
to play Monopoly with also.


Mark W. Schumann/3111 Mapledale Avenue/Cleveland, Ohio 44109-2447 USA
Preferred: [e-mail] | Alternative: [e-mail]
"Aren't you glad you didn't marry someone dumber than you?" --my wife


[Moderator's Note: Regards your signature, it was W.C. Fields who once
commented on his choice of girlfriends, 'The dumber they are, the better
I like 'em ... :)   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 12:19:41 CDT
From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Strange T1 Behavior


In a previous message, Tom Lowe writes:

> I have a client with several T1s from Sprint.  A strange thing happens
> when I place a 14.4 modem call to one of the channels and a voice call
> to an ADJACENT channel (using 800 numbers).  A static type of noise
> becomes present on the voice call when the far end is talking.  It is
> especially noticable when listening to ringback or busy signal.  If I
> disconnect the modem call, the static goes away.

> If there is one or more channels between the calls, there is no problem.
> The T1 is using D4 and AMI formats.  I am not getting any timing slips.
> Has anyone experienced such behavior or have any ideas?

This could be crosstalk.  The data on a 14.4 modem sounds like noise
to our human ears.  In addition to happening within the T span, the
cross-talk can occur at your end (before the calls get in to the
span), or at the far end (after the calls get off the span).  I assume
you have two analog lines at your work location; one for the voice
call and one for the modem line.  The crosstalk can occur in the cable
from your office to the distribution frame, or at the far end from
their distribution frame to their work location.

The fact that the problem does not occur when there is one or more
channels between the calls does not necessarily implicate the T1.  It
could be that the crosstalk occurs within the last three feet of the
cable (in the distribution frame, where the cables are "punched" down
on the terminal block).


David Devereaux-Weber          [phone] (voice)
MACC Communications; B263      [phone] (FAX)
1210 W Dayton St.              [e-mail] (Internet)
Madison, WI 53706

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave Levenson)
Subject: Re: Strange T1 Behavior
Organization: Westmark, Inc.
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 02:43:04 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Tom
Lowe) writes:

> I have a client with several T1s from Sprint.  A strange thing happens
> when I place a 14.4 modem call to one of the channels and a voice call
> to an ADJACENT channel (using 800 numbers).  A static type of noise

> The T1 is using D4 and AMI formats.

I am not able to help with a solution to this one, but I am very
interested in it, as I have a customer who is about to install a
substantial amount of Sprint T-1 service.  You don't say how the T-1
line from Sprint is terminated at your client's site.  Is there a
channel bank?  If so, which one?  What's on the analog side of it?  My
instinctive answer would be to look there for the crosstalk.

How about your end?  Are your analog voice and data circuits leaking?


Dave Levenson        Internet: [e-mail]
Westmark, Inc.        UUCP: {uunet | rutgers | att}!westmark!dave
Stirling, NJ, USA    Voice: 908 647 0900  Fax: [phone]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #767
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa05599;
          19 Nov 93 3:35 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA27875
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:32:40 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA07585
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:32:00 -0600
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:32:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #768

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 19 Nov 93 00:32:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 768

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Canadian Govt Database Updates (Tyson Macaulay)
    Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem (Dean Pentcheff)
    Serial Protocol For NT TCM/MPDA (Bill Riess)
    GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?) (Erik Ramberg)
    Custom Cable Makers? (David Morgenstern)
    Mobilnet Pushing Credit Card Verification Over Cellular (Barry Lustig)
    Fiber Amplifiers and Solitons (Fred Bertsch)
    Terse 800 Failure ... Oh My! (Scott M. Pfeffer)
    Compression With ISDN (Roger Fajman)
    Watch Those Memos: TCI Memo Text (Reed Vance)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 15:54:13 EST
From: Tyson=Macaulay%DTP%DGCP=HQ=[e-mail]
Subject: Canadian Govt Database Updates


*****  ATTACHMENT: G:\DATABASE\00ANNOU.N18 *****

                           Latest additions to
              Industry and Science Canada's Internet database
                            *******************
             Dernieres additions a la base de donnees Internet
                       Industrie et Sciences Canada

All files are available via anonymous ftp gopher and listserv unless
otherwise stated.

Tous les fichiers sont accessibles par le truchement de la commande
GOPHER ou LISTSERV du protocole de transfert de fichier (ftp) anonyme,
sauf indications contraires.

Anonymous ftp  to debra.dgbt.doc.ca  /pub/isc

Gopher to debra.dgbt.doc.ca   port 70

If you Gopher into the database a WAIS search-engine is available to
scan the entire database for keywords.  Do to the large number of
files this is the recommended approach -- if available.

Si vous entrez dans la base de donnees a l'aide de la commande Gopher,
une ressource de recherche WAIS permet de rechercher des mots cles
dans toute la base de donnees.  En raison du grand nombre de fichiers,
voici l'approche recommandee, s'il y a lieu.

Send Listserv commands to [e-mail] with the command
/ Lancez les commandes Listserv a Listservdebra.dgbt.doc.ca a l'aide
de la commande

get isc 00readme

in the body of the message/ a l'interieur du message.  This file will
give more details about listserv access. / Ce fichier vous permet
d'obtenir plus de details sur l'acces a listserv.

New files in  /pub/isc:

***  Insight.zip

Information Technology Statistical Review 1993 /
Revue statistique de 1993 sur la technologie de l'information

This is a software package contaning IT information for the Canadian
and US IT industries in hypertext format.  This program is to run on
PC and requires about 9 megs of free disk space.  Instructions for
installation and running are included in the zip file:

Il s'agit d'un progiciel qui contient des renseignements sur la
technologie de l'information (TI) pour les industries de la TI au
Canada et aux Etats-Unis, en format hypertexte.  Ce programme tourne
sur les PC et necessite quelque 9 Mo d'espace disque.  Les
instructions d'installation et d'execution sont incluses dans le
fichier comprime (zip);

Be sure to decompress this file using the command / Prenez soin
de decomprimer ce fichier a l'aide de la commande:

pkunzip -d insight.zip

***  privacy.protection.in.telecommunications.english

This file is concerned with the privacy implications of
telecommunications services made possible by new technology and market
changes.  Its particular focus is that privacy issues should be dealt
with as a telecommunications-specific matter, taking into account the
need to balance the cost against the benefits of telecommunications
service innovations. The paper proposes that privacy principles be
developed through a public consultation process, and implementedon by
the telecommunications carriers and service providers.

***   protection.privee.telecommunications.francais

Ce fichier a trait aux repercussions de la Loi sur la protection des
renseignements personnels en matiere de services de telecommunication,
protection maintenant possible grace a la nouvelle technologie et aux
changements qui caracterisent les marches.  Il permet, notamment,
d'assurer que les questions relatives a la protection des
renseignements personnels soient traitees strictement dans le contexte
des telecommunications, et de tenir compte de la necessite de trouver
le juste equilibre entre les couts et les avantages des innovations
dans le domaine des services de telecommunications.  Dans cette
communication, nous proposons que les principes regissant la
protection des renseignements personnels soient elabores dans le cadre
d'un processus de consultation, puis mis en oeuvre par les entreprises
de telecommunications et les fournisseurs de services.

***   isc.programs.english

This file contains information about the various government programs
available from ISC to aid in technology development by the private
sector in Canada.  All documents are available in English and French.

***   programmes.isc.francais

Ce fichier contient des renseignements sur les divers programmes
gouvernementaux offerts par ISC, destines au developpement
technologique par le secteur prive au Canada.  Tous les documents sont
disponibles en anglais et en francais.

***   videotheque.library.english

This is a catalogue of the video library that ISC makes available to
the private sector in Canada for free.  All files are in both English
and French. An order-form file is included individually.


***   videotheque.bibliotheque.francais

Il s'agit d'un catalogue de la videotheque qu'ISC met gratuitement a
la disposition du secteur prive au Canada.  Tous les fichiers sont
disponibles en anglais et en francais.  Un fichier de formules de
commande y est inclus.

In addition to these new files in /pub/isc there are three new
subdirectories with several hundred files, these directories are only
available via anonymous ftp and gopher.

Outre ces nouveaux fichiers dans /pub/isc, trois nouveaux
sous-repertoires sont associes a plusieurs centaines de fichiers; ces
repertoires ne sont accessibles que par le truchement des commandes
ftp et gopher anonymes.


/pub/isc/technology.networking.guide

The **Technology Networking Guide -- Canada** documents Canadian
private and public sector technology information sources, services,
programs and contacts.  These files are intended to aid Canadian
business in the location of technology expertise, assistance and
opportunities which will create new business and help the expansion of
existing industries.

Le **Guide de la gestion de la technologie en reseau - Canada**
documente les sources d'informations technologiques des secteurs
public et prive au Canada, les services, les programmes et les
ressources qui s'y rattachent.  Le but de ces fichiers est d'aider les
entreprises canadiennes a recenser l'expertise technologique, a
obtenir l'assistance necessaire et a repertorier les possibilites de
creation de nouvelles affaires, tout en contribuant a l'expansion des
industries existantes.

/pub/isc/isc.publications.english

This directory contains a list of publications sponsored by the
department of Industry and Science Canada. The publications are
arranged chronologically according to sector area. Information for
obtaining each publication is made available along with the abstract.

/pub/isc/publications.isc.francais

Ce repertoire contient une liste de publications parrainees par
Industries et Sciences Canada.  Les publications sont classees dans un
ordre chronologique, par sujet.  Le resume fourni contient les
renseignements de commande de chaque publication.

Questions or comments should be addressed to:
Veuillez faire parvenir tous commentaires ou questions a
l'attention de:

Tyson Macaulay
Internet Applications Consultant

Industry and Science Canada
7th Floor, Journal Tower North
300 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario   K1A 0C8
[phone]
e-mail / courrier electronique:  [e-mail]
                                  [e-mail]

File updated / Mise a jour de fichier: Nov 18, 1993

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

From: [e-mail] (Dean Pentcheff)
Subject: Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem
Date: 18 Nov 1993 14:01:49 -0500
Organization: Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia


I'm working at the University of South Carolina in the Biological
Sciences Department.  We've begun to explore the possibilities of
setting up a network to provide scientific information and images to
secondary schools in the state.  The idea is to provide a network for
teachers and students to correspond, and also to provide some Internet
access (via such tools as Mosaic for Windows and Usenet News).

The original plan was very simple: one computer per school with a
high-speed modem.  There are about eight schools involved, so we
figured on a modem bank on this end with eight modems.  They'd dial in
and get connected to our host machine and use SLIP for TCP/IP
connectivity.  Fine.

Then, in talking with the teachers, it became evident that we had to
set up multiple machines per school (essentially one per science/math
classroom) or the whole thing would be sort of useless.  Now we're in
over our heads and need some help to think about this.

I'm assuming that the basic way to go about this would be to set up a
LAN at each school (perhaps 10Base2 Ethernet cards in each computer
since that's what I'm familiar with).  I assume there's a way to link
that network with our host at USC.  What do we need?  We're pretty
clueless.

I'm assuming that we need something like the following:

School                          _Some flavor of phone line
  PC--|                        /
  PC--|                       /
  PC--|--Magic Box 1--Modem?--*--Modem?--|-Magic Box 2--Campus net
  PC--|                                  |              or our host
  PC--|                                  |
                                         |
School                                   |
  PC--|                                  |
  PC--|--Magic Box 1--Modem?--*--Modem?--|
                                         |
School                                   |
  PC--|                                  |
  PC--|--Magic Box 1--Modem?--*--Modem?--|

I don't know what "Magic Box 1" is.  Are there devices that can can be
directly hooked up to an Ethernet and relay packets to a remote site
(bridge?).  What type of phone line is appropriate?  Is it possible to
do this on a dialup line or is that a stupid idea?  If so, what sort
of leased line would be appropriate (keeping in mind that the cost of
this _must_ be low).

What's needed on our end?  A modem for each incoming line?  There must
be another "Magic Box" on the other end - do we need just one (as
diagrammed), or do we need one for each incoming phone line?  How are
those connected to the campus network?  Or would we connect directly
to our host?

You see how lost we are?

What are good sources of information on this sort of thing?
Alternately, if there's someone out there who does this sort of thing
professionally, I'd be extremely appreciative if you'd let me give you
a call and pick your brain for 15 minutes.  I suspect that to people
in the networking biz, this is a pretty trivial thing to set up.  Our
problem is that we don't have the background to even begin to assess
the multitude of possibilities.

Thanks for any info or leads you can send me!


N. Dean Pentcheff
Biological Sciences, Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208 (803-777-8998)
Internet addresses: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Serial Protocol For NT TCM/MPDA
Organization: Swiss Bank Corporation CM&T Division
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 23:10:08 GMT


We are trying to interface a Northern Telecom phone to some of our
computer applications in a Non-PC/MAC environment (ie: does NOT
compete with NT's VISIT products).  We may implement some VISIT-like
features, but Northern Telecom says they have "no plans" to do
anything in our envivonment.

I have talked (at length) to Northern Telecom about the serial
protocol used between their Meridian Programmable Data Adapter (MPDA)
and the attached device (PC, Workstation, whatever.)  This apparently
is the same as used by their Meridian TelAdaptor TCM. This is the
protocol a PC running VISIT Voice or VISIT Video uses to "talk" to the
phone, controlling the various features and functions.

The manual that comes with the TCM or MPDA does have some simple "AT"
commands for control, but there is a "transparent" mode (activaed with
"ATTSP!") that allows for access to the RAW SIGNALLING between the PBX
and phone and "is used by some special software applications".  This
mode is used by the VISIT products.

It seems Northen Telecom is rather secretive about how this stuff
works, even though AT&T and Rolm publish and distribute equivalent
information for their respective equipment.  NT actually has the
documentation, it is called "The TCM Loop Series (2616) Aeries Subset
of x.11 Commands", Northern Document F2K90AC, but they are unwilling
and/or unable to release it.

My frustration makes me want to just reverse-engineer the protocol,
which appears straight-forward, as I have done a similar thing
previously.  However, I'd rather spend my time more productively.
Which leads me to my questions:

    Does anyone out there have documentation on this Protocol?
OR
    Can you tell me how to obtain it?
OR
    Can you suggest someone who does/can?
OR
    Do you have an other approaches/ideas?


Thanks!

Bill Riess
Swiss Bank Corp.
141 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago Illinois
Phone: [phone]  FAX: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]

The opinions expressed above are NOT those of Swiss Bank Corp.,
   and I will likely disavow they are mine if confronted.

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

From: [e-mail] (Erik Ramberg)
Subject: GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?)
Date: 18 Nov 1993 21:39:46 GMT
Organization: ESL Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(David Hough) wrote:

> As any radio amateur worth his salt will know, 100% amplitude
> modulation of a signal with what amounts to a square wave is bound to
> cause problems. Still, look at it the other way: now we have something
> else to blame when the TV picture breaks up into a mass of
> interference :-)

 Huh?!?  GSM uses GMSK, i.e. MSK with a Gaussian window.  TDMA uses
DQPSK, or a quaternary form of phase shift keying.  Both of these
formats are designed to fit within the channel bandwidth and are very
different from the AM that you discribe.  Though I'm sure nobody
really knows what's to blame for the interference, if anything it's
some strange intermod problem rather than directly attributal to the
move to a TDMA type system.


Erik

Nothing that I say can be construed as the opinion of my employer.

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

From: [e-mail] (David Morgenstern)
Subject: Custom Cable Makers?
Organization: California State University, Sacramento
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 17:00:51 GMT


I've used one of these Radio Shack devices to tape record phone calls
in the past (nothing nefarious). I would split the line and one side
would go to the phone and the other to the tape recorder with the help
of a little switch box with cables.

But here's the problem. I'm working now in a place with a Meridian
system, which won't let me do this. I would guess that if I could
split the handle then I could do this. What I need is a special cable
(with a bunch of capacitors and whatever) to divide the handle cable,
with one side going to the handle, and the other to a regular tape
recorder line in plug. Or second best, an adaptor for the device I
already own ...?

Does anyone know of some places that could do this kind of work?  And
how much? Or if you've seen it already done in a catalog?

Please reply to [e-mail].


Thanks,

David Morgenstern,  [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 18:57:08 -0500
From: Barry Lustig <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mobilnet Pushing Credit Card Verification Over Cellular
Organization: ICTV Systems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA [phone]


In the "Quality Talk" newsletter issued with my latest bill from GTE
Mobilnet bill was an article titled "New Mobile Merchant Captures More
Sales".  The article goes on to describe a product from Verifone that
allows merchants to do credit card capture and authorization in the
"field".  Unfortunately, they don't mention anything about whether or
not card numbers go out over the air in the clear.  When will these
folks start dealing with the reality of cellular snooping.


barry


[Moderator's Note: The 'reality of cellular snooping' is that there
really isn't much of it and what there is is considerably overrated.
Relatively few people bother doing it, although lots of people are
excited at first knowing they can do it with their modified scanner,
etc. Then after a week or less of listening to others, when they
realize that unlike a soap opera they listen to on television, the
calls they pick up on the scanner will be there a few seconds or a
minute and drop off as soon as the tower they are monitoring passes
the call, they get bored. Their scanner flips endlessly through 832
channels, hitting the same conversations over and over that they do
not want to hear, so they have to reach over and step it up a
channel to start the scan process again; then when one that does sound
interesting comes along, its there a few seconds and the tower passes
it off; finding where (what channel) it moved to is anyone's guess,
and the folks sit there scanning and trying to follow it, but give
up. As noted, after a week or so they get tired of the game and go
back to listening to their local police frequencies, or other stable
conversations where the radio either talks or remains silent but they
don't have to keep stepping past stuff they don't want and chasing
after what they find mildly interesting. The nature of how cellular
phones work does not make them all that easy a target for repeated
and constant listening to any one phone by any one snoop, etc where
scanners are concerned.

But what about the professional con-artist you say? The one who uses
special equipment to capture ESN data (as one example) and install it
in other phones?  What real use do you think he has of your credit
card number, particularly when he does not have your name and address
to go along with it?  Is he going to do a phone order for merchandise
and have it come to *his* address to be signed for? People who wish
to fraudulently use the credit of others want the *plastic* to present
to merchants in a situation where the merchandise can be carried
away on the spot. They don't like leaving audit trails; messy things
like ANI records of their 800 call; a UPS delivery record of a package
signed for by 'someone' in their residence, etc.

The fleeting second or two that a credit card number is recited over a
cellular phone poses no greater risk than the fleeting second or two
you are punching digits at a cash station machine (for example) which
has a hardwired landline phone to the bank's computer. Do you have
equal concerns about the possibility -- quite remote -- that someone
is tapping a multiple on the pair between the cash station and the
bank to pick up tidbits of information regards card numbers and PINS?
The chance of your credit card number getting abused by someone
plucking it off the airwaves without your name, address and PIN to go
along with it is equally remote. At least at the cash station, your
account number and PIN are put in the machine and transmitted; is that
a better deal to you?

Phreaks being phreaks, they will always manage to rip some people off.
But to *not* use cellular phones for card verification in remote
settings (like an outside flea market for example) would drive the
cost of credit higher than it already is, forcing everyone to pay
more. The credit granters would rather take a risk on an occassional
 -- very occassional, very rare, INHO -- fraud by an opportunistic
person who just happened to be tuned in scanning, just happened to
land on the channel handling your call; just happened to have a pen
and paper handy and just happened to have a criminal mindset all at
the same time that your credit card number was passed.  I agree.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Fred Bertsch)
Subject: Fiber Amplifiers and Solitons
Organization: Cornell-Materials-Science-Center
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:07:54 GMT


I've heard that AT&T already has some Er doped fiber amplifiers in
some terrestrial lines, and next year they plan two submarine cabels
using them.  Are other telecom carriers far behind?  It seems as
though the technology should be significantly cheaper than recons-
tructing the signal electronically.

How about solitons?  I seem to remember that NTT managed to generate
them.  Is that true?  Anyone else?


Fred

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott M. Pfeffer)
Subject: Terse 800 Failure ... Oh My!
Date: 19 Nov 93 02:25:28 GMT
Organization: Southwestern Bell Telephone Company


After reading an article about Ascend Corp. in this newsgroup I called
the number listed in the article after hours.  To make a long story
short, the recording at Ascend gave an 800 number to call for customer
service ...

I called the number, but accidently misdialed:

   1 800 272-3631

as opposed to the number I should have ...

In any event, I got the following:

  One ring.
  "Click"
  High-paid male announcer's voice saying
     "A system error has occurred.  Goodbye."
  "Click"
  Delay
  Dialtone.

Time: 8:10 pm
From: St. Louis
Date: 11/16/93

Weird.  I wonder who the carrier was ...?  I wonder where the problem
was ...?
I wonder what this world has come to ...?  Reminds me of the old days when
terse young men used to serve as operators (way before any of us were
cognitive human beings ...)


Scott Pfeffer     Information Services, Southwestern Bell Telephone


[Moderator's Note: I just got the same message by trying the number
now from Chicago. It is not a carrier recording, it is a customer's
recording, probably from a voicemail system misprogrammed.   PAT]

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

From: Roger Fajman <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993  21:09:02 EST
Subject: Compression With ISDN


> While some modem purveyors are claiming much faster speeds, these are
> the result of data compression which works just as well over ISDN as
> over a modem.  If you stick to apple-apples comparisons it's still 128
> Kbps vs. 28 Kbps and that's a big difference by any measure.

Yes, of course it's true that it's possible to do compression over
ISDN.  But is it practical today?  As far as I know, there is no
standard way of doing compression over ISDN and that ISDN terminal
adapters sold today generally do not have compression.  True or not
true?  If not, please mention some manufacturers and model numbers.


Roger Fajman                     Telephone:  [phone]
National Institutes of Health       BITNET:     RAF@NIHCU
Bethesda, Maryland, USA           Internet:   [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 13:43:52 CST
From: Reed Vance <[e-mail]>
Subject: Watch Those Memos: TCI Memo Text


This is supposedly the text of the infamous TCI Memo.  This was passed to
me from someone on the telecomreg Listserv:Telecomreq LISTSERV.

To: Multiple recipients of list <[e-mail]>
Subject: TCI MEMO TEXT

Here's the full text of the memo from TCI Cable COO Barry Marshall to
the troops:

As we move into the regulatory environment, it's important to remember
something vital ... under regulation, we can't simply adjust our
economics anymore. We have to take the revenue from the sources that
we can, when we can. To that end I want to remind each of you that the
transaction charges for upgrades, downgrades, customer-caused service
calls, VCR hookups, etc. are vital new revenue sources to us. We
estimate that by charging for these functions we can recover almost
half of what we're losing from rate adjustments.

We have to have discipline. Much like the install fee problem, we
cannot be dissuaded from the charges simply because customers object.
It will take a while but they'll get used to it ... they pay it to
other service providers all the time ... and it isn't free with the
phone company!

Please hang in on this and installs, and we can still have a great
fourth quarter when we have our heaviest volume. The best news of all
is, we can blame it on reregulation and the government now. Let's take
advantage of it!


Reed Vance     Irving, TX   USA   [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #768
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa06670;
          19 Nov 93 4:56 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA01611
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 01:58:43 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA18318
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 01:58:03 -0600
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 01:58:03 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #769

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 19 Nov 93 01:58:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 769

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI (Toby Nixon)
    Re: "Press (__) to Hear Special Message ..." (Mike King)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Gordon Jacobson)
    Re: Atomic Clocks (was: For A Good Time, Call 202-653-1800) (Alex Ranous)
    Re: Nationwide Caller ID (Patrick Chung-Pui Ko)
    Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet (Lars Poulsen)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Michael P. Deignan)
    Re: Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter (Ken A. Becker)
    Re: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers (Paul Robinson)
    Re: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers (Bob Schwartz)
    Re: Calling Card Question (Kevin A. Mitchell)
    Re: Calling Card Question (Paul Robinson)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (David Leibold)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (John R. Levine)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (Carl Moore)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Toby Nixon)
Subject: Re: Microsoft Telephony API/SPI
Organization: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond WA, USA
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:47:47 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, Joe Armstrong
> <[e-mail]> wrote:

>> Does anybody have any information available about products which use
>> the recently published Microsoft Telephony API/SPI?

> Given, that this spec is supported, and written by a joint venture of
> two companies with little or no communications experience (Intel and
> Micro$oft), it seems to have little promise of being adopted as a
> standard.

> This may change, if a major PBX or switch vendor buys into it.

When Windows Telephony was announced back in May, over 40 companies
participated.  In addition to Microsoft and Intel, companies which
have announced support include:

    Acer America
    Acotec GmbH
    Active Voice Corporation
    Alcatel Business Systems Group
    Ameritech
    Analog Devices
    Articulate Systems
    Aspect Communications
    AT&T Global Business Communications Systems
    Bell Atlantic
    Centigram Communications Corporation
    Compaq Computer Corporation
    Contact Software International
    Cypress Research Corporation
    DEES Communication Engineering Ltd.
    Delrina
    Dialogic
    Digital Equipment Corporation
    DSP Group, Inc.
    Ericsson Business Communications
    Executone Information Systems
    Floreat, Inc.
    Fujitsu Business Communications Systems
    GPT
    Harris Digital Telephone Systems
    Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.
    InteCom, Inc.
    ISOCOR
    Jensen-Jones, Inc.
    Lotus
    Mitel
    Momentum Data Systems
    Motorola Digital Signal Processor Operation
    Motorola/Universal Data Systems
    National Semiconductor, Inc.
    Natural MicroSystems
    NEC Corporation
    Northern Telecom
    Octel Communications Corporation
    OCTuS, Inc.
    PictureTel
    Polaris Software
    Rhetorex
    Rockwell International Corporation
    Siemens Private Communication Systems Group (ROLM)
    Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
    Smart Technologies
    Spectron
    TeleInt GmbH
    Toshiba America Information Systems
    Unifi Communications Corporation
    US West Communications, Inc.
    VMX, Inc.
    Voice Technologies Group, Inc.

I think you'll agree that this includes most of the major players in
the industry, including the "major PBX or switch vendors" you say are
necessary for success (AT&T, Northern Telecom, Seimens/Rolm, Ericsson,
Alcatel, Fujitsu, NEC, Harris, Intecom, Mitel, etc.), plus all of the
major PC-based voice processing companies, most of the makers of
telephony hardware chips, many major data, fax, and voice software
developers, major telephone network operators, etc.

Over 10,000 copies of the preliminary specification have been
downloaded from various FTP sites and CompuServe, in addition to the
thousands mailed out on paper and diskette from Microsoft. The
official release of the SDK is imminent.

As for "little or no communications experience", I was Principal
Engineer at Hayes for nine years, and their representative in US and
international standards committees (including TIA and CCITT). Similar
experience exists of the Intel side. You can't assume that companies
at Microsoft will stand still and not hire the best talent in pursuit
of major corporate initiatives. The spec wasn't developed in a vacuum,
either; most of the companies mentioned above (including your own)
have made extensive contributions as it was developed.

I'm happy to say that the vast majority of industry analysts have
heartily disagreed with your assessment that Windows Telephony has
"little promise of being adopted as a standard."  On the contrary, it
will be the core of switched communications support in the next major
version of Windows, and a major part of continuing to make personal
computing easier to use.


Toby Nixon  Program Manager -- Windows Telephony
Digital Office Systems Group   Microsoft Corporation

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 08:10:07 EST
From: [e-mail] (Mike King)
Subject: Re: "Press (__) to Hear Special Message ..."


In TELECOM Digest, V13 #742, [e-mail] (Elana Beach) wrote:

> I want to somehow have the simple option of an answering machine that
> will allow me to say something like: "Press 1 for the latest news on
> Chris Franke's limited CD release".  That way, anyone who wants to
> hear that stuff would have the option, and others can just ignore it
> and leave a message like usual.

Would you consider the inverse?  Most GE, Panasonic, and AT&T
answering machines have a feature where the caller can press '*' to
avoid the rest of the outgoing message and get the beep immediately.
Perhaps you could set your OGM to, "If you'd like to leave a message,
press star; otherwise stay on hte line for the latest news on Chris
Franke's limited CD release."

I've used my machine in that manner when I've needed to leave the
house but I wanted to get a message to the caller.  "Hello, if this is
 ...., please stay on the line; otherwise, press star to leave a
message."  Of course, I never left confidential messages in that manner.


Mike    [e-mail]   * Usual disclaimers *

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

Reply-To: [e-mail] (Gordon Jacobson)
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 00:02:08
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
From: [e-mail] (Gordon Jacobson)


> Oh, and I cannot get ISDN, either.

        All Business Service NYTel COs south of 57th Street provide
ISDN PRI/BRI.

Call Bob Block at [phone].

> My service comes from the "Second Avenue" central office in Manhattan.

        So does mine -- 2nd Avenue and 56th Street in fact.  And I can
get ISDN whenever I want it.


Regards,

GAJ

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

From: [e-mail] (Alex Ranous)
Subject: Re: Atomic Clocks (was: For A Good Time, Call 202-653-1800)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 22:14:09 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Networked Systems Architecture


Lou Fernandez ([e-mail]) wrote:

> For more than you ever wanted to know about time, frequency and
> clocks, I recommend you consult the July 1991 issue of the Proceeding
> of the IEEE, Special Issue on Time and Frequency.

Another place to find about this subject which is a bit more
approchable is the July 93 issue of {Scientific American} in an
artical titled "Accurate Measurement of Time"


Alex

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

From: [e-mail] (Patrick Chung-Pui Ko)
Subject: Re: Nationwide Caller ID
Date: 19 Nov 1993 02:09:07 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley


Is there any way I could get a phone service from Northwest Bell
in California? Since PacBell plays games can we just use a different
telco?


[Moderator's Note: Sure you can, subject to a few requirements and a
big budget for phone service. You can call 'Northwest Bell' or any
telco you like; tell them you want Foreign Exchange (FX) service at
your address in California. In other words, you want local Minneapolis
dialtone or whatever. They'll be glad to arrange it for you, and of
course, they'll coordinate it through PacBell since that's the telco
which will supply the wire pair. You'll pay many, many hundreds of
dollars per month for the FX circuit; but when you pick up the phone
you'll get dialtone from the city of your choice and when someone
dials that local number wherever, it will in fact ring on your phone
in California.

Two caveats, or maybe three: you won't be able to make *local* calls
on that phone, since *local* will be defined as the service area of
'Northwest Bell'. I hope you know a lot of people living in
Minneapolis, because you will be able to call them like a local call.
Another caveat: it is questionable if custom calling features will be
available to you. Not all telcos offer custom calling with FX service;
I think it is the exception if they do. A third caveat: plan to pay
PacBell for two things: the minimum monthly amount for one of their
lines you never use since you have to have some form of local service
as part of the deal, and also plan to pay PacBell for the wiring you
are leasing from them to bring your 'Northwest Bell' service in to you
 -- unless the remote telco is paying it direct to PacBell and charging
it back to you.

In summary, each local telco has a protected area which is theirs
alone to serve. At the present time, and in the immediate future, it
is unlikely the Bell Companies -- or for that matter, any of the inde-
pent telcos who have historically worked together -- will invade each
other's territories to provide local dialtone. On the other hand, had
you asked if you could ditch PacBell and go with a *non-traditional*
carrier -- say, your local cable company, or one of the upstarts in
recent years like Metropolitan Fiber, my answer would be maybe you
can before long. But in real practice, no you can't right now unless
you are a big business and can justify the cost of FX.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 17:49:27 GMT


I have received large amounts of email with proof that the Federal
Networking Council's ban on routing Internet packets to Russia has
been lifted, and RELCOM has installed a line to ALTER.NET.

I am pleased to see this concession to reality.


Lars Poulsen        Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
CMC Network Products    Phone: (011-) [phone]
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B    Telefax:      [phone]
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK  Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael P. Deignan)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 23:59:27 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Michael D. Sullivan) writes:

> Under federal law, any conversation going through a cellular switch is
> considered a telephone conversation subject to the wiretap laws (the
> technical term is "wire communication".  A cellular phone is just as
> private as a landline phone, because people have the same legal right
> not to be "scanned" as they do not to have someone tapping in on a
> craft set.

Why is it not illegal to listen to cordless phone conversation then?
Cordless phones work on the same principle as cellular, except you
only have a single "cell" (your base station) to communicate with.


Michael P. Deignan
Population Studies & Training Center
Brown University, Box 1916, Providence, RI  02912
[phone]


[Moderator's Note: Why? Because the industry association which represents
cordless phone manufacturers does not have the same political pull
with Congress that the cellular phone companies have. If they would
offer cash bribes -- only they call them gifts to the congress person's
campaign fund -- the same as the cellular carriers did, then they could
have a stupid law passed on their behalf also.   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 09:31:26 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Need to Buy E1 to T1 Converter
Organization: AT&T


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(wts1) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ken
> Adler) writes:

>> Does anyone know of any companies that make a box that takes in one or
>> more E1 trunks and convert it to multiple T1 trunks?

>> I urgently need contact info for companies that have such a product.

> Tellabs makes a T1 to CEPT (E1) PCM standards converter.

> Tellabs International Inc.
> 4951 Indiana Avenue
> Lisle, IL 60532
>
> PH:  [phone]
> FAX: [phone]

> William T. Sykes  AT&T FSAT-Engineering att!gcuxb!gcwts

Well, I hope this doesn't turn into an advertising campaign. AT&T
happens to make a system called DACS II (Digital Accress and
Cross-connect Switch) that does this stuff to a fair-thee-well.  In
fact, we sell these things in E1 land, T1 land, and in all those
places in between that need to convert. The small, cheap version (ISX)
handles between 1 and 64 T1's or E1's; the biggie (CEF) can get up to
2,560 T1's or 2048 E1's, or any combination in between. Why do I know?
Look at the sig.


        Ken Becker [e-mail]
        DACS II circuit design


[Moderator's Note: Ah, don't worry about 'commercializing the net'.
I'm alleged to do it all the time. What a joke!  PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 20:46:03 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


> Perhaps someone in the group -- or the Moderator -- can help me get
> some information.  Does anybody know the regulations and rates for
> determining if tax is applicable, and what taxes, a LD provider
> located OUTSIDE of California for long distance calls originating
> within (and if applicable) outside of California?

[Text Deleted]

> [Moderator's Note: No, no, you do not want to get involved in utility
> tax accounting and procedures. Repeat after me, "I do not want to know
> about utility tax accounting procedures ...".  Say it a few more times.

I absolutely agree that you _do not_ want to have to do utility tax
accounting.

Especially not in California, since you would probably have to get
California Public Utilities Commission Certification as a Common
Carrier.  (See my article in the Digest on the status of the CAL PUC
within about a year ago, "... Is the Highest Law of the Land ...") As
a former resident and California Sales Tax Permit holder, the
paperwork isn't too bad for sales tax, but PUC rules are a mess.

What you really want to do is figure out if you can operate the
organization entirely from a state that either has no sales tax or has
almost no chance of having any customers from within that state.  I
ran a mail-order software sales business out of a Post Office Box in
the District of Columbia for just that reason. Since I never sold
anything to a District address and had no warehouse or facilities
outside the District, I did not have to collect sales tax.  (I did
have a District Sales tax permit and sent the forms in with zero sales
on them).

Based on newspaper reports (see, I get around being accused of
practicing law) There are two Supreme Court Cases on this subject.
One is a 1966 Connecticut Department of Revenue case: if you have no
presence in a state you cannot be required to collect sales tax by it.

The second is the recent (1992) Quill decision.  Quill Corporation, an
Illiniois office supply company, sells all over the country.  The
North Dakota Department of Revenue decided that since Quill is running
ads that show up in North Dakota, it has a presence in the state and
must collect tax.  The State Supreme Court agreed.  The U.S. Supreme
Court continued the holding in the 1966 case, saying that only the
U.S. Congress has the power to authorize such a collection.  Since
Congress has not done so, Quill is under no obligation to pay sales
tax to a state it has no presence (warehouse, office space or agent)
within.

So, if you are going to run a common carrier, pick a state either with
not enough people to matter not taking (like Wyoming, which has less
people in it than the District), and only do interstate calls, or pick
a state without sales tax (Like Nevada or New Hampshire) and operate
from there.  Or just operate from your own state but don't do any
intrastate business and don't have any facilities, warehouses or
agents in any state you do carry calls from.  Mailing bills does not
constitute having a presence there; buy the trunks from AT&T or MCI or
someone and let them pay the sales taxes on their transactions.

You could also consider DC as a place to operate.  :) I would also
note that the District of Columbia has a special exemption on certain
sales taxes paid by "long distance telephone companies." There are
only two long distance companies operating in the District: Mid
Atlantic Telecom and MCI.  Which of these do you think was big enough
to get an exemption passed? :)


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers
From: [e-mail] (Bob Schwartz)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 21:30:01 PST
Organization: Bill Correctors, Inc., Marin County, California


ole!rwing![e-mail] (Pat Myrto) writes:

> Perhaps someone in the group -- or the Moderator -- can help me get
> some information.  Does anybody know the regulations and rates for
> determining if tax is applicable, and what taxes, a LD provider
> located OUTSIDE of California for long distance calls originating
> within (and if applicable) outside of California?

> Telccom outfits in CA are quite evasive on the subject (read: no
> useful information), and there has been not very much luck in getting
> meaningful information from authorities.  This has been going on for

It's not quite as tough as our Moderator describes. There are a
limited number of taxes and applications. Yes, there are legions of
bureaucrats that do this for telcos but remember that some bureaucrats
work so hard and fererishly that we have forgotten that the work they
do is not at all necessary.  In the past we have used information from
Veretex, 1041 Old Cassatt Rd, Berwyn PA, 19312 (215-640-4200) speak
with John Riewe and tell him hi from me please. They have a database
on the ten thousand or so taxing jurisdictions.

In short, it doesn't matter where the provider is located what does
matter is the origonating location and or the terminating location.
Other than veretex you might call the business office and ask for a
breakdown/explanation of thge taxes on your bills.  Information on
exemptions can be found in thr IRS codes section 4251 I believe.


Bob Schwartz                                       [e-mail]
Bill Correctors, Inc.   [phone]   Marin County, California

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin A. Mitchell)
Subject: Re: Calling Card Question
Organization: Datalogics, Incorporated, Chicago, IL
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 15:24:34 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (danny
burstein) writes:

> Can a calling card be acquired from either the LEC or an IXC with
> the following restriction: that it can -only- get billed by the Local
> Carrier (where appropriate) or by the disgnated IXC?

I'm pretty sure the AT&T calling card offers this feature, and that
was one of the reasons I chose it. I've paid $6.95 for a one-minute
call from Pontiac, IL to Elmwood Park, IL made by my wife, and a local
COCOT says that credit card rates for the two blocks to home are $2.95
for the first minute.

AT&T Customer Service is 1-800-CALL-ATT. They can give you the
definitive answer.

Also, make sure the OLD card is really cut off. I got some AOS calling
card charges on my bill earlier this year, and found that my wife had
used the old number. I had to make a call to Illinois B ... oops ...
"Ameritech" and tell them that when I said I wanted the card turned
off, I meant it. I think they dropped the charges.


Kevin A. Mitchell    [phone]
Datalogics, Inc      Internet: [e-mail]
441 W. Huron         UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!kam

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 19:38:17 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Calling Card Question
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


danny burstein <[e-mail]>, writes:

> Can a calling card be acquired from either the LEC or an IXC with
> the following restriction: that it can -only- get billed by the
> Local Carrier (where appropriate) or by the disgnated IXC?

Yes.  The "85" AT&T Cards (as well as the new custom number cards) are
only accepted by AT&T and by local telephone companies.* MCI and
Sprint's plastic will only be accepted by them when using their 950 or
1-800 numbers.

This is because when one dials 10xxx + 0 + npa + number, AT&T checks
its own database as well as the database of local line company
numbers.  The others only check the local line company database, which
is why you can't use MCI or Sprint cards even when dialing 10222 + 0 or
10333 + 0 respectively.

* There is one known problem.  In certain cases using a restricted
calling card will allow the user to make any calls.  The systems which
are incorrectly implemented check the first call (which is to a valid
number the restricted card is assigned to) then accept further calls
from that card to any number.  This appears to be common on airplane
phones.

My personal opinion is that if the minimum monthly charge for 800
numbers gets any lower, anyone taking *any* collect calls will find it
easier to get an 800 number than to worry about collect call charges.
The current rates now indicate that if you accept more than six collect
calls a month, it is cheaper to get an 800 number unless they are very
long duration where you need the lower per-minute rates after the
first minute and you can't do a callback in such a case.

>   This would do a good job of reducing the tele-zleaze surcharges.

The AOS systems on COCOTS cannot accept AT&T "85" cards.  This is how
I get around the problem of being charged $6.00 for a local call
placed by AOS on a calling card, that C&P Telephone would charge 65c
and AT&T would charge $1.00.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: 800 numbers are really the way to go now-a-days. The
800 numbers I now broker are 18.4 cents per minute of use with a $5
monthly service fee. These are your own personal 800 numbers, set up
to terminate on whatever line you request, not one of the bogus deals
like MCI has where you have to append some extra digits at the end.
I also represent the AT&T Software Defined Network, and those 800 numbers
are time of day and distance sensitive, meaning you can get an 800
number with rates of 9-10 cents per minute if the calls are at night
 from nearby places, etc. You have to spend at least $200-250 per
month on 800 service to get one of those however since the discounts
at the end of the month are factored into the final cost per minute of
use.   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 23:53:41 EST
From: David Leibold <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized


To clarify a thing or two, the (905) number given for weather is
indeed using metric readings, not only in degrees Celsius, but km/h
wind speeds and kilopascal barometer values (can't believe it's been
that many years since I last heard of pressure readings in "inches").

The weather office serving Toronto is at the Pearson International
Airport which is actually in Mississauga, Malton exchange (Bell still
refers to the Mississauga area in terms of separate exchanges such as
Malton, Port Credit, Streetsville, etc). It's good to hear that calls
from many parts of the world are completing to 905, but there are
still a few telcos who need to know about 905 (or might that be a good
number of COCOTs and PBXes?).

Now ...

[e-mail] (Scott D Fybush) wrote:

> Could someone with knowledge of the 416/905 split enlighten me about
> 416-551?  The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission hotline was at
> 416-551-3409, and I had thought that area was going to 905.  Yet from

551 has been a pager exchange; this appears to have been in effect
throughout the old 416 territory. What happens to such numbers is
unclear since they're not part of the ordinary phone service. These
numbers might still be served out of Toronto for both 416 and 905,
thus the 416-551. Certainly this is not a regular exchange in the
Niagara Falls/St. Catharines' region, at least last I heard.

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 18:13 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> Would NAFTA have any impact on area code assignment?  If USA, Canada,
> and Mexico are gonna be an economic unit, would there be motivation to
> make phone calling to Mexico similar to the style used to call Canada
> and USA (outside your local area code)?

I doubt that dialing to Mexico will change any time soon.  For one
thing, it's incredibly expensive.  It costs more to call Mexico City
than it does to call Tokyo.

Also, Mexico has a mixture of six and seven digit numbers, so they'd
have to renumber to match NANP numbers.

On the other hand, after 1995 there will be plenty of area codes, so
if NAFTA really works, it might end up being worth doing.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 16:46:25 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes


This is the first time I have heard someone wondering about NAFTA's
effect on the phone system.  When was NAFTA proposed originally?  It's
unrelated (right?) to the change in usage for 905, formerly used for
some calls to Mexico and now in use for a part of Canada.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #769
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa07308;
          19 Nov 93 6:17 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA26366
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 02:53:41 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA29395
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 19 Nov 1993 02:53:02 -0600
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 02:53:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #770

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 19 Nov 93 02:53:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 770

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?  (David Boettger)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Bob Schwartz)
    Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service (Tony Pelliccio)
    Re: TRW Phone Print to Fight Cellular Fraud (David Woolley)
    Re: Long Distance Company Offers 800 Internet Access ([e-mail])
    Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (David Devereaux-Weber)
    Re: Canada Goes 1 + 10D For All Long Distance, Sept '94 (John Little)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Dick Rawson)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Ron DeBlock)
    Instant Modem Banks (Martin McCormick)
    TAPS Software (John Little)
    Sprint Modem Offer/Impressions (Sean Slattery)
    Sprint Modem Offer :-( (Stan Hall)
    Automated FAX Delivery (Luis Delgado)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 12:18:00 +0000
From: David Boettger <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


In article <[e-mail]>, Alex Cena  <acena@lehman.
com> writes:

> Attached are comments from Tom Crawford at Qualcomm after I forwarded
> him a copy of the TDMA vs CDMA debate on the Digest.

> Alex,

> I am sure you knew the TDMA vs. CDMA comments would get under my skin
> and I would have to respond.  How do I send this response to Ed Casas,
> or to the network?  My comments are in caps:

> CARRIERS ARE GOING TO INVEST HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, IF NOT
> MORE, IN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.  I SUSPECT THEY WILL LOOK BEYOND THE
> "BEST MARKETING" PITCH TO THE UNDERLYING CAPABILITIES OF THE
> TECHNOLOGIES.

You would hope so, but that isn't always the case, as Mr. Crawford (a
marketing exec) knows.

> "GROSSLY UNFAIR COMPARISONS" ARE HARDLY AN ACCURATE WAY TO DESCRIBE
> CLEAR ADVANTAGES.  QUALCOMM'S CAPACITY IS 10X TO 20X AMPS CAPACITY

Get real! 20X has only been demonstrated on paper (e.g., W. C. Y. Lee)
or, perhaps (now I am guessing), in a Qualcomm laboratory.

> QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS LINK USING A HALF RATE VOCODER.  IF WE ARE
> WRONG AND A GOOD HALF RATE VOCODER IS AVAILABLE, QUALCOMM CAN ALSO USE
> IT IN A VARIABLE RATE IMPLEMENTATION (AGAIN THROTTLING DOWN DURING
> PAUSES) TO ACHIEVE AN ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF 2 IN CAPACITY GAIN, IE NOW
> 20X TO 40X AMPS.  ALSO, ETDMA'S USE OF DIGITAL SPEECH INTERPOLATION

> ABOUT 12X OR 15X, ASSUMING EVERYTHING WORKS WELL).  CDMA, WITH A HALF RATE
> VOCODER WILL THEN BE AT 20X TO 40X (EVEN WITHOUT BETTER USE OF
> SECTORIZATION).

Wrong again. The relationship between source coder rate and absolute
channel capacity (I am using "capacity" not in an information theory
sense, but in a "number of telephone conversations" sense) is not
linear. Using a half-rate coder in CDMA does not automatically double
the number of conversations that can occur, even under ideal
conditions.

> RECEIVER IF FILTER WOULD BE UNABLE TO DO.  THE WHOLE POINT OF CDMA IS THAT
> YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SEPARATE THE SIGNALS OVER THE CHANNEL BY FREQUENCY OR
> TIME.  DIFFERENT CODES PERMIT YOU TO PICK OUT YOUR CONVERSATION.

True enough.

> "TRICKS" IMPLY DECEPTION.  CDMA'S TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE AND BENEFITS HAVE
> BEEN WELL TESTED AND PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN IN NUMEROUS TRIALS.  THESE

How many commercial cellular CDMA systems are deployed and stable?
Approximately zero. "Well tested and proven" is a bit of a stretch,
but then again, Mr. Crawford is in marketing.


David Boettger  [e-mail]
I don't speak for my employer.

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

Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
From: [e-mail] (Bob Schwartz)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 16:51:35 PST
Organization: Bill Correctors, Inc., Marin County, California


[e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) writes:

> I called the telephone company business office.  There's a reason that
> I can't use *69, namely that my telephone exchange is too old.

> Oh, and there is no scheduled date for upgrading my telephone exchange
> to more modern equipment, according to the business office.

Hearing about crummy lines and transmission in beautiful Manhatten
makes me wonder jusy why/how the Local Loop, and End User Common Line
charges are so darned high. Could it be that they have incentive for
patchwork and repair which is lacking for replacements and upgrades?


Bob Schwartz                                       [e-mail]
Bill Correctors, Inc.   [phone]   Marin County, California

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

From: [e-mail] (Tony Pelliccio)
Subject: Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service
Date: 18 Nov 1993 20:51:28 GMT
Organization: Brown University Alumni & Development Office


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jack
Decker) wrote:

> 1) My on-hook line voltage increased from ~15 volts to ~44 volts DC.
> Also, the tip/ring polarity reversed from what it had been when I was
> on the carrier.

{stuff deleted to save space}

Sounds to me like they've upgraded you to something equivalent to a
SLIC-96. They tend to work very well and keep the line quality up.


Tony Pelliccio, KD1NR
[e-mail]
Brown University Alumni & Development Computing Services
Box 1908
Providence, RI 02912
[phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (David Woolley)
Subject: Re: TRW Phone Print to Fight Cellular Fraud
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 15:36:41  GMT


In article <[e-mail]> is written:

> Why not public key?  There are several companies with commercial
> applications using public key ... the government only gets antsy when
> it's used for general purpose encryption of data/messages and the
> register bits are long enough to eliminate any realistic crunch by a
> supercomputer (i.e. a day or two).  Use as an authentication device
> (i.e. digital signitures) is not a big deal.  In fact my Mac at home
> implements this capability in the operating system!

Why specifically public key?

Why not allow encryption of the message as well, as done by GSM?  The
government can still get the keys from the network operator, or tap
the signal in the fixed network.  (The network operator needs to know
both the session keys used for communication and the subscriber master
key used to encrypt the session key when sending it to the
subscriber.)  The only problem I can see is if the subscriber's home
network is outside the jurisdiction.  In this case there is no access
to the master key and there is no one place where the session keys can
always be found, although the number of Visitor Location Registers
which would have to be covered ought to be small.

(Visitor Location Registers are the entities in GSM which store
details about subcribers who are currently in the area that they
cover.  Amongst other things, they maintain a small cache of session
keys for that subscriber.)


David Woolley, London, England           [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Long Distance Company Offers 800 Internet Access
Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 08:20:48 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Klaus Dimmler <klaus@
cscns.com> wrote:

> Telephone Express, a regional long distance carrier in the Western
> States, is offering national 800 Internet access for less than the
> cost of a long distance phone call! For only 13 cents per minute,
> access to a T1-Internet connected host is available from anywhere in
> the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Alaka!
> The host is connected directly to the ANS backbone.

> For information on this, please call 800-748-1200 (voice), or write to
> [e-mail].

Just called AT&T and they quoted me no installation fee, monthly fee
$10.00 ...

$0.25/minute    daytime
$0.17/minute    evening
$0.14/minute    night

Volume calls with discount.


[e-mail],Anonymous FTP,Telnet kaiwan.com(192.215.30.2)FAX#[phone]
DATA# 714-539-0829,830-6061,310-527-4279 818-579-6701 16.8k/14.4k 8-N-1

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 12:56:26 CDT
From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems


In a previous message, Thomas Neudeker writes:

> I recently upgraded my modem to LineLink 14.4 modem. I now use a SLIP
> connection to connect to the network. On the other modems I have had
> Call Waiting would break the connection. I know about the *70 tone
> signal to deactivate call waiting. My problem is that the error
> correction on the modem doesn't accept the call waiting tones until
> after eight to twelve rings and people I need to talk to can't get
> through. Bell of PA said they hadn't seen this use of call waiting
> before and that the 5ESS switch at my CO is has a very short off hook
> time for the tone to be sent. Does anyone know of a modem init string
> to let call waiting and the modem work as I wish?

The meaning of your message isn't clear.  You said that on your other
modems, call waiting would break the connection.  You don't say
whether call waiting breaks the connection on the 14.4 modem.  The
message seems to imply that you are in fact hoping to be notified of a
call waiting while a modem call is in progress.  If this is what you
want, you would have to find a way to put your data connection "on
hold" (or simply abandon the data call in progress), switch your modem
into voice mode, and pick up your telephone handset.

Usually call waiting is not considered when data calls are in
progress.  There is no easy way to support call waiting while a data
call is in progress (another way of saying this is that there is no
easy way of keeping a data call going when call waiting occurs).  If
it is important to be able to reach you when data calls are in
progress, I recommend a second telephone line.



David Devereaux-Weber       [phone] (voice)
MACC Communications; B263   [phone] (FAX)
1210 W Dayton St.           [e-mail] (Internet)
Madison, WI 53706

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

From: [e-mail] (John Little)
Subject: Re: Canada Goes 1 + 10D For All Long Distance, Sept '94
Organization: UUNorth's AccessPoint Service
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 18:26:18 GMT


Alabama (area code 205) has been doing 1 + 10D LD calling within your
area code for over two years now.  Area code 407 (Central FL) has also
moved to 1 + 10D calling.  These are just to that I have had personal
experiences with, I'm sure there are many others.


John

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 12:55:35 PST
From: [e-mail] (Dick Rawson)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications


> I've been told that after an earthquake, if you can't get a call
> through, try using a payphone.  Supposedly, the phone company will
> arbitrarily put some calls through and not others when the load is too
> high, but payphone calls will always go through.

Correct (except for two quibbles), according to Pacific Bell.  Here is
(my memory of) what they tell public emergency service agencies.

Lines can be categorized as "essential service lines".  These are not
deliberately denied service or delayed access while the switch is
configured to shed some of its load.  Also, the repair service gives
priority to restoring outages of essential service lines.  Emergency
services like fire and police, and quite a few others, are supposed to
have (at least some of) their lines categorized this way.

Public telephones always have essential service lines.  Note that not
all pay telephones are public telephones.  (That's quibble 1.)  We've
discussed that here before.  A pay phone in a bar probably isn't a
public telephone; one in a public area available 24 hours a day,
particularly at road-side, generally is a public telephone.

The other quibble is with "will always go through"; that would be hard
to guarantee.  But the call would not be blocked to shed load.


Dick Rawson    [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 11:13:50 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Organization: AT&T


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
tricon.com writes:

> From a possibly unreliable source, I heard that in
> downtown San Francisco, the phone exchanges actually have JET engines
> running turbines to provide power during emergencies.  (Locally, the
> phone company uses diesels, but I do not know the capacity).

I've heard from techs who work/worked in CO's that some do indeed have
"jet" engines for backup power.  I suspect that they are generators
powered by turbine engines of some sort.

I was in AT&T's Saint Louis 4ESS(tm) office when it was running on
backup power one day.  The equipment sure sounded like a jet engine,
but I did not actually see it.  The generators were running because
one of the power transformers had blown up.  The techs said that
molten copper flew all over the room -- YIKES!  I would expect the
transformer to be in a cabinet of some kind, but what do I know --
that's a hardware problem.

At the time, I wondered why the power equpment was on the top floor,
rather than in the basement.  After this year's floods, I can under-
stand why.

Back to earthquakes ...

I was in San Franscisco about two months after the 1989 quake.  I was
surprised at the LACK of destruction.  TV reports on the East Coast
made things sound worse than they really were.

The AT&T office was unscathed.  The equipment I was interested in (a
bunch of Conversants (tm) ) and the 4ESS in the next room continued to
operate on backup power following the quake.  One Conversant that was
used for administrivia and testing was just sitting on a table and had
crashed to the floor, it was the only casualty.  The other Conversants
were mounted in racks that were bolted down.

I don't know if a jet engine provides backup power in the SF office.
The only power equipment I saw was a very impressive array of
batteries.


Ron DeBlock  [e-mail]  (that's a number 1 in rdb1, not letter l)
AT&T Bell Labs   Somerset, NJ  USA

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

Subject: Instant Modem Banks
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 06:53:47 -0600
From: Martin McCormick <[e-mail]>


    In recent postings, several people told of modem banks which can
be attached directly to a T1 and use DSP to simulate 24 dial-up modems.

    Do any of these systems connect to an Ethernet and act as a
terminal server such that one would have the V.35 cable to the T1 as
one port and an Ethernet connector as the other port?

    Three or four such systems would free an amazing amount of
rack realestate and would most likely prove to be more reliable in the
long run.

    If anybody knows of such a system and whether or not it has a good
track record, please let me know.  Thank you.


Martin McCormick WB5AGZ   Stillwater, OK
O.S.U. Computer Center Data Communications Group

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

From: [e-mail] (John Little)
Subject: TAPS Software
Organization: UUNorth's AccessPoint Service
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 13:29:42 GMT


I am looking for a program to send alpha numeric data to my pager
using the TAPS protocol.  I use Bell Canada's pager (standard Bell
Mobility).  Looking for something that runs under Windows 3.1
(Microsoft).  Free would be great, but I may consider buying a
package.  I have one for UNIX (commercial), but that doesn't do me any
good from home.


John

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

Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 08:50 EST
From: Sean Slattery <[e-mail]>
Subject: Sprint Modem Offer/Impressions


I switched to Sprint a month ago on the promise of a modem.  Posts in
the Digest lead me to believe that it was a 9600 baud modem but the
Sprint rep set me straight when I called.  I did not hear the original
offer on the radio.  Sprint made some mistakes; this is easy to do
when you have marketing people targeting a technically savvy
population that is intolerant of lack of knowledge on the part of the
general population (you know it's true !). It is my belief that
Sprint acted in good faith and did not intentionally misrepresent this
offer.

In the case of Mr. Ambler's conflict with Sprint I was originally on
Sprint's side.  That is until I read Mr. Ambler's last post.  If it is
at all representative of what actually occurred the I feel that I must
warn Sprint that they are spending good will here.

I, like many Digest readers, specify long distance carriers for my
organization as well as myself.  I want Sprint to maintain a high
level of professionalism here. The account of the phone call received
by Mr. Ambler did not make me fell good about Sprint, it left me cold.

I will continue to follow this dispute.  While I think Mr. Ambler
should find better things to do with his time, I believe that the
resolution of this dispute will tell us a lot about the corporate
character of Sprint.


Sean Slattery    Network Administrator    Airflow Research

This post does not necessarily represent the opinions of my employer.

PS: I switched from the modem to the Star Trek Screen saver, which I
have not yet received.

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

Subject: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
From: [e-mail] (Stan Hall)
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 93 10:56:09 CST
Organization: The Eternal Apprentice BBS, Oklahoma City, Ok


Well it seems that every step of the way Sprint has screwing
everything up.

I switched two of my personal phone line to Sprint for this modem
offer.  When the word came down that the modem was only to be a
2400bps with 9600/4800 FAX internal I resigned myself to accept the
offer despite what the sales droids had said.  They sent me two
Foncards for one line instead of one for each line.  They billed
seperately instead of on my regular phone bill.  They attempted to
call my Data line by voice to contact me about the Windows/DOS
software and disk size.

So what is the latest bit of stupidity on Sprint's part you ask?  It
seems that since they couldn't reach me on my Data line that they sent
me a letter about two weeks ago asking me to please tell them via mail
or phone which software that I would like for my modem.  So last night
I finally found some time to sit down and call the number that Ms.
Worthy had given me and left a message telling her what software I
wanted for each of my two modems.  I get a call this morning from Ms.
Worthy telling me that I am only to receive one modem and asking what
software I would like for that modem. When I argued with her that I
wanted both of the modems I had been promised she told me that the
offer was limited one per household.  Everytime I tried to discuss
this with her she asked me what software I would like for my *modem*.
I gave in and told her, hoping that I will receive somthing from
Sprint (besides a bill).

Has anyone else actually received more than one modem at one residence?

Needless to say as soon as I get my modem (or confirmation that I am
not to get a thing) I am running from Sprint as far and as fast as
possible.  Not that they are concerned with my low long distance
usage.  Though I *will* cost them as much as possible via word of
mouth.

Is anyone interested in getting together to visit the Sprint office in
Kansas City, MO and Ms. Worthy?


Stan Hall   [Unhappy (soon to be former) Sprint Customer]
[e-mail] (Stan Hall)
The Eternal Apprentice BBS, Oklahoma City, OK -- [phone]


[Moderator's Note: *Who* told you that you would get two modems? Really,
I can't see what your beef is about. 'One per household' is one of the
most common phrases in business promotional offers I have ever heard.
Time and again you hear it, 'one per household, not good when combined
with other offers or special promotions, etc ...'  I got my modem
several days ago. It installed easily and is working fine for sending
faxes from my 386. If you honestly think you are going to get two
modems, you are quite mistaken.  Diane Worthy has done a great job of
getting this mess straightened out; I'm sure she is sorry Sprint even
decided to have such a generous promotion.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Luis Delgado)
Subject: Automated FAX Delivery
Organization: INESC - Inst. Eng. Sistemas e Computadores, LISBOA. PORTUGAL.
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1993 14:48:17 GMT


I was wondering how implement an automatic system for fax delivery.
What I wanted is the following:

- to have in my personal business card a unique personal fax number,
like any other person in the same company. Everyone could have a
unique fax number.

    For example:

    FAX # [phone] - to me
        Fax # [phone] - to you
        FAX # [phone] - to him, etc.

- All fax calls would be received by the local company PABX, that
would redirect all calls to the same FAX card installed in a PC, for
example. Then the FAX Software on the PC would decide based on the
last three digits of the # specified by the sender, to which person to
send the fax in an electronic mail message format.

I'm not saying this should be the best way to implement, and I even
don't know if there are automated systems like this.  I know however
that it its possible (correct me if I'm wrong) to specify, something
like a destination in the fax message it self, but I don't what this
solution, because it is'nt completely transparent to the sender.

Does anybody know any way to do this?  Is there any hard/soft solution
to implement this?

While waiting for your sugestions, my best regards,


Luis Delgado    INESC-CCAE   Lisbon, Portugal.
[e-mail]    cis: 100024,3520

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #770
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa16141;
          20 Nov 93 6:10 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA22491
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 02:35:41 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA02621
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 02:35:01 -0600
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 02:35:01 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #771

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 20 Nov 93 02:35:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 771

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record? (Bob Schwartz)
    Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record? (Gordon Hlavenka)
    Re: Compression With ISDN (Kevin Richard O'Toole)
    Re: Compression With ISDN (Bob Larribeau)
    Re: Compression With ISDN (David E. Martin)
    Re: Compression With ISDN (R. Kevin Oberman)
    Re: Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem (David E. Martin)
    Re: Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem (Lars Poulsen)
    Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers (C. Dold)
    Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers (S. Lichter)
    Re: GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?) (Declerck)
    Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service (Jack Decker)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (John Nagle)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (John Rice)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Gary W. Sanders)
    Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English? (Fred Linton)
    Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English? (Matt Ackeret)
    Re: Brought to You by the Letter Q (David Cornutt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record?
From: [e-mail] (Bob Schwartz
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 16:36:37 PST
Organization: Bill Correctors, Inc., Marin County, California


There is, according to FCC regulations, stiff jail time available for
the failure to retain call detail records for less than five years, as
I recall from research for a client several years ago. Call them
directly for verse and chapter if you need to.  The local CO even
records the several digits you may have dialed before realizing that
you mis-dialed, hung-up and dialed the whole right number.


Bob Schwartz                                       [e-mail]
Bill Correctors, Inc.   [phone]   Marin County, California

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

From: [e-mail] (gordon hlavenka)
Subject: Re: Are Local Calls Kept on Record?
Organization: Vpnet - Public Access Unix and Usenet
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 20:29:10 GMT


uswnvg![e-mail] (Jack Brand) wrote:

> Some switches don't even bother to keep records of local calls, since
> there is no billing to be done on them, or at least they didn't used
> to.

Tony Pelliccio <[e-mail]> wrote:

> You can bet that just about every switch made is built with the
> capability to record ALL the data involved with switching a call for
> "diagnostic" purposes of course.

Indeed.  When I first started playing with modems (The TRS-80 Model
100 was state-of-the-art at the time) I contested one of my phone
bills.  ("I couldn't have made _that many_ calls!"  ... But I had :-)
Illinois Bell provided what looked like a cash-register tape
containing the phone numbers dialed and length of each call.

I have no idea how long they keep these tapes, or whether the same
information is also stored electronically somewhere.


Gordon S. Hlavenka           cgordon{qn(Ao4pA Q0CnlG;)P%OPCL]O:=jZ
[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Local call detail provided the proof that Illinois
Bell employees had stolen phone service from me in 1974-75. It was at
that time that the Chicago-Wabash CO was cut over to ESS. For three or
four months in a row I had an obscene number of local calls on my bill
that I could not account for. I called the business office and spoke
with a rep -- let's call her Ms. Prissy -- who said she'd prove to me
I made all those calls. She promptly mailed me a printout of the
whole mess. I went over the printout line by line. My guidelines were
if I recognized the number, I assumed I made the call regardless of
the time or day of week. If I did not recognize the number, but the
time of the call was a time I was normally at the number in question,
I assumed I made the call. If I did not recognize the number, and the
time was such that it was quite unlikely I was at the number (for
example, 7:30 - 8:00 AM) then I made a circle around that entry. I
then used 'two-oh-eight-oh' (the predecessor to 796-9600; you called
the exchange in question plus 2080 -- i.e. xxx-2080) and asked the
clerk who answered for the name and address of the number.

Time after time after time the answer came back with the numbers
listed to:
IBT Company, no address given
IBT Company, Parts and Supply Depot, Chicago.
IBT Company, Vehicle Repairs and Assignments, **Aurora, IL**
IBT Company, 65 E. Congress Street (the address of the Wabash CO itself)

That one to Aurora cost me ten message units every five minutes, and
the guy called it for a half hour one day and twenty minutes the next
day. I called back Ms. Prissy who opened the conversation by telling
me she was glad I figured out why my bill was so high. I told her I
had figured it out alright, and ask her if she knew what the phrases
'toll fraud' and 'theft of service' meant. I asked her what earthly
reason *I* would have for calling an internal number at the Wabash CO
at 8:00 AM. I told her my pairs also showed up multipled in a big
terminal box in the third sub-basement of the Pittsfield Building two
blocks away where there 'just happens to be' a locker room/supply
depot/room to eat lunch and hide from the foreman used by installers
and other outside plant guys who sit around drinking coffee and shooting
the bull in the morning until the foreman shows up. And maybe since my
number ended in two zeros (as in xx-hundred) they assumed I had so
much phone equipment I would not miss five or six hundred extra
'units' of local calling every month.

Ms. Prissy decided I should be speaking to her superior Ms. Huffy.
When Ms. Huffy came on the line, I told her we would read together in
unison beginning on page X of the printout, line Y. She called me
back later that day to say she was going to write off all the extra
unit charges on my bill for the past three months and that the fore-
man had been instructed to tell his people they are to use their own
phone 'down there in their locker room' and not just any subscriber
lines they happened to grab with their alligator clips, etc. When my
bill came the next month, she did another write off for me but that
was the end of it. Moral of the story: from time to time, do ask for
your local calling detail. Spot check it for abuses.   PAT]

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

From: Kevin Richard O'Toole <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Compression With ISDN
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 09:12:43 -0500
Organization: Information Networking Institute, Carnegie Mellon, Pitts, PA


Excerpts from netnews.comp.dcom.telecom: 18-Nov-93 Compression With ISDN
Roger [e-mail] wrote:

> Yes, of course it's true that it's possible to do compression over
> ISDN.  But is it practical today?  As far as I know, there is no
> standard way of doing compression over ISDN and that ISDN terminal
> adapters sold today generally do not have compression.  True or not
> true?  If not, please mention some manufacturers and model numbers.

I know of one product that plans on doing compression.  The ISDN to
Ethernet bridge from Combinet will do 2:1 compression to get you 256
Kbps effective rate.

If you want the contact information, let me know.


Kevin R. O'Toole   Information Networking Institute
Carnegie Mellon University

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

From: Bob Larribeau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Compression With ISDN
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 06:54:48 -0700
Organization: Combinet-)


Combinet's ISDN Ethernet LAN bridges support compression using the
Stacker algorithm.  They get two or more times compression giving
effective throughput of 250 kb/s or more.

The IETF is working on compression.  My understanding is that they
will support multiple algorithms with a standard method of negotiating
which one is to be used.


Bob Larribeau   San Francisco

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

From: [e-mail] (David E. Martin)
Subject: Re: Compression With ISDN
Date: 19 Nov 1993 18:19:49 GMT
Organization: National HEPnet Management, Fermilab, Batavia, IL, USA
Reply-To: [e-mail]


> In article [e-mail], Roger Fajman <[e-mail]> writes:

> Yes, of course it's true that it's possible to do compression over
> ISDN.  But is it practical today?  As far as I know, there is no
> standard way of doing compression over ISDN and that ISDN terminal
> adapters sold today generally do not have compression.  True or not
> true?  If not, please mention some manufacturers and model numbers.

I don't know of any stand-alone ISDN terminal adapters that do
compression, but most of the makers of ISDN bridges have compression
built-in.  Gandalf (708-517-3672), Digiboard (612-943-9020) and
Combinet (408-522-9020) all have compression in their products.
Unfortunately, they all use different compression methods.  Combinet,
for example, uses the Stacker algorithm.


David E. Martin
National HEPnet Management                     Phone: [phone]
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory            FAX: [phone]
P.O. Box 500, MS 368; Batavia, IL 60510  USA  E-Mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Compression With ISDN
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 15:55:29 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory


In article <[e-mail]> Roger Fajman  <[e-mail].
GOV> writes:

>> While some modem purveyors are claiming much faster speeds, these are
>> the result of data compression which works just as well over ISDN as
>> over a modem.  If you stick to apple-apples comparisons it's still 128
>> Kbps vs. 28 Kbps and that's a big difference by any measure.

> Yes, of course it's true that it's possible to do compression over
> ISDN.  But is it practical today?  As far as I know, there is no
> standard way of doing compression over ISDN and that ISDN terminal
> adapters sold today generally do not have compression.  True or not
> true?  If not, please mention some manufacturers and model numbers.

Since I don't use terminal adapters, I really don't know. But Combinet
ISDN Ethernet Bridges do data compression just fine. The area of
standardization is fuzzy, but V.42bis seems perfectly wel suited for
ISDN and is already a standard.

That said, I don't know just what compression algorithm is used by my
Combinet box, although I would be very surprised if it's not some LZ
or LZW implementation; probably V.42bis.


R. Kevin Oberman        Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Internet: [e-mail]    [phone]

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

Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 12:13:58 -0600
From: David E. Martin <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem


If you can get ISDN basic rate service at each remote school, then
your best bet probably is to get an ISDN bridge (Combinet sells them
to schools for about $1000 each) for each remote school.  The brige
will dial up the campus when packets need to be sent.  At the central
site you would need a pool of bridges.  The advantage of using ISDN is
that you can get 128 Kbps (around 250 Kbps with compression) and it is
transparent to the networks on both ends.

I have written a paper on our ISDN setup for work-at-home.  It's
available via ftp to ftp.hep.net in nhm-reports/isdn-proposal.ps.  If
you would like to discuss this further, feel free to call or e-mail.

Good luck.


David E. Martin
National HEPnet Management                      Phone: [phone]
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory             FAX: [phone]
P.O. Box 500, MS 368; Batavia, IL 60510  USA   E-Mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: Query For Network Designers on a LAN/WAN Problem
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 20:16:28 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
edu (Dean Pentcheff) writes:

> I'm assuming that we need something like the following:

> School                          _Some flavor of phone line
>   PC--|                        /
>   PC--|                       /
>   PC--|--Magic Box 1--Modem?--*--Modem?--|-Magic Box 2--Campus net
>   PC--|                                  |              or our host
>   PC--|                                  |

> School                                   |
>   PC--|                                  |
>   PC--|--Magic Box 1--Modem?--*--Modem?--|

Rockwell International, CMC Network Products makes such magic boxes,
called "NetHoppers". They include a modem and dial up when needed.

On the other hand, you might not need a PC in each room. There is this
quaint old thing called a "terminal", which relies on a computer
elsewhere (a Unix machine ?) to hold the intelligence. A dozen
terminals and a terminal server might be cheaper than a dozen PC's.


Lars Poulsen            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
CMC Network Products        Phone: (011-) [phone]
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B    Telefax:      [phone]
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK    Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: [e-mail] (Clarence Dold)
Subject: Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers
Organization: a2i network
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 16:19:27 GMT


Dave Levenson ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Don't forget ... this directory lists only those businesses who have
> AT&T 800 service. A great many other businesses also have 800 numbers,
> but won't be in the book.

Being of devious mind, if I wanted to be in the book, I would figure
out when the numbers were to be gathered, switch my number to AT&T,
then switch it back to the proper carrier as soon as possible.


Clarence A Dold - [e-mail]
                - Milpitas (near San Jose) & Napa CA.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: AT&T Ships 800 Number Directory to One Million Consumers
Date: 20 Nov 1993 04:40:53 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


My 800 number on my BBS is not listed for the ovious reason it is for
mine and a few friends to get into it from long distance areas for
less then the LD rates. When I got the service it was listed but I had
it removed when I found out about it and I did not see where I was
charged to have it listed.

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

From: [e-mail] (Dan J. Declerck)
Subject: Re: GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?)
Date: 19 Nov 1993 19:27:48 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group


In article <[e-mail]>,

Erik Ramberg <[e-mail]> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (David Hough) wrote:

>> As any radio amateur worth his salt will know, 100% amplitude
>> modulation of a signal with what amounts to a square wave is bound to
>> cause problems. Still, look at it the other way: now we have something
>> else to blame when the TV picture breaks up into a mass of
>> interference :-)

> Huh?!?  GSM uses GMSK, i.e. MSK with a Gaussian window.  TDMA uses
> DQPSK, or a quaternary form of phase shift keying.  Both of these
> formats are designed to fit within the channel bandwidth and are very
> different from the AM that you discribe.  Though I'm sure nobody
> really knows what's to blame for the interference, if anything it's
> some strange intermod problem rather than directly attributal to the
> move to a TDMA type system.

But TDMA does not transmit continuously. GSM ramps from noise floor to
full power in 28 *microseconds*, and has a 1/8 duty cycle (577
microsec) over 4.615 frame period. I have used a GSM phone next to a
land-line, and the Subscriber unit's PA inducesa very nice "buzz" on
any phone.

In fact, when making a mobile terminated call from a land line
(located physically next to it), you can tell when the mobile RACH
bursts, hops to the SDCCH, and finally makes it to the TCH, purely by
the feedback you get in your ear on the land-line phone.


Dan DeClerck             EMAIL: [e-mail]
Motorola Cellular APD    Phone: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service
Date: 19 Nov 1993 20:36:12 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)


In a previous article, I wrote about how GTE finally cut me over to a
real phone line, and got me off of the lousy subscriber carrier.  You
may recall that I posted a list of changes I had noted, including this
one:

> 1) My on-hook line voltage increased from ~15 volts to ~44 volts DC.
> Also, the tip/ring polarity reversed from what it had been when I was
> on the carrier.

Now I think that may have had something to do with this: When we
moved, in the process of setting up our home (we live in a mobile
home), they pinched one of the phone lines going to a front bedroom
between a concrete block and an I-beam.  I pointed this out and they
jacked up the home enough to release the wire, but the damage had been
done.  I always meant to replace or repair that wire, but never got
around to it because the bedroom phone always worked just fine.

Yesterday my son told me that there was static on the phone in that
room, but since I was in the middle of something else, I didn't pay
much attention.  Besides, all the other phones worked fine, so I
didn't make the connection.

This morning there was severe noise and crackling on all the phones in
the house.  I disconnected the line at the demarc and plugged a phone
in there and it worked fine, so I knew the problem was in my wiring.
I finally tracked it down to that pinched spot in the wire, which had
a small cut in the insulation at that point which had turned a lovely
shade of green!  Apparently the copper wiring was oxidizing due to
some chemical reaction fueled by the electricity in the phone lines
and the moisture under my home.

What's interesting to me is that as long as the on-hook line voltage
was about 15 volts, I didn't seem to have any problem, but once they
got "normal" voltage on my line, things deteriorated rapidly!

I just wonder if any of my neighbors are suddenly having unexpected
problems due to inferior or damaged inside wiring that worked fine all
these years on the carrier system, but quickly went south once they
got real phone service?


Jack

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

From: [e-mail] (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 05:45:46 GMT


[e-mail] (Robert Casey) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
> writes:

>> The problem MAY stem from the fact that 905 was previously one of the
>> area codes assigned to Mexico a few years ago, before it was decided
>> that Mexico would be reached only via country code.  Until about three
>> years ago you could reach them both ways.

> [Moderator's Note: I don't think NAFTA will matter. Besides, TelMex
> has never had the same historic relationship with telcos in the USA
> and Canada that the telcos in this country have had with each other.
> I rather suspect Mexico will remain an 'international' point.   PAT]

     Anyone remember that Saudi Arabia used to have a US area code?  A
convenience for the oil industry, before international direct dialing.


John Nagle

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Organization: Teradyne Inc., Telecommunications Division
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 20:43:29 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] writes:

> Jamie Mason <[e-mail]> wrote:

>>            905 area code isn't ringing bell in U.S.

>>    The United States has literally hundreds of phone companies that
>> need to know about last month's change for parts of the 416 area code
>> -- but some are still telling callers that the number doesn't exist.

> Other cities reporting problems are Sebring, Florida (GTE or Centel?)
                                      ---------------------------------
Sprint.


John Rice   K9IJ    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 21:37:12 GMT
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: AT&T


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]-
> state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:

> While some modem purveyors are claiming much faster speeds, these are
> the result of data compression which works just as well over ISDN as
> over a modem.  If you stick to apple-apples comparisons it's still 128
> Kbps vs. 28 Kbps and that's a big difference by any measure.

You have yet to factor in the cost of ISDN with POT line access.  I
would love to have an ISDN line to transfer data but the cost are
prohibitive.  Locally I can get a POT line with unlimited local
calling (99% of my traffic) for $20/month. My line is off hook about
22hr/day. An ISDN line cost me $40/month plus minute charges. 4-5 I
double my charges at a minimum. Granted I have greatly enhanced my
speed capabilitys, but if its a choice of $20/month and 22hr/day or
$40/month +time my $ go for the POT line.


Gary W. Sanders (N8EMR)  [e-mail]  AT&T Bell Labs 614-860-5965

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English?
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 21:57:03 GMT
Organization: Wesleyan University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Steve Atlas) asks:

> what English words contain the letter "q" not followed by "u"?

and our esteemed Moderator replies, in part:

> QADARITES   QINTAR   QOPH   QARMATION    QASHQAI    QERE    QERI  QYRGHYZ

To this list I might add the familiar English-language tradenames

   Q-tips (tm)
   Qantas (the airline)
   QModem (the comm's software)
   P.D.Q. Bach (OK, that one's not a tradename, but ... )
   Bar-B-Q (hey, another non-tradename -- I'm getting better at this :-) )
   "on the QT" (moribund idiomatic expression, similar to "QLAB")

and more.


Fred

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

From: [e-mail] (Matt Ackeret)
Subject: Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English?
Date: 19 Nov 1993 19:01:03 -0800
Organization: Apple Computer Inc, Cupertino, CA


In article <[e-mail]>, Steve Atlas <atlas@
newshost.pictel.com> wrote:

> Your explanation of why Q and Z don't appear the telephone dial was
> interesting, but to be picky, what English words contain the letter
> "q" not followed by "u"?

    Well, along with the other examples given, there's the
Australian airline named Qantas. ("The ooooooooonly way to fly." --
dontcha hate it when advertising slogans burn into your brain for
eternity?)  Dunno where that name comes from though.


[e-mail]  [e-mail]
These opinions are mine, not Apple's.

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

From: [e-mail] (David Cornutt)
Subject: Re: Brought to You by the Letter Q
Organization: NASA/MSFC
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 19:53:07 GMT


[e-mail] (Al Stangenberger) writes:

> I've always wondered whether the reason "ZEnith" was chosen for some
> toll-free numbers (before WATS service) was that if somebody tried to
> ...

To which our fearless Moderator replied:

> Very interesting. I think the only difference between Zenith and
Enterprise was the sponsoring telco.  Some used one name, the rest
used the other. And I don't think a subscriber in a telco using
Enterprise as their toll free keyword could call a Zenith number or
vice versa. I think Zenith was largely the independent telcos where
Enterprise was mostly for the Bell System.

Hmmm ... I recall that, in this area, they used to refer to these
numbers as "WX" numbers.  I distinctly recall listings in the
Huntsville telephone books, say for an out-of-town business, of the
form:

Fred & Ethyl Enterprises   Birmingham
    Ask the Operator For..... WX-9999

This was and is South Central Bell territory.  (It was an independent,
though, much before my time.  Maybe that has something to do with it.)


David Cornutt, New Technology Inc., Huntsville, AL  [phone]
([e-mail]) -- New .sig, finally!


[Moderator's Note: Umm ... 'Ethyl' is a univalent hydrocarbon radical
which used to be a type of gasoline additive put in automobiles,
however 'Ethel' is the name of Fred's wife. Or, as the old joke goes,
"Did you hear about the sexual assault down at the gas station last
night? ... The police detectives are trying to find out who pumped
Ethyl."  Admittedly, that was funnier back in the days when Ethyl was
the common name for premium gasoline to put in your machine, and gas
stations all had attendants who came out to do the pumping for you.
(Until about 1965, self-service at gas stations was considered too
dangerous for the average person since the handling of a flammable
liquid was involved.)  PAT

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #771
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa21138;
          21 Nov 93 2:05 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA19791
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 22:47:42 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA30204
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 22:47:00 -0600
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 22:47:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #772

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 20 Nov 93 22:47:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 772

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    CFP: Broadband Islands 1994 (Klaus Lenssen)
    GTE/AT&T Executives Arrested in Venezuela (TELECOM Moderator)
    Looking For CID For PC's (Lars Nohling)
    Information Wanted About Northern Telecom (Greg Welsh)
    Information Wanted on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (Holly Blakeman)
    Carrier For 800 Number? (Jeffrey T. Hutzelman)
    SMDR Polling Device Recommendation Needed (Anthony Palmer Dawson)
    UPT, Voicemail: Market Tests? (J|rgen Bergstedt)
    Prodigy Access From Europe? (Roland Alton-Scheidl)
    Leased Lines (Pawel Dobrowolski)
    ADSL Progress! (Keith H. K. Chow)
    TAPI vrs Telescript (Heiki Kybbar)
    Wireless LAN Systems (Daniel Wong)
    New 411 System in Atlanta (Les Reeves)
    Help Wanted Locating ECPA Text (Rick Dennis)
    Book Review: "The Complete Guide to Pathworks" by Spencer (Rob Slade)
    Harris TS-21 Internals (Christian Void)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Klaus Lenssen <[e-mail]>
Subject: CFP: Broadband Islands 1994
Date: 20 Nov 1993 10:33:22 GMT
Organization: RWTH Aachen, Department of Computer Science


                       CALL FOR PAPER

                 3rd International Conference
                             on
                    Broadband Islands 1994

                       Hamburg, Germany
                         June 7-9, 94


Important Dates

January  10, 1994       Deadline for submission
February 11, 1994       Notification of acceptance
March    11, 1994       Camera ready paper !!!

June      7, 1994       Tutorials
June    8-9, 1994       Conference


Objectives and Scope

The widespread deployment of broadband networks creates possibilities
for end users to exploit the capabilities of multimedia communica-
tions, thus adding to the competitive advantage of their business
operations. Turning this possibility into a reality requires the
successful transfer of the technology to end users, and the solution
of key technical problems. The main goals of the conference are to
provide a forum where technical problems and their solutions will be
discussed, and to demonstrate multimedia applications on broadband
networks.

The conference aims to bring together network operators, service
providers, multimedia application designers and end-users to
accelerate the development of distributed multimedia applications for
broadband networks.

The following issues will be addressed:

-   Technical problems involved in adapting applications for use on
    broadband networks;
-   New services and applications for broadband networks;
-   Use of multimedia applications in a distributed multi-user
    environment;
-   Multimedia to residential end user;
-   Multimedia access to mobile end users.

The conference will be held in Hamburg to emphasize its importance as
one of the three locations in Germany to be provided with an
ATM-Switch as part of the Deutsche Telekom ATM Field Trial. The
conference is being organised by the RACE projects EuroBridge and CIO
projects and the ATM Forum. It is the first official conference of the
Advanced Communication Experiments Projects of the RACE Programme.
This conference follows the highly successful conferences on Broadband
Islands held in Athens, in 1993 and in Dublin, in 1990.


Structure of the Conference

The conference will comprise four dedicated streams:

-    Technical Stream -
    Latest research results will be communicated;
-    Strategic Stream -
    Strategic and political issues will be addressed by invited experts
    in the field;
-    Applications and Market Stream -
    Market trends and forecasts will be presented;
-    Demonstration Stream -
    Non-commercial multimedia and broadband related developments will
    be on show.


Paper Submissions

TECHNICAL STREAM:

Original full papers on all technical aspects related to multimedia and
broadband communication are solicited. Topics of particular interest
include, but are not limited to:

-    Multimedia applications and services;
-    Multimedia communication requirements;
-    Network interconnection;
-    High performance protocols.

APPLICATIONS AND MARKET STREAM:

Submit extended abstracts (one A4 page) or full papers focusing on
applications, economic and organizational issues, including

-    Applications development;
-    Usability aspects;
-    Market trends and economic implications.

DEMONSTRATION STREAM:

Please contact:
        Dr. Wulf Bauerfeld
        DeTeBerkom GmbH
        Voltastrasse 5
        D-13355 Berlin, Germany
        Phone [phone]
        Fax [phone]
        e-mail: [e-mail]

Send four copies of the paper/extended abstract (please state the
intended stream) to:

        Kai Jakobs
        Technical University of Aachen
        Computer Science Department, Informatik IV
        Ahornstrasse 55
        D-52074 Aachen, Germany
        Phone [phone]
        Fax: [phone]
        e-mail: [e-mail]

For further information, please contact:

        Jane Korsager
        Ericsson Eurolab Deutschland GmbH
        Ericsson Allee 1
        D-52134 Herzogenrath, Germany
        Phone [phone]
        Fax: [phone]
        e-mail: [e-mail]


                     *****************
                      Important Dates
                     *****************

          January  10, 1994    Deadline for submission
          February 11, 1994    Notification of acceptance
          March    11, 1994    Camera ready paper !!!

          June      7, 1994     Tutorials
          June    8-9, 1994     Conference

The proceedings will be published by Elsevier Science Pulbishers B.V.


PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

        S. Konidaris (Chair)    CEC, Belguim
        E. Andersen             SAS, Denmark
        W. Bauerfeld            DeTeBerkom, Germany
        A. Casaca               INESC, Portugal
        A. Clark                HUSAT, UK
        B. Cooper               JANET, UK
        A. Danthine             Univ. of Lie`ge, Belgium
        A. Entwistle            Analysys, UK
        D. Ferrari              Univ. of Berkeley, USA
        N. Georganas            Univ. of Ottawa, Canada
        U. Killat               MAZ Hamburg, Germany
        P. Kuehn                Univ. of Stuttgart, Germany
        Y. Liang                RIC, Belgium
        P. Linington            Univ. of Kent, UK
        P. Martini              Univ. of Paderborn, Germany
        A. Patel                Univ. College Dublin, Ireland
        R. Popescu-Zeletin      GMD FOKUS, Germany
        P. Potin                IBM, France
        V. Reible               DeTeBerkom, Germany
        T. Saito                Univ. of Tokyo, Japan
        D. Shepherd             Univ. of Lancaster, UK
        O. Spaniol              Univ. of Aachen, Germany
        A. Spinner              Ericsson Eurolab, Germany
        R. Steinmetz            IBM ENC, Germany
        K. Uhde                 MAZ Hamburg, Germany

STRATEGIC COMMITTEE

        R. Hueber (Chair)       CEC DG XIII, Belgium
        M. Buchmayer            Ericsson, Germany
        A. Danthine             IFIP
        R. Dorn                 ATM Forum, Belgium
        B. Ericson              Ericsson, Sweden
        S. Schindler            TELES, Germany
        J. Baal-Schem           IEEE Region 8
        O. Spaniol              IFIP
        K. Ullmann              DFN, Germany
        W. Zucker               MAZ Hamburg, Germany
        A. Funck                Telekom, Germany

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

        F. Williams (Chair)     Ericsson Eurolab, Germany
        S. Bruyn                BNR Europe Limited, UK
        H. Escola               TELES, Germany
        M. Guenay               MAZ Hamburg, Germany
        K. Jakobs               Univ. of Aachen, Germany
        N. Kerforn              DeTeBerkom, Germany
        J. Korsager             Ericsson Eurolab, Germany
        K. Lenssen              Univ. of Aachen, Germany
        J. Nolan                CEC, Belgium

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 21:36:50 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Subject: GTE/AT&T Executives Arrested in Venezuela


A judge in Venezuela has ordered the detention of two GTE Telephone
Operations executives after a natural gas explosion killed about 50
rush-hour commuters near Caracas.

The two GTE officials, along with two AT&T executives and 17 other
persons have been ordered not to leave the country after the explosion
on September 28. AT&T and GTE are the principal members of a
consortium which operates Compania Anonima Nacional de Telefonos de
Venezuela SA, Venezuela's national telephone company. Bruce Haddad is
president of the company, and Vito Raskauskas is vice-president. Both
have been ordered to surrender, but they are in hiding, and GTE is at
the present time refusing to reveal their whereabouts. According to
Robert Brand, an assistant vice-president of GTE Telephone Operations
in Irving, Texas, "They are safe. They are not being detained. We are
not going to say where they are ..."

Brand said the 'orders of detention' issued by the Venezuelan government
are 'unclear', although he admitted the executives could face arrest,
detention and trial if they surrendered.

The fatal explosion occurred following the rupture of a natural gas
pipeline involving a crew that was completing a fiber-optic link
between Caracas, the nation's capital, and Maracaibo, the second largest
city in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government contends that the Telecom
Agency is responsible, thus the orders to detain the highest ranking
officers, two from GTE and two from AT&T. The names of the AT&T officials
under arrest is not known to me at this time. The 17 other persons
arrested and/or detained include the crew members doing the work at
the time of the explosion.

Under Venezuelan law, the telecom executives face charges of 'uninten-
ionally causing a fire' which is punishable by one to ten years in
prison. They also face charges of accidentally causing the deaths of
the approximatly fifty persons killed in the explosion.

GTE Telephone Operations led a consortium including AT&T which bought
40 percent of CANTV for nearly two billion dollars in 1991.


Patrick Townson

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 11:38 EST
From: Lars Nohling <[e-mail]>
Subject: Looking For CID For PC's


I am looking for comments on hooking up a PC serial port to a Caller
ID receiver.

I have seen several modems that provide this, do they work well?


Lars Nohling     Business Systems Solutions        [e-mail]

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

Organization: The American University - University Computing Center
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 13:50:08 EST
From: Greg Welsh <[e-mail]>
Subject: Information Wanted About Northern Telecom


I have a friend who is seeking information on Northern Telecom's major
accounts organization structure.  Any info on this topic or contacts
would be appreciated.  Followup to [e-mail].


Thanks.

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 15:49:23 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Information Wanted on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Organization: Penn State University


Dear Reader:

I am doing a research paper on electronic data interchange.  I need
information on the national standard for EDI and/or information about
EDI and trading partners.  If you have any information please reply
soon.


Thank you,

Holly Blakeman

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

From: Jeffrey T. Hutzelman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Carrier For 800 Number?
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 14:03:30 -0500
Organization: Sophomore, Math/Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


Is there any way left to easily tell what carrier "owns" a given
800-number?  I'm trying to find out who is carrying 800-950-3535, and
have been unable to get any assistance either my local carrier (Bell
of PA) or my preferred IXC (Sprint).  Ideas, anyone?


Jeffrey T. Hutzelman (N3NHS) <[e-mail]>


[Moderator's Note: One thing which might give you that information but
is not absolutely guarenteed is the guide to area codes in the Telecom
Archives (anonymous ftp lcs.mit.edu or use the email service available
to readers, [e-mail]). That guide has a list of which
carriers were assigned to which 800 prefixes as of the time portability
started back in May. If the owner of 950-3535 was on that number prior
to May, and if the owner has not since changed carriers, then the
guide in the archives can be relied upon. If the owner of the number
started using it since May or has chosen to change carriers since
that time, then the carrier cannot be ascertained except by asking the
subscriber to reveal the information, which many would probably do
willingly just by asking them. It is illegal for any person or organi-
zation with access to the database -- myself for example, as a broker
of 800 service -- to reveal for marketing purposes or just general
information purposes what subscriber is located where and with whom.
The telcos can exchange that information where billing is concerned,
but that is it. According to the guide in the archives, '950' was
assigned to MCI from at least 1988 forward. Whether or not they are
the carrier of record today for 950-3535 is something the subscriber
will have to tell you.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Anthony Palmer Dawson)
Subject: SMDR Polling Device Recommendation Needed
Date: 20 Nov 1993 14:52:50 -0600
Organization: Wheaton College, Wheaton IL


I need to acquire a device that can store SMDR information provided
from a 5ESS Generic 8 to my premises.  This device must allow polling
via modem and/or ISDN.  Any recommendations or pointers to vendors via
email will be greatly appreciated.


Many thanks,

Tony Dawson    [e-mail]
Computing and Telephone Services   Wheaton College, Wheaton IL 60187

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

From: [e-mail] (J|rgen Bergstedt)
Subject: UPT,Voicemail: Market Tests?
Organization: Telia Research AB
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 08:42:36 GMT


Hello!

I am looking for information about market tests and studies within the
fields of universal personal telecommunications (UPT) and voicemail.
Does anyone know where I can find such information?


Regards,


Per Nilsson, Telia Research   Email: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Scheidl)
Subject: Prodigy Access From Europe?
Date: 20 Nov 1993 11:57:12 GMT
Organization: Academy of Science, Austria


We do research on telecommunication services and I just wanted to know
an access number of Prodigy. Can I use it with simple terminal
session? For testing, I can also do a long distance call to the US.
Where do I get a test-account? Is there an email adress to obtain this
information ([e-mail] ??).


Thank you in advance,

Roland Alton-Scheidl   Vienna, Austria


[Moderator's Note: Normal convention for obtaining help from a site
usually calls for writing 'postmaster'. Try [e-mail].  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Pawel Dobrowolski)
Subject: Statistics on Leased Lines
Date: 20 Nov 1993 17:39:41 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center


Hi folks!

I was wondering whether anyone out there knows of a reliable source of
statistics on telephone lines leased by businesses?  Does the FCC
publish something that could be helpful?  I am wriiting a paper for
one of my classes and I will need current data, and for comparison
sake something going back 20 years or so.  If you know (or suspect)
where to look/whom to call please let me know.


Many thanks,

Pawel    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Keith H. K. Chow)
Subject: ADSL Progress!
Organization: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 14:38:20 +0800


Hi there,

    Does anyone know the current progress of ADSL , HDSL research
or standardisation Work?? I am currently evaluating different
approaches to ADSL. Right now the one tested in Stanford seems to be
the best and is going to be adopted by the standardisation committe.
Is it correct?? Or does anyone have the schedure about that??


Thanks for reading.

Keith    Department of Electrical & Electrical Engineering
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, HK   Internet address:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: TAPI vrs Telescript
Organization: Telia Research AB
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 15:25:44 GMT


Hi, all!

In order to integrate PC into telephone networks, there are two
concurrent solutions using TAPI -- Microsoft versus Novell/AT&T.

General Magic is claiming about another approach - interpreted
language called Telescript, which "defines an intelligent sub- system
for establishing and routing communications among users and
processes".

Can anyone point out a bit more information about Telescript?

Has anyone done any comparison of Telescript with TAPI?

Any information greatly appreciated.


-gibs-

Heiki Kybbar    Telia Research AB,
Lulea, Sweden   Email: [e-mail]   voice phone: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Daniel Wong)
Subject: Wireless LAN Systems
Organization: Stanford University
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 10:14:25 GMT


We are looking for information on commercial wireless LAN products.
We basically want to know what the different options are (eg. Motorola
Altair, etc.) and information of the following type would be appreciated:

a) Name of manufacturer;
b) Name of product;
c) Operating frequencies (we are also interested in products which utilize
   infrared frequencies, for example);
d) How manufacturer can be reached (email, phone, fax, etc.);
e) Other information, like brief description, costs, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.  Please email replies to [e-mail].
edu or post to the newsgroup.  Thank you very much.


Daniel Wong

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 10:09:28 PST
From: Les Reeves <[e-mail]>
Subject: New 411 System in Atlanta


Sometime this week Southern Bell in Atlanta converted directory
assistance to a new system.

The previous system used an automated talker to read back the number
once the operator located it.

The new system asks what city, then asks for the name, all via
non-human voice.  A few seconds later a human operator comes on, asks
for any other information (which location, etc) and passes you to the
automated talker to get the number.

I am assuming it is primarily a voice storage system, although any
amount of speaker-independent voice recognition could be going on.

Does anyone know anything about this system?

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

From: [e-mail] (rad)
Date: 20 Nov 93 23:04:55 GMT
Subject: Help Wanted Locating ECPA Text


   I'm doing a paper on federal policy (United States) concerning
secure telecommunications.  I'm concentrating on the Escrow Encryption
Standard and the FBI wiretap proposal affecting switch manufacturers.
I've already got a good bit of info, but I need to locate an ftp site
that has a copy of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.
Does anyone know of an ftp site that has the full text of about 70
pages?

   Please mail directly to attmail!rickdennis.


   Thanks in advance!

Rick Dennis
AT&T Systems Development Organization
Conversant Systems         Suite 600
email: attmail!rickdennis  5555 Oakbrook Parkway
Phone: [phone]      Norcross, GA 30093

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

Date: 20 Nov 93 18:49 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "The Complete Guide to Pathworks" by Spencer


BKPTHWRK.RVW  931015

CBM Books
101 Witmer Road  PO Box 446
Horsham, PA   19044
215-957-4265  215-957-4287  Fax: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail]
"The Complete Guide to Pathworks", Spencer, 1878956221

The title here is almost justified, but is perhaps just a tad
enthusiastic.  Although the subtitle does refer to "Pathworks for VMS
and DOS," it is a bit of a surprise to find the author extolling the
virtues of Pathworks as a means to tie together VMS, DOS, Macs, OS/2,
Windows and so forth, and thereafter completely ignoring everything
except VMS and DOS.

If you are dealing with VMS and DOS only, then this is reasonably
complete.  Everything you need; installation, cabling, configuration,
printing, management, security, troubleshooting, etc.; is in here
someplace.  You may, however, have to dig for it.  The organization is
not particularly logical for a tutorial, first telling you how to
install it, and only then considering how to set up network cabling.
The chapter divisions make sense, though, and as a reference it works
just fine.

Generally speaking, the level of the material is sufficient to most
common use.  There will be times when you need additional help.  This
is particularly true in terms of MS-DOS.  The book assumes that
readers are well familiar with DOS: the "suggested readings" are
primarily directed at getting more help for VMS.  On the other hand,
some DEC-specific areas are assumed as well.  The coverage of DECnet
is basically, "Start it and make sure it is set up properly."

For most reasonably simple applications, however, this is a basic "one
stop" reference for a myriad details to do with the network.  Although
the average user won't find much helpful here, system managers and
technical support staff will likely find it a handy quick guide.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKPTHWRK.RVW  931015
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the Digest

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

Subject: Harris TS-21 Internals
From: [e-mail] (Christian Void)
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 11:32:58 PST
Organization: Void Multi-Media Research - San Francisco, CA


I recently acquired a Harris TS-21 test set, and am in need of a
schematic for said device. Someone went through it an removed all of
the wiring, and I would like to get it working again. If someone has
any of this information, please e-mail.


Thanks in advance,

Christian Void /T71  V/M/Research, Inc.
[e-mail]     P.O. Box 170213
Tel. 1+415-807-5491  SF, CA  94117-0213

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #772
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa21534;
          21 Nov 93 3:05 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA10279
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 23:51:28 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA03145
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 20 Nov 1993 23:50:46 -0600
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 23:50:46 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #773

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 20 Nov 93 23:50:45 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 773

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Robert Bonomi)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Gas Turbine Generators) (M Hallock)
    Re: Serial Protocol For NT TCM/MPDA  (Macy Hallock)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (James R. Ebright)
    Re: Specialized Mobile Radio (John Gilbert)
    Re: Battery Cross-Reference Information Needed (Andrew C. Green)
    Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage? (Steven H. Lichter)
    Re: GTE Responds! (was Nationwide GTE 800 Outage November 5th) (S. Lichter)
    Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions? (Dennis Smiley)
    Re: Cell Phone Suggestions Sought (Dennis Smiley)
    Re: Reverse Phone Directory News (Blake Patterson)
    Re: Reverse Phone Directory News (Dan Spencer)
    Re: Need List of Country Codes (Malcolm Dunnett)
    Re: Instant Modem Banks (Bill Mayhew)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (John R. Levine)
    Re: More Contact From Sprint (Brendan B. Boerner)
    Re: Automated Fax Delivery (Steve Elias)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Robert Bonomi)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Organization: EECS Department, Northwestern University
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 09:53:28 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>,  <[e-mail]> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
> tricon.com writes:

>> From a possibly unreliable source, I heard that in
>> downtown San Francisco, the phone exchanges actually have JET engines
>> running turbines to provide power during emergencies.  (Locally, the
>> phone company uses diesels, but I do not know the capacity).

> I've heard from techs who work/worked in CO's that some do indeed have
> "jet" engines for backup power.  I suspect that they are generators
> powered by turbine engines of some sort.

[... munch ...]

> I don't know if a jet engine provides backup power in the SF office.
> The only power equipment I saw was a very impressive array of
> batteries.

I can't speak for CO's, but in Des Moines, Iowa, the -power company-
has a 'peaking' generator plant located just off the business
district, that uses 'gas turbine' engines to turn the generators.
This facility has been in place for approximatly 20 years.  It had the
advantage over more 'conventional' utility generator plants of 'quick
start-up'.  As I recall, they could go from 'cold' to 'on-line' in
something like five to seven minutes, vs 30+ for a conventional
generator rig.  If memory serves correctly, they have six units at
this site, and can fire them up individually as needed.  It's a neat
way to match generating capacity to load.


Robert Bonomi    [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 08:28 EST
From: [e-mail] (Macy Hallock)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Gas Turbine Generators)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: F M Systems, Inc. & Telemax, Inc.  Medina, Ohio USA


> I don't know if a jet engine provides backup power in the SF office.
> The only power equipment I saw was a very impressive array of
> batteries.

At one time, many of the major intertoll switches had Solar jet
turbines on the roof.  These had the advantage of producing much less
vibration than a diesel, so they could be mounted on the roof.  Diesel
generators require a substantial concrete foundation and shock mount
assembly to deal with the low frequency vibrations they generate,
especially at startup.

Solar was at one time a part of International Harvester. No doubt
things have changed in the twenty years since I worked in toll centers
with these turbines.

MCI uses Solar gas turbines located on middle floors of buildings in
several cities, I'm told.  No doubt AT&T still has quite a few in
service to this day.

Gas turbines work well, but have a higher initial cost, as well as a
higher operating cost, due to more stringent maintenance requirements.
They also consume almost the same amount of fuel when they are at no
load as they do at full load.  As you mentioned, an unshielded gas
turbine sounds like a F-16 at startup ... and uses the same abount of
fuel.

So, you'll see these in mostly high rise installations or where a
great deal of power is required and a large earth based foundation is
impracticle.  Gas turbines also are used in some alternate fuel
applications, but that's another story.


Macy Hallock N8OBG Voice= +1.216.723.3030 Fax= +1.216.723.3223   [e-mail]
Telemax Inc. and F M Systems Inc.  152 Highland Drive  Medina, Ohio 44256 USA

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 08:43 EST
From: [e-mail] (Macy Hallock)
Subject: Re: Serial Protocol For NT TCM/MPDA
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: F M Systems, Inc. & Telemax, Inc.  Medina, Ohio USA


In article <[e-mail]> is written:

> We are trying to interface a Northern Telecom phone to some of our
> computer applications in a Non-PC/MAC environment (ie: does NOT
> compete with NT's VISIT products).  We may implement some VISIT-like
> features, but Northern Telecom says they have "no plans" to do
> anything in our envivonment.

There is a telephone equipment manufacturer called "Dees
Communications" that produces several types of adapters for Meridian
type sets.  You might want to talk to them.  Be sure to talk to not
only their sales types but also their technical staff.

Dees produces several useful devices for use in both a standard POTS
and Meridian environments.

If they do not produce a device that will fit your needs, perhaps they
will consider your suggestions.  They have quite a bit of knowledge
and experience with the Meridian products made by NTI.

As I recall they are a Canadian company.  I show this number in my
directory: 800-654-5604 fax: [phone] (this is their US sales
office).


Macy Hallock N8OBG  Voice= +1.216.723.3030 Fax= +1.216.723.3223  [e-mail]
Telemax Inc. and F M Systems Inc.  152 Highland Drive  Medina, Ohio 44256 USA

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

From: [e-mail] (James R Ebright)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 20 Nov 1993 13:01:56 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> You have yet to factor in the cost of ISDN with POT line access.  I
> would love to have an ISDN line to transfer data but the cost are
> prohibitive.  Locally I can get a POT line with unlimited local
> calling (99% of my traffic) for $20/month. My line is off hook about
> 22hr/day. An ISDN line cost me $40/month plus minute charges. 4-5 I
> double my charges at a minimum. Granted I have greatly enhanced my
> speed capabilitys, but if its a choice of $20/month and 22hr/day or
> $40/month +time my $ go for the POT line.

Gary's post re-enforces a point made this summer by an ex-TPC employee
who spoke on campus ... a tech type.  He "couldn't understand" why
customers were not rushing to some of the new! modern! better!
services ... they were often every techie's dream :)

Then he realized customers cared more about 'the tariff structure',
ie.  COST, than they did almost anything else.

Why do you think X.25 is used in Europe and not here ... compared to
Europe, leased lines are CHEAP!

I still say Market 1 ISDN 0.

BTW, I believe the new V.fast spec is at about 34-38 kb raw,
uncompressed.  And it runs over POTS to any phone now :) $599 from
Hayes, $499 from --??-- were the prices I saw.


Jim Ebright   e-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Gilbert)
Subject: Re: Specialized Mobile Radio
Organization: Motorola, LMPS
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 23:15:14 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jon Anhold)
wrote:

> Does anyone have any information on Specialized Mobile Radio?
> Specifically, types of radios, what bands they are on, and common uses
> for SMR?

SMRs provide shared system voice dispatch services on the
806-824/851-869 and 896-901/935-940 MHz Land Mobile radio bands.
Telephone interconnect, data and paging are also available.  The most
common use for a SMR is for business dispatch operation.

Trunked radio systems are often purchased by private users.  These
systems could be used to cover a single factory site or could cover
the communications needs of an entire state or federal agency.  U.S.
Government agencies are authorized to operate trunking systems in the
406-420 MHz band.

The largest U.S. manufactuers of trunked radios are Motorola, Erickson/GE,
and E.F. Johnson.

The radios for SMRs look like very much like conventional radios.
They are available in mobile, portable and control station (base)
configurations.


John Gilbert   [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 9:53:19 CST
From: Andrew C. Green <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Battery Cross-Reference Information Needed


Arthur L. Shapiro ([e-mail]) writes:

> I've owned a pre-breakup American Bell speakerphone for a few years,
> [...] Clearly the battery is kaput.  Alas, it's such a bizarre battery
> -- Sanyo! -- that none of my references seem to tabulate anything similar.
> Can anyone provide a source of an equivalent unit to this guy?

Here is some info on a rechargeable battery specialty company which
can probably supply a replacement battery for you. In particular, they
have an (800) number with which you can ask them all sorts of battery
questions without getting a sales pitch. They handle battery sales
over-the-counter or by mail, and can custom-fabricate batteries for
out-of-date designs, including retrofitting new cells into the old
case where required. Old batteries are accepted for recycling.  In my
brief experience with them, I found their service was prompt, and they
were able to put together an oddball battery configuration for an old
rechargeable phone of mine for the price of the standard replacement
battery that was no longer available.

    The Battery Works
    6759 W. Dempster St.
    Morton Grove, IL  60053

    [phone]
    FAX: [phone]
    Toll-Free: [phone]

I have no connection to them except as a customer.


Andrew C. Green       Datalogics, Inc.   Internet: [e-mail]
441 W. Huron          UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!acg
Chicago, IL  60610    FAX: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: Nationwide GTE 800 Outage?
Date: 21 Nov 1993 01:37:52 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


I would guess that since the outage reports came from different parts
of the country the problem would have been the 800 service supplier
and not GTE as there is no central center for GTE other then its
control center in Texas which does the monitoring of the network. I
had not heard about any major outages in the area I work in, which is
not to say there was not since I work late at night and don't always
see all that happens.


Steven Lichter   GTECalif COEI

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: GTE Responds! (was Nationwide GTE 800 Outage November 5th)
Date: 20 Nov 1993 02:47:54 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


Any and all updates are done at night to prevent any outages. This is
standard.  The only time it would be done duringthe day would be
because it had to be because of a major problem. If someone did
something during the day, then it was done in error and could and will
cause the people involved to get a little unpaid vacation.


Steven Lichter   GTECalif COEI

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

From: [e-mail] (Dennis Smiley)
Subject: Re: Wiring a New Home - Suggestions?
Date: 20 Nov 1993 20:51:47 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


I would agree with the conduit or pull wire idea, to allow insertion
of whatever cableing technology is available in the future.


Dennis Smiley    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dennis Smiley)
Subject: Re: Cell Phone Suggestions Sought
Date: 20 Nov 1993 20:59:45 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


John R Levine ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I'm looking for a cell phone for my car.  I go back and forth between
> home, in Boston where cell service works fine, and my tiny timber
> barony, in northern Vermont, where cell service is marginal, though
> supposed to be better when they add towers in a few months.

> Also, experience with the local cell carriers here (NYNEX and Cell
> One/Boston) and Vermont (Contel and Cell One/Vermont-Western-New-
> Hampshire) would be appreciated.

I just insatlled a cell phone in my car. I live in Santa Rosa, CA,
about 60 miles north of San Francisco.

I would recommend a three watt model with as high a gain on glass or
in hole antenna mounted as high on the vehicle as possible.

If you are really conerned with use in remote area, while inconvienant
while moving, a higher gain yagi design directional antenna is
probably small enough to stash away in the car somewhere for emergency
use in the sticks.

Here in California, the Highway Patrol and CalTrans have installed
cell phone call boxes on most of the freeways and State Highways, the
ones on the fringe have small Yagis on the tops of the poles.

My handsfree works surprisingly well in my Izusu Rodeo with the microphone
mounted on the window fringe just above the rear view mirror. There is
little background noise and the audio quality is quite good.

A GE XR-3000 by the way.


Dennis Smiley    [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 14:51:38 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Reverse Phone Directory News
Organization: AT&T


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Ray Normandeau) writes:

> Search Phone*File, CompuServe's online people directory, through
> 17-Nov and the $15 per hour connect-time surcharge is waived.

> Phone*File is only available during certain hours:
> Monday through Saturday 6:00 am to 2:30 am EST
> Sunday 10 am to 8 pm EST

> It has been operating VEEEERY SLOWLY due to large amount of people now
> accessing it.

Has anyone checked the accuracy of Compuserve's PHONE*FILE data?

(Improving data quality is my job at AT&T Bell Labs.)

In August, [e-mail] estimated that the national synthetic-
voice reverse directory is 85% accurate.  (900-933-3330, $1 per
minute, by Clarity Inc, Box 8357, Red Bank, NJ 07701.)  This
"Undirectory" seems always fast and always available.

I presume that Illinois Bell's reverse directory for 312- and 708-
NPAs is close to 100% current.  (312-796-9600, $.35 for two lookups
from 312/708 phones, "free" from outside 312/708.)  Can any frequent
user confirm?


Blake Patterson


[Moderator's Note: It is the same database used by Directory Assistance
and is updated daily or more often.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dan Spencer)
Subject: Re: Reverse Phone Directory News
Date: 20 Nov 93 19:17:21 GMT


The slowness would have nothing to do with an hourly access charge,
would it?


Dan :)


[Moderator's Note: No, I doubt it because Compuserve does not resort
to that sort of sleazy tactic to get revenue. They have all the cus-
tomers they can handle now, perfectly willing to pay for their various
services and offerings.   PAT]

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

From: Malcolm Dunnett <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Need List of Country Codes
Date: 20 Nov 93 08:48:45 -0700
Organization: Malaspina College


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Gordon
Torrie) writes:

> Malcolm Dunnett <[e-mail]> writes:

>>   I'm looking for a list of all the "Country Codes"; either an FTP
>> site or someone to post/mail me a copy.

> While one might suppose that because Malcom posted his message to this
> group he meant the numeric codes one dials to route a call to a
> particular country, this was not explicitly stated.

   Yes, I did. Sorry I wasn't clearer.

  I found a comprehensive set of "country" and "city" routing codes on
the [e-mail] LISTSERV.


Malcolm Dunnett    Malaspina University-College     Email: [e-mail]
Computer Services  Nanaimo, B.C. CANADA V9R 5S5       Tel: [phone]


[Moderator's Note: Which is, of course, where I referred you in the
first place. For those not familiar with the Telecom Archives Email
Information Service, try sending email to [e-mail].
The subject does not matter, but in the text of your message give
these commands in the order shown:

REPLY yourname@site
HELP
INFO
INDEX
END

You'll get back lots of information to enable you to make full use
of our archives, including the SEARCH feature for subjects and
authors of articles which have appeared in this Digest in the past
and the GLOSSARY feature, which lets you look up telecom terms by
email with which you are unfamiliar.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: Instant Modem Banks
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 14:21:01 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> Martin McCormick <martin@
datacomm.ucc.okstate.edu> writes:

> In recent postings, several people told of modem banks which can
> be attached directly to a T1 and use DSP to simulate 24 dial-up modems.

Please post, if possible.  I have a project where we are about to
embark on some bypass applications with T1 carried on our private
microwave system.  We have to carry POTS lines back to our central
location where they go into 24 modems.  It sure would be nice if such
a device exists so that I don't have to mess around with FXO cards,
ring generator and separate modems on the central side, which is what
our consultant has specified.  Actually, we're pretty locked into that
configuration, but it would be nice to know for the inevitable
expansion that will occur.

Ideally the modem emulator described above could be configurable to
use the A and B signalling highways to work with either loop-start or
four-wire signalling protocols.

Also, I'd be interested in hearing if anybody has had problems with
patching high speed modems through a tandem.  One of my circuits has
two 18 mile or so microwave hops, so in between there are two E2M2
cards back-to-back.  The extra analog conversion worries me a little
about loss of quality, especially at 14.4kb/s.  I'd rather use DS0
rate digital cards back to back, but the mfr. of our equipment doesn't
have a DS0 that provides A and B siganlling highway capability; they
always stuff the 8th bit to a 1 (this is a limitation of the way the
common equipment in our channel banks works; we can't do B8ZS coding
of the T1 carrier).

I'd rather be using terminal servers and modems at the outlying ends,
but we've had problems with modems locking-up and needing power-cycling.
We don't have enough staff to be able to go around to the mostly
unattended installations at the remote ends of our links to reset
modems on a regular basis, hence they are going to be located at our
central site.


Bill Mayhew        NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA      phone: [phone]
[e-mail]       amateur radio 146.58: N8WED

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 18:07 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> For my residential long distance I currently use AT&T ... I got a
> check in the mail from MCI last week (not a very big one, as they say;
> only $20) which I get to cash if I let them switch me to MCI (and
> friends and informants, or whatever it is this week).

I hear that if you call up AT&T and tell them that MCI has sent you a
$20 bribe to switch, AT&T will probably tell you to send it to them
and they'll credit it to your account as a thank-you for not switching.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [e-mail] (Brendan B. Boerner)
Subject: Re: More Contact From Sprint
Organization: Novell, Inc. -- Austin
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 15:43:44 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Chris Ambler - Fubar) writes:

[ ... long tale of negative phone call from Sprint employee ...]

> Again, anyone with anything to add, pointers to legal issues, a letter
> stating that Sprint made you the same offer, or anything, please drop
> me email!

One thing I'm surprised to discover is that Sprint apparently doesn't
think that trying to squirm out of this is going to hurt them in the
future.  Say for the sake of argument that Sprint has the law on it's
side and/or economic muscle to never give in to all the bit heads out
there who a) know the difference between a 9600 bps data/FAX external
modem and a 2400 bps data, 9600/4800 FAX send/receive internal modem,
and b) care about getting the 9600 external as opposed to the 2400
internal and want Sprint to make good.

Fine, so now Sprint has a bunch of unhappy bit heads, some of which
may work as I.S. folks or who know I.S. folks in companies interested
in setting up ATM.  I noticed in a recent issue of {NetWork World} I
believe that Sprint is gearing up to try to be a bigtime player for
ATM services.  When those burned I.S. types go shopping for an ATM
provider, they're going to remember that Sprint couldn't tell the
difference between a 9600 bps external modem and a 2400 bps internal,
so how could someone possibly trust the quality of ATM service?  I
would think that the loss of ATM business will end up costing Sprint
more than buying a 9600 bps modem for every customer who complains
would cost them.


Just my opinion,

Brendan B. Boerner    Phone: [phone]    MHS: bboerner@novell
Internet: [e-mail]     \  Please use either if replying
   or  [e-mail] /  by mail exterior to Novell.
Disclaimer: My views are my own, not Novell's.  They pay me to write
code, not speak for them.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Elias)
Subject: Re: Automated FAX Delivery
Date: 20 Nov 93 14:15:27
Organization: cisco Systems


Luis, what you have described is a combination of DID lines with DID
capable fax modem cards.  A number of vendors sell equipment which can
do this.  Brooktrout and Gammalink/Dialogic (what is their new name?)
are two such vendors.  Also there are external DID-Rs232 boxes which
will work with any fax modem, but I'm not sure who makes those.

It is the ideal solution for computerfax delivery because it is
transparent to the sender, as you point out.


eli   [e-mail] (Luis Delgado) writes:

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #773
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa24730;
          21 Nov 93 16:25 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA05257
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 21 Nov 1993 10:05:50 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA12844
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 21 Nov 1993 10:05:06 -0600
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 10:05:06 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #774

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 21 Nov 93 10:05:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 774

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    PC Pursuit; Also Inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem (Jack Decker)
    Telecommunications in the Year 2020 (Jack Godfrey)
    Mnemonic For Wire Colors (Steve Runyon)
    Internationl Dialback Service? (Tawfig Al Rabiah)
    *Why* I'm Suing Sprint (Chris Ambler)
    Palmtop + Cellular Modem (Chris Johnston)
    NEAX2400 Users Out There? (Steve Chafe)
    Best 900mhz Cordless? (Rich Skrenta)
    416-551 (was Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized) (Carl Moore)
    Information Wanted on Setting Up BBS ([e-mail])
    Association For Contingency Planning (Lynne Gregg)
    Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance (Carl Moore)
    1-800 Caller ID (Scott Anderson)
    Call FROM Ground TO Airplane? (Carl Moore)
    Correction: Re: Information About Iridium Wanted (Carl Moore)
    Re: Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Dan Spencer)
    What is the Future of Electronic Mail? (David R. Johnston)
    Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History (Bob Schwartz)
    Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History (Jonathan T. Cronin)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: PC Pursuit; also inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem
Date: 21 Nov 1993 07:20:30 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net


There have been some messages here recently regarding the impending
demise of PC Pursuit.  Just to satisfy my own curiosity, I called the
PC Pursuit BBS, which is accessible by calling your local SprintNet
node, and once online, typing "C PURSUIT" (without the quotes).

Before I go on, I will say that in my opinion, PC Pursuit has been one
of the most customer-hostile services to ever exist (unless, of
course, you include certain regulated public utilities which shall
remain nameless).  :-) Basically, their attitude seemed to be that if
the system worked at all you should be thankful, and you certainly
shouldn't expect any response to requests for service enhancements.
They also made promises that remain unkept to this day (for example,
that Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan would have a SprintNet indial ... that
was a few years ago and they still don't have one, not that it matters
to me anymore).

It may well be that SprintNet itself is a dinosaur of sorts.  The
interesting thing about it is that for the last couple of years, they
seem to have added as many new nodes (if not more) in points outside
of the United States as within the U.S.  They have upgraded a few
cities (generally the larger ones) to 9600 bps, but there are still a
large number of SprintNet cities that are only accessible at 2400 bps
or slower.

Anyway, in reading the messages on the PC Pursuit BBS, the only
comment from anyone at SprintNet was that the service was being
re-evaluated and that they were not accepting any new customers at
this time.  This led to a rather interesting speculation by one of the
posters to that BBS, which I reprint herewith verbatim:

No. 68  11/19/93   21:17:29
From: John Lockard                To: Wilfrid Kernan
Subject: (R) Termination &c
Message class: Public             Message base: PCP

 > Our services are being reevaluated by management.

 Then is it true that your going to remove the entire Telenet network
 and replace it with a new SprintNet network that anyone can directly
 dial using five digits and then the number their calling and it will
 recieve the computer or fax data at the ISDN switch compact and send
 it on a sperate packet nework and then convert it back to modem tone
 at the other end?

[END OF FORWARDED MESSAGE]

There were also messages on the BBS that would never have been
tolerated in the past, such as discussions of other services available
(two that were mentioned were MCI's service that allows PC's to
connect for as little as eight cents per minute, and something I've
never heard of called "Global Access").  There was also a couple of
messages that seemed to indicate that the service has really
deteriorated in the last couple of months (as least from the
perspective of the message writers).

And then there was this message, which if true, may give you an idea
for a Christmas stocking stuffer for any modem junkies in your life:

No. 47  11/18/93   13:12:16
From: Harv Laser                  To: All
Subject: cheap 14.4k modem
Message class: Public             Message base: PCP

You can purchase a LineLink 144e 14.4k V32/42.bis FAXmodem from Mac
Warehouse for $99 plus $3 for overnight shipping. This isnot a
mis-print. Ninety Nine Dollars. It's a mac bundle with mac cable and
software but it is a generic RS-232 port modem made by Prometheus
under the name Technology Concepts. It is FAX software ready. If you
don't have a Mac, just use the serial cable you use now on your PeeCee
or Amiga or whatever. I bought one two months ago and it works
brilliantly and you absolutely cannot beat the price. Mac Warehouse is
at 1-800-255-6227 and ask for catalog #BND0249.

I am in NO way connected with Mac Warehouse. I get NO sales
commissions. I'm just a happy, satisfied customer of this modem (the
only think I've ever ordered from them.. and I use it on my Amiga) and
wanted to let you people know that you do NOT have to pay $250 or even
$200 for a capable 14.4k FAXmodem.

Harv

[END OF FORWARDED MESSAGE #2.  Please note that I also have no
connection with nor experience with the company mentioned.]

Again, this is the sort of message that would probably not have been
tolerated in the recent past, since if folks have a decent 14.4k
modem, they are probably better off to call direct than to use PC
Pursuit (especially in areas with 2400 bps or slower indials).

My gut feeling from my reading of the messages (and this is my OPINION
only) is that SprintNet would be more than happy at this point if the
remaining PC Pursuit customers would quietly drop their accounts with
the service and leave.  Some folks mentioned that they had heard that
PC Pursuit would be shut down on January 1, 1994, and others mentioned
that the contract they have requires 30 days notice of termination of
service.  The sysops of the PC Pursuit BBS did not comment on any of
this.

I hope that if they decide to replace PC Pursuit with something else,
that they do make it universally accessible, but also that they put
someone in charge that understands the meaning of customer SERVICE.
I'll stop here lest I get started on a tirade on their past mistakes.


Jack


[Moderator's Note: If you think back and remember the origins of the
PC Pursuit program and Telenet (the network it runs on, which is now
called Sprintnet), it is easy to see why it is obsolete and may be
in line for the scrap heap:  when Telenet began in the middle to late
1970's, it was a service for businesses only -- large businesses --
which wanted to transfer data between locations at a rate much less
expensive that the public phone network could provide. *Fast* modems
went at 300 baud; more typical modems ran at 65 or 110 baud. By using
modern techniques at the time of having several subscribers on one
circuit, costs could be held down. When PC Pursuit got underway in
in the middle 1980's, 300/1200 baud modems were the standard, and
Telenet could charge subscribers one dollar per hour -- quite a big
savings over the cheapest long distance at the time of $7-8 per
hour at night -- and still make money. Unless you have unlimited local
service, you pay something per minute for the local connection to thier
indials, a dollar per hour for the network (actually, $30 for $30
hours per month), and wind up staying on much longer than you would by
dialing direct using a 9600 baud or 14.4 modem. The only reason they
started PC Pursuit in the first place was to make a creative and profit-
able use of the network during overnight and weekend hours when it was
otherwise almost entirely deserted.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Godfrey)
Subject: Telecommunications in the Year 2020
Date: 21 Nov 1993 10:29:46 -0400
Organization: Worker's Compensation Board of Nova Scotia


My son, who is in grade 7, is doing a long term class project.  His
part of the project is to gather information about the future
directions of telecommunications in the year 2020.

If you have any information, we would appreciate it if you would pass
it on to us.  If you know of any other places where we can look for
information we would appreciate that as well.


[Moderator's Note: If the next 27 years are anything like the past 10
years, the network won't be recognizeable to any of us who might
happen to come back and visit or still be around; that's how much things
have changed.   PAT]

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

From: Steve Runyon <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mnemonic For Wire Colors
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 23:33:03 -0400
Organization: Mr. Producer
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I am looking for an easy way to memorize the wire colors in 66 wire.
The colors are blue, orange, green, brown, gray, yellow, ...

I was hoping that there might be a sentence with each word starting
with the same letters as the corresponding color.

For instance, to memorize the color codes of resistor bands, my father
taught me "Blackie Brown rapes our young girls but Violet gives
willingly."  This translates to black, brown, red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, purple, gray, white.

There are other neat forms of mnemonics, like ROY G BIV and "How I
wish I could enumerate pi correctly".

Any ideas?


 from the disk of Steve Runyon    [e-mail]  ++

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

From: [e-mail] (Tawfig Al Rabiah)
Subject: Internationl Dialback Service
Date: 21 Nov 1993 04:33:23 GMT
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science


What are the companies that offer dialback service which allows you to
direct your calls through the US and how good are they?


Tawfig


[Moerator's Note: One is the company I represent, Telepassport. I think
their service is pretty good for a company which has been operating
only about six months (although they are a division of another company
which has been around several years and is the largest reseller of
AT&T anywhere). With TP, you dial the access number in New York, let
it ring once, and hang up. TP then calls you back, gets your author-
ization code and PIN, and gives you USA dialtone from New York. Calls
are billed to the credit card of your choice, at rates which are much
less that AT&T's rates for international calls, but are based on AT&T's
times of day and rate structure. I now have a lot of customers in the
UK using Telepassport, as well as customers in Israel and several
other contries. They use TP since international rates from the USA are
so much better than the rates from their own country. For more detailed
information about using TP, and to get an application for service,
please write [e-mail]. Sign up takes only a few days.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 20:14:19 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Chris Ambler)
Subject: *Why* I'm Suing Sprint
Organization: The Phishtank
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 20:14:16 GMT


I understand the sentiment expressed by a few Digest readers that I
should find "something better to do with my time" rather than sue
Sprint. I just want to make a few public points about that.

When I received the call from the Sprint "CSG," he said the same
thing. Except his words were, "Don't you have a job?"

This is taking up very little of my time. I visit the law library when
I am downtown anyway, or on my lunchtime. I'm actually getting quite
an education out of this.

I don't believe that Sprint should be allowed to apologize away an
error on their part. They made a mistake, perhaps, but they should be
held accountable for it. If *I* had made a mistake, do you think they
would have hapilly accepted my unconditional refusal to, for example,
pay my bill? "I'm sorry, I'm not a telecom expert, I did not realize
that that call to Sri Lanka would cost so much. I've made sure it
won't happen again, but I will not pay." Their claim that their sales
reps are not modem experts and as such made a simple mistake is quite
similar. Lesson learned by Sprint, perhaps, but I simply want what I
was promised and accepted in good faith. Nothing more, nothing less.


Christopher(); // All original text is strictly the opinion of the poster
Christopher J. Ambler, Author, FSUUCP 1.41, FSVMP 1.0, [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 17:57:37 CST
From: Chris Johnston <[e-mail]>
Subject: palmtop + cellular modem


Hi,

    I'm interested in using a palmtop and a cellular phone as a
portable terminal.  Are there any PCMCIA or battery powered modems
suitable for use over a cellular telephone?  I am especially worried
about cell hand off and RF crosstalk.  I want to walk around with this
so it should be light weight.  Since I will be using this to dial in to
the computer at work, one way RF and satellite links are not appropriate.
How much might this weigh?

Thank you.


Best Regards,

cj

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Chafe)
Subject: NEAX2400 Users Out There?
Organization: University of California, Davis
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 00:00:17 GMT


Hello,

Are there any folks out there that run NEC 2400's and who would like
to be part of an informal internet discussion group based on a mailing
list? If so, please send me a reply.  I've been doing this for the
SL100 and it has proven quite helpful for troubleshooting purposes.


Thanks,

Steve Chafe   [e-mail]
-or- [e-mail]

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

Subject: Best 900mhz Cordless?
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 14:07:15 EST
From: Rich Skrenta <[e-mail]>


I'm interested in opinions on 900mhz cordless phones.  I've seen the
old and new Tropez models, as well the "Quantum Leap" 900mhz phone.

Features I'm interested in:

    o  Security.  If it's all-digital, doing some simple scrambling
       should be easy.  Going digitial is enough to weed out the
       neighbors with scanners, but I don't want someone to be able
       to plug in another 900mhz phone and hear my calls.

    o  Clarity and range.

I recall a review of the first Tropez model that said there was a
problem with the volume.  Does anyone know if this is fixed in their
new one?


Rich Skrenta <[e-mail]>


[Moderator's Note: Have you checked out the Radio Shack 900 mhz phone?
I've seen one demonstrated here and they seem to work quite well. The
range is much further than a regular cordless phone.   PAT]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 17:05:58 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: 416-551 (was Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized)


Just what is this hot line supposed to do anyway?  I can't reach it.
I tried the Orange Card and AT&T, first from my office on 410-278 and
then from a C&P pay phone on 410-273.  Orange Card from my office to
905-551-3409 got a recording saying this was not a working number,
please call my long distance carrier, "two two"; same card to area 416
said my call could not be completed as dialed, "212".  AT&T card got
an intercept "... cannot be completed as dialed ... 703 0T" in both 416
and 905.

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 22:39:42 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Information Wanted on Setting up BBS


Hi,

I have been asked to try and find some information on setting up a
small BBS (of the order ten to twenty concurrent users). I'd
appreciate any (on-line??)  sources as to hard and software
requirements, level of expertise required to setup and to maintain the
system. The main 'theme' of the board would be access to a database
and conferencing.

Please copy me direct with any replies as well as to the newsgroup as
I have very limited access at the moment. Thanks for your help.


Bryan

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

From: Lynne Gregg <[e-mail]>
Subject: Association For Contingency Planning
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 23:04:00 PST


I know there's at least one national association devoted to (telecom)
contingency planning. I'd like to compile a list of national and
regional associations. If you belong to such an "animal", please post
to me with name/address and a bit of background on the organization.
If you post to me directly, I summarize the list and post to the
Digest.


Thanks much,

Lynne Gregg

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 13:16:57 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance


I attempted to pay my first C&P bill by using my own envelope in the
mail, but it apparently didn't arrive, and I ended up having to send
another check (this time, I did use the C&P envelope and it has now
been credited, according to the C&P automated system I am about to
describe).

Anyway, besides using my bank's automated system to determine that the
first payment stil had not cleared, I had a 954-xxxx number (went thru
toll-free with just the seven digits when punched in on a pay phone on
410-272 Aberdeen) which put me on an automated system where I could
learn my bill balance!  There is a three-digit number (after my phone
number), printed on my phone bill, which is apparently the key to my
getting access to my account-balance information.


[Moderator's Note: The three digit number at the end of your phone
number is for the RAO, or Regional Accounting Office.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott Anderson)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 08:59:00 -0600
Subject: 1-800 Caller ID
Organization: The Dark Knight's Table BBS:  Minnetonka, MN (Free!)


Hello everyone!  I looking for ideas about how our business can
incorporate caller ID into our computer system, so when our customers
call, the computer would pull up their account information.  We have
about 10,000 regular clients that call in on our 1-800 lines.  Almost
always, the people call from the same number.  If you think this would
be possible, I'd like some advice on how it could be done and at what
cost.  I don't know a lot about this topic, but am interested either
way.

You can E-mail to me [e-mail].


Origin: Dark Knight's Table (1:282/31)
The Dark Knight's Table BBS [phone] Minnetonka, MN USA
Free access to Usenet news and e-mail


[Moderator's Note: Just call the carrier handling your 800 service
and tell then you want automatic number identification displayed in
real time as calls are received. If they can't do it, you will need
to switch your service to some carrier -- such as AT&T -- who can.
You will *not* like the price they charge you for it. By comparison,
Caller-ID on a regular POTS line is quite cheap.   PAT]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 13:18:01 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Call FROM Ground TO Airplane?


According to a little item appearing in summary in {USA Today}
newspaper seen by me today, some USAir planes will have the capability
of RECEIVING calls from the ground.

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

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 93 021:19:00 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Correction: Re: Information About Iridium Wanted


Jeffrey Oliver Breen <[e-mail]> writes:

> Iridium, Inc.
> 13501 Street, NW
> Washington, D 20005
> [phone]

That's Washington, DC (the "C" was left off at the end).  In the
street address, 13501 seems to be too high to be found in DC, and the
street name is missing; did you perhaps mean "1350 I Street"?
(Sometimes "Eye" is used instead of "I" to avoid confusing "I" and
"1".)

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

From: [e-mail] (Dan Spencer)
Subject: Re: Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Date: 21 Nov 93 01:41:38 GMT


Mr. Fischer, you obviously have no respect for a individual's privacy.
Is business that bad that you must "prostitute" your product on the
"net"?  I can only hope that your privacy is invaded in a sufficiently
grotesque manner to educate you on it's value.

You should take your device and drop it in the ocean (that's the place
where your country insists on dumping it's raw effluent).

Who knows, maybe with NAFTA, it might be cheaper for your company to
move to Mexico and make you obsolete ...

Get a life.


Disclaimer:  My views are my own and not necessarily my company's. e


[Moderator's Note: It sounds to me like you are unhappy with the idea
of people listening to your cellular calls.   PAT]

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

Date: Sat, 20 Nov 1993 23:13:09 EDT
From: David R Johnston <[e-mail]>
Subject: What is the Future of Electronic Mail?


I am working on a paper for a graduate course in Communication
Technologies and would be interested if anyone has any information, or
opinions on what the future of electronic mail services has to offer.
It seems to me that right now there is limited access due to the cost
of access, as well as many people that I would like to communicate
with are not on-line.  It is not unlike days of old when not everyone
had a telephone, but the question remains, how long will it be for
this type of communications to become widespread in N. America, and or
developing countries?

Look forward to your feedback!


[e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History
From: [e-mail] (Bob Schwartz)
Date: Sat, 20 Nov 93 17:16:09 PST
Organization: Bill Correctors, Inc., Marin County, California


> I don't know if it's still true or not, but the city of San Ramon (25
> miles east of SF) had 102 phones per 100 population.  This fact used
> to be in the back of the Pacific Bell yellow pages for that area,
> which I think is the Central Contra Costa book.  I would think there
> might be an explanation here, but I don't know what it is.  This was
> before cellular, and the community doesn't seem to have that much more
> business than any other community.

San Ramon is no longer a sleepy agricultural community. With AT&T and
Pacific Bell executive offices there, and legions of employees as well
as several high tech companies in the large industrial parks and mixed
use industrial parks, it is no big surprise. If a resident doesn't
have kids requiring additional lines then it's the business line at
home.


Bob Schwartz                                       [e-mail]
Bill Correctors, Inc.   [phone]   Marin County, California

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

From: [e-mail] (Jonathan T Cronin)
Subject: Re: Skokie, IL, and Telephone History
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 1993 01:40:32 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, David A. Kaye <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> Dave Levenson ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> [Skokie stats omitted]

> I don't know if it's still true or not, but the city of San Ramon (25
> miles east of SF) had 102 phones per 100 population.  This fact used
> to be in the back of the Pacific Bell yellow pages for that area,
> which I think is the Central Contra Costa book.  I would think there
> might be an explanation here, but I don't know what it is.  This was
> before cellular, and the community doesn't seem to have that much more
> business than any other community.

But it does have Pacific Bell headquarters, (guarded by attack swans.)


Jonathan

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #774
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa24974;
          21 Nov 93 16:38 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA23353
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 21 Nov 1993 13:06:52 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA14852
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 21 Nov 1993 13:06:11 -0600
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 13:06:11 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #775

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 21 Nov 93 13:06:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 775

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    A TV Show Which Never Got Aired (TELECOM Moderator)
    When the World Stopped Talking - November 22, 1963 (Donald E. Kimberlin)
    Re: Crummy Service in NY (Brendan M. O'connor)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Gregory K. Johnson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 11:58:24 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Subject: A TV Show Which Never Got Aired


During the fall of 1963, I worked with a couple people in putting
together a video documentary about our library here. Entitled 'Getting
Aquainted With the Chicago Public Library', the documentary was a tour
of the library, conducted by myself, explaining the various
departments and the services each offered, etc. The others did the
technical work and I was the person leading the video tour. This was
part of the volunteer work I've done for the library for quite a few
years, and one of my first efforts. Many of you know that for a dozen
years now, I've produced programs on Chicago history for the visually
handicapped reading service here, a service known as CRIS (Chicago
Radio Information Service). Back in the 1960's I helped with some
public relations stuff at the library.

This was a two-part series, to be aired on WGN-TV, channel 9 on two
Sunday mornings in November, 1963. Then as now, Sunday mornings were
the time when the television stations all discharged their public
affairs obligations in the hopes most people would be asleep anyway,
and not too much commercial revenue would be lost. :)

We had it ready to go and in the hands of WGN-TV according to schedule
several days before it was to air. That weekend, the station had some
technical difficulties which forced them off the air a couple of times
during the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, and the parts or
whatever needed to end the problem finally were available about 10 AM
Sunday morning, which was when our video documentary was to air.
Rather than go all day with whatever problem had been plaguing them,
the station decided to shut down for the twenty minutes or so needed
to cure the problem. When? Right at the time we had been scheduled to
be on the air, of course. :( ...

But not to worry, they said the programs scheduled for 10 AM on Sunday
over the next month would all just be shoved back a week so both of
our programs in the two-part series would run, but each just a week
later than planned.  Okay, fair enough, unexpected technical problems
will occur, especially back in a much earlier period in television's
history as this was.

All week we looked forward to having our production on the air
starting the following Sunday, but then on Friday of that week, the
unthinkable had to be thought about: the president was assassinated.

It was a Friday about noon. I was with some friends and we had the
television on some game show. As memory serves, it was that game where
the contestant spins the wheel, it stops on some question or challenge,
and the contestant has to do whatever is called for to get the prize
which is associated with that stop on the wheel.

The first news bulletin came, and it was only about twenty seconds
long, one of those 'unconfirmed reports from Dallas' type things, and
they went back to the show in progress. Perhaps just a minute or two
later, the second bulletin interuppted the game show, saying that the
information had now been confirmed; that shots had been fired at the
presidential motorcade, and that Secret Service agents had piled into
the president's car, pushed him to the floor and driven away at
break-neck speed somewhere ... back to the game show where the smiling
contestants and laughing host were busily spinning the wheel and
examining the prizes. This odd juxtapostion of game show and bulletin
went on for another couple minutes with twenty and thirty second
bulletin interupptions mixed with a thirty seconds or so of spinning
wheel and prizes and laughter. Then the face of Walter Cronkite (we
had started changing channels by that time, trying to figure out what
was going on) telling the story as it was known at the moment. Within
the next five minutes or less, every television and radio station in
the USA, and perhaps much of the world, was telling of the event in
Dallas. No more spinning wheel with laughter and prizes. The networks
all turned over their air to their affiliate stations in Dallas and
stations without contacts there simply latched onto the feeds of those
who did.

For the next 36 hours or so, the television stations had continuous
coverage. By late Saturday night, there was little left to report
which had not already been said, and during the overnight hours into
Sunday morning, many stations simply focused continually on Kennedy's
casket as it sat in Washington, DC, and long lines of people walked
past paying their last respects. This went on all night.

Sunday morning the stations resumed their usual programming schedule
and the engineer on duty at channel 9 confirmed in a phone call to
us that our tape would be on at 11 AM, rather than 10 AM as originally
planned. They were having a followup newscast on Kennedy and running
about an hour behind schedule with their programs.

Sure enough, 11 AM and our documentary started; we all were watching
television eagerly to see how it turned out. Two or three minutes
into the documentary, an interupption -- another news bulletin --
occurred, and we were told that "We are going to switch to Dallas
for just five minutes or less. Police are transferring Mr. Lee
Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin of the president from the custody
of the Dallas Police to the County Jail. We are going to be live from
Dallas long enough to see him transferred, and see if it is possible
to at least ask him a question or two ..."

Admittedly, that was even better than the documentary we had worked
on, so there was no real resentment at this interupption. The 'magic
of television' as we called it in those days brought a flash on the
screen, then the basement of the police station in Dallas where
crowds of reporters and police officials were waiting. All the report-
ers had their cameras and microphones set up ready to capture any
possible statements or visual images they could of the man who it
was said had killed Kennedy.

Then someone said, "Here he comes! Look down the hall, two sheriffs
have him in handcuffs."  And walking down the hall was Mr. Oswald and
two or three deputies with him. As they approached where the cameras
and reporters were waiting, walking him out to the street where the
transport van was waiting, up walks Jack Ruby, a local businessman
in Dallas. No one bothered to stop him, because he was well-known
and trusted by all the police officials. They assumed he was there
to watch like everyone else. When Oswald is a couple feet away from
him, Ruby pulls out a gun and says to Oswald and the nation at large
watching on television, "You son of a bitch! You killed the president
and now I am going to kill you."  And wasting no time, he did just
that. He pumped bullets into Oswald while the police, the reporters
and the nation watched in horror, then quietly surrendered. Ruby made
no effort to escape, and said he understood all along that after he
killed Oswald, he himself would be arrested and put on trial.

Needless to say, that was the end of normal television programming
again that day ... all the rest of the day at five minute intervals or
so, and well into the night, every TV station anywhere was replaying
that gruesome scene for those who missed it the first (or second or
third or umpteenth) time around. Originally, some cameras had picked
up on Ruby when he got up into Oswald's face while others had been on
Oswald exclusively including as the evidence of pain from the bullet
was in his face and he started to slump down. Originally we did not
see Ruby; we only heard his voice, heard the bullets and saw Oswald
begin to fall to the floor but later replays had the tape edited in
two ways: we saw Oswald coming down the hall, we saw Ruby standing
there as Oswald approached, we saw the hatred in Ruby's face as he was
speaking and pointing the gun, then as the shots were fired the scene
of Oswald grimmacing from pain and falling over. As a matter of what
was considered good taste in those days, Ruby's mention of Oswald's
ancestry was 'bleeped out'. The versions all afternoon and evening at
five minute intervals only showed an angry Ruby's lips moving with a
'bleep-bleep', the gun being pointed, and then the sound returned with
the fire of the pistol.  Lip readers could easily tell what Ruby had
to say, but that was not the point: you were not supposed to say those
words on the radio or television.

Our documentary about the library never did get aired. The following
Thursday was Thanksgiving Day, and a normally joyous holiday in
the United States was marred by a very somber America as we all
reflected on the events of the past week.

And that's the way I recall thirty years ago this week. How do you
recall it?


Patrick Townson

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

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 93 00:39 EST
From: Donald E. Kimberlin <[e-mail]>
Subject: When the World Stopped Talking - November 22, 1963


Dear Pat:  I hope the following is an interesting story for readers
on this 30th anniversary of an event that rocked the world:


                  WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED TALKING

        It was the coldest part of the "Cold War," with momentous
events leading to that time.  America's move toward the "Camelot
Years" had seen, in addition to actions on the Civil Rights front,
youthful President John F. Kennedy's early days punctuated by events
like the following on the international stage:

         4/61 - The abortive Bay of Pigs invasion attempt;

        10/61 - The Berlin wall was built to separate the East
        Berlin from the West.

        10/16/62 through 10/26/62 - Twelve Days in October that brought
        America closer to nuclear war than any other event ... staring
        down the barrel of 36 Russian ICBM's in Cuba, with more on
        the way by sea.

        John Kennedy had ended it by forcing Kruschev to trade those
ICBM's aimed at America's underbelly for 15 antiquated Jupiter
missiles in Turkey.  That permitted Kruschev to save some face, but it
was obvious both he and the Soviet bloc worldwide smarted from an
obvious loss.

        Fidel Castro had his own reasons for wanting to get rid of
John Kennedy, also.  From the Bay of Pigs and beyond, Castro was
certain that a string of plots to unseat him or even assassinate him
had been hatched by the government now headed by JFK and heavily
dominated by his younger brother, Robert Kennedy, who had taken very
broad scope of the powers of Attorney General.

        So far as anyone in the world communist orbit was concerned,
the Kennedys in Washington were certainly a duo sent straight from the
very Devil himself.  Both were dangerous people and leaders of the
most powerful opponent in the world; the one that had provided weapons
and power on a scale not previously known on earth.  It was obvious
that any number of groups wanted not only to stop that power, but to
cut off its leadership, in the hope that would equalize the balance
somehow.

        And there were those in the U.S. government establishment who
themselves might be suspected of having their own reasons to stop the
Kennedy control being exerted over that establishment.

        During that time, life at AT&T's Fort Lauderdale Overseas
Radio Station was in a bustling stage of expansion.  It was the last
burst of expansion before the age of satellites and submarine cables
would burst forth to provide transoceanic and intercontinental
telecommunications capacity that was to offer a means to knit nations
and businesses together in ways no one save philosophers like Arthur
C. Clarke had yet foreseen.  Computers were struggling to push 1200
bps down such circuits as could be provided; "teleprocessing" was in
its infancy, and thus computers couldn't really have made much use of
capacity if it had been there.  Rather, communications between nations
were matters of cablegrams, 50 Baud Telex and, when possible,
badly-delayed, but urgent telephone calls at US$ 3.00 per minute,
sometimes more.  Fort Lauderdale was one of the three "plant gateways"
that AT&T, operating as the sole long distance telephone company in
the U.S., had for providing telephone circuits to other nations using
high-frequency (commonly known as "shortwave") radio.  To the outside
world, Fort Lauderdale was The Miami Overseas Operator, located some
25 miles away in the Southern Bell buildings in downtown Miami.

        Those faceless voices were known on the "inside" as Overseas
Toll Unit 3. (Units 1 and 2 were at New York and San Francisco,
respectively, similarly backed up by nearby Overseas Radio plant
offices.  Short of the very few channels that the earliest
transatlantic telephone cables and one tiny precursor between Key West
and Havana (obviously in trouble since Castro had taken over Cuba),
any sort of "phone call" to any other place on earth from the U.S. was
carried on "shortwave."  The "plant gateways" operated 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, working at the task of launching high-powered
multichannel "shortwave" radio waves at ionized layers of the upper
atmosphere, and receiving the same from distant nations.  So far as
the public was concerned, the vast majority had no notion of how their
voice was getting to the other country.

    In fact, the quality of channels provided, even in solar low
years, was good enough that, combined with the rather lossy
characteristics of domestic lines, users didn't perceive anything
unusual.  What many didn't even know was that there was no such thing
as a "dial circuit" on HF radio; the operators wrote "toll tickets,"
just as had been done since the 1920's, and serial numbered each one,
exchanging full details with their counterparts, so that both ends had
complete records for billing at the paying end and settling for their
respective portions in their countries.

        Fort Lauderdale provided channels to most of the nations of
Central America and the Caribbean, with demand growing at such a rate
that more and more channels had to be added.  Despite that growth,
delays ranging up to three days to get a call completed to some
nations were not unusual.  In the case of many nations, the called
party did not even have a telephone, so it would be necessary to
"book" the call in advance, whereupon the telephone company in the
other nation would send out a messenger, often on a bicycle, to summon
the called party to a telephone, or even the telephone building
itself, to sit down in a booth and have their conversation.  There
would even be extreme cases of a transit call via the U.S. from a
European or Asian nation to a Latin nation, which meant two links of
"shortwave" coupled by a connection between Overseas Toll Units across
the U.S.  The whole scene was quite a far cry from the convenience of
International Direct Dialing most people take as a given condition
these days.

        Similarly, the paucity of international telephone channels
made it necessary that the historic "Hotline" between Washington and
Moscow not be a telephone circuit, but rather a teleprinter circuit.
Hushed in the highest secrecy, the first iteration of the "hotline"
was in fact, an encrypted teletype circuit operated by ITT World
Communications under contract, with classified U.S. encryption
equipment located in Washington and at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
For a degree of backup, ITT provided two channels on different routes,
entering the Soviet bloc via Austria and Finland.  Both carried the
signals in parallel, and on occasion, one route might carry the
transmission one way, while the other carried the return signals,
although both were full duplex channels.  (The government would never
remove the crypto gear, even refusing to send the "Fox" test messages
in the clear, which gave ITT personnel fits trying to find the section
that might have garbling going on in it.  No one along the route was
equipped to copy the signals!)

        This telegraphic "hotline" was the environment in which JFK
negotiated with Kruschev, writing out messages, having them sent,
decrypted at the Moscow Embassy, then hand delivered by courier to
Kruschev.  Kruschev's messages were similary written out, taken by
hand to the Moscow Embassy, then typed in and encrypted for transmiss-
ion to Washington.  (Obviously, the Russians were not to see the en-
cryption methods, so EFTO was the only means used.)  Were there a
notion of trying to put JFK on the telephone with Kruschev, simply
getting the connection might have taken more hours than were available
for the more cumbersome means of encrypted teletype.

        In this environment, then, the HF radio channels at Fort
Lauderdale were constantly occupied, at least during business days.
Weekends, evenings and holidays, there might be fewer circuits opened
up, but even at night, there was at least one working channel to
almost every distant nation ... and that one nighttime circuit was
often almost constantly occupied.

        November 22, 1963 was just another balmy semi-tropical day at
Fort Lauderdale, with routine normal business day traffic and stable
sollar conditions making all scheduled circuits available and occupied
with traffic.  After the morning round of taking short breaks in
operations to change radio frequencies up to the daytime operating
range of 12 to 18 megahertz to most points, things settled down to
routine "patrolling" of circuits, merely watching the speech "volume
indicator" meters on each speech terminal and observing that the
receiver automatic frequency controls were not drifting of lock, while
checking the recieved signal levels to see they were staying within
comfortable tolerances.  There was an occasional "Pirate of the
Caribbean" that might pop up on a channel here and there to cause
interference, thus the order wire circuits from the Miami operators
would ring from time to time, requiring our intervention to talk to
the other end and take the circuit out of traffic use for a while, and
make a measured guess as to whether it would be better to shut down
all circuits and change frequency or merely suffer some lost time on
one channel of a multi-channel system.  But November 22 was like any
other day, and even the interference cases tended to be those that
showed up for a while and then went away.  We'd measure their
frequency and other signal characteristics, and identify them if
possible to make an "observation" for filing with the FCC (which
reported our cases to the International Frequency Registration Bureau
in Geneva, then close the case out when they went away in a few
minutes or so.

        In the midst of this rather ordinary time of busy circuits,
the order wire for my "tour" of circuits rang.  I answered it and the
Miami operator said, "The Technical Operator in Guatemala City wants
to talk to you on Circuit 3."  I said thanks, and plugged a headset
into the terminal for Guatemala 3.  After some time of working on
these circuits, I knew the faceless voice on the other end would be
Franco Godoy of Tropical Radio at Guatemala City.  I said, "Hi Frank,
what's up?"

        It would be typical as part of our ongoing international
relations work that a sentence or two of pleasantries would be
exchanged, but not this time.  Franco just blurted out, "Did you know
your President has been assassinated?  The Communists did it."  I
simply said, "Wow!  Thanks for telling me.  I'll tune in a domestic
radio here and see what's happening," and immediately switched the
circuit back to the traffic operator.  I shouted it out to the others
in the room, and ran over to a monitoring receiver to tune it to a
local AM station, where the somber sounds of a reporter on site at
Dealy Plaza could be heard, backing and filling and re-explaining what
was known, while the mortally wounded John Kennedy was being taken to
Parkland Hospital.

        So there we were, finding out for the first time about the
shooting of John Kennedy from someone in another country 1,200 miles
distant, across the Gulf of Mexico.  We were, of course, as the rest
of the U.S., in a momentary state of shock and puzzlement, trying to
hear the news from Dealy Plaza and get some notion of what had
transpired ... and of course, who the perpetrator of such a heinous
act was.

        As I turned away from tuning in the receiver, I noticed
something extremely peculiar along the row of C4 Overseas Radio
Control Terminals.  Despite all the circuits showing their usual white
and green lights meaning "circuit available and engaged by Traffic,"
all the speech volume indicators had stopped moving.  Despite the
charges being US$3 per minute, it seemed the whole world was in a
similar state and had stopped talking!  It took a full five minutes or
more before speech activity began once again.

        I think it's fair to say that was truly a moment when the
world stopped talking.


                              EPILOG

        About fifteen years later, in a totally different job, I made
a marketing call on Vice President of Engineering at the headquarters
of TRT Telecommunications, the later name for Tropical Radio, which
still had its HQ in Boston at the time.  On entering the VP's office,
I was introduced to the Chief Engineer of TRT, who was none other than
Franco Godoy, the voice I'd spoken to daily for several years, and the
man who'd first told us about JFK's assassination.  It was another
experience at how small the world of global telecommunications once
had been.

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

From: [e-mail] (Brendan M O'connor)
Subject: Re: Crummy Service in NY
Date: 20 Nov 93 22:01:04 GMT
Organization: NYU Stern School of Business


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Gordon
Jacobson) writes:

>> Oh, and I cannot get ISDN, either.

> All Business Service NYTel COs south of 57th Street provide
> ISDN PRI/BRI.

Not true. Perhaps you mean all wire centers, but it still isn't true.
By the end of this year, nearly all digital switches will be ISDN
capable, with the remaining two ready by July 1994. If you're in an
analog switch, you'll have to take a number change or wait for the
analog switch retirement.

>> My service comes from the "Second Avenue" central office in Manhattan.

> So does mine -- 2nd Avenue and 56th Street in fact.  And I can
> get ISDN whenever I want it.

"Second Ave." is Second Ave. and E. 13th St. You're wire center is
commonly referred to as "56th St."

boc.

Don't confuse my opinions with those of NYNEX or New York Telephone.


[Moderator's Note: And we'll try not to confuse the initials of your
name with the abbreviation for Bell Operating Company either! :)   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Gregory K Johnson)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Date: 21 Nov 1993 00:30:19 GMT
Organization: Columbia University


In article <[e-mail]>, Steve Lamont <smlamont@
hebron.connected.com> wrote:

> Henry Mensch ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> Now, I remember reading in this space that some folks were able to
>> redeem these checks with their current LD carrier without having to
>> switch carriers ... has anyone done this lately ... with AT&T?  If so,
>> how ...?

> I heard someone say that if you (1) call your local telephone company
> (i.e., your LEC) and tell them you don't want your phone slammed
> (which means you want to freeze any changes to your long distance
> carrier) and (2) cash the check at the bank, the carrier pays you the
> money but their change order for their long distance service does not
> get processed.  You could say you get to take the money to the bank!

> I have never tried this, which is unfortunate because some of my
> "checks" have been for $75.

It seems that the carrier(s) (specifically AT&T, I don't know about
others) are sending out checks for some amount of money, made payable
to the recipient.

There is a check-endorsement contract that endorsing the check and
giving it to your bank for deposit or encashment gives them the
signature they need to switch your primary long-distance carrier.

My point was that signature endorsement is not required to deposit a
check to your own account, assuming the check is made payable to you.

Simply mail the check with a deposit slip to your bank, and they will
stamp "Guarantee of Endorsement" on the back of the check and send it
through the clearing system.

Signature endorsement is only required if you present the check for
encashment.

In case you think this doesn't work, a friend of mine has tacked on
his bulletin board a letter from AT&T saying "You forgot to endorse
the check we sent you, please sign this form to permit us to switch
your long-distance carrier to us."

There is nothing illegal or fraudulent about what I've described.
IMHO, any company that sends out *real checks* as an enticement to
center into some agreement based upon the endorsement of the check
deserves to have their checks deposited and their contract unexecuted.


Greg


[Moderator's Note: At which point, after you refuse to sign, the
carrier could reverse the transaction through the banking system,
calling upon the original (your) bank to pay based on its guarantee
of endorsement. Your bank would then debit your account and take
the money back. It can happen that way legally, although I don't know
who would bother for the amounts of twenty to fifty dollars, which
is typical for the carriers seeking your business. None the less, it
is fraud to manipulate the system as you suggest. I think people who
do it go on a list the carriers maintain of petty chiselers who are
not to be tempted with any further bonuses or premium offers.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #775
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa28819;
          22 Nov 93 5:39 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA32048
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 22 Nov 1993 02:54:44 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA00902
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 22 Nov 1993 02:54:03 -0600
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 02:54:03 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #776

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 22 Nov 93 02:54:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 776

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Instant Modem Banks (Vance Shipley)
    Re: "Escort" Cordless Phone Information Wanted (Sam Noonan)
    Re: MCI Internet Service (Gary Breuckman)
    Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-( (Gregory Youngblood)
    Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today (Kevin Wang)
    Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-( (Kevin Wang)
    Re: Wireless LAN Systems ([e-mail])
    Re: GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VH) (David Hough)
    Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (H. Shrikumar)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Joe Pace)
    Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"? In English? (Al Stangenberger)
    Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"? In English? (Laurence Chiu)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Vance Shipley <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Instant Modem Banks
Organization: XeniTec Consulting, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 17:39:09 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Martin McCormick
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> In recent postings, several people told of modem banks which can
> be attached directly to a T1 and use DSP to simulate 24 dial-up modems.

> Do any of these systems connect to an Ethernet and act as a
> terminal server such that one would have the V.35 cable to the T1 as
> one port and an Ethernet connector as the other port?

U.S. Robotics is bringing out such a system.  Unfortunately they made
the decision to develop an X.25 based system before support of IP over
ethernet.  They do intend to have IP available soon though.  They will
support a mixture of T-1, ISDN and analog type "modems" and
incorporate routing capabilities.  This is definitely the '90's way of
doing things.


Vance Shipley, [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Sam Noonan)
Subject: Re: "Escort" Cordless Phone Information Wanted
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 01:24:51 GMT


Dick Rhoads ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I saw an ad in {USA Today} this week for an "Escort" 900 MHz cordless
> phone manufactured by Cincinnati Microwave (they make the Escort
> automotive radar detectors).

> Has anyone tried one of these yet?  Do you have any comments on its'
> range, quality, etc ...?

Yes, I tried one.  It is better than the standard phones, but it has a
built in antenna they doesn't seem to have the range of an external
antenna.  Also there was quite abit of static near the end of it's
range.  People I called stated that I sounded muffled.  They exchanged
the phone for me, but the second phone functioned the same way, so I
returned the phone.  Although I will comment their Support and service
was outstanding and I have nothing against the company.

Currently I have the Tropez phone from VTech.  It less than half the
price, it's digital (not spread spectrum) and works great.  In fact
all of my friends have been buying them.


Good luck,

Sam Noonan


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

From: [e-mail] (Gary Breuckman)
Subject: Re: MCI Internet Service
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 01:16:07 GMT


> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
> gov writes:

>> I have a friend living in Grants Pass, Oregon, who wishes to connect
>> to Internet but currently has to call long distance to gain access to
>> a univeristy account for e-mail access. MCI offers something similar
>> via an 800 number but you have to pay $0.50 for the first K of data
>> and then $0.29 for each K thereafter ...

>> [Moderator's Note: If all he wants to do is get email, there are lots
>> of ways to get that.

>> If all he wants is email access, then MCI Mail offers that, as does
>> Sprint Mail and ATT Mail.  Is that all he wants?   PAT]

The commercial systems (Compuserve, Genie, America Online, Prodigy)
all offer internet mail now, if mail is the only need, and access is
available by local numbers in many areas, either the company's own
number or Tymnet/Sprintnet.

Delphi offers both mail access (included in their basic rates) plus
newsgroups, plus for an additional $3/month you can get telnet and
ftp.  Delphi has a plan for $20/month that includes 20 hours of
connect time and no surcharge for Tymnet/Sprintnet access during
non-prime hours.


[e-mail]

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

Subject: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
From: [e-mail] (Gregory Youngblood)
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 93 13:08:03 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


TELECOM Moderator noted:

> Diane Worthy has done a great job of getting this mess straightened
> out; I'm sure she is sorry Sprint even decided to have such a generous
> promotion.  PAT]

Generous?  It isn't really.  I bet they didn't pay more then 20 to 30
for these modems.  A lot cheaper than these 50 and 75 dollar checks
you see others talking about.

Generous would have been a v.32 9600 at about $100 per unit.

I have long ago left Sprint and MCI.  You know the story, AT&T drums
it into everyone's head on TV/radio spots.  They didn't save me any
money.  In fact they cost me money.  And MCI had problems.

These are just my opinions though.  I'll stick with AT&T and may try
others, but it's going to have to be a good deal for me to switch
around.  These modems weren't.


Greg
The Complete Solution BBS     Allfiles List:    Anonymous UUCP Calls Accepted
707-459-9058 (24hrs, v.32)    ~/tcsbbs.lst      Login: nuucp  Password: nuucp
Telemate Distribution Site  [e-mail]      Cellular Telephony Groups


[Moderator's Note: Well, we know that Sprint/MCI are no bargains;
their rates at best work out to AT&T's in the long run; here and there
they are less expensive and sometimes they are more expensive, etc.
Way back in 1974-76 when MCI was first in the business with their
service called 'Execunet' I was telling people there were no savings
to be had. Yes MCI charged less for the long distance part of the
haul, but they failed to tell people they were paying local call
charges to reach the MCI switch. MCI threatened to sue me for slander
and libel after a series of complaints I filed against them with the
FCC and an article I wrote for {Telephony Magazine} describing how I
got them several Execunet subscribers they never did pay me my comm-
ission on. They really got sore when I talked about them on the radio
one night. We get KOA out of Denver like gangbusters here in Chicago
some nights; I used to call in to a talk show they ran late in the
evening. KOA had me talk about the FCC complaints I filed against
MCI; Mr. Bill McGowan's attorney called me the next day to moan and
complain. I told him what I'd do for him was file another commission
complaint if he liked.  :)  Ah, MCI's early days! What history!   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Wang)
Subject: Re: Received My Free Sprint Modem Today
Organization: The Outland Riders
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 04:00:26 GMT


TELECOM Moderator noted:

> [Moderator's Note: My modem showed up via UPS on Monday, with the
> letter enclosed about the disruptions in California.

Disruptions? What Disruptions?  I never heard about this.  I never saw
any such letter as well.

> I think this was a great offer from Sprint, even if there has been
> various misunderstandings about exactly what was offered.   PAT]

Well, I received my modem, despite the fact that I told them that I
refused their $50 as well as their modem.  An internal will do me
absolutely no god since I have a NeXT.

FYI: I will be filing with my housemate Christopher Ambler (cambler@
zeus.aix.calpoly.edu) against Sprint for the modem I was told I would
receive.


Kevin


[Moderator's Note: You do that. Seriously, I'll be interested in
hearing how it works out, and hope frequent reports will be filed here
in the Digest. Regards the disruptions in California you never heard
about, they were talking about the fires. Roads were closed making it
very difficult for people to get to work; large numbers of workers
chose to stay home to defend their homes as best they could; delivery
trucks were stalled coming and going because the road closings and
extreme congestion on the roads which were open, etc. Production and
shipment of the modems was greatly hindered.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Wang)
Subject: Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
Organization: The Outland Riders
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 20:15:34 GMT


In comp.dcom.telecom [e-mail] (Stan Hall) writes:

> So what is the latest bit of stupidity on Sprint's part you ask?  It
> seems that since they couldn't reach me on my Data line that they sent
> me a letter about two weeks ago asking me to please tell them via mail
> or phone which software that I would like for my modem.  So last night
> I finally found some time to sit down and call the number that Ms.
> Worthy had given me and left a message telling her what software I
> wanted for each of my two modems.  I get a call this morning from Ms.
> Worthy telling me that I am only to receive one modem and asking what
> software I would like for that modem. When I argued with her that I
> wanted both of the modems I had been promised she told me that the
> offer was limited one per household.  Everytime I tried to discuss
> this with her she asked me what software I would like for my *modem*.
> I gave in and told her, hoping that I will receive somthing from
> Sprint (besides a bill).

> Has anyone else actually received more than one modem at one residence?

Yes, I received my one modem, and my housemate (Chris Ambler) received
three of his five modems.  All this despite the fact that we specifi-
cally declined both the modems and the $50 offer.

I remember quite distinctly listening to Chris as he talked to the sales
droid and made sure that he was getting oen modem per line.  They did
say, however, that phone lines that were on the same bill would be only
given one modem. (He has seven lines, and two groups of two = five modems).

This might be your case ...


kevin Wang


[Moderator's Note: By the way, did you *sign* for the packages they
sent you? Have you opened the packages and installed/used the modems?
Sorry to make it rough for you guys, but under the Uniform Commercial
Code -- which will be the prevailing law -- you may have waived any
further claims. You may have accepted Sprint's offer, or settlement
or whatever. If you refused to accept the packages, or lacking the
ability to refuse (i.e. you came home and found them by your door)
have kept the sealed packages in your safekeeping waiting for Sprint
or the modem factory to pick them up or authorize their return, then
you may still have a more solid case ... maybe ... but that isn't what
happened, is it? <big grin> ... you eagerly ripped open the boxes with
your new toys as soon as they arrived; you have played with them
frequently since that time and now Sprint does not have to take the
'incorrect merchandise' back. In summary, if you fellows have been
playing with your new toys and have them installed in your computers
then you haven't helped your case any, and may have damaged it.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (James)
Subject: Re: Wireless LAN Systems
Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 02:30:58 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Daniel Wong <daniel@isl.
Stanford.EDU> wrote:

> We are looking for information on commercial wireless LAN products.
> We basically want to know what the different options are (eg. Motorola
> Altair, etc.) and information would be appreciated.

Below is something I saved from comp.dcom.lans.ethernet.

Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans.ethernet
From: [e-mail] (Alan Whinery)
Subject: Re: Ethernet over laser link
Organization: University of Hawaii
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1993 21:34:03 GMT

Bob Lummis ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I am looking for a way to send Ethernet across a public street. Somebody
> told me there is a $2500 pair of laser devices that can do that. Another
> person in this newsgroup said $5,000 but gave no brand names. I know of the
> LCI brand of device that costs more like $15,000 per link (both ends).

We have three pairs of LCI-Lace ethernet lasers, and your price
estimate is probably about right. They're great, except that sometimes
in the summer we get overheating, but avoiding direct sunshine is
probably enough ...

We also have a couple of radio links, both spread-spectrum -- one
Cylink Air-Link 256 kbps, which seems to be pretty robust at getting
over buildings and around trees, etc, and on Solecktek AIRLAN bridge,
which goes 2 Mbps, and is new, so we haven't really run it through the
paces yet. Pricing: Cylink 256 >$7000/pair with long-distance yagi
antennas, AIRLAN >$8000/pair with very same antennas ...

AIRLAN would probably be as good as it gets with radio, since it
actually is an ethernet bridge; ether-in ether-out, and the cylink
stuff would require additional bridges to work.

D. Alan Whinery, Computer Networks Engineer |
The University of Hawaii at Manoa           |  [e-mail]
2565 The Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822           |
[phone]    FAX [phone]          |

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

[e-mail],Anonymous FTP,Telnet kaiwan.com(192.215.30.2)FAX#[phone]
DATA# 714-539-0829,830-6061,310-527-4279 818-579-6701 16.8k/14.4k 8-N-1

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

From: [e-mail] (David Hough)
Subject: Re: GSM Interference (was Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VH)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 22:25:52 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Erik Ramberg) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (David Hough) wrote:

>> As any radio amateur worth his salt will know, 100% amplitude
>> modulation of a signal with what amounts to a square wave is bound to
>> cause problems. Still, look at it the other way: now we have something
>> else to blame when the TV picture breaks up into a mass of
>> interference :-)

> Huh?!?  GSM uses GMSK, i.e. MSK with a Gaussian window.  TDMA uses
> DQPSK, or a quaternary form of phase shift keying.  Both of these
> formats are designed to fit within the channel bandwidth and are very
> different from the AM that you discribe.  Though I'm sure nobody
> really knows what's to blame for the interference, if anything it's
> some strange intermod problem rather than directly attributal to the
> move to a TDMA type system.

All TDMA systems I have come across have to turn off the carrier when
it is someone else's turn to transmit. In my book that is equivalent
to amplitude modulation, and if you go from peak power to zero power
and back, then that is 100% AM. It is definitely the cause of the
problem -- you can't get RF intermod on an audio hearing aid! The
bandwidth might be suitably narrow but the problem is not bandwidth-
related (at least not in that way).

What is happening is that the RF is being rectified by various
semiconductor junctions in the affected equipment and shifting DC bias
levels. If you do this often enough, it becomes very noticeable. CDMA
tends to have a constant carrier level, so all the DC levels will
shift when it starts to transmit but will then stay at their new
values until it stops transmitting, when they will return to normal.
All you will get is a couple of clicks. With a TDMA system, the DC
levels are changing several hundred times a second as the transmitter
power varies from zero to maximum and back, hence causing noticeable
interference.


Dave     G4WRW @ GB7WRW.#41.GBR.EU AX25
[e-mail]  Internet
[e-mail]      Amprnet

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

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1993 19:31:43 -0500
From: [e-mail] (H. Shrikumar)
Subject: Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems
Organization: UMass, Amherst MA + Temporal Systems Bombay India


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] wrote:

> In a previous message, Thomas Neudeker writes:

>> before and that the 5ESS switch at my CO is has a very short off hook
>> time for the tone to be sent. Does anyone know of a modem init string
>> to let call waiting and the modem work as I wish?

> Usually call waiting is not considered when data calls are in
> progress.  There is no easy way to support call waiting while a data
> call is in progress (another way of saying this is that there is no
> easy way of keeping a data call going when call waiting occurs).  If
> it is important to be able to reach you when data calls are in
> progress, I recommend a second telephone line.

   Indeed there is a way!  Works for me almost as good as two lines.

   I had set up my old 1200bps modem, which was un-smart, to drop the
line and go on-hook only on loss of DTR and had set my vt100 to drop
DTR after two seconds of CD loss. So each Call Waiting "Beep" would
result in my modem dropping CD, but staying on line. A 12V 90dB buzzer
wired between CD and CTS with a 1N4001 to protect it would beep me
loud, and I had the option of getting off the line and taking the call,
after saving my files. Worked very well ...

   ... till I got a AT&T Paradyne Dataport 14.4!

   But an evening of fiddling with options got my "feature" back. I
have set the Dataport to do error correction and compression, short
V.32 bis training, and CD to do something the modem calls "Simul_Carrier"
in its help screens (can only guess what that means.), and DTR to
quick disconnect on drop of DTR. This time I had to wire the buzzer
between CD and DSR. I can always be alerted about a call, and can
always (if I so chose) take the call on the 4the ring latest, even
after a quick ":wq!" to my vi session.

   I can email a schematic and Dataport commands if interested. For
other modems milage will very.

   If you don't mind living without the warranty you can just wire a
buzzer between the EC (error correct) and the DSR lights. And set the
modem to go on hook unless you drop DTR.


shrikumar ( [e-mail], [e-mail] )


[Moderator's Note: I've never been able to understand one thing about
these schemes. Yes, anyone can make adjustments to their modem to
virtually ignore call-waiting signals if that is what they want to
do. But how do you get the modem on the other end to go along with
the momentary disconnection caused by call-waiting?  I can tell my
modem to stay off hook and 'sit it out', and it will presumably go
back to normal operations once the call waiting signals are gone.
But what prevents the other end from seeing that I am gone, even for
the split second and dropping the carrier from that end instead?
If the distant modem senses for a half second that my carrier is
missing, won't it terminate the session anyway? So what good does
it do me to ride it out -- ignoring for the moment the likelyhood
of errors in the data coming across, which may or may not be very
critical, depending on what it is without the ability to set the
other modem for the same liberal tolerance?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joe Pace)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: US Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 04:33:41 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Michael D. Sullivan) writes:

> It may be true that cellular phone use isn't really private, because
> anyone could be listening, but it's no more legal for them to listen
> than it is for them to bug your bedroom or boardroom.

> Under federal law, any conversation going through a cellular switch is
> considered a telephone conversation subject to the wiretap laws (the
> technical term is "wire communication".  A cellular phone is just as
> private as a landline phone, because people have the same legal right
> not to be "scanned" as they do not to have someone tapping in on a
> craft set.

But this is not the same as a wiretap.  Cellular connections are
broadcasts, not signals kept within the wires of a private switching
system.  These are two completely different things.  If the telephone
system ran a trunk of wires through my home without my permission, I
feel that I would have every right to tap them.  Those cellular
'trunks' are in my home as well, and I have every right to monitor
them if I choose to.  To say that a cellular call is a wire
communication is ridiculous.  I could just as easily make the argument
that the broadcast of those frequencies into my personal space is a
violation of my privacy.


Joe Pace                          UNIX/Networking Analyst
US Army Corps of Engineers                 [e-mail]
Sacramento District                 [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: In other words, if the cellular carrier does not
want you listening to its subscriber's conversations, then it should
not have its radio waves coming into your private property. Good
argument! I suspect the cell carrier would respond by telling you to
build a house with RF shielding if you wanted to keep their signals
out of your private space.  :)   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Stangenberger)
Subject: Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"?  In English?
Date: 21 Nov 1993 18:51:18 GMT
Organization: U.C. Forestry & Resource Mgt.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


According to {National Geographic} a few years ago,

QANTAS = Queensland and Northern Territories Air Service


Al Stangenberger                    Dept. of Env. Sci., Policy, & Mgt.
[e-mail]          145 Mulford Hall - Univ. of Calif.
uucp:  ucbvax!ucbnature!forags      Berkeley, CA  94720
BITNET: FORAGS AT UCBNATUR          [phone]  FAX: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
Subject: Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U"? In English?
Date: 21 Nov 1993 10:57:25 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access


In a message, [e-mail] had the following to say about
Re: "Q" Not Followed by "U":

> Well, along with the other examples given, there's the
> Australian airline named Qantas. ("The ooooooooonly way to fly." --
> dontcha hate it when advertising slogans burn into your brain for
> eternity?)  Dunno where that name comes from though.

QANTAS is not a good example since it is not a word nor really a name.
It is an acronym which stands for Queensland and Northern Territories
Airways Service. And this seems to be getting a bit far off the
telephony subject. So to rectify this phones in New Zealand do have Q
and Z on them now (if they were made for the NZ market rather than
imported from the US).


Laurence Chiu                   Walnut Creek, California
Phone(Work) : 510-215-3730      Internet:  [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #776
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa03261;
          22 Nov 93 15:17 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA16699
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:05:19 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA09729
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:04:34 -0600
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:04:34 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #777

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 22 Nov 93 12:04:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 777

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (John R. Levine)
    Survey for Cellular Communicator (Paul Ruminiski)
    COCOT Blocking/Splashing (Linc Madison)
    RFD: comp.home.misc moderated (Kresten Bjerg)
    Modems and Hotel Switchboards (A. Padgett Peterson)
    Videophone Prices, Models, and Sales? (David E. Bernholdt)
    Considering a Car Phone -- Need Advice (John McGing)
    Only Two "Operating" IXCs in DC (Paul Robinson)
    What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Linc Madison)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 10:54 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991
Organization: I.E.C.C.


>> At long last, federal law now requires telemarketers to remove from
>> their call lists, anyone who requests it.

Here's the Library of Congress' semi-official summary of this law.  If
you want the full text, you'll have to go to a library that has copies
of the U.S. code.  You'll note that it refers primarily to automated
junk phone calls.  It also outlaws junk fax, requires that computer
generated faxes be time-stamped and have the originating phone number,
and, at the end, has a non-germane amendment about AM radio.

   Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991

ABSTRACT AS INTRODUCED:

    Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to restrict the use of
telephone facsimile machines, automatic telephone dialing systems, and
other systems used to transmit artificial or prerecorded voice
messages via telephone to make unsolicited calls or advertisements.

REVISED DIGEST: (AS OF 11/26/91)

Measure passed House, amended

    Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 - Amends the
Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit any person within the United
States from: (1) using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) or
an artificial or prerecorded voice (APV) to make a call to any
emergency telephone line of a hospital, medical physician or service
office, health care facility, poison control center, or fire
protection or law enforcement agency; to the telphone line of any
patient room of a hospital, health care facility, elderly home, or
similar establishment; or to any telephone number assigned to a paging
service, cellular telephone service, specialized mobile radio service,
or radio common carrier service or any other service for which the
called party is charged for the call; (2) initiating any call to a
residential telephone line using an APV to deliver a message without
the consent of the called party, with specified exceptions; (3) using
any telephone facsimile machine (FAX), computer, or other device to
send an unsolicited advertisement to a FAX machine; or (4) using an
ATDS in such a way that two or more telephone lines of a multi-line
business are engaged simultaneously.

    Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe
regulations to implement such requirements.  Requires the FCC to
consider allowing businesses to avoid receiving calls made using an
APV to which they have not consented.  Authorizes the FCC to exempt
from such requirements: (1) calls that are not made for a commercial
purpose; and (2) categories of calls made for commercial purposes if
such calls will not adversely affect privacy rights or do not include
unsolicited advertisements.  Authorizes private actions and the
recovery of damages with respect to violations of such requirements.

    Directs the FCC to: (1) initiate a rulemaking proceeding
concerning the need to protect residential telephone subscribers'
privacy rights to avoid receiving telephone solicitations to which
they object; and (2) prescribe regulations to implement methods and
procedures for protecting such privacy rights without the imposition
of any additional charge to telephone subscribers.  States that such
regulations may require the establishment and operation of a single
national database to compile a list of telephone numbers of
residential subscribers who object to receiving such solicitations, or
to receiving certain classes or categories of solicitations, and to
make the compiled list available for purchase.  Outlines information
to be included in such regulations if the FCC determines that such a
database is required.

    Directs the FCC, it if determines that the national database is
required, to: (1) consider the different needs of telemarketers
conducting business on a national, State, or local level; (2) devleop
a fee schedule for recouping the cost of such database that recognizes
such difference; and (3) consider whether the needs of telemarketers
operating on a local basis could be met through special markings of
area white pages directories, and if such directories are needed as an
adjunct to database lists prepared by area code and local exchange
prefix.

    Authorizes private actions and the recovery of damages with
respect to violations of such privacy rights.

    Makes it unlawful for any person within the United States to: (1)
initiate any communication using a FAX or ATDS that does not comply
with technical and procedural standards or to use such devices in a
manner that does not comply with such standards; or (2) use a computer
or other electronic device to send any message via FAX unless such
person clearly marks on the document the date and time it is sent and
identifies the entity sending the message and the telephone number of
the sending machine or entity.

    Requires the FCC to revise the regulations setting technical and
procedural standards for FAX machines to require any FAX machine
manufactured one year after the enactment of this Act to clearly mark
on a document the date and time it is sent and identify the entity
sending the message and the telephone number of the sending machine or
entity.

    Directs the FCC to prescribe technical and procedural standards
for systems transmitting APV messages via telephone that require: (1)
the messages to clearly state the identity and telephone number or
address of the entity initiating the call; and (2) such systems to
automatically release the called party's line within five seconds of
the time the party has hung up.

    Provides that if the FCC requires the establishment of a database
of telephone numbers of subscribers who object to receiving telephone
solicitations, a State or local authority may not require the use of a
database or listing system that excludes the part of the national
database that relates to such State.

    Permits States to bring civil actions to enjoin calls to residents in
violation of this Act and to recover monetary damages.  Grants U.S.
district courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions.  Prohibits a
State, whenever the FCC has instituted a civil action for violation of
this Act, from brining an action against any defendant named in the FCC's
complaint.

    Declares that it shall be the policy of the FCC to ensure the
placement of a principal community contour signal 24 hours a day for a
licensee of an existing AM daytime-only radio station located in a
community of over 100,000 that: (1) lacks a local full-time station
licensed to the community; (2) is located within a Class I station
primary service area; and (3) notifies the FCC that the licensee seeks
to provide full-time service.

COSPONSOR                   COSPONSORED ON         WITHDRAWN ON
Sen Inouye                     07/11/91
Sen Stevens                    07/11/91
Sen Bentsen                    07/11/91
Sen Simon                      09/10/91

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul Ruminiski)
Subject: Survey for Cellular Communicator
Date: 22 Nov 1993 04:59:31 -0700
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Personal Communicators: the next generation

Would you be interested in helping define the feature set of a new
Personal Communicator?

This survey is part of a research project that will define what
features an end-user will need to make a Personal Communicator a more
productive tool.  The researcher, Paul Ruminski, will use this
research to determine if a new product line could be developed and to
partially fulfill his degree requirements at the University of
Phoenix.  By participating in this survey you will help to bring a
better product to the marketplace, a Personal Communicator with the
features you, as a customer will use.  The survey results will be made
available to anyone participating in the survey by requesting a copy
when the survey is completed and returned.

Please email all surveys to [e-mail] by December 17, 1993.
Thank you for your participation.  I look forward to your comments.

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

What is your occupation:


What is your Gender:
 ___ Male
 ___ Female

Level of education:
 ___ High School Graduate
 ___ Certificate
 ___ Collage Graduate

Answer question one through five by inserting an "X" on the
appropriate line.

1) Do you currently use a cellular phone?
 ___ No
 ___ Yes

1a) If yes, what is the primary use for your cellular phone?
 ___ Home use
 ___ Self employed business
 ___ Company business
 ___ Other_________________

2) Do you currently use a computer?
 ___ No
 ___ Yes

2a) If yes on question two, which of the following best
    describes your computer use?
 ___ A laptop or portable computer at work
 ___ A laptop or portable computer for home
 ___ A desktop computer at work
 ___ A desktop computer a home

3) A full feature set Personal Communicator should cost
   approximately?

 ___ $1500-$1999
 ___ $2000-$2499
 ___ $2500-$2999
 ___ $3000-$3499
 ___ $3500-$4000

4) If you were going to purchase a Personal Communicator, please mark
   with an "X", how would you rank each of the following features, not
   useful, useful, or very useful?

                                          Not                 Very
                                         useful    useful    useful
  a) Speed Calling buttons                ___       ___       ___
  b) Call timer                           ___       ___       ___
  c) Speaker Phone capability             ___       ___       ___
  d) Liquid crystal/light pen interface   ___       ___       ___
  e) Standard Key board interface         ___       ___       ___
  f) FAX                                  ___       ___       ___
  g) E-Mail                               ___       ___       ___
  h) Battery-low Indicator                ___       ___       ___
  i) Modem                                ___       ___       ___
  j) Pager capabilities                   ___       ___       ___
  k) Call-timer                           ___       ___       ___
  l) Spreadsheet Software                 ___       ___       ___
  m) Scheduling Software                  ___       ___       ___
  n) Wordprocessor Software               ___       ___       ___
  o) Database Software                    ___       ___       ___

5) Are there any features you would like to have on a Personal
   Communicator that were not mentioned in this survey?


Paul Ruminski    [e-mail]    Phoenix AZ.  602-582-7305

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: COCOT Blocking/Splashing
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:48:33 GMT


Last month, I undertook a bit of a road trip from my home in Oakland,
California, to visit friends in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  On the way
back, I stopped in a revolting truck stop on I-40 somewhere vaguely
near Kingman, Arizona, and placed a call to Oakland to let my neighbor
know I would be returning a day later than originally planned.

I looked at the face plate on the pay phone (a hideous monster itself,
similar to but worse than the GTE payphones, with a little LCD
dot-matrix display near the coin slot), and noticed that the phone was
pre-subscribed to the moral equivalent of Fred's Fabulous Fone Fraud,
so I got out my AT&T non-subscriber card and attempted to dial
10288-0-510-XXX-XXXX.  However, I only got as far as 10288-0 when the
keypad went dead.  I was fairly shortly connected to an operator who
identified herself as being with the AOS (Absolutely Overpriced
Slimeball) company.  I told her, "I dialed 10288-0.  I want to be
connected to an *AT&T* Operator."  She obliged me.  I explained to the
Operator (the *real* Operator) that I was calling from a payphone that
blocked AT&T, and asked to be connected to my party at the regular
calling card rate.  I was connected.  On my way out of the truck stop,
I tried to tell the counter clerk that the payphone was illegally
rerouting calls, but I'm sure she thought I was some loony crackpot
and ignored me completely.

A few weeks later, I got my bill, showing the $2.11 charge for a
one-minute call from Kingman to Oakland, so I called AT&T.  My
non-subscriber card is billed to my credit card, so I didn't have
anything on the bill telling me whom to call.  I got bounced around to
three different AT&T "800" numbers (only one of which is open 24
hours) before I landed at the right one.  After checking with a
supervisor, they agreed to re-rate the call (to $0.97).  I asked them
what I should do to report this illegal phone.

Call 1-800-661-0661 to report a payphone which blocks or splashes AT&T
for interstate calls.  They also told me to dial 1-800-3210-ATT
(1-800-321-0288) to place calling card calls if I was at a blocking
payphone.  They can, on request, send out wallet cards and stickers
for your AT&T calling cards.

I'd like to be there to see the look on the clerk's face (and her
boss) when the federal agents move in with the SWAT team to recapture
the payphone.  Well, it's a nice thought, anyway.


Linc Madison  *  Oakland, California  *  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: They cannot legally block your call via AT&T; they
can however legally 'splash' the call via their nearest operator
center, however they are supposed to bill it from where you actually
are located. In other words, the splashing can be for their administra-
tive convenience as long as the rates billed accurately reflect where
you called from and to.  PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 23:01:03 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Kresten Bjerg)
Subject: RFD: comp.home.misc moderated
Organization: psl.ku.dk


                   PROPOSAL FOR A USENET NEWSGROUP

Suggested group name:

comp.home.misc        Media, technology and information in domestic spaces.

                 S  U  G  G  E  S  T  E  D    C  H  A  R  T  E  R

The group will be devoted to discussions of larger perspectives  and
options in research, development and use of domestic information-
technology, automation and telecommunication ACROSS the levels of
    * consumer hard- and software,
    * network infrastructure
    * storage and distribution-media
    * teleservices and
    * socio-cultural & economic structures.

The forum, which this group shall establish, is primarily a forum for
researchers and developpers, who are concerned with the problems,
conflicts and constructive potentials cutting across the main areas of
home-oriented technology research and development, i.e. bridging
between the main areas of

# Advanced Home Technologies
(e.g. Intelligent home - Linking of TV, telephone, computer and VCR
- Interactive multimedia and domestic virtual reality - Security-
systems - Household appliances - Environmental control and ecology -
Bio-electronics and health-monitoring.)

# Communication and Telematics
(e.g.Convergence of broadcast and telecom networks - Interactive
teleservices and teletransactions - Teleeducation - Telework -
Evolving informal networks - Home-to-Home interfacing.)

# Economic and Politics of Home-oriented information technology
(e.g. Interests of industry and service providers - Links between R&D
and marketing - Prices and tarifs  - Legal and regulatory policies on
national and  international  level - The future of home economics.)

# Cultural and social Impact on everyday life
(e.g. Personal development and knowledge distribution -
Intra- and interfamily relations - Functions for children, elderly,
disabled and home-bound people - Community structure -  Cultural
continuity.)

In view of
 a) the need to have a crossdiciplinary research oriented forum cutting
across all home-related issues and

b)  the very wide spectrum of different interests pertaining to narrower,
more specialized and practical issues,

it is planned to start out with only this comp.home.misc - group, and to
expand the set of groups as the volume of use grows and as the usage
patterns emerge.
Possible titles of such groups could be:
for a): comp.home.research
and for b): comp.home.ai, comp.home.automation, comp.home.education,
comp.home.energy, comp.home.medicine, comp.home.multimedia,
comp.home.telecom, comp.home.work etc.


                                   MAJOR THEMES
* The social construction of new domestic technologies
* The changing position and importance of households in the new social
and economic structure of the global information and communication
society
* Strategies for creating professional, public and political awareness of the
converging potentials and implications  of constructive Home-oriented
technological  innovations  for everyday life and for social, cultural,
educational, health-, energy- and economic policies.
* Ways of organizing relations between sufficiently cross-disciplinary
research and sustainable product development.
* Relevance for developing countries and cultural diversities

                            MODERATOR

Comp.home.misc will be moderated by Kresten Bjerg, Psychological
Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, with an advisory panel  from IFIP
WG.9.3. Volunteer moderators for the emerging spectrum of groups are
invited to suggest themselves.

                            PRAGMATICS

The  group will prepare inputs for relevant conferences such as the
Copenhagen Conference on Home Oriented Informatics, Telematics and
Automation (See: Conferences for details) and serve as
forum for further discussions on topics highlighted on such occassions.

The moderator will attempt to produce a modest newsletter  OIKOS,
where the best of discussions can be circulated on a non-profit basis- in
print as well as e-mail.

End of Message from Kresten Bjerg


[[ This message appeared in news.announce.newgroups, news.groups,
comp.dcom.isdn, comp.human-factors, comp.misc, comp.society.futures,
misc.consumers, misc.kids.computer, sci.edu, sci.psychology before
being sent separately to the moderated groups comp.dcom.telecom and
comp.society. -- David Lawrence, moderator news.announce.newgroups ]]


Vice-chairman of IFIP WG 9.3 (Home-oriented Informatics, Telematics
and Automation) Home of the 90+' Project, Psychological Laboratory
University of Copenhagen, 88, Njalsgade  DK 2300, Copenhagen DENMARK
Tlf.:[phone]  FAX [phone]  e-mail:

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

Date: Mon, 22 Nov 93 08:44:41 -0500
From: [e-mail] (A. Padgett Peterson)
Subject: Modems and Hotel Switchboards


When I have space, I usually take my Supra 14.4 modem with me and
while on a road trip had an interesting experience. To dial out to my
service I was using attd8w1800xxxx. The 8W1 worked just fine but then
*something* happened to put the modem into pulse dial mode.  (Finally
discovered that attd8w1t800... worked). This was repeatable at both
sites so *must* have been some line signal from their switch.  Had not
seen this happen before.

The two sites in question were a Holiday Inn and a Best Western
however I have stayed at others in both chains and this was the first
time it happened.  The only other common point was that both stated
that there was a charge for 800 number calls though none showed up on
my bill (mentioned it at checkout & was told not to worry about it)

Problem is that with all of the digits needed for carrier access,
number, authorization codes, and "W"s I was at the limit of buffer
space in the modem (can use ";" and a stored string as a workaround
but do not like it).

Now my old 2400 baud pocket modem had no such problem (dialed the
whole sequence without any trouble) but am curious what could be
causing the switch to pulse dialing by the Supra (and if there is a
setting to stop).  The Supra is using a Rockwell 144AC chip with their
own ROMs (I have the Caller-ID upgrade).


Warmly,

Padgett

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

Date: 22 Nov 1993 07:03:26 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Videophone Prices, Models, and Sales?
Organization: Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA


The most recent Hello Direct catalog included the AT&T videophone for
the same $1000 price I saw it at when it was introduced some months
ago.  But a friend tells me he was sure he'd seen a videophone
recently for something like $400-500, but doesn't remember the brand
or anything.

So I'm wondering what's out there these days in the videophone market
and what prices are like?  Has anyone seen any figures on how many
units have been sold?

Thanks for any info.


David E. Bernholdt                       | Email: [e-mail]
Molecular Science Research Center        | Phone: [phone]
Pacific Northwest Laboratory, P.O.B. 999 | Fax:   [phone]
Richland, WA  99352-0999                 |

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

From: [e-mail] (John McGing)
Subject: Considering a Car Phone - Need Advice
Date: 22 Nov 1993 10:41:18 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Because my son is handicapped, he needs a lot of ferrying around from
place to place.  I'm considering getting a car phone for my wife (who
does over 50% of the ferrying) just for peace of mind.

We live in Maryland, where Cellular 1 and Bell-Atlantic are the
providers.  It seems that Cell 1 dealers have about a gazillion
"plans" prices and options available; Bell Atlantic (direct) has fewer
options, but Bell Atlantic through a place like Circuit City has a
gazillion options too.  I'm getting confused. :)

Do you really need an extended warrenty for the "brain" (like if you
fry it giving the car a jump?)  Are there models of phone known to be
dogs?  The Cell 1 guy recommended Motorola TVM200, THe Circuit City
guy had no literature <g> and Bell Atalntic had a Nokia or Motorola
(SEIII?)

Anyway, I figure there has to be some underlying principals to follow;
aspects of things that I may not have thought of; so I'd welcome
advice or being pointed to a FAQ.


Thanks!

John
[e-mail]   [e-mail]
J.MCGING on GEnie  70142,1357 on Compuserve

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

Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 04:42:30 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Only Two "Operating" IXCs in DC
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


I was asked:

> In article <[e-mail]> was written:

>> sales taxes paid by "long distance telephone companies." There are
>> only two long distance companies operating in the District: Mid
>> Atlantic Telecom and MCI.  Which of these do you think was big enough
>> to get an exemption passed? :)

> Thats intriguing .. how do you mean only MCI and MidAtlantic are long
> distance cos in DC ?

> I mean ... are not AT&T and Sprint "operating" there  ?

> I am sure there is some technicality in the word "operating" that
> I am not educated about.

This comment is correct and I used the wrong term.  Rather than use
the term "operating" I should have said either "domiciled" or
"headquartered".

As far as I know, only two long distance companies have their
headquarters in Washington, DC.  Mid Atlantic Telecom and MCI.  Sprint
is in Shawnee Mission, KS if I remember, and AT&T is in Basking Ridge,
NJ.  Number 4, which is Wiltel, if I'm not mistaken, is domiciled in
Tulsa, Oklahoma, I think.  Anyone care to name who number five is?


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 12:55:03 GMT


A couple of years ago, Pacific Bell moved a considerable portion of
their customer service numbers into "811" service.  For example, for
new service inquiries, I would dial 811-7600.  That was a number
specific to a particular area of the East Bay, but I could dial it
toll-free from any Pacific Bell phone in California, even in a
different LATA, without any prefix or anything -- just dial 811-XXXX.

On my return from Europe, I find that the numbers to dial for various
Pacific Bell offices are almost all on 1-800 numbers; I can't find a
single reference to an "811" number.

Did Pac*Bell give them up voluntarily, or were they ordered to by the
PUC or a court or Bellcore?  In either case, why?


Linc Madison  *  Oakland, California  *  [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #777
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa15624;
          24 Nov 93 3:49 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA30793
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 23 Nov 1993 23:53:59 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA28181
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 23 Nov 1993 23:53:13 -0600
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 23:53:13 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #778

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 23 Nov 93 23:53:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 778

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    ATM Conference, Jan 27-28, Vancouver Canada (Mark Fraser)
    Online Processing of VISA/MC Transactions: Who Offers Service? (P Rukavina)
    ADSL Progress Reply (Ken Russell)
    Mobile Phone Interference (Juha Veijalainen)
    Nynex Mobile to Purchase Properties of Contel Cellular (David E. Sheafer)
    AT&T _Required_? (Marshall Levin)
    Fax Networks (Bob Rankin)
    German Phones (Andrew Evan Boggs)
    Area Code Splits and Fax Numbers (Nigel Allen)
    Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Nathan Lane)
    Dates For Enhanced Services on Switches (Nathan Lane)
    Payphone in the Desert (Bill Chiarchiaro)
    Book Review: "The Smiley Dictionary" by Godin (Rob Slade)
    GSM in the US? (Roy Thompson)
    Beeper Transmitter (David J. Cazier)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Mark Fraser)
Subject: ATM Conference, Jan 27-28, Vancouver Canada
Date: 23 Nov 1993 16:47:08 -0800
Organization: Wimsey Information Services


ATM CONFERENCE - VANCOUVER, CANADA, JAN 27-28, 1994

Title:     ATM: Technology, Standards, Trials and Applications
Sponsors:  NWCRF, TRLabs, OCRI, TRIO, TCC and IEEE
Location:  Sheraton Landmark Hotel, Vancouver, B.C.

Focus:     This conference will be of interest to product developers,
           service providers, network operators and researchers, who
           desire both an overview, and a more in-depth appreciation
           for ATM technology, hardware, software, standards and
           applications.  Current ATM status, including ongoing
           trials, as well as trends, will be covered.

Format:    A variety of presentations and panel discussions have been
           scheduled, to provide product and system developers,
           application developers, network providers and potential
           users, with a forum for creative ideas and exchanges.

PRESENTATIONS / PANELS:

Commercial-Newbridge Networks, BNR, AT&T, MCI, Bellcore, MPR Teltech
           Digital Equipment, SaskTel and others.

Academics- TRLabs, University of Toronto, Waterloo University,
           University of British Columbia, MIT, and others.

MORE INFORMATION:

Conference Registration, Brochures:

Mr. John Mele,
National Wireless
450, 1122 Mainland Street,
Vancouver, B.C., CANADA V6B 5L1
Ph: 604 687 7644 FAX: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
Technical Program:

Dr. Carey L. Williamson
TRLabs
108, 15 Innovation Blvd.,
Saskatoon, SK, CANADA S7N 2X8
Ph: 306 668 8204 FAX: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

REGISTRATION FORM
                                                     Incl GST
Early Registration (before 03 Jan 94)   $495.00 CDN  $529.65
Members (of sponsoring organizations)   $550.00 CDN  $588.50
Non-Members                             $625.00 CDN  $668.75
Students                                $200.00 CDN  $217.00


Payment by cheque, money order (payable to NWCRF), or VISA
Substitutions allowed, cancellation charges may apply.

Name_______________________________________________________

Title______________________________________________________

Organization_______________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________

       ____________________________________________________

City_______________________________________________________

State/Province_____________ Zip/Postal Code________________

Phone________________________ FAX__________________________

email______________________________________________________

IEEE membership number ____________________________________

Payment by cheque/money order ________     or VISA ________

VISA Card Number __________________________________________

Expiry Date      __________________________________________


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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 17:40:10 AST
From: Peter Rukavina <[e-mail]>
Subject: Online Processing of VISA/MC Transactions: Who Offers Service?


We operate an online information system for the crafts industry which
we are proposing to expand to a North American level using the
Internet.  We need to be able to charge fees for data and, because we
are a small non-profit, don't have the ability to bill after the fact;
we need to be able to process credit card transactions online or do
some sort of pre-authorized electronic cheque withdrawl.

Needless to say we've not been getting the greatest reaction from the
banks.  Their reaction when hearing our plans is to class to tell us
of that we would be classed as a standard "mail/phone order" merchant,
that we would have to post a bond of $100,000 to cover fraud and pay
somewhere in the neighbourhood of $5000 for custom software and
monthly charges of between $65 and $150.  They usually add that they
fully expect that we'd lose our shirt if we went ahead.  We can't
afford any of this.

Teleflora Creditline, a branch of the folks who deliver flowers by
"wire" have done a lot of work on this in the U.S. and, indeed, have a
pretty decent set up (initial set-up fee of $150, 2.55% and 25 cents
per transaction, phone [phone]).  Their services are not, alas,
duplicated by their cousins at Teleflora Canada (I'm trying to
encourage them ...).

So, I am looking for pointers either to other third party VISA/MC
transaction processors like Teleflora (who operate in Canada) _or_
some suggestions as to how I might otherwise receive payment in "real
time" from many different people all over North America whose
signature I can't get.

I'll summarize email I receive and post it here.

Thanks.

PETER RUKAVINA * Information Manager * PEI Crafts Council
156 Richmond St., Charlottetown, PEI CANADA  C1A 1H9 [phone]
Me?  [e-mail]  *  Information?  [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Getting a VISA/MC Merchant account is *very difficult*
for people operating small mail order businesses. Some of the banks get
quite arrogant in fact, with their 'requirements' ... its as though there
was a law saying you HAD to deal with them. I've had very good luck with
an electronic funds transfer service operated by First Financial Banking
Services, a subsidiary of a major bank. Called 'Checks By Phone', it is
a service which allows mail/phone order businesses to receive customer
authorization to debit their checking account over the phone, then
send the same information by fax or modem to FFBS's processing office.
You get your money usually 48 hours later (either it is credited to
the bank account of your choice, or you are sent a paper draft) and
your customer's bank account is debited within 3-4 days. The customer
gets a description of the debit in their next bank statement. This Digest
is a client of FFBS, and I've received many payments via 'Checks By Phone.'

It was no hassle to sign up; my account was in the network about two
weeks after I applied. They specifically deal with small business people
and don't have a lot of red-tape and paperwork to join. They don't care
how small you are, and they assume you are honest until you demonstate
otherwise. Processing fees are a little more expensive than credit cards
and you can purchase check guarentee from them for an extra fee. The
other thing is, they are set up to deal with banks on the United States
ABA transit system (which does include a few foreign banks). So they
might not be able to handle Canadian customers in all cases. But I've
found them quite helpful and efficient when working with my customers
in the USA. Anyone who wants more information about becoming a merchant
on the 'Checks By Phone' network can send me email: [e-mail]
and I will respond.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (RUSSELK)
Subject:  ADSL Progress Reply
Organization: Vanderbilt University
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 22:19:33 GMT


I have been in contact with Northern Telecom, which is working on ADSL
discrete multitone technology.  The sending transceiver secures a
regular POTS channel, which is passive filter isolated from two other
channels within the loop carrier.  The upstream signal will range from
16 kbps to 384 kbps.  The delivery channel will operate between 1.5
Mbps and 6.3 Mbps, in multiples of 1.5 Mbps for US carrier systems and
2.048 Mbps for European systems.  OAM&P support is provided in
embedded channels.

Within the channels, support is provided for ISDN, Nx64, H0
asymetrical transmissions, upstream 16 kbps D channel, and downstream
compressed video.

This service can be a simple as one way 1.5 Mbps compressed video, or
as complex as POTS, Basic Rate ISDN, duplex 384 Kbps, and compressed
video simultaneously.

AT&T on the other hand, I am told, is using a single 1.5 Mbps channel.

My interest is in delivering video through a campus PBX system, which
is possible if the PBX can provision local point-to-point T1/E1
circuits.


Ken Russell   Access Development Corporation
5115 Maryland Way  Brentwood, TN  37027
615 377-0765  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 23 NOV 93 15:39
Subject: Mobile Phone Interference


Lately I've seen several articles here on mobile phone, especially
GSM, interference.  These articles have been mainly from technical
point of view, almost like 'technically superior CDMA from USA' and
'inferior TDMA from somewhere else'.  I'm not referring to TELECOM
Digest only and I did not intend my previous sentence as a flame --
that's how it seems to me.

I'd like to share my own observations on GSM / NMT (analog) / cordless
phone interference.

It seems that cheapest equipment is most susceptible to interference
and more expensive ones are less susceptible (maybe you _can_ buy
quality ...).  My cheap stereo set at home will pick up the buzz from
GSM phone some two metres away, but my car stereo picks up inteference
only when phone antenna is almost touching the unit.  Same rule seems
to apply to TV sets and other RF equipment, too.

Some computer monitors will pick up the interference, but only if
antenna is very close (< 20 cm).  Some do not pick up _any_ interference.
So far I have not seen any problems using PC and GSM at the same time.

Normal land line phones (office phones) in Finland and Switzerland
seem to handle interferense from GSM quite nicely; antenna needs to be
closer than 30 cm to the phone.  On the other hand, the phones in
England were quite different -- they picked up the GSM transmission
from over two metres away actually preventing other people from using
their office phones when GSM phone was transmitting.

Motorola Silverlink 2000 cordless phone at home also interferes with
some radio equipment (read: at least my cheap stereo set), but since
transmission power is only 10 mW, antenna needs to be very close (< 15
cm) to the stereo.  I do not know what transmission method Silverlink
uses; it's supposed to be digital, though.

Of course my meager experiments do not create any valid scientific
data, but IMHO it seems that there are already lots of equipment that
do not pick up GSM (or other) interference.  Also, unfortunately,
there seems to be quite a number of devices that pick up the
interference, like some phones and hearing aids.

So, what to blame?  GSM technology or faulty / inferior quality
devices that pick up interference easily?  Anyway, I'm quite sure the
situation will get better -- until then I'll just move a couple of
steps away from devices that pick up the GSM 'buzz'.

I forgot to mention that my phone is a hand held unit, so the power is
less than 1 W.  Car phones would use more power, but then again, you
are not going to encounter a car in your living room or office --
hopefully.


Juha Veijalainen  4ge system analyst, tel. [phone]
Unisys Finland    Internet: [e-mail]
Mielipiteet omiani ** Opinions are PERSONAL, facts are suspect

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

From: David E. Sheafer <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Nynex Mobile to Purchase Properties of Contel Cellular
Date: 23 Nov 93 22:14:00 GMT
Organization: Merrimack College, No. Andover, MA, USA


In my Nynex Mobile bill this month, in the newsletter it stated that
Nynex has signed an intent to purchase the Northeastern properties of
Contel Cellular.

These include the MSA's of Binghamton and Elmira NY, Manchester NH,
Burlington VT and Contels minority interest in Orange County and
Poughkeepsie, NY.

The RSA7's are NH-2, VT-1b & 2B1, NY 2 & 3 and PA 3 & 4.

With Mobilereach already in effect there is already automated call
delivery to most of these markets to customers subscribing to NYNEX,
but with these additions NYNEX Mobile will virtually control the
Cellular market in New England, excluding CT.


David E. Sheafer
internet: [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]
          ^^
    (thats 2 _ in the net address)

GEnie:   D.SHEAFER   Cleveland Freenet:    ap345

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

From: [e-mail] (Marshall Levin)
Subject: AT&T _Required_?
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 15:32:39 GMT


I just saw this message on another newsgroup.  What's the deal?  You
_must_ use AT&T?  How can it be that you can only reach this number
with a particular carrier?  Shouldn't it be that _any_ carrier can
connect you to _any_ phone number (other than the carrier-specific 700
numbers)?

> There is a site that I sometimes use that is a free site with internet
> access.  It is Speedway.net and the number is 15035202222 but if you
> don't have AT&T you have to call 1028815035202222.


[Moderator's Note: No, you have that wrong. No telephone company or
COCOT or Alternate Operator Service (AOS), or reseller of the local
telephone network can force you to place calls via a certain carrier
or deny you the right to use the carrier of your choice (as long as
that carrier wants your business and operates in your area, etc). That
is the law. There is no such law where the *recipient* of a phone call
is concerned. The *recipient* can choose to accept calls from any
carrier, or only the carrier of his choice. Speedway refuses to accept
calls from other than the AT&T network because AT&T gives Speedway a
commission on the traffic they handle. Speedway, as the *recipient*
of the call, has the right to do that if they wish. In other words,
no one is forcing you to use AT&T to call 503-520-2222, but Speedway
says unless you do (call via AT&T) they don't wish to connect with
you since they are being paid by AT&T for the time you spend on line
with them. Regards the [any carrier <=> any traffic] thing you mentioned,
also exempt are 800 numbers since the recipient is the one paying for
the call, and 900 numbers, again since the recipient is the one who
has the billing arrangements with the carrier of choice.   PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 13:47:19 EST
From: Bob Rankin <[e-mail]>
Subject: Fax Networks


Can anyone provide information on setting up a fax network where a fax
can be sent from an "originator" to multiple "servers" who in turn
forward the fax to multiple "clients"?  I'd also like the servers to
report back to the originator if they fail to connect with a client
after a specified retry or time limit expires.

I think a PC with fax-modem would serve nicely as the "server" piece,
but I don't know what software to use.  Ideas, kind readers?


Bob Rankin ([e-mail])


[Moderator's Note: The free modem sent out by Sprint does what you
are asking quite nicely. The software which comes with it allows
sending faxes to all the names in a directory, etc.   PAT]

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

Subject: German Phones
From: [e-mail] (andrew evan boggs)
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 21:04:28 CST
Organization: Southwest Oklahoma Netnews Addicts


Hello everybody,

     I am going to be going to Germany in a few months, and I wondered
if anyone could tell me how different using my modem over there will
be than using it here.  I've heard something about a guard tone?  What
type of jack/plug do they use?  Any info will be greatly appreciated!


Andrew
DOMAIN: [e-mail] (andrew evan boggs)
UUCP:   ...!rwsys!lawton!boggie (andrew evan boggs)
Good News II BBS    Lawton, OK USA    [phone]


[Moderator's Note: Since we've been through this a few times here,
perhaps someone will kindly pass along prior commentaries on the
German phone network and associated wiring/connections to Andy.  PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 22:57:51 EST
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Area Code Splits and Fax Numbers
Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa
Reply-To: [e-mail]


When an area code split happens, fax machine owners in the new area
code should reprogram their fax machines so that the machines identify
themselves with their new number.

In the new 905 area code in southern Ontario, this doesn't seem to be
happening. Roughly half of the fax machines in area code 905 that I
have sent or received faxes are still using the old 416 area code in
their answerback. Most of the rest have not programmed an answerback
at all, so that the "distant station ID" on the log my fax machine
keeps shows up as a blank.

The one properly-programmed fax machine in area code 905 that I have
encountered so far is shared by the Institute for Land Information
Management and the Centre for Surveying Science at the University of
Toronto's Erindale College.

This suggests that telecommunications managers at organizations that
go through an area code or prefix change should expect that most of
their users will ignore reminders about reprogramming fax machines.



Nigel Allen   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Alot of people don't find it expedient to program
any sort of ID or answerback into their machines. Sometimes for
whatever reason, they prefer NOT to identify their outgoing faxes as
to origin, etc.  :)   PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 20:37:26 -0800
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Double Hunt Group - Possible?


I want to establish a "double hunt group".  The scenario goes as
follows: User calls in on high speed modem line and gets the "main"
hunt group for high speed users.  User two calls in on "alternate" low
speed hunt group.  BUT, if user one calls in and all of the main hunt
groups are busy, then he is forwarded to the alternate, low speed hunt
group.

The reason I ask is because my main, high speed hunt groups have been
busy lately and when I asked about a dual hunt-group, the local phone
person had no idea what I was talking about.

I wanted to have a "high speed" group, for v32bis callers and a low
speed group for callers not capable of v32bis (v32 or lower), BUT on
the "same" hunt group.  That is, in plainer terms, I wanted to have
lower speed callers call one number, higher speed callers call
another, BUT, if the higher speed caller hit a busy, he would be
re-routed back to a lower speed number.

 From my telco, I can get two hunt groups.  No problem.  But, they are
separate and cannot forward to each other.

I am on a DMS-100 as a remote service unit to the main service unit.
(I will note that, when I ask for my next line, GTE will have to run
more cable to my neighborhood ... I ran them out of pairs in my
neighborhood when I got my first four lines).  Fortunately for GTE, I
can see their RSU from my roof, so it shouldn't be a problem for them
to run more pairs.  (600 ft. away).

Oh, one more thing ... the low speed callers should ALWAYS get the low
speed lines.  The low speed lines go to a different host computer.


Nathan Lane   Triicon Systems, Inc., Lompoc, CA


[Moderator's Note: The reason they do not understand is because (a) you
are using the wrong phraseology and (b) hunting does not work the way
you want it to. What you want to do is ask for another (how many? two,
five, ten?) lines in your existing hunt group. What you with them on
your end is your businesses, so when the lines are delivered, you send
them to your low-speed machine. So now let's say you have lines 1 --> 75
in hunt. That is, one hunts to two which hunts to three which hunts to
four ... > 75. Lines 1 to 49 are the high speed modems; lines 50-75
are the low speed modems. When 49 (high) is busy, it will hunt to 50
and subsequent (low), which is what I think you want.

Then you send a note to your known low-speed users and you tell them
as of a certain date the system has a new dial-in number. As of (date)
you MUST dial the new number for our modem bank (line 50, whatever the
number is). On the conversion day, you take lines 1-49 and you lock the
modems therein on the high speed. You program them to not adjust downward
at all. If the caller is not at 9600 baud or greater, too bad. The answer-
ing modem never will train to his speed, because you programmed it that
way. At the same time, you take the modems on lines 50-75 and you fix
them to go up or down in speed as required.

If you prefer not to have such an abrupt conversion you can also play
some games with 'login' and add a bit of code which looks for the tty
the caller is on and the speed at which they are at. I think the
commands 'tty' and 'stty' will tell you all you need to know. If the
tty relates to lines 1-49 and 'stty' tells you the speed is
undesirable, then you abort login and echo a message to the caller,
'you must hang up and dial in to the system using the number
xxx-xxxx.' <click> .... Let it stay that way for a week or two prior
to locking the first group of modems at the speed you want them to be
at. Or, never lock the modems, just keep playing out the 'you must
dial in on ....' message to inappropriate users. On the modems from 50
upward of course, you have no such restrictions.  One public access
system in Chicago keeps non-subscribers off the bank of modems spec-
ially reserved for subscribers (so they won't get busy signals all
the time) by checking out the tty versus the 'group' (guest or contrib)
that the caller is part of. You guessed it: if the group is guest and
the tty is reserved for contrib, the caller gets unceremoniously dumped.

When you go back to telco for this, do them a favor: they don't want
to hear your life story. All you need to say is you need X additional
lines in your hunt group. When the lines are installed, YOU publicize
the 'entry point' in the middle of the hunt group where you want your
low-speed people to come in (and you enforce it, per the examples
shown above. And as a matter of system security, you *never* publish
or list any of the numbers in your hunt group except for the first, or
main listed number. Where they hunt to from there is nobody's business
but yours.  Naturally, you'll have to publicize the 'number in the
middle' that you want for the low-speed people, but other than that,
don't tell anyone the actual numbers of all the lines in the middle
and save yourself a lot of grief from people playing games.  PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 20:46:38 -0800
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Dates For Enhanced Services on Switches


I am curious about the dates on various switches when "enhanced"
calling systems became available.  I can remember in 1978 when my
parents got call forwarding in San Francisco (city of), CA.  Where I
am now, we didn't get call forwarding until 1991.  I am not asking for
various regional information, but when certain features became
available on specific switches.  For example, here in Santa Barbara
County, CA, we have GTE.  Two months ago, the downtown switch was
replaced with a 5ESS.  It was previously a GTD-5.  Tone dialing only
became available in downtown Santa Barbara in 1983(!).  UC Santa
Barbara got a 5ESS early on, so they had the best of luck.  Where I
live now, we're stuck with our DMS-100 "until kingdom come" according
to one GTE rep.  Heck, we just got Datakit (you know, that 19.2Kbps
Data Over Voice thingie?!) two months ago.  That awful c--p has been
around for at least ten years in other areas with other switches.

Specifically, I'm interested in release dates for various services on the
following switches:

GTD-5 (they're going AWAY, aren't they ... please?)
DMS-100 (rumored to have ISDN coming in soon ... but why did GTE in Santa
Barbara replace their DMS-100 with a 5ESS to get ISDN capabilities????)
5ESS
1AESS (or is that 1ESS?)

I thought call-forwarding was so "groovy" in 1978!  Imagine the odd
expressions on friends faces when they got a call from my parents at
their own home!  (I was eight years old in '78).


Nathan Lane    Triicon Systems, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA


[Moderator's Note: ESS, which is what makes 'custom calling features'
available (not that AT&T invented ESS so they could offer call-waiting
and similar; to the contrary, they invented ESS because by the early
to middle 1960's they were quickly losing control of the public phone
network to fraud and other abuse) about 1972. It was in Morris, IL
and somewhere in NJ in beta-test during the late 1960's. A couple of
Chicago offices had it in 1972; downtown got it in 1974 through 1976,
and the outlying areas finally got it during the middle 1980's. Some
places won't have it until 2000, if then.  Just as in the past we have
talked here about 'the last cord board finally pulled on <date>' --
only in a couple cases to find there was still one more out there! :) --
I wonder if anyone wants to predict when the USA will finally be one
hundred percent ESS? 'Custom Calling' is just frosting on the cake and
extra revenue for the telcos today. Network control, management and
security is what ESS is all about, plus the ability to handle huge
increases in traffic the old stuff could never have dealt with.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Chiarchiaro)
Subject: Payphone in the Desert
Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 14:34:13 -0500


  I was looking through the TELECOM Digest Archives last week and
came across an article about a payphone in the Mojave desert ("Magneto
Telephones," Volume 10, Issue 491).  This reminded me of an experience
I had which I will relate and then follow with some questions.

  In November 1991, a colleague and I were travelling on business in
Nevada.  One night, we were driving north on Highway 375 to pick up
U.S. 6 and head west into Tonopah.  My friend had done that trip
before, and said he wanted to stop in the town of Warm Springs to make
a phone call to his wife.  Warm Springs is located at the end of
Highway 375 where it joins U.S. 6.

  So far as we could tell, there was no longer any resident population
in Warm Springs.  Directly across U.S. 6 from the end of 375 was a
closed-down bar (as in saloon), a working streetlight, and a phone
booth.  We pulled up in front of the booth, my friend got out to make
his call, and I aimed the headlights at the warm spring.  While he was
in the phone, I walked along the bank of the stream, watching the
steam rising into the darkness, and looking up at the black bulk of
the mountain which was the source of the spring.

  When my friend was finished with his call, I went into the booth to
call my wife.  The phone looked like an ordinary, contemporary
payphone, but without a dial or DTMF pad.  I picked up the handset,
and an operator answered after several seconds:

Operator:     What number are you calling?

I:          508 XXX XXXX

Operator:     I'll have to connect you to another operator.

Pause of several seconds...

Operator #2:  What number are you calling? [or so I thought]

I:          508 XXX XXXX

Operator #2:  No, that's the number _you're calling_.  What
         number are you _calling from_?

I:          Well, the only thing it says here [on a lable in
         the space where the dial would be] is "Warm Springs #2."

Operator #2:  Warm Springs #2 in what state?  California or Nevada?

I:          Nevada...

  She went to work completing the call, and I became curious.  Just
where was _she_?  For all I knew, she might have been in Nebraska.  I
asked, and she replied "Reno."  That wasn't too spectacular; Reno is
only about 255 air miles from Warm Springs.

  I stood in that isolated phone booth, getting an overwhelming sense
of distance which can be felt only by a New Englander plunked down in
the middle of a western desert.  Just before the call went through:

Operator #2:  Thank you for using AT&T!

I:          Thank _you_ for being there...

  To this day, I've been curious about that payphone's local loop:
where did it go?  I believe the nearest inhabited town is Tonopah, 45
miles to the west.  There is also Manhattan, at about the same
distance to the northwest.  However, the booth's drop cable went up to
a line of poles which more or less followed U.S. 6 to the northeast.
The nearest town in that direction is Lund, about 88 miles away.  I
believe there were no poles heading in the direction of Tonopah.

  I don't recall seeing any equipment which might have been a carrier
terminal.  Then again, it was pretty dark out there.  Also, it now
occurs to me that I should have paid more attention to the source of
power for that streetlight --- the type of distribution lines might
have given a clue as to how far the AC power and phone signals had to
travel.

  My only guess is that the loop went to one of the military
installations scattered across the area.  Driving through that area at
night, you sometimes see in the distance what looks like the lights of
a town, but there's no town on the map.  Even so, I bet the nearest
such installation to Warm Springs was 10 or 20 miles away.

  So, has anyone else used Warm Springs #2?  Or, does anyone have an
idea about how that phone was connected?


Bill Chiarchiaro   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Maybe its time to run those articles about toll
stations once again. I'm sure a lot of the newer readers would be
fascinated by things like Warm Springs #2 and Mary's River Ranch #1.
I had thought surely they were all gone by now, and said so in an
issue of the Digest a few years ago only to have John Covert write in
with a list of several dozen still operating in remote places.

Toll stations can also get incoming calls. For example when *calling*
Warm Springs, Nevada #2, your long distance operator will scratch her
head at first and eventually look up the manual routing tables which
will reveal that she has to connect with the operator in Reno, Nevada
by doing what only AT&T operators can do and KP'ing 702 + 181 ...
it'll ring a few times, and another operator will answer 'Reno'; your
operator will then ask for Warm Springs #2.

On some toll-stations, when you call them you hear an audible ringing
tone just like calling any other number; still others are completely
manual and the distant operator has to pull a ringing key with her
finger a couple times so you (as caller) hear nothing except maybe a
'clunk' once or twice. She'll report back to your operator in a minute
or so that #2 is 'DA' ... it doesn't answer; that is unless someone
else is driving down the highway and stopped there at the moment to
admire the warm springs or answer some other call of nature or
whatever. And when the bill comes from AT&T? Just the usual rate, no
operator surcharge since Warm Springs is a non-dialable point, and the
called number will read something like 702-089-0002 or close to that.
By the way, on some toll stations, the transmission sounds like pooh,
as we used to say about Radio Shack CB's years ago, only we didn't say
pooh; there was some other term we used.  PAT]

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

Date: 23 Nov 93 12:25 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "The Smiley Dictionary"~ by Godin


BKSMLDCT.RVW  931012

Peach Pit
2414 6th St.
Berkeley, CA   94710
510-548-4393   fax: [phone]
800-283-9444
"The Smiley Dictionary", Seth Godin, U$6.95/C$9.95

One assumes that this is meant to fall into the "computer gag gift"
category.  It is certainly an amusing diversion for those in the know
and, of course, it doesn't take long to get in the know.

The cover blurb's boast that this is "the world's most complete book
of smileys" is only hype.  To this volume's almost two hundred
emoticons, we have to compare Sanderson and Dougherty's 650 (cf
BKSMILEY.RVW).  However, it is laid out in a more organized fashion
with roughly topical sections and a cross index.  The large print of
the sample emoticons gives them an immediacy sometimes lacking in
other lists, although the font sometimes makes the mid- lines of the
face awkward.

Aside from the smileys themselves, however, there is nothing here.
Even the "non-smiley smileys" section has little in it, choosing not
even to scratch the surface of the more common acronyms.  There is no
discussion of online etiquette.  The few prose sections seem quite
sarcastic and could do with a few smileys sprinkled throughout.  (On
the other hand, maybe "smirks" would be more appropriate.)

For your non-computer literate friends, this is probably the gag to
get.  For even slightly more serious use, stick with Sanderson and
Dougherty.

Copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKSMLDCT.RVW  931012. Permission to
reprint only in TELECOM Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.


DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy Thompson)
Subject: GSM in the US?
Date: 23 Nov 1993 18:38:20 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro MA


For those of you familiar with GSM and IS-41B:

What is the likelyhood of GSM being adopted for the US?  Are their any
operators currently planning to deploy GSM HLR?  EIR? AuC?  SMS?  I'm
particularly interested in HLR and SMS (Short Message Service).  Are
there any firm plans to move from the interim standard to a permanent
standard?

Direct email would be appreciated.


Roy Thompson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David J. Cazier 244-5750)
Subject: Beeper Transmitter
Date: 23 Nov 1993 20:16:04 GMT
Organization: Software Technology Branch, Johnson Space Center, NASA
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Is there any wireless technology that a person can carry on the hip
(like a beeper) that would allow an individual to transmit an id
number to a base station, perhaps another receiver beeper or some PC
or UNIX system?

What I'm interested in finding is the cheapest (reliable) way to
transmit an id from a paging device to another device used only as a
receiver. The coverage should be at least one mile radius (line of
sight desired).

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #778
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa15881;
          24 Nov 93 4:29 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA01744
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 01:36:01 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA28917
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 01:35:19 -0600
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 01:35:19 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #779

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 24 Nov 93 01:35:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 779

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Inexpensive Modem (or Should it be Cheap?) (A. Padgett Peterson)
    Info Needed on Digitalization and Fiber Optics in Zimbabwe (J. Dhliwayo)
    Demodulating Modem Conversations ([e-mail])
    Information Wanted on ISDN Centrex (Dan Veeneman)
    Looping, Data Looping (Sharif Torpis)
    Echo Cancellation ([e-mail])
    PC to Alpha Pagers! (Steve Lamont)
    Nation-Wide Electronic PhoneBook on Internet? (Eric N. Florack)
    Interrogative Rockwell (Ken Leonard)
    HLR/Cellular Question (Roy Thompson)
    Job Openings at Motorola (Jay Jayapalan)
    Want Info: Audio-Conferencing (to Accompany Whiteboard) (John Kimball)
    Internet Survey (Edward John Sona)
    Still Another Internet Survey (Donna Johnson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 21:54:48 -0500
From: [e-mail] (A. Padgett Peterson
Subject: Inexpensive Modem (or Should it be Cheap?)


Following the posting Sunday concerning a $99 144 faxmodem and being
somewhat able to justify a spare (my son recently discovered BBSs), I
ordered one from the MacWarehouse (800.255.6227 - have not found a
non-800 number but they are in Lakewood, New Jersey). With Airborne
(tm) shipping it came to U$103. It arrived Tuesday and I have been
playing with it somewhat this evening. For the record, the name is
LINELINK 144e and it is apparently made by Practical Peripherals and
repackaged by the mail order house.

It does appear to be a real v32/v32bis FaxModem. This connection is
9600 baud and I just downloaded a 300k file at 1595 cps on a 14,400
connection (my Supra usually runs at 1612-1617 cps) so it is in the
ballpark.

Have not tried the FAX portion yet but AT+FCLASS=? gives 0,2 so it
apparently supports group III class 2 FAX with the right software. My
Supra uses class 1 so I'll have to do some finagaling to test but it
does give the right responses so far.

The following are some pertinant returns:

AT+FMFR?:    SIERRA,V32BIS/F
AT+FMDLMDL?: SQ322X
ATI3:        Copyright (c) 1993 SSC, V1.0 - 08/27/93
ATI4:        SERIAL * V32BIS * V42BIS * VOICE 2.2 * TIES * CID * V23 * SRFAX

I know nothing about the SIERRA chip (my Supra has a Rockwell) but expect
that one of the other readers will fill us in.

The only one that would make me hesitate is the TIES since I *assume*
that stands for Time Independant Escape Sequence or the Microcom
method of bypassing the Hayes patent. I have no idea what the CID
means other than it does not repond to the AT#CID=? that Supra uses to
establish Caller-ID compatability.

The modem is pretty large at 8"x7"x1 1/2" and I did have to reset
PROCOMM+ to use the setup for a Practical Peripherals 14.4 modem. The
only modem changes I made were to set W1 to enable verbose messages
and &C1 for CD handling. Might have to make sure that &R0 is set (&R1
is MAC mode) for a PC but mine came that way.

Other than not testing the FAX, the only problem has been a couple of
unexplained lockups after terminating a connection that required a
reboot of the PC but this may have just been all of the odd and
unusual AT commands I have been firing at it. Will post a short note
if it continues to be a problem. My *feeling* is that it was the 16550
UART and not the modem but not sure.

However, for a buck, it is a real external 144 FAXmodem with lights and
speaker and does include a MAC serial cable (ever price one?) and
communications software. Not having a MAC, this does not help me very
much but still for the price it seems reasonable particularly
considering that I paid three times that amount for the Supra just a
year ago.

One final caveat: apparently the unit is only guarenteed for 30 days
(cannot find any reference but this was what the lady said on the
phone.


Warmly,

Padgett

PS: Thanks to those who commented about my hotel/modem situation. It
does appear that what was happening was that the hotel switch was slow
in dropping the dialtone following the "1" and the modem interpreted
this as being a "pulse" system. Have not yet figured out a fix but
possibly a "," instead of the "W" might work. (home again and hard to
test).

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

From: [e-mail] (Jabulani Dhliwayo)
Subject: Info Needed on Digitalisation and Fiber Optic Networks in Zimbabwe.
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 02:41:00 GMT


Though it is highly unlikely that anybody on this network will have
any interest in the Telecommunication Development in a third world
country, this is probably the only group that there can be any hope
for such information.

I understand that the Public Telecommunication Corp. in Zimbabwe is
digitalising it's telecom networks. I also understand they are
installing fiber optic networks in some cities. I am looking for
documentation on the details of this operation. Among the questions
that I want answered are:

The specific type of switching services they are including;
The switching services that are currently available;
The cities affected and the progress so far;
The countries or companies sponsoring this venture. etc.

Efforts to contact the Zimbabwe PTC have so far been fruitless.

Thanks for any information.


Jabulani Dhliwayo
322-163 University Av. West
Waterloo   (519)-884-4021
(519)-885-1211 x 6195

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

From: [e-mail] (T*P)
Subject: Demodulating Modem Conversations
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 00:01:28 GMT


Greetings,

  I am stumped with how I can demodulate modem communications
in-progress.  My project includes displaying the originating AND
answering data, though not both at the same time.  I envisioned
recording it, and piping it into my modem.  Not so.  How would I go
about convincing a modem to listen to a tape recorded conversation or
"tapped" in realtime. (Problems there include messing up the current
conversation).

  If two passes are made into the local modem, one forcing it to
listen to the originating modem's data, and another listening to the
answering modem's data, how would I synchronize them together?
(Assuming the answering host did NOT echo the keys typed, I would not
know when what was typed! [??] :)

  Any suggestions would be extremely appreciated.


John

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

Subject: Info Wanted on ISDN Centrex
From: System Operator <ftgcorp![e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 17:12:33 EST
Organization: Fountainhead Title Group


Hello,

  I'm looking for information and experiences with ISDN Centrex
operations, especially from Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P) Telephone
Company (now Bell Atlantic).

  Our company has nineteen offices across the state of Maryland, and
currently each has their own dial-up voice, fax, etc. lines.  Part of
my job is to investigate options for our data processing operations,
including data lines.

  I'd like to find out more about using ISDN Centrex to combine voice,
fax, and data traffic among our offices, as well as to the outside.

  Any pointers or real-world experiences would be welcome, especially
from those who might know what is available in Maryland.


Dan Veeneman   uunet!anagld!ftgcorp!dan
Work: [phone] ext 127   Fax:  [phone]
The Fountainhead Title Group Corporation   Real Estate Title Services

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

From: [e-mail] (Sharif Torpis)
Subject: Looping and Data Looping
Date: 23 Nov 1993 13:42:24 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


I have heard the terms 'looping' and 'data looping' being used by
various individuals not necessarily in the telecom field. The only
looping I know of is the process of routing calls through various
places (PBXs, diverters, etc.) before the final destination. What are
some other interpretations of the above two terms? Keep in mind that
the terms are related to telecommunications fraud.

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Echo Cancellation
Organization: Universiti de Lihge
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 22:02:42 GMT


Hello,

For one of our students, we are in search of Impulse Responses of
telephone channels (two and four wires) for echo cancellation.

Thanks for your help.


[e-mail]    Universite de Liege, Belgium Europe.

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Lamont)
Subject: PC to Alpha Pagers!
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 22:00:10 -0800
Organization: Connected INC -- Internet Services


Several people have posted questions about sending messages to alpha
numeric pagers.  I just saw an announcement for *free* software,
called MessageFlash, to send messages from any PC with Windows and a
modem.  All they charge is $7.50 for S&H.  The number to call is
1-800-99FLASH or e-mail your address and credit card data to:
[e-mail].

They also have software that automatically relays Microsoft Mail
messages from a PC to an alpha pager.  You can set the filter for
time-of-day, header-only or full message, and filter by name of
sender.  They can give you more information at the sources listed
above.


Steven Lamont    [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 06:33:24 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Nation-Wide Electronic PhoneBook on Internet?


I'm looking for information on any public database, containing
nationwide white pages information. Is there such a beast available
on Internet? If not, where else online? Compu-bux? AOL? GEnie?


[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: The database is available on Compuserve and you can
also purchase it as CD Roms in a few places. It is not available for
free on any ftp site, if that is what you are thinking about. I've had
some thoughts about buying a reasonably accurate database on CD Roms
and installing it here, then letting people use it by dialup or maybe
even telnetting to it for some small fee to cover the expense in the
purchase and line connection, etc. There certainly have been enough
inquiries about it. But you know how it goes with the Usenit-wit crowd:
that would be commercializing the net. Seriously, I've got a lot of very
nice, wonderful people reading the Digest via comp.dcom.telecom, but
a few from the Usenet side are absolute idiots. Between the privacy nuts
and the 'how dare you put commmercial stuff on the net' nuts, I doubt
I would get time for anything but 'rm'-ing their flames if I were to
automate a lot of the Digital Detective stuff as well as the white
pages directory and make it available for everyone at cost, but don't
think I haven't considered it. I still am considering it. PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ken Leonard)
Subject: Interrogative Rockwell
Organization: GE Aerospace - VF
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 14:45:06 GMT


Howdy...

Does anyone know how to get interface-level specs for the Rockwell
modem chipset(s) -- i.e. what kind of UART(s) it/they look like and/or
how to control that behavior?


Thanks and regards,

Ken

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy Thompson)
Subject: HLR/Cellular Question
Date: 23 Nov 1993 18:34:58 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro MA


I'm somewhat familiar with IS-41B and the GSM specifications.  But I
have a question about the cellular phones and how they identify
themselves to base stations and eventually effect the HLR/VLR.  Do
cellular phones periodically broadcast their MIN/ESN when the phone is
on?  Or, do the base stations poll in some way?  How does a given
system know where a particular subscriber is when a call comes in for
that ID?

Also, is there an interest group or something related to cellular and
wireless technology that I can join?

I have struggled with the question of whether computer-based HLR is
marketable.  I know it makes technical sense, but I'm not sure if
operators are willing to move the existing HLR off the switch.  What
makes HLR marketable on a computer?  Multiple applications/services
capabilities?  Faster database support?  Lower cost per subscriber?
AIN service platform (SN, SCP)?  Any thoughts on this?

Direct email would be appreciated.  I would like to discuss this with
those that have an interest.  Thanks for any assistance.  Please email
directly.


Roy Thompson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jay Jayapalan)
Subject: Job Openings at Motorola
Date: 23 Nov 93 16:33:41 GMT
Organization: Motorola Cellulsr Infrastructure Group


Synopsis of Job:

Become a member of the System Requirements and Architecture team and
contribute to the definition of the architecture for providing error
free data services in an integrated voice/data cellular system. One
position is to define and/or evaluate protocols for async data,
facsimile, short message and packet data. Write System Feature
Descriptions and System Functional Specifications with possible
direct involvement in implementation.

The second position is to help investigate innovative ideas for
industry wide standardization and technical implementation of data
services. Work with product management and customers to define
requirements for provisioning, operating and billing for these
services.

Skills Required:

Six to ten years of design and development experience in
communications systems preferably in network control data or user data
communication areas and/or in developing architecture and requirements
for cellular services.  Working knowledge of current cellular
technologies plus data communications experience is necessary. Must
be very familiar with OSI lower layer protocols, such as X.25, IEEE
802.X, HDLC etc. Experience in channel mod- els and performance
modelling/testing of protocols is a plus. Some experience in working
with standards committees is desirable but not necessary. MSEE/ CS is
preferred.

Please send your resume to:
    Motorola
    Code JW/BK
    Professional Staffing
    1501 W Shure Dr.
    Arlington Heights IL 60004
 or Fax it to (708)-632-7382


Regards,

Jay Jayapalan   708-632-4031   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Kimball)
Subject: Want Info: Audio-Conferencing (to Accompany Distributed Whiteboard)
Organization: Honeywell Systems & Research Center
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 18:06:53 GMT


We're investigating how to support a project whose team-members are in
two different cities. I've seen a lot of hype about video-conferencing,
but I was recently reminded that a lot could be done to provide better
*audio*-conferencing.  At least, it could be a lot better than simply
having people crowded around speaker phones at both ends of a conversa-
tion.

I'm interested in what's available, in commercial or freely-redistributable
systems.  I'm also interested in pointers to relevant research. Here's a
description of the kind of system that would probably satisfy the need:

This would be an "advanced conference call" facility.  It could use
either the standard phone lines or a computer network as transport.
It would be used by geographically-dispersed engineers who are working
on the same project though they are located thousands of miles apart.
The audio conferencing facility would be used on a daily basis, from
the engineers' offices, at the drop of a hat.  It would likely be used
in concert with a distributed shared whiteboard / shared document
viewing and markup facility.  It should be easy to use -- setting up a
conference among a group of N people should be no more complicated
than selecting N names from a menu of team members.  There should be
no push-to-talk button and no echo suppression turn-around delays.  It
must be able to be hands-free.  There should be an out-of-band
indication of (a) who's currently talking, and (b) who wants to talk
("raised hand").  It may provide support for side conversations,
letting each participant select the volume for each conversation.
Ideally the audio conferencing controls should be integrated with the
controls for the shared whiteboard / document viewer.  If the audio
conferencing is hosted on a computer, or tied to a whiteboard hosted
on a computer, ideally it should support conferencing among engineers
running SunOS on Suns or Windows NT.

More background: "Inexpensive, easy-to-use, from-own-office audio
conferencing.  I hear that the [...] telecon interconnect is
expensive, and phone conferencing using it is too time consuming to
set up.  Need something like phone speed dial / email list where
several lists of individuals and be called up for conferencing with
just a few button pushes.  A hands-free audio set up would be nice.
Push-to-talk (PTT) and echo-suppressor turn-around delays are no good.
An auxiliary indication of who is talking and who wants to talk is
needed.  The latter is a 'my hand is raised' switch which isn't nearly
as onerous as a PTT switch since it is much more seldomly used.
Another handy feature would be side conversations.  This would require
request send, request Rx indication, granted, and cancel mechanisms.
After granted and before cancel, the mikes involved in the side
conversation would only go to each other but the incoming audio would
be a mix of the side and main conversations.  The volume of the main
and side conversations would have to be independently set by the
listener.  The volume also could be set differently for each speaker.
(That is what I do when I fly jump seat [in a commercial airliner].  I
set a different volume for the pilots, ATC, the flight attendants, and
the company radio channel.)  I saw a system on the TV program
"NextStep" which used stereo and pseudo phasing to place the apparent
source of each speaker at different points in the listener's aural
space to give the who-is-talking information."  "It would be great if
the telecon controls were integrated with the whiteboard controls, so
that setting up the telecon automatically sets up the shared
whiteboard / shared document viewing and markup session.  Ditto for
side conversations -- they would optionally get their own whiteboard/
document markup session".


Thanks in advance for any info ...


John Kimball
DOMAIN: [e-mail]        Honeywell Systems and Research Center
        [e-mail]      Computer Sciences/Software Technology
UUCP:   <any-smart-host>!srcsip!jkimball  3660 Technology Drive, MN65-2100
VOICE:  +1 612/951-7343   FAX: 7438       Minneapolis, MN  55418-1006
STATUS:  "Will do research for food."

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

From: [e-mail] (edward john sona)
Subject: Internet Survey
Organization: Indiana University, Bloomington IN
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 02:40:06 GMT


Survey of Uses of The Internet for Competitive Information

I am a member of a group of graduate students conducting exploratory
research on the use (and potential use) by commercial users of the
Internet as a competitive intelligence resource.  By competitive
intelligence, we mean information of *any* sort which might give your
organization a competitive edge.  A few simple examples might be:

- establishing contacts with others in your field whom you might
not have met otherwise;

- using/monitoring listservs on topics of interest to your firm to
get insights or advice on a problem or situation;

- retrieving data/files/software from remote, unaffiliated sites on
a more timely basis than might otherwise be the case.

We would appreciate it if you would consider and answer each of the
three following questions, which will help us gain insights into how
the Internet is being or may be used for competitive purposes.  Please
don't let our examples hamper your imagination!  Your response, via
e-mail, can be sent to the address listed at the end of this message.

Please note that any information you share with us will be held in
the strictest confidence.

1.  Could you share any anedotes about how you, or others in your
organization, have used the Internet to gain information which is
useful for competitive purposes?

2.  In what ways do you imagine the Internet might be used for making
your firm more competitive, even if you haven't used it in such a
manner.

3.  Some might perceive no place for the Internet in the corporate
competitive intelligence environment.  For instance, some feel that
corporate data security might be compromised, or that information
retrieved from the Internet is of dubious nature.  Others even feel that
employees will waste corporate time "playing" on the Internet.  In light
of your answers to the first two questions, what's your opinion on this
subject?

Again, we emphasize that your responses will remain confidential.
Please respond as soon as you can.

We encourage you to respond, as it will broaden our understanding of
the enviroment in which the Internet is expanding.  We would be more
than happy to share the results of our study with you if you wish
(mid-December).  Simply indicate this in your response.

Thank you for taking the time to assist us.


Sincerely,

Edward Sona   Indiana University,
School of Library and Information Science
Please respond as soon as you can!

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 13:34:14 PST
From: Donna Johnson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Still Another Internet Survey


As a new member of the Internet system, and a returning student at
Evergreen, I need some help with a project that I am working on.  Some
answers to a few questions would sure help me in my research on the
"Power of Internet", namely, what were some of the early frustrations
experienced in learning how to use the Internet.  Has it helped in
doing your job?  Has it "empowered" you to communicate better with
your collegues.  Short consise answers are really what I need, and
since I am in the thick of my project now, I need responses ASAP.  Any
help you can lend me is surely appreciated.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #779
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa16452;
          24 Nov 93 5:44 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA32308
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 02:43:32 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA24019
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 02:42:49 -0600
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 02:42:49 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #780

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 24 Nov 93 02:43:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 780

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (Rich Mintz)
    Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (Gary Breuckman)
    Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems (Chris Salter)
    Re: Compression With ISDN (H. Peter Anvin)
    Re: Local Detail Records (Dave Niebuhr)
    Re: Special Report: Telecom Strife in Venezuela (Katarina Wong O'Gara)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Rich Greenberg)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Jay Hennigan)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Jeff Bennington)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Fred Linton)
    Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service (H. Shrikumar)
    Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service (Kevin W. Williams)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (Mathew Englander)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (David A. Kaye)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (Linc Madison)
    Saudi Arabia (was Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexican Area Codes) (Carl Moore)
    Re: PC Pursuit; Also Inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem (Lars Poulsen)
    Re: PC Pursuit; Also Inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem (James Taranto)
    Re: PC Pursuit; Also Inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem (Steven H. Lichter)
    Correction: Re: Bad FAX Number (Carl Moore & John Gretzinger)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Rich Mintz)
Subject: Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems
Date: 23 Nov 1993 16:20:49 GMT
Organization: California State University, Chico


I think some of you have misunderstood the original poster's question.
As I read it, while using his 2400 baud modem, he depends on call
waiting to kick him off of whatever computer service he's using and
allow the incoming call through. This blurb of static or disconnect
will typically occur on the first or second call waiting beep.

When he upgraded to a 14.4 modem, he found that for the same
call-waiting induced disconnect to occur, the caller had to wait
through eight rings or more. This is because the 14.4 has fancy
error-correcting features that filter out the call waiting beep as
static, so it screws up the system of being kicked off immediately by
call waiting. I encountered a similar problem when I upgraded to my
9600 baud modem.

So far, no solution. Setting register S10 to 1 (1 tenth of a second
between loss of carrier and disconnect) will make the modem disconnect
more readily with call waiting but it doesn't get past the higher baud
rates' static filtering routines. It still takes over eight rings for
the call waiting to make the modem disconnect at baud rates over 2400,
whereas the disconnect is immediate at 2400 or lower. If anyone's got
a fix for this problem, I'd love to hear it (as I'm sure the original
poster would).


Rich

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

From: [e-mail] (Gary Breuckman)
Subject: Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems
Date: Thu, 24 Nov 1993 06:28:47 GMT


TELECOM Moderator notes:

> [Moderator's Note: I've never been able to understand one thing about
> these schemes. Yes, anyone can make adjustments to their modem to
> virtually ignore call-waiting signals if that is what they want to
> do. But how do you get the modem on the other end to go along with
> the momentary disconnection caused by call-waiting?

Most error correcting modems should have the parameter that deals with
this (time, loss of carrier to disconnect, set by S10) set high enough
so they won't disconnect.  The default on most modems is '14' which is
1.4 seconds, and it can be set 1-255 (255 means 'never disconnect').
Folks who WANT to disconnect usually set it to 1.  Zero isn't valid
for my modem, although some may accept it.  On a PROPERLY DESIGNED
modem this should cause retries or retrains, and if the disruption
continues during the retrains might cause a disconnect, although it
could take a long time, and the caller might be gone by the time the
modem hangs up.

Also, on many systems only the path to YOU is broken for the
call-waiting beep, and the person/modem on the other end hears only a
click or two, if anything.  I suppose this varies, exchange type to
exchange type.


> I can tell my modem to stay off hook and 'sit it out', and it will
> presumably go back to normal operations once the call waiting signals
> are gone.  But what prevents the other end from seeing that I am gone,
> even for the split second and dropping the carrier from that end
> instead?  If the distant modem senses for a half second that my
> carrier is missing, won't it terminate the session anyway? So what
> good does it do me to ride it out -- ignoring for the moment the
> likelyhood of errors in the data coming across, which may or may not
> be very critical, depending on what it is without the ability to set
> the other modem for the same liberal tolerance?  PAT]

It may never see that you're gone, or the default setting should be
enough for it to 'ride it out' too.


[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Christopher Salter)
Subject: Re: Call Waiting 14.4 Modems
Organization: TBA
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1993 21:24:54


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> In a previous message, Thomas Neudeker writes:

>> [most deleted] Does anyone know of a modem init string
>> to let call waiting and the modem work as I wish?

> If it is important to be able to reach you when data calls are in
> progress, I recommend a second telephone line.

Not exactly the tip of the century but I my have my phone set up to
divert on busy to my cellular phone. The drawback is that I pay for
the diverted call but as I have the cellular phone anyway it's cheaper
than a second line.


Chris Salter   London  England
Internet : [e-mail]     Compuserve : 73064,357

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

From: hpa (H. Peter Anvin N9ITP)
Subject: Re: Compression With ISDN
Reply-To: [e-mail] (H. Peter Anvin)
Organization: Hierarchial directory structure
Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1993 01:09:25 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> of comp.dcom.telecom,
[e-mail] writes:

> Since I don't use terminal adapters, I really don't know. But Combinet
> ISDN Ethernet Bridges do data compression just fine. The area of
> standardization is fuzzy, but V.42bis seems perfectly wel suited for
> ISDN and is already a standard.

Since V.42 is LAP-M (Link Access Protocol -- Modem) and I think ISDN
uses LAP-B (Link Access Protocol -- B-channel) it seems like V.42bis
is the way to go, especially, as you say, it is already a standard.


/hpa
INTERNET: [e-mail]          FINGER/TALK: [e-mail]
IBM MAIL: I0036073 at IBMMAIL  NeXTMAIL:    [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 93 01:50:55 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Re: Local Detail Records


NYTel does keep local detail records which I found out about during a
dispute with them over calls to one exchange used by the Suffolk
County government (long story, I won).

One of the people in the business office stated that even though I
received a listing of who I called if it was a toll call, I don't see
the local ones which I pay for with a monthly charge (best deal going
if teenagers are in the house).

How else can harrassing callers be traced if complete records aren't
kept especially if they're in your local calling area?

I suppose that if I wanted to I could press the telco to release a
list of all calls, local or not, so that I could know how much the
phone is really used in my home.  Naah, my blood pressure would rise
just that much further after I get done reading the bill.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Date: Wed, 23 Nov 1993 00:52:43 -0500
From: Katarina Wong O'Gara <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re:  Special Report: Telecom Strife in Venezuela


If you get indignant that Colombian union leadsr are being prosecuted
for their role in the Telecom strike, just ask yourself whether it
would be appropriate to pursue criminal charges in the U.S. against,
say, striking AT&T personnel who poured water and sand into switches
and otherwise scrambled the entire telephone network (in Colombia
there is only one; that is part of the problem) such that no
international calls could be made for an entire week.  It seems
intuitively obvious to me that prosecution would be in order.  There.
I've done it.  In one paragraph I've punctured that incredibly wordy
piece from the "Progressive Economist's Network," whatever that is.


Cheers,

James F.X. O'Gara   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rich Greenberg)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 20:35:09 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Linc
Madison) writes:

> A couple of years ago, Pacific Bell moved a considerable portion of
> their customer service numbers into "811" service.

> On my return from Europe, I find that the numbers to dial for various
> Pacific Bell offices are almost all on 1-800 numbers; I can't find a
> single reference to an "811" number.

> Did Pac*Bell give them up voluntarily, or were they ordered to by the
> PUC or a court or Bellcore?  In either case, why?

I asked Pa Bell the same question, and the reason they gave me was
that the 811 numbers could only be called from within California, and
they had increasing numbers of people needing to call from out of
state.

For example, company A located in CA is merged or bought by company B
in another state.  All telcom related calls for A are now handled by
B's telcom dept located in (say) New York.


Rich Greenberg            Work: ETi Solutions, Oceanside & L.A. CA 310-348-7677
N6LRT   TinselTown, USA   Play: [e-mail]                  310-649-0238
I speak for myself only.       Canines: Chinook & Husky

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

From: [e-mail] (Jay Hennigan)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Date: 23 Nov 1993 18:58:53 -0800
Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN)


Of note, the 811-xxxx Pacific Bell numbers can also be dialed at no
charge from GTE territory in Santa Barbara.  Either GTE doesn't know
any better or they don't mind hauling traffic for their neighbor/
competitor.


[Moderator's Note: It would be their neighbor -- not their competitor.
Any place you go there will have one telco or the other; never both
in precisely the same location. Most telcos have agreements with the
other telcos in the immediate vicinity for how traffic between them
is to be handled and/or billed.  GTE customers can probably call their
business office from the Pac Bell side at no charge also.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeff Bennington)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jeff Bennington)
Organization: Mellon Capital Management Corp., San Francisco
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 17:38:23 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Linc
Madison) writes:

> Did Pac*Bell give them up voluntarily, or were they ordered to by the
> PUC or a court or Bellcore?  In either case, why?

According to Pacific Bell people I've spoken with, many customers were
confused by the 811 availability *only in Pacific Bell areas*.
Imagine people trying to contact Pac Bell from a GTE-based pay phone
or at a friend's house, and instead of hearing a phone ringing, they'd
hear an intercept?

I presume it is easier for PacBell to alias 800 number service to
their private 811-xxxx (fiber optic) net than convince GTE (and
others) to program switches for 811 service back to Pac Bell.

I personally liked the 811 number system. 811-6222 still works in San
Francisco for residential customer service.


Jeff Bennington, Systems Administrator    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: But Jay Hennigan in the message before yours says
that 811 does in fact work from GTE territory, or at least some of
their territory.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 23:50:20 GMT
Organization: Wesleyan University


  Here in SNET land, just dial 811 -- no prefix, no suffix -- and you
get one of SNET's state-wide-distributed residential customer service
folks.  Yes, the person you'll be speaking with will probably *not* be
located in the town your home phone is nearest to; and yes, (s)he will
probably bemoan that fact as forcefully as you.

  This "improves" an earlier scheme whereby each local phone book told
what local number would ring up your local business office :-) .


Fred

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 19:49:41 -0500
From: [e-mail] (H.Shrikumar)
Subject: Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service
Organization: UMass, Amherst MA + Temporal Systems Bombay India


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] wrote:

> It has been almost a year since I moved into GTE land, and some of you
> may recall that when I got my phone service, it was provided via some
> obsolete (no longer manufactured) subscriber carrier equipment that
> has given me all sorts of problems over the past year (on no less than
> five occasions, it has gone out completely).  At one point (after I
> complained to the Michigan Public Service Commission) GTE even gave me
> a credit ($25 plus the equivalent of three days' service) on my phone
> bill in compensation for the problems I had experienced.

   I need some information about this and similar subscriber carrier
equipment.

1. What is the on-hook voltage it would deliver (15 V .. I think)?

2. What is the on-hook current?

3. What is the ringing voltage RMS it could deliver?

4. Was a distance limitation on how far you phone could be from the
   unit?

   I am trying to make an estimate of how badly one can deviate from
the -48VDC, 90Vrms, 26mA standard that POTS uses, for limited use in a
a "home" situation, where the instuments connected will be cheap $5
plastic phones with peizo chirp ringers and DTMF, on short cable runs.

   Sincere thanks for all replies in advance !


shrikumar ([e-mail], [e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin W. Williams)
Subject: Re: Finally Got REAL Phone Service
Date: 22 Nov 1993 14:37:28 -0700
Organization: This variable implies that we ARE organised


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jack
Decker) writes:

> 6) And finally, the new unit still will not accept dial pulses at 20
> pps.  When I mentioned this originally, I was told that this was a
> design limitation of the GTD-5 switch in my central office ... that 20
> pps was NOT considered a standard dialing speed, and even though some
> AT&T and other switches may support it, the designers of the GTE
> switches didn't feel they should.  Now, what I do not know is whether
> the new remote unit (the crew out here keeps referring to it as a MUX)
> actually provides dial tone itself, or simply relays dial tone from
> the CO downtown.  I had sort of hoped that it would provide its own
> dial tone, and would therefore support 20 pulses per second, but no
> such luck.  I'd still like to know where the dial tone is really
> coming from.  I did retain my same phone number, if that's any clue.

MUX is a colloquiallism for the Lenkurt/Siemens 914E. Dial Tone comes
from the base unit, as does all call processing control. Digit
Collection does come from the MXU itself. Its all proprietary stuff,
but inherently similar to TR-303 Model 2 or the protocols used between
AT&T and Northern base units and remotes.

20 pps dialing is a trunk standard, not a line standard, and the GTD-5
does not support it for lines.


Kevin Wayne Williams  [e-mail]
AGCS is a joint venture betweeen AT&T and GTE,
and is the supplier of the GTD-5.

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 21:09:01 PST
From: Mathew Englander <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized


> [Moderator's Note: Obviously instead of relying on Bellcore to get you
> the information in a timely way, you need to read this Digest for the
> latest news on area code splits, etc.  :)  We were talking about 905
> long before it occurred. We were even talking about 905 back in the
> days when it used to be an 'area code' for Mexico.  PAT]

This is news to me. Does this mean that residents of Thornhill, St.
Catharines, etc. can expect to get calls from people trying to phone
Mexicans?


Mathew Englander


[Moderator's Note: Well, I don't think so unless the caller is using a
very, very old areacode map/index. How long has the code been gone
where Mexico is concerned?  Five years perhaps ... PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Date: 24 Nov 1993 00:38:43 GMT
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


John R Levine ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Also, Mexico has a mixture of six and seven digit numbers, so they'd
> have to renumber to match NANP numbers.

But, there were once TWO area codes for Mexico, 905 and 705 (I think);
whatever, there was a regional difference in phone number length and a
caller from here who wanted to call a six-digit phone number added an
extra digit to make it seven.


[Moderator's Note: Yeah, the funny thing is 905 and the other one were
never technically 'area codes'. A business office rep once insisted to
me those two were actually 'access codes'. Supposedly the code was '90'
with the 5 added to flesh out the phone numbers to seven digits.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 11:35:46 GMT


John Nagle ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Anyone remember that Saudi Arabia used to have a US area code?  A
> convenience for the oil industry, before international direct dialing.

Never heard of it before.  Do tell!  Did any other places outside the
NANP proper have area codes in days of old?


Linc Madison, [one of the many] resident area code freak[s]
[e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 21:33:08 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Saudi Arabia (was Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes)


I don't know about an area code being used in Saudi Arabia for the
convenience of the oil industry.  But this topic came up with respect
to Kuwait (I guess at the time it was invaded August 1990 by Iraqi
forces), and no one had an answer for that.


[Moderator's Note: Yes, Saudi Arabia had an international country code
like all other countries, but it also had an 'area code' which could be
dialed from the USA for the administrative convenience of some people.
The oil industry?  I dunno. Anyone remember the 'area code' number, and
does it still work today?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: PC Pursuit; Also Inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 19:51:59 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jack
Decker) writes:

> My gut feeling from my reading of the messages (and this is my OPINION
> only) is that SprintNet would be more than happy at this point if the
> remaining PC Pursuit customers would quietly drop their accounts with
> the service and leave.

Our Esteemed Moderator noted:

> in line for the scrap heap:  when Telenet began in the middle to late
> 1970's, it was a service for businesses only -- large businesses --
> which wanted to transfer data between locations at a rate much less
> expensive that the public phone network could provide.

TELENET was an X.25 network; the dial-in PADs providing access for
asynchronous access were an afterthought to bring the volume up, and a
convenience for customers of the host sites taht were the real
subscribers. PC Pursuit was a creative was to use those resources
after hours, but as an appendix on a secondary feature, it could not
have been very interesting to those that retained the original vision
of the service.

Today, X.25 is not the primary protocol of the network. SprintNet has
become a true multiprotocol network. More and more host sites are
contracting to build virtual private networks in Frame Relay link
protocol (with T-1 access rates) and there is a fair bit of frame
relay access to Internet Protocol service. Today, I think they would
be better off changing those dial-in points from X.25 PADs to Internet
terminal servers. If the outdial capability were lost in the process,
I doubt that they would see this as a big deal. The hosts should be
getting the connections in packet mode anyway.

In accordance with this view, I too would expect PCP to fade away;
maybe even rather fast.


Lars Poulsen            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
CMC Network Products        Phone: (011-) [phone]
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B        Telefax:      [phone]
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK    Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: [e-mail] (James Taranto)
Subject: Re: PC Pursuit; also inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem
Date: 23 Nov 1993 23:36:50 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


I met a guy who works for Telenet/Sprint at a cigar shop last Friday,
and he told me PC Pursuit is no longer accepting new customers as a
result of security problems with the network.


Cheers,

James Taranto  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: PC Pursuit; also inexpensive 14.4k FAXmodem
Date: 23 Nov 1993 14:56:39 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


There were a few replys from someone in SprintNet that stated they
were looking at the service as been said with the other posts.

Global Access uses Sprint's network at more per month but has started
switching over to Tymnet (BT) which has more indials as well as
outdial plus a few 9600 outdials, but they don't support MNP above 4.
I have PCP and am looking at the new service since it would expand the
areas I want to call.

The $99.00 modem is well worth it. I have ones that cost double that
and work the same. They have both bundled for the Mac from
MacWherehouse and the PC from their sister company. I got one and it
works fine on my Epson, Apple Powerbook and all of my Apple II's with
the proper cables software and init strings.

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 22 Nov 93 13:22:22-0500
Subject: Correction: Re: Bad FAX number


[Moderator's Note: Carl Moore had written to say there was an error in
a fax number given here. John responded to Carl's private note which
had been cc'd to me, and John cc'd his answer also. The original
message was 'Sprint Ugrading Network Backbone' in issue 766.  PAT]

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

That's strange since the phone number is pulled from a signature file
(equivilant for DOS) that is correct.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes, please change it.  The correct
FAX number should be +1.310.430.1187.


Thanks,

John D. Gretzinger   Network Engineer
+1.310.797.1187  +1.310.430.1761 (FAX)

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #780
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa20474;
          24 Nov 93 15:36 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA29162
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 12:00:31 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA05914
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 24 Nov 1993 11:59:45 -0600
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 11:59:45 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #781

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 24 Nov 93 11:59:45 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 781

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: GSM Interference (Stewart Fist)
    Re: GSM Interference (Laurence Chiu)
    Re: GSM Interference (Klein Gilhousen)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Bruce Linley)
    Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems (Bill Mayhew)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Lars Poulsen)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Christian Weisgerber)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Ken Hoehn)
    Earthquake/Disaster Thread - Gopher Info (Richard I. Sambolec)
    Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications (Matt Healy)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 24 Nov 93 06:23:44 EST
From: Stewart Fist <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: GSM Interference Problems


What appears to be happening with GSM, is that, as Dave Londel
says,the transmitter switches on and off to provide the TDMA function.
It does this 217 times a second, and in analog circuits nearby, this
generates a 217Hz audio tone, plus a couple of harmonics.  In hearing
aids this comes through as a loud buzz if the GSM transmitter is
within a few metres, and can be heard in all hearing aids at distances
up to 20-30 metres.

They've decided to reduce the problem in Australia by shielding the
inside of the hearing aid and adding a condensor across the
microphone.  This seems to be reasonably effective with most of them
 -- but there's still the question of who pays for modifying 300,000
hearing aids in the country.

The analog tone is also found in telephones, cassette recorders, etc.
which is annoying, but not a dramatic problem (mainly since only 1500
GSM handsets have been sold Australia-wide in six months!).

What is more worrying is the suspicion that this 217Hz pulse is
intruding into digital control circuits, and appearing as a random
byte.  GSM has eight slots to a frame, so the pulsing of the
transmitter is equivalent to a byte of 1000 0000 if the slot being
used is number one in the frame, and any other possible variation if
other slots are in use, or other nearby GSM handsets are contributing
to the effect.

Furthermore, since this is an ELF-type effect, not an R/F effect, if
half a dozen GSM handsets are operating in an area, with a few of them
using slot one (but on different frequencies) the pulse effect is
cumulative, and can be read at quite a distance.  In effect, one or
more GSM handsets working near to each other (say in an office) is a
giant random number generator -- and it is almost impossible to
duplicate conditions that you suspect may have created problems.

Added to this 'regular' pulse generation, there are two more
influences. GSM has a frequency hopping system, so handsets are
jumping in and out of various frequency bands.  They also switch off
the transmitter when the vocoder isn't active (Digital Speech
Interpolation), and so DSI adds a random effect to the primary
tone-buzz, and makes the digital effects even more difficult to
duplicate.

The known interference effects with GSM into digital circuits is with
desktop computers, Mac Powerbooks (they seem to be hard hit), modems
within about three metres, multiplexers, and laserprinters (reset to
factory default values.)  There are also persistent stories from
Germany about cases of car air-bag firings -- but I haven't been able
to confirm this, and it still sounds suspiciously like an urban myth.

What's more, GSM seems to be very polluting in the 900MHz R/F
frequencies.  New Zealand has had to leave a 3MHz guard band between
the GSM handset transmit band and the AMPS analog receive band,
because GSM was knocking the AMPS handsets out.  There's something
more here also, since it seems to be scattering a lot of interference
into TV broadcast bands with quite a separation from the basic 900MHz.

The real problem here, is that the European ETSI and the GSM
manufacturers knew about all these problems back in 1989 (I have a UK
lab report) and yet they hushed it up, and released the system anyway.
They've been telling the hearing associations that they can solve the
problem -- which they can with analog circuits only, and then only
with retrofitting -- but they can't solve the digital circuit problem.

DCS1800 (GSM in the 1.8GHZ band) just released in the UK has all the
same failings, and is likely to be even more of a problem, because
Mercury intends to introduce thousands of the things to act as radio
local-loop links into its network.  DECT, the office portable phone
system from Europe, also has the same problems -- as do all TDMA
systems.  But DECT's danger, is that it is designed specifically for
use in the office.  I guess this is why the release of DECT is
constantly being delayed.

The American TDMA has a frame rate of only 50 Hz, which might be low
enough to create ELF interference below the audible (or annoyance)
range (however it should have 100Hz and 150Hz harmonics), but it
certainly has a lot of the R/F interference -- 'spurious emissions' --
which are causing problems in the old AMPS bands.  The splatter of R/F
is raising the background noise levels in the 800MHz band seriously.

CDMA doesn't switch its transmitter off and on in a regular way, but
it does have a vocoder-controlled DSI function, and this seems to
generate some 'pink noise', but since the power levels of CDMA
transmissions are much lower than GSM, this doesn't appear likely to
create analog problems, and it is unlikely to cause digital problems
or R/F interference out-of-band.CDMA works below the background noise
level.

Currently, N-AMPS is looking good for 3:1 capacity increase in analog,
and CDMA is likely to be the best of the digital systems for the
above, and other reasons. It is also a more secure system.


Stewart Fist  (I've got no connection with anyone)

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

From: [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
Subject: Re: GSM Interference
Date: 23 Nov 1993 18:05:35 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access


In a article, [e-mail] had the following to say about
GSM Interference:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
> (Erik Ramberg) writes:

>> Huh?!?  GSM uses GMSK, i.e. MSK with a Gaussian window.  TDMA uses
>> DQPSK, or a quaternary form of phase shift keying.  Both of these
>> formats are designed to fit within the channel bandwidth and are very
>> different from the AM that you discribe.  Though I'm sure nobody
>> really knows what's to blame for the interference, if anything it's
>> some strange intermod problem rather than directly attributal to the
>> move to a TDMA type system.

I don't pretend to understand all this technical stuff about TDMA, GSM
or CDMA but does this mean if various companies decided to implement
different standards for digital cellular, then is roaming, which is
pretty hard already, going to be that much harder as the poor user is
going to have to know if his phone is compatible in the area he is
roaming in?

As an aside, are TDMA and CDMA implementations of a technology known
generically as digital AMPS?


Laurence Chiu            Walnut Creek, California
Tel [phone] (work)  Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Klein Gilhousen)
Subject: Re: GSM Interference
Date: 23 Nov 1993 19:08:39 GMT
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc., San Diego, CA


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Erik Ramberg) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (David Hough) wrote:

>> As any radio amateur worth his salt will know, 100% amplitude
>> modulation of a signal with what amounts to a square wave is bound to
>> cause problems. Still, look at it the other way: now we have something
>> else to blame when the TV picture breaks up into a mass of
>> interference :-)

> Huh?!?  GSM uses GMSK, i.e. MSK with a Gaussian window.  TDMA uses
> DQPSK, or a quaternary form of phase shift keying.  Both of these
> formats are designed to fit within the channel bandwidth and are very
> different from the AM that you discribe.  Though I'm sure nobody
> really knows what's to blame for the interference, if anything it's
> some strange intermod problem rather than directly attributal to the
> move to a TDMA type system.

You should not forget that GSM is TDMA system.  This means that its
transmitter is only turned on one-eighth of the time.  Thus, there is
a regular pulsating waveform with a pulse rate of 217 Hz and with a
1/8 duty cycle.  This is the amplitude modulation being referred to in
the first posting.  Also not that the peak to average power is 8 to 1,
i.e., the peak power for GSM is eight times as high as the average
power.  It is the peak power that determines the interference
potential.  The remarks about GMSK, etc, are irrelevant in this
context.

All that it takes to cause interference is a strong enough AM
modulated signal and a diode.  Diodes are found everywhere, even
dissimilar metal contacts or even oxidized metal can for a diode.  In
the case of the hearing aid, we have some rather good diodes -- the
transistors that form the amplifier.  So, a pulsed waveform such as
GSM will cause the diodes to detect (i.e., extract the waveform
envelop) and then amplify it to annoying proportions.  The GSM
waveform's 217 Hz pulse rate makes a signal that travels very well
through the hearing aid amplifier.

We do not expect our CDMA system to cause a problem for hearing
aid users.  The interference problems that have been noted with
GSM arise from the simultaneous existence of the
1) high power;
2) pulsating signal;
3) in close proximity to the interference sensitive devices.

If any of these aspects of the problem are reduced or eliminated, the
problem can be eliminated.  In the case of GSM, the high peak power is
necessary to obtain adequate range and cannot readily be reduced.  The
pulsation is inherent in the TDMA structure of the system and cannot
be changed.  Close proximity can be eliminated by the "fig leaf" of a
placard advising against operation near or by a hearing aid wearer but
a real world solution is not available.  Similarly, rules against GSM
operation in interference sensitive areas such as hospitals are only
band-aids.  Finally, the hearing aids (and other sensitive devices)
of the world can all be replaced by interference insensitive devices.

CDMA inherently uses much lower power than GSM because of its
continuous duty cycle transmission, because of its much more effective
use of power control, and because of it's more energy efficient
waveform design.

At CDMA's high data rate of 9600 bps, there is no pulsation.  It is
true that the CDMA signal begins to pulsate when the user is not
speaking.  However, a tone is not produced in the hearing aid as in
GSM, but rather a noise that sounds like sea-surf which is much less
annoying.  Mobiles that are at their extreme range and therefor
transmitting a their maximum power could be altered to transmit the
high bit rate continuously, thus avoiding the generation of pulsating
signals.  Hearing aid wearers who own CDMA phones might desire to
select such a mode of operation in their own phone.  Such a
modification is not available to GSM phones.

Thus, for CDMA two of the conditions required for generating
interference are either eliminated or can be greatly mitigated.  Note
that the GSM solution is to rely entirely on the third and fourth
aspects, i.e., have fig-leave rules and redo all the world's hearing
aids and other sensitive devices.  CDMA solves the problem by not
causing one in the first place.  Laboratory testing gives results
completely in accordance with the theoretical considerations.


Klein Gilhousen   QUALCOMM Incorporated

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

From: [e-mail] (Bruce James Robert Linley)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: UCLA Alumni, B.S. Computer Science & Engineering
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 09:20:42 GMT


In ye olden post [e-mail] spake...

> Why is it not illegal to listen to cordless phone conversation then?

> [Moderator's Note: Why? Because the industry association which represents
> cordless phone manufacturers does not have the same political pull
> with Congress that the cellular phone companies have. If they would
> offer cash bribes -- only they call them gifts to the congress person's
> campaign fund -- the same as the cellular carriers did, then they could
> have a stupid law passed on their behalf also.   PAT]

Yeah, eventually every group will want their little slice of the
spectrum protected by law. In the old Soviet Union, listening to
certain parts of the spectrum was cause for incarceration or worse.
It's really scary to see the same thing starting to happen here. I've
always believed that if a radio signal passes through my skull, I have
a right to tune in to it.  It you want radio communications to be
private, scramble them. Certain government agencies (FBI, SS, etc.)
use DES encryption on all their radios.  Since the scrambliimg chips
are already out there, there's no financial excuse not to build 'em in
to cellular phones. "Use a radio, go to jail" What kind of law is
that? I mean, how does stuff like this get by the judiciary? Sheesh.


Bruce James Robert Linley    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: Wanted: Info on Cellular Phone Monitoring Systems
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 13:51:13 GMT


What is interesting is that the agreements I have with the two
cellular carriers I use have language in the contract that say that I
have to comply with FCC regulations that I not use profane, indecent
language, etc. etc. via my cellular phone because it is a *radio
device*.  Note that this differs from the FCC regulations governing my
cellular unit as a *telephone*.  Hmmm, so it is private, or is it not?
If my cellular call is so darn private, than why should anybody care
what I say? ... hmmm.  Seems to be at least a tacit acknowledgement
that that the ECPA of 1984 is so much silliness.


Bill Mayhew        NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA      phone: [phone]
[e-mail]       amateur radio 146.58: N8WED


[Moderator's Note: An aquaintence of mine lives about two hundred feet
from a Cellular One transmission tower in Chicago. There was some tech-
nical problem with that tower which caused the cellular transmissions
to bleed all over his television set for a month or so; anytime he
watched a certain channel on television, he'd get lots of cellular
conversations for audio. He called Cellular One to complain, got nowhere
with them, wrote them a letter of complaint and threatened to go to
the FCC. Guess what? He got back a letter from Cellular One's attorney
threatening *him* with legal action unless he quit 'monitoring and
listening to' the cellular calls made by the carrier's subscribers.
No one at the carrier, least of all their attorney, understood the
problem at all. I guess he had a long, very nasty phone conversation
with their attorney and wound up having *his* technical expert send
a registered letter to the attorney advising him what actions they
were going to take if Cell One could not get its act together. The
problem finally cleared up, but my friend put a formal copy of the
whole thing in writing and filed it with the FCC. By the way, when
it was all over, Cell One wound up paying *him* for his expenses in
the matter including fees to his technical expert.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 93 06:48:23 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]-
state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:

> BTW, I believe the new V.fast spec is at about 34-38 kb raw,
> uncompressed.  And it runs over POTS to any phone now :) $599 from

Your belief is wrong. 28800 bps is the highest speed supported by V.34
 -- or for that matter by the several incompatible preliminary "V.fast"
codes from diverse vendors. At least 10% of the phone lines in the USA
will NOT support the full speed of V.34 (or "V.fast").

> Then he realized customers cared more about 'the tariff structure',
> ie.  COST, than they did almost anything else.
> Why do you think X.25 is used in Europe and not here ... compared to
> Europe, leased lines are CHEAP!

> I still say Market 1 ISDN 0.

There are two cost elements that are very different in Europe versus
the US; neither are clearly the result of market forces, but can
equally be ascribed to regulatory influence:

 - the US tradition of making flat-rate local calling available to at
   least residential subscribers covering a rather large metro area.
 - the ability of business to lease raw bit pipes at near the cost of
   provisioning them.

I am not aware of any place outside of the US and Canada, where "free
local calls" are available. Here in the greater Copenhagen area, local
calls within the metro area are DKK 0.32/minute (USD 2.85/hour) from
Mo-Fr 0800-1930 and half of that outside that interval. This is twice
as expensive as the measured business rate in Santa Barbara, CA where
I came here from. (And measured is all that GTE makes available to
business there now.)

Here in Copenhagen, there is no distinction between business and
residential service. If it were to occur to them to make a
distinction, the general feeling is that residences should subsidize
business, in order to make the local businesses more competitive
internationally. (Many Danish laws and regulations include that bias.)
I agree that flat rate calls at V.32bis or V.34 speeds are better than
measured ISDN calls. But if you are paying five cents a minute either
way, ISDN with a half-second call setup time and a 64 kbps data rate
beats 14.4 or 28.8 kbps with a 35-second call setup time (including
training) any day.

The unbundling of raw bit pipes was a fortuitous accident of the AT&T
breakup. And wherever raw bit pipes are available, the prices are
inching towards the equivalent of about 1.5 to 2 hours of calls per
business day. As this is happening, X.25 begins to fade. But on the
other hand, the successor to X.25 -- Frame Relay -- is gaining ground
in the US, too.


Lars Poulsen            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
CMC Network Products        Phone: (011-) [phone]
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B        Telefax:      [phone]
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK    Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: [e-mail] (Christian Weisgerber)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 1993 21:56:02 +0100


[e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) writes:

> Besides which, the fundamentally asynchronous nature of V.32++
> modems is ever-so-slightly less efficient in the time domain than a
> synchronous link.

V.32++ (in fact, V.22++) modems are *fundamentally synchronous*. It's
just that all the common "consumer modems" feature async<->sync
conversion (yes, even in direct mode) and cheap ones even lack the
clock port signals which would be necessary to use them in a
synchronous environment.


Christian 'naddy' Weisgerber, Germany   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ken Hoehn)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Date: 24 Nov 1993 10:10:48 -0500
Organization: The w8hd Group


[e-mail] (Robert Bonomi) writes:

>>> From a possibly unreliable source, I heard that in
>>> downtown San Francisco, the phone exchanges actually have JET engines
>>> running turbines to provide power during emergencies.  (Locally, the
>>> phone company uses diesels, but I do not know the capacity).

>> I've heard from techs who work/worked in CO's that some do indeed have
>> "jet" engines for backup power.  I suspect that they are generators
>> powered by turbine engines of some sort.

Gas turbine engines, which could be referred to as 'jets' by the
general public (jet engines are characterized by a bypass airflow
system; gas turbine engines do not use such a system) have been in use
as standby power systems at virtually every large central office,
microwave station, and systems control location in the country since
the sixties.

The specialty is high horsepower/size, durability, operational and
repair simplicity, and the ability to handle a fairly steady load
without difficulty.  Fuel economy is excellent, and the fuel itself
(#1 Kero) is abundant.

One of the most popular telco units is made by Solar Corp; their 250KW
unit is the size of a large side by side refrigerator, laid on it's
side.

Nothing new.


[e-mail]
Ken Hoehn - Teletech, Inc.         Compuserve: 70007,2374
N8NYO       P.O.Box 924            FAX: [phone]
            Dearborn, MI  48121    VOICE: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Earthquake/Disaster Thread - Gopher Info
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 93 22:28:26 PST


Folks:

Afraid I haven't been keeping up on my TELECOM Digest reading, but
noticed a short while ago that there was a thread on "Earthquakes" and
other disasters.

I am working with a professor here at S.F.U. that has developed a
comprehensive gopher that deals with just this subject.  It has only
been available for the last six weeks.

Details:
    Gopher to:  disaster.cprost.sfu.ca. 5555

I believe there is also information available on hoshi.cic.sfu.ca 1

Hope this helps those of you who are interested -- it really is a very
good gopher service and I urge you to check it out.


Regards,

Richard I. Sambolec    Internet: [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Thanks for passing on the tip of this new resource
on the net. Maybe people who try it out will report back with their
impressions, etc.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (matt healy)
Subject: Re: Earthquakes and Telecommunications
Organization: Yale Med School--Genetics
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 04:01:35 GMT


Gas turbines have one main advantage: fast start-up.  Diesels take
longer, and steam turbines really take time.  There is a tradeoff
between operating cost and startup time, so every utility has a range
of plants from "base load" to "peaking."

There is one application where rapid and reliable startup is even more
critical than for a telco: nuclear power plants.  Normally an
operating nuke gets its power from its own generators; when shutdown
it gets its power from the local grid.  If a reactor emergency
happened to coincide with a blackout of the local grid, the
consequences could be disastrous!  The emergency generators had
_better_ start!

The Chernobyl disaster resulted from a complex series of design faults
and operational mistakes, but the immediate trigger was a test run
that _should_ have been done before the plant was allowed to operate.
In the event of a reactor emergency that coincided with loss of
outside power, it would take a certain number of seconds to start the
emergency power.  During an emergency shutdown without outside power,
power was to be drawn from the generators themselves as they
slowed-down, while backup generators stated.  There was a special
device called a "rundown unit" that was supposed to maintain field
excitation in the turbogenerators as they slowed down.  This device
was not ready when the plant was scheduled to begin operation.  Due to
political pressure, the plant operated for many months with a rundown
unit that was known to be incapable of functioning as intended.  The
disaster took place during a test of a new rundown unit.

A couple years ago, the Chancellor at my father's University was part
of a group of Western nuclear experts visiting a number of sites in
the FSU*.  The Chancellor told my father none of his reading before
the visit prepared him for what he saw.  The general level of
everything -- design, construction, maintenance, operator training and
morale -- was much, much worse than anything he had read about.  There
are still a number of reactors of the RBMK1000* model operating; they
all suffer the same basic design flaws.  Another Chernobyl can
certainly not be ruled out.  They know this, but their economy is at
present unable to sustain the consequences of shutting them all down.

Incidentally, the radiation release of an RBMK1000 during _normal_
operation in a _normal_ week vastly exceeds the entire amount released
to the environment by the Three Mile Island accident.

*FSU = "Former/Fubar Soviet Union"

*RBMK: a Russian acronym for "Reactor, High Power, Channel type."  the
1000 in the model name is the design capacity in megawatts.  RBMK1000
reactors now operate at about 85% of rated output because of certain
changes in operating rules intended to reduce the risk of another
disaster.  Even by the most conservative calculation, the economic
costs of the Chernobyl disaster exceed by a considerable margin the
value of all electricity produced by the entire RBMK series of
reactors.


Matt Healy  [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #781
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa00411;
          25 Nov 93 23:27 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA24577
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 19:31:58 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA12413
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 19:31:02 -0600
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 19:31:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #782

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 25 Nov 93 19:31:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 782

Inside This Issue:                        Happy Thanksgiving Day to You!

    CFP - SIGCOMM'94 (Patrick Dowd)
    Windows Telephony SDK Available for Download (Toby Nixon)
    Book Review: Motorola Cellular Subscriber Tech Training Manual (Greenberg)
    AT&T's New Facility (Dave Niebuhr)
    Guess Whose ADAD Called Me (Tony Harminc)
    Sprint Speeds Internet (Telephony Magazine via Delisle)
    Experience as Interop Volunteer (Mark Allyn)
    Syllabus Available for Library School Telecom Course (Nigel Allen)
    New Archives Files (TELECOM Moderator)
    Administrivia: Another of Those Vote Thingies (TELECOM Moderator)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Patrick Dowd)
Subject: CFP - SIGCOMM'94
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: State University of New York at Buffalo
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 14:13:18 GMT


               Call for Papers
              ACM SIGCOMM'94 CONFERENCE
       Communications Architectures, Protocols and Applications

              University College London
                  London, UK

            August 31 to September 2, 1994
         (Tutorials and Workshop, August 30)

An  international forum  on  communication  network  applications  and
technologies, architectures, protocols, and algorithms.

Authors are invited to submit  full  papers concerned with both theory
and practice. The areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
   --  Analysis and  design  of  computer  network  architectures  and
       algorithms,
   --  Innovative results in local area networks,
   --  Mixed-media networks,
   --  High-speed networks, routing and addressing, support for mobile
       hosts,
   --  Resource sharing in distributed systems,
   --  Network management,
   --  Distributed operating systems and databases,
   --  Protocol specification, verification, and analysis.

A   single-track,   highly  selective  conference   where   successful
submissions   typically  report   results  firmly   substantiated   by
experiment,  implementation,  simulation,  or  mathematical  analysis.
Papers must be less than 20 double-spaced pages long, have an abstract
of  100-150  words,  and  be  original  material  that  has  not  been
previously  published  or  be  currently  under  review  with  another
conference or journal.

In addition to its high  quality technical  program, SIGCOMM '94  will
offer  tutorials by  noted  instructors  such  as  Paul  Green and Van
Jacobson (tentative), and a workshop  on  distributed systems  led  by
Derek McAuley.

Important Dates:

          Paper submissions: 1 February 1994
         Tutorial proposals: 1 March 1994
 Notification of acceptance: 2 May 1994
    Camera ready papers due: 9 June 1994

All  submitted papers will  be  judged  based  on  their  quality  and
relevance through double-blind reviewing where  the  identities of the
authors are  withheld from  the  reviewers.  Authors names should  not
appear on the paper.  A cover letter  is  required that identifies the
paper title and lists the name, affiliation, telephone  number, email,
and fax number of all authors.

Authors of accepted papers need to sign an ACM copyright release form.
The  Proceedings will  be published as a  special issue of ACM SIGCOMM
Computer Communication  Review. The program committee will also select
a few papers for possible publication in the IEEE/ACM  Transactions on
Networking.

Submissions from North America should be sent  to:
     Craig Partridge
     BBN
     10 Moulton St
     Cambridge MA 02138

All  other submissions  should  be sent to:
     Stephen Pink
     Swedish Institute of Computer Science
     Box 1263
     S-164 28 Kista
     Sweden

Five copies are required for paper submissions. Electronic submissions
(uuencoded,  compressed  postscript) should be sent  to  each  program
chair. Authors should also e-mail the title, author names and abstract
of their  paper  to  each  program  chair  and  identify  any  special
equipment that will be required  during its  presentation. Due to  the
high number  of  anticipated  submissions,  authors are  encouraged to
strictly  adhere  to the  submission  date.  Contact  Patrick  Dowd at
[e-mail] or [phone] for more information about the
conference.

Student  Paper Award:  Papers  submitted  by  students  will  enter  a
student-paper award contest.  Among the  accepted papers, a maximum of
four outstanding  papers  will be awarded full conference registration
and  a travel grant of $500  US dollars.   To  be eligible the student
must be the  sole author, or the first author and primary contributor.
A  cover  letter  must  identify  the  paper as  a candidate  for this
competition.


Mail and E-mail Addresses:

General Chair

    Jon Crowcroft
    Department of Computer Science
    University College London
    London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom

    Phone: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    E-Mail: [e-mail]


Program Chairs

    Stephen Pink (Program Chair)
    Swedish Institute of Computer Science
    Box 1263
    S-164 28 Kista
    Sweden

    Phone: [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    E-mail: [e-mail]

    Craig Partridge (Program Co-Chair for North America)
    BBN
    10 Moulton St
    Cambridge MA 02138

    Phone: [phone]
    E-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Toby Nixon)
Subject: Windows Telephony SDK Available for Download
Organization: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond WA, USA
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 20:04:48 GMT


Windows(tm) Telephony 1.0 Software Development Kit Now Available

The Windows Telephony 1.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) is now
available for all interested developers.  The SDK includes an
implementation of the API you can redistribute with your products,
complete documentation, and sample code for both a driver and an
application.

The Software Development Kit is available electronically on
CompuServe, the Internet, and the Microsoft Download Service BBS (+1
(206) 936- 6735). On CompuServe, GO MSL and search for the keyword
"S14400".  On the Internet, use anonymous ftp to ftp.microsoft.com and
look in the directory "/devtools/tapi".  On the MSDL BBS, look for the
file "TAPISDK.EXE". (Please note that the files may not become visible
for download from CompuServe for approximately 24 hours after the
posting of this message due to normal upload processing delays).

There is no charge for obtaining and using the SDK except for the cost
of connect time for downloading (approximately 3.4 megabytes). The
components necessary to run Windows Telephony applications may be
redistributed by developers at no cost (no license fees to Microsoft).

Developers attending the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference
(December 13-17 in Anaheim, CA) will receive a copy of the SDK on
CD-ROM; call 1-800-233-1729 or [phone] for more information
about the conference.

The SDK will also be included on the January issue of the new
Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Level II platform.  This is a set
of four CD- ROMs that contains all Microsoft SDKs, DDKs and operating
systems. This quarterly offering for developers accompanies the MSDN
Level I Development Library, which contains all documentation for the
development platform (but no code).  For more information, call 1-800-
759-5474 in the US or Canada, 05.90.59.04 in France, [phone] in
Germany, [phone] in the Netherlands, [phone] in the UK.
For any other country in Europe call [phone].  For other
countries outside of Europe or the US and Canada, call +1 (402) 691
0173.

Questions or feedback about Windows Telephony can be sent via the
Internet to "[e-mail]" (on CompuServe, send to
">INTERNET: [e-mail]"), or via fax to "Windows Telephony
Coordinator" at [phone]. Windows Telephony API discussions
can be found on Section 3 of the Windows Extensions Forum on
CompuServe (GO WINEXT).


(Windows is a trademark and Microsoft is a registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation.)

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed Greenberg)
Subject: Book Review: Motorola Cellular Subscriber Technical Training Manual
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 14:40:32 GMT


I promised a review of the Motorola "Blue Book" or "Cellular Subscriber
Technical Training Manual."  This book is the companion material for a
two day course required of technicians in an authorized Motorola cellu-
lar service shop.

After a discussion of installations safety, the book opens with a
Cellular Overview in which AMPS and NAMPS are explained in 23 pages.
In block diagrams, flowcharts and text, the processes for going on the
air, making calls, receiving calls and processing handoffs are
presented.  Band plans and channel layouts are also described.

Next, Section 2 presents a detailed look at the Motorola line of
cellular phones, both past and present.  Model identification is
presented, as is a look at the accessory lines for the telephones.

Section 3 is probably the section in which most readers of this review
have interest.  Section 3 presents programming information for
virtually every field programmable Motorola telephone including the
8000 series, 9000 series (Ultra Classic) and all forms of Micro-TAC
Flip-Phones.

Programming via the "security code method" is taught, and also entry
into "Test Mode" and the steps for programming the phone this way.
The implication here is that the holder of a Blue Book, who is
manually dexterous enough, and has sufficient ingenuity, to get the
phone into test mode, can get past the security and lock codes to
program mode, read and change those codes.

Another interesting feature explained in Section 3 is the Test Mode
display.  The test mode display, when first started, displays the
cell's control channel number and signal strength (RSSI) are
displayed.  This alternates with (or on large displays is displayed
with) a set of seven status bits for the phone's settings.  If you are
interested in knowing where the cells are and which cells are used in
what locations, ride around in test mode for a while.  Note that Test
Mode will drain a portable's batteries in a few hours since the lamp
and display never go out, and any power saving features of the
Microprocessor are not enabled.  Use a power adapter in the car, or
carry extra batteries.

Section 4 discusses installation of mobile telephones in vehicles.

Section 5, Troubleshooting and Repair, is another gold-mine for the
interested end user.  While you won't want to open or adjust your
phone, an understanding of the various signalling methods can be
obtained by reading the tuneup procedures.  At the end of this section
is a complete list of Test Mode commands, which includes such things
as opening the receiver on any channel, putting the transmitter on the
air manually (a violation of many FCC regulations for the end user,
I'm sure) and completely resetting the phone.  Such a reset will clear
the call counters (including the cumulative counter, I believe) and
also the three (or fifteen) time programming counter.

Section 6 descibes procedures for moving ESNs from one phone to
another when loaners and spares are issued.  There is a lot here that
is _not_ said, but it seems that special loaner and spare phones are
issued to shops that can receive the ESN of another similar phone.
Note that the original phone is rendered useless until returned to the
factory, so this is NOT a procedure that allows two phones to share
one ESN, which would not be a proper setup according to the cellular
carriers.

Finally, Section 7 concerns requirements for service shops and warrantee
exchange programs.

The book concludes with five appendices and an index.  The appendices
are:

            Corrective Service Bulletin Index
            Tools and Parts
            Glossary of Terms
            Cellular Frequencies
            Warrantee Requirements

The question arises whether a person should order this book.  If you
want to understand how cellular systems work, a good technical
bookshop may be a better bet.  If you have a burning desire to be able
to active all the modes of your phone even if they are useless, then
you are like me and will want this information.  If you want to drive
around tracking cell sites, you'll enjoy test mode, but I strongly
recommend using a mobile telephone rather than a portable for about
five good reasons.

Ordering Info: Call Cellular Subscriber Service at 1-800-331-6456 (US
Only) or fax to 708-523-3402.  Asia-Pacific customers may fax to +1
708 523-8060.  Order part number 688A60 (Training and Orientation
Manual).  The price is $30.00 and there was $5 shipping added for UPS
Ground.  Motorola also charged me sales tax, and the total was $37.48.

Enjoy.

PS: Another neat thing to ask for is the Cellular Accessory Catalog,
which is free.


Ed Greenberg [e-mail] Ham Radio: KM6CG

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 11:05:05 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: AT&T's New Facility


AT&T announced in yesterday's {Newsday} that it will begin laying
fiber optic cable from Shirley, Long Island, New York (one mile from
my home) to France (I forget the place).  This cable will travel
underground from the AT&T site to the Great South Bay where it will be
buried in a one-step operation, thence across Fire Island, and on out
to the 30 foot contour.

 From there another method will be used out to the ocean contour and
from there to France by another method.

Long Island again enters into the communications picture.  RCA had a
transmitting site at Rocky Point (10 miles NNW from home) for decades
and a receiving site in Riverhead (14 miles NNE) also.  I can remember
seeing the receiving antennae as I drove by them in the '70s.  The
late G. Marconi (I can't spell his first name :-( ) had his
transmitting station in Rocky Point prior to RCA taking it over.

South of Riverhead is the David A. Sarnoff County Park which sits on
land also formerly owned by RCA.  South of that, on Bald Hill (one of
two), is a tower used for telephone microwave transmissions.  Also
formerly RCA property.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 00:59:31 EST
From: Tony Harminc <[e-mail]>
Subject: Guess Whose ADAD Called Me


I got home and found a two-minute-long message on the machine: in
French: "...improvements to your service" in English: "Please hold
while we try to connect you" alternating several times between French
and English "an agent will be with you in just a moment" French: "if
it is not convenient to hold, please call us at 279-4434" English "if
it is not convenient to hold, you may call us back at 1-800-668-3901"
more "please hold" then "we apologize for not being able to connect
you at this time - goodbye!" pause "Hello ?  Hello??  Hello!"  click!.

OK -- calm down, Tony.  But at least their wretched machine did leave
a number -- well curiously one 800 number and one presumably local one.
Try the local one.  It's a FAX.  Try the 800 number.  "Bell Canada -
how may I help you?".

"What department of Bell Canada have I reached?"  "The Telpro(?)
office."  "What exactly is the Telpro office ?"  "Well, uh -- we do
various things."  "Various things!?" "What is your phone number, sir?"
"The number your machine left a message on was nnn-nnnn."  "Oh yes,
that was a courtesy call asking how you like the call waiting we
installed on your line last month."  "I don't like it.  That's why,
when you sent me the letter telling me about the free trial I
immediately phoned and told you under no circumstances to install call
waiting on my line.  That's why, when you installed it anyway, I
called to have it removed.  That's why, when it wasn't removed from
the second line for several days, but call forwarding, which I have
had installed on this number for 16 years, was removed, I convinced
repair service to do the business office's dirty work and remove it
for me.  Then you have the nerve to have a machine in your telemarketing
centre leave junk calls on my answering machine demonstrating that
your clerks' time is worth more than mine."

"I'm sorry you're offended, sir.  I can remove your name from the list
we call if you like."  "I wrote long ago to the address listed in the
front of the white pages asking that you remove my name from
telemarketing lists."  "Oh yes sir, but we don't use that list.  We
call our subscribers even if their names are on that list!  But I can
add you to *our* list and then we won't call you again."

Sigh.  It's all going into the CRTC letter.  You read it here first ...


Tony Harminc

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

From: delisle <[e-mail]>
Subject: Sprint Speeds Internet
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 1993 23:10:41 -0800


    I saw this in {Telephony Magazine} the other day and I thought
to pass it along.

        *//  Telephony  \\*
    *// November 22, 1993 v225, n21, Page 9 \\*

    Sprint Speeds Internet -- SPRINT will upgrade its SprintLink
transmission network to accommodate 45-Mb/s speeds by the first
quarter of next year. The upgrade anticipated the transmission of
Internet traffic from the National Science Foundation Network to
commercial service providers, which is expected to begin early next
year. The network upgrade will include a cooperative test with the
NFS, the U.S. bacbone of Internet, to transfer some of its global
transit services across the new Sprint backbone. Sprint will also
replace existing routers with Cisco 7000 routers as part of the
project and will embed Silicon Graphics' Indigo workstations within
its network hubs to manage service to various user groups.

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 10:03:46 -0800
From: [e-mail] (allyn)
Subject: Experience as Interop Volunteer


Pat:

Last fall (1992), when I posted a question about volunteering for the
Interop trade show, you have suggested that I post a summary of my
experience after the show.

Now that I have volunteered for two Interop shows, I would like to
discuss my experiences. First of all, please accept my apology for
taking over a year to follow up on your suggestion. I felt some things
during the first show that I wanted to confirm with another show.

The shows I volunteered for were the Fall 1992 and the Summer 1993 shows
in San Francisco at the Moscone Center.

My experiences at both shows was generally positive with some reservations.

First of all, I would like to point out that the volunteers were
treated VERY WELL as far as hospitality (housing, food, and etc.).
Those from out of town were housed and fed. The only thing that was
not covered was the airfare to and from San Francisco. We were housed
in various hotels near Moscone or in Union Square. Both areas were
safe and desirable areas of town. Food was provided for us in Moscone
during setup before the show. We were given vouchers for a near by
restaurant during the three days of the show itself.

The experience was a very good learning experience especially for
people who were never exposed to networking. Many of the mysteries of
the field were removed. Concepts of the cabling, concentrators,
routers, etc were very well explained. Tasks such as assembling RJ-45
connectors and cables were well demonstrated. Use of basic network
test equipment was demonstrated. For a total neophyte, the experience
was VERY informative and educational.

My reservations were in my ability to learn the more technical details
of networking. These include configuring routers; setting up network
management systems; setting up and operating the remote sniffer
systems; to name a few.

In my opinion, the core of this problem lies in the structure of the
Interopnet team. There were two layers of people. One layer was the
group of volunteers like myself. The second layer was the Network
Operations Center (NOC) team. The NOC team ran the show.

The network was run during the show from the NOC. The problem is is
that the NOC was off limits to all the other volunteers. A special
badge was required to enter the NOC and there was a security guard
posted at the entrance of the NOC to keep everyone else out.

Most of the very technical work was done in the NOC. This is where
routing, management, and enterprise wide troubleshooting was being
done. If one wanted to learn these things and watch them being done,
they had to be in the NOC. Since I could not go into the NOC, I could
not watch these things being done.

I would like to point out that I was allowed into the network
management center at the company where I work to watch them on
occasion with no problem. This is the center for a multi-billion
dollar corporation. I saw no need for the security system they had for
the Interop NOC. They could have at least allowed all of the
volunteers access to the NOC with the understanding that nothing is to
be touched without permission.

Coincident with the issue of access to the NOC was the fact that much
of the very technical and innovative things being done at the show
were done by NOC team members. There were a few instances where I
wanted to be in on some things but I was told to leave the area. This
problem was more acute during the August 1993 show.

Another problem which was more acute during the August 1993 show was
idle time. There were too many volunteers and not enough work. During
the August 1993 show the volunteers were broken up in three groups.
Each group had a four hour shift to be at Moscone. During off shift,
you were on your own. For those who were from out of town, this was a
good opportunity to play tourist, but for those who were from the Bay
Area, there was no desire to do sight seeing. They went to Interop to
learn, like myself.

Starting in 1993, the show will be Las Vegas and Atlanta (at least the
stateside shows). Due to distance and time considerations, I do not
plan to be at any more shows unless they come back to the Bay Area.  I
hope that someone else who plans to go to Vegas will provide a summary
for the Digest after the May 1994 show is over.


Best regards!

Mark Allyn   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Thanks for your followup. It is too bad the volunteers
were not allowed to learn more about what was going on. To heck with the
hotel reservations and food. I'd have been happy being able to see the
inner workings of the whole thing, wouldn't you?   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 11:39:17 EST
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Syllabus Available for Library School Telecom Course
Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa
Reply-To: [e-mail]


You can obtain the syllabus for the course in Telecommunications
offered by Greg Newby ([e-mail]) of the Graduate
School of Library and Information Science at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by sending the following command to
[e-mail] (Internet) or Comserve@Rpitsvm (Bitnet):

 Send Telecomm Syllabus

The file is about 24k. Compserve describes it as follows:

         This file contains a course outline and bibliography for a
         course entitled "Telecommunications," whose goal is to
         provide the student with conceptual and practical expertise
         as an information networker.

    For more information about locating resources in Comserve's
database of over 3,400 files, send this message to Comserve:

                          Help Topics Database



Nigel Allen    [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: This file has been added to the Telecom Archives as
well, so you can pull it from there instead if you wish.   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 18:09:47 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Subject: New Archives Files


Several new files have been added to the Telecom Archives today. These
include three articles by George Gilder filed in the /reports sub-
directory, and the UIUC telecom course syllabus mentioned in this
issue of the Digest. In addition, the glossary references used by the
'glossary' command in the Email Information Service has been updated
with a couple new entries. Visit the Telecom Archives soon. If you do
not have an index to the archives dated later than 6:00 PM Eastern
time Thursday, I suggest you pick one up.  If you need help in using
the Email Information Service or anonymous FTP, just ask!  The purpose
of my being here is to present a quality Digest on telecommunications
topics and to help educate the growing number of readers who want to
learn about telecommunications in general, and voice telephony in
particular.

I hope your holiday is pleasant.


Pat

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 18:58:39 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Subject: Administrivia: Another of Those Vote Thingies


Following this issue of the Digest, another special mailing designed
to brighten your Thanksgiving holiday: the next in a seemingly endless
series of calls for votes for an unmoderated telecom newsgroup on
Usenet. The proposed group is to be known *officially* as comp.dcom.
telecom.tech, and its *official* purpose is to discuss technical matters
relating to telecom. Topics that most of you would not know anything
about, you understand. As former Digest participant John Higdon has
noted, this Digest (that you are reading now) has become far too
'dumbed down' to be of any value to himself. In an article in alt.
dcom.telecom he once pointed out this Digest was not 'worth the
powder it would take to blow it up ...' And so the new unmoderated
group is going to have only correct answers to technical questions.
There won't be any errors there, because the people who will post there
don't make, create, permit or tolerate errors in technical messages on
Usenet. Meanwhile the rest of us here will have to struggle along
learning as we go, and discerning truth from falsehood by open-ended
discussions as we have been doing.

Some of you have written me to complain that you received in email
a letter concerning your earlier vote (if you voted) or a solicitation
to vote 'correctly' this time around. Please be assured I am not giving
out the mailing list names. What's going on is your names are being
compiled from the articles you send to the Digest. Given the option of
not printing net addresses with articles (which would stop the letter
writing) or continuing to print the net addresses in an effort to
encourage readers to correspond with one another directly, I opted for
the latter. The trade-off of course is that you get 'junk mail' from
the same people who protest my 'abuse' of the net.

Once again, the voting criteria: if you are a mailing list reader
without Usenet newsgroup access, then you should not vote. Mostly this
would be people with compuserve or mcimail.com addresses. If you are a
mailing list reader by choice -- even though you could read
comp.dcom.telecom via news then you are entitled to vote. One vote per
person, not per account. Follow the instructions given in the CFV
which follows to the absolute letter, or your vote may not get
counted. Also note that when the election is over, your votes will be
published in conspicuous ways such as this newsgroup and others. Those
are the guidelines. If you have not yet voted in this *second*
comp.dcom.telecom.tech debate, then please do so today. I'll leave it
to you to vote the 'correct' way as you believe that to be. You vote
YES to establish the new, unmoderated group, or you vote NO if you
wish to maintain the status quo. There is just a few days left for
voting.


Pat

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #782
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa01128;
          26 Nov 93 1:45 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA25807
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 21:08:45 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA28076
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 21:07:47 -0600
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 21:07:47 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #783

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 25 Nov 93 21:07:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 783

Inside This Issue:                        Have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

    Book Review: "Gigabit Networking" by Partridge (Rob Slade)
    5ESS CentraNet Question (Bonnie J. Johnson)
    Mystery Telecom Equipment Needs ID (Sharif Torpis)
    1A ESS Switch Revisions Wanted (Dr. Tre' Molo)
    Radio Shack 'Complete' Beeper System (Bill Pfeiffer)
    Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94? (Zarko Draganic)
    CCITT=>ITU-TS? ITU-TSS? (Andy La Varre)
    Accessories For Motorola Flip Phones (Glenn Wiltse)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Will Estes)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Fred R. Goldstein)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (R. Kevin Oberman)
    Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations (Bob Bosen)
    Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations (David Jones)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Paul Robinson)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? ([e-mail])
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Steve Cogorno)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Bill Mayhew)
    Re: GTE/AT&T Executives Arrested in Venezuela (Ken Hoehn)
    Re: Association For Contingency Planning (Peter M. Weiss)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 25 Nov 93 12:28 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Gigabit Networking" by Partridge


BKGIGNET.RVW  931028

Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.
P.O. Box 520   26 Prince Andrew Place
Don Mills, Ontario  M3C 2T8
416-447-5101  fax: [phone]
or
Tiffany Moore, Publicity  [e-mail]
John Wait, Editor, Corporate and Professional Publishing [e-mail]
1 Jacob Way
Reading, MA   01867-9984
800-822-6339  800-527-5210
617-944-3700
5851 Guion Road
Indianapolis, IN   46254
800-447-2226

"Gigabit Networking", Partridge, 1994, 0-201-56333-9, U$46.25
[e-mail] [e-mail]

As the preface states, most improvements in computing are incremental,
and only appear significant once the aggregate change brings new
capabilities and applications.  So it is with this book.  The data
communications professional may feel a vague sense of disappointment
that the changes and new technologies are not as esoteric as expected.
Basically, the concepts are the same as they always have been.  The
scaling imposed by improvements in communications and processing
speeds, however, make some concepts more important, and render many
current "standards" obsolete.  This is amply demonstrated in chapter
two with an illustration of trying to run Ethernet over high speed
fiber, and finding that the minimum packet size is a substantial
portion of the size of this review.

Chapter two is possibly the most interesting for computing
professionals covering as it does the what, why and how of fiber
optics and high speed (or, rather, high bandwidth) communications.
There is a terse but generally clear explanation of multi-mode and
single-mode fiber.  Partridge does not deal with variable index fiber,
considering it to be a special case of the attempt to deal with
dispersion in multi-mode.

The "gigabit" networking of the title encompasses a host of advances
in the speed of communications, networking and processing.  These are
the latest "hot" technologies, and a glance over section headings will
find the latest in buzz- words, phrases and acronyms.  Most, such as
SONET, ATM and FDDI, are of the type that everyone recognizes, but
almost nobody "knows".  If you are suddenly called upon to work in
these areas, this book is a very valuable introduction.  First it
defines and explains the various protocols and technologies (while
giving useful technical details).  Secondly, it provides directions
for further readings in all the various areas.  (A welcome change from
many such works is the fact that not only the individual sections, but
also the full bibliography is briefly annotated.  As well, an effort
has been made to ensure that books listed are available.  The very
costly CCITT standards references, in particular, seem to be
studiously avoided.)  Thirdly, the work provides a context and
perspective for the various improvements.  As it notes, a mismatch in
communications speed versus processing power means that one or the
other will be wasted.

An initial look at some of the pages of mathematics may scare off
non-technical readers.  This would be a shame.  While the book is
undoubtedly technical, it is also eminently practical.  Most sections,
if read carefully, are accessible by the intelligent reader with
limited background.  As noted above, this work deals with some of the
most sought-after technologies under development.  Non-technical
managers and CEO's would do well to gain the background and
perspectives that this book provides *before* making costly decisions.


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKGIGNET.RVW  931028
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of TELECOM Digest
and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 16:18:36 EST
From: Bonnie J Johnson <[e-mail]>
Subject: 5ESS CentraNet Question


We are now migrating from two 4600 GTD switches (owned) to a 5ESS
version 8 release.  This for background.

Presently we can have Call Waiting on No Answer Diversion but NOT on
Busy Diversion.

The 5ESS apparently (?) can not, using Call Forward Variable (their
rendition of Diversion), pass the call waiting party on no answer to
let's say a voice mailbox.

Can any one out their with experience as a user CentraNet or a techie
give me some guidance?


Many thanks,

bj

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

From: [e-mail] (Sharif Torpis)
Subject: Mystery Telecom Equipment Need ID
Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access (310-527-4279, 714-539-0829)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 21:42:10 GMT


I am trying to identify three wall mounted pieces of equipment. Each
is 2 in. high and 18 in. long. "BFI Communications" appears on them.
So does "System 4000". There are also two ports labeled "serial in"
and "serial out" with RJ31x jacks. Can anyone help me identify these?


Sharif Torpis        Senior Consultant
[e-mail]   Black Lodge Engineering

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

From: [e-mail] (Dr. Tre' Molo)
Subject: 1A ESS Switch Revisions Wanted
Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access (310-527-4279, 714-539-0829)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 19:04:26 GMT


Does anyone have handy any revision notices referring to any/all the
updates made to the original 1A ESS switch?  I'm particularly
interested in any modifications GTE might have made.  E-mail is *MORE*
than welcome.


Dr. Tre' Molo / Research and Development for UGH! Research Corp.
Inet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Radio Shack 'Complete' Beeper System
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 10:34:18 CST


Does anyone have knowledge of the Radio Shack paging system offered in
their last catalogue?

It consists of a transmitter console which claims to have 7 watts of
power, and a number of 'pagers' which can be individually activated by
the console and can display one of several pre-programmed messages on
their LCD display.

The base has a rather long telescoping whip antenna with a plastic
bead near the center to simulate a center-load.

What I would like to know is, what frequencies do these use and how
reliable are they?  The stated power is too high for CB, yet the
antenna seems to indicate a low VHF frequency somewhere near CB (27
mhz).

Does anyone have any info on this unit?


     William Pfeiffer - Moderator/Editor
rec.radio.broadcasting - Airwaves Radio Journal
              - Internet email -
Article Submission: [e-mail]
Subscription Desk:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Zarko Draganic)
Subject: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 09:01:05 GMT
Organization: General Magic, Inc.


I heard that the international direct dialing scheme will be changing
in the U.K. on Easter 1994. Can anyone confirm this? Right now I
believe you dial 010 +1 to reach the USA from London. What's it
changing to? Why?  How long is the phase-out period?


Thanks,

Zarko Draganic   General Magic, Inc.   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: CCITT=>ITU-TS? ITU-TSS?
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 07:52:19 PST
Organization: IDS World Network Internet Access Service, [phone] GUEST


I see in the literature that CCITT has become the ITU Telecommunications
Standards Sector.  What is the official name and Acronym - ITU-TS or
ITU-TSS?

When did this happen?  What is the authoritative document making it so?


TIA,

Andy La Varre   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Glenn Wiltse)
Subject: Accessories For Motorola Flip Phones
Date: 25 Nov 1993 13:10:11 GMT
Organization: Merit Network, Inc.  Ann Arbor, MI


    I recently bought a cellular phone from a local dealer. They
practicly gave me the phone, in exchange for signing up for two years
of service with them. Well I think it was a pretty good deal and got a
nice Motorola flip phone for $99. Well now what I need are some
accessories, like an extra battery, a Intellicharger, etc. I was told
that there are mail order places that sell cellular phone equipment,
but I have been unable to find any information about any such places.
I hope that someone here can give me some information about where I
can get some accesories for my Motorola phone, at reasonable prices.
The prices they have on the accessories at the cellular phone center
where I bought the phone are way too high in my opinion.

Thanks for you help.

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

From: [e-mail] (Will Estes)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: Mail Group
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 02:45:41 GMT


James R Ebright ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]> john.eichler@grapevine.
lrk.ar.us (John Eichler) writes:

>> [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:

>>> I should think that New York Telephone, which fills the front pages of
>>> every telephone directory with glowing talk of up-to-date digital
>>> technology, would be embarassed at its apparent failure to deploy ISDN
>>> beyond a handful of Manhattan exchanges.

>> It's almost a 'catch-22' proposition.  The phone companies are slow to
>> implement ISDN because there is little demand for it and the demand is
>> waiting for the service to become available.

> Huh?  ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
> regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market forces.
> ISDN 0, Market 1.

I think you are missing the big picture here.  Within one year, people
are going to be able to buy unlimited 10 Megabit per second connections
to the net via existing cable TV cable, with a V.FAST or similar channel
going upstream.  This is going to cost $99/month or less for unlimited
network use.

Some companies that will offer this capability are Hybrid Networks and
PSI, to name just two.  If you don't think is true, call up the VP of
R&D at almost any cable TV company, and most will tell you that they
either already have a relationship with one of these companies or are
in negotiations to offer such a service by the second quarter of 1994.

Hybrid's technology is pretty neat.  You stick an IP router they have
developed onto the TV cable, and it channels upstream requests from
your home ethernet through a modem, and reads downstream data from the
cable TV wire at 10 Mbps.

If the phone companies had even the slightest bit of technology
vision, they would understand what a serious threat to their future
market growth this really is, and they would be offer ISDN at or below
cost until they can get the fiber optic cables in.

But they aren't doing that.  And what is going to happen is that
people are going to flock to these high-speed cable systems in large
numbers, and that is going to allow the cable TV companies to achieve
a critical mass and foothold in what will be one of the fastest
growing telecommunications markets ever.  By making ISDN cheap and
widely available the telephone companies would have a shot at holding
down the growth of cable-based Internet access.

V.FAST is a slower dialup technology, and it doesn't send compressed
data at 56Kbps.  I have a hard time seeing it compete effectively
against 10Mbps read-access.  Given the choice between a $50 monthly
bill for V.FAST access and a $99 bill for 10Mbps access, a large
number of people are going to go for the cable-based solution.


Will Estes    Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Fred R. Goldstein)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: 25 Nov 1993 05:27:07 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton MA USA


Well here I am, posting my first note over my BRANDY-SPANKIN' NEW ISDN
RESIDENCE LINE!  I had an ISDN line before as part of a trial, but
this is a genuine tariffed line provisioned by New England Telephone
from my local central office, the same one that provides analog dial
tone to the analog home phone.  The CO was upgraded a month ago so
anybody within 18kf can get ISDN on request.  They even have a number
in Boston at NETel HQ where they are trained to take ISDN orders, and
they've trained the Residence Service Centers to refer callers there
when they say the magic word.  ISDN costs $8/month above analog.
Second B channel (data bearer only) adds $5/month. I don't even have it.

Now, it has been asked, how much does USAGE cost?  I'm currently
dialing into the office PBX 20 rate-miles away.  (For billing
purposes, every prefix code is assigned V&H coordinates; these are
used for billing, not actual site-to-site mileage.)  I'm not paying a
penny for the call.  Since residence lines here are allowed flat-rate
calling options, I'm using one.

New England Telephone's residence options are bizarre.  A fraction of
the state, with no particularly obvious pattern, is allowed an option
called "Circle Calling", which allows free calls out to 20 rate miles.
My home to office just makes it.  The towns that surround mine don't
get this option.  NET also offers Metropolitan Service, which allows
free calling within the (fairly narrow) Boston Metro area, but in some
towns on the fringes, this allows calls to a larger extended-metro
area.  These tariffs go back decades and could use a good review, but
hey I just take advantage.

So anyway, this is for voice only, right?  If you use the DATA bearer
service of ISDN, it's always measured (1c/call + 1.6c/minute for local
within 8 miles, 5.5c local beyond 8 miles; toll same as voice).  No
special tariffs (circle, metro, Bay State East, etc.) apply.  But who
uses it?  Data bearer is 64k within a switch but only 56k between
switches.  (You need PRI into long distance carriers for international
64k.  Someday this may get fixed.)  The voice network, on the other
hand, is all digital, uncompressed, un-echo-cancelled, etc., WITHIN
the LATA.  So it's just as good as "data" for NETel-territory data
calls!  So I use "data over speech bearer service".  I get the flat
voice rate, but can go 56k.  Bonus: I dial in to a non-ISDN PBX, using
its vendor-specific 56k data unit.  This just happens to work fine
for terminating such calls.  Of course the PBX trunks need to be T1
from a digital CO but that's getting to be pretty common too.  Of
course it needs DID service to select the destination; you can't talk
to an operator or use touch-tone, using any ISDN gear I've found so
far!  (Those work for voice calls, not data-over-speech calls.  Of
course a little more software....)


Fred R. Goldstein  k1io  [e-mail]
Opinions are mine alone; sharing requires permission

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 17:17:55 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> You have yet to factor in the cost of ISDN with POT line access.  I
> would love to have an ISDN line to transfer data but the cost are
> prohibitive.  Locally I can get a POT line with unlimited local
> calling (99% of my traffic) for $20/month. My line is off hook about
> 22hr/day. An ISDN line cost me $40/month plus minute charges. 4-5 I
> double my charges at a minimum. Granted I have greatly enhanced my
> speed capabilitys, but if its a choice of $20/month and 22hr/day or
> $40/month +time my $ go for the POT line.

The cost of ISDN varies tremendously. It's really quite cheap for my
home service in California tied to my employer's Centrex service.
Clearly more expensive elsewhere.

Your usage patterns have a significant impact on the cost/benefit
analysis.  Don't forget that a faster line may mean you get your wook
done with less connect time. ISDN call setup times are typically > one
second, so dropping and restarting a line is much more practical than
with POTS.

As to the perfomance issue, I received the following from Vernon
Schryver.  (Posting with his permission):

"PPP over ISDN will use any of several, mutually negotiated
compression algorithms.  Two of them are lisense free, "Predictor" and
"BSD compress."  Predictor is unpatentable but not overly effective.
Say only 1.2X.  BSD compress is good old LZW, and I trust free for all
workstation vendors who are already shipping the `compress` commands.
(TCP/IP/PPP/ISDN can't be much different than netnews/UUCP.)"

"I hope drafts of RFC's reasonably close to the final forms of the
protocols will be out in a month or two."


R. Kevin Oberman        Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Internet: [e-mail]    [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bob Bosen)
Subject: Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 17:59:28 GMT


[e-mail] (T*P) writes:

>  I am stumped with how I can demodulate modem communications
> in-progress.  My project includes displaying the originating AND
> answering data, though not both at the same time.  I envisioned
> recording it, and piping it into my modem.  Not so.  How would I go
> about convincing a modem to listen to a tape recorded conversation or
> "tapped" in realtime. (Problems there include messing up the current
> conversation).

>  If two passes are made into the local modem, one forcing it to
> listen to the originating modem's data, and another listening to the
> answering modem's data, how would I synchronize them together?
> (Assuming the answering host did NOT echo the keys typed, I would not
> know when what was typed! [??] :)

John:

How sophisticated are the modems in question? I fear that if you are
trying to listen in on modern (V.32 or later) modems, you have bitten
off a difficult challenge, because the two modems have negotiated
optimal use of the bandwidth available between their two ENDPOINTs,
and each has analyzed the echoes the line sends back to it and is
subtracting these echoes out of the data it receives so it can
compensate for them.

As a "third party", you cannot participate actively in this
negotiation and so you don't have all of the information the sender and
receiver have that permits them to move data as fast as possible.
Although I believe supersophisticated government agencies could
achieve such a wiretap by throwing a lot of computational firepower at
it via a whale of a digital signal processor (they might also need to
monitor the call setup negotiation between sender/originator) I fear
this is probably beyond the capabilities of the typical corporate
research lab.

If you are successful, though, I'd like to hear about it.


Bob Bosen   Enigma Logic Inc.
2151 Salvio St. #301  Concord, CA 94520  USA
Tel: + 510 827-5707   Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David Jones)
Subject: Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 16:44:42 -0500


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(T*P) writes:

> I am stumped with how I can demodulate modem communications
> in-progress.  My project includes displaying the originating AND
> answering data, though not both at the same time.  I envisioned

I assume you have a legitimate reason for doing this.

First, if the connection is V.32bis or better, you can't do it.  At
those rates, both modems use the same frequency band for data, and you
can't tell here from there.

If the connection is V.22bis or worse, then one modem sends on a
"high" band and the other on a "low" band.  You can use bandpass
filters to break out these bands.

Now, if you're using V.42bis, this gets messy.  Otherwise, it's a nice
hack:

Assume that M1 is the originating modem and M2 is the answering modem
that you want to listen to.  Use bandpass filters to isolate the
signals from each modem.

Now get another modem, and connect it to the received signal of the
modem you want to listen to.  You may need to use hybrid transformers,
etc.  to put the signals together right.

Now, pray.  Have your modem enter the training sequence when M1 and M2
establish the call.  Your modem will train along with M1 and M2, but
since its transmitter is connected to nothing, its presence will not
be felt.

I've never tried this (have never had a reason to), and I'm not sure
of all the technical details.  The basic idea is you must separate the
frequency bands.


David Jones, M.A.Sc student, Electronics Group (VLSI), University of Toronto
email: [e-mail], finger for more info

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 07:04:36 -0500 (EST)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


Linc Madison <[e-mail]>, writes:

> A couple of years ago, Pacific Bell moved a considerable portion of
> their customer service numbers into "811" service.  For example,
> for new service inquiries, I would dial 811-7600.  That was a
> number specific to a particular area of the East Bay, but I could
> dial it toll-free from any Pacific Bell phone in California, even
> in a different LATA, without any prefix or anything -- just dial
> 811-XXXX.

> On my return from Europe, I find that the numbers to dial for
> various Pacific Bell offices are almost all on 1-800 numbers; I
> can't find a single reference to an "811" number.

> Did Pac*Bell give them up voluntarily, or were they ordered to by
> the PUC or a court or Bellcore?  In either case, why?

Sone of the California readers might have closer and more accurate
explanations, but I can offer one: cost and trouble.  Putting in an
800 number means you can terminate one number anywhere using an
ordinary telephone line; having the 811 prefix assigned to specific
numbers means if you have to change something, you have to have the
switches in every LATA reprogrammed, and the numbers might not be
reachable from GTE sites.  It's also probably more expensive to have a
dedicated prefix in every exchange than to set up their own 800
numbers and route them internally, which would cost them nothing.

For example, even using a commercial 800 number provider, a private
party can get an 800 number tacked onto their line for perhaps 16c a
minute and $5 or $10 a month per number; I'll bet long odds that the
internal cost of running a single statewide dedicated prefix is more
than than the internal cost of running a bank of 1-800 numbers.  And
those 811-xxxx numbers probably still have to be terminated in
standard pots circuits, so they still have to provide the internal
circuits to accept these calls.

Also, the 811 number thingy might have been an experiment to see if it
was worth offering the same type of service to customers who might
want something different from an 800 number, but was found to not be
cost effective in comparison.


Paul Robinson -- [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I would not think of it as an 'experiment' simply
because experiments usually go on for shorter periods of time. '811'
was around for years and years and years.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Date: 25 Nov 93 00:26:26 PST
Organization: Harvey Mudd College


> [Moderator's Note: But Jay Hennigan in the message before yours says
> that 811 does in fact work from GTE territory, or at least some of
> their territory.   PAT]

This, if true at all, is only partly true. I am in a GTE area but I am
also a PacBell customer. How so? I have T1 service to a PacBell area
with "meet-point" billing.

-->>> I cannot call the PacBell 811- number printed in my phone bill <<<---

This was a real jaw-dropper when I first observed it. Think about it.
How more effectively could they say to me: Your business NOT welcome
here! ??  A breathtakingly stupid move on the part of PacBell, the
second worst telco in California.


Andy


[Moderator's Note: Who is in first place, and how many choices are
there to pick from where 'worst telco' is concerned?  :)   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Cogorno)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 13:05:33 PST


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Linc
Madison) writes:

>> I asked Pa Bell the same question, and the reason they gave me was
>> that the 811 numbers could only be called from within California, and
>> they had increasing numbers of people needing to call from out of
>> state.

The version I was told was that the California PUC ruled that using
811 numbers was an unfair business advantage, because no other company
could apply for/receive a state-wide toll-free prefix.  The 811
numbers still work (I use them all the time), but the bills give 800
numbers.


Steve   [e-mail]
#608 Merrill * 200 McLaughlin Drive * Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1015

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 17:26:44 GMT


Another reason to do away with 811 numbers is the similarity to 911.
While I have not personally experienced it, it is my understanding
that some switches are programmed with heuristic rules so that numbers
"sufficiently close" to 911 will be intercepted to 911.  According to
local folklore that is why cordless phones were mysteriously dialing
911 as thier batteries went dead.  As the line relay chattered as it
went dead, it would outpulse x11, which would be interpreted as 911.
I haven't heard much about cordless phones mysteriously dialing 911
lately, so maybe it was felt it would be better off without said
heuristic applied.  Anyone know?



Bill Mayhew        NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA      phone: [phone]
[e-mail]       amateur radio 146.58: N8WED


[Moderator's Note: If x11 does the job and calls the police, then how
do you account for 411 and 611, both used in many places?    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ken Hoehn)
Subject: Re: GTE/AT&T Executives Arrested in Venezuela
Date: 25 Nov 1993 13:13:31 -0500
Organization: The w8hd Group


Interesting post ... a proper response would be to say fine, we will
go away, and your Venezuelan phone company can go back to using cord
boards and tin cans to talk from one village to another.

Third world justice is literally amazing.


[e-mail]
Ken Hoehn - Teletech, Inc.         Compuserve: 70007,2374
N8NYO       P.O.Box 924            FAX: [phone]
            Dearborn, MI  48121    VOICE: [phone]


[Moderator's Note: Don't be quite so hasty. The *way* the governments
in South America go about things -- and BTW, Venezuela is not really a
third world country -- are different, but if it is detirmined that the
telecom administration was responsible for the explosion which killed
over fifty people, then don't you feel some compensation for the
victims or punishment for the directors of telecom, as the persons who
instruct their employees in their duties is in order?  Prison terms
may be too harsh if it was an accident and being held awaiting trial
under the circumstances is not the way we would do it here, but don't
you think telecom owes an accounting to someone or more people because
of this incident?  PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 17:44:23 EST
From: Peter M. Weiss <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Association For Contingency Planning
Organization: Penn State University


Though not necessarily devoted to telecom disasters, the following
LISTSERV-based lists might provide leads for the inquiry posed here
recently.

Excerpt from the LISTSERV lists known to LISTSERV@PSUVM on 21 Nov 1993
17:43

Search string: DISASTER

Network-wide ID  Full address      List title

DISASTER         DISASTER@UTXVM    Disaster Plans and Recovery Resources
DRP-L            DRP-L@MARIST      Disaster Recovery Plan - Computing Services
UDRAG            UDRAG@ULKYVM      University Disaster Recovery Analysis Forum


Pete ([e-mail])  --  co-owner  LDBASE-L, TQM-L, CPARK-L, et -L
Peter M. Weiss         "The 'NET' never naps"             [phone]
31 Shields Bldg. -- Penn State Univ -- University Park, PA USA 16802-1202

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #783
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa02076;
          26 Nov 93 3:45 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA19259
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 23:17:14 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA10241
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 25 Nov 1993 23:16:12 -0600
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 23:16:12 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #784

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 25 Nov 93 23:16:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 784

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Jay Hennigan)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Arthur Rubin)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Glenn R. Stone)
    Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-( (Don Davis)
    Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-( (Chris Ambler)
    Re: Sprint Modem offer :-( (Stan Hall)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Russell Sharpe)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Lars Poulsen)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Steve Dum)
    Re: Telecommunications in the Year 2020 (Peter M. Weiss)
    Re: Mnemonic For Wire Colors (Jeff Hakner)
    Re: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers (Aaron Woolfson)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jay Hennigan)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 18:19:27 -0800
Organization: Regional Access Information Network (RAIN)


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
com (Steve Lamont) writes:

> I heard someone say that if you (1) call your local telephone company
> (i.e., your LEC) and tell them you don't want your phone slammed
> (which means you want to freeze any changes to your long distance
> carrier) and (2) cash the check at the bank, the carrier pays you the
> money but their change order for their long distance service does not
> get processed.  You could say you get to take the money to the bank!

> [Moderator's Note: I would suggest that to deliberatly connive and
> structure things in that way amounts to fraud even though all you
> are doing is taking advantage of flaws in the system.  Anyway, to
> be 'slammed' means to process the change without your signature. The
> carrier has your signature on the back of the check you signed, and
> if your signature is not sufficient to dictate your choice of carrier
> then I don't know what would be. Actually, if the local telco froze
> changes on your account on the basis of your phone call alone, in
> effect you 'slammed' yourself. Slamming by definition means the
> undocumented change or confirmation of carriers. Your signature is
> adequate documentation.   PAT]

One could try depositing the check (via an ATM machine) without
endorsing it.  Most banks will not object.  Then you've got the money,
and they don't have your signature.  A bit sneaky, but it could work,
especially if the LEC has a "don't slam" order on file.


[Moderator's Note: But if the carrier objects to the lack of signature
then they have the right to charge it back to the bank and have the
transaction reversed right back to your account. If they want to ... PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
From: [e-mail] (Arthur Rubin)
Date: 25 Nov 93 01:47:26 GMT
Organization: Beckman Instruments, Inc.


FWIW, Sprint is paying (me) $10/month against long distance charges
for five months for remaining a long distance customer.  They also have a
strange offer which gives 25,000 points on their "Callers Plus" system
(equivalent to $2,500 in phone calls) for remaining with them for
another year.


Arthur L. Rubin: [e-mail] (work) Beckman Instruments/Brea
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail] (personal)
My opinions are my own, and do not represent those of my employer.


[Moderator's Note: I got those five coupons of ten dollars each also,
along with a couple of five dollar coupons. That was in addition to
the modem they sent me. Supposedly the coupons are to be sent in once
each month, but I sent through all seven (!) of mine (five at ten
dollars and two at five dollars) with my last bill which I paid in
person at the IBT payment agency near me.   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 20:25:41 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Glenn R. Stone)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?


In Volume 13, Issue 775, the Illustrious Moderator noteth:

> [Moderator's Note: At which point, after you refuse to sign, the
> carrier could reverse the transaction through the banking system,
> calling upon the original (your) bank to pay based on its guarantee
> of endorsement. Your bank would then debit your account and take
> the money back. It can happen that way legally, although I don't know
> who would bother for the amounts of twenty to fifty dollars, which
> is typical for the carriers seeking your business. None the less, it
> is fraud to manipulate the system as you suggest. I think people who
> do it go on a list the carriers maintain of petty chiselers who are
> not to be tempted with any further bonuses or premium offers.   PAT]

Uh-uh, Pat.  That would be like annotating the endorsement space with
"Endorser acknowleges that this instrument is payment in full of any
and all debts owed endorser by payer" and making out the check for two
bucks as payment on a four-figure credit card tab.  I don't think so.

What shows up in my PO box unsolicited is mine, dammit, free of any
encumbrance.  That's federal law.  Now, if I *call* deathstarco and
say "I wanna take you up on your switch-and-get-fifty-bucks offer,"
then I have *asked* for the check, and the switch that goes therewith.
If the idiots in marketing are doing stupid things like sending actual
checks thru the mail unsolicited, they deserve what they get.  As for
the ethical high ground w... take the Kantian approach.  If everybody
does it, the company makes a bit less profit, it stops the campaign,
and chooses something else to waste trees on.  Meanwhile the big guys
are a bit less rich; the little guys who think, a bit more.  Sounds
good to me.  Besides, if it's deathstarco, the high and mighty
supporters of the Clipper Chip (a prima facie threat to my right to
privacy), they deserve to be chiseled, petty or not.  I'll start
worrying about minor ethical issues when they start acting like they
*really* respect my privacy.

Six bits says PAT won't print this sans some form of comment/editing.


Glenn R. Stone ([e-mail])


[Moderator's Note: Well I won't print something that I know is
patently wrong without attempting to clarify/correct it if that is
what you mean. You have two misunderstandings: first of all,
'satisfaction and accord' has been, as you point out, ruled invalid by
a few courts when the reduced payment is tendered without any context
for such. That is, you owe a thousand dollars, you have never disputed
it and you send ten dollars in a check marked 'payment in full' via a
mass-processing remittance lockbox in the hopes a minimum wage eighteen
year old clerk will toss the check in the combination microfilm machine/
check endorser along with ten thousand other checks that day without
reading it. The courts have ruled that is unjust enrichment on your
part. You'll get sued and you'll lose and you'll pay the difference.
On the other hand, you have previously refused to pay your bill for a
thousand dollars and now you are corresponding with an attorney or
collection agency. In the exchange of correspondence, the attorney or
agency has their client's permission to accept less than the full
amount originally claimed. They agree that your complaint is valid or
they agree in order to close the file ... whatever. You now prepare
your check for the agreed upon amount and mail it to the attorney or
the collection agency. *If they endorse it and cash it they are bound
by the settlement*. Whether 'satisfaction and accord' carries any
legal weight or not is in the context of the entire transaction.

Now regards 'unsolicited merchandise which arrives in the mail', let's
get that one straightened out also. This law was passed about forty
years ago because of a company which, IMHO was just plain scum: they
read the obituaries daily from hundreds of newspapers all over the
USA, specializing in places where they deemed the citizens to be, um,
less educated ... and they probably were correct. They would then
use gold engraving to imprint the deceased person's name on a Bible;
one of those big, old-fashioned ornate 'Family Bibles', the kind with
empty pages in the middle for the family genealogical tree, etc, and
with a nice leather cover, thumb indexing on the side, the whole bit.
** And they would send it with an invoice to the deceased person **
including cover letter, "Dear Mr. Jones, here is the lovely Family Bible
you ordered for your children and grandchildren to record the histories
of their families and study together from The Word of God ....".

Naturally when the package arrived in the mail, old Mr. Jones was
dead -- they knew that when they sent it -- but the family would
see it, get tears in their eyes at the wonderful present Grandpa had
planned on giving them, and out of respect for the old fellow, they
would pay the invoice -- always overpriced by a factor of ten -- to
honor the memory of Old Grandad now passed away. And the company was
so nice about it! They even let the family pay on monthly terms if
they did not have the hundred dollars to send all at one time. And
there were others like this: the Indian Children who send you the
cheesy name and address lables or pencils in the hopes you will send
them an X-mas gift more to their liking; their literature fifty years
ago used to *demand* either pay for this merchandise or return it. They
should have gotten a frequent flyer award the way they sent so many
people on guilt trips. And our very own Missionary Fathers here in
Chicago, operating out of the same post office I use (60690) would
send crapola trinkets made by 'the heathens in Africa who the Fathers
are trying to convert ...'. The Fathers wanted a token of your sincer-
ity and cash is best because checks are hard to get cashed in Africa.

The Congress of the United States, for once to its credit, finally
said 'ENOUGH'!! Now all those people have to put on their literature
somewhere in small print at least, "This is a gift. Under the law you
are under no obligation to acknowledge, return or pay for it." The
'unordered merchandise can be treated as a gift' law was never intended
to apply in any situation where the sender had some basis for sending
something of value where 'basis' is defined as a telephoned or written
order from a customer; a specific business offer to trade one thing
for another, i.e. my fifty dollars in exchange for your written promise
to use my services for some period of time, etc. A company sending
money and contracts in the mail is not sending 'merchandise'. The
law was intended and is enforced against companies who send you something
of value out of the blue with no prior relationship with you (while
acting as though they did), then expecting you to pay for it. And
would you believe the Bible people actually placed their unpaid accounts
with collection agencies who would harass and harangue these poor,
(yes, admit it -- ignorant, frequently illiterate) people in America
a half century ago. That is why we have the 'unordered merchandise is
a gift' law, Mr. Stone ... not so that you can go stiff on Sprint with
impunity.  I guess you win your six-bits don't you?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Don Davis)
Subject: Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 12:32:40 EDT
Organization: The Dayton Home for the Chronically Strange


In article <[e-mail]>, Stan Hall said:

> Well it seems that every step of the way Sprint has screwing
> everything up.

[description of difficulties omitted]

> So last night I finally found some time to sit down and call the
> number that Ms.  Worthy had given me and left a message telling her
> what software I wanted for each of my two modems.  I get a call this
> morning from Ms.  Worthy telling me that I am only to receive one
> modem and asking what software I would like for that modem. When I
>argued with her that I wanted both of the modems I had been promised
> she told me that the offer was limited one per household.

[more omitted - bandwidth conserved]

> [Moderator's Note: *Who* told you that you would get two modems? Really,
> I can't see what your beef is about. 'One per household' is one of the
> most common phrases in business promotional offers I have ever heard.
> Time and again you hear it, 'one per household, not good when combined
> with other offers or special promotions, etc ...'

Probably a U.S. Sprint sales or customer service representative told
him.

The U.S. Sprint sales representative I spoke with told me almost
exactly what Mr. Hall indicated: that if I switched several different
lines, I could receive several modems.  As I recall, she had to go ask
her supervisor, but that's what she told me.  I did not see the
televised advertisements, and I said as much to the sales rep.  I
never heard the words "one per household" uttered by any Sprint
representative, but they offered to switch all four of my lines in
exchange for four modems.  I declined, saying that I'd like to see how
it goes with just one line using Sprint.

If that restriction wasn't made clear to Mr. Hall at the time he
placed his order, then it looks as if U.S. Sprint is taking the
position that it can obtain relief in consumer disputes by asserting
that the weasel words were simply spoken elsewhere, perhaps out of Mr.
Hall's hearing.

To paraphrase Sean Slatter, who has also posted to Usenet on this
issue, Sprint is expending a very valuable commodity on this issue:
the good will of the consumer base.


Don Davis  | Internet: dgdhome![e-mail] | Tel: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Ambler - Fubar)
Subject: Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
Organization: The Phishtank
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 19:37:25 GMT


> [Moderator's Note: By the way, did you *sign* for the packages they
> sent you? Have you opened the packages and installed/used the modems?
> Sorry to make it rough for you guys, but under the Uniform Commercial
> Code -- which will be the prevailing law -- you may have waived any
> further claims. You may have accepted Sprint's offer, or settlement
> or whatever. If you refused to accept the packages, or lacking the
> ability to refuse (i.e. you came home and found them by your door)
> have kept the sealed packages in your safekeeping waiting for Sprint
> or the modem factory to pick them up or authorize their return, then
> you may still have a more solid case ... maybe ... but that isn't what
> happened, is it? <big grin> ... you eagerly ripped open the boxes with
> your new toys as soon as they arrived; you have played with them
> frequently since that time and now Sprint does not have to take the
> 'incorrect merchandise' back. In summary, if you fellows have been
> playing with your new toys and have them installed in your computers
> then you haven't helped your case any, and may have damaged it.  PAT]

Actually, Pat, No. And I'm surprised at you for thinking so. The boxes
were signed for by another housemate who did not know what they were
(there was no identification on the package at all). We opened the big
boxes, saw that they were the modems, did a count of the modem boxes,
and immediately re-sealed the box. The modems have never been removed
from their individual boxes.

And yes, Sprint guys reading this, this is not my opinion, this is the
cold hard facts.

I'd be happy to ship it right on back, but the only address on the box
is Best Products, and I have a feeling they wouldn't know what was
going on. I'm bringing them with me to my court date to surrender them

to the Sprint rep.


++Christopher(); // All original text is strictly the opinion of the poster
Christopher J. Ambler, Author, FSUUCP 1.41, FSVMP 1.0, [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Very good, Christopher. You've done the right thing
so far. You are holding the merchandise aside out of general use and
protecting it/keeping it safe for its owner, who you contend is Sprint
and/or Best Products and not yourselves.  Very good.  Keep us posted
as this progresses. You are smart; maybe you will win this.    PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Sprint Modem Offer :-(
From: [e-mail] (Stan Hall)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 22:36:17 CST
Organization: The Eternal Apprentice BBS, Oklahoma City, Ok


> [Moderator's Note: *Who* told you that you would get two modems? Really,
> Time and again you hear it, 'one per household, not good when combined
> with other offers or special promotions, etc ...'

I should have been informed of this when I called to switch my second
line not 1.5 months later.  The first thing I heard about it was from
Ms. Worthy.

When I called Sprint, I told them that I had heard about the Dvorak
offer, that it was supposed to be for a free modem, that was all I
knew and could I have more information.  I was then told that the
modem was a 9600 baud* modem with FAX.  I asked if it was internal or
external and was told external.  I was also told that they would pay
for my switchover and that I would receive certificates in 60 days.
Well this wasn't quite true, the certificates they sent paid for about
45% of my switchover fee and when I called about that they gave me a
credit and it appears that they will pay 85% of the switchover fee.

* [This should have given me a clue that the rep didn't have any clue,
but even though *baud* is incorrect, it does seem to common usage.]

 From what I have seen posted here it seems that the orginal radio
commercial was reasonably clear as to what the offer was.  If the
Sprint rep had a copy of the orginal promo and read it verbatim it
seems that there would not be a problem.  At least in my case.

I guess if I have any further dealings with Sprint that I will need to
ask for a copy of the details of the offer in writing for our mutual
protection.

> I got my modem several days ago. It installed easily and is working
> fine for sending faxes from my 386. If you honestly think you are
> going to get two modems, you are quite mistaken.

At least their are some people coming out of this offer with what was
expected and are happy with it. I am quite glad.

I switched each of my lines for this offer so I should receive the
modems.  Other readers have posted that Sprint told them that the
offer was good for more than one line.  The certificate for the
switchover fee is good for up to ten lines (though not with any other
offer?) so why not with this offer.

> Diane Worthy has done a great job of getting this mess straightened
> out; I'm sure she is sorry Sprint even decided to have such a generous
> promotion.  PAT]

I am sure she is sorry.  Though, my guess is that she is trying to
cover someone's backside for not working out the details of this
promotion before it exploded in their face (IMHO of course).


[e-mail] (Stan Hall)
The Eternal Apprentice BBS, Oklahoma City, OK -- [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Russell Sharpe)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 09:49:49 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council, Public Access
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In Message-ID: <[e-mail]>, nathan@seldon.
foundation.tricon.com wrote:

> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  The scenario goes as follows:
> User calls in on high speed modem line and gets the "main" hunt group for
> high speed users.  User two calls in on "alternate" low speed hunt group.
> BUT, if user one calls in and all of the main hunt groups are busy, then he
> is forwarded to the alternate, low speed hunt group.

> The reason I ask is because my main, high speed hunt groups have been busy
> lately and when I asked about a dual hunt-group, the local phone person had
> no idea what I was talking about.

You want to specify *Hunt Start* for your _Low Speed_ group.

Line 1 _Pilot Line
Line 2...
Line 9...
Line 10 Hunt Start Line
Line 11 ...
Line 12 Last trunk

When a Caller calls Line 1 number, they will step through to the last trunk,
i.e they will also step to the low speed lines.

If a low speed caller calls the Line 10 number he will only step to
the last trunk.


Russell Sharpe        UseNet: [e-mail]
                     FidoNet: 3:771/370 & 3:771/160
                   Voice: [phone]
                   snailmail: 171 Holborn Drive
                              Stokes Valley 6008
                              New Zealand

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 10:47:10 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK


Hi Nathan. Greetings from cold Copenhagen.

In article <[e-mail]> you write:

> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  ...

> Oh, one more thing ... the low speed callers should ALWAYS get the low
> speed lines.  The low speed lines go to a different host computer.

This is not an uncommon requirement.

> [Moderator's Note: The reason they do not understand is because (a) you
> are using the wrong phraseology and (b) hunting does not work the way
> you want it to. What you want to do is ask for another (how many? two,
> five, ten?) lines in your existing hunt group. What you with them on
> your end is your businesses, so when the lines are delivered, you send
> them to your low-speed machine. So now let's say you have lines 1 --> 75
> in hunt. That is, one hunts to two which hunts to three which hunts to
> four ... > 75. Lines 1 to 49 are the high speed modems; lines 50-75
> are the low speed modems. When 49 (high) is busy, it will hunt to 50
> and subsequent (low), which is what I think you want.

This is not a satisfactory solution. For a large hunt group, you need
uniform call distribution in order to prevent a sick modem (or a sick
computer port) from disabling all the higher-numbered lines.

There are two halves to the story: A technical part, and a regulatory
part.

Tariffs tend to distinguish between "hunting" and "call forward on
busy" features. ALthough these are basically the same thing, they come
with different prices and different descriptions and different
restrictions as to what class of service they are allowed on, and what
other features they may coexist with. I believe the regulatory part
can be plastered over by applying both hunt group and call forward on
busy to the lines.

But satisfying the tariff of course won't help, unless the switch can
actually do the job. For this, you need to talk to someone who
actually knows the switch software. Of course, GTE won't let you near
someone like that.

Is this a residential installation or a business installation ? If it
is residential, you may just be out of luck; it is not always possible
for residential subscribers to get past the front desk. For business,
you should be able to get through the front desk to "special services"
which is set up to do this. If you can't get to someone competent any
other way, try to go through "data circuits" sales staff.

If all else fails, you can always do what Patrick suggests, but it is
not as stable.

Here is Copenhagen, there is no distinction between residential and
business service. A POTS line is USD 195 (DKK 1300) installation and
USD 16.17 (DKK 108.33) per month (billed quarterly in advance). Local
calls in the Copenhagen metro area are USD 0.0477 (DKK 0.32) per
minute (Mo-Fr 0800-1930; half that nights and week-ends). Calls to the
USA are USD 1.50 (DKK 10) per minute day or night. And there are no
itemized phone bills. Imagine getting a phone bill that says:

    Line charges:    $ 48.50
    Call charges:    $493.37
    Total bill:    $541.87 <--- pay this amount

ISDN is readily available. Caller-ID is available to ISDN subscribers
only (and only for calls originating on ISDN lines). Itemized billing
is available to ISDN subscribers only (and even so, the last 2 digits
are xx-ed out). The phone company sells small panasonics-like PBXes (1
x 5 and 2 x 8) at very competitive prices.


Lars Poulsen            Internet E-mail: [e-mail]
CMC Network Products        Phone: (011-) [phone]
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B        Telefax:      [phone]
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK    Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Dum)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 18:20:30 GMT
Organization: Mentor Graphics


I had a similar problem about seven years ago.  The order processing
clerk knew that what I wanted wasn't in her vocabulary, but while
talking to the installer, he thought it was possible, so he called the
switch programmer, who said sure we can do that.  The only problem was
figuring out how to get order processing to understand.  We set up a
three way call with everyone concerned, and we had it.

Basically, what I wanted was two hunt groups of six lines each, which
did not start over from one each time, and then if the first group of
six was full, the call went to the second hunt group.  This was the
same situation as you described (except reversed).  The high volume
was still on the low speed modems, so if the low speed bank filled up
I wanted it to drop onto the high speed group.

I suspect what you want is possible, although it may be impossible to
get the order written.


Stephen Dum            [e-mail]    (503)-685-7743
Mentor Graphics Corp.  8005 S.W. Boeckman Rd.   Wilsonville, Or 97070-7777

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 17:52:35 EST
From: Peter M. Weiss <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Telecommunications in the Year 2020
Organization: Penn State University


You'll want to find the documents on the National Information
Infrastructure, available at better Gopher Servers.  Try a Gopher
Veronica Search, or perhaps a depository library.


Pete

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeff Hakner)
Subject: Re: Mnemonic For Wire Colors
Organization: The Cooper Union ( NY, NY )
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 22:41:59 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Steve Runyon <p00866@
psilink.com> says:

> I am looking for an easy way to memorize the wire colors in 66 wire.
> The colors are blue, orange, green, brown, gray, yellow, ...

> I was hoping that there might be a sentence with each word starting
> with the same letters as the corresponding color.

I know of two such mnemonics for the band-stripe color code:

    PRIMARY:
White            We        Why
Red            Rape        Run
Black            Beautiful    Backwards
Yellow            Young        You'll
Violet            Virgins        Vomit

    SECONDARY:
Blue            But        Bell
Orange            Only        Operators
Green            Girls        Give
Brown            Beyond        Better
Slate            Sixteen        Service


Use either one, as appropriate.  Bonus points for clever combinations!

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

From: [e-mail] (Aaron Woolfson)
Subject: Re: CA Tax Regulations for LD Providers
Date: 25 Nov 1993 16:21:20 -0800
Organization: University of the Pacific


The tax structure that the State of California mandates is the
following for Public Utilities, besides the respective municipality
taxes that must be accounted for.  Unfortunately, for long distance
carriers like I work for, Delta Telecom, it is a headache.  To take an
excerpt from our Tariff, it states the following:



TAXES AND SURCHARGES

A.    Applicable Taxes


    In addition to the charges specifically pertaining
    to Delta Telecommuniations services, certain
    federal, state, and local surcharges, taxes and
    fees will be applied.  These surcharges, taxes
    and fees are calculated based upon the     amount
    billed to the end user for Company's INTRAstate
    services.  Such charges include, but are not
    limited to, the surcharges and fees ordered by the
    CPUC and set forth below:

    CPUC Reimbursement Fee    (PUCURA)        0.1%
    Universal Lifeline Surcharge    (ULTS)        6.0%
    D.E.A.F. Surcharge        (DEAF)        0.2%


[Moderator's Note: Yep, it goes on and on. The bureaucrats glory
in it ... they know it means whatever other changes there are in
telecom by the year 2020, there will still be work for them.  :)  PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #784
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa03300;
          26 Nov 93 6:40 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA04014
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 26 Nov 1993 01:21:18 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA06741
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 26 Nov 1993 01:20:18 -0600
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1993 01:20:18 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #785

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 26 Nov 93 01:20:15 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 785

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (John R. Levine)
    Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers? (Mathew Englander)
    Re: Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance (A. Alan Toscano)
    Re: Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance (Tom Watson)
    Re: Query for Network Designers ... [Answers!] (Dean Pentcheff)
    Re: Best 900mhz Cordless? (Michael O'Brien)
    Re: Best 900mhz Cordless? (Steve Norton)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (Al Varney)
    Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized (David Esan)
    Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes (Carl Moore)
    Re: What is the Future of Electronic Mail? (David A. Kaye)
    Re: Prodigy Access From Europe? (Linc Madison)
    Re: Monitoring Cellular Calls (Eric N. Florack)
    Re: Carrier For 800 Number? (Gerry Palmer)
    Re: Mnemonic For Wire Colors (Robert Hettmansperger)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 10:11 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> Here in SNET land, just dial 811 -- no prefix, no suffix -- and you
> get one of SNET's state-wide-distributed residential customer service
> folks.  Yes, the person you'll be speaking with will probably *not* be
> located in the town your home phone is nearest to; and yes, (s)he will
> probably bemoan that fact as forcefully as you.

It's not just SNET.  When I wanted a phone line installed at my camp
in Vermont, I called the New England Tel business office number which
is in Burlington (the largest city in Vermont.)  But the person I got
on the phone said during the conversation that she was actually in
Maine, so she had only the vaguest idea where Morgan, Vt., actually
is.  But she was perfectly nice about it.  (Her: "Will you be using a
phone that generates tones?"  Me: "If I were, I certainly wouldn't
tell you about it."  She thought that was pretty funny.  No $1.55/mo
touch tone charge for me.)  On the other hand, she quoted me a rate
with no milage charge, which I told her was probably wrong,
considering how far from town we are, so far, in fact, that we have an
Island Pond phone number, the next town farther east, but she said
that's what the computer said so who are we to argue?

NET has an 800 number for that office, but it seems to have too few
trunks or something because the 800 number is always busy while a
direct toll call to the Burlington number gets right through.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 15:46:55 PST
From: Mathew Englander <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: What Happened to "811" Numbers?
Organization: University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada


In Vancouver, BCTel uses 811-XXXX numbers for their customer service.
I don't know whether these work free throughout the province, but I
suppose they do.


Mathew Englander

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

From: [e-mail] (A Alan Toscano)
Date: 25 Nov 93 14:02:05 GMT
Subject: Re: Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance


In TELECOM Digest V13 #774, Carl Moore <[e-mail]> writes:

> There is a three-digit number (after my phone number), printed on my
> phone bill, which is apparently the key to my getting access to my
> account-balance information.

and our Moderator notes:

> [Moderator's Note: The three digit number at the end of your phone
> number is for the RAO, or Regional Accounting Office.   PAT]

Perhaps Ameritech handles its billing differently, but *generally*
this is a Customer Code which distinguishes a subscriber's account
from those of previous holders of the same telephone number. It is
normally derived by taking the last three digits of the New Service
Order number, assigned at the time new service is requested, and has
no relation to one's Revenue Accounting Office.

On the other hand ... many years ago, residential calling card numbers
consisted of seven-digit phone numbers (no Area Code) followed by the
appropriate three-digit RAO number as well as an easily hacked
"check-letter" which varied by phone number and calender year.


A Alan Toscano   EMail: [e-mail] - Voice Mail: [phone]


[Moderator's Note: Well now you see what an Ancient Old Thing I am ...
I still thought that was the Regional Accounting Office code. Silly
me ... :(  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Tom Watson)
Subject: Re: Automated Checking of Phone Bill Balance
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 18:23:00 -0800
Organization: Apple Computer (more or less)


In article <[e-mail]>, Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
wrote:

Quite a bit deleted, to which the Moderator noted:

> [Moderator's Note: The three digit number at the end of your phone
> number is for the RAO, or Regional Accounting Office.   PAT]

No, it is not.  I get three phone bills, all from the same RAO (which
is 293 in this case) and the three number thingy is different.  Two of
the bills are for the same prefix.  Early credit card numbers had the
first 3 digits as the RAO, which is why I know what it is.  Out here
in Pacific ding-a-ling land, all the bills go to two places (Sacramento,
or Van Nuys) now so I don't think they use RAO's any more.  I think
they stopped in the 70's sometime.


Tom Watson    Not much simpler!!   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Oh my ... PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dean Pentcheff)
Subject: Re: Query for Network Designers ... [Answers!]
Date: 25 Nov 1993 22:16:44 -0500
Organization: Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia


A week or so ago I posted a query for help on thinking about how to
design a network to link secondary schools with the Department of
Biology at the University of South Carolina.

I have been _extraordinarily_ impressed by the kindness and generosity
of the respondents from this group!  You people are wonderful.
Numerous respondents who consult on these subjects for a living
volunteered their time to write a reply, and many volunteered their
ear as well.

We've been buried in trying to assemble our application, so I haven't
had time to send our individual thank yous -- please accept this as a
collective thank you.

For those interested in the responses, I've collected them into a
single file.  It's available using anonymous FTP from the host
tbone.biol.scarolina.edu in directory /pub, file network-help.

Once again, thanks _very_ much for your generous help!


N. Dean Pentcheff
Biological Sciences, Univ. of South Carolina, Columbia SC 29208 (803-777-8998)
Internet addresses: [e-mail] or [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: No problem, Dean! That's what this group is here for;
to provide help and advice on telecom matters. If I don't know the answer
(and there is quite a bit I don't know these days it seems, especially
where the really new technology is concerned), then a bunch of others jump
right in the discussion as you found out, and they may anyway if my answer
is wrong or incomplete. Write again anytime.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael O'Brien)
Subject: Re: Best 900mhz Cordless?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 22:06:47 GMT
Organization: The Aerospace Corporation


In article <[e-mail]>, Rich Skrenta <skrenta@usl.
com> writes:

> I'm interested in opinions on 900mhz cordless phones.  I've seen the
> old and new Tropez models, as well the "Quantum Leap" 900mhz phone.

> I recall a review of the first Tropez model that said there was a
> problem with the volume.  Does anyone know if this is fixed in their
> new one?

> [Moderator's Note: Have you checked out the Radio Shack 900 mhz phone?
> I've seen one demonstrated here and they seem to work quite well. The
> range is much further than a regular cordless phone.   PAT]

    I tried two different Tropez units and my girlfriend couldn't
understand what I was saying on either of them.  Receive audio was
great, transmitted audio was terrible.  Back they went.

    Escort has a spread-spectrum 900MHz digital phone.  This costs
about $400 and is probably the best one available on the market.

    I purchased the AT&T 9100.  There's evidence that it is made
by Vtech (the folks who make the Tropez) but the audio quality is fine
in both directions.  Handset ergonomics are also somewhat better than
the Tropez, which feels like holding a slab of wood up to your head.
For price/ performance this was my choice.

    I haven't tried the Radio Shack model.


Mike O'Brien   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Norton)
Subject: Re: Best 900mhz Cordless?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 09:45:10 -0600
Organization: The second InterAccess INN server


Rich Skrenta <[e-mail]> writes:

> Features I'm interested in:

>    o  Security.  If it's all-digital, doing some simple scrambling
>       should be easy.  Going digitial is enough to weed out the
>       neighbors with scanners, but I don't want someone to be able
>       to plug in another 900mhz phone and hear my calls.

Dont be too impressed by the 'security' -- most of these systems
merely break the signal into five or ten channels and then perform
frequency inversions.  Its almost trivial to reassemble the
conversation.


Steve Norton    708-671-0111 (voice)  708-671-0237 (data,login guest)
InterAccess Co.        [e-mail]
Chicagoland's best public access Internet provider

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 11:21:38 CST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes
Organization: AT&T, Lisle, IL


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
writes:

> John R Levine ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> Also, Mexico has a mixture of six and seven digit numbers, so they'd
>> have to renumber to match NANP numbers.

> But, there were once TWO area codes for Mexico, 905 and 705 (I think);
> whatever, there was a regional difference in phone number length and a
> caller from here who wanted to call a six-digit phone number added an
> extra digit to make it seven.

> [Moderator's Note: Yeah, the funny thing is 905 and the other one were
> never technically 'area codes'. A business office rep once insisted to
> me those two were actually 'access codes'. Supposedly the code was '90'
> with the 5 added to flesh out the phone numbers to seven digits.  PAT]

   PAT, never question a business office rep ... :) They REALLY WERE
access codes, disguised as area codes.  And it's simple to confirm
that: Just look at any telephone book from the 1980s (pre-1984).  You
did save a pre-divestiture book, didn't you??  So you could recall how
Ma Bell once treated you??  ($.43/minute Chicago to Denver, day rate).

         I'll quote from 1983's Evanston (Illinois Bell) book:

      "To Call Mexico
  Most locations in Mexico can be reached by using the international
  dialing (011+) instructions {reference to another section}.

  If you cannot use international dialing from your phone, some cities
  can be dialed using special access codes with city codes.

   Mexico City: Dial 1+90+5+local number
   Northwest Mexico:
    Dial 1+70+city code(2 or 3 digits beginning with "6")+local number

  The full day rate is in effect 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday.
  {... other rate info ...}"


   Note that "day rate" for intra-USA and Canada long distance calls
was 8am to 5pm, so Mexico really was treated differently.  NPA 809
"day rate" was 7am to 4pm (shifted because of time zones).

   It's pretty obvious the 905/706 access codes were a temporary
kludge waiting for full deployment of IDDD direct-dialing in the Bell
System.  And the kludge worked only for Mexico City (city code = 5)
and Northwest Mexico (city codes starting with 6, but code + local
number was always eight digits).  Such bending of the rules will be
difficult without the old Bell System in place.

   The 706/905 numbers were officially declared "unassigned" on
2/1/1991.  One could hope all the toll network(s) kludges to convert
905 to 011 + 525, etc. have been removed as well.


Al Varney

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

From: [e-mail] (David Esan)
Subject: Re: NPA 905 Not Universally Recognized
Date: 25 Nov 93 13:23:10 GMT
Organization: Moscom Corporation, Pittsford NY


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David Esan) writes:

> [Moderator's Note: Obviously instead of relying on Bellcore to get you
> the information in a timely way, you need to read this Digest for the
> latest news on area code splits, etc.  :)  We were talking about 905
> long before it occurred. We were even talking about 905 back in the
> days when it used to be an 'area code' for Mexico.  PAT]

Pat -

I was here when we talking about 905 in Mexico (not to mention 706 and
903).  I was here when you weren't the Moderator.  I do rely on this
group for advance warning on new NPA's and new country codes.

My point was that while I may do these things, the local operating
companies do not.  They rely on a tape or floppies from BellCore.  And
BellCore was late in getting this information into the system.  The
905 NPA went live on 15 October, the pages were not filed until 22
November.  I don't know when the tapes went out, but I suspect it was
well after the cutover date.  I don't think this is a plot of the evil
Americans to shame and humble our Canadian colonies, err neighbors,
but rather is just sloppy work on the part of BellCore.  I have seen
similar problems in the past with other splits.  I have also seen the
201 split (hint: where is BellCore?) in the books 12 months in advance
of its split.


David Esan      [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Yes David, you have been reading TELECOM Digest for
a good many years now. There are a handful of readers who have been
around since the beginning in 1981, and a few of those came over when
telecom was split from 'Human-Nets' ... now that is going back awhile,
eh?  I was a reader of telecom for a couple of years before I became
moderator, and you were around then.  PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 10:34:54 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: NPA 905, NAFTA and Mexico Area Codes


No, that was 706, not 705.  The history file has 706 and 905 being
discontinued (for calls to Mexico) Feb. 1, 1991.


[Moderator's Note: If readers have not seen Carl's very informative
file on the history of area codes and how old codes were split in
two or more parts to form new codes, then I recommend you get a
copy of it from the Telecom Archives. Look for the 'history.of.area.
splits' file in the areacodes and/or history sub-directories.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: What is the Future of Electronic Mail?
Date: 25 Nov 1993 00:58:36 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


David R Johnston ([e-mail]) wrote:

> It seems to me that right now there is limited access due to the cost
> of access, as well as many people that I would like to communicate
> with are not on-line.

Depends on whom you ask.  My cost is $19.50 a month.  I was putting
posters around for a "How to use the Internet" training thing I'm
planning to do, and this 18 or 19 year old girl was watching me.  "You
mean people PAY you $40 to show them how to use the Internet?  That's
stupid."  When I told her that companies like Novell are charging $400
for it she was incredulous.  "All you have to do is log on and play
with it!"  For people under 30 the Internet is here.  For people over,
well, let's see.

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: Prodigy Access From Europe?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 12:07:38 GMT


Scheidl ([e-mail]) wrote:

> We do research on telecommunication services and I just wanted to know
> an access number of Prodigy. Can I use it with simple terminal
> session? For testing, I can also do a long distance call to the US.
> Where do I get a test-account? Is there an email adress to obtain this
> information ([e-mail] ??).

Prodigy uses customized access software, currently available for
Windows, MS-DOS (I think), and Macintosh computers.  They have
recently upgraded some of their access to 9600bps, which should be a
welcome relief with the PAINFULLY slow videotext-style interface they
use.  I don't know of any test accounts, but you can get a "free
one-month trial offer" for doing little more than existing on the
planet.  They're very much set up for US-only, though, so I don't know
what they'll say about a request coming from Europe.  You can also
order their software (including the trial subscription) from any of
the U.S. PC or Mac mail-order houses.

There have been files posted around the Internet in the past
speculating about possibly connecting up to Prodigy using generic comm
software in place of their custom application, but I have never tried
it.


Linc Madison  * Oakland, California
[e-mail],  >formerly<  GVHX00A on Prodigy
Disclaimer: I am quite happy to no longer have any connection to
Prodigy, even as a subscriber.

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 05:54:24 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Monitoring Cellular Calls


> Mr. Fischer, you obviously have no respect for a individual's privacy.
> Is business that bad that you must "prostitute" your product on the
> "net"?  I can only hope that your privacy is invaded in a sufficiently
> grotesque manner to educate you on it's value.

 ...-...-...-

> [Moderator's Note: It sounds to me like you are unhappy with the idea
> of people listening to your cellular calls.   PAT]

Indeed it does, Pat. And I can understand the position. I tend to
agree that such listening devices, meaning those sold specificly to
listen to cellular calls, are somewhat less than ethical. At the same
time, perhaps it`s time we started looking at this in a more realistic
light.

The communications act of 1933 lays all this out, in living color: The
EM spectrum is the property of all the people ... and anything that is
broadcast `in the clear' is fair game for reception, by ANY citizen.
At the same time, it`s a crime to make use of any information gleaned
from listening to things not intended for public consumption...
Business transactions conducted over business radio are an example of
such.

I raise some of these issues in an extended post I wrote about a year
or so ago in response to the paranoia being spread by the CPSR and the
EFF, regards cryptography and the government ... and, if I`m not
mistaken, people can find it in the Telecom and RIsks archives by
searching on the keywords "C.P.S.R.' and 'paranoia'.

The short version of the argument is this: We create more damage,
giving the impression that a 'line' is secure (by means of mere law)
than we do by making people on Cell phones aware /up front/, that they
should watch what they say, since the technology is such that the call
can be monitored by anyone with a mind to.

Matter of fact, given that about anyone with a mind could tap even a
hard-wire phone without even a direct connection ... (inductance
pickups ...) Perhaps no such system is secure, regardless of any law.

Clearly, the law prohibiting listening to cellular calls is at best
ineffective, and is, perhaps, counter-productive, to say nothing of it
being in direct violation of the intent of the communications act of
1933. The government, by giving the impression that such law IS
effective, is doing a dis-service to the public, and is perhaps
creating more of a security problem than it`s solving.

Perhaps we should educate the public that anything said on any
electroninc path, particularly on a public access network, is /by
nature/ not secure. That education process, and that shift of
responsibility away from the government, and law, and back to the comm
circuit user, where it belongs, is the biggest, and least expensive
security boost our telecommunications system could ever have.

What we have here is a case where our lawmakers have no idea what it
is they are regulating, but they have to do SOMETHING to justify their
positions of power. The result is predictable.


/E

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

From: Gerry Palmer <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Carrier For 800 Number?
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 93 15:05:17 -0500
Organization: ION Publishing Systems


> Is there any way left to easily tell what carrier "owns" a given
> 800-number?  I'm trying to find out who is carrying 800-950-3535, and
> have been unable to get any assistance either my local carrier (Bell
> of PA) or my preferred IXC (Sprint).  Ideas, anyone?

I know that my 800 number (which is with Sprint) is not listed in the
AT&T 800 directory. If this is true, you could try to find out the
carrier by calling each company's 800 information number and asking
for the owner's 800 number. When someone gives it, you've found the
carrier!


Gerry Palmer                 Phone: [phone]
ION Publishing Systems, Inc.   Fax: [phone]
4915 St. Elmo Ave. #500      Bethesda, MD  20814
 "The opinions expressed herein are unquestionably those of someone."


[Moderator's Note: The problem with your solution is there is no such
thing as 'each company's 800 information number'. There is a single
number for 800 directory assistance (800-555-1212) which is operated
by Southwestern Bell under contract to Bellcore I think, or maybe to
AT&T. It is for anyone with an 800 number who wants to have the number
published *at an additional fee*. Unlike regular numbers where the
default is a free listing and non-pub costs extra, with 800 it is the
other way around. So far as I know, only AT&T has a *printed* directory
of their 800 subscribers. None of the others bother with it, and AT&T
only does it because they always have from back in the days when they
were the sole supplier of 800 service even after divestiture for a
few years. If the others have printed directories, what happens if the
number our correspondent is checking out is non-pub, like most 800
numbers? It won't be in the published directory of that company either.
No, to find out what carrier handles a given 800 subscriber's traffic
you have to ask the subscriber, however you can make certain presump-
tions based on the old table in our archives and be right probably
about half the time, maybe more often.   PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 25 Nov 1993 09:15:27 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Robert Hettmansperger)
Subject: Re: Mnemonic For Wire Colors
Organization: Bellcore


In article <[e-mail]>, is written:

> For instance, to memorize the color codes of resistor bands, my father
> taught me "Blackie Brown rapes our young girls but Violet gives
> willingly."  This translates to black, brown, red, orange, yellow,
> green, blue, purple, gray, white.

Sorry I can't help with your original question, but I would like to
suggest a different mnemonic for resistor bands: "Bad beer rots out
your guts, but vodka goes well".  It works without the racist
overtones or the original (which, incidentally, was taught to me as
starting with "Black boys..."  which is even worse).

Just my opinion.

Bob


[Moderator's Note: But in a politically correct Digest like this one,
I have to censor out speech which might be offensive to people who
go to Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings. I can't run messages suggesting
people drink vodka or beer. Perhaps a good way for Usenit-wits to
remember the code would be by arranging their crayons in the proper
order each time they prepare to send me a letter complimenting me on
the fine way in which I commmercialize the net.

On being a Martyred Moderator: A couple hours ago I sent out the
Second Call for Votes on c.d.t.t. and I would appreciate it if people
would quit sending *me* your votes.  Read the instructions! Well on
the other hand, don't read them; they say 'you can reply to this
message', and of course, in a moderated journal you cannot reply, you
have to send email. I've already written back to a dozen people
telling them they have to send email to Mr. Maynard directly, and I
have returned their vote to them to be mailed correctly.  The
distasteful part was that about half of them were YES votes! :) So
send your votes where they belong by email (NOT via reply) and do
not 'cc' me on the ballot. They are already feeling very put upon that I
am still sitting here doing my thing; please don't give them any more
to bellyache about. Have a nice holiday ... catch 'ya around here over
the weekend once or twice. <wink>!    PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #785
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa15614;
          28 Nov 93 12:32 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA11868
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 28 Nov 1993 09:38:33 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA13630
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 28 Nov 1993 09:38:20 -0600
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 09:38:20 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #786

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 28 Nov 93 09:38:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 786

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    AT&T 9100 Phone Review (Bill Seward)
    900 Mhz Cordless Protocols? (Benjamin McLemore)
    603-43x-xxxx Switch? (Steve Hutzley)
    Where is Simtel20? (Amer Neely)
    Local Loop Deregulation in California (Pushpendra Mohta)
    811 and 911 (Tad Cook)
    Long Distance Calling Volumes in Europe (Christer Lundin)
    Call Rating Service Bureaus (Morris Galloway Jr.)
    Automated FAX Delivery (Jan Ceuleers)
    Metromedia Advertisement (Carl Moore)
    Echo Cancellation (Deneire Luc)
    Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK (Mary Anne Walters)
    Stats Wanted: AT&T 3DO (Roy G. Bivins)
    Qualcomm Tech Report Wanted (Jae-Soo Kim)
    COCOT Blocking/Splashing (Alan Boritz)
    FCC: No! GTE!!! ([e-mail])
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1993 21:19:23 EST
From: Bill Seward <[e-mail]>
Subject: AT&T 9100 Phone Review


Since a lot of net.folks have been asking about 900 MHz phones, I
thought I'd share my experiences with my new AT&T 9100.

First, this little jewel is not exactly cheap -- expect to pay in the
area of US$280 or so, depending on your local sales tax situation.
They are also in rather high demand, at least in my location.  I had
to keep checking back over a period of several weeks in order to catch
them in stock.

The phone is a digital, 900 MHz unit.  It does not use spread spectrum
technology.  Thus it is not as absolutely secure as it could possibly
be.  However, I don't count this as a drawback.  It should be secure
enough against the casual evesdropper, which is my big concern.  If I
thought the NSA was after me, I just wouldn't use the phones at all.  ;-)

A brief rundown of the advertised features:

   Ten channels;
   automatic channel changing;
   65,000 security code combinations, combination changed after each use;
   ten number memory (up to sixteen digits);
   programmable ringer types;
   four level handset volume adjustment;
   page from base unit;
   out of range notification;
   low battery alert;
   hold, mute, last number redial and flash;
   user replaceable battery;
   tone/pulse switch;
   one year warranty.

Special technical stuff:

   Crystal controlled dual PLL synthesizer;
   handset transmits in the 925.07 - 927.75 MHz range;
   base transmits in the 902.3 - 905.0 MHz range;
   handset weighs aprox. 1 lb.; base aprox. 1.5 lb;
   battery life is four hours talk, 72 hours standby;
   base and handset have external antennas.

The unit setup is pretty much standard for cordless phones.  I mounted
mine on the wall, about five feet up.  Charge the battery for 16 hours
and go.

I have tested it for range with the following results: I can get about
250 feet from the base with no noticable signal degredation on either
end.  I can get about 300 feet with acceptable degredation (the
occassional lost syllable).  At 375, I lose about every other syllable.
All of these distances are with one frame wall between the base and
the outside world.

As a comparison, my kid's baby monitor, which I am told operates with
the same characteristics as your standard 40-something Mhz cordless,
is lucky to make 75 feet and remain usable.  It also has a lot of
noise at that range, too.

Sound quality is very good, but not up to wired standards, IMHO.  But
there are no rice crispies.  You either hear or you don't hear.  The
volume control works, but notndset is designed so that is is not
really cradleable in the crook of your neck.  Physically, it resembles
a cellular handset in dimensions -- and I suspect they are not
cradleable for a reason.

By and large, I consider it a good buy, and would be comforable
recommending it to a friend.


Bill Seward

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

From: [e-mail] (Benjamin McLemore)
Subject: 900 Mhz Cordless Protocols?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 01:17:12 GMT


Having recently read an article in the {Economist} partially
explaining the basis of the new Escort 900 Mhz digital cordless phone
from Cincinnati Microwave, I had a number of questions I wished to ask
of more knowledgable folks here:

1: Are any of the digital cordless phones direct-sequence spread
spectrum? What advantages does this actually have over
frequency-hopping (AT&T, Tropez)?

2: Given that Cylink manufactures the spread-spectrum chip for the
Escort phone (from the Economist article), and that Cylink is recently
in the news as a manufacturer of the Clipper chip, what does this mean
for the security of the new cordless phones to law enforcement
scanning? Were they designed to be easily broken from the beginning?

3: Just how much information can be digitally spread out into the
900-928 frequency range? Given Metricom 56Kbps modems and cordless
phones, when will the error rates get too high for this band to be
useful?


Thanks,

Benjamin McLemore    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Hutzley)
Subject: 603-43x-xxxx Switch?
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1993 16:38:12 GMT


Recently, I saw an ad in the (Manchester, NH) {Union Leader} about New
England Telephone offering Caller ID.  GREAT!  At the bottom of the
3/4 page ad in the paper was a list of exchanges that had this
service. It would have saved them page space if they would have listed
the exchanges that DIDN'T have the service. They listed towns in NH I
didn't even know existed.

(FYI - NET was waiving the $9.95 install cost if you ordered before
12/11/93, and monthly charge is $4.95. Call Waiting is 3.81/mo, Call
forwarding is 3.81/mo, Three-way calling is 4.51/mo, speed calling [8
numbers is 2.98/mo-30 numbers is 5.94/mo]).

I'm curious, if anyone knows what switch I might be connected to, and
if this switch has the capability to handle Caller ID . the list of
exchanges that I am interested in are: area code 603: *421, *425, *426,
432, 434, 437. The three exchanges marked by '*', are brand new, and
have just appeared in the last two years. If anyone really wants the
list of exchanges that 'DO' offer caller ID, I will post them.

I *ASSUME* that I am connected to the CSO on Broadway St. In downtown
Derry, NH -- simply because I am about one mile from that switch. (I
know, that is a loose assumption). For all I know, I could be
connected to the Salem, NH area, Nashua area or to the Manchester
area. Very likely since NET has been installing fiber all over the
place, but those may be used for inter-exchange trunks.

I am a little miffed by the fact that Derry/Londonderry doesn't have
this feature (yet), but has all the other features (call forward/speed
dial/call waiting ...). I was going to call NET and get thier side of
the story -- but thought that I would get some 'ammuntion' information
up front.

I have been told -- that NH has some of the newest phone equipment in
the Northeast, because, (are you ready for this) of the presidental
primaries. With NH holding the first, and Dixville Notch, NH being a
town of eleven registered voters being the first to have counted the
votes, NET caters to the television and radio networks, who pay a
premium for good lines and/or fiber (which I find a little hard to
believe with the current use of satellite technology).


Thanks,

Steve

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

From: [e-mail] (Amer Neely)
Subject: Where is Simtel20?
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 93 21:48:09 GMT


Hi everyone,

A while ago in this Digest there were a lot of messages about the
closing of Simtel20. That has apparently come to pass (back in
September?). However, does anyone know if a site was found to move the
archives to? That address is no longer valid and I am trying to
subscribe to a mailing list which had that as the address. So I guess
this is a two question query:

1: Where is Simtel20 (or its equivalent -- I know about oakland &
wustl);

2: Does anyone know how I could subscribe to Info-IBMPC.


Many thanks in advance ...

Amer Neely <[e-mail]>

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

From: [e-mail] (Pushpendra Mohta)
Subject: Local Loop Deregulation in California
Date: 27 Nov 1993 22:40:11 GMT
Organization: CERFnet


On what date will multiple telcos be able to provide the local loop in
California?


[Moderator's Note: To the best of my knowledge, there is no scheduled
date for this where residential or small/medium size businesses are
concerned. In some cities, large businesses have a service called
Metropolitan Fiber available to them and they can justify the cost.
This is a bypass to the local telco. It is not all that common, and
I don't know if Metropolitan Fiber is operating in California or not.
Your local cable company may someday announce this service, but there
is no date set for that either.    PAT]

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

Subject: 811 and 911
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 93 15:37:04 PST
From: [e-mail] (Tad Cook)


[e-mail] (Bill Mayhew) writes:

> Another reason to do away with 811 numbers is the similarity to 911.
> While I have not personally experienced it, it is my understanding
> that some switches are programmed with heuristic rules so that numbers
> "sufficiently close" to 911 will be intercepted to 911.  According to
> local folklore that is why cordless phones were mysteriously dialing
> 911 as thier batteries went dead.  As the line relay chattered as it
> went dead, it would outpulse x11, which would be interpreted as 911.
> I haven't heard much about cordless phones mysteriously dialing 911
> lately, so maybe it was felt it would be better off without said
> heuristic applied.  Anyone know?

> [Moderator's Note: If x11 does the job and calls the police, then how
> do you account for 411 and 611, both used in many places?    PAT]

Actually, this wasn't done on purpose.  In old step type central
offices in rural areas they often had a limited number of levels for
the first selector.  (There was one "level" for each different
possible digit in the first digit of the phone number dialed from that
office.  The "first selector" handles the first dialed digit).

Why a limited number of levels?  Cost.  If you can only dial one local
prefix, say 524, then why have a level 6, 7, 8 or 9 built into the
this mechanical CO?

Now a problem shows up when you want to put basic 9-1-1 into this
office.  The usual way to do it is to take a trunk (such as the
Proctor 71911) and wire it to the ninth level of the first selector.
But if there is no ninth level?  Then anyone dialing 1-1 after the
first digit would reach the 9-1-1 PSAP (Public Safety Answering
Point).

Or another variation in our example has the first 1-5 levels
configured, but anything dialed beyond that is wired together.  So
anyone dialing 6-1-1, 7-1-1, 8-1-1 will do that same thing as dialing
9-1-1.

Another common problem with basic 9-1-1 in step offices is when the
ninth level isn't used for anything else, but then a trunk that
doesn't really decode any digits (or maybe just one) is wired to the
ninth level.  So if the trunk decodes one digit one before routing the
call to the 9-1-1 PSAP runs into trouble when you come home from work
and are used to dialing long distance calls on a PBX.  Without
thinking, you dial 9 for an outside line, 1 for a toll call, the first
digit of the area code, and you reach the PSAP by mistake, even though
you have not dialed 9-1-1.

I have never heard of a switch being programmed to route numbers
"close" to 9-1-1 to a PSAP, but there are lots of ways that basic
9-1-1 can be set up in a rural step-by-step exchange that result in
wrong numbers getting to 9-1-1.


Tad Cook  [e-mail]   Seattle, WA   KT7H

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

From: [e-mail] (Christer Lundin)
Subject: Long Distance Calling Volumes in Europe
Organization: World Bank
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 03:13:26 GMT


I'm very intersted in long distance and international telecommun-
ication calling volumes in Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain
and Sweden.

If anybody have any information I would appreciate it.

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

From: [e-mail] (Morris Galloway Jr.)
Subject: Call Rating Service Bureaus
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 93 17:43:19 GMT
Organization: Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina USA


I'm interested in hearing from people using a service bureau to rate
calls.  Our environment:

Southern Bell ESSX (Centrex), SMDR-P
DMS-100 Central Office

900 students use C.O. based authorization codes
200 faculty and staff do not use auth codes

Bell processes these SMDR records at a remote center, then returns
them is semi-real time to our site.  Some calls have only one record.
Those with an auth code have two: the call detail, followed by the
auth code (in a second record).

The service bureau polls a collection device on site, rates the calls,
and returns them to us on a diskette.

If you have a similar setup, and are using a rating service bureau,
I'd love to hear from you.

If your setup is different, but you are very happy with your rating
service bureau, I'd still like to hear from you very much.

Ditto, if you are doing the rating yourself, with a PC-based setup.


Thanks in advance.

Morris Galloway Jr.                         Internet:  [e-mail]
Dean, Administrative Services                     Phone:  [phone]
Presbyterian College       503 S. Broad St.      Clinton, SC  29325  USA

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

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 04:28:25 PST
From: [e-mail] (Jan Ceuleers)
Subject: Automated FAX Delivery


I quote Luis Delgado ([e-mail]):

> - All fax calls would be received by the local company PABX,
> that would redirect all calls to the same FAX card installed
> in a PC, for example. Then the FAX Software on the PC would
> decide based on the last three digits of the # specified by
> the sender, to which person to send the fax in an electronic
> mail message format.

The written mail services of the Alcatel 4300 and 4400 ranges of PBXs
solve this problem entirely on their own (i.e. without any PC-based
software). The weak spot in your proposed implementation is the
transmission of the DDI number to the PC.

In the A4300L, there are several ways to send someone a written
message:

- by faxing it straight into his mailbox

- by calling the PBX' modem pool (or X.25 PAD) and typing it
  into the on-line message editor

- by sending a sub-addressed telex

- via X.400

> I'm not saying this should be the best way to implement, and
> I even don't know if there are automated systems like this.
> I know however that it its possible (correct me if I'm
> wrong) to specify, something like a destination in the fax
> message it self, but I don't what this solution, because it
> isn't completely transparent to the sender.

Specifying the recipient in the fax message itself would require some
sort of OCR software if the message is to be routed automatically. In
the A4300L, this is not done. Any fax messages received by the PBX'
central fax number are routed to an operator who can view them
on-screen and then print them or re-route them to the correct mailbox.


Jan Ceuleers -- uucp: uunet!m2xenix!puddle!2!292!857!Jan.Ceuleers
Internet: [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 27 Nov 93 11:39:57 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Metromedia Advertisement


Ad says:

ONE MONTH FREE LONG DISTANCE
With Metromedia's Dial-1 Home Service.

SAVINGS UP TO 20%
SURCHARGE-FREE CALLING CARD
24-HOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE

NO RISK GUARANTEE

If you are not satisified, Metromedia will pay the local telephone
company's charge to switch you back to your previous carrier.

Call for details to learn how the free month plan works:

1-800-929-7200

Offer expires 3/31/94.  Savings may vary.  Other restrictions apply.

Metromedia Communications Corporation
The Fourth Largest National Long Distance Company


[Moderator's Note: Any number of long distance companies claim to be
in fourth place. None of them make any claims to first, second or
third, but fourth sure is crowded. Metromedia makes that claim, as
does LDS (the carrier for the Orange Cards) and others.   PAT]

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

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 09:47:28 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Deneire Luc)
Subject: Echo Cancellation


For an end of semester work, one of our students searches for
information on echoes on the telephone network, in fact, he
would like to get impulse responses of the telephone lines
on two and four wires.


Thank you,

deneiremontefiore.ulg.ac.be
Phone :  [phone]    Fax :  [phone]
Address: Dept. de Telecommunications (Professeur Fawe)
Institut Montefiore, B28 - Universite de Liege
B-4000 Liege Sart-Tilman

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

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 06:23:26 -0500
From: Mary Anne Walters <corndog![e-mail]>
Subject: Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK


I am interested in information on Internet connections in the UK.
Since there is a charge per minute for even local calls, what kind of
charges are we talking about for SLIP, if the modem is hooked up all
day? I've been told there is some kind of dialback option offered from
Internet providers (as an aside: who else other than PSI offers
connectivity in Britain?) and would like specifics on that.

I was also told "no one" has more than one phone line over there.  Is
this true?  And if so, how do people hadle internet access from home
and still be able to use the phones?

Thanks in advance for any help.


Mary Anne

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy G. Bivins)
Subject: Stats Wanted: AT&T 3DO
Date: 28 Nov 1993 02:17:28 GMT
Organization: University of Washington


I would be greatful to anyone who has the stats or any information on
this seemingly fine machine to post or mail this information to me,
like cost, and specs and stuff.


Thanks.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jae-Soo Kim)
Subject: Qualcomm Tech Report Wanted
Organization: UB
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 02:46:48 GMT


Is there any FTP site for the Qualcomm Tech Report or its list?

Thanks in advance.


Jae

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

Subject: COCOT Blocking/Splashing
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 09:06:43 EST
Organization: Harry's Place BBS - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


[e-mail] (Linc Madison) writes:

> A few weeks later, I got my bill, showing the $2.11 charge for a
> one-minute call from Kingman to Oakland, so I called AT&T.  My
> non-subscriber card is billed to my credit card, so I didn't have
> anything on the bill telling me whom to call.  I got bounced around to
> three different AT&T "800" numbers (only one of which is open 24
> hours) before I landed at the right one.  After checking with a
> supervisor, they agreed to re-rate the call (to $0.97).  I asked them
> what I should do to report this illegal phone.

Funny you should mention AT&T overpricing calling card calls.  I
discovered that NJ Bell was billing my employer for some direct-dial
and premium rate calling card calls that were not appearing on our
"Customnet" billing.  Since the telephone session AT&T began with the
smartass AT&T rep explaining that the charges appeared on the bill
because, "someone picked up the phone and made a phone call," it was
pretty logical that they'd keep me on the phone for almost a
half-hour, not return my call, and not send the customer service
records I requested.

The big surprise about AT&T, Customnet, and calling cards, is that
AT&T calls billed to "Phone-In," or "Call-Me" cards are NOT billed
under the negotiated rate, but at a PREMIUM rate.  It seems that since
AT&T discontinued issuing the restricted cards, they will not handle
billing for RBOC-issued restricted cards, even if AT&T handles billing
for the phone number to which the cards are billed.

I think it's terribly misleading for AT&T to entice customers into
subscribing to what is marketed as a "complete" discounted long
distance service and billing product, and then not pick up ALL of the
billed AT&T traffic.  Perhaps it's also misleading for NJ Bell to be
marketing a calling card product that they know will always result in
inter-LATA charges at a premium rate, rather than at any negotiated
discounted rate.

I asked an AT&T Customnet CS rep for someone to contact me about a
product that would be functionally the same as the restricted calling
card, but apparently our LD business isn't sufficiently important to
rate a return call.

What restricted reverse-charge products, compatible with a
switched-access WATS product are offered by some reputable OCC's?


[e-mail]  or  uunet!drharry!aboritz
Harry's Place BBS (drharry.UUCP) - Mahwah NJ USA - [phone]

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

From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 08:12:30 EST
Subject: FCC: No! GTE!!!


This little blurb was included in the November 15, 1993 edition of
{Advertising Age Magazine}:


GTE ORDERED TO QUIT CALIF. INTERACTIVE TEST

STAMFORD, Conn.- The Federal Communications Commission last week
ordered GTE Corp. to end its involvement in a troubled test of
interactive TV services in Cerritos, Calif., effective next March. The
FCC gave GTE a special waiver in 1989 from rules barring one company
from providing both cable and phone service in a community, but cited
a court ruling that questioned the original decision in rescinding the
waiver. The move creates further confusion about the implications of
growing ownership ties between phone and cable companies.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #786
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa22277;
          29 Nov 93 14:27 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA08685
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 29 Nov 1993 10:23:19 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA30534
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 29 Nov 1993 10:23:01 -0600
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 10:23:01 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #787

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 29 Nov 93 10:23:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 787

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    GM Hughes Wins U.S. Foothold In Cellular Deal With BellSouth (Alex Cena)
    Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Scott D. Fybush)
    AT&T Refund Check (Laurence Chiu)
    Mobile Radio List Announcement (Paul Robinson)
    The Superhighway and Telco's (John Antypas)
    Possible Layoffs at Bell Canada (Nigel Allen)
    We're Going to Start Using X400 (Dave Niebuhr)
    Bell Canada Uses Fax-on-Demand for News Updates (Nigel Allen)
    Information Needed on UPT (Phil Price)
    Book Review: Free Electronic Networks (Bill Shefski)
    Case Studies For Faxback/Fax on Demand (Jim McCormack)
    Paper in Signcomm'93 ([e-mail])
    Request For Information on Long Distance Carrier (David Wade)
    Wireless Audio LAN Technology (Rayan Zachariassen)
    International Calls via Cable or Satellite (Bill Garfield)
    Re: 811 and 911 (Carl Moore)
    Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon (Jack Hamilton)
    Gary Moore of "I've Got a Secret" Dies (Joe Kubasha)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 11:07:06 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: GM Hughes Wins U.S. Foothold In Cellular Deal With BellSouth


 From  {Wall Street Journal} 11/29/93

  By Jeff Cole

  LOS ANGELES -- Hughes Aircraft Co., securing a foothold in the U.S.
cellular-transmission market, is expected to announce that it won a
contract valued at nearly $400 million to provide cellular switching
equipment and technology for BellSouth Corp., The Wall Street Journal
reported.

  Hughes, a unit of General Motors Corp., had to discount heavily to
dislodge entrenched providers of cellular technology such as Motorola
Corp., according to people familiar with the terms. And the contract
gives it only a tiny slice of the $10 billion-a-year U.S. market for
cellular systems and services.

  With the contract, however, defense giant Hughes is poised to make
further inroads in the U.S. cellular market for current and emerging
systems. It also brings credibility for a drive by Hughes to boost
growing cellular-system sales in developing regions such as China, the
former Soviet Union and Southeast Asia.

  The award by BellSouth, which is expected to be announced today, was
confirmed by officials of both Hughes and BellSouth Cellular Corp.,
the BellSouth unit serving 1.8 million cellular customers in 15
states. A spokesman for Motorola, based in Schaumburg, Ill., couldn't
be reached to comment. Other providers of the equipment and services
include American Telephone & Telegraph Co. and Sweden's L.M. Ericsson.

  People familiar with the agreement said it will total close to $400
million for equipment and services over a five-year period through
1999.

  Under the deal, Hughes will provide 54 cities in the Southeastern
U.S. with its GMH2000 cellular network, including placement of
wireless transmission equipment at 450 sites. The Hughes system, which
uses switching technology provided by Alcatel SEL of Germany, includes
advanced mobile-switching centers that link wireless calls to
traditional telephone company lines. The equipment can accommodate
both analog and highly compressed digital signals.

  That flexibility was a central factor in the award to Hughes. Rick
Clawson, a vice president for BellSouth Cellular, said the Hughes
contract systems will give many customers "the most technically
advanced network systems."

  While Hughes had to cut prices to land the deal, its managers
nonetheless were crowing over the win. Hughes efforts to prove its
system included a 22-month test in cooperation with BellSouth in
Mobile, Ala. Other major cities to be served by Hughes equipment
include New Orleans; Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla.; Memphis and
Nashville, Tenn.; and Richmond, Va.

  "We've been doing quite nicely internationally," said Jack Shaw,
chairman of Hughes Network Systems, which is based in Bethesda, Md.,
but the BellSouth contract "lends all sort of new credentials. It just
ups your credibility 100%."

  Hughes also is advancing in development of equipment for the new
cellular digital packet data network, or CDPD, which transmits data
messages in electronic envelopes. CDPD, which was developed by McCaw
Cellular Communications Inc. and a consortium that includes
International Business Machines Corp., is scheduled to be completed
next year. Paul Callahan, a senior analyst with Forrester Research
Inc., says CDPD should play a major role in expanding the nascent data
transmission market.

  Buoyed by innovations like CDPD, the wireless data market could hit
$600 million in revenue by 1995, estimates Herschel Shosteck, a
cellular consultant in Silver Spring, Md. Even so, data will still
represent a relatively minuscule part of the overall market.

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott D Fybush)
Subject: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 05:40:23 GMT


According to radio ads being heard by a friend in Rochester NY,
Rochester Tel will change over this week from 1 + 7D for long distance
in 716 to just 7D.

This poses a few problems.  First, almost any LD call from the
Rochester exchanges is inter-LATA.  716 is divided into two LATAs.
The Buffalo LATA encompasses all of 716 except the Roch Tel areas and
a few other areas inside the Roch Tel zone which are still served by
indies (including Ogden Telephone and a few Contel exchanges.)  I
suspect LD carriers will be upset about this one ... especially if Roch
Tel tries to default customers to its own RCI long-distance service.

More to the point, it's difficult for the average Rochester customer
to know at a glance what's LD and what isn't.  The Rochester-area
exchanges are strewn roughly evenly across the numbering space, and so
(just to give one example), 282-XXXX is Niagara Falls, while 288-XXXX
is a local Rochester call.  Rochester has been adding NXXs (actually
still NNXs) right and left ... to the degree that I can't even keep up
with it when I go home.

One other thing that will have to go: Rochester has toll-free dialing
to a few points in Wayne County, in the 315 NPA.  A few, 315-524
Ontario and 315-986 Macedon, are still dialed with only 7D.  (Others
that have been added more recently are dialed 1 + 315 + 7D.)
Presumably Roch Tel will have to change all these over to 1 + 315 + 7D.

Does anyone in the NY Tel half (ie the Buffalo LATA) of 716 know what
the dialing method will be there?


-=Scott Fybush - [e-mail]=-
-now living in 617, where there are only 8 NXXs that are LD to me!-

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

From: [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
Subject: AT&T Refund Check
Date: 28 Nov 1993 09:57:11 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access


I just got a postcard from AT&T saying that I needed to call them and
say how I wanted my refund check. Apparently I was enrolled in a plan
that offered me one month free LD by refunding the average LD bill for
the last six months. I had a choice of either a check to be used as I
wish or AT&T LD certificates. Although the choice would be made via an
automated phone menu system I requested an operator to find out how
much my refund was. To my pleasant surprise it was going to be $92!
When asked by the AT&T operator did I use AT&T for all my LD
requirements, I replied I guess I must if my average was $92. Anyway
not a bad deal.

By way of a postscript I had been having all kinds of problems with
PacBell actioning my requests to AT&T to enroll me in their Reach Out
World plan. For three months all my international LD calls were rated
at normal rates, not at the ROW rates and I had to call each month for
the bill to be re-rated (sometimes I would have > $200 for LD!). I
suspect my average is based on the amounts prior to re-rating :-)


Laurence Chiu                 Walnut Creek, California
Phone(Work) : 510-215-3730    Internet:  [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 09:17:37 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Mobile Radio List Announcement
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


[e-mail]

The purpose of the Land Mobile Radio list, land-mobile-radio, is to
promote technical conversation regarding commercial land mobile
two-way radio communications and associated systems and accessories.
In addition to conversation buying, selling and trading of commercial
land mobile equipment is allowed.

To add yourself to this list, please send electronic mail to

              [e-mail]

and include the command:

              subscribe land-mobile-radio

as the first line of your message.

To send mail to be distributed to all subscribers mail to

              [e-mail]

and send normal subject and text.

To remove yourself from this server, please send electronic mail to:

              [e-mail]

and include the command:

              Unsubscribe land-mobile-radio

as the first line of your message.

For more information contact the owner listed below.

Owner:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Antypas)
Subject: The Superhighway and Telcos
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 21:40:31 GMT


Just a thought I thought I'd throw out to the net.

With the SuperHighway concept being pushed as if we don't have many of
the pieces already, I noticed a potential problem in the deployment.

Right now, the Internet providers above a certain user mass (Netcom,
UUNet, PSI, et al) are all attempting to cover the country in POPs for
obvious reasons.  If this continues, one could assume that one day,
every city would have a PSI, Netcom, Alternet, et al POP in it.
Surely that won't help anyone.  We'd all like OUR Providers POP to be
in OUR city, but the phone line load would be MUCH too high!

1. Has any provider ever thought of expanding the CIX concept for
POPs?  At some point, why not share the dialin lines in cities for
PSI, UUNet Netcom and Cerfnet?  More cities covered, same costs
(maybe).  There a lot of work to be done here.

2. If not, the Baby Bells are trying to get into this too.  They DO
have the phone lines in regional areas, they can provide the web
across the country.  However, at least in the past, they have shown
themselves incapable of providing a price structure anywhere NEAR that
of the Internet providers for the SAME level of service (or worse).
PacTel can't provide me with 14.4Kb data for anywhere near the cost of
what Netcom is providing it to me.  If this is correct, how are the
providers going to cope with the RBOC issue.


John Antypas / 21st Century Software Walnut Creek CA
[e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 07:07:11 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Subject: Possible Layoffs at Bell Canada
Organization: Internex Online (io.org) Data: 416-363-3783  Voice: 416-363-8676


Bell Canada's request for federal unemployment insurance money to
finance a reduced work week for some of its unionized employees has
been turned down, according to a recent report in Toronto {Globe and
Mail}.

Bell Canada had proposed to cut its workers hours and wages by 20%, so
that they would be working and paid for a four-day work week, but they
would also receive 57% of their lost wages from the unemployment
insurance program.

Layoffs now seem likely.

(There are some areas where Bell is already short-staffed, such as the
repair answer bureaus and the tellers in the public office.)

Bell Canada blames the cutbacks on the recent CRTC decision rejecting
a proposed general rate increase. But Bell has won several other
recent applications to the CRTC, including one to impose charges for
long distance directory assistance and another to make all new
subscribers pay extra for a TouchTone line. As well, "upgroupings"
continue to increase Bell's revenues. (Rates for basic monthly
telephone service from Bell Canada are determined both by the category
of service -- residential single-party, say, or business metered -- and
the rate group for the exchange, which is a function of the number of
telephone numbers that the subscriber can make as a local call, which
is increased by a distance-related weighting factor in the case of
suburban exchanges that can call a neighbouring city as a local call.
As the number of telephone numbers increases, communities are moved
from a lower rate group to a higher one, and their monthly phone rates
increase correspondingly.)

Bell Canada is a subsidiary of BCE Inc., which has made some
unsuccessful investments in the real estate business and the banking
industry. There has been considerable speculation that BCE Inc. will
sell Montreal Trust for rather less than what it originally paid for
the trust company. (Most Americans would call Montreal TRrust a bank,
but Canadian law distinguishes between regular "chartered" banks and
trust companies.)


Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada   [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 07:53:06 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: We're Going to Start Using X400


I received this last Wednesday in response to a question posed about
CCMAIL by a user.

Problem Statement| User says the all DOE offices use CCMAIL to directly
                 | send email between them and wanted to know if the lab
                 | should or could be connected directly to this mailing
                 | system without going through a gateway.

Left voice message for the user.  When he calls back, I'll tell him
that BNLnet mail is primarily smtp; DOE-wide backbone of near-future
is X.400; cc:mail is an application that can be used for mail carried
over X.400 via gateways.  The plan here is to establish our own
gateway(s) to X.400; will certainly include X.400 <--> smtp; may also
include X.400 <--> ???.

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

DOE is the United States of Energy, and BNL is one of its research
labs operated under contract to Associated Universities, Inc. which is
composed of nine northeastern universities: Brown, Columbia, Cornell
Dartmouth, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT Priceton, and Yale.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 09:07:36 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Bell Canada Uses Fax-on-Demand for News Updates
Organization: Internex Online (io.org) Data: 416-363-3783  Voice: 416-363-8676


Bell Canada is using a fax-on-demand service to provide moderately
up-to-date information on the CRTC hearings into telephone company
regulation.

To receive a fax with the latest news about the hearings, people can
call 1-800-663-8536 from a touchtone phone and follow the voice
prompts.

This probably only works from phones in Canada, and possibly only
within Bell Canada territory. Even so, it's a neat idea, and it will
be interesting to see whether any U.S. telephone companies adopt
fax-on-demand technology for marketing material or internal staff
newsletters.


Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada     [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Phil Price)
Subject: Information Wanted on UPT
Date: 29 Nov 1993 06:43:24 GMT
Organization: Qualcomm Inc.


Does anyone have any information on UPT?

I am currently looking at the problem of international roaming (in a
mobile environment). The problem is that if a mobile roams
internationally, then any calls to that mobile will cause a circuit to
be set up to the home system, and another circuit to wherever the
mobile is currently located (this can cause the 'tromboning' effect
that is usually described in the literature). Currently, numbering
plans are used to identify mobile stations (and avoid the circuit
setup), but this is not particularly useful. UPT is a system designed
to address this problem, but I don't know anything more than that. If
someone could send me some information, or tell me where I can find
out moe I would be very grateful.


Thanks,

Phil

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

Subject: Book Review: Free Electronic Networks
From: [e-mail] (Bill Shefski)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 22:20:00 -0500
Organization: Pics OnLine MultiUser System - 609-753-2540
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Bill Shefski)


***Special to Telecom Digest***

November 28, 1993

The first ever paper-and-ink book on the subject of the relay
messaging networks that connect privately owned and operated
electronic bulletin board systems (BBS) hit the stores this week.

_Free Electronic Networks_ is written to help get a novice up and
started on their first tentative steps into the most accessable area
of cyberspace, but has hard information for the veteran, including a
history of telecommunication and a meaty directory of BBS phone
numbers all over the world.

Free Electronic Networks
by William J. Shefski
Prima Computer Books, Rocklin CA
496 pp.

Table of Contents

1. Webs in Cyberspace - geography, history and sociology of
computer-mediated communication.

2. Who Echoes - profiling several actual regular people one might
encounter on the echo nets.

3. Echo Tech - outlining the various relay-style networking technologies.

4. Tools for Echoing - survey of software from the user end, including
evaluations of communication and offline mail reader programs.

5. How to Echo - a basic, hand-holding walk-through from behind the
eyes of a hypothetical new user.

6. What Echoes - interesting phenomenon -- and nonsense -- one
encounters while cruising the nets.

Appendix - including a glossary; a listing of the names of mail reader
software for many computing platforms; a directory containing the
phone numbers of BBSs attached to 70 different echo networks; and an
index of their discussion area topics.

Wide distribution of this title in the English-speaking world is
anticipated, but if your bookstore does not stock it, and/or if you'd
like to have a reduced-price, author-inscribed copy, you can be part
in an ongoing "virtual booksigning party" by using the form below.

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

Please send me one copy of _Free Electronic Networks_. I saw the
information in TELECOM Digest. Enclosed is my money order for $23
(U.S. funds only please).

My Name       _____________________________

My Address    _____________________________

              _____________________________

              _____________________________

Name for
Inscription   -----------------------------
(if different than above)


Send to: Bill Shefski
P.O. Box 233
Clementon, New Jersey 08021
USA

North American postage included. Outside North America please include
suitable return postage estimated for 500-page soft-bound volume.
NJ residents include sales tax.


Thank you.

See you on the nets.........BS

Pics OnLine MultiUser System   609/753-2540 HST  609/753-2605 (V32bis)
Massive File Collection - Over 45,000 Files OnLine - 250 Newsgroups

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

From: [e-mail] (Jim McCormack)
Subject: Case Studies for Faxback/Fax on Demand
Date: 29 Nov 1993 03:23:20 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net


I'm doing a paper on Fax on Demand applications and I am looking for
any case studies in this area. If anyone has any information on where
I might find any I would greatly appreciate you passing it on.

Thanks in advance for your help.


Jim McCormack     617-935-4850 X352   617-932-9939 Fax
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Desperate Submarine)
Subject: Paper in Signcomm'93
Organization: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 13:17:34 +0800


I am currently looking for a paper in the Proceeding of ACM
Signcomm'93.  Unfortunately, I cannot get access to it in my
Univerisity Library. Therefore, I would like to ask you to give a
helping hand. Can you give me the library that has the described
paper? The details are as follow:

Title:    On the Self-Similar Nature of Etherenet Traffic
Author:    Lelard, Willinger


Thanks in advance :0

Submarine

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 08:48:18 MST
From: [e-mail] (David Wade)
Subject: Request For Information on Long Distance Carrier


So, against my better judgement, I finally got another phone.

I live up in the Mountains of New Mexico, and I am in the process of
buying a new house.  While having the phone switched over, the
"Service Rep" asked me which long distance service I wanted ... I
couldn't remember the "Orange" one described on here awhile back, and
so I ended up with "the default".

Does anyone remember the particulars on that "Orange" telco?


[Moderator's Note: The Orange Card is an independent long distance
calling card. The rates are 25 cents per minute and there is no
surcharge for its use. It works like any other calling card in the
way calls are dialed, etc. It bills in six second increments after
the intial thirty second minimum. Write for details if you want the
brochure and service application: [e-mail].    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rayan Zachariassen)
Subject: Wireless Audio LAN Technology
Organization: University of Toronto Computing & Communications
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 02:43:04 -0500


Hi, I'm looking on behalf of my dad for a telephone-quality (or much
better) wireless audio technology with the following characteristics:

- There is a mobile wireless lightweight unit with a headset or equivalent.

- Useable both indoors and outdoors.

- Density of dozens or hundreds of active mobile units on different channels
  within a room, and/or thousands within a building.

- Continuous signal while unit moves around within reach of any base unit.

- Automatic location tracking.

- Bandwidth is primarily *to* the mobile unit.  A very low bandwidth
  backchannel is required (12 codes (DTMF) is probably sufficient).

- Has a concept of "session" (conversation).

- Cheap (its a non-profit high-volume application).

- Sessions are likely to last 30 minutes to 2 hours.

- Multiline LCD display on mobile unit is desirable.

I can imagine a few possibilities, but would rather hear from people
without injecting my own bias.  If you know of products that might fit
the bill, or come close, or could be modified, or you want to
manufacture it, I'd appreciate a vendor name and city/phone number.

Thanks,

rayan

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

Subject: International Calls via Cable or Satellite
From: [e-mail] (Bill Garfield)
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 93 13:04:00 -0600
Organization: Ye Olde Bailey BBS - Houston, TX - 713-520-1569
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Bill Garfield)


I remember someone telling me once that when placing international
calls -from- the US that it was possible to -force- the call to take
the undersea cable path as opposed to routing via satellite and that
there was also some valid reason why a person might want to do this,
like for fax or modem calls f'rinstance.  Seems there was another
reason also, having something to do with the broadcast media.(?)

Alas I have lost my notes but recall that the magic was supposedly a
two-digit "access" code that you simply inserted ahead of the country
code. Can anyone share this info and/or enlighten us as to its
possible uses?


Bill Garfield <[e-mail]>
Ye Olde Bailey BBS   713-520-1569 (V.32bis) 713-520-9566 (V.32bis)
  Houston,Texas          yob.sccsi.com       Home of alt.cosuard

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 9:44:38 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 811 and 911


Some switches have allowed local calls within that exchange to be
dialed with less than seven digits (thinking of the example where you
have local service only to one prefix).  BUT ON SECOND THOUGHT: many
if not all of the cases of less-than-seven-digit-local-call would have
been before there was a 911.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 01:45:24 GMT


Why is St-Pierre et Miquelon (country code 508) listed with the South
American countries?  It's several hundred miles farther north than
that other South American country right next to it, Canada.


Jack Hamilton            POB 281107 SF CA 94128  USA
[e-mail]           kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na


[Moderator's Note: It is not listed with the North American country
code '1' because it is a territory of France rather than being part
of Canada or the USA. It could be in '1' if it were an independent
country. This relates back to the politics of how country codes were
assigned originally many years ago. France has always kept a tight
control on their telecom things. It's a long story, and too involved
for this issue where space is already running short. Anyway, the
choice was '1' for North America or 5xx for anything south of Del
Rio or Brownsville, Texas, and they opted for the latter.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (JOE KUBASHA)
Subject: Gary Moore of "I've Got a Secret" Dies
Organization: PICKER INTERNATIONAL
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 14:27:06 GMT


A few weeks back there was some discussion in this group about the
cast of "I've Got A Secret."

I just heard on the news last night that the host, Gary Moore, passed
away over the weekend.


Joe

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #787
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa05844;
          30 Nov 93 17:33 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA21773
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 30 Nov 1993 13:32:19 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA14446
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 30 Nov 1993 13:32:02 -0600
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 13:32:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #788

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 30 Nov 93 13:32:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 788

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Summary: T1 Equipment With Modem Banks etc. (Aninda Dasgupta)
    Research Assistantship - High Speed Networking (Joseph B. Evans)
    TIME Puts Internet Population at 20 Million (Philip Elmer-DeWitt)
    AC 520 for Arizona in March 1995 (Steve Grandi)
    Digital Mobile Radio Mailing List (Peter Decker)
    Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference) (Phil Price)
    NPA For Saudi Arabia (Marita A. O'Brien)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 14:00:31 EST
From: [e-mail] (Aninda Dasgupta)
Subject: Summary: T1 Equipment With Modem Banks etc.


A number of people from the net asked me to forward whatever
information I have received regarding equipment needed to connect 24
modems to a T1 line.  Below I have described the main features of
each.  All this information is what I have assimilated from
market-speak and brochures of the vendors.

Summary of my application's needs:
I want to provide two kinds of services to my geographically distributed
salespeople; both services are to be provided from a workstation-based
server.

Service 1: Salesperson dials in from his laptop and on my end I want
to dump some ASCII and graphics messages on his laptop screen --
pretty much like a remote terminal server.

Service 2: Salesperson dials in from a POTS telephone, uses DTMF keys
to choose a service and gets messages played back and/or a fax sent to
a fax machine -- very much like voice-mail systems, banks offering
credit card balance information and fax-back systems.

I need the two services to be served off one workstation because the
information accessible via the two services (using modems or telephone
sets) is identical and because I want to aggregate my incoming lines
onto a single T1 so that I can get good LD rates from my LD provider.

Vendors that have products that allow offering such services are
listed below.

1) US Robotics - Total Control WAN Hub

This is a rack-mount product, with a chassis and various options
offered on cards. They have a dual-T1 card with drop-insert
capabilities, frac. T1 enabled, accepts ANI/DNIS and requires no
external CSU.  The DSP-based quad-modem cards have built-in fax-modem
(V.32bis) capabilities, can access DNIS, can load DNIS-dependent modem
configuration, will (someday) route the data to LAN adapters (instead
of RS-232 ports) and can originate and terminate fax/modem calls.  USR
also talks about having LAN adapter cards being available in early
'94, which will allow direct connections to a a Token-ring or
Ethernet. The description of this feature is quite confusing in the
glossies as they keep talking about a PC'based software module that
acts as the LAN gateway (I suppose they have a proprietary link from
the chassis to a PC-based adapter and then software on the PC routes
the data to the PC's LAN adapter card for delivery to the LAN).

The LAN transport protocol to be used can be anything of your choice.
USR will also have X.25 and Frame Relay cards that go in the same
chassis.  The chassis and some of the cards are controllable/monitorable
using SNMP, either from a PC (with software available from USR) or
from any other SNMP host on the LAN.  Some of the cards are also
controllable via RS-232 dumb terminals.  They will also have a
terminal server card (I don't know how many terminal ports, or what
protocol e.g.  TCP/IP, will be supported).

Although the USR product looked the most attractive, I found that none
of their technical people were very knowledgeable about this product.
This may be because this is a very new product, with seemingly no
known installations.  Efforts at reaching someone who is actually
developing the system or is sufficiently familiar with the features of
the product proved futile. In talking with various people at USR I got
the impression that many of the cards and software they describe in
their brochures are still not available.  One major drawback I found
in their offerings is the lack of voice support.  If I want to turn
any of the incoming DS0 channels on my T1 into a voice grade service,
(service 2 in my summary above) they don't have any cards that will do
just the PCM demodulation and give me POTS voice lines with RJ11
jacks.  I guess one could program one of the modem cards to not do the
V.32bis handshake and simply shutup on an incoming voice call, but
these modem cards don't seem to have RJ11 ports off which I could hang
telephone sets (or my workstation's voice response card). If I
remember right, someone at USR promised such voice cards in early '93.

For more (and perhaps accurate) information, contact US Robotics at
[phone].  The gentleman I spoke to was Michael Cashman, Ext.
5636.

2) Primary Access

I found out about Primary Access from, among other, its founder, Jim
Dunn.  They are reachable by email. They seem to have a larger
installed base of their product as compared to the USR product
described above.

This prouduct is also a chassis based system.  The single-T1 card has
drop-insert capabilities, is not capable of frac. T1 (from what I
could gather from their glossies), needs an external CSU (but only for
loop-back testing) and accepts ANI/DNIS. However, the ANI/DNIS is
accessible to a host computer only if you use an X.25 link between the
chassis and the host.  This means, in order to get the ANI/DNIS, you
need to buy an X.25 card for the chassis and an X.25 card and software
for the host.  The dual-modem cards are V.32bis compatible, can do
DTMF decoding, can originate and terminate modem calls, and they
promise routing of modem data to LANs within the next year.  These
cards don't seem to be as feature rich as the USR cards (e.g. on the
fly, DNIS-dependent configuration download, etc.). They offer X.25
cards and Frame Relay too.  Network management is done using CMIP. All
software on the cards can be downloaded for upgrades.  Voice call
support is provided using their eight-port FXS cards (something that
is lacking in the USR offering at this time).  They have promised
Ethernet support in about a year. They assured me that they can price
their products very aggressively.

For more information call:
[phone]   Fax: [phone]

3) Dialogic

This is a all-in-a-PC solution.  Dialogic offers a T1 interface card
for the IBM PC bus. This card provides access to ANI/DNIS, has
drop-insert capabilities and requires an external CSU for loop-back
testing.  They have various versions of the T1 card, offering various
options for the number of T1 ports. Also offered is a PC-based
four-channel Voice card that does DSP-based call processing. Combined
with Dialogic's voice-processing software (PCM encode/decode API) and
DTMF recognition capabilities, this card provides an excellent way to
implement voice-based services.  Dialogic also offers fax boards that
will allow you to send out faxes from the PC.  The PC, equipped with a
LAN adapter card can, via the application software route all data to a
network.  I am not aware of network monitoring features (SNMP or
CMIP). Also missing is any V.32bis modem capabilties. One attraction
of going the Dialogic way is the elimination of any cabling which is
needed to connect the USR or Primary Access products to any host
system (e.g. RS-232, twisted-pair etc.).  All the cards use Dialogic's
PEB bus for internal data transfers.

For more information call Dialogic Sales and Technical Support:
[phone].

4) IBM's CallPath Line of Products:

IBM offers a uniform API to interface to phone systems, independent of
the the PBX vendor and the host system platform.  e.g. one could use
the same programs to implement CallPath-based applications on MVS,
AS/400, OS/2 and AIX based systems and interface to PBXs from Rolm,
NT, etc.  One requirement is the PS/2 based CallPath SwitchServer/2,
which seems to be a system that has hard-wired links to the PBX and
sits on the LAN and serves all requests for operations from the
CallPath host. The host to SwitchServer link is supported using SNA
LU6.2 (yuk!!). They support DID, DNIS, CLID, ANI etc. and have T1
boards for the RS/6000 (I am not aware if they have boards for the
PS/2 and mid to main frame systems, but I assume they do).  Although
an interesting product with a seemingly rich API to perform all kinds
of call routing etc, the main drag is the PS/2 requirement to
interface to a PBX (what if I don't have a PBX?).

For more information call:
(800) IBM-CALL  and ask for information on CallPath line of products.

Summary and Wish List:

The Primary Access and USR offerings look equally attractive.  I wish
the USR product line had a POTS voice card with RJ11 jacks.  And I
wish they would actually have products for sale instead of promising
me everything next year.  I wish Primary Access delivered ANI/DNIS
without X.25. I wish both USR and Primary Access had LAN adapters for
their chassis so that I wouldn't need to run 24 RS-232 cables from the
modem cards to my workstation. (Getting a workstation equipped with 24
serial ports is quite difficult.)  The Dialogic product can be neatly
packaged in a PC, but I don't trust a PC to do my important call
processing and service providing functions.  And Dialogic doesn't
provide V.32bis modem-banks in their PC solutions. Finally, I wish the
IBM product didn't need a PBX and a PS/2 to interface to it.

I DO NOT GUARANTEE the accuracy of any of this information.  As I
said, this is what I have understood or guessed from whatever
information I was able to gather directly from the vendors. I might
have misunderstood some deficiencies, or unknowingly embellished some
features.  If so, this is surely unintentional.  If anybody familiar
with these products finds any inaccuracies, I'd appreciate being told
about it.  If anybody knows of any other such products, I would like
to hear about them too.

Thanks to all those who responded to my queries on this forum.


Aninda DasGupta ([e-mail]) Ph:[phone] Fax:[phone]
Philips Labs\n 345 Scarborough Rd\n  Briarcliff Manor\n NY 10510

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

Subject: Research Assistantship - High Speed Networking
From: [e-mail] (Joseph B. Evans)
Date: 30 Nov 93 07:01:03 CDT
Organization: Elec. Eng. & Comp. Sci., Univ. of Kansas


                 Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
                              for
              High Speed Wireless Networking Research

                       University of Kansas
       Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
      Telecommunications and Information Sciences Laboratory (TISL)
                        Lawrence, Kansas

TISL is looking for qualified, creative individuals with a desire to
pursue graduate research and education in high speed wireless link and
networking technologies. The position requires an undergraduate or MS
degree in EE, ECE, or CS with credentials for admission to the
University of Kansas Graduate School.  Good communication skills,
strong self-motivation, and the ability to work as part of a team are
required.  A background in communications systems and/or networking is
desired.  The individual will join a team of faculty and students
pursuing sponsored research in high speed wireless communications
networks and in the hardware and software development of a prototype
high speed wireless Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) system.

This position is an opportunity to develop the telecommunications
technology of the future.  TISL has state-of-the-art communications
and computing facilities.  We are a founding member of the MAGIC
gigabit testbed and have experiential ATM and long distance SONET
facilities.  Within TISL, faculty and students address challenging
research issues in various aspects of telecommunications, ranging from
high speed networks to wireless communications systems and advanced
spread spectrum techniques.  The interaction between the laboratory
and the other EECS faculty contribute to the stimulating intellectual
environment.

The University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, a city of about
75,000 people, which is situated in the rolling hills of eastern
Kansas, about an hour's drive from Kansas City.  The city of Lawrence
has a long history and retains may interesting reminders of its
colorful past.  The community has 1,257 acres of public parks, indoor
and outdoor community swimming pools, an arts center, an historical
museum, and an active community education and recreation program.

Interested applicants should submit two copies of both a resume and
cover letter requesting application forms to:

Dr. Victor S. Frost
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director, Telecommunications and Information Sciences Laboratory
University of Kansas
2291 Irving Hill Road
Lawrence, KS 66045-6929
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Philip Elmer-DeWitt)
Subject: TIME Puts Internet Population at 20 Million
Date: 29 Nov 1993 22:16:49 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


In a three-page article in the TIME Magazine issue dated 12/6/93, the
authors estimate the population of the Internet, including dial-up
users, at about 20 million. The relevant paragraph:

 How big is the Internet? Part of its mystique is that nobody knows
for sure.  The only fact that can be measured precisely is the number
of computers directly connected to it by high-speed links -- a figure
that is updated periodically by sending a computer program crawling
around like a Roto-Rooter, tallying the number of connections (last
count: roughly two million). But that figure does not include military
computers that for security reasons are invisible to other users, or
the hundreds of people who may share a single Internet host. Nor does
it include millions more who dial into the Internet through the
growing number of commercial gateways, such as Panix and Netcom, which
offer indirect telephone access for $10 to $20 a month. When all these
users are taken into account, the total number of people around the
world who can get into the Internet one way or another may be 20
million. "It's a large country," says Farber of the Internet
population. "We ought to apply to the U.N. as the first nation in
cyberspace."

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 07:34:55 +0700
From: [e-mail]
Subject: AC 520 for Arizona in March 1995


US West announced yesterday that an area code split will take place in
Arizona in March 1995.  The Phoenix metro area will retain AC 602
while the rest of the state (Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, etc.) will
switch to 520.


Steve Grandi, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, Arizona USA
Internet: [e-mail] [phone] (after March 1995, [phone])

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

From: [e-mail] (Peter Decker)
Subject: Digital Mobile Radio Mailing List
Date: 29 Nov 1993 19:52:54 +0100
Organization: Communication Networks, Aachen U of Technology


Ladies and Gentlemen,

This is an annual announcement for the cellular-mailing-list, a
                                       ========

     mailing list about digital mobile radio.
     =======================================

The mailing list was created here at Aachen University of Technology
(Gemany) in November 1991. Up to now there are more than 650
subscribers from all over the world.

Technical topics of digital mobile radio communication are discussed
in this group including the following topics:

    - digital cellular and future phone systems
      e.g. GSM, PCN, DECT, UMTS, FPLMTS, TETRA, ... :-)
    - radio channel models
    - channel coding, FEC, ARQ protocols
    - source coding, speech-codec, data compression
    - signal processing
    - modulation technics
    - media access protocols (... TDMA <-> CDMA)
    - higher level protocols and internetworking (... mobile Internet)
    - short message exchange applications
    - wireless LAN and PABX

If you would like to be considered, or if you know someone who would
like to be considered, please let me know:

    [e-mail]
    ======================


Kind Regards,

Peter Decker  - Communication Networks, RWTH Aachen (University),
        Kopernikusstr. 16, 52074 Aachen, Germany
e-mail        - [e-mail] ,Telephone: [phone]
                (DG1KPD)                Telefax:   [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Phil Price)
Subject: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference)
Date: 29 Nov 1993 23:37:19 GMT
Organization: Qualcomm Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
wrote:

> I don't pretend to understand all this technical stuff about TDMA, GSM
> or CDMA but does this mean if various companies decided to implement
> different standards for digital cellular, then is roaming, which is
> pretty hard already, going to be that much harder as the poor user is
> going to have to know if his phone is compatible in the area he is
> roaming in?

Roaming problems are really unrelated to whether the phone uses AMPS,
TDMA, E-TDMA, GSM or CDMA (I'll explain these later). Roaming between
systems requires a supporting infrastructure and intersystem
protocols. These protocols have been standardised, but are still
evolving. The N.American standard is IS-41, and the European standard
is GSM (more precisely, the MAP protocols). These protocols define the
messaging and procedures for exchanging information between systems to
allow roaming. Most of the new phones will be dual-mode -- AMPS plus
one of the others, so you should be able to use it just about anywhere
(without having to know about the system that you are currently
using). Roaming is already available in Europe, and is rapidly being
implemented in N.America.

On a related issue, you should start seeing information about
'roaming' systems fairly soon. One company has just released a system
claiming coverage over the whole of N.America (MobiLink?), but I think
that is a PCN system. There are also several projects under way to
provide global (i.e.  world-wide) roaming -- the front runners in this
are Qualcomm's Globalstar, Motorolla's Iridium and TRW's Odessey
systems. These systems are all satellite-based but have fundamentally
different operating strategies. I know the most about Globalstar, and
I'm probably biased in my views, but I'll try to summarize them:

Globalstar - has 48 low earth orbiting satellites covering 70 degrees
north and south of the Equator. The satellites act as a communications
link to ground stations (called gateways) that connect the user to the
land network. the satellites have a very large coverage area on the
ground (roughly 2000 miles radius, I think) and so can be used as an
'extension' facility e.g. for rural or undeveloped areas. The user
terminals will generally be dual mode (though single-mode phones are
planned), where one mode is Globalstar and the other mode is that of
the local system that you choose (AMPS, CDMA, GSM etc.). The idea here
is that a user will use the local system when coverage is available,
or Globalstar coverage when it is not (i.e. when roaming) -- since the
satellite covers the temperate regions all around the globe, this
means that global roaming is potentially possible (when you get into
it, the problems become political or commercial in nature, rather than
technical).

Iridium -- has lots (76? whatever the element number of Iridium is) of
low-earth orbit satellites in polar orbits (I don't know what happens
if a few of them get close to each other at the poles!?). The funky
thing about Iridium is that the satellites do the switching in space
between themselves and then sends the signal down to earth at some
point close to the destination of the call i.e. it bypasses the
terrestrial systems (but apparently they are discussing an option to
interface to the terrestrial systems also). The advantages of this is
that it doesn't depend upon the terrestrial network (especially if
there isn't one!). The disadvantages are complexity (imagine all of
that hardware and software in space) and cost.

Odessey -- this is a TDMA-based system utilising Medium-earth orbit
satellites (i.e. you don't need as many satellites, but the user
terminals have to be much more powerful and there is more delay). I
don't know anything more about this system.

Maybe someone from Motorolla or TRW could clarify this a little?

> As an aside, are TDMA and CDMA implementations of a technology known
> generically as digital AMPS?

All of the cellular technologies (except N-AMPS) are basically digital
AMPS in that they are digital, use the AMPS call setup model and are
based upon the original AMPS model (the architecture anyway). Just
FYI, the main systems that are being pushed as successors to AMPS are:

N-AMPS -- This system is based upon FM waveform (as is AMPS), but
splits up the bands into sub-bands (three, I think) and also carries
signalling data overlayed on the voice signal. This provides a 3:1
capacity gain over AMPS, but still has all of the old fading and
error-correction problems of the old system (this is probably a biased
opinion, since I have worked on both E-TDMA and CDMA ;-)

TDMA - Known in the standards as IS-54, this uses a TDMA approach
where each frequency band is divided into six repeating timeslots
(frames). A user will be assigned two of these slots for conversation
(or data etc.) i.e.  there is a capacity gain of 3:1. Call setup is
achieved using AMPS and then 'handed-off' to TDMA.

E-TDMA -- Enhanced TDMA, developed by Hughes Network Systems, is an
extension of TDMA where a 'pool' of (TDMA) frequencies are used to
support many mobiles. The technology uses half rate vocoders (i.e.
doubles capacity) and digital speech interpolation (i.e. slots are
only assigned when needed).

GSM -- the European equivalent of TDMA, but with a much more strongly
defined architecture (on the network side) and a more integrated
system.  The system is fairly similar to TDMA, but doesn't rely on
AMPS for call setup and has lots of other features built into the
standard (data, FAX, messaging etc.).

CDMA -- Code Division Multiple Access -- the relevant standard is
IS-95. CDMA is a spread-spectrum technology i.e. instead of dividing
the data into timeslots, the data is 'spread' across a wide band of
frequencies using some pretty fancy coding tricks. All users can
transmit on the same frequencies at the same time -- the signals are
distinguished from each other by the coding schemes. Using this
scheme, the number of users is limited by the coding, rather than the
number of timeslots. I think the capacity gain is about 10:1 or more
(over AMPS), but there have been plenty of articles in the trade
magazines comparing CDMA to TDMA (and I'm no expert).

Hope this helps,


Phil

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 17:17:44 MST
From: Marita A. O'Brien <[e-mail]>
Subject: NPA for Saudi Arabia


Several weeks ago there was talk on the Digest about a separate NPA
that had been assigned for oil companies in the US to access Saudi
Arabia directly. so I asked a former NANP administrator at Bell Labs
about this.

He said that he'd never heard of one of these existing, but it sounded
similar to an issue they did have with private numbering plans a while
ago.  Some companies with overseas tie lines originally designed their
private numbering plans to correspond with the NANP so that the system
would be familiar to users.  Of course, the users did not realize that
these NPA's to access the tie lines were completely internal and were
frusrated that they did not work on external phones.  After complaints
to the Bell operators when the calls didn't go through, the NANP
administration decided they needed to start encouraging private
network administrators to develop unique plans.  I guess these have
all been updated.


Marita

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #788
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa06190;
          30 Nov 93 17:52 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA07109
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Tue, 30 Nov 1993 14:40:25 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA09356
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Tue, 30 Nov 1993 14:40:06 -0600
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 14:40:06 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #789

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 30 Nov 93 14:40:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 789

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Book Review: "Termcap and Terminfo" by Strang/Mui/O'Reilly (Rob Slade)
    Blue Boxing ([e-mail])
    Voice Mail Cards For Home PC (Chris Elmquist)
    COCOT Question (Matthew J. Miszewski)
    416/905 Split Problems (David Leibold)
    CD-ROM Telephone Directory (Joe Bergstein)
    Programming Information Wanted on Audiovox CTX-3200E (John R. Levine)
    Researching Phones and Privacy (Vernon B. Seniva)
    Passive Radiating Cellular Antennas? (David Fiedler)
    Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (P. Calvert)
    What About 510 678 5670? (John Shaver)
    Low $ Text->Speech, DTMF Wanted (Rod Regier)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Tom Crawford)
    Re: Experience as Interop Volunteer (Craig R. Watkins)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 29 Nov 93 13:06 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Termcap and Terminfo" by Strang/Mui/O'Reilly


BKTERMCP.RVW  931102

O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
103 Morris Street, Suite A
Sebastopol, CA   95472
800-998-9938  707-829-0515
fax: [phone]
[e-mail]

"Termcap and Terminfo", Strang/Mui/O'Reilly, 1991, 0-937175-22-6

I remember a certain federal government EDP office being very smug
about the fact that they were able to allow us to use WordStar on a
Turbo DOS system, with VT100s, as well as whatever oddball terminals
they had.  Of course, we had to invoke the program with "WSVT100"
since the program files were completely different, compiled with two
different drivers.  (For those of you who find it difficult to install
WordPerfect, you would have *hated* early MS-DOS versions of WordStar,
with many settings required during the installation process harking
back to the various terminal options of previous systems.)

I also recall getting the (then) brand new VT320 terminals in another
VAX shop.  Well pleased with having the latest technology, I hooked it
up, logged on, started All-in-1 ... and was presented with the TTY
menu.  The VT320 was so new at that time that the All-in-1 driver had
not yet been completed.

Such is life in the technological fast lane.  Some programs simply
print line after line of information, seeing the screen as an
infinitely long roll of typewriter paper.  Most of the more
interesting applications, however, want more than that.  They want to
be able to "paint" a screen, use areas of it for windows, change text
depending upon the user's interaction, allow choices by highlighting
items from a menu, and so forth.  To do this, the program needs to
know the functions and commands for the terminal.  Therefore, you need
a different program, or a different driver, for each terminal type to
be used.

The vi editor is now considered to be difficult, awkward and
unfriendly.  When Bill Joy first wrote it, though, it was a remarkable
advance on what was available.  Therefore, there was a great demand to
port it to different systems ... and *many* different terminals.  In
true UNIX community "roll your own" fashion, Joy developed a system
whereby a library of terminal capability subroutines could be linked
to a database describing the commands for each terminal.  This system,
because it dealt with *ter*minal *cap*abilities was referred to as
termcap.  Termcap is used in BSD versions of UNIX; a slightly variant
version called terminfo is used in System V.  Curses, a more modern
subroutine library, can also use termcap terminal database entries.

Although intended for use by system administrators, this book is so
very well designed and written that it makes termcap and terminfo
accessible to reasonably computer-literate users as well.  Writing
device drivers is hard, but the difficulty tends to lie in the
availability of tools, and the time needed to cover all the bases.
This book points to, and explains, the tools, and allows users to
experiment with what is important to them on their own time.

Part one, chapters one to six, is a tutorial covering the basic
concepts, syntax, environment variables and basic commands.  Part two,
chapters seven to sixteen, is basically the termcap language
reference.  Appendices cover vi capabilities, access from C programs,
and a cross-reference.

You may be fortunate enough to have a full and debugged terminal
database.  If not, and particularly if your users insist on a variety
of PC terminal emulators of questionable "accuracy", then you need
this book.  If nothing else, you can give it to the user who insists
on "Joe's Modem Supreme Program" and tell him to figure it out for
himself.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKTERMCP.RVW  931102
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.


DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Blue Boxing
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 16:45:44 GMT
Organization: University of Hamburg, Department of BA and Economics


Hello everybody,

Does somebody know something about emulating Telecom's frequencies in
Germany? Is there a program existing doing something like this?

Help wanted.

Thanks a lot.

Send mail!


[Moderator's Note: If anyone wants to help this German phreak do his
thing, then be! my! guest! Please don't bother writing me with your
answers to him. Now, if he had entitled his message 'Doing Research
Project in Phone Networks' I might take more interest.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Elmquist)
Subject: Voice Mail Cards For Home PC
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1993 22:48:30 GMT
Organization: Minnesota Regional Network


Can anyone recommend (for/or against) a voice mail card for a home
system?  I have heard of Watson, Big Mouth, The Complete PC, Tysin,
etc.

Here's the features I'm looking for:

Several mailboxes (most support hundreds or thousands so this isn't
likely a problem).

I want to call a different pager (potentially) for each mailbox when
vmail has arrived for that mailbox.

I want to access the thing from any phone in the house (so it's likely
wired between all of my phones and the CO which is not a problem).  Do
any of them produce "stutter dialtone" like a Centrex voice mail
would?  Can I even hook them up this way?  The PC I'm intending to
run this from would not be easily accessible (it's under the basement
steps) so looking at the screen to determine if messages are waiting
would not be possible ... so, I need to do it with DTMF from any of
the phones.

A real gee-whiz would be to be able to remotely connect other stuff to
the phone line under DTMF control ... so, for example I access a
certain mailbox and enter some codes which switch my FAX or my modem
onto the line.  I would expect that this requires some other "stuff"
connected to the PC, but it might be as simple as some relays hooked
to the parallel port. The key would be that the vmail card and
associated software would allow this.  This might require a
"developers package" for the vmail card, so maybe I'm just asking
which ones support end-user development.

Any and all info appreciated.


Thanks,

Chris

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 08:55 CDT
From: Matthew J Miszewski <[e-mail]>
Subject: COCOT Question


I came across a COCOT the other day that had an interesting feature.
You could call the cab companies for free.  I know they work on a
local loop, but how are certain numbers allowed out?  I tried to dial
numbers with the same prefix but it wanted the quarter?  I'm curious
as to how a COCOT owner could add this kind of end user functionality
to what I always thought was a pre-packaged package.


Matt


[Moderator's Note: There are lots of COCOTS which allow restriction to
seven or ten digits. Whoever owns the phone you used had it programmed
to allow certain seven digit numbers to go through for free, and he
probably either owns the cab company he sends calls to as well, or
else he and the cab company have a deal of some kind.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 23:57:39 -0500
Subject: 416/905 Split Problems


 From Wireline Communications conference on PCPN, a U.S. view of the
416/905 area code split and how MCI is handling it ...

[start of article text]

  Msg #  : 527 of 527 - Ref 115/1374
  From   : SCOTT MACLEAN
  To:      MIKE FELLHAUER
  Posted : 1850h on 19-Nov-93 * CONF 130
  Subject: 905

MF > It has nothing to do with Bell Canada forgetting to activate it.  It    |
MF > does however have to do with Bell either not telling other phone        |
MF > companies in the world about 905, or those phone companies not caring   |
MF > about Canada.                                                           |

I called MCI the other day to adjust my account, and when I asked about 905,
they told me it was "Mexico City."

Scott MacLean - Sysop
  Node 115 * Horizons

Artificial Horizons
 - Gaithersburg, MD  *  Node 115

[end of quoted post...]

via David Leibold


[Moderator's Note: So he got some ignorant MCI service rep who was
working out of a *very old* copy of the AT&T Area Code directory.
What is strange about that?  MCI *is* putting calls through to 905
correctly when the local telcos are handing the calls over.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joe Bergstein)
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 11:46:51 -0500
Subject: CD-ROM Telephone Directory


Regarding discussion of CD-ROM directories, I have noticed that Bell
Atlantic is now joining the club.  BA recently advertised a new
service offering their entire white pages for their seven states on
CD-ROM, with monthly updates available.

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

From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Programming Information Wanted on Audiovox CTX-3200E
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 0:29:10 EST


I have a spiffy new Audiovox CTX-3200E car phone.  Does anyone have
the programming info on it?

It appears that I can just key in a new phone number and system number
without changing any parameters, but that seems too easy to be true.
Also, you can program the phone not to use particular system numbers,
and my phone, which I bought from the local B carrier, has the local A
carrier locked out.  (Funny about that.)


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [e-mail] (Vernon B Seniva)
Subject: Researching Phones and Privacy
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 05:49:08 GMT


I am researching privacy in phone conversations for an English paper.
I would appreciate any help anyone can offer including personal
observations and good sources(specific) to find such information.  In
order to include this information in my paper I will need it on or
before December 7.  You can e-mail if you wish or post it to this
group.


Thank you in advance,

[e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: The main reason I ran this message was I thought it
provided a great lead-in to what I really wanted to say, which is to
welcome Len Levine as the new Moderator of Computer Privacy Digest and
comp.society.privacy as of this week. He is taking over from Dennis
Rears who maintained the form admirably from its beginning until the
present time. Our reader will want to put his request in Professor
Levine's e-journal as well as here. I don't know what changes if any
are being made to the mailing list address but Len will probably
announce all that soon if he has not already. For convenience here,
I include his signature from a recent letter to me for those who want
to contact him or inquire about Computer Privacy Digest.

> Leonard P. Levine    Professor of Computer Science
> Moderator of Computer Privacy Digest and comp.society.privacy
> UUCP:  [e-mail]    USPS:  University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
> Phone: [phone]        USPS:  Box 784, Milwaukee WI 53201

Best of luck with the Digest, Len, and to Dennis, thanks for a job
well done!   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dragon (David Fiedler))
Subject: Passive Radiating Cellular Antennas?
Organization: InfoPro Systems: Writers, Consultants, and Dragons
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 06:42:30 GMT


I tried the archives; I tried the seemingly defunct Cellular mailing
list, but there didn't seem to be anything about passive cellular
antennas.  Personally, I doubt that they work, but I just wanted to
know if there is any hope whatever that they do anything useful, since
I am often in fringe areas in my car and have a flip phone. Any
suggestions, anecdotes, etc welcome.


Thanks in advance,

David Fiedler UUCP:infopro!david Internet:[e-mail] or [e-mail]
USMail:InfoPro Systems, PO Box 220 Rescue CA 95672 Phone:[phone] FAX:-5873

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

From: [e-mail] (P. Calvert)
Subject: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
Date: 30 Nov 1993 12:32:17 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  A few months
ago the university took over the phones and now he has to pay the
university for long-distance calls instead of being able to select a
long distance company.  He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
Sprint) is blocked.

Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  One
idea is to use a calling card and call a toll-free access number.
However, the usual calling cards would probably be too expensive --
unless there exists some competitor's card that has reasonable rates.
Any suggestions?


Phil Calvert


[Moderator's Note: Well I hate to commercialize the net on a day by
day basis (once a week or so is usually enough for me!) but there does
exist the Orange Calling Card which has a flat rate of 25 cents per
minute of use with no surcharge. It is a better deal than the other
calling cards until/unless your call exceeds about ten minutes, at
which point the surcharge on other calling cards has been spread
across the total minutes in such a way that the costs are about
equal. Then from about 13-15 minutes outward in the call, cards with
high surcharges but low per minute rates become a better deal. So if
your friend makes mostly short calls, suggest he try Orange. For a
brochure, send your mailing address to [e-mail].   PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 10:24:39 MST
From: John Shaver Modernization Office <[e-mail]>
Subject: What About 510 678 5670?


Any notion what the two bips mean when you dial this number?  I dialed
it accidently and got the funny response.

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

From: Rod Regier <[e-mail]>
Subject: Low $ Text->Speech, DTMF Wanted
Date: 30 Nov 93 15:38:42 AST
Organization: Dymaxion Research Limited, NS, Canada


We at Dymaxion are looking for a low cost PC voice response solution
(text-to-speech, voice synthesis, DTMF phone interface, serial). We
hope to allow patrons to order media library material from a
computerized inventory control system.

Multi-line capability such as Dialogic's D41/D four line card is
desirable.

We'd appreciate hearing from anyone out there having experience (good
or bad) with such hardware/software products.


Rod Regier, Software Development                     bus: [phone]
Dymaxion Research Ltd., 5515 Cogswell St.,           fax: [phone]
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 1R2 Canada            Internet: [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 08:01:35 -0800
From: Tom Crawford <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


In article <[e-mail]>, David Boettger
<[e-mail]> responds to my earlier comments:

>> "GROSSLY UNFAIR COMPARISONS" ARE HARDLY AN ACCURATE WAY TO DESCRIBE
>> CLEAR ADVANTAGES.  QUALCOMM'S CAPACITY IS 10X TO 20X AMPS CAPACITY

> Get real! 20X has only been demonstrated on paper (e.g., W. C. Y. Lee)
> or, perhaps (now I am guessing), in a Qualcomm laboratory.

I am afraid you are misinformed.  Using PacTel's cells in San Diego,
CDMA has been demonstrated up to 31X AMPS capacity in an isolated cell
and sector configuration.  The test was conducted with live mobiles in
cars.  While this is NOT what would be expected in a normal
configuration of contiguous cells, it does demonstrate that 20X is not
some theoretical maximum.  The results of these tests and other tests
have been shared with many carriers and manufacturers, including
Motorola, AT&T, Northern Telecom, PacTel, Bell Atlantic Mobile, Nynex,
U S WEST NewVector, Ameritech and GTE. You need not depend on QUALCOMM
for these figures.  Contact any of these companies as they
participated in the design, conduct and analysis of the tests and
results.

>> QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS LINK USING A HALF RATE VOCODER. IF WE ARE
>> WRONG AND A GOOD HALF RATE VOCODER IS AVAILABLE, QUALCOMM CAN ALSO USE
>> IT IN A VARIABLE RATE IMPLEMENTATION (AGAIN THROTTLING DOWN DURING
>> PAUSES) TO ACHIEVE AN ADDITIONAL FACTOR OF 2 IN CAPACITY GAIN, IE NOW

>> 20X TO 40X AMPS.  ALSO, ETDMA'S USE OF DIGITAL SPEECH INTERPOLATION
>> ABOUT 12X OR 15X, ASSUMING EVERYTHING WORKS WELL).  CDMA, WITH A
>> HALF RATE  VOCODER WILL THEN BE AT 20X TO 40X (EVEN WITHOUT BETTER
>> USE OF SECTORIZATION).

> Wrong again. The relationship between source coder rate and absolute
> channel capacity (I am using "capacity" not in an information theory
> sense, but in a "number of telephone conversations" sense) is not
> linear. Using a half-rate coder in CDMA does not automatically double
> the number of conversations that can occur, even under ideal
> conditions.

In CDMA the number of telephone conversations that can be transmitted
is dependent on the total amount of power transmitted by all the other
users using the channel.  Thus if everyone uses a vocoder that
transmits half as many bits/second (ie, power), the number of
conversations that can be transmitted in the CDMA channel will double.

Now your point is well taken.  CDMA continues to transmit at a low bit
rate even when the person is not talking.  It does this because true
background "noise" from the caller's side is important in maintaining
a sense of connection to the receiving party.  Note that ETDMA, which
gives up the channel timeslot during a pause, will not be able to
accommodate this correct background noise and will be forced to
generate an artificial noise at the receiver.  The current IS-96
vocoder goes from 8 kbps all the way down to 1 kbps). If the peak rate
is reduced by a factor of 2 but the lowest rate is not changed the
average will not go down by exactly half.  For example, if we assume
that the time spent at 4 kbps and 2 kbps is a small fraction (it is)
and use the a 40% voice activity factor, then the current vocoder will
average 40% x 8 kbps + 60% x 1 kbps = 3.8 kbps.  Now if the peak rate
was reduced to 4 kbps without changing the 1 kbps, the average is 40%
x 4 kbps + 60% x 1 kbps = 2.2 kbps.  Thus the increase in capacity is
3.8/2.2 = 1.73 Thus this would provide a 17X to 34X increase over AMPS
instead of the (proven) 10X to 20X capacity increase over AMPS
currently available with the IS-96 vocoder.

>> RECEIVER IF FILTER WOULD BE UNABLE TO DO.  THE WHOLE POINT OF CDMA
>> IS THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SEPARATE THE SIGNALS OVER THE CHANNEL BY
>> FREQUENCY OR TIME.  DIFFERENT CODES PERMIT YOU TO PICK OUT YOUR
>> CONVERSATION.

> True enough.

>> "TRICKS" IMPLY DECEPTION.  CDMA'S TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE AND
>> BENEFITS HAVE BEEN WELL TESTED AND PROVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN IN NUMEROUS
>> TRIALS.

> How many commercial cellular CDMA systems are deployed and stable?
> Approximately zero.  "Well tested and proven" is a bit of a stretch,
> but then again, Mr.  Crawford is in marketing.

I also have two degrees in electrical engineering and have been
willing to read the test results from the numerous tests and trials.
I believe the facts speak for themselves regarding the superior
performance of CDMA; I would be happy to provide you with results from
some (not all the tests have yet been released to the public) of the
tests if you are genuinely interested in CDMA's capabilities.  As far
as I am able to determine, CDMA's test results have been more widely
publicized than those of TDMA or ETDMA.  Perhaps Mr. Boettger has
detailed results on TDMA and ETDMA testing with respect to capacity,
quality, handoff, range, transmit power and other important parameters
that he is willing to share.


THOMAS R. CRAWFORD
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, DIGITAL CELLULAR AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
QUALCOMM
[e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 00:13:32 EST
From: Craig R. Watkins <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Experience as Interop Volunteer


Mark Allyn <[e-mail]> writes:

> Pat:
> Last fall (1992), when I posted a question about volunteering for the
> Interop trade show, you have suggested that I post a summary of my
> experience after the show.

 ... and I replied to your question back then and I'll try add to your
summary.

> The shows I volunteered for were the Fall 1992 and the Summer 1993 shows
> in San Francisco at the Moscone Center.

I only attended the Fall 1992 show (did not volunteer for it) but I did
volunteer for the two US shows this year.

> My reservations were in my ability to learn the more technical details
> of networking. These include configuring routers; setting up network
> management systems; setting up and operating the remote sniffer
> systems; to name a few.

The things you mention are mostly done before the network arrives in
the show city.  They are done at the Hot Stage Facility located in
Sunnyvale during the weeks before the show.  While in the past these
tasks tend to be done by experts in their fields, other volunteers
have been welcome.

> In my opinion, the core of this problem lies in the structure of the
> Interopnet team. There were two layers of people. One layer was the
> group of volunteers like myself. The second layer was the Network
> Operations Center (NOC) team. The NOC team ran the show.

I agree.  I wish there wasn't so much obvious division. Though
remember that members of the NOC team are volunteers just like you
are.  However, they have some additional duties and requirements, such
as attending the Engineering Hot Stage in Sunnyvale and they are
ultimately responsible to Interop for running a very complex network.

> The network was run during the show from the NOC. The problem is is
> that the NOC was off limits to all the other volunteers. A special
> badge was required to enter the NOC and there was a security guard
> posted at the entrance of the NOC to keep everyone else out.

There were a number of volunteers that were not on the NOC team that
needed and obtained badges for access to the NOC in order to perform
their assigned tasks.  Everyone that needs access to make the network
work gets in.

> Most of the very technical work was done in the NOC. This is where
> routing, management, and enterprise wide troubleshooting was being
> done.  If one wanted to learn these things and watch them being done,
> they had to be in the NOC. Since I could not go into the NOC, I could
> not watch these things being done.

I would disagree; I think most of the technical work done at the show
was done at the dozens of racks of equipment in the exibit halls and
in the terminal and PC clusters.  A very small percentage of the
network equipment was actually in the NOC and what was there was not
unique to the NOC, except for a few network management workstations
(which were literally drawfed by the number of management workstations
which vendors had running in their booths).  Also a main network
management workstation in the NOC was viewable by everyone on the
floor via a large screen display.

There are a lot of excellent technical sessions and tutorials at
Interop.  As a volunteer which qualified for housing, you were also
probably qualified for complementary access to these.  These provide a
great place to learn.  If you haven't taken advantage of these you
might want to consider them in the future.

> I would like to point out that I was allowed into the network
> management center at the company where I work to watch them on
> occasion with no problem. This is the center for a multi-billion
> dollar corporation. I saw no need for the security system they had for
> the Interop NOC. They could have at least allowed all of the
> volunteers access to the NOC with the understanding that nothing is to
> be touched without permission.

In August there were well over one hundred volunteers.  The NOC
consisted of two medium livingroom-sized rooms which were usually
quite filled with volunteeers working their assigned tasks.  I'm not
really sure that your suggestion would work well even if (or
particularly if) everyone asked permission to touch things.

> Coincident with the issue of access to the NOC was the fact that much
> of the very technical and innovative things being done at the show
> were done by NOC team members. There were a few instances where I
> wanted to be in on some things but I was told to leave the area. This
> problem was more acute during the August 1993 show.

Most innovative things are done before the actual show by whoever is
at the hot stage.  I certainly can't speak to the exact instances to
which you refer, but if you were asked to leave, I suspect the reasons
might have been more political than technical.  Some meetings of the
NOC team are held under (signed) non-disclosure.  Proprietary vendor
information is strictly protected.

> Another problem which was more acute during the August 1993 show was
> idle time.

Agreed.  That has always been a problem which a lot of effort has gone
into solving.  Looking back at past shows, I think it's getting
better, but there's definitely a way to go.

> There were too many volunteers and not enough work.

That's sometimes the problem.  At the August show there were also
times when there were not enough volunteers and too much work!

> [Moderator's Note: Thanks for your followup. It is too bad the volunteers
> were not allowed to learn more about what was going on. To heck with the
> hotel reservations and food. I'd have been happy being able to see the
> inner workings of the whole thing, wouldn't you?   PAT]

I would strongly suggest that anyone attending the show take part in
one of the free network tours given by volunteers.  It visits some of
the more interesting parts of the network, reveals amazing facts, and
relates interesting anecdotes.  In August, racks of equipment on the
floor were unlocked for questions and discussions, and the tours
visited a viewing area for the NOC and were given a description of
what was going on inside.

Of course, this is all my own personal opinion and I don't work for
or speak for Interop or its volunteers; just one of them:  Me.


Craig

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #789
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa10720;
          1 Dec 93 4:56 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA09572
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:07:26 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31096
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:07:11 -0600
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:07:11 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #790

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 1 Dec 93 02:07:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 790

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Book Review: "The Modem Reference" by Banks (Rob Slade)
    Land-Mobile-Radio Mailing List Started (David Dodell)
    Gopher for Telecom (was Re: New Archives Files) (Peter M. Weiss)
    Rig PC For Phone ID Check (Jeff Gates)
    USA Phones Online? (Jeff Gates)
    Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94? (Clive D.W. Feather)
    Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94? (Carl Moore)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (John R. Grout)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Jack Decker)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Brett Frankenberger)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 30 Nov 93 12:19 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "The Modem Reference" by Banks


BKMDMREF.RVW  931101

Prentice Hall, Inc./Brady
113 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ   07632
[phone]   FAX [phone]
11711 N. College Ave.
Carmel, IN   46032-9903
15 Columbus Circle
New York, NY   10023
800-428-5331
?@prenhall.com
"The Modem Reference", Banks, 1992, 156686027X, U$29.95/C$37.95/UK#27.93


The blurbs for this book are effusive, glowing, positive ... and all
written by authors rather than technical people.  Many refer to the
sheer volume of material here, which is certainly impressive.  Not all
correct, perhaps, but impressive.

The presentation is a bit less impressive.  The organization mentioned
in the introduction is quite good: five chapters on the basics, five
on basic data communication functions (which Banks refers as
"telecomputing"), five on online services and systems, and the
remaining chapters devoted to specialty and miscellaneous topics.
Unfortunately, that organization, while adhered to in the topics, is
not mentioned either in the table of contents or as a part of chapter
divisions.

In part one, chapter one is the usual promotion for the benefits of
online services.  It is, however, structured a bit better than most
and gives a reasonably good overview of the basic functions.  In fact,
it tends to undersell somewhat, since there is no discussion of the
various online components in a "pro and con" comparison with their
non-data communications counterparts.  Chapter two purports to be a
general overview of the basic components you need for computer
communications.  It is somewhat disorganized, and, with frequent
references to the real information to be found in other chapters,
could have been easily dispensed with.  Chapter three, entitled, "How
Telecomputing Works," begins to show some of the necessary technical
details -- and the limits to Banks' knowledge.  Someone probably
explained phase shift keying to him sometime -- obviously he didn't
fully understand.  No one bothered to tell him that the RS-232
standard has been RS-232D since before he wrote the first edition.

(Nor that it is now more properly known as EIA-232).  And, of course,
he confuses baud rates with "bits per second", equating them on page
79 (although correctly going into detail on pages 82-85).  Chapter
four, dealing with modems, is a similar mixture.  While all the bases
are covered (eventually) there are inconsistencies, anachronisms, and
no particular order.  The various points are trotted out one after the
other, with no attempt to weight the more important, or to guide the
user in the types of applications under which a certain function might
become important.  The same holds true for the discussion of
communications software in chapter five.

Part two deals generally with the basic functions of online systems.
Chapter six discuses signing on to a remote system.  Although the
statement is made that you should try a local BBS first to get used to
the idea, Banks' commercial service bias shows through in his advocacy
of "7E1" over "8N1".  Most public data networks (which Banks refers to
as "packet networks") use the seven data bits, even parity, one stop
bit parameter settings.  Nor does Banks offer any troubleshooting
assistance should you choose the wrong settings.  Chapter seven
discusses menus and commands for online systems.  I have always found
these chapters to be examples of Slade's Law of Computer Illiteracy:
there is no such thing as computer illiteracy, only illiteracy,
itself.  Most menus are self-explanatory.

On the other hand, Banks' listing of common command synonyms could be
very helpful.  Chapter eight discusses public, private and real time
communications.  The material tends to be repetitive and not really
say much of consequence.  Online etiquette is mentioned in a number of
places, but only boils down to "don't be rude" and "give references".
There is a whole book to be done on online socialization, and we keep
seeing these same trivialities.  Chapter nine deals with file
transfers and ten with "other activities".  (Mostly games.)

Part three discusses BBSes, online services, communications services
(which, oddly, contains a section on fax boards), database and
information services and a reprise of commercial online services under
the name "Full Service Consumer and Business Networks".  From chapter
sixteen on, we have a melange of topics such as benefits (the hardsell
this time), portable communications, Windows, security (very bad) and
the future.  Appendices include troubleshooting, various commercial
and BBS numbers, cabling and a files listing for the included disk.

Unfortunately, for all its flaws, this may be the "only game in town"
at this level.  However, I would venture to suggest Gianone's "Using
MS-DOS Kermit" and LeVitus and Ihnatko's "Dr. Macintosh's Guide to the
Online Universe" (BKUMSKMT.RVW and BKDMGTOU.RVW) in preference to it.


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKMDMREF.RVW  931101
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [e-mail]

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

Subject: Land-Mobile-Radio Mailing List Started
From: [e-mail] (David Dodell)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (David Dodell)
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 93 00:06:13 MST
Organization: Stat Gateway Service, WB7TPY


Welcome to the Land Mobile Radio Mailing List!

The purpose of this sig is to promote technical conversation regarding
commercial land mobile two-way radio communications and associated
systems and accessories.  In addition to conversation buying, selling
and trading of commercial land mobile equipment is allowed.

To Send Mail To Be Distributed To All Subscribers:

                 [e-mail]

And Send Normal Subject And Text.

To Add Yourself To This List, Please Send Electronic Mail To:

                 [e-mail]

And Include The Command:

                 subscribe land-mobile-radio

As The First Line of Your Message.


To Remove Yourself From This Server, Please Send Electronic Mail To:

                 [e-mail]

And Include The Command:

                 Unsubscribe land-mobile-radio

As The First Line of Your Message.


Requests For Help Should Be Sent To:

                  [e-mail]


Editor, HICNet Medical Newsletter  Internet: [e-mail]
         FAX: [phone]    Bitnet  : ATW1H@ASUACAD

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 09:50:53 EST
From: Peter M. Weiss <[e-mail]>
Subject: Gopher for Telecom (was Re: New Archives Files)
Organization: Penn State University


I don't recall (for sure) seeing it posted here, BUT there is a GOPHER
server at cns.cscns.com that contains among other things, the Telecom
archives.

When entering CNS's gopherspace, select the first item (CNS MAIN
Gopher on the menu, then scroll/search for telecom.  Click on that
item, and voile!  you're there.


Pete ([e-mail])  --  co-owner  LDBASE-L, TQM-L, CPARK-L, et -L
Peter M. Weiss         "The 'NET' never naps"             [phone]
31 Shields Bldg. -- Penn State Univ -- University Park, PA 16802-1202 USA

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

From: [e-mail] (jeff Gates)
Subject: Rig PC For Phone ID Check
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 17:20:34
Organization: cornell univ


While commercial devices for identifying the phone number of incoming
calls (before you answer) exist in certain states (where legal), is
there some software for PC-modem to function the same way (with maybe
some programability added for PCers)?


JRG

[Moderator's Note: Yes there is, and in fact there are modems out now
which are equipped with Caller-ID circuitry in them which can be used
for a variety of processes involving identifying your callers.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (jeff Gates)
Subject: USA Phones Online?
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 1993 07:25:24
Organization: cornell univ


I've accidently bumped into a database in Switzerland that gives the
PCer searchability access to all public phone numbers in the country.
Do we in the USA have such an online database? Any states otherwise?
I am aware of the CD-Rom products, but have not encountered online
access.


JRG


[Moderator's Note: Compuserve offers something similar but there are
a lot of complaints about its accuracy and completeness. I'm going to
see if it is possible to get a decent database of this from somewhere
and install it on a dialup line at a cost to the user of whatever it
costs me to maintain it. So far though, there is not much here other
than the CD-roms, Compuserve and a couple other commercial services
which offer this.  PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94?
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 00:54:48 GMT
From: Clive D.W. Feather <[e-mail]>


Quoth Zarko Draganic:

> I heard that the international direct dialing scheme will be changing
> in the U.K. on Easter 1994. Can anyone confirm this? Right now I
> believe you dial 010 +1 to reach the USA from London. What's it
> changing to? Why?  How long is the phase-out period?

Last I heard, it's been put back to Easter 1995. The IDD code 010 is
changing to 00 to bring it into line with most countries, and at the
same time a 1 is being prefixed to all fixed area codes (so +44 923
 ... becomes +44 1923) but not special area codes like 831 (allocated
to my mobile carrier) or 800 (free calls).

There is no phase-out period -- it's a straight cutover.


Clive D.W. Feather     | Santa Cruz Operation
[e-mail]          | Croxley Centre
Phone: [phone] | Hatters Lane, Watford
Fax:   [phone] | WD1 8YN, United Kingdom


[Moderator's Note: Seeing Clive's name here reminds me to remind you
that Clive was the person responsible for the software which is used
in the Telecom Archives Email Information Service. So if you have used
the '[e-mail]' address to obtain files and help with
telecom, he's the person you should thank for making it possible.  PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 11:12:03 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94?


I believe that is 1995, not 1994.  I intend to mail directly to you
([e-mail]) the beginning of the archive file
listing UK city codes.

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

From: [e-mail] (John R. Grout)
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: UIUC Center for Supercomputing Research and Development
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 00:41:21 GMT


[e-mail] (Scott D Fybush) writes:

> According to radio ads being heard by a friend in Rochester NY,
> Rochester Tel will change over this week from 1 + 7D for long distance
> in 716 to just 7D.

> This poses a few problems.  First, almost any LD call from the
> Rochester exchanges is inter-LATA. 716 is divided into two LATAs.
> The Buffalo LATA encompasses all of 716 except the Roch Tel areas and
> a few other areas inside the Roch Tel zone which are still served by
> indies (including Ogden Telephone and a few Contel exchanges.)  I
> suspect LD carriers will be upset about this one ... especially if Roch
> Tel tries to default customers to its own RCI long-distance service.

> More to the point, it's difficult for the average Rochester customer
> to know at a glance what's LD and what isn't.  The Rochester-area
> exchanges are strewn roughly evenly across the numbering space, and so
> (just to give one example), 282-XXXX is Niagara Falls, while 288-XXXX
> is a local Rochester call.  Rochester has been adding NXXs (actually
> still NNXs) right and left ... to the degree that I can't even keep up
> with it when I go home.

There are a number of useful parallels between the 609 and 716 area codes.

LATAs        Serves            7D calling        1+7D
                    area

Delaware    Inland central and    All 609            Not supported
Valley        southern NJ        (local unmeasured/
(sic?)                    intra-LATA toll/
                    inter-LATA toll)


Atlantic    Coastal central and    All 609            Not supported
Coast        southern NJ        (local unmeasured/
(sic?)                    intra-LATA toll/
                    inter-LATA toll)

After divestiture, NJ Bell chose to continue to support the abbrevia-
tion of 7D (instead of the full 1 +609 + 7D) to place a DD inter-LATA
call, now with one's default LD carrier ... of course, to support
equal access, they also had to implement 10xxx + 1 + 609 + 7D (I am
guessing that Bellcore decided from the beginning to never permit
seven or eight-digit abbreviations after 10xxx).  Also, to implement
the new NANP, the 609 area code must have gone (or will have to go) to
0+609+7D for all operator assisted calls to numbers in the 609 area
code (both intra-LATA and inter-LATA).

Now, I'll discuss points specific to Rochester Tel's service area
within the 716 area code:

Exchanges    Serves            7D Calling    1+7D
                    area

"Rochester"    City + roughly        Almost the    Usually inter-LATA
        10 miles (or less)    whole LATA    toll
        from the city limits    (local
                    unmeasured)

Outlying    Other areas in        Nearby +    Often either intra or
        Monroe County and    "Rochester"    inter-LATA toll
        other counties in    (local
        Rochester Tel        unmeasured)
        service area

The planned changes would collapse the Rochester LATA into something
very much like either of NJ Bell's LATAs in the 609 area code ... and
similar changes in the Buffalo LATA would make the situations
essentially the same.

Since RCI is a nominally separate LD company which provides _general_
inter-LATA service, I would think that New York's PSC and/or the FCC
would only allow Rochester Telephone to either default _all_
inter-LATA calls to RCI (if that's the customer's default LD carrier)
or none (if it isn't).

> One other thing that will have to go: Rochester has toll-free dialing
> to a few points in Wayne County, in the 315 NPA.  A few, 315-524
> Ontario and 315-986 Macedon, are still dialed with only 7D.  (Others
> that have been added more recently are dialed 1 + 315 + 7D.)
> Presumably Roch Tel will have to change all these over to 1 + 315 + 7D.

Not necessarily ... there are a fair number of LATAs which contain
more than one area code with a boundary with a relatively small
percentage of its exchanges (e.g., < 20%) being in seven-digit dialed
local calling areas which cross the boundary ... for such areas (e.g.,
North Jersey, metro Kansas City), 7D across area code lines is
implementable by not assigning the seven-digit dilled exchanges along
the boundary in the other area code).  However, when there are many
exchanges on one side of the boundary and only a few remote ones on
the other, it might be easier to allow the many exchanges to call with
seven digits and require the few on the other side to use 1+10D (e.g.,
let Rochester call Macedon with 986 + xxxx but require Macedon to call
Rochester with 1 + 716 + 7D) ... that would require only that 986 be
unassigned in 716 without requiring the many Rochester exchanges to be
unassigned in 315.

In other areas, so many exchanges would be on the boundary (in NYC,
among other places, all of them would be) that the telco requires 1 +
10 digits instead (which, of course, can still mean a "local" call ...
1+ doesn't have to mean "toll").

Should multi-LATA area codes _require_ 1 + 10D "toll" dialing or not?
Well ... since telcos implemented decided to implement banded local
service with 7D, it seems consistent to support 7D for inter-LATA
calls too ... or to require 1 + 10D for both.


John R. Grout     INTERNET: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Date: 30 Nov 1993 02:11:38 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net


On Mon Nov 29 00:40:23 1993, [e-mail] (Scott D Fybush)
wrote:

> According to radio ads being heard by a friend in Rochester NY,
> Rochester Tel will change over this week from 1 + 7D for long distance
> in 716 to just 7D.

[.....]

> More to the point, it's difficult for the average Rochester customer
> to know at a glance what's LD and what isn't.  The Rochester-area
> exchanges are strewn roughly evenly across the numbering space, and so
> (just to give one example), 282-XXXX is Niagara Falls, while 288-XXXX
> is a local Rochester call.  Rochester has been adding NXXs (actually
> still NNXs) right and left ... to the degree that I can't even keep up
> with it when I go home.

Scott, I hope you have written your state PUC to let them know of your
displeasure with this arrangement.  Michigan Bell once tried to pull
this in Michigan and the state Public Service Commission nixed the
idea.  While some people don't seem to care that other people can't
easily determine whether a call is local or toll (because they don't
want to be HORRIBLY inconvenienced by having to dial four extra digits
on a toll call [1 + area code] ;-) ), you make a very valid point.

Without the requirement for "1" to preface a toll call, there is
simply no reliable way to know in advance whether a call is local or
not...  and before anyone asks, yes, this DOES matter to some of us.
I, and most others I know, will opt not to place some calls that are
toll in at least some circumstances, and will limit the length of the
conversation on others.  I do not let my children make toll calls (at
least not without permission).  I have found that there are a
disproportionately large group of people on the Internet (especially
in the "other" telecom group) that, for whatever reason, don't seem to
care whether a call is toll or not, but I can assure you that there
are a large number of us in the "real world" who are not so wealthy
that we can make calls at will without worrying about the bill.

Also, telephone directories don't always contain an accurate list of
exchange prefixes in one's local calling area.  For example, my GTE
North phone book tells me that calls from Whitehall, Michigan to
Muskegon, Michigan are local, but nowhere does it give me a list of
which prefixes are Muskegon prefixes.  Instead, in the white pages, it
indicates that calls starting with 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, or 79
are Muskegon numbers... but that would only be true of numbers listed
in the white pages of the Muskegon directory.  There are many other
prefixes in the same area code that are neither in Muskegon, nor in
the Muskegon local calling area.  For example, 773 and 777 are
Muskegon prefixes, but 774 (to name one I know of offhand) is a Grand
Rapids prefix.  And even if the book did contain an accurate prefix
list (which it SHOULD, IMHO), that would not help identify new
exchanges put into service after the book is printed.  I've also found
that some directories that DO list local prefixes don't list "special"
prefixes (such as cellular or pager exchanges) that are in fact
dialable as local calls (or else they list them as "Cellular", which
doesn't give you any clue at all as to whether the call is considered
a toll call or not).

With the requirement to dial "1" for a toll call, this isn't a
problem.  If you try to dial a call that's out of your local calling
area, you get a recording saying you must dial a "1" first, and then
you know that the call is going to cost you (or at least that it MAY
cost you ... if you subscribe to an optional calling plan, you may get
some of these calls included in your calling plan, but at least you're
made aware that the call is either going to appear on your bill, or
count against your calling plan allowance).

I've seen messages that say that Bellcore and the LEC's want to have
one universal dialing plan that requires just seven digits for calls
within one's own area code, but the fact is that state PUC's can (and
DO) disallow this if they want to.  So if you are really opposed to
this, it's worth a letter to the PUC (and perhaps your state
representatives) to let them know.  Calling your local phone company
won't help, THEY certainly aren't going to communicate your
displeasure to the PUC ... after all, they're probably going to make a
ton of money on calls that people THOUGHT were local!


Jack

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

From: [e-mail] (Brett Frankenberger)
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 16:52:17 GMT


[e-mail] (Scott D Fybush) writes:

> According to radio ads being heard by a friend in Rochester NY,
> Rochester Tel will change over this week from 1 + 7D for long distance
> in 716 to just 7D.

The change of a dialing plan is just that.  Nothing more.  Anything
that uses to be carried by an IXC (LD carrier) will still be, and
anything carried by the local telco (LEC) (i.e. intralata stuff) will
still be.  1+ really has nothing to do with the routing of a call (and
hasn't since the days of machanical switches).  It just either (1)
tells the switch how many digits to expect, or (2) tells the caller
that the call is long-distance.

No routing will change, no and all calls will default to the same
carrier that they did before.


Brett  ([e-mail])

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #790
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa11163;
          1 Dec 93 5:48 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA32139
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:50:27 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA16513
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:50:11 -0600
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1993 02:50:11 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #791

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 1 Dec 93 02:50:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 791

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (David Boettger)
    Re: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference) (Michael Sullivan)
    Re: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference) (Erik Ramberg)
    Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite (Curtis Bohl)
    Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite (John R. Levine)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Mike Morris)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Steve Forrette)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Paul S. Malone)
    Re: Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon (Clive D.W. Feather)
    Re: Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon (Carl Moore)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Carl Moore)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (John R. Levine)
    Re: Nation-Wide Electronic Phone Book on Internet? (Les Reeves)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 18:48:00 +0000
From: david (d.) boettger <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?


In article <[e-mail]>, Tom Crawford
<[e-mail]> writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, David Boettger
> <[e-mail]> responds to my earlier comments:

>>> "GROSSLY UNFAIR COMPARISONS" ARE HARDLY AN ACCURATE WAY TO DESCRIBE
>>> CLEAR ADVANTAGES.  QUALCOMM'S CAPACITY IS 10X TO 20X AMPS CAPACITY

>> Get real! 20X has only been demonstrated on paper (e.g., W. C. Y. Lee)
>> or, perhaps (now I am guessing), in a Qualcomm laboratory.

> I am afraid you are misinformed.  Using PacTel's cells in San Diego,
> CDMA has been demonstrated up to 31X AMPS capacity in an isolated cell
> and sector configuration.  The test was conducted with live mobiles in
> cars.  While this is NOT what would be expected in a normal
> configuration of contiguous cells, it does demonstrate that 20X is not
> some theoretical maximum.

What is the capacity of a multi-cell CDMA system operating with a
reuse factor of "1" (as is supposedly possible) in co-existence with
AMPS cells? The last I heard, the capacity was 15X AMPS. I understand
that a single AMPS carrier (inerferer) can cause a CDMA channel's
capacity to drop by 50%. Discussions of isolated cells are pointless.
What if one built an isolated AMPS cell which used all 832 channels
per sector?

>> Wrong again. The relationship between source coder rate and absolute
>> channel capacity (I am using "capacity" not in an information theory
>> sense, but in a "number of telephone conversations" sense) is not
>> linear. Using a half-rate coder in CDMA does not automatically double
>> the number of conversations that can occur, even under ideal
>> conditions.

> In CDMA the number of telephone conversations that can be transmitted
> is dependent on the total amount of power transmitted by all the other
> users using the channel.  Thus if everyone uses a vocoder that
> transmits half as many bits/second (ie, power), the number of
> conversations that can be transmitted in the CDMA channel will double.

First, there is non-deferrable overhead built into the CDMA traffic
channel.  Voice data are not the only things being transmitted, so
halving the vocoder rate will not automatically double the capacity.
Second, I believe that IS-95 provides for 64 traffic channels per CDMA
RF carrier, so even if one could build a decent 1/100 rate vocoder,
capacity is capped at 64 traffic channels per RF carrier unless some
clever multiplexing scheme is used.

>> How many commercial cellular CDMA systems are deployed and stable?
>> Approximately zero.  "Well tested and proven" is a bit of a stretch,
>> but then again, Mr.  Crawford is in marketing.

> I also have two degrees in electrical engineering and have been
> willing to read the test results from the numerous tests and trials.

My intent was not to offend; I apologize if I did.

> publicized than those of TDMA or ETDMA.  Perhaps Mr. Boettger has
> detailed results on TDMA and ETDMA testing with respect to capacity,
> quality, handoff, range, transmit power and other important parameters
> that he is willing to share.

Hey, I'm just playing devil's advocate; I don't believe that any of my
posts have championed TDMA. CDMA is unquestionably a viable cellular
technology. I'm simply trying to separate fact from fiction.


David Boettger   [e-mail]
I don't speak for my employer.

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael D. Sullivan)
Subject: Re: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference)
Date: 30 Nov 1993 23:54:09 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA


[e-mail] (Phil Price) writes:

> Roaming problems are really unrelated to whether the phone uses AMPS,
> TDMA, E-TDMA, GSM or CDMA (I'll explain these later). Roaming between
> systems requires a supporting infrastructure and intersystem
> protocols. These protocols have been standardised, but are still
> evolving. The N.American standard is IS-41, and the European standard
> is GSM (more precisely, the MAP protocols). These protocols define the
> messaging and procedures for exchanging information between systems to
> allow roaming. Most of the new phones will be dual-mode -- AMPS plus
> one of the others, so you should be able to use it just about anywhere
> (without having to know about the system that you are currently
> using). Roaming is already available in Europe, and is rapidly being
> implemented in N.America.

A bit oversimplified, in that GSM has no connection with AMPS, and GSM
phones are not available in a "dual-mode" configuration; no GSM phone
will work on a U.S. system (i.e., AMPS), and no U.S. phone (AMPS, or
AMPS dual-mode with N-AMPS, TDMA, E-TDMA, or CDMA) will work in
Europe.

> On a related issue, you should start seeing information about
> 'roaming' systems fairly soon. One company has just released a system
> claiming coverage over the whole of N.America (MobiLink?), but I think
> that is a PCN system.

Mobilink is an organization that facilitates roaming, automatic call
delivery, and intersystem handoff among B-Block ("wireline") cellular
systems.  Most of the major B-Block providers are members, and there
has already been a substantial degree of roaming transparency
developed.

The corresponding organization on the A-Block ("non-wireline") is
North American Cellular Network, organized primarily by McCaw.


Michael D. Sullivan | [e-mail]        [e-mail]
Washington, D.C.    | [e-mail]     [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Erik Ramberg)
Subject: Re: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (was Re: GSM Interference)
Date: 30 Nov 1993 20:46:56 GMT
Organization: ESL Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Phil
Price) wrote:

> Odessey -- this is a TDMA-based system utilising Medium-earth orbit
> satellites (i.e. you don't need as many satellites, but the user
> terminals have to be much more powerful and there is more delay). I
> don't know anything more about this system.

> Maybe someone from Motorola or TRW could clarify this a little?

 I'll try ... Odessey is a CDMA system, not a TDMA, and the medium
earth orbit (MEO) is at 10,600 km. in circular orbits (coverage should
extend to CONUS, Offshore U.S., Europe, and Asia/Pacific).  Full
services are available including voice, positioning-RDSS, paging,
messaging, and data transfer.  There will be handhelds,
transportables, and vehicular models with phone prices of ~$250-350
apiece and the charge per minute should be $0.60.

 The phone output a half a watt (and thus batteries should last a bit)
and the uplink is on the L-Band and the downlink on the S-Band.


Erik

Nothing that I say can be construed as the opinion of my employer.

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

From: [e-mail] (Missouri 4-H Youth Development Programs)
Subject: Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite
Organization: University of Missouri
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 15:06:20 CST


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Bill Garfield) writes:

> I remember someone telling me once that when placing international
> calls -from- the US that it was possible to -force- the call to take
> the undersea cable path as opposed to routing via satellite and that
> there was also some valid reason why a person might want to do this,
> like for fax or modem calls f'rinstance.  Seems there was another
> reason also, having something to do with the broadcast media.(?)

Some broadcast media use units made by Comrex or Rood that use two
POTS lines to give a better quality broadcast.  The audio is split
into a high frequency and low frequency sections, and each is sent
separately over the separate phone lines, then combined on the other
end.  If the dialup lines take separate paths, one by undersea cable
and one by satellite, you'll get a annoying echo because of the
different signal delay times.  This happened last year when our
basketball team was in Hawaii.  The problem was that sometimes the
circuits would be switched in the middle of the broadcast, so that the
lines would have to be redialed during commercial breaks to solve the
problem.


Curtis Bohl               Computer Programmer/Analyst
[e-mail]    4-H Youth Development
Alternate: [e-mail]            Programs
[phone]        University of Missouri-Columbia

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

Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 21:22 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite
Organization: I.E.C.C.


I'm not aware of any access codes you can use here in the U.S. to
affect any call routing, domestic or international, other than 10XXX
to select a long distance carrier.

But I would also opine that any trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific call
that you make will almost certainly be carried by cable, not by
satellite.  With the advent of fiber optic cables, cable has orders of
magnitude more bandwidth than satellites.  I'd expect to find in the
near future that the only calls that go by satellite are those to
mobile stations (INMARSAT now, Iridium and its ilk later) and
broadcast applications.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Morris)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Organization: College Park Software, Altadena, CA
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 03:26:08 GMT


[e-mail] (Russell Sharpe) writes:

> In Message-ID: <[e-mail]>, nathan@seldon.
> foundation.tricon.com wrote:

>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  The scenario goes as follows:
>> User calls in on high speed modem line and gets the "main" hunt group for
>> high speed users.  User two calls in on "alternate" low speed hunt group.
>> BUT, if user one calls in and all of the main hunt groups are busy, then he
>> is forwarded to the alternate, low speed hunt group.

>> The reason I ask is because my main, high speed hunt groups have been busy
>> lately and when I asked about a dual hunt-group, the local phone person had
>> no idea what I was talking about.

> You want to specify *Hunt Start* for your _Low Speed_ group.

> Line 1 _Pilot Line
> Line 2...
> Line 9...
> Line 10 Hunt Start Line
> Line 11 ...
> Line 12 Last trunk

> When a Caller calls Line 1 number, they will step through to the last trunk,
> i.e they will also step to the low speed lines.

> If a low speed caller calls the Line 10 number he will only step to
> the last trunk.

Some GTE switches can't do this. Or couldn't.

When I was working for a two-bit interconnect outfit here in the Los
Angeles area about ten years ago I put in a eight line hunt group in
the West Covina (now 818-33x).  Everything involving the 1A2 went in
just fine, but as the user was playing with it afterwards she
discovered that she couldn't dial into the middle of the group twice!
i.e.  dialing line four from line eight, answering it, placing it on
hold, then dialing line four from line nine -- she'd get a busy!  I
called 611 and after getting buck-passed twice, we discovered that the
local C.O. was incapable of having (in their terms) "multiple pilot
numbers".  The user ended up getting two seperate hunt groups, with
call forwarding on busy from the last line of the 1st group to the
pilot of the second.  What a kludge that was.  And the user had to pay
for the kludge.

One more reason that one L.A. term for GTE is the "Great Telephone
Experiment".


Mike Morris   WA6ILQ   818-447-7052 evenings
PO Box 1130   Arcadia, CA. 91077
All opinions must be my own since nobody pays
me enough to be their mouthpiece ...

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Date: 29 Nov 1993 21:09:02 GMT
Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)


In <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Lars
Poulsen) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]> you write:

>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  ...

> Tariffs tend to distinguish between "hunting" and "call forward on
> busy" features. ALthough these are basically the same thing, they come
> with different prices and different descriptions and different
> restrictions as to what class of service they are allowed on, and what
> other features they may coexist with.

An important difference between hunting and call forward busy is that
call forward busy will cause message units to accrue if you have
measured service, whereas hunting does not.  In my situation, I have
my inbound hunt group set up for the cheapest monthly rate available,
which is measured rate with no allowance, since these lines never make
outgoing calls.  So, I needed to be sure to get hunting instead of
busy transfer.  When I placed the order the rep in the residential
office stated that her materials told her to suggest and encourage
busy transfer whenever the customer asked for hunting in a residential
setting.  After explaining to her the problem with message units, she
agreed that hunting was best in my situation.


Steve Forrette, [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 1993 21:35:26 EST
From: Paul S. Malone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?


In Message-ID: <[e-mail]>, nathan@seldon.
foundation.tricon.com wrote:

>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  The scenario goes as follows:
>> User calls in on high speed modem line and gets the "main" hunt group for
>> high speed users.  User two calls in on "alternate" low speed hunt group.
>> BUT, if user one calls in and all of the main hunt groups are busy, then he
>> is forwarded to the alternate, low speed hunt group.

>> The reason I ask is because my main, high speed hunt groups have been busy
>> lately and when I asked about a dual hunt-group, the local phone person had
>> no idea what I was talking about.

And Russell Sharpe writes:

> You want to specify *Hunt Start* for your _Low Speed_ group.

> In article <[e-mail]> you write:

>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  ...

>> Oh, one more thing ... the low speed callers should ALWAYS get the low
>> speed lines.  The low speed lines go to a different host computer.

> Line 1 _Pilot Line
> Line 2...
> Line 9...
> Line 10 Hunt Start Line
> Line 11 ...
> Line 12 Last trunk

> When a Caller calls Line 1 number, they will step through to the last trunk,
> i.e they will also step to the low speed lines.

> If a low speed caller calls the Line 10 number he will only step to
> the last trunk.

This may or may not work depending on how the hunt group is
configured, ie. round robin or linear.  If the hunt group is set for
round robin I believe the low speed lines will roll back to line 1.
If the hunt group is set for linear hunting will work as Russel Sharp
writes.

However, my preference would be to configure the traffic as two
distinct trunk groups and set the lower speed hunt group as the second
route choice for the higher speed trunk group.  The trick is to get
the LEC to set your circuits up like this.  In this manner the
circuits can easily be distinguished for operations and maintenence
with the LEC, also, adding low or high speed lines would be easier
with two distinct trunk groups.


Paul S. Malone   [e-mail]

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

Subject: Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1993 22:15:22 GMT
From: Clive D.W. Feather <[e-mail]>


Quoth Jack Hamilton:

> Why is St-Pierre et Miquelon (country code 508) listed with the South
> American countries?  It's several hundred miles farther north than
> that other South American country right next to it, Canada.

> [Moderator's Note: It is not listed with the North American country
> code '1' because it is a territory of France rather than being part
> of Canada or the USA. It could be in '1' if it were an independent
> country. This relates back to the politics of how country codes were
> assigned originally many years ago. France has always kept a tight
> control on their telecom things. It's a long story, and too involved
> for this issue where space is already running short. Anyway, the
> choice was '1' for North America or 5xx for anything south of Del
> Rio or Brownsville, Texas, and they opted for the latter.   PAT]

Actually Pat, you're not quite right here. There are two separate
issues here.

Firstly, why doesn't SP&Q have a country code in the 1xx range. The
answer to that is that several countries in the North American area
got together and created a "joint numbering plan". There were enough
of them that the code 1 was allocated to the plan, and all other
countries in North America lost out. Therefore these countries,
including both Mexico and SP&Q, got allocated codes in the South
American (5xx) range.

This problem happens elsewhere: there are three European countries
which couldn't be squeezed into the European range (3xx and 4xx), and
so got codes in the African (2xx) range:

295       San Marino (not used at present)
298       Faroe Islands
299       Greenland

One South American country also couldn't fit in 5xx (it applied for a
code after 5xx was full), and got an African code:

296       Trinidad and Tobago (not used at present)

The second issue is the one Pat has answered: why are SP&M not in the
North American Numbering Plan? Pat is probably right -- France
wouldn't let them. However, I wonder if it's because Bell wouldn't
give them an area code to themselves?


Clive D.W. Feather     | Santa Cruz Operation
[e-mail]          | Croxley Centre
Phone: [phone] | Hatters Lane, Watford
Fax:   [phone] | WD1 8YN, United Kingdom

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 13:23:25 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Country Code for St. Pierre et Miquelon


[e-mail] (Jack Hamilton) writes:

> that other South American country right next to it, Canada.

Is this meant to be only a joke?

It is indeed next door to Newfoundland, and is the little territory
France was allowed to keep off the Canadian coast at the end of the
French and Indian War 230 years ago.  Other country codes which start
with 5 are to be found in Central and South America and in a portion
of the Caribbean islands (but other Caribbean islands come under +1
809); for example, the Dominican Republic is under +1 809, but Haiti,
the other part of the same island, is +509.

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 13:43:05 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D


[e-mail] (Scott D Fybush) writes:

> One other thing that will have to go: Rochester has toll-free dialing
> to a few points in Wayne County, in the 315 NPA.

Dialing changes are not supposed to affect local calling areas, but
can possibly affect the way some local calls are dialed.  You mention
524 and 986 (both in area 315) as being 7D local calls from some
Roch.Tel. areas in 716.  Do 524 and 986 exist in the 716 area, and
does 716 already allow just 7D for long distance within it even though
the published instructions say 1 + 7D instead?  (I believe this was
the case at pay phone along I-81 on 607-775 just north of the PA state
line.)

I don't see what effect this has on choice of long distance carriers.
This dialing change is not supposed to affect what is long distance;
just the method for dialing calls is changing.

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

Date: Tue, 30 Nov 93 21:31 EST
From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> According to radio ads being heard by a friend in Rochester NY,
> Rochester Tel will change over this week from 1 + 7D for long distance
> in 716 to just 7D.

> This poses a few problems.  First, almost any LD call from the
> Rochester exchanges is inter-LATA.  716 is divided into two LATAs.
> The Buffalo LATA encompasses all of 716 except the Roch Tel areas and
> a few other areas inside the Roch Tel zone which are still served by
> indies (including Ogden Telephone and a few Contel exchanges.)  I
> suspect LD carriers will be upset about this one ... especially if Roch
> Tel tries to default customers to its own RCI long-distance service.

Whether you dial a leading 1 has nothing to do with whether a call is
inter-LATA.  Atlantic City and Trenton NJ, for example, are both in
the 609 area, but in different LATAs, and like all intra-NPA calls in
New Jersey, you call from one to the other with seven digits.  Calls
are routed via your usual long distance carrier, or you can dial
10XXX+seven digits to pick one explicitly.

> More to the point, it's difficult for the average Rochester customer
> to know at a glance what's LD and what isn't.

Agreed.  That's the problem with 1+7 for toll.  I find it a great
convenience not to have to memorize lists of prefixes to be able to
know how to dial telephone calls, and to dial all intra-NPA calls in a
consistent way.

> One other thing that will have to go: Rochester has toll-free dialing
> to a few points in Wayne County, in the 315 NPA.  A few, 315-524
> Ontario and 315-986 Macedon, are still dialed with only 7D.  (Others
> that have been added more recently are dialed 1 + 315 + 7D.)
> Presumably Roch Tel will have to change all these over to 1 + 315 + 7D.

Nope, only if they want to reuse the same prefixes in 315 and 716.
Back in New Jersey, Land of Perfect Numbering, they reserve prefixes
in exchanges adjacent to area code boundaries so that local calls can
always be dialed with seven digits, even to a different NPA.  Of
course, you can always dial 1+NPA+seven digits, even for calls to your
own exchange, a great convenience for people who use portable
computers with modems, pocket dialers, and the like.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

PS: As often noted, 1 for toll is a religious issue, so please, spare
me your fire and brimstone.

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

Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 01:49:04 GMT
From: Les Reeves <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Nation-Wide Electronic Phone Book on Internet?


Patrick, if you do decide to put up an automated Internet-CD-ROM phone
book service, I have a suggestion as to specific CD-ROM products.

I own, and have extensively evaluated, ProPhone (mid-93), PhoneDisc
Reverse,  American Business, and Haines Criss-Cross CDXREF.

Needless to say,the Haines CDXREF wins as far as accuracy is
concerned.  It *is* the white pages, verbatum.  However, it is not
available in a nation-wide volume.  The pricing ($450 for the City of
Atlanta alone) is prohibitive.

American Business is very poor, with old inaccurate records, an
interface that is complex beyond belief, and a license restricting
distribution (in any form), plus a claim that they "seed" the database
with specific bogus records to prove use of their product.

That leaves PhoneDisc Reverse and ProPhone.

Either one would work fairly well, both have straightforward interfaces
that could *almost* be simply TTY'd to the remote.

PhoneDisc Reverse has more accurate records. This makes sense-it costs
over twice as much as ProPhone.

PhoneDisc Reverse has a more restrictive license and a "crash after to
many downloads" trap.  You can view an unlimited number of records,
however.

Both ProPhone and PhoneDisc Reverse come on six CD's.  I have not
worked with CD ROM changers, so I do not know how you would interface
the changer's CD select to the net.

PhoneDisc Reverse carries a list price of $399, and ProPhone is $199.

I have not seen PhoneDisc Reverse discounted, but ProPhone is widely
available for approximately $125.


[Moderator's Note: Well, it is a rather formidable project for me at
this time, and if I say nothing more about it for awhile, it is not
because I have forgotten about it but just because I am doing other
stuff sort of in a survival mode at present.  Maybe soon though.  PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #791
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa23035;
          2 Dec 93 5:20 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31020
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:07:50 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA09684
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:07:32 -0600
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:07:32 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #792

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 2 Dec 93 02:07:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 792

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: The Superhighway and Telcos (Joel Upchurch)
    Networking Key Systems (Rubens Rahim)
    Call For Papers ICSPAT'94 - DSP World Expo (Amnon Aliphas)
    PRIVACY Forum Reminder (Lauren Weinstein)
    Announcement of New Moderator for comp.society.privacy (Dennis G. Rears)
    What is Switched 56? (Chris Labatt-Simon)
    Combinet Educational Discount Program (Bob Larribeau)
    Australian Telephony History (John Sims)
    Speakerphone Recommendation Sought (Arthur L. Shapiro)
    Telecom Infrastructure Expert (James G. Robertson)
    Minitel Access Through Internet? (Vincent Mahon)
    Cellular Phone Serial Number (Dave Fish)
    Letter Sent to Delaware Customers (Carl Moore)
    Is Usenet a Huge Dung Heap? (TELECOM Moderator)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Re: The Superhighway and Telcos
From: upchrch![e-mail] (Joel Upchurch)
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 93 01:08:19 EST
Organization: Upchurch Computer Consulting, Orlando FL


[e-mail] (John Antypas) writes:

> Right now, the Internet providers above a certain user mass (Netcom,
> UUNet, PSI, et al) are all attempting to cover the country in POPs for
> obvious reasons.  If this continues, one could assume that one day,
> every city would have a PSI, Netcom, Alternet, et al POP in it.
> Surely that won't help anyone.  We'd all like OUR Providers POP to be
> in OUR city, but the phone line load would be MUCH too high!

I read something in the last issue of {Popular Science} about some cable
company experimenting with providing internet access through the cable
system. Imagine a local cable company doing something like getting a
pagesat news feed and providing it to their customers as a premium
cable channel with a special modem to translate the data.


Joel Upchurch @ Upchurch Computer Consulting uunet!aaahq01!upchrch!joel
718 Galsworthy Ave. Orlando, FL 32809-6429  phone [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rubens Rahim)
Subject: Networking Key Systems
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:30:21 GMT


A company that I work for is purchasing a new key telephone system. We
have been able to achieve all our requirements except one. Some
background:

We have two offices, each with approximately 20 employees. The two
offices are in different cities. (250 km apart, approx 175 miles)

We need a system that makes these two locations 'the same'. i.e. there
will ONE incoming hunt group for both offices, and calls are easily
transferred between offices, as if it were the same office. Employees
dial each other simply by dialing an extension number, regardless of
which office either of them are in. And the reception desk display
unit (can't remember what its called; the thing that shows all
extensions, and whether they are busy or not) should display the
status of extensions from both offices. For outgoing lines, each
office may have their own set if necessary, but it is preferred if
both offices shared that as well.

Our sales representative is not sure how to do this or how much it
will cost. He is doing some research and getting back to us. However,
we are looking at the Northern Telecom Northstar system.

Is what we want possible? At what cost? What kind of link do we need
between offices.? Will the NT Northstar system do it? What additional
hardware do we need? Anyone have a similar system set up on such a
small scale (40 extensions total is quite small).

Reply to this newsgroup or by E-mail, whichever you prefer.


Thanks,

Rubens Rahim
#3-113 Westmount Rd. N.
Waterloo, ON, N2L 5G5
[phone]


[Moderator's Note: Another thing to consider is Centrex. It can be
scattered all over; it does not have to be confined to all extensions
in the same CO, or for that matter all in the same city. Most of the
time you will find companies which use Centrex are entirely within
one CO, but for example the City of Chicago Municipal Corporation has
Centrex on two exchanges (312-744 and 312-747) and extensions on the
Centrex are scattered all over the city and in a few suburbs as well
where the city has offices. Users dial each other with five digits,
either 4 or 7 as the first digit plus four more. Of course you do not
need anything nearly that large, but it can be wired to meet your
specs, and it might be economically justified as well since Centrex
extensions can always call each other at no charge.

If you go with a PBX, are you going to be leasing the inter-office/inter-
city circuits from telco anyway? Those tie-trunks might cost as much
or more to lease/maintain as Centrex extensions at remote locations.
Using Centrex, your operator/receptionist will be able to see what
extension is calling; either location will be able to dial zero and
get her, etc.  If I were you, I'd at least get telco to issue a quote
on it before you make a final decision. One thing to remember though
any time you think about tie-lines, tie-trunks, foreign exchange lines
or similar -- even 'foreign exchange Centrex' service -- is that it is
very expensive (although I think in your application 'foreign exchange
Centrex' would be less expensive) and unless you keep those lines loaded
with traffic all day and half the night you will lose your shirt on the
deal. With only about twenty employees at each location, how much are
they going to be talking to each other, and for how long at a time?
What you want is extremely convenient and quite costly. When you find
out the actual cost either way you want to go, you may well decide to
rethink the whole thing and go with conventional long distance calls
between two offices each with independent telecom setups.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Amnon Aliphas)
Subject: CALL FOR PAPERS ICSPAT'94 - DSP World EXPO
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 03:16:14 GMT


                    CALL FOR PAPERS  -   ICSPAT '94

    International Conference on Signal Processing Applications & Technology

                            featuring DSP World Expo.

         October 18-21,1994 Grand Kempinski Hotel - Dallas, Texas


ITF Product Reviewer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~    |      Application Areas:  Aerospace
Mr. Nicolas Mokhoff     |
Electronic Eng. Times   |                          Audio
USA                     |
                        |                          Automotive
Technical Review Comm.  |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  |                          Communications
Dr. David Almagor       |
National Semiconductor  |                          Consumer Products
Israel                  |
                        |                          DSP Machines
Mr. Pradeep Bardia      |
Sonitech International  |                          DSP Software
USA                     |
                        |                          DSP Technology
Dr. Aziz Chihoub        |
Siemens Corporate Res.  |                          Geophysics
USA                     |
                        |                          Image Processing
Dr. Ron Crochiere       |
AT&T Bell Laboratories  |                          Industrial Control
USA                     |
                        |                          Instrumentation & Testing
Dr. Mohamed El-Sharkawy |
Indiana U./Purdue U.    |                          Medical Electronics
USA                     |
                        |                          Multimedia
Dr. Joseph B. Evans     |
University of Kansas    |                          Neural Networks
USA                     |
                        |                          Parallel Processing
Dr. Hyeong-Kyo Kim      |
ETRI                    |                          Processor Architectures
Korea                   |
                        |                          Radar
Mr. Gerald McGuire      |
Analog Devices          |                          Radio SATCOM & NAV
USA                     |
                        |                          Robotics
Dr. Bruce Musicus       |
Bolt Beranek & Newman   |                          Speech Processing
USA                     |
                        |                          Telephony
Dr. Panos Papamichalis  |
Texas Instruments       |                          Underwater/Sonar
USA                     |
                        |                          VLSI Architectures
Mr. Robert A. Peloso    |
Panasonic, ATVL.        |                          Virtual Reality
USA                     |
                        |                          & Other Applications
Dr. Matt Perry          |
Motorola                |
USA                     |
                        | Mail, Fax or E-Mail 400-Word Abstract by April15,1994
Dr. William Ralston     |
The Mitre Corporation   |       DSP ASSOCIATES          Tel: [phone]
USA                     |       18 Peregrine Rd.        Fax: [phone]
                        |       Newton, MA 02159
Dr. James B. Riley      |
MIT - Lincoln Lab.      |       e_mail: [e-mail]
USA                     |
                        |
Mr. Vojin Zivojnovic    |
RTWH                    |
Germany                 |

Sponsored by:      DSP Associates -- Electronic Engineering Times

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

Date: Wed, 1 Dec 93 19:14 PST
From: [e-mail] (Lauren Weinstein)
Subject: PRIVACY Forum Reminder


The Internet PRIVACY Forum is a moderated digest for the discussion
and analysis of issues relating to the general topic of privacy (both
personal and collective) in the "information age" of the 1990's and
beyond.  Topics include a wide range of telecommunications,
information/database collection and sharing, and related issues, as
pertains to the privacy concerns of individuals, groups, businesses,
government, and society at large.  The manners in which both the
legitimate and the controversial concerns of business and government
interact with privacy considerations are also topics for the digest.
The PRIVACY Forum digest is supported in part by the ACM (Association
for Computing Machinery) Committee on Computers and Public Policy.

Except when unusual events warrant exceptions, digest publication is
limited to no more than one or two reasonably-sized digests per week.
Given the size of the Internet, this may often necessitate that only a
small percentage of overall submissions may ultimately be presented in
the digest.  Submission volume also makes it impossible for unpublished
submissions to be routinely acknowledged.  Other mailing lists, with
less stringent submission policies, may be more appropriate for
readers who prefer a higher volume of messages regarding these issues.

The goal of PRIVACY Forum is to present a high quality electronic
publication which can act as a significant resource to both
individuals and organizations who are interested in these issues.  The
digest is best viewed as similar in focus to a journal or other
specialized publication.  The moderator will choose submissions for
inclusion based on their relevance and content.

For more information regarding PRIVACY Forum subscriptions, archive
materials (listserv, FTP, gopher), etc., please send the line:

   information privacy

as the first text in the BODY of a message
(subject line doesn't matter) to:

   [e-mail]

You'll receive detailed information via return e-mail from the
automated "listserv" system.

Thank you.


[Telecom Moderator's Note: This 'Internet Privacy Forum' is an excellent
e-journal, but it should NOT be confused with 'Computer Privacy Digest'
which has for the past few years been edited and moderated by Dennis
Rears who has resigned that position as of today. The next message
will discuss the change of personnel at the Computer Privacy Digest.  PAT]

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

Date: Wed, 1 Dec 93 8:34:29 EST
From: Dennis G. Rears <[e-mail]>
Subject: Announcement of New Moderator for comp.society.privacy


    I will relinquish moderator duties of the Computer Privacy Digest
today.  Prof. L. P. Levine will take over as the new moderator of the
Computer Privacy Digest (comp.society.privacy) effective midnight
tonight.  The new relavant addresses are:

        Submissions:    [e-mail]
        Administrivia:  [e-mail]
        Complaints:     /dev/null

  The primary reason I am leaving the group is time.  In the last few
months I have not had the time to adequately perform the duties of
being a moderator.

  I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the
digest and those people who have provided me with pointers on making
the digest better.  I have for the most part enjoyed moderating the
group.  I will miss the off-line discussions I have had with many of
you.

  The CPD had it origins in the telecom-privacy mail list which I set
up in August of 1990.  Telecom-priv started out to address concerns of
Caller Id.  It was an outgrowth of a discussion that was started on the
TELECOM Digest.  The Telecom Privacy maillist was merged into the
Computer Privacy Digest on 27 April 1992.  According to the October
USENET readership report comp.society.privacy is read by about 44,000
people, 73% of USENET sites receive this and is ranked at 683.  I have
about 500 subscribers/exploder lists.  I think we have come a long way
since the first issue was published in April 1992.  FTP access to the
archives of the Computer Privacy Digest and the Telecom Privacy list are
available at ftp.pica.army.mil and at ftp.cs.uwm.edu.

  I wish Professor Levine good luck in his new role.  I plan to assume
a role as Official Lurker.


dennis

[Telecom Moderator's Note: I said it yesterday, but it bears repeating
today: thank you for your hard work Dennis, and my best wishes to
Professor Levine as he assumes your role as moderator. But for the best
reading combination, why not subscribe to *both* privacy e-journals? Your
subscription will be welcomed by both Len Levine (this message) and
Lauren Weinstein (previous message), I'm sure. Both e-journals have their
own styles about them and editorial policies, etc.  Try them out!   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Labatt-Simon)
Subject: What is Switched 56?
Date: 2 Dec 1993 03:23:29 GMT
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy NY, USA


OK.  I'm fairly new in the telecommunications world, being from a
network background.  A while ago I asked questions about fractional T1
lines, and I would like to say that I got an amazing respose from this
group.  Thanks a lot.

New subject.  I've done some work with wide area networks in the past,
but always with Ts.  Now I have a client who like to back up one of
their Ts with a switched 56, or one of the new and upcoming switched
64s.

What exactly is a switched line?  Is there an unswitched 56 and a
switched 56?  What additional concerns (overhead, equipment, etc.)
should I be concerned about with a switched 56/64?  I know the real
basic information -- it's a 56K (or is it k) leased line.

Once again, this is more for my own personal information.  I'll be
working with a telecommunications consultant on this.  But I like to
know what I'm getting into to.


Thanks,

Chris Labatt-Simon ([e-mail])    [phone] Tel
Design & Disaster Recovery Consulting  [phone] Fax

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

From: Bob Larribeau <[e-mail]>
Subject: Combinet Educational Discount Program
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 93 21:27:33 -0700
Organization: Combinet


The Combinet educational discount program has been extended to any
college or university in the U.S. or any student, faculty, or staff of
one of these institutions.

For information on this program send a mail message to:
[e-mail]

Information is also available using Anonymous FTP from

     Host:        combinet.com
    Directory     /pub
    File         nodeinfo.txt

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

Subject: Australian Telephony History
Date: Thu, 02 Dec 93 12:08:37 +0800
From: John Sims <[e-mail]>


Greetings!

I am interested in the history of telephony here in Australia.

I realise Telecom (Telstra ?) may be the best source of info, but I'm
not really sure I have enough time to phone around and find the right
department :-(

Can anyone out there give me some other pointers?  Books, libraries,
places/people to call, anything would be very gratefully received.

I realise most of you aren't in this country but you never know your
luck.


Thanks very much,

John
Functional Software       [e-mail]         Snail: PO Box 192
Suite 7, 643 Newcastle St  Voice: [phone]  Leederville
Leederville           Fax:   [phone]  WA 6903
Western Australia

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 01 Dec 1993 19:47
Subject: Speakerphone Recommendation Sought


A couple weeks ago I posted an enquiry about my pre-breakup American
Bell speakerphone, whose memory-retention Sanyo NiCad battery had
failed, causing all stored phone numbers and the time/date display to
be zeroed if there was a power flicker.  Thanks to the several dozen
private responses, I was able to get the exact replacement battery,
termed "relatively obscure" by the vendor who procured it, and I
installed it several days ago.

Alas, the phone no longer works.  Even after ample charging time I
have no display, no ability to dial out, and recipients report my
voice is nearly inaudible.  As I can handle a soldering iron with
reasonable facility, I guess I've zapped some of the circuitry with
the inductive effects of the big soldering gun; I never thought to
ground it to the circuit board.  Oh well -- it had a good life.

So, as this question comes up every year or so, do folks have a
recommendation for a speakerphone?  I'd like it to have at least
twenty stored phone numbers, ideally with individual labelable (?)
buttons rather than a control sequence; I don't need the 63 number
capacity of the Bell.  An accurate time/date display including seconds
is essential.  And this probably doesn't exist on the Planet Earth,
but I'd love to have a speakerphone where the other party doesn't BEG
me to go back onto the handset -- are they ALL echoey, sonically-
obnoxious atrocities?


Arthur L. Shapiro        [e-mail]
Software Engineering
Unisys Corporation       Speaking as a civilian, rather than for
Mission Viejo, CA        Unisys, unless this box is checked: [ ]

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

From: [e-mail] (James G. Robertson)
Subject: Telecom Expert Needed
Date: 01 Dec 1993 16:26:50 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [login: guest]


Needed for short project; minimum qualifications: ten years in telecom
network system integration, network management and optimization,
frequency monitoring and spectrum planning.  Familiar with U.S.
Regulatory Regime.


Reply to Jim Robertson   [e-mail]  Fax:  [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (mahon)
Subject: Minitel Access Through Internet?
Organization: University of Brighton, UK
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 19:52:38 GMT


Hi!

I am looking for a way of accessing Minitel through Internet.  Has
anybody heard about a gateway for this?  (minitelnet ???)  Thanks in
advance.


Vincent MAHON   University of Brighton

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave Fish)
Subject: Cellular Phone Serial Number
Organization: Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 23:04:29 GMT


I've got a question on how a cellular telephone's serial number is
used by the cellular telephone system. If I change a cellular
telephone's phone number to that of another phone in that system will
I make calls charged against that phone number? Or does the phone
system "know" about a phone's serial number?


Best Regards,

David Fish            Voice 719-598-3842
Forte Networks, Inc.  FAX   [phone]
Windchime Center      Internet: [e-mail]
427 Woodmen Road


[Moderator's Note: The phone's ESN or Electronic Serial Number is
matched with the phone number assigned and the tower will reject your
call if the two do not correctly match. The exception to this rule --
and they are few and far between -- is that for a few certain phone
numbers, the tower is told to either ignore discrepancies in the ESN
or not to bother checking at all. What types of cellular phone numbers
are exempt from validation? Administrative numbers used by the cellular
carrier itself in customer service, maintainence and technical support.
They want it so the technician going out on maintainence can grab any
phone handy and take it with him.

Another category would be the numbers used by dealers to test and
demonstrate their wares. Obviously a big dealer with hundreds of
phones for sale can't have hundreds of phone lines for demo purposes,
each matched to a specific ESN. He or the cellular carrier would have
to constantly reprogram the system every time new stock arrived in the
dealer's store, etc. So many dealers have a certain phone number they
can program their demonstration units to for the purpose of showing
customers how they work, etc.

These phone numbers (administrative numbers for the carrier and
demonstration numbers for dealers) are generally kept secret and
confidential. After all, if I were to tell you what some of them were
around Chicago, then you could program *your phone* to those numbers
for the purpose of outgoing calls and never get charged for them and
never be challenged by the tower validation process as well.  Of course,
getting incoming calls under those circumstances is difficult at best
and being on the phone making a call when the dealer tries to use the
line can pose a problem. And just because you are not challenged on
ESN validation does not mean the carrier does not actually have a record
of the numbers called; they do have such a record. When the 'too much
monkey business and fraud' detector goes off, well, they just follow
Sprint's old fraud-fighting technique and call the people on the list
to ask them who they spoke to on the phone on <date> at <time>. I
don't think you'd want your mother to receive a call from Sprint or
the cell carrier asking who she talked to ... :) so people who use
this technique of programming their cellphone's number to that of the
local carrier or dealer's admin numbers (the ESN part is harder to
reprogram, and for a layperson is essentially impossible to change)
generally confine themselves to calling radio station switchboards
and movie theatre recorded information lines when on the 'borrowed'
number, if you get my drift.   PAT]

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

Date: Wed 01 Dec 93 17:43:48 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Letter Sent to Delaware Customers


I was shown a letter sent to southeastern Pennsylvania customers about
area code 610, to become useable 8 Jan. 1994, with a list of prefixes
which will be in area 610.  Now, since I still have a Delaware number
(with a call forward), I have received a similar letter myself.  Items
not seen in the letter to the PA customers:

"We are informing you about this change because many of you who live
in Delaware have friends, relatives and businesses that you call in
Area Code 215."

"In certain areas of Delaware, customers can dial seven digits to make
local calls into Pennsylvania.  If you are in one of those areas
today, you can continue to dial seven digits after January 8, 1994.
However, if you dial Area Code 215 to reach any of the exchanges that
are on the list, beginning January 8, 1994, you should dial Area Code
610 to reach them."  [Still no word on any dialing changes for
Delaware.  Local calls FROM Pa. TO Del. changed to 1 + 302 + number
before 215 area, other than Denver and Adamstown, dropped leading 1
for long distance within it.]

"We thank you for helping us to prepare for Pennsylvania's new area
code.  If you have any questions, please call our We Can Help Center
at 1-800-555-5000, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m."  [I tried that number from Maryland and got U.S. West
Communications -- a recording only -- in Denver, Colorado.  Darn, I am
not in Del. or Pa. now.]

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

Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1993 23:04:41 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Subject: Is Usenet a Huge Dung Heap?


 ... At least a couple people think it is ...

My thanks to [e-mail] (Rob Knauerhase) for researching
this and passing these gems along:

    "Usenet is like a herd of performing elephants with diarrhea --
     massive, difficult to redirect, awe-inspiring, entertaining, and a
     source of mind-boggling amounts of excrement when you least expect it."
      -- Gene Spafford

and

    "Come to think of it, there are already a million monkeys on a million
     typewriters, and Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare."
       -- Blair Houghton


Now watch them get after me in news.groups tomorrow!  :)


PAT

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #792
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa23463;
          2 Dec 93 5:57 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA24385
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:57:18 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA12662
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:57:02 -0600
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 02:57:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #793

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 2 Dec 93 02:57:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 793

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite (Josh Backon)
    Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite (Danny Burstein)
    Re: Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK (David Woolley)
    Re: Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK (Graham Thomas)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Paul S. Malone)
    Re: AT&T 9100 Phone Review (Bill Pfeiffer)
    Re: AT&T 9100 Phone Review (David H. Close)
    Re: Palmtop + Cellular Modem (Ed Greenberg)
    Re: Instant Modem Banks (Paul D. Guthrie)
    Re: Instant Modem Banks (Devon Sean McCullough)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Brendan Jones)
    Re: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc. (Laurence Chiu)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite
Date: 1 Dec 93 11:50:21 GMT
Organization: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail].
com (Bill Garfield) writes:

> I remember someone telling me once that when placing international
> calls -from- the US that it was possible to -force- the call to take
> the undersea cable path as opposed to routing via satellite and that
> there was also some valid reason why a person might want to do this,
> like for fax or modem calls f'rinstance.  Seems there was another
> reason also, having something to do with the broadcast media.(?)

> Alas I have lost my notes but recall that the magic was supposedly a
> two-digit "access" code that you simply inserted ahead of the country
> code. Can anyone share this info and/or enlighten us as to its
> possible uses?

I don't know the answer to this. I would like to know all the pro's
and con's of using undersea cable vs. satellite. I had thought that
satellite *delay* on voice calls is not that much of a problem
anymore. Or is it ??


Josh   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (danny burstein)
Subject: Re: International Calls via Cable or Satellite
Date: 1 Dec 1993 05:51:59 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John R Levine)
writes:

> I'm not aware of any access codes you can use here in the U.S. to
> affect any call routing, domestic or international, other than 10XXX
> to select a long distance carrier.

> But I would also opine that any trans-Atlantic or trans-Pacific call
> that you make will almost certainly be carried by cable, not by
> satellite.  With the advent of fiber optic cables, cable has orders of
> magnitude more bandwidth than satellites.  I'd expect to find in the
> near future that the only calls that go by satellite are those to
> mobile stations (INMARSAT now, Iridium and its ilk later) and
> broadcast applications.

While it's pretty diffcult to force calls originating from the US onto
cable rather than satellite, it -was- (and perhaps still is) possible
to do this from the British end.

An article in {New Scientist} (and also in {2600}) made mention of
this about five years ago. You used a prefix in England (kind of like
the 10xxx's in teh US) and overrode the default.

The {New Scientist} article specifically pointed out how this was
useful for fax machines and computer data using handshaking. It
explained the delay you'd get on a satellite link while waiting, and
waiting, as all those nanoseconds had to be covered ... <see the
Admiral Grace Hopper stories.>

Afraid I don't recall the prefixes (I live on the US side of teh pond,
so they weren't of great interest to me), and I don't know if, given
the partial deregulation fo the British phone system, they're still in
use.


[e-mail] adds: all the usual disclaimers regarding liability,
intelligence, accuracy apply. spelling disclaimer is doubled.

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

From: [e-mail] (David Woolley)
Subject: Re: Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 93 16:45:33  GMT


 From a list of UK IP and related service providers.

   The list is posted monthly to uk.net and uk.misc and is accompanied
   by a short summary list - both are available by anonymous ftp from
   ftp.demon.co.uk:/pub/archives/uk-internet-list as inetuk.lng and
   inetuk.sum (note the name change from this month).

UK local phone rates vary from about GBP 0.80 per hour off peak to
about GBP 3.00 per hour during the morning on business days.  Long
distance calls are about GBP 5.00 per hour off peak and GBP 9.00 per
hour peak.  The whole of London is one local charging area, and there
are two intermediate bands between local and long distance, with one
of these being used for long distance calls between major cities
(where there is more competition).

There are competing services for long distance calls, but some news
groups here report problems with their use for high speed modems.


David Woolley, London, England           [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Graham Thomas)
Subject: Re: Internet/SLIP Connections in the UK
Organization: University of Sussex
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 17:59:11 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Mary Anne Walters
<corndog![e-mail]> wrote:

> I am interested in information on Internet connections in the UK.
> Since there is a charge per minute for even local calls, what kind of
> charges are we talking about for SLIP, if the modem is hooked up all
> day? I've been told there is some kind of dialback option offered from
> Internet providers (as an aside: who else other than PSI offers
> connectivity in Britain?) and would like specifics on that.

I don't have my charge book to hand, and costs are made more
complicated by the fact that there are three rates for local phone
calls during a working day and by the fact that BT and Mercury (where
available) charge different prices.  If you were using a BT line to
make a local call between, say, 9am and 7pm, you would have four hours
at top rate, five at 'standard' rate and one at cheap rate.  Including
taxes, you'd probably pay something like $35 for that day.  *Very*
approximately, but of that order of magnitude.

Outside of the academic world (which has good internet connectivity,
generally free at the point of use), there are several public internet
providers.  The conferencing service CIX (Compulink Information
Exchange, not to be confused with the Commercial Internet Exchange in
the USA) provides internet access for the same price as online access
to its local services -- approx. $3-$5 per hour on top of call charges
 -- but heavy users are probably better served by Demon Internet
Services, which give you a dial-up connection for $15 per month (maybe
plus 17.5% taxes -- not sure) and, of course, your phone charges.
Your phone charges may be heavier than the costs listed above, because
you may not live within the local call of these services.  The
services I've listed are not the only ones.  There is a complete list
available from at least one newsgroup, but I can't remember which one.
Sorry, I don't know about dialback.

> I was also told "no one" has more than one phone line over there.  Is
> this true?  And if so, how do people hadle internet access from home
> and still be able to use the phones?

Certainly not no one (I've got two lines, for example), but it's quite
unusual for households to have more than one line.  You need an
understanding partner/family/flatmate, the fastest modem you can
afford (not as cheap here as in the USA) and time during the cheap
rate period.

> Thanks in advance for any help.

You're welcome.  I'm sure someone else can give you more accurate
info, but I thought I'd post just in case all the accurately-informed
people are too busy just now.

Graham

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

Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 21:35:43 EST
From: Paul S. Malone <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk


In telecom13.783 Will Estes wrote, in reference and in response to a
note on the availabilty of ISDN circuits by John Eichler:

> Within one year, people are going to be able to buy unlimited 10
> Megabit per second connections to the net via existing cable TV cable,
> with a V.FAST or similar channel going upstream.  This is going to
> cost $99/month or less for unlimited network use.

I agree with Will Estes one hundred percent that high speed interfaces
to the home will eliminate any success ISDN Basic Rate could have in
the residential market of the United States.

I believe ISDN Basic Rate Interfaces had a chance to supply the United
States residential market with a digital interface for "the last mile"
but its time is past and technology and applications have grown beyond
the capability of ISDN BRI.  On the other hand I believe ISDN Primary
Rate Interface will continue to grow in the comercial market place if
for nothing more than enhanced call setup, ACDs and ANI delivery.

The test networks, being implimented in Alexandria, Va by Bell
Atlantic as well as other carriers such as Nynex, PacBell and MCI,
demonstrate the coming of the digital highway to the household.  When
these networks are in place the need for a 128Kbps digital telephone
line an with X.25 packet switching capability will forgotten.

One of the main reasons ISDN BRI has not taken off over the past
decade is availability and I BRI has not been available because the
LECs have not upgraded their networks to B8ZS backbones or upgraded
all of their switches to support ISDN BRI.  And this doesn't even
include the SS7 signaling requirements for passing 64kbps clear
channel data to the interexchange carriers.

Basically, I believe the LECs are facing a choice in their network
development today.  Which is, continue to invest money and deploy ISDN
BRI capable switches or re-allocate those moneys for equipment which
supports enhances services.  If I were allocating funds for network
renovations I wouldn't continue to invest in a technology which could
be completely obsolesced in a few years.

> If the phone companies had even the slightest bit of technology
> vision, they would understand what a serious threat to their future
> market growth this really is, and they would be offer ISDN at or below
> cost until they can get the fiber optic cables in.

I must disagree with Will in one of his points, that is if the RBOCs
want to compete with the highspeed data pipe to the home they should
cut the cost of BRI and get people hooked on it.  I feel the RBOCs
understand the threat of the cable companies connectivity to homes but
instead of countertering it with affordable ISDN I believe they will
be directly competing in the cable market as Bell Atlantic is doing in
Alexandria and Pac Bell is trying to do in California.  This is of
course contingent on legistion, but if laws continue toward
deregulation and enhanced services becomes a competitive market you
can be sure the RBOCs will be major players.

ISDN has several flavors today, PRI and BRI.  These are both narrow
band circuit switched services with X.25 packet switching included in
the data channel.  The spec for narrow band ISDN has been under
development for decades and quite honestly, I feel it is behind the
times.  The bandwidth required for the services planned on the digital
highway will take much more bandwidth than the available 128kbps on
ISDN BRI and I feel the LECs are quite aware of this and are planning
accordingly.


Paul S. Malone   [phone]    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Pfeiffer)
Subject: Re: AT&T 9100 Phone Review
Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 15:59:09 CST


Bill Seward <[e-mail]> wrote:

> A brief rundown of the advertised features:

>    Ten channels;

This seems too small.  Other 900 phones have many more channels to
choose from.  I see this as a drawback, especially as these phones
move in and take over more of the marketplace.  I remember when the
46(base)/49(portable) phones replaced the old 49/1.6mhz units and the
range was great and the noise very low.  Now that they are everywhere,
that is not the case.

>    out of range notification;

You mention that you lose sylables at 300 feet, what sort of 'alert'
does it offer other than the obvious loss of transmission?  Does it
hang-up when out-of-range?

> Special technical stuff:

> I have tested it for range with the following results: I can get about
> 250 feet from the base with no noticable signal degredation on either
> end.  I can get about 300 feet with acceptable degredation (the
> occassional lost syllable).  At 375, I lose about every other syllable.
> All of these distances are with one frame wall between the base and
> the outside world.

Here, again, I see this as poor.  The Tropez has been tested by a
friend, in the middle of Chicago, with good transmission up to three
city blocks (1500') in any direction, using built-in antennas in a
single-story building (frame or brick).  In some directions he could
place and talk on a call at a full 1/2 mile (2000') with minimal
disturbances.  So this AT&T does not sound so hot at all.

A friend at a local Radio Shack has tested their phone from INSIDE a
steel-framed building on a main street, to a restaraunt 2.5 blocks
away (also steel-framed) and could make and receive calls there with
no noticable interference.

So I must say that if your review is typical of the AT&T model, I will
stay away from it, thank you.  Also, those interested in 900 phones
should buy now, while the technology is new.  The first Cobra 46/49
units several years ago, had MUCH higher power than subsequent units.
Seems that the limits set back then (before the units were field
tested) was much higher than are allowed now.  Same is likely to hold
true for the 900 units.

> As a comparison, my kid's baby monitor, which I am told operates with
> the same characteristics as your standard 40-something Mhz cordless,
> is lucky to make 75 feet and remain usable.  It also has a lot of
> noise at that range, too.

Problem with baby transmitters is the receivers are terrible and use
inefficient antennas.  I once hooked a baby transmitter to a scanner
antenna on my roof and got an easy four blocks out of it to a
hand-held scanner.

> Sound quality is very good, but not up to wired standards, IMHO. But
> there are no rice crispies.  You either hear or you don't hear. The
> volume control works, but the handset is designed so that it is not
> really cradleable in the crook of your neck.  Physically, it resembles
> a cellular handset in dimensions -- and I suspect they are not
> cradleable for a reason.

What reason would that be, Bill?  It seems to me that the phone should
be as ergonomic (sp) as possible, No?

> By and large, I consider it a good buy, and would be comfortable
> recommending it to a friend.

Well, compared to other 900 units I have either tested or heard about
from personally verifiable sources, this does not sound like any great
bargain. But that is just me.


William Pfeiffer - Moderator - rec.radio.broadcasting - Airwaves Radio Journal
        Subscription Desk:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David H. Close)
Subject: Re: AT&T 9100 Phone Review
Date: 01 Dec 1993 08:02:43 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena


Bill Seward <[e-mail]> talks about the AT&T 9100 and
others have discussed the Vtech et al.

Has anyone seen a two-line 900 MHz phone?  Or is there a good way to
fake it using the standard one-line phone?


Dave Close, Compata, Costa Mesa
[e-mail]    [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1993 10:23:29 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Ed Greenberg)
Subject: Re: palmtop + cellular modem
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)


I will be receiving the RJ-11 adapter for my handheld cellular phone
next week.  I'll certainly be posting a report when I use it.
Meanwhile, here's what I know...

1.  You can use any cellphone that has an RJ-11 adapter.  You can use it
with any modem.

2.  The cellular companies suggest that you do this while stopped so you
don't get handed off.

3.  The RJ-11 adapter for my phone, a Motorola DPC550 "Flip" phone, is
more expensive than the phone was.


Ed Greenberg   [e-mail]   Ham Radio: KM6CG

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul D. Guthrie)
Subject: Re: Instant Modem Banks
Date: 01 Dec 1993 05:02:46 GMT
Organization: Vorpal Software


In article <[e-mail]>, Vance Shipley
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, Martin McCormick
> <[e-mail]> wrote:

>> In recent postings, several people told of modem banks which can
>> be attached directly to a T1 and use DSP to simulate 24 dial-up modems.

>> Do any of these systems connect to an Ethernet and act as a
>> terminal server such that one would have the V.35 cable to the T1 as
>> one port and an Ethernet connector as the other port?

> U.S. Robotics is bringing out such a system.  Unfortunately they made
> the decision to develop an X.25 based system before support of IP over
> ethernet.  They do intend to have IP available soon though.  They will
> support a mixture of T-1, ISDN and analog type "modems" and
> incorporate routing capabilities.  This is definitely the '90's way of
> doing things.

The reason they did an X.25 based system first is to compete with
other major players in the same market such as Hypercom and Primary
Access.  These companies basically make products that you plug a T1
into one end and a X.25 host line in the other, and the systems
provide the capabilities of D4 channel banks, modems and PADs all in
one convenient package.  This is a large market for X.25 network
providers.  Each has a list of cool features such as DNIS translation
to X.25 terminating address for call setups during modem settling time
(eliminating two to three seconds per call) and sending of initial
ENQ's for VISA-90 type networks.  Each time you use your credit card
during this holiday season, take a moment to think about the
incredible networks that your transactions are getting auth'd through
and how quick these systems really are.

In any case, having a TCP/IP modem server on a card, to replace the
X.25 PAD capability is an obvious next step.  I'm not aware if any of
the above mentioned manufacturers have done this.


Paul Guthrie    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Devon Sean McCullough)
Subject: Re: Instant Modem Banks
Date: 01 Dec 93 19:40:57
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory


Martin, please let me know what you find out, by personal netmail.

Primary Access [phone] has a box, three T1 lines in, seventy
RS-232 (or one x.25) out $25k to $30k -- worth it if you have 70
lines!

Hmmm, that's $360 to $430 per line.  If your local telco overcharges
for T1 someone like Sprint, MCI, MFS, etc can probably do it.  Cinci
Bell quoted me $1600/month for T1 vs. $1000/month for 23 POTS lines.

Primary Access said ethernet is "in development" but for now you could
easily dedicate a computer with an x.25 board and an ethernet board as
a protocol converter; no sweat.

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

From: [e-mail] (Brendan Jones)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 11:20:42 +1100


In article <[e-mail]>, Tom Crawford
<[e-mail]> writes:

> [re claims of 20x CDMA/AMPS capacity improvement]
> Using PacTel's cells in San Diego, CDMA has been demonstrated up to 31X AMPS
> capacity in an isolated cell and sector configuration.  The test was
> conducted with live mobiles in cars.  While this is NOT what would be
> expected in a normal configuration of contiguous cells, it does demonstrate
> that 20X is not some theoretical maximum.

Well, unless the theory is substandard, one would hope that a
practical implementation of a system can, under at least some
circumstances, live up to the predictions made.  However, I don't
believe you've addressed the issue raised by the original poster.

The capacity of CDMA was initially estimated by theoretical
calculations and computer simulations of relatively simple systems,
and the results generally indicated a 20x to 40x capacity improvement
over AMPS as you state.

The field trial you refer to was also a relatively simplified system,
as it comprised around only 50 mobiles and five cell sites (of which
only one was sectored), and much of the interference environment was
provided by hardware noise simulators rather than live mobiles.

Under such circumstances, anything less than 20x capacity improvement
would indicate that something was seriously astray with the technology
or the theory.  31x improvement in an "isolated cell and sector
configuration" is far from convincing.

Nothing here can change the fact that the introduction of more
real-world interference and user density effects can only *reduce* the
practical system capacity of CDMA.  20x may not be a theoretical
maximum -- but it's still a maximum.

More handoffs, more difficult propagation conditions than those
experienced in San Diego, and the interference effect of more mobiles
will only *reduce* any gains apparent so far.

In short, I believe the original poster was correct.  Wide-scale
capacity improvements for CDMA are not yet proven and IMUO are
unlikely to meet the gains suggested when you have 100 cell sites and
500,000 users.

Much of the current research, published in well respected journals
including the IEE and IEEE, seem to suggest practical gains of 5x to
6x for large-scale CDMA implementations over established AMPS are more
realistic.

At this level, CDMA is quite comparable with half-rate, slow frequency
hopping TDMA systems, and yet is arguably more complex.  Advantages in
its resistance to multipath propagation may be offset by other
factors, such as CDMA having a roundtrip processing delay of 200 ms
versus only 10 ms for TDMA.

My research interest is in microcellular systems, so I may be out of
court, but my caution comes through trying to predict the effect of
giving one million people handsets to make calls through 2000 base
stations.  The task is difficult to say the least.

I don't deny CDMA looks to be a promising technology.  However, you
can't necessarily scale the experience of a 50 user 5 base station
system.  Some particular propagation or interference effects,
negligible under low density use, may become far more important under
higher density use.

PS: IMUO = In My Uneducated Opinion :-)


Brendan Jones (PhD Student) | Email: [e-mail]
Electronics Department      | Voice: [phone]
School of MPC&E             | Fax  : [phone]
Macquarie University        | Snail: +NSW 2109 AUSTRALIA

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

From: [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
Subject: Roaming, CDMA, TDMA etc.
Date: 1 Dec 1993 18:56:10 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access


> Roaming problems are really unrelated to whether the phone uses AMPS,
> TDMA, E-TDMA, GSM or CDMA (I'll explain these later). Roaming between
> systems requires a supporting infrastructure and intersystem
> protocols. These protocols have been standardised, but are still
> evolving. The N.American standard is IS-41, and the European standard
> is GSM (more precisely, the MAP protocols). These protocols define the
> messaging and procedures for exchanging information between systems to
> allow roaming. Most of the new phones will be dual-mode -- AMPS plus
> one of the others, so you should be able to use it just about anywhere
> (without having to know about the system that you are currently
> using). Roaming is already available in Europe, and is rapidly being
> implemented in N.America.

[ lots of interesting technical stuff deleted here]

I understand roaming and have done so in a couple of occasions within
the US. My home company is GTE Mobilnet of Northern CA. I also have
been told that I could roam in many countries that used AMPS and had
roaming agreements I guess.

My question really was, not all phones are dual mode, in fact I wasn't
aware that many were. Perhaps most of the new ones are but there must
be a large inventory of existing phones out there which are not. But
for argument's sake, let's say they are. Does that mean, that no
matter which of the digital technologies being promoted now, your
phone (if dual mode) will work anyway given that roaming agreements
are in place? Or is it that the cellular company will offer both forms
of transmission (AMPS and one of the digital ones) and if you have a
phone capable of digital transmission then it will work anyway and
since it's likely to be dual mode, it will work when digital is not
available.


Laurence Chiu,  Walnut Creek, CA    [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #793
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa14380;
          3 Dec 93 18:37 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA17073
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Fri, 3 Dec 1993 14:39:20 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA15830
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Fri, 3 Dec 1993 14:39:04 -0600
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 14:39:04 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #794

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 3 Dec 93 14:39:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 794

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    The Coming of the Information Age (Labor Notes via Sid Shniad)
    ADSL Details (Ken Russell)
    Modem Communication on TTY (Espen Waage)
    NBTel Goes Digital (506) (Derek J. Billingsley)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail]
Subject: The Coming of the Information Age
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 05:35:56 PST


The Telecommunications Revolution

How Union Jobs Are Being Lost In an Expanding Industry

     -- by Kim Moody

     Thousands of telecommunications jobs are being lost as phone
companies cut union jobs through service consolidations and use the
savings to expand into new, mostly nonunion services.

     Ken Peres, research director for CWA District 1, says, "They are
using the telephone sector as a cash cow to finance their entry into
the nonunion deregulated services."

     Yesterday's plain old phone companies are buying into cellular
phone, cable TV, entertainment, publishing, and computer companies in
a race to dominate tomorrow's multimedia industry.

     In the first nine months of 1993 alone, AT&T and five of the
seven regional Bell phone companies spent over $52 billion acquiring
cable and cellular companies. The acquisition of cable giant TCI by
Bell Atlantic for $35 billion was the biggest corporate buyout in
history.

          PHONE COMPANY ACQUISITIONS 1993

     Bell Atlantic-TCI (cable)                    $35 billion
     AT&T-McCaw (cable)                           $12.6 billion
     U.S. West-Time Warner (cable)                $2.5 billion
     NYNEX-Viacom (cable)                         $1.8 billion
     SW Bell-Hauser (cable)                       $650 million
     BellSouth-Prime Management (cable)           $250 million
       Total 1993                                 $52.8 billion

     Source:   {The New York Times}

     Unlike the old phone companies, the operations in the newer
services are mostly nonunion. Cellular is almost completely nonunion;
cable is about 5% union; broadcasting 15%; and publishing, newspapers
and printing about 30% union.

     For all the talk of a new hi tech information industry, the means
of milking telephone are more about dumping union workers than about
technology.

     Take a look at industry trend-setter AT&T. To save $200 million,
AT&T announced in August it will close 40 operator centers in 26
states, affecting 4,000 workers. Five of the seven new "mega-centers"
will be in right-to-work states.

     "This is not about technology. It is about union busting," says
Donna Conroy, president of Communications Workers of America Local
1112 in upstate New York.

     AT&T says all of these workers, most of whom are women, could
transfer to the new consolidated locations.

     Conroy answers, "AT&T knows perfectly well that 75% of those
operators cannot relocate. They have families, spouses, and ties that
prevent that. The company wants to hire part-timers and temps in the
new locations and dump the union if it can."

     AT&T already uses the nonunion subcontractor American Transtec
for some operator services.

     Laura Unger, president of CWA Local 1150 in New York City points
out that AT&T has been doing the same thing with sales and service
personnel for some time.

     "They are suburbanizing the clerical workforce. They moved
clerical jobs to New Jersey and two-thirds of those jobs were lost.
It's pure cost cutting," says Unger.

     All in all, AT&T has dumped about 140,000 union jobs since the
phone monopoly was broken up in 1983. Now fewer than 45% of its
workers are unionized.

     At the same time it cut telephone jobs, AT&T boosted its position
in newer, nonunion services when it bought computer-maker NCR for $7.4
billion in 1991 and McCaw Cellular for $12.6 billion this year.

      Like management everywhere these day, AT&T has a fancy name for
the process of cutting jobs. They call it "reengineering."

BELLCORE PLAN

     The seven regional Bell companies are moving in the same
direction. In 1991 Bellcore, research arm of the seven regional Bell
operating companies, came up with its version of reengineering, the
"information networking vision." It plans to eliminate jobs through a
combination of new technology and service consolidation.

     Its chief goals are:

 * End-to-End Automation--"no human activity" from the time
   of an order to delivery of service.

 * Work Elimination -- avoiding "manual functions"
   altogether.

 * Universal Craft -- consolidate work to produce the all-
   purpose worker.

 * Customer Participation -- eliminate jobs by giving
   customers the ability to order services, report
   troubles, or check billing directly over the phone.  The
   regional Bells are implementing this approach with a
   vengence.

     From 1989 through 1992, Bell Atlantic subsidiary New Jersey Bell
eliminated over 5,000 jobs. Now they plan to cut another 3,400,
according to figures compiled by CWA District 1.

     In August, U.S. West announced it was consolidating 650 service
centers into 26, eliminating 9,000 of its 53,000 employees in order to
"streamline" services.

     Earlier U.S. West began consolidating operator centers and other
business units.

     NYNEX plans to eliminate 25,000 jobs or 30-35% of its workforce
by the end of 1995.

     Ameritech reorganized in 11 business units this year, dropping
the Bell name from its state subsidiaries and cutting administrative
personnel by 1,500 positions. It expects to cut costs by $1 billion in
the next few years.

     GTE, which competes with the Bells in many states, announced a
thorough reorganization and consolidation to be completed by February
1994.

     Bell Canada announced in September that it would seek $341
million in cost savings that could cost 5,000 jobs.

REGULATORY COLLAPSE

     For years federal and state regulation limited competition in
telecommunications and shielded the union from market forces.  But
regulation is being dismantled to promote competiton among all the
different service providers.

     In 1992, for example, the regional Bells were allowed a first
step into competition with cable firms. They could now deliver video
services over their wires, but the content, usually movies or home
shopping services, was still controlled by independent companies.

     State-level public utility commissions are increasingly unable to
regulate these multi-state, multi-service companies, as a growing part
of their business is in the unregulated sector.

     The Cable Act of 1984 prevented the Bells from operating cable
networks in their regulated territory. But they could buy cable firms
in other parts of the country and operate them. This is what Bell
Atlantic says it will do with TCI, which operates nation-wide.

     In August, however, competition took another leap when a federal
district court ruled in favor of Bell Atlantic that the 1984 Act's
prohibition was a violation of First Amendment rights to "free
speech." The Justice Department is appealing this ruling, but the
other Bells are asking the court to extend the ruling and Congress is
considering bills to loosen regulations even more.

     The Clinton Administration clearly favors such developments. Vice
President Al Gore, who is point man on technology, responded to the
Bell Atlantic-TCI deal by saying, "The administration supports any
development in the communications marketplace that is pro-competitive
and fosters the development of an open, interactive information
infrastructure."

     The recent mega-deals are seen as pro-competitive by today's
regulators. {Business Week} quotes a federal anti-trust regulator
that as a result of the mergers "you may have Bell operating companies
competing against each other through cable or other phone companies,
like cellular, in each other's regional market."

     Furthermore, the administration's priorities don't indicate much
concern with regulation in this field. As the {Wall Street Journal}
noted, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which oversees
telecommunications, has seven vacancies on its board and is hardly in
shape to control such rapid developments.

     Indeed, for the first time in its history the FCC has thrown open
the nation's airwaves for auction, which will create scores of
competing cellular companies.

COMPETITIVE CHAOS

     The trend toward total deregulation is certain to create the kind
of cut-throat cometition in telecommunications that it did in the
airlines and savings and loan industries.

     Cliff Bean of Arthur D. Little Inc. says of the FCC's airwave
auction, "It's just creating chaos."

     In the case of the multiplying video services (movies, games,
home shopping, and educational services) it is not even clear there is
a large enough market to support the massive investments in technology
and fiber optic wiring now being contemplated.

     As {Business Week} pointed out in an article entitled "Dial R for
Risk," it is questionable whether consumers will want to pay for
500-plus channels of repetitive entertainment and home shopping
opportunities the new technology promises.

     Whether it is the emergence of multi-media giants or the
proliferation of new entrants, the level of competition and risk is
certain to grow and become cut-throat if there is no change in the
direction of regulatory policy.

UNION RESPONSE

     These developments are placing jobs, wages, and benefits under
enormous pressure as the unions in the old phone companies become
marginalized.

     The national CWA has a three-part response.

     In the long run, it proposes a new national regulatory agency to
oversee the entire information industry. In practice, however, the CWA
has sometimes supported those aspects of deregulation that allow the
Bells into new services.

     In the shorter term, it proposes to organize the new AT&T and
Bell nonunion subsidiaries, which it calls "wall-to-wall" organizing,
and eventually the entire information industry.

     So far, CWA organizing efforts at NCR, TCI, and Sprint have been
blocked.

     But there is reason for hope. Pro-union workers at NCR and Sprint
have continued to organize as associate members of CWA. CWA has
succeeded in organizing cellular operations belonging to NYNEX and
Southwestern Bell and cable companies in California.

     Also, as District 1's Peres points out, the workers in cellular
and cable perform the same type of work as phone company workers, but
for about $4-6 an hour less.  Ironically, deregulation has also meant
that some nonunion technicians will be located in unionized telephone
central offices, where union members can talk with them.

     CWA also moved toward a broader position in the information
industry through the affiliation of the Typographers and NABET, the
union of broadcasting technicians. It is now talking with the
Newspaper Guild about merger.

     The third part of the national CWA strategy involves various
forms of labor-management cooperation, such as the Workplace of the
Future program at AT&T or the Total Quality programs at the Bells.
Although they are supposed to give the union a voice in company plans,
it is plain that the companies have gone their own way and routinely
ignored all the union's protests over job elimination and working
conditions.


CWA Locals at BellSouth Quit TQ `Farce'

     In October CWA Locals 3121, 3122, and 3107, representing
BellSouth workers in south Florida, withdrew from "the entire Total
Quality Process due to the continuing abuse our members have
experienced in the Network Department over the past many months." The
presidents of the three locals, Bob Krukles, Betty Diamond, and Tony
Dorado respectively, cited "extreme amounts of overtime" as a major
reason. They denounced the TQ program as a "company-sponsored farce."

     Furthermore, these jointness programs invite the union and its
members to share management's vision of the future.  Clearly, the
union cannot share the Bellcore or AT&T reengineering vision of
workerless profit centers and expect to survive.

     Organizing throughout the new industry is central to any
strategy, but the union needs a vision of its own that addresses
reengineering at all levels.

     In any industry bent on "work elimination" and "end-to-end
automation," one of the few effective regulators of competition and
job-loss is the reduction of work time.

     The shorter work week just might be the idea that inspires union
members and motivates the unorganized to fight for unionization. CWA's
position at the core of the "interactive information infrastructure"
gives it a strategic platform from which to broadcast that vision.
[Thanks to the many CWA members, officers, and staffers who provided
me with material and ideas that made this article possible. An article
on globalization in telecommunications will appear in a future issue.]


     -- Labor Notes, December 1993


Sid Shniad

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

From: [e-mail]  (RUSSELK)
Subject:  ADSL Details
Organization: Vanderbilt University
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 18:56:41 GMT


Because I have received so many requests for more information about
Northern Telecom's ADSL system, I will try to share my understanding
of how it works, from the point of origin, through the Public Switched
Network, the CO, Subscriber Loop and into the Customer's Premise.  I
must say that I have serious questions as to the affordability of
ADSL, given what I know about the way new services are being tariffed
across the country.  I am, however, intrigued with the technology.

I make no warranties as to the accuracy of this information, and would
welcome any corrections from anyone with a better understanding of the
system.


Ken Russell

      ----------- My Understanding of ADSL ------------

The loop between the Information Provider (Video Program Source or
whatevery you wish to call this provider) and the Telco Central Office
is likely to be capable of carrying multiple signals, allowing the
service provider to deliver programming to more than one customer
simultaneously.  This interface is therefore likely to be a T3 or OC-3
SONET loop.  The loop will terminate at the CO in an ADSL Interface,
which will de-multiplex the signal, separating the signals destined
for various subscribers.

The line card used to provide POTS service to any individual
subscriber will be disconnected from the subscriber loop and
terminated in a special transciever.  This transceiver will be
connected to the subscriber loop.  This procedure would, of course
require a service order from the RBOC or serving telco.  If the
subscriber wishes ISDN Basic Rate Access service to be included in the
ADSL subscription, then an ISDN CO BRI line would also be terminated
in the same transceiver.  If the customer wishes to subscribe to
Digital Wideband H0 service, the appropriate 384 Kbps H0 line would
also be terminated in the same transceiver.  If an MPEG1 1.5 Mbps
video channel is desired, then this would be provided by providing
either a single T1 circuit for termination in the same transceiver, or
most likely a special ADSL CO Line Card would be similarly terminated.

This arrangement will provide for continuous POTS service, should
there be a service disruption of any of the other services.  The H0
and ISDN channels would be similarly protected from disruption.

This special transceiver will then test the subscriber loop,
determining its actual transmission characteristics.  This testing is
repeated throughout the service period.  The available bandwidth is
then divided into 4 khz channels.  The total number of channels
available for transmission will vary on each subscriber loop, but
could be as many as 256.  Each of the 4 khz channels is then tested
for transmission characteristics.  Any channel that cannot meet specs
is shut off.

The baseband from 0 to 10 khz is filter isolated from the rest of the
bandwidth, and is used for POTS service.  Another multiplex channel is
created between 10 khz and 50 khz.  This channel is used for upstream
transmission (from the subscriber to the CO and Information Services
Provider).  NOTE: All upstream data is transmitted in this channel,
this includes the upstream portion of all full duplex services,
including ISDN and H0 upstream data, as well as all upstream network
maintenance and testing traffic -OAM&P, although not POTS (analog)
service.

All downstream data is transmitted using a wide channel above 50 khz.
The exact capacity of this channel will vary, depending on the
transmission characteristics of the individual loop.  The wire guage,
number of bridged taps, and the effects of electromagnetic
interference will all affect the achievable bandwidth.  For good
quality service, this channel will transmit all downstream data from
ISDN, H0 and OAM&P duplex services, as well as all downstream video.

The downstream video can be any combination of MPEG1 and MPEG2
circuits, up to the available bandwidth, which on a good line will be
6 Mbps or four 1.5 Mbps channels.  Four 1.5 Mbps channels, or two 3
Mbps channels, or two 1.5 Mbps channels and one 3 Mbps channel.  I am
told that the entire 6 Mbps channel can also be used to deliver a
single Video 1 - 6 Mbps real time video channel, or even a single
compressed HDTV channel.

At the Customer Premise, the subscriber would be required to provide
another special transceiver which would attach directly to the
subscriber loop network termination.  This transceiver would probably
include the MPEG1 and MPEG2 codec chipsets and a TV driver chipset
with a coaxial port for attaching a standard TV.

ISDN service may include an ISDN NT-1 with 2-RJ-45 Jacks.  POTS
service would be provided through a standard RJ-11 jack.  H0 switched
wideband access would be provided through a standard RJ-45 jack, which
would then interface with an external dataset and codec for
videoconferencing.

Video 1 - 6 Mbps real time video would probably be provided through
the same coaxial port provided for MPEG1 and MPEG2 decoded signals.
It is likely that compressed HDTV signals would require a separate
codec, and therefore would require a separate port.

What I have sketched out above is all theory, and will not be the
deployed configuration for the first two to three years of service.
As I understand the goal of the product team, ADSL I will include no
H0 Wideband channel, but will include ISDN Basic Rate Interface, and a
single 1.5 Mbps video delivery channel, while ADSL II will emerge
sometime in 1995 with full service.  The delivery of 3 Mbps and 6 Mbps
signals will also require expanded switching matrix structures at the
Central Office, although this could conceivably be provided through
multi-mode networks as the cable companies either co-locate at the
Telco CO or merge and become part of the same company.  Northern had
inferred that they may be preparing to offer these rates as part of
the broadband switching architectures they are preparing to roll out,
but this is purely speculation on my part.  I know nothing of any such
plans by any other manufacturer.

The Multicarrier technology used by Northern is supposedly defined by
ANSI T1E1.4 specs, and is known as Discrete Multi-Tone multicarrier
modulation, and uses Fast Fourier Transform and Inverse Fast Fourier
Transform coding algorithms.  This is supposedly the ANSI standard for
ADSL, and has also supposedly been adopted by the Exchange Carriers
Standards Association.  Northern explains that it actually requires
less complex circuitry than QAM or CAP encoding techniques, and
supports higher speed transmissions than other methods.

I am about ready to evaluate AT&T's specifications, and will share any
understanding I gain with the group.


Ken Russell
Access Development Corporation
5115 Maryland Way
Brentwood, Tennessee  37027
[e-mail]

Volunteer Instructor, Vanderbilt Virtual School Program

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

From: [e-mail] (Espen Waage)
Subject: Modem Communication on TTY
Date: 3 Dec 1993 22:12:04 GMT
Organization: Norwegian Institute of Technology


Can somebody help me out here? :-)

I'm trying for the first time to make a small program to access the
modem on a tty.

I thought the flow control was handled by the tty-driver, but now I
realize that I probably have to do some flowcontrol. But *HOW* do I do
that?  This is basically the code in C which I have coded so far:


   if((fd = open(tty,O_EXCL|O_RDWR))>0)
   {
      fcntl(fd,F_GETLK,&lockStruct);


      lockStruct.l_type = F_WRLCK;
      lockStruct.l_whence = SEEK_SET;
      lockStruct.l_start = 0;
      lockStruct.l_len = 0;

      :
      :

      if(fcntl(fd,F_SETLKW,&lockStruct) == -1)
      {
         :
      }
      else
      {
         :
         :

         tcgetattr(fd, &t);
         t.c_iflag = IGNBRK|IGNPAR|IXANY;
         t.c_oflag = 0;
         t.c_cflag = B1200|CS8|CREAD|HUPCL;
         t.c_lflag = 0;
         t.c_cc[VMIN] = 0;
         t.c_cc[VTIME] = TIMEOUTVAL;
         tcsetattr(f,TCSANOW,&t);
         :
         :

         printf("\n>>: AT&F&D0E0B0S0=2X3\r");
         WritePort(fd,"AT&F&D0E0B0S0=2X3\r",slow);  /* Do pauses between characters */
         sleep(2);

         printf("\n>>: ATDT22963091\r");
         WritePort(fd,"ATDT22963091\r",slow);
         sleep(10);

         ReadPort(fd,answer);
         :


This is all I write or read from the port.  When I run this, all I get
is \r\nOK\r\n from the modem and then NO CARRIER.

When I use Pcomm or 'ate' I get CONNECT 1200.

I've compiled the program under AIX 3.2 on an RS/6000.  The modem is a
2400 Hayes-modem.

I was told that the init string for the modem was right, but how about
the rest?

What am I doing wrong? What do I have to add?


Thanks in advance!

Espen Waage                           |  email: [e-mail]
                                      |  mail : Birkebeinervg. 6
The Norwegian Institute of Technology |         N-7031 TRONDHEIM
                                      |         NORWAY
                                      |  phone: [phone] (work)
(Confuser Science)                    |         [phone] (home)

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: NBTel Goes Digital (506)
Organization: University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 17:52:25 GMT


The New Brunswick Telephone Company (New Brunswick being on the east
coast of Canada -- mostly rural with a few major centers ... well
major being >50k people) has recently announced that it is running all
digital switches with the final analog switch being taken offline
about a month ago.  They are proclaiming to be the first telco in
North America to do this.

They have also been introducing personal voice mail available for
every customer.  They are anticipating to have the entire province
equipped with voice mailboxes within a few years.  If I call someone
and they are not home, the mailbox will kick in automatically.  The
catch? It costs $0.25 per message minute for local numbers and $0.50
for long distance numbers.  When I pick up my phone if the dialtone is
being alternated on and off, I know I have a message waiting.  Dialing
*99 takes me to the message center.

It is interesting to note that they are introducing this feature in a
large scale on a per use basis instead of on a per month charge.  They
also have their CALL RETURN, CALL TRACE, 3-WAY-CALLING on a per use
charge now.  I believe it costs 25 cents to use any of these features
or you can still subscribe to the monthly charge.

They are busy working on ISDN but when I worked at the telco a couple
of years ago, one of the technicians in the switch room had this
functional diagram of the ISDN components with a notation under the
title saying "ISDN = It still does nothing"


Derek J. Billingsley   University of New Brunswick
[e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #794
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa18809;
          4 Dec 93 6:20 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA00297
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 02:26:19 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA00956
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 02:26:00 -0600
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1993 02:26:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #797

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 4 Dec 93 02:26:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 797

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    NYC Area Central Office Outage, PSAP Shutdown (Danny Burstein)
    TSMA-GSM Simulation (Luc Deneire)
    Re: GSM Recommendations (Bhaktharam Keshavachar)
    Re: GSM Interference Problems (David Woolley)
    GSM in the US? (Roy Thompson)
    Re: TAPI vrs Telescript (Nigel Roles)
    Re: CCITT=>ITU-TS? ITU-TSS? (Fernando Lagrana)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (Paul D. Guthrie)
    Re: Check From MCI; What to Do? (John Macdonald)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Steve Kass)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Greg Youngblood)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Carl Oppedahl)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Mark Kelley)
    Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS? (Bill Walker)
    Re: ADSL Progress Reply (Bill Mayhew)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (danny burstein)
Subject: NYC Area Central Office Outage, PSAP shutdown
Date: 4 Dec 1993 01:59:54 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


On Sunday night/Monday morning (Nov 28/29), the New York Telephone
(Nynex) central office serving about 100,000 customers along the
Brooklyn/Queens border (two boroughs of NYC) went out for about two
hours. The area is mixed light industry/residential, and, since it
occurred about midnight, there wasn't a horrendous amount of
disruption.

HOWEVER, one of the customers knocked out was the Public Safety
Answering Position (PSAP) operated by the City's Emergency Medical
Service. While calls to "911" go the Police PSAP, they get three-wayed
to EMS if there is a medical component.

EMS lost its 911 tie-lines. They lost their regular phone service.
They lost the coin phones in the cafeteria. They lost the computer
data-links to the Police 911 computer, and ... they lost most of their
radio channels.

The radio dispatch consoles at headquarters, for the most part, do
-not- activate radio receivers/transmitters on the roof, but rather,
are connected by, you guessed it, phone lines to the actual radio
sites.  Additionally, some of the frequencies use voting receivers
which are monitored by computer control at headquarters, which, you
guessed it, also uses phone lines.

Amazingly enough the PSAP did -not- have dual local loop connections,
so when it lost the one CO, it lost everything.

The units in the field were able to (at least on some frequencies)
speak to each other. The headquarters staff could grab their handheld
radios and step outside, and make contact that way, but the entire
base was out.

Approximately 200 calls for EMS assistance came in during that time,
and the ambulance units were able, once they realized what was
happening, to contact the police on the police radio system (most
ambulance radios can be used on both EMS and police frequencies), so
while there were delays and lots of confusion, it doesn't look like
anybody was hurt.

The reason for the central office failure is uncertain, but rumor has
it that they had a Con Ed (utility) power failure and the system went
on to battery backup. No one noticed the alarms, so about ten hours
later the office shut down.

The RISKS of this are far too obvious. The EMS PSAP lost -everything-.
Kind of like the Browns Ferry nuclear plant where all the cables went
through the same hole in the wall ....


[e-mail] adds: all the usual disclaimers regarding liability,
intelligence, accuracy apply. spelling disclaimer is doubled.


[Moderator's Note: Was Con Ed out for ten hours, or did the battery
backup just not yeild to the regular power once it was restored? This
matter of ignoring alarms is the reason we had the giant debacle here
back in May, 1988 when the Hinsdale, IL telephone office burned to
the ground: no local person on duty (too expensive, and not industry
practice said the Bell VP responding to the press); and although the
remote alarms in Springfield, IL were screaming for someone to look
after the problem, the technician on duty there had his own priorities
and definitions for what constitutes trouble and what does not, so
he largely ignored the alarm's pleadings for the better part of an
hour and only almost as an afterthought called a supervisor at home
in the Chicago area that Mother's Day afternoon and said "when you
get time, drive over to Hinsdale and see what is wrong with the
alarm system ..." And after the supervisor finished dinner, a visit
was made to the central office only to find it was impossible at
that point to call the Fire Department since the wires were already
melted and the building in flames.

Illinois Bell over the past five years has tried to get suits against
it as a result of damages and hardships due to the fire dropped. It
had mostly succeeded, but recently a higher court reinstated the
suits. IBT is of course fit to be tied over the whole thing; now they
know for sure they are going to get sued and lose big time.

I think telcos ought to get sued more often over this kind of thing.
It is simple gross negligence (and cheapness, where payroll is
concerned) on telco's part to not have at least one responsible
employee on duty in every central office 24 hours per day. I don't
care if the person had nothing to do but sit there and watch
television all night and make rounds every hour or so. His main
qualifications would have to be the ability to use the phone and say
"I would like to report a fire ..."; "I would like to report that our
electricity has gone out ..."; "I would like to report there is a
flood in the base- ment where a water pipe has burst ..." .  5ESS
machines do not come cheap; the one in Hinsdale had to be scrapped
entirely. How many year's of employment of a clerk on weekend watch
duty would it take to amortize or justify that, to say nothing of the
goodwill lost in northern Illinois in general and Hinsdale in
particular when the phones were totally dead for almost a month in
May, 1988.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: TSMA-GSM Simulation
Organization: Universiti de Lihge
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 16:11:18 GMT


Hi,

We are looking for information on a simulation program for TDMA-GSM.
It seems CSELT company did one, any information welcome :-)


Luc Deneire, Belgium

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

From: [e-mail] (Bhaktharam Keshavachar)
Subject: GSM Recommendations
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Network Systems Lab, Arizona State University
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 18:09:32 GMT


Hi,

We have a question about the GSM specs. The GSM Rec. 04.06 ( Release:
January 1991, Version 3.7.0 ) is supposed to contain annexes A to G.
The document also refers to annexes C & D. But the annexes from B to F
are missing. Only annexes A & G are present. Surprisingly the page
numbers are contigous and this could mean that the annexes were not
published at that time. Annexes C and D are supposed to contain SDL
diagrams of the receiver and transmitter state machines.

BTW the 04.06 deals with LAPDm.

We will be grateful if someone can mail us any info on these missing
annexes. Please send us the postal address/fAX number of the ETSI from
where we have to get new releases of the specs. Are the GSM specs
available on any FTP site?


Thanks in advance,

Bhaktha

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

From: [e-mail] (David Woolley)
Subject: Re: GSM Interference Problems
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 93 22:46:00  GMT


In article <[e-mail]> is written:

> What is more worrying is the suspicion that this 217Hz pulse is
> intruding into digital control circuits, and appearing as a random
> byte.  GSM has eight slots to a frame, so the pulsing of the

In the specific case of digital circuits, the simple presence of the
RF power is likely to produce the effect, not the pulsing.  CDMA might
win, but it will do so because of the lower peak power, not the
absence of pulsing.  Other radio transmitters would produce similar
risks.  Truck drivers apparently used to try to prevent petrol pumps
from metering the delivery by operating CB transmitters next to them.
Also, one test on a piece of equipment I was involved with was to wave
a walkie talkie close to it when it was operating.

Generally the susceptibility of equipment to local low power radio
transmitters represents a design fault in the equipment, and probably
often arises from marginal cost cutting exercises.  The equipment is
acting as an AM radio receiver.

The general term for this sort of issue is EMC (Electro Magnetic
Compatibility).


David Woolley, London, England   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Roy Thompson)
Subject: GSM in the US?
Date: 03 Dec 1993 18:38:20 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro MA


For those of you familiar with GSM and IS-41B:

What is the likelyhood of GSM being adopted for the US?  Are their any
operators currently planning to deploy GSM HLR?  EIR? AuC?  SMS?  I'm
particularly interested in HLR and SMS (Short Message Service).  Are
there any firm plans to move from the interim standard to a permanent
standard?

Direct email would be appreciated.


Roy Thompson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Nigel Roles)
Subject: Re: TAPI vrs Telescript
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Interconnect
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 10:31:30


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

> In order to integrate PC into telephone networks, there are two
> concurrent solutions using TAPI -- Microsoft versus Novell/AT&T.


Surely TAPI is a Microsoft only API.

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: CCITT=>ITU-TS? ITU-TSS?
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993


Here are some new terms and acronyms used in the Telecommunication
Standardization Bureau since March 1st '93 (when the new structure of
the ITU came into force according to ITU's new Constitution and
Convention):

The CCITT has been replaced by the Telecommunication Standardization
Sector of the ITU. The correspondent acronym is ITU-T (and not ITU-TS
or TSS!!!).

The previous CCITT Specialized Secretariat has been replaced by the
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB).

The CCITT Plenary Assembly has been replaced by the World Telecomm-
unication Standardization Conference (WTSC).

The Recommendations (now developed by the ITU-T), are referenced as
ITU-T Recommendations. By example, CCITT Recommendation X.500 becomes
Recommendation ITU-T X.500 (this applies also retroactively, so that
old Recommendations - i.e. the Blue Book ones -- will also be
referenced that way).

These rules also apply to the two other sectors of the ITU,
respectively ITU-D for the development sector, BDT for the
Telecommunication Development Bureau [Bureau de Developpement des
Telecommunications], ITU-R for the radiocommunication sector and BR
for the Radiocommunication Bureau [Bureau des Radiocommunications].


Fernando Lagrana

International Telecommunication Union
Telecommunication Standardization Bureau

Editor, Catalogue of Recommmendations
Coordinator, Electronic Document Handling

Internet: [e-mail]
Voice: + 41 22 730 58 94
Fax:   + 41 22 730 58 53
X.400: SURNAME=lagrana, PRIVATE_DOMAIN=itu, ADMIN_DOMAIN=arcom, COUNTRY=ch

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul D. Guthrie)
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?
Date: 04 Dec 1993 04:55:00 GMT
Organization: Vorpal Software


> [Moderator's Note: At which point, after you refuse to sign, the
> carrier could reverse the transaction through the banking system,
> calling upon the original (your) bank to pay based on its guarantee
> of endorsement. Your bank would then debit your account and take
> the money back. It can happen that way legally, although I don't know
> who would bother for the amounts of twenty to fifty dollars, which
> is typical for the carriers seeking your business. None the less, it
> is fraud to manipulate the system as you suggest. I think people who
> do it go on a list the carriers maintain of petty chiselers who are
> not to be tempted with any further bonuses or premium offers.   PAT]

This is simply not true, Pat.  The carrier cannot do an ACH debit to
the account of the person who has put through the check without
signature.  If this were possible, anyone could debit anyone else's
account.  This procedure requires pre-notes to be sent before debit
which banks will not do without signatures on file.  Check out Reg E
for more information.

On the other hand, I certainly don't endorse ripping off carriers in
this way either.


Paul Guthrie   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: They would not be 'putting though a debit' which is
an affirmative or positive action and requires approval of the account
holder. They would be refusing to pay a check which had not been
properly endorsed. It would put the check in the 'refer to maker'
category. I notice that the check I received recently from AT&T had
a specific notation on the front saying 'check is void if endorsement
is missing or check is altered in any way.' I cannot *originate* a
transaction against your bank account without your approval normally,
but by the same token I can refuse you payment from my account if you
don't meet my terms. Since the first I would know of this transaction
taking place is when I got my cancelled checks back from the bank and
found that you had altered it (or not endorsed it against my specific
instructions that you do so, etc), then it follows the money would be
already missing from my account. Therefore my recourse would be to
my bank for failing to follow my instructions in the negotiation of
the instrument; my bank in turn would look to your bank for payment
and your bank would look to you. That's not the same as an electronic
debit although the end results may be the same; the money is removed
out of your account where it has no business being and returned to
its rightful place in my account.  Errors or mishandling of transactions
which require correction in the form of a debit against someone are
never considered in the context of Reg E as you claim.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Macdonald)
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 11:21:45 -0500
Organization: Elegant Communications Inc.
Subject: Re: Check From MCI; What to Do?


In article <[e-mail]> Glen Stone writes:

> What shows up in my PO box unsolicited is mine, dammit, free of any
> encumbrance.  That's federal law.

Yup.  And what showed up in your PO box was a piece of paper that made
an unsolicited offer.

You are perfectly free to keep the piece of paper and do whatever
you like with it.

But if you try to treat it as a check and cash it, then you are
accepting the unsolicited offer, just as if you filled in your name
and sent back an unsolicited subscription request.  Trickery about not
signing the check as a deliberate ruse could be charged with fraud (it
may be clear in *your* mind that the charge would fail but I sure
wouldn't bet *my* future on it).


John Macdonald   [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
From: [e-mail] (Steve Kass)
Date: 3 Dec 93 13:47:12 EDT
Organization: Drew Univ Academic Computing


In Volume 13, Issue 789, P. Calvert <[e-mail]> writes:

> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  [...]
> He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
> Sprint) is blocked.

> Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  [...]

If he is a regular tenant with a lease, he must be allowed to get his
dial tone from the local Bell Operating Company.  It may take some
calls to them as well as to the local Public Utilities Commission to
make it happen, and I don't know what the university's wiring
situation is in terms of ease of access, but the university cannot
prohibit him from getting the BOC dialtone (and therefore access to 1+
AT&T, Sprint, MCI, etc., service).  I went through quite a lot of
trouble four years ago in a similar situation.  Have him call the BOC,
ask for service, and stand by the request.

It also sounds illegal for the university (as a reseller of long-distance
service) not to let 10XXX work from their dial tone, but I don't know
the rules about that.


Steve Kass/ Math and CS/ Drew U/ Madison NJ 07940/ [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: It is illegal for the university to deny him 10xxx
access. Like yourself, I think he should lean on telco and the univer-
sity to get the matter straightened out.   PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
From: [e-mail] (Gregory Youngblood)
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 93 09:42:12 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


[e-mail] (P. Calvert) writes:

> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  A few months
> ago the university took over the phones and now he has to pay the
> university for long-distance calls instead of being able to select a
> long distance company.  He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
> Sprint) is blocked.

> Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  One
> idea is to use a calling card and call a toll-free access number.
> However, the usual calling cards would probably be too expensive --
> unless there exists some competitor's card that has reasonable rates.
> Any suggestions?

I thought that they couldn't block the other carriers ... have this
person call MCI, Sprint, whoever, and tell them what is happening and
ask if they can do something about it.

I know with AT&T if you have problems calling their network from a
hotel, and you call their people and tell them, they'll manually
connect your call at direct dialed rates, and take down information
about the hotel, payphone, whatever.

I thought AT&T had a pretty strong policy of going after those that
blocked access to their network, so I would think Sprint and MCI would
as well.

However, it could be there is nothing anyone can do since it is the
university's phone system.


The Complete Solution BBS     Allfiles List:    Anonymous UUCP Calls Accepted
707-459-9058 (24hrs, v.32)    ~/tcsbbs.lst      Login: nuucp  Password: nuucp
Telemate Distribution Site  [e-mail]      Cellular Telephony Groups


[Moderator's Note: It is the university's phone system alright, but
they can't block 10xxx; not to a captive customer base of residence
users they can't.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
Date: 03 Dec 1993 15:54:58 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


I have a hard time believing this could be legal in the US.  I think
your friend should write to the FCC Common Carrier Bureau in
Washington about this.

I have heard of some call-back service -- you dial a number and key in
your number and the number you wish to call, and your account number.
It calls you back and calls the other party.  Supposedly cheaper than
a regular calling card.


Carl Oppedahl AA2KW
Oppedahl & Larson (patent lawyers)
Yorktown Heights, NY
voice 212-777-1330

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Kelley)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Date: 4 Dec 1993 00:31:19 GMT
Organization: QUALCOMM, Incorporated; San Diego, CA, USA


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Brendan Jones) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, Tom Crawford
> <[e-mail]> writes:

>> [re claims of 20x CDMA/AMPS capacity improvement]
>> Using PacTel's cells in San Diego, CDMA has been demonstrated up to 31X AMPS
>> capacity in an isolated cell and sector configuration.  The test was
>> conducted with live mobiles in cars.  While this is NOT what would be
>> expected in a normal configuration of contiguous cells, it does demonstrate
>> that 20X is not some theoretical maximum.

> The [CDMA] field trial you refer to was also a relatively simplified system,
> as it comprised around only 50 mobiles and five cell sites (of which
> only one was sectored), and much of the interference environment was
> provided by hardware noise simulators rather than live mobiles.

The trial system was a subset of a large system, true.  Using 10% of
the available spectrum on every cell in a large system is not a
realistic option for a trial system.  Nor was it necessary for proof
of concept. The system capacity data came from the central cell, not
the perimeter cells.  Noise generators (which can simulate any level
of noise - and were well calibrated) were necessary to simulate the
effect of a very large number of mobiles.  The alternative would have
been to higher an army to drive around for months during the tests.

> More handoffs, more difficult propagation conditions than those
> experienced in San Diego, and the interference effect of more mobiles
> will only *reduce* any gains apparent so far.

Every market is different.  San Diego has large buildings, hills,
valleys, road cuts, etc. There are many markets where the capacity
will exceed the test results here. And don't forget that with any
system the cell layout plays an important role in the ultimate
capacity.

> Much of the current research, published in well respected journals
> including the IEE and IEEE, seem to suggest practical gains of 5x to
> 6x for large-scale CDMA implementations over established AMPS are more
> realistic.

Before the system development and testing there were many published
reports that claimed, among other things, that CDMA for cellular was
impossible.  Near-far problems, complexity, etc. could not be
overcome.  They were wrong too.


> At this level, CDMA is quite comparable with half-rate, slow frequency
> hopping TDMA systems, and yet is arguably more complex.

What are the results of the system tests for these types of systems?
When will the half-rate GSM vocoder be available for testing?  How
many TDMA systems are mature enough (high market penetration) to prove
this claim?  I've only seen large capacity SFH, half-rate TDMA systems
on vu-graphs.  BTW, CD players are much more complex than turntables,
but not to the user.  Their internal complexity has not slowed market
growth.  And for the system operator it will be far easier to plan for
growth with CDMA.  Frequency planning is a difficult chore that does
not go away with TDMA.


Mark Kelley   Manager, Network Planning
QUALCOMM, Inc.  [e-mail]
San Diego, California

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Walker)
Subject: Re: TDMA vs. CDMA = Betamax vs. VHS?
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 10:33:24 -0800
Organization: Qualcomm, Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, david (d.) boettger
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, Tom Crawford
> <[e-mail]> writes:

>> In article <[e-mail]>, David Boettger
>> <[e-mail]> responds to my earlier comments:

>> I am afraid you are misinformed.  Using PacTel's cells in San Diego,
>> CDMA has been demonstrated up to 31X AMPS capacity in an isolated cell
>> and sector configuration.  The test was conducted with live mobiles in
>> cars.  While this is NOT what would be expected in a normal
>> configuration of contiguous cells, it does demonstrate that 20X is not
>> some theoretical maximum.

> What is the capacity of a multi-cell CDMA system operating with a
> reuse factor of "1" (as is supposedly possible) in co-existence with
> AMPS cells? The last I heard, the capacity was 15X AMPS. I understand
> that a single AMPS carrier (inerferer) can cause a CDMA channel's
> capacity to drop by 50%. Discussions of isolated cells are pointless.
> What if one built an isolated AMPS cell which used all 832 channels
> per sector?

Umm, that 50% drop is if the AMPS carrier is operating within the same
frequency band being used by the CDMA carrier (i.e., if the spectrum
used by CDMA is not cleared of AMPS traffic).  What happens to AMPS
when two calls on on the same channel?

The normal case is that you would clear a band for the CDMA carriers.
CDMA would use the same frequencies in every cell, i.e., the frequency
reuse factor for CDMA is 1.  That frequency reuse does not imply
sharing the frequencies with AMPS.  However, by clearing 10-15% of the
available AMPS bandwidth, you can operate a CDMA system that has equal
or greater capacity than the remaining 85-90% of the AMPS bandwidth.

> [debate about whether a half-rate coder will double capacity]

> First, there is non-deferrable overhead built into the CDMA traffic
> channel.  Voice data are not the only things being transmitted, so
> halving the vocoder rate will not automatically double the capacity.
> Second, I believe that IS-95 provides for 64 traffic channels per CDMA
> RF carrier, so even if one could build a decent 1/100 rate vocoder,
> capacity is capped at 64 traffic channels per RF carrier unless some
> clever multiplexing scheme is used.

There are 64 Walsh channels per RF carrier _per_ _sector_.  At least
three of them are used for overhead channels (pilot, sync, and paging
channels), leaving 61 possible traffic channels per RF carrier per
sector.


Bill Walker - [e-mail]
QUALCOMM, Inc., San Diego, CA USA

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: ADSL Progress Reply
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 17:45:19 GMT


At least one vendor has ADSL product pretty well along in development.
I had a chance to take a peek in the R&D department of the vendor
supplying some of our T1 equipment.  They were waiting for some of
their final silicon to arrive.  I won't get too specific to respect
their possible desires for non-disclosure, though I was not asked to
sign a form.

The idea of having T1 on a regular loaded POTS grade line is pretty
interesting.  ADSL uses a fancy equalization and echo cancellation
system that is rather similar to that used in v.32 modems according to
their engineer.


Bill Mayhew        NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA      phone: [phone]
[e-mail]       amateur radio 146.58: N8WED

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #797
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa19011;
          4 Dec 93 7:27 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31253
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:25:18 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA27491
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:25:00 -0600
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:25:00 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #795

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 4 Dec 93 00:25:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 795

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    phONEday (was Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94?) (Aled Morris)
    NY Telephone Big Talk - Their Response (Carl Oppedahl)
    NYNEX to Become a Local Provider (Dave Niebuhr)
    Simple Xmit/rcv Device (David J. Cazier)
    Advice Wanted on Small Network Options (Ken Stillson)
    Home Phone System Suggestions Wanted (Dan Pearl)
    Information Needed on American Sharecom (Mark Anacker)
    Looking For Bridges to Rent (Javier Henderson)
    Time to Update the FAQ (David Leibold)
    Commercial OSI Products For SPARCstation (Tohru Asami)
    Pleasant Ringer Replacement Wanted (Joel M. Hoffman)
    Personal Voice Mail Machine (Will Martin)
    TalkTicket Like Thangs (Trenton del Rey Gallowglass)
    POTS Volume Adjusters? (John Shur)
    Cable and Phone Monopolies (Trenton del Rey Gallowglass)
    Use of British Answering Machines in the US (Jonathan Haruni)
    PC-based Interface for T1 (Dan Wu)
    Looking for Sync Comm Controller For SUN (Richard Steinberger)
    Help With Secure Voice (MaryAnne Cliff)
    Pablo Escobar Caught After Phone Trace (Carl Moore)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1993 14:00:21 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Aled Morris)
Subject: phONEday (was Re: Is UK IDDD Changing 4/94?)


Some information regarding "PhONEday", the change in UK numbering from
the offical OFTEL leaflet "PhONEday -- a day to remember".

Typos are mine, otherwise the quotes are verbatim.

Followups to OFTEL please ;-)


Aled   [e-mail]

                            ----------

16 April 1995 is PhONEday - the day when all area telephone codes
will change under the National Code Change.

Mid June 1994 - The operators propose to open up their networks for
testing and some of the new codes may be accepted by the networks.

1 August 1994 - Parallel running of old and new codes begins and
will run up to PhONEday; the new international access code '00' will
also be operational by this date.

THE PHONEDAY CODE CHANGES:

The digit '1' will be added after the inital '0' prefix to all area
codes.  This will mean, for example, that Inner London 071 becomes
0171, and Macclesfield 0625 becomes 01625, and so on.

Five major cities in the UK will have completely new area codes,
and the local numbers will increase from six to seven digits.

These are:

Leeds       0532 xxxxxx becomes 0113 2xx xxxx
Sheffield   0532 xxxxxx becomes 0114 2xx xxxx
Nottingham  0532 xxxxxx becomes 0115 9xx xxxx
Leicester   0532 xxxxxx becomes 0116 2xx xxxx
Bristol     0532 xxxxxx becomes 0117 9xx xxxx

The international access code will change from '010' to '00', to
harmonise with European countries which are moving to a single
international access code.

There will be a full eight months of parallel running for national
dialed calls beginning August 1994.  During this period both the old
and the new codes can be used.

Codes for 'non-geographical services' will not adopt the extra digit '1'
at National Code Change and will remain unchanged.  The main codes falling
into this category are:

"Freephone services:     0500 0800

National calls
charged at local rate:  0345 0645

Premium rate services:  0336 0338 0640 0660 08364 0839 0881 0891 0898

Mobile services:        0374 0385 0802 0831 0836 0850 0860 0956 0958
                        0973 0976

Paging:                 0941 (Hutchison Paging)

Other codes:            0910

The existing emergency numbers 999 and 112 will continue to run in
parallel.

A full list of codes is available from OFTEL's Leaflet Line on 071 634
8756.

The Public Telephone Companies will not charge for incorrect dialing
of the new codes after PhONEday; a recorded announcement will tell you
how to redial correctly.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Operator Helplines:

BT        0800 01 01 01

Mercury   0500 04 1995

Kingston  0482 602876 (residential)
          0482 602872 (business)

Cable     contact your cable operator

Other OFTEL publications on the National Code Change are available
from OFTEL's Leaflet Line on 071 634 8756.

OFTEL
50 Ludgate Hill
London EC4M 7JJ

Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: NY Telephone Big Talk - Their Response
Date: 3 Dec 1993 11:45:18 -0500
Organization: Oppedahl & Larson


Readers will recall that on November 2 I wrote to the president of New
York Telephone, grumbling that the various business offices had said
there were no plans to provide ISDN in Yorktown Heights nor in the
212-787 telephone exchange.  I posted the letter here.

(It's a tariffed service, by the way.  I thought part of the
definition of a common carrier serving under tariff is that no orderly
customer could be refused ... hmmm...)

Anyway, here is what I heard back.  It seems clear that NYTel is
cream-skimming -- serving only the highly profitable areas that want
ISDN, and leaving the unprofitable areas to others.  That is exactly
the opposite of what common carriers are supposed to do.

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

New York Telephone
A NYNEX Company
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Phone [phone]

Judith R. Haberkorn
Vice President-
Marketing & Sales

November 29, 1993

Mr. Carl Oppedahl
P.O. Box 1504
New York, New York 10276-1504

Dear Mr. Oppedahl:

     This is in reference to your recent letter to our President, Mr.
Jalkut, inquiring about the availability of ISDN facilities in the
Yorktown Heights area.

     We can appreciate your interest in this issue, and we asked our
Manager, Ms. M. Coleman, to get in touch with you personally to
discuss the points you raised.  She reports that she spoke with you on
November lOth in this regard, and explained that we tentatively plan
to offer ISDN services in the Yorktown Heights central office in 1995.
We might also add that the 787 exchange in New York City is scheduled
for cutover next year, whereupon ISDN services will be made available.

     There are, in fact, a number of factors that drive our deployment
program of ISDN, as well as other enhanced services, including the
useful life of the existing equipment.  Furthermore, it makes sound
business sense to target first those areas where the anticipated
demand for ISDN is likely to be greatest.  Finally, the capital
requirements for ISDN conversion are considerable, and we must be
judicious in scheduling these cutovers -- especially since we must
also allocate funds for equally important programs such as cable
rehabilitation.

     In any event, we trust you found your conversation with Ms.
Coleman helpful, and that you will feel free to call her directly at
914-390-3888 if you have any further questions or concerns.

                              Sincerely,
                              <signature>


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


Carl Oppedahl AA2KW
Oppedahl & Larson (patent lawyers)
Yorktown Heights, NY
voice 212-777-1330

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 13:36:32 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: NYNEX to Become a Local Provider


Today's {Newsday} (12/02/93) had an article in its business section
that NYNEX (the RBOC for NYTel and NETel) will now go in the direction
of Bell Atlantic and Ameritech in being the local service provider as
well as being the RBOC.

This change will be affective on Jan. 1, 1994.

NYTel and NETel names will be kept for legal and regulatory purposes
only.

A subtle change has been going on for about two years with the phone
books which have NYNEX in big bold letters and the NYTel indicator
relegated to a small part of the cover.

The change won't bother anyone that I know of and it won't upgrade
NYTel's mediocre service.  It'll probably wait until the last minute
to introduce the ratepayers to the NPA changes coming in 1995.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] (preferred)
                            [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Senior Technical Specialist, Scientific Computing Facility
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

From: [e-mail] (David J. Cazier)
Subject: Simple Xmit/rcv Device
Date: 3 Dec 1993 18:44:12 GMT
Organization: Software Technology Branch, Johnson Space Center, NASA
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I'm searching for a simple pair of devices ... one which looks like a
beeper that will transmit an id code and one that receives the signal
and displays that code in a small window. Anyone know of such a device
on the market or if beepers could be easily modified by the manufacturer
to do the above?

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

From: [e-mail] (Ken Stillson)
Subject: Advice Wanted on Small Network Options
Date: 3 Dec 93 19:07:36 GMT
Organization: The MITRE Corporation


I'm trying to contstruct a small, standalone network with about 10
PC's and two Macs.  (The macs would be nice, but not necessary to
integrate).

The goal is to share printers and have e-mail, peer to peer file
sharing would be nice, but not necessary.

So, I'm looking for reasonably priced options.  So far, I've seen
something called "co-active connections" for about $140 per PC and $32
per Mac, but it doesn't seem support e-mail.

Then there's the get-everyone-an-ethernet-card and rely on shareware
for the software option (which I'm rather wary of) ... about $100 per
computer.

I take it that a company called "Farallon" makes a solution similar to
"co-active connections," but I don't have details.

Does anyone know of other solutions?  We don't need high bandwidth; Is
there really no network that provides a 16 rs232 input switch and runs
with existing com ports?

Thank you very much.  If sufficient people e-mail reply, I'll be happy
to post a summary...


Ken Stillson, [e-mail]   [e-mail]

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 15:47:24 -0500
From: Dan Pearl <[e-mail]>
Subject: Home Phone System Suggestions Wanted


Any suggestions for a cost-effective home phone system with the
following attributes:

  * Handles two lines;
  * Six to eight stations;
  * Intercom (direct dial station-to-station);
  * Paging via speakers built into phone;
  * Handles powerfails without expensive battery backups;
  * Does not need external AC power for each station;
  * Can be integrated with plain telephone sets.

If it uses plain modular wiring, that would be great, but non-standard
wiring for the full-featured extensions would be fine.

E-Mail replies appreciated.  Thanks, folks.  If anyone knows this
stuff, you do.

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Anacker)
Subject: Information Needed on American Sharecom
Date: 3 Dec 93 21:57:28 GMT
Organization: Digital Systems International, Inc.


Hi,

  Our "Phone Guy" asked me if I knew anything about American Sharecom.
Apart from a fuzzy recollection that they are a LD carrier, I don't.
Does anybody out there know anything about them?  Please reply by
e-mail to conserve the Spotted Bandwidth ... :-)


Mark Anacker                [e-mail]
Digital Systems International, Inc.    Redmond, WA   USA    [phone]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Looking For Bridges to Rent
Date: 3 Dec 93 15:33:20 PST
Organization: Medical Laboratory Network; Ventura, CA


Hello,

I'm looking to rent a pair of T-1 capable Ethernet bridges for two
months.

I'm in Ventura, about 50 miles north of Los Angeles. If you have such
equipment for rent, or know where I could rent it, please contact me
at the address below.


Thanks,

Javier Henderson        [e-mail]

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 21:18:42 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Time to Update the FAQ
Reply-to: [e-mail]


It's been quite a number of months since the TELECOM Digest FAQ was
updated.  However, I will make an attempt to put out a new version in
the next month or so. Any corrections, updates or new topics would be
welcome. The best address to send them would be [e-mail].

Many thanks to those who have submitted ideas and updates in the past
year.  Unfortunately, due to a mailbox toasting on one account, a few
of these might have been lost in the shuffle. If you sent an FAQ
update some months ago, you might want to send it again to make sure.

Due to strange timing (and upcoming holiday season), I can't set an
exact deadline other than it will be at least a few weeks away. It's
best to send updates as soon as possible.


David Leibold


[Moderator's Note: David has worked tirelessly on this project for a
few years now, frequently assisted by Carl Moore and others. It is a
really great file, and I urge everyone to have a copy of it for ref-
erence purposes. Assuming the revision won't be along until sometime
in January at the earliest, you might want to pick up the current
version in the Telecom Archives in the meantime.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Tohru Asami)
Subject: Commercial OSI Products for SPARCstation
Organization: KDD R.&D. Labs.
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 11:38:12 GMT


We are planning to make a prototype of network management system based
on OMNIpoint 1. The platform is a SPARCstation 10/41 or an equivalent.
The problem is an OSI program upto Presentation Layer. WE know that
Retix has a product but it's too expensive for us to use.

As for ISODE, it does not support OSI Presentation Layer standard, and
it is very difficult to maintain the system since it is basically a
public domain software.

Does anyboy know a commercial version of OSI tool kit which supports
up to OSI Presentation Layer?


Thanks in advance.

Tohru Asami
Network Engineering Support Group, KDD R&D Labs.
2-1-15 Ohara Kamifukuoka-shi, Saitama 356, Japan
Phone: [phone], FAX  : [phone]
KDD = an international telecommunication company in Japan

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

From: [e-mail] (Joel M. Hoffman)
Subject: Pleasant Ringer Replacement Wanted
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 20:37:05 GMT
Organization: Excelsior Computer Services


My two-line phone (at home) sits right on desk, in front of me.  It's
a great phone, but it has a terrible electronic ringing sound.  I can
turn it off, and I'd love to do so, but then I need a nice
replacement.  Any suggestions?  Ideally, it would have a different
ring for each line, with an adjustable volume.  It must have a
>pleasant< sound when it rings.


Thanks,

Joel   ([e-mail])

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 13:16:36 CST
From: Will Martin <[e-mail]>
Subject: Personal Voice Mail Machine


Regarding the recent list discussion about answering machines that
allow different responses based on the caller's DTMF entries:

The latest (Jan, 94) issue of Penthouse has a section of electronic
and other gadgets for seasonal gift-giving.  One is a Panasonic
cordless phone with a wristwatch-style mobile unit, but the thing that
relates to this Telecom discussion is the Bogen FR-2000 "Friday"
all-digital voice-mail and answering machine. This has eight
selectable voice-mail boxes and the user can tailor different
announcements, select whether messages will be recorded, etc.
Unfortunately, the magazine gives absolutely no info as to how to
contact the vendor or any technical detail at all -- I even had to
puzzle out the model number from the picture of the unit, which
doesn't display that clearly. No price was given.

So those who are interested in this will have to research and discover
either a local dealer with info, or a national number for Bogen to
call to get data on this thing. It looks to be exactly what several of
the list posters were saying they wanted ...


Will

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

From: [e-mail] (The CyberMonk)
Subject: TalkTicket Like Thangs
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 20:22:03 GMT


Anyone have information where I can get thinks like the old Telecom
Talk Tickets?  I don't currently have a phone and will be traveling
quite a bit in the next few weeks.  Without a phone it's pretty tough
to get a calling card without a *huge* deposit.  Besides, I don't want
a calling card.


Trenton del Rey Gallowglass   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: I think Western Union sells them via currency ex-
changes and other outlets. I still have a source where the 'Talk Tickets'
can be purchased which I mentioned here several months ago, but they
are only available in dealer (large) quantities, i.e. $2500 face value
in assorted tickets for $1875. If someone has the money for the first
order and wants to become a dealer, let me know. If you have a good
outlet for sales (university dorms, etc) then you probably could do
quite well with it as a business venture.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Shur)
Subject: POTS Volume Adjusters?
Organization: PictureTel Corporation
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 20:33:16 GMT


Can anyone point me to a source for devices that can be placed in
series with a POTS line to effect a "volume control" for use with
phones that don't have one? Some calls are VERY loud, some just right :)


Thanks,

John Shur   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Radio Shack has what you are looking for.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (The CyberMonk)
Subject: Cable and Phone Monopolies
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 20:26:59 GMT


Perhaps this is a stupid question (it would not be the first time),
but *why* don't they simply allow competition for local cable access?
I read somewhere that in the few communities (in the US) that have
more than one local cable operator that there are more channels,
better service, and lover prices than elsewhere.

I also don't understand why the courts (I think it's them) don't seem
to be moving faster in allowing competition for the local dial tone.


Clueless in Los Angeles,

Trenton del Rey Gallowglass   [e-mail]


[Moderator's Note: Cable companies don't want competition any more
than the local telco wants competition. Like telco, the cable companies
have friends in high places.  So Clueless, given that clue, now do you
have an idea what is going on?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jonathan Haruni)
Subject: Use of British Answering Machines in the US
Date: 3 Dec 1993 10:06:37 GMT
Organization: Micrognosis International, London
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I know that answering machines designed for the US can be used in the
UK, technically (though not necessarily legally) without any trouble.
I want to know if the reverse is true ?

I sent an answering machine which I bought (and tested) in London to
someone in Israel and it didn't work there.  He took it to a telephone
shop where they said British answering machines don't work in Israel
because Israel "uses the American system of ringing", whatever that
means, and declined to look at it.  Given that American machines do
work in Britain, I have doubts.

My theory is that maybe it just needs a new plug; Israel uses
British-style phone sockets, but perhaps they use the inner pair of
pins instead of the outer, or the opposite?  I'm guessing, and would
appreciate any suggestions in my long distance fault diagnosis.


Thanks,

Jonathan Haruni

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

From: [e-mail] (Dan Wu)
Subject: PC-Based Interface for T1
Date: 2 Dec 1993 22:19:40 GMT
Organization: ROLM - A Siemens Company
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Does anyone know of a PC based card that terminates T1 lines and
allows the PC to control T1 robbed-bit signalling?


Daniel Wu                 ROLM
[e-mail] (W)     A Siemens Company
[e-mail] (H)         4900 Old Ironsides Drive
Voice: 408-492-2001       MS 609
  Fax: [phone]       Santa Clara, CA 95052-8075
                          U.S.A.
Opinions expressed are mine and not ROLM

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

From: [e-mail] (Richard Steinberger)
Subject: Looking for Sync Comm Controller For SUN
Date: 2 Dec 1993 15:21:12 GMT
Organization: sri


Can anyone help with this? I have a QBUS-based VAX with an intelligent
communications controller board.  Basically its an ACP 5100 from ACC
Systems.  It "connects to [a] single bit-oriented synchronous
communication line at clock rates up to 300 kbits/sec.  The V.35
interface [I think that means T1] runs at 56 kbits/sec."  It provides
HDLC support for the VAX.

        What I would like to find is a card for SUNs (SBUS, probably,
or an external SCSI-attached device) that would provide similar
capabilities.  It would connect to some external hardware that is
attached to a leased Telephone line.  And hopefully we could run
TCP/IP applications (like telnet) over the line.  I'm told we need the
synchronous capability because that's what the T line expects/provides
and that's what's used at the other end.  (I'm not a telecom expert,
sorry).

        If you know of any product(s) that might be appropriate,
please drop me a note.  Thanks in advance to all who reply.


Regards,

ric steinberger      software engineer
SRI International    333 Ravenswood Ave.  Menlo Park, CA 94025
[e-mail]   Please reply to [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (MaryAnne Cliff)
Subject: Help With Secure Voice
Date: 3 Dec 1993 10:34:58 -0500
Organization: MRJ, Inc./Oakton, Virginia, USA


    I am looking for any original ideas on secure voice
 telecommunications capabilities.  I am a field engineer and
 will be traveling through several countries in Europe and Asia in the
next few years.  I would like to send company proprietary data to my
home company using commercial secure voice means.  I am looking for
manufacturers, products, services, connections, etc.

    For instance, I know AT&T has developed a privacy- capable
transportable cellular telephone that can scramble the signal over-the
air for privacy and INMARSAT terminals offer encryption. But, which
countries allow these capabilities?  Which countries definitely DO NOT
allow these encryption/ scramble/secure products into their countries?
What do I have to do to establish these capabilities?  Are there other
means of secure voice comms (i.e., SATCOM)?

    If you don't know any particulars right off the bat, I would
 appreciate it if you could point me to any periodicals, reference
materials, salespersons ... thank you for any help on this matter.

You can send a response or I can be reached directly at:  [e-mail].

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 23:08:22 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Pablo Escobar Caught After Phone Trace


Listening to TV news yesterday, I heard that Pablo Escobar, wanted for
drug trafficking, was traced through a phone call in Colombia and was
later shot to death.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #795
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa19263;
          4 Dec 93 8:21 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA31797
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:50:14 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA27462
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:49:56 -0600
Date: Sat, 4 Dec 1993 00:49:56 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #796

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 4 Dec 93 00:49:45 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 796

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    CPSR Alert 2.06 (Monty Solomon)
    Status of SprintNet, Tymenet (Randy S. Whitney)
    Pager Interface to PBXs and LANs Wanted (Dave P. Parsons)
    SMDR Report Writer Wanted (Robert S. Wood)
    How About IntraLATA/Limited InterLATA Toll Competition by LEC's? (J Decker)
    Research on the Effects of Telecommuting (G. Trevor Foo)
    Term Paper Help?  Dial 8-1-1! (Jack Hamilton)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 12:05:31 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <roscom![e-mail]>
Subject: CPSR Alert 2.06


  CPSR Alert 2.06
   Volume  2.06                                December 1, 1993

                           Published by
           Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
                         Washington Office
                     ([e-mail])

Contents

    [1] Sen. Simon Introduces Major Privacy Bill
    [2] Senator Simon's Statement on Introduction
    [3] Privacy Commission Bill Section Headings
    [4] New Docs Reveal NSA Involvement in Digital Telephony Proposal
    [5] Bill to Remove Crypto Export Controls Introduced in House
    [6] Matching grant for CPSR FOIA Work Offered
    [7] New Documents in the CPSR Internet Library
    [8] Upcoming Conferences and Events

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

[1] Senator Simon Introduces Major Privacy Bill

Senator Paul Simon (D-IL) has introduced legislation to create a
privacy agency in the United States.  The bill is considered the most
important privacy measure now under consideration by Congress.

The Privacy protection Act of 1993, designated S. 1735, attempts to
fill a critical gap in US privacy law and to respond to growing public
concern about the lack of privacy protection.

The Vice President also recommended the creation of a privacy agency
in the National Performance Review report on reinventing government
released in September.

The measure establishes a commission with authority to oversee the
Privacy Act of 1974, to coordinate federal privacy laws, develop model
guidelines and standards, and assist individuals with privacy matters.
However, the bill lacks authority to regulate the private sector, to
curtail government surveillance proposals, and has a only a small
budget for the commission.

Many privacy experts believe the bill is a good first step but does not
go far enough.

The Senate is expected to consider the bill in January when it returns
to session.

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

[2] Senator Simon's Statement on Introduction
    (From the Congressional Record, November 19, 1993)

Mr.  Simon.  "Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today to
create a  Privacy  Protection Commission. The fast-paced growth in
technology coupled with American's increasing  privacy  concerns demand
Congress take action.

"A decade ago few could afford the millions of dollars necessary for a
mainframe computer. Today, for a few thousand dollars, you can
purchase a smaller, faster, and even more powerful personal computer.
Ten years from now computers will likely be even less expensive, more
accessible, and more powerful. Currently, there are "smart" buildings,
electronic data "highways", mobile satellite communication systems,
and interactive multimedia. Moreover, the future holds technologies
that we can't even envision today. These changes hold the promise of
advancement for our society, but they also pose serious questions
about our right to privacy. We should not fear the future or its
technology, but we must give significant consideration to the effect
such technology will have on our rights.

"Polls indicate that the American public is very concerned about this
issue. For example, according to a Harris-Equifax poll completed this
fall, 80 percent of those polled were concerned about threats to their
personal privacy.  In fact, an example of the high level of concern is
reflected in the volume of calls received by California's Privacy
Rights Clearinghouse. Within the first three months of operation. The
California Clearinghouse received more than 5,400 calls. The
Harris-Equifax poll also reported that only 9 percent of Americans
felt that current law and organizational practices adequately
protected their privacy.  This perception is accurate. The Privacy Act
of 1974 was created to afford citizens broad protection. Yet, studies
and reviews of the act clearly indicate that there is inadequate
specific protection, too much ambiguity, and lack of strong
enforcement.

"Furthermore, half of those polled felt that technology has almost
gotten out of control, and 80 percent felt that they had no control
over how personal information about them is circulated and used by
companies. A recent article written by Charles Piller for MacWorld
magazine outlined a number of privacy concerns. I ask unanimous
consent the article written by Charles Piller be included in the
record following my statement. These privacy concerns have caused the
public to fear those with access to their personal information. Not
surprisingly, distrust of business and government has significantly
climbed upwards from just three years ago.

"In 1990, the United States General Accounting Office reported that
there were conservatively 910 major federal data banks with billions
of individual records. Information that is often open to other
governmental agencies and corporations, or sold to commercial data
banks that trade information about you, your family, your home, your
spending habits, and so on. What if the data is inaccurate or no
longer relevant? Today's public debates on health care reform,
immigration, and even gun control highlight the growing public concern
regarding privacy.

"The United States has long been the leader in the development of
privacy policy. The framers of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
included an implied basic right to privacy.  More than a hundred years
later, Brandeis and Warren wrote their famous 1890 article, in which
they wrote that privacy is the most cherished and comprehensive of all
rights. International privacy scholar Professor David Flaherty has
argued successfully that the United States invented the concept of a
legal right to privacy.  In 1967, Professor Alan Westin wrote privacy
and freedom, which has been described as having been of primary
influence on privacy debates world-wide. Another early and
internationally influential report on privacy was completed in 1972 by
the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
advisory committee. A Few years later in 1974, Senator Sam Ervin
introduced legislation to create a federal privacy board. The result
of debates on Senator Ervin's proposal was the enactment of the
Privacy Act of 1974. The United States has not addressed privacy
protection in any comprehensive way since.

"International interest in privacy and in particular data protection
dramatically moved forward in the late 1970's. In 1977 and 1978 six
countries enacted privacy protection legislation. As of September
1993, 27 countries have legislation under consideration. I ask
unanimous consent that a list of those countries be included in the
record following my statement. Among those considering legislation are
former Soviet Block countries Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, and
Lithuania. Moreover, the European Community Commission will be
adopting a directive on the exchange of personal data between those
countries with and those without data or privacy protection laws.

"Mr. President, a Privacy Protection Commission is needed to restore
the public's trust in business and government's commitment to
protecting their privacy and willingness to thoughtfully and seriously
address current and future privacy issues. It is also needed to fill
in the gaps that remain in federal privacy law.

"The Clinton Administration also recognizes the importance for
restoring public trust. A statement the Office of Management and Budget
sent to me included the following paragraph:

    [T]he need to protect individual privacy  has become increasingly
    important as we move forward on two major initiatives, Health
    Care Reform and the National Information Infrastructure. The
    success of these initiatives will depend, in large part, on the
    extent to which Americans trust the underlying information
    systems. Recognizing this concern, the National Performance
    Review has called for a commission to perform a function similar
    to that envisioned by Senator  Simon.  Senator  Simon's  bill
    responds to an issue of critical importance.

"In addition, the National Research Council recommends the creation of
'an independent federal advisory body ...' In their newly released
study, Private Lives and Public Policies.

"It is very important that the Privacy Protection Commission be
effective and above politics. Toward that end, the Privacy Protection
Commission will be advisory and independent. It is to be composed of
five members, who are appointed by the President, by and with the
consent of the Senate, with no more than three from the same political
party. The members are to serve for staggered seven year terms, and
during their tenure on the commission, may not engage in any other
employment.

"Mr. President, I am concerned about the creation of additional
bureaucracy; therefore the legislation would limit the number of
employees to a total of fifty officers and employees. The creation of
an independent Privacy Protection Commission is imperative. I have
received support for an independent privacy protection commission from
consumer, civil liberty, privacy, library, technology, and law
organizations, groups, and individuals. I ask unanimous consent that a
copy of a letter I have received be included in the record following
my statement.

"What the commission's functions, make-up, and responsibilities are
will certainly be debated through the Congressional process. I look
forward to hearing from and working with a broad range of individuals,
organizations, and businesses on this issue, as well as the
administration.

"I urge my colleagues to review the legislation and the issue, and join
me in support of a  privacy  protection commission. I ask unanimous
consent that the text of the bill be included in the record."

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

[3] Privacy Commission Bill Section Headings

   Section 1. Short Title.
   Section 2. Findings and Purpose.
   Section 3. Establishment of a  Privacy Protection Commission.
   Section 4. Privacy Protection Commission.
   Section 5. Personnel of The Commission.
   Section 6. Functions of The Commission.
   Section 7. Confidentiality of Information.
   Section 8. Powers of the Commission.
   Section 9. Reports and Information.
   Section 10. Authorization of Appropriations.

A full copy of the bill, floor statement and other materials will
be made available at the CPSR Internet Library.

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

[4] New Docs Reveal NSA Involvement in Digital Telephony Proposal

  A series of memoranda received by CPSR from the Department of
Commerce last week indicate that the National Security Agency was
actively involved in the 1992 FBI Digital Telephony Proposal. Two
weeks ago, documents received by CPSR indicated that the FBI proposal,
code named "Operation Root Canal," was pushed forward even after
reports from the field found no cases where electronic surveillance
was hampered by new technologies. The documents also revealed that the
Digital Signature Standard was viewed by the FBI as "[t]he first step
in our plan to deal with the encryption issue."

  The earliest memo is dated July 5, 1991, just a few weeks after the
Senate withdrew a Sense of Congress provision from S-266, the Omnibus
Crime Bill of 1991, that encouraged service and equipment providers to
ensure that their equipment would "permit the government to obtain the
plain text contents of voice, data and other communications ..." The
documents consist of a series of fax transmittal sheets and memos from
the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Commerce to the
National Security Agency. Many attachments and drafts, including more
detailed descriptions of the NSA's proposals, were withheld or
released with substantial deletions.

Also included in the documents is a previously released public
statement by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration entitled "Technological Competitiveness and Policy
Concerns."  The document was requested by Rep. Jack Brooks and states
that the proposal

  could obstruct or distort telecommunications technology development
  by limiting fiber optic transmission, ISDN, digital cellular services
  and other technologies until they are modified, ... could impair the
  security of business communications ... that could facilitate not
  only lawful government interception, but unlawful interception by
  others, [and] could impose industries ability to offer new services
  and technologies.

  CPSR is planning to appeal the Commerce Department's decision to
withhold many of the documents.

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

[5] Bill to Remove Crypto Export Controls Introduced in House

On November 22, 1993, Congresswoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced
HR 3627 to transfer jurisdiction over the export of software with
non-military encryption to the Department of Commerce from the
Department of State.  The State Department defers to the National
Security Agency on exports that contain cryptography.

The mandates that no export licenses are required for mass market or
public domain software but retains restrictions on countries "of
terrorist concern" and nations currently being embargoed. It also
expands licenses for financial institutions.

A full copy of the bill, press release and analysis is available
from the CPSR Internet Library. See below for retrieval information.

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

[6] CPSR Seeking Donors for Matching FOIA Grant

A CPSR member who wishes to remain anonymous has offered a $500
matching grant to support CPSR's Freedom of Information Act
litigation.  If you are interested in supporting CPSR's FOIA work,
please send a message to [e-mail]

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

[7]  The CPSR Internet Library

The CPSR Internet Library is currently undergoing renovation to make
it easier to use. File names are being revised, folders are being
moved, and a better Gopher front-end is being designed. We apologize
for any inconvience in finding files.

HR 3627 - Encryption Exports  - cpsr/privacy/encryption/export_controls

Privacy International has added several more National Constitutions
including Japan's, Germany's and Hong Kong's. - /cpsr/privacy/privacy_
international/international_laws

The CPSR Internet Library is available via FTP/WAIS/Gopher from
cpsr.org /cpsr. Materials from Privacy International, the Taxpayers
Assets Project and the Cypherpunks are also archived. For more
information, contact Al Whaley ([e-mail])

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

[8] Upcoming Conferences and Events

"Cyberculture Houston 93." Houston, Tx. December 10-12,  Contact:
[e-mail].

Worldwide Electronic Commerce: Law, Policy and Controls Conference.
MultiCorp, Inc and American Bar Association.  Waldorf Astoria Hotel,
New York City. January 17 - 18, 1994.  Contact: Fred Sammet
([e-mail]), Phone [phone], fax at (214)
475-5917.

"Highways and Toll Roads: Electronic Access in the 21st Century" Panel
Discussion. 1994 AAAS Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Feb. 21, 1994
2:30 - 5:30pm. Sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery
(ACM). Contact: Barbara Simons ([e-mail])

"Computers, Freedom and Privacy 94." Chicago, Il. March 23-26.
Sponsored by ACM and The John Marshall Law School. Contact: George
Trubow, 312-987-1445 ([e-mail]).

CPSR DIAC-94 "Developing an Effective, Equitable, and Enlightened
Information Infrastructure." Cambridge, MA. April 23 - 24, 1994.
Contact: Doug Schuler ([e-mail]).

      (Send calendar submissions to [e-mail])

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

To subscribe to the Alert, send the message:

"subscribe cpsr <your name>" (without quotes or brackets) to
[e-mail].  Back issues of the Alert are available at the
CPSR Internet Library FTP/WAIS/Gopher cpsr.org /cpsr/alert

Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility is a national,
non-partisan, public-interest organization dedicated to understanding
and directing the impact of computers on society. Founded in 1981,
CPSR has 2000 members from all over the world and 22 chapters across
the country. Our National Advisory Board includes a Nobel laureate and
three winners of the Turing Award, the highest honor in computer
science. Membership is open to everyone.

For more information, please contact: [e-mail] or visit the CPSR
discussion conferences on The Well (well.sf.ca.us) or Mindvox
(phantom.com).

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

CPSR MEMBERSHIP FORM

Name ______________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip ____________________________________________________

Home phone  _____________________  Work phone _____________________

Company ___________________________________________________________

Type of work ______________________________________________________

E-mail address ____________________________________________________

  CPSR Chapter
        __ Acadiana       __ Austin       __ Berkeley
        __ Boston         __ Chicago      __ Denver/Boulder
        __ Los Angeles    __ Madison      __ Maine
        __ Milwaukee      __ Minnesota    __ New Haven
        __ New York       __ Palo Alto    __ Philadelphia
        __ Pittsburgh     __ Portland     __ San Diego
        __ Santa Cruz     __ Seattle      __ Washington, DC
        __ Virtual Chapter (worldwide)    __ No chapter in my area

  CPSR Membership Categories

   __  $  75  REGULAR MEMBER              __  $  50  Basic member
   __  $ 200  Supporting member           __  $ 500  Sponsoring member
   __  $1000  Lifetime member             __  $  50  Foreign subscriber
   __  $  20  Student/low income members
   __  $  50  Library/institutional subscriber

    Additional tax-deductible contribution to support CPSR projects:

         __  $50     __  $75      __  $100    __  $250
         __  $500    __  $1000    __  Other

     Total Enclosed:  $ ________

     Make check out to CPSR and mail to:
           CPSR
           P.O. Box 717
           Palo Alto, CA  94301

  ------------------------ END CPSR Alert 2.06-----------------------

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

Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 07:42:18 EST
From: Randy S. Whitney <[e-mail]>
Subject: Status of SprintNet, Tymenet
Organization: Penn State Center for Academic Computing


I am looking for some current information on Sprintnet or Tymenet for
a paper I am doing for a dcom class.  Specifically, I need to know
what services they are offering today, and what are they doing to
expand bandwidth to include such services as real-time video, if
anything.  Any information would be most helpful.


Thanks,

Randy S. Whitney                       [e-mail]
Student Consultant                     [e-mail]
The General Electric Computer Center   [e-mail]
The Pennsylvania State University      [e-mail]


[Moderator's Question: Have you tried contacting the public relations
departments of these two firms for information?  I'm sure they would
have plenty to tell you.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave P. Parsons)
Subject: Pager interface to PBXs and LANs
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 93 9:02:47 EST


I'm very intersted in obtaining information on suitable RF paging
systems for integration with PBXs and LANs.

If anybody has any information I would appreciate it.


David P. Parsons    SHL Systemhouse Inc.
950 South WinterPark Drive   Casselberry, Florida 32707
(Tel) 1-407-263-3323 (Fax) 1-407-263-0590 Internet [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert S. Wood)
Subject: SMDR Report Writer Wanted
Date: 03 Dec 1993 23:22:18 -0500
Organization: GenRad, Inc.


Is there any public domain software to analyze/report based on SMDR
info?


[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)
Subject: How About IntraLATA/Limited InterLATA Toll Competition by LEC's?
Date: 3 Dec 1993 16:21:01 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jack Decker)


I have an idea that's about half-baked right now ;-) and I'd like to
know if anyone else thinks it's a good idea.  If so, maybe we could
interest the Justice Department and/or Judge Greene in it ...

The LEC's have claimed that they have lost a lot of money because they
aren't allowed to handle interLATA toll calls.  Fair enough.  How
about we open things up a bit.

My idea is this: Allow local telephone companies to carry toll calls
to ADJACENT LATA's only, on the condition that LEC's must compete with
each other and the IXC's for intraLATA traffic.  In other words, on a
call to an adjacent LATA, you'd have the option of using a 10XXX code
to force the call to go via your LEC rather than your long distance
carrier.  On an intraLATA call, you'd have the option to your your
LEC, or any other LEC operating in your LATA that has toll
capabilities (for example, as a GTE customer I'd be able to select
Ameritech [formerly Michigan Bell] to handle my intraLATA calls by
dialing Ameritech's 10XXX prefix).  Note that no defaults would
change ... if you didn't dial a 10XXX code, your call would be handled
as it is now.

Then you could extend this further by saying that the LEC's could
complete toll calls anywhere in their operating area as soon as there
is effective local competition available to at least 80% of their
customers (both residence and business customers).  In other words,
give the LEC's some carrots to make them a little more eager to have
some local competition.

What do y'all think about this idea?


Jack

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

Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1993 13:06:36 -0500
From: [e-mail] (G. Trevor Foo)
Subject: Research on the Effects of Telecommuting


Help!  I am doing some research on telecommuting and its effects.  My
research requires that I determine the percentage of the U.S.
workforce that is potentially suitable for telecommuting.

I am trying to find "a list" of all job classifications that will
fulfill the requirements for a potential telecommuting job.


Thank you.

G. Trevor Foo                           INTERNET: [e-mail]
Graduate Assistant/Peer Advisor           BITNET: [e-mail]
BARRY UNIVERSITY                             VAX: [phone]
Academic & Instructional Services            FAX: [phone]
11300 Northeast Second Avenue              PHONE: [phone]
Miami Shores, FL 33161

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Term Paper Help?  Dial 8-1-1!
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1993 02:17:10 GMT


Stanford University used to have five digit numbers on its Centrex,
but if you dialed 811 you would be connected with the General
Reference Desk in the main library.  I guess they thought it was a
logical extension of 411.

There was also a number you could dial to listen to the on-the-air
signal from KZSU.  I don't know if either of those numbers still
works.


Jack Hamilton     POB 281107 SF CA 94128  USA
[e-mail]    kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #796
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa03008;
          6 Dec 93 2:32 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA24442
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sun, 5 Dec 1993 23:50:47 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA01670
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Sun, 5 Dec 1993 23:50:29 -0600
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 23:50:29 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #798

TELECOM Digest     Sun, 5 Dec 93 23:50:15 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 798

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: What is Switched 56? ([e-mail])
    Re: What is Switched 56? (Fred R. Goldstein)
    Re: What is Switched 56? (Bruce Sullivan)
    Re: What is Switched 56? (William Sohl)
    Re: What Is Switched 56? (Van Hefner)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Steve Kass)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Greg Youngblood)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Steve Cogorno)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Dream Weaver)
    Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service (Mike Bruns)
    Re: What About 510 xxx-xxxx? (Paul Cook)
    Re: What About 510 xxx-xxxx? (Bruce Sullivan)
    Re: What About 510 xxx-xxxx? (Linc Madison)
    Re: 811 and 911 (Steve Forrette)
    Re: 811 and 911 (David A. Kaye)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 93 20:23:57 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What is Switched 56?


[e-mail] (Chris Labatt-Simon) asks:

> What exactly is a switched line?  Is there an unswitched 56 and a
> switched 56?  What additional concerns (overhead, equipment, etc.)
> should I be concerned about with a switched 56/64?  I know the real
> basic information -- it's a 56K (or is it k) leased line.

As I understand it, switched connections use the same equipment as a
standard voice telephone call.  One of the two devices to be connected
"dials" the "number" of the other device's line.  Since TELCO cannot
guarantee exactly which path or switching equipment such a connection
will use, the speed and quality of the switched connection is limited
by the equipment utilized to set up the circuit.  Most switched
connections operate between speeds of 300 to 56K (56K is switched 56).

Hope I didn't confuse the question ...


jd

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

From: [e-mail] (Fred R. Goldstein)
Subject: Re: What is Switched 56?
Date: 5 Dec 1993 05:20:25 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton MA USA


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Chris
Labatt-Simon) writes:

> What exactly is a switched line?  Is there an unswitched 56 and a
> switched 56?  What additional concerns (overhead, equipment, etc.)
> should I be concerned about with a switched 56/64?  I know the real
> basic information -- it's a 56K (or is it k) leased line.

The telephone network carries most calls as a 64 kbps digital stream.
One bit out of eight is occasionally "robbed" for signaling in the
traditional North American network, though this is changing.  So you
end up with seven out of eight bits good, or a net clear-channel data
rate of 56 kbps.  That's why America has 56 kilobit leased channels
(aka private lines), and the rest of the world, with a different way
of carrying voice, has 64 kbps.

Switched 56 extends the network to the subscriber's premise without
turning it to audio.  There's a digital line driver in the CO switch.
AT&T and Northern Telecom do it differently so you need a Channel
Service Unit (CSU) compatible with your serving CO.  It "dials" the
call digitally, but it tends to take a while.  The core of the
Switched 56 network is pretty much like the phone network, but is
generally reserved bandwidth, guaranteed free of audio processing that
would distort the bits.  Usage rates are, 2lately, often the same as
for business voice, but sometimes higher.  (AT&T charges more than for
voice; MCI charges Switched 56 at voice rates.)  Line rates are
typically in the $40-100/month range.  CSUs tend to cost around
$700-1000.

It's very nice for data backup, videoconferencing, and similar
applications, since it's twice as fast as even V.fast (V.34) modems
and has good data integrity.  It's available in most places.  ISDN
does everything it does, plus more, and talks to Switched 56 as well,
but where you can't get ISDN, it's often a good choice.


Fred R. Goldstein  k1io   [e-mail]
Opinions are mine alone; sharing requires permission

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 93 13:04 EST
From: Bruce Sullivan <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: What is Switched 56?


In TELECOM DIGEST V13 792, [e-mail] (Chris Labatt-Simon)
writes:

>> What exactly is a switched line?

Switched service is basically dialed service. Any  time  you  use
your telephone, you're accessing  the  Public  Switched Telephone
Network.

>> Is there an unswitched 56 and a  switched 56?

Yep. 56K "unswitched" (they don't really call it that) has been around
for a long time, usually referred to as "dedicated" or "leased." There
are various other, market-related terms for it, such as DDS (Digital
Data Services as I recall) from AT&T, ADN (Advanced Digital Network)
from Pacific Bell, and DDN (I think that's Digital Data Network, but
don't remember for sure) from MCI.

>>  What additional concerns (overhead, equipment, etc.) should I
>> be concerned about with a switched 56/64?

You will need special CSU/DSU's for this, and you will need to order
special dial lines from your local telco -- at each location.

>>  I know the real  basic information -- it's a 56K (or is it k)
>> leased line.

Actually, it's NOT leased, as I noted above. It's switched.

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

From: [e-mail] (sohl,william h)
Subject: Re: What is Switched 56?
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 04:52:30 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Chris
Labatt-Simon) writes:

> New subject.  I've done some work with wide area networks in the past,
> but always with Ts.  Now I have a client who like to back up one of
> their Ts with a switched 56, or one of the new and upcoming switched
> 64s.

A switched line is generally a reference to a line which can be used
to dial any other line on the public network(s).  Your Plain Old
Telephone Service (POTS) is a switched line.  Some companies establish
special circuit arrangements that are permanently connected to one or
more otherphone locations.  A special circuit can also be switched on
a "private network" basis, but that is usually not referred to as a
switched arrabgement because the arrangement often is limited to
calling other "private" network lines.

> Is there an unswitched 56 and a switched 56?

Yes, an unswitched line would be a point-to-point arrangement.  A
switched 56 line is a line which can send/receive data with any other
switched 56 line after being called by the other line or by calling
the other line.

> What additional concerns (overhead, equipment, etc.)  should I be
> concerned about with a switched 56/64?  I know the real basic
> information -- it's a 56K (or is it k) leased line.

In today's public network, a switched 56 line would have a dialing
capability and it could call/be called by other switched 56 lines as
well as ISDN (integrated Services Digital Network) circuit switched B
channel arrangements.


Bill Sohl  Bellcore ISDN Hotline [phone]-ISDN
Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.
Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!cc!whs70
201-829-2879 Weekdays      email via Internet  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 93 08:49:25 EST
Subject: Re: What Is Switched 56?


There is a nice article on Switched-56 in the November 1993 edition of
BYTE Magazine. They do comparissons between Switched-56, POTS, and
ISDN. It mostly focuses on trying to justify the cost of switching to
a Switched-56 line(s) from POTS. If you look around town you might
still be able to find it on a few (slow moving) newstands.


Van Hefner   Vantek Communications

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

Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
From: [e-mail] (Steve Kass)
Date: 5 Dec 93 13:47:12 EDT
Organization: Drew Univ Academic Computing


In Volume 13, Issue 789, P. Calvert <[e-mail]> writes:

> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  [...]
> He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
> Sprint) is blocked.

> Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  [...]

If he is a regular tenant with a lease, he must be allowed to get his
dial tone from the local Bell Operating Company.  It may take some
calls to them as well as to the local Public Utilities Commission to
make it happen, and I don't know what the university's wiring
situation is in terms of ease of access, but the university cannot
prohibit him from getting the BOC dialtone (and therefore access to 1+
AT&T, Sprint, MCI, etc., service).  I went through quite a lot of
trouble four years ago in a similar situation.  Have him call the BOC,
ask for service, and stand by the request.

It also sounds illegal for the university (as a reseller of
long-distance service) not to let 10XXX work from their dial tone, but
I don't know the rules about that.


Steve Kass/ Math and CS/ Drew U/ Madison NJ 07940/ [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
From: [e-mail] (Gregory Youngblood)
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 93 09:42:12 PST
Organization: TCS Computer Systems


[e-mail] (P. Calvert) writes:

> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  A few months
> ago the university took over the phones and now he has to pay the
> university for long-distance calls instead of being able to select a
> long distance company.  He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
> Sprint) is blocked.

> Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  One
> idea is to use a calling card and call a toll-free access number.
> However, the usual calling cards would probably be too expensive --
> unless there exists some competitor's card that has reasonable rates.
> Any suggestions?

I thought that they couldn't block the other carriers ... have this
person call MCI, Sprint, whoever, and tell them what is happening and
ask if they can do something about it ...

I know with AT&T if you have problems calling their network from a
hotel, and you call their people and tell them, they'll manually
connect your call at direct dialed rates, and take down information
about the hotel, payphone, whatever.

I thought AT&T had a pretty strong policy of going after those that
blocked access to their network, so I would think Sprint and MCI would
as well.

However, it could be there is nothing anyone can do since it is the
university's phone system.


The Complete Solution BBS     Allfiles List:    Anonymous UUCP Calls Accepted
707-459-9058 (24hrs, v.32)    ~/tcsbbs.lst      Login: nuucp  Password: nuucp
Telemate Distribution Site  [e-mail]      Cellular Telephony Groups


[Moderator's Note: This is not entirely true. The Federal Communications
Commission DOES address the question of access where university and hotel
phone systems (to name two examples) are concerned.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Cogorno)
Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 13:06:14 PST


> [Moderator's Note: It is the university's phone system alright, but
> they can't block 10xxx; not to a captive customer base of residence
> users they can't.  PAT]

If I understand the situation correctly, they aren't blocking 10xxx
access; they are blocking 10xxx1 access.  I used to live in a San Jose
State University building, and we had digial (I think it was IBL or
something like that) systems.  Not only were we charged for
long-distance by the university's carrier, but we also had to pay
local outgoing (.03 per min) and INCOMING (!) (.01 per min).

We could choose to use another carrier, but we needed to use a calling
card.  This was generally more expensive than using the university
long distance (it actually wasn't that bad; slightly higher than AT&T
Reach Out America at the time.)


Steve   [e-mail]

#608 Merrill * 200 McLaughlin Drive * Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1015

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

From: [e-mail] (Dream Weaver)
Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
Date: 5 Dec 1993 22:35:38 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana


In article <z]#[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Steve Kass) writes:

> In Volume 13, Issue 789, P. Calvert <[e-mail]> writes:

>> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  [...]
>> He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
>> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
>> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
>> Sprint) is blocked.

> If he is a regular tenant with a lease, he must be allowed to get his
> dial tone from the local Bell Operating Company.  It may take some

> It also sounds illegal for the university (as a reseller of
> long-distance service) not to let 10XXX work from their dial tone,
> but I don't know the rules about that.

> [Moderator's Note: It is illegal for the university to deny him 10xxx
> access. Like yourself, I think he should lean on telco and the univer-
> sity to get the matter straightened out.   PAT]

I live in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. I have a lease that requires me
to get phone service from the realtor. I am required to use the long
distance of something called Campus Talk, billed by LCI International.
It was explained to me after MUCH screaming (not literal but definitely
emotional) that:

1. They can write anything they want in the lease.
2. There is NO requirement in this state to allow 10XXX.
3. Don't worry about it cause it will be cheaper, cause
they bought in bulk for all the buildings they manage. <Actually
its not cause I get billed at buisness rates. 5.6 cents for a two hour
local call(to my internet connection) becomes $1.20.>

Solutions:

1. Use 1-800 calling card numbers to call LD, I get surcharged like a hotel
but its cheaper.

2. Refuse to pay for the additional business charges, and explained
to realtor. That they promised me a residential schedule! They
are still confused and haven't gotten back to me yet.

The name LCI gave me a cold shiver when I heard it; any idea why?


Tom Hilquist                       Internet:[e-mail]
Disclamer: I didn't write this!        Email for PGP Public Key

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Bruns)
Subject: Re: Gouging University Students on Long-Distance Service
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 23:00:41 GMT


[e-mail] (Steve Kass) writes:

> In Volume 13, Issue 789, P. Calvert <[e-mail]> writes:

>> A friend of mine lives in a university-owned apartment.  [...]
>> He is forced to use AT&T, and the school
>> charges a rather exorbitant mark-up over AT&T's rates.  And to force
>> you to use their system, access to other networks (like MCI and
>> Sprint) is blocked.

>> Does anyone now of any legal alternatives to get around this?  [...]

> If he is a regular tenant with a lease, he must be allowed to get his
> dial tone from the local Bell Operating Company.  It may take some
> calls to them as well as to the local Public Utilities Commission to
> make it happen, and I don't know what the university's wiring
> situation is in terms of ease of access, but the university cannot
> prohibit him from getting the BOC dialtone (and therefore access to 1+
> AT&T, Sprint, MCI, etc., service).  I went through quite a lot of
> trouble four years ago in a similar situation.  Have him call the BOC,
> ask for service, and stand by the request.

> It also sounds illegal for the university (as a reseller of long-distance
> service) not to let 10XXX work from their dial tone, but I don't know
> the rules about that.

> [Moderator's Note: It is illegal for the university to deny him 10xxx
> access. Like yourself, I think he should lean on telco and the univer-
> sity to get the matter straightened out.   PAT]

Legally, can a student requestion local service from a BOC regardless
of where he lives?  For example, suppose I'm on the tenth floor of a
college dorm, and I'm not happy with the university phone service.
Can I call the local phone company and ask that they individually wire
up my room?  (I'm assuming that all wiring in the building belongs to
the university and is routed to the campus PBX).

We have the ACUS service at Purdue as well.  Granted, there is cheaper
long distance available, but for me it is fairly reasonable.  Around
11 cents a minute for night/weekend call.

Another benefit, I don't have to deal with the local phone company,
and all local service is free (or buried in the rent).  :-)


Mike

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 93 12:25 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What about 510 xxx-xxxx?


John Shaver <[e-mail]> writes:

> Any notion what the two bips mean when you dial this number?  I dialed
> it accidently and got the funny response.

For some reason this same question gets posted for different numbers
once in awhile in this forum.

Don't call it.  That number is someone's personal pager.


Paul Cook                             206-881-7000
Proctor & Associates             MCI Mail 399-1080
15050 NE 36th St.                fax: [phone]
Redmond, WA  98052-5378        [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 1 Dec 93 13:10 EST
From: Bruce Sullivan <[e-mail]>
SUBJECT: Re: What About 510 xxx-xxxx


In TELECOM Digest V13 789, <[e-mail]>
(John Shaver Modernization Office) writes:

> Any notion what the two bips mean when you dial this number?  I
> dialed it accidently and got the funny response.

Yes. It sounds like  a digital pager. You, me,  and everyone else
who called it  is probably driving the  poor owner  up  the wall.
Let's don't do it anymore ...


Bruce


[Moderator's Note: I agree, and have deleted the number where it
appears in this issue.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: What About 510 xxx-xxxx
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1993 02:14:24 GMT


PLEASE Do not call this number!!!

(510) 678 is a pager prefix.  I used to have a pager that was 678-xxxx.


Linc Madison  *  Oakland, California  *  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)
Subject: Re: 811 and 911
Date: 05 Dec 1993 20:30:03 GMT
Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)


In <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Tad Cook) writes:

> [e-mail] (Bill Mayhew) writes:

>> Another reason to do away with 811 numbers is the similarity to 911.
>> While I have not personally experienced it, it is my understanding
>> that some switches are programmed with heuristic rules so that numbers
>> "sufficiently close" to 911 will be intercepted to 911.

>> [Moderator's Note: If x11 does the job and calls the police, then how
>> do you account for 411 and 611, both used in many places?    PAT]

> I have never heard of a switch being programmed to route numbers
> "close" to 9-1-1 to a PSAP, but there are lots of ways that basic
> 9-1-1 can be set up in a rural step-by-step exchange that result in
> wrong numbers getting to 9-1-1.

I agree -- I think the occasional reports of "near misses" with 911
being treated as 911 calls are urban legends.  The cordess phone
mystery was in many cases caused by phones that had a speeddial set up
for 911 and the phone would sometimes call the first speeddial number
in cases of low battery power.  Also, I think another cause is people
who accidentally dial 9-1, realize their mistake, then momentarily
press the switchhook to get a fresh dialtone, but don't hold it down
long enough, causing the flash to be interpreted as another 1.

One thing that is done, however, is that various dialing prefixes are
ignored when dialed in front of 911, instead of causing the call to
route to an intercept recording.  0-911, 1-911, 10xxx-911, *67-911,
etc., all route to 911.  I learned this the hard way when my cordless
phone developed a bad keybounce problem on the 1 key, and I kept
trying to dial to the 916 area code.  I would dial 1-916-, but the
second 1 would bounce.  It did this two times in a row, and I hung up
right away when it happened since I could hear it, thinking nothing of
it.  I finally got my call through correctly, and was shortly
interrupted via call waiting by the police dispatcher, who was miffed
that I kept calling and hanging up.  I think she appreciated me
explaining the situation, instead of just saying "I didn't call" which
I'm sure they hear all the time.


Steve Forrette, [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David A. Kaye)
Subject: Re: 811 and 911
Date: 5 Dec 1993 00:29:37 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access    [phone]  [login: guest]


Tad Cook ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> that some switches are programmed with heuristic rules so that numbers
>> "sufficiently close" to 911 will be intercepted to 911.  According to
>> local folklore that is why cordless phones were mysteriously dialing
>> 911 as thier batteries went dead.  As the line relay chattered as it

I have a much more logical solution than anyone's proposed so far --
many of these phones have memory buttons labeled for emergency use.  I
once bought one off the shelf wherein the "police" button had already
been programmed for 911.  Regardless, there was probably some glitch
in the phone which caused it to think the emergency button was being
pressed.  This would account for the number of wrong calls to 911
rather than to 411 or 611.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #798
******************************



Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa04010;
          6 Dec 93 4:08 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA07748
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 6 Dec 1993 01:00:20 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA18854
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 6 Dec 1993 01:00:02 -0600
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1993 01:00:02 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #799

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 6 Dec 93 01:00:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 799

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Russell Sharpe)
    Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible? (Tom Gray)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Paul Robinson)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Carl Moore)
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D ([e-mail])
    Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D (Eric N. Florack)
    Re: Paper in Signcomm'93 (Bobby Krupczak)
    Re: HLR/Cellular Question (Gerald Serviss)
    Re: Where is Simtel20? (Paul Robinson)
    Re: Where is Simtel20? (Keith Petersen)
    Re: Inexpensive Modem (or Should it be Cheap?) (Linc Madison)
    Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations (Niall Gallagher)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Russell Sharpe)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Date: 6 Dec 1993 01:06:42 GMT
Organization: Wellington City Council, Public Access
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]:, Paul S. Malone <pmalone@
mason1.gmu.edu wrote:

> In Message-ID: <[e-mail]:, nathan@seldon.
> foundation.tricon.com wrote:

>>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  The scenario goes as follows:
>>> User calls in on high speed modem line and gets the "main" hunt group for

>>> high speed users.  User two calls in on "alternate" low speed hunt group.
>>> BUT, if user one calls in and all of the main hunt groups are busy, then he
>>> is forwarded to the alternate, low speed hunt group.

>>> The reason I ask is because my main, high speed hunt groups have been busy
>>> lately and when I asked about a dual hunt-group, the local phone person had
>>> no idea what I was talking about.

> And Russell Sharpe writes:

>> You want to specify *Hunt Start* for your _Low Speed_ group.

>> In article <[e-mail]: you write:

>>> I want to establish a "double hunt group".  ...

I don't know what all the facilities, switches in the US can provide.

Is *Series Completion* an option?   i.e,

Group 1 Pilot Line has Series Completion to Group 2 Pilot Line.  If
Group 1 Trunks are all busy, calls will _overflow_ onto Group 2.

As far as the Hunting Patterns; In New Zealand there are 3 types:

Regular: Calls flow from trunk 1 to last trunk (Linear?)
Circular: Only useful when there are intermediate Pilots,
For example:

    Pilot
    Trunk 2
    Intermediate Pilot
    Trunk 3

When the pilot number is dialed, calls flow as in regular hunting.
When intermediate pilot is dialed, if intermediate pilot, and trunk3
are busy, calls will be directed back to Pilot.

Uniform: Calls are Directed to free (not busy) lines in a psuedo
random fashion, which is an advantage if the cable pair of a trunk
develops a fault; the next call will pick a different trunk.


Russell Sharpe      Internet: [e-mail]
                     FidoNet: 3:771/370 & 3:771/160
                   Voice: [phone]
                   snailmail: 171 Holborn Drive
                              Stokes Valley 6008
                              New Zealand

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

From: [e-mail] (Tom Gray)
Subject: Re: Double Hunt Group - Possible?
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 11:25:38 -0500
Organization: Mitel. Kanata (Ontario). Canada.


In article <[e-mail]> TELECOM Moderator noted in
response to [e-mail]:

> [Moderator's Note: The reason they do not understand is because (a) you
> are using the wrong phraseology and (b) hunting does not work the way
> you want it to. What you want to do is ask for another (how many? two,
> five, ten?) lines in your existing hunt group. What you with them on
> your end is your businesses, so when the lines are delivered, you send
> them to your low-speed machine. So now let's say you have lines 1 --> 75
> in hunt. That is, one hunts to two which hunts to three which hunts to
> four ... > 75. Lines 1 to 49 are the high speed modems; lines 50-75
> are the low speed modems. When 49 (high) is busy, it will hunt to 50
> and subsequent (low), which is what I think you want.

[ moderator also includes a description of using directory numbers
of hunt lines as entry points ie use a DN in the middle of the
hunt group as an entry pint to a bank of low speed modems]

Hunt group lines previously worked the way the Moderator describes.
However with current machines (and I suppose DMS would count as that)
there is no requirement for hunt lines to be assigned directory
numbers.  No one is supposed to directly call these lines so why
should they be given a publically accesible number. With the shortage
of numbers, wasting numbers on hunt lines is not a good idea.

If direct access is required to a hunt line, these lines can be given
directory numbers accesible only on maintenance lines. I have seen
these as suffixes on the hunt group pilot number. Thus if the pilot
number is 555-2368 with 50 hunt lines, these can be accessed from
maintenance trunks as 554-2368-00 to 555-2368-49. Naturally if one
were to try to dial these numbers from an ordinary line, you would be
routed directly to the pilot number.


i.sinature


[Moderator's Note: It was not my point to say they should all have
directory numbers, but that if they did, the directory numbers other
than the first and subsequent desired entry points should be kept
a private matter to avoid callers taking it upon themselves to jump
into the loop wherever they felt like, etc. Obviously if one can
avoid having 'ordinary numbers' it is generally better to do so; but
the only reason I sort of resist this approach is because the person
responsible for maintaining the lines at the customer's end does from
time to time need to test them all, and should be able to enter the
group as desired. In fact, if you rely on telco to do the testing it
might not get done as often or rigorously as desired. I've always
liked being able to enter my lines where I wanted, watch for them to
'wink and blink' or whatever, track them one by one to my specs, etc.
Not being able to enter them at will could pose a hassle for the
proprietor even if keeping the regular users from dialing around was
an offsetting problem in return.   PAT]

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 11:30:44 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


"John R. Grout" <[e-mail]>, and Jack Decker
<[e-mail]>, write as follows:

John Grout:

> After divestiture, NJ Bell chose to continue to support the
> abbreviation of 7D (instead of the full 1 +609 + 7D) to place a
> DD inter-LATA call, now with one's default LD carrier ... The
> planned changes would collapse the Rochester LATA into something
> very much like either of  NJ Bell's LATAs in the 609 area code...

> Should multi-LATA area codes _require_ 1 + 10D "toll" dialing or
> not? Well ... since telcos implemented decided to implement
> banded local service with 7D, it seems consistent to support 7D
> for inter-LATA calls too ... or to require 1 + 10D for both.

Jack Decker:

> Scott, I hope you have written your state PUC to let them know of
> your displeasure with this arrangement.

> Without the requirement for "1" to preface a toll call, there is
> simply no reliable way to know in advance whether a call is local
> or not... a large number of us in the "real world"  are not so wealthy
> that we can make calls at will without worrying  about the bill.

> Also, telephone directories don't always contain an accurate list
> of exchange prefixes in one's local calling area.  [My local]
> white pages indicates that calls starting with 72, 73, 74, 75,
> 76, 77, 78, or 79 are [local] Muskegon numbers...  773 and 777
> are Muskegon prefixes,  but 774 (to name one I know of offhand)
> is a [toll] Grand Rapids prefix.

> With the requirement to dial "1" for a toll call, this isn't a
> problem.  If you try to dial a call that's out of your local
> calling area, you get a recording saying you must dial a "1"
> first, and then you know that the call is going to cost you (or
> at least that it MAY cost you..

Where I am in Silver Spring, MD, I have access to the Washington, DC
metropolitan area as well as extended areas at no additional charge.

For example, I can call a number at Dulles Airport, Virginia by
calling 703-260-xxxx.  I can also call numbers in Columbia, MD by
dialing 410-260-xxxx.  I can call the entire area code 202 by dialing
202 plus seven digits.  I can call for county bus information by
dialing 1-301-217-7433, 301-217-7433 or 217-7433 since it is in the
same area code.  I can call for regional bus information by dialing
1-202-637-7000 or 202-637-7000 since it is a local number.  All of the
numbers and exchanges I have indicated are local and there is no
charge beyond whatever a local call costs, which is either 3.1c plus
1.5c/minute, 9c, or no charge depending on which local calling plan
your phone has.

If someone is in the 301-217 exchange, they can call a number in
Poolesville, Maryland (intralata) at 301-349-xxxx and it is a local
call.  For me to call it, even though my area code is also 301, I must
dial 1-301-349-xxxx.  1 first means "place the call even if toll".
Dialing without 1 means "do not place the call if toll." So if you
want to call a number in the 301, 410 or 703 area codes, you can dial
seven digits if the number is in the same area code and local, but you
may optionally dial the area code.  If the number is local but outside
your area code, you must dial the ten digit number.  If the number is
toll you must, or for local area calls you may, dial 1 plus the ten
digit number.  All calls may be dialed as 1 plus ten digits, even if it
is a local call.

This is the easiest way to allow people to know if a call is toll or
not since you can't dial any toll call (except 976 numbers) without
dialing 1 first.  The disadvantage is you have to dial the area code
even if it is the same.  This small disadvantage is more than made up
for by being able to tell that a number is a toll charge.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 93 9:34:39 EST
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D


Relying on the Digest: Arizona was going to use 7D for long distance
within it, but went to 1 + 602 + 7D instead because of objections.
Similarly, seeing what reached the Digest regarding dialing
instructions which are needed for the generalized area codes, I notice
the Massachusetts PUC ordered 1 + NPA + 7D for long distance within an
area code.

215 in Pa. removed the 1 for long distance within it, but has a toll-
free number (800-734-5910, apparently useable only within 215) to help
customers find out what is toll.  Recently, I tried that 800 number
from Wakefield, PA (717-548 Hensel prefix) and it did not work even
though I was in PA.

A question about New Jersey:

Don't you HAVE to use 1 +N +NPA + 7D for local calls from New Jersey
to out of state? (As opposed to local calls across NPA boundary
within NJ.)

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

Subject: Re: Roch Tel 716 Goes From 1 + 7D to 7D
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 93 15:34:42 EST
From: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]> Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
writes:

> I don't see what effect this has on choice of long distance carriers.
> This dialing change is not supposed to affect what is long distance;
> just the method for dialing calls is changing.

It's just the method for dialing calls.  Here in Binghamton, NY, I can
dial to Owego, NY (which is a toll call handled by New York Telephone)
either using 1+687-xxxx or 687-xxxx.  The CO doesn't seem to care
either way.  I think the 1+7D will be removed entirely because it
conflicts with 1+ long distance area code numbers (which rely on a
time-out after you dial the number in order to decide whether it's
intralata or AT&T long distance, for example).


Kris

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 06:58:15 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: RTC/716 drops 1+7, TELECOM Digest V13 #790


I`m delighted to speak with my old freind,[e-mail], who in 790
says:

> However, when there are many exchanges on one side of the boundary
> and only a few remote ones on the other, it might be easier to allow
> the many exchanges to call with seven digits and require the few on
> the other side to use 1+10D (e.g., let Rochester call Macedon with 986
> + xxxx but require Macedon to call Rochester with 1 + 716 + 7D) ...
> that would require only that 986 be unassigned in 716 without
> requiring the many Rochester exchanges to be unassigned in 315.

If I`m not mistaken John, you`re warm, but not spot-on. You`re correct
that 986 is otherwise unassigned in 716.  I do recall though that
there were special billing or rather, NON billing arrangements that
were made to satisfy a court order, so that people in 315-986 would be
able to dial 0+ to get to the 716 numbers that were able to reach IT.
(ie; roughly anything east of the Stone Street switch.)

> In other areas, so many exchanges would be on the boundary (in NYC,
> among other places, all of them would be) that the telco requires 1 +
> ten digits instead (which, of course, can still mean a "local" call ...
> 1+ doesn't have to mean "toll").

ROchester Tel still has a few exchanges that access 315-524 this way.


By the by, not so very long ago, when we wanted to put toll-restrictors
on the place I worked (You'll remember this as WSAY) (we had perhaps
30 lines into the place) We simply put a diode across the line. A one,
or a zero would reverse the power polarity, and the diode would no
longer pass the voltage ... it'd hang up the phone. This reversal
would happen not as the switch understood what was up, but as soon as
the 'one' got dialed .... though zeros had to be interpreted by the
switch ...

Can`t imagine what will happen now ...


/E

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

From: [e-mail] (Bobby Krupczak)
Subject: Re: Paper in Signcomm'93
Organization: College of Computing
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1993 14:36:15 GMT


Hi!

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Desperate Submarine) writes:

> I am currently looking for a paper in the Proceeding of ACM
> Signcomm'93.  Unfortunately, I cannot get access to it in my
> Univerisity Library. Therefore, I would like to ask you to give a
> helping hand. Can you give me the library that has the described
> paper? The details are as follow:

> Title:    On the Self-Similar Nature of Etherenet Traffic
> Author:    Lelard, Willinger

I guess you didnt see my reply to your post in comp.dcom.isdn or
whatever.  That paper was a great one.  We covered it in our
networking seminar here at GIT.

Anyway, I havent gotten my SIGCOMM'93 proceedings yet either.  They
are SO SLOW about mailing them out.

But, I have an even better deal for you.  All the stuff is available
on-line from the dudes at Bellcore.  The paper, and slides are all in
there.  Below I have included the README file.

ftp thumper.bellcore.com
cd pub/wel

                    4 October 1993

In this directory you will find two versions of the paper "On the
Self-Similar Nature of Ethernet Traffic."  Both are in compressed
Postscript, and have been known to cause some supposed Postscript
printers to go belly-up.  It will take from 15 minutes to an hour to
print on a decent printer.

The first version, sigcomm93.ps.Z, is the version of the paper as
accepted and given at Sigcomm '93.

The second version, tome.ps.Z, is a much longer version of the paper
that was a Bellcore internal memorandum that has been released.
Please contact me before citing this version of the paper; eventually
we hope to have a version of this longer paper published somewhere.

Also, for those interested, the Postscript version of the viewgraphs I
used at Sigcomm are to be found in the directory sig93slides.


Enjoy!

Daniel V. Wilson    [e-mail]   [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Gerald Serviss)
Subject: Re: HLR/Cellular Question
Date: 05 Dec 1993 15:55:35 GMT
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group


In article <[e-mail]>, Roy Thompson
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> I'm somewhat familiar with IS-41B and the GSM specifications.  But I
> have a question about the cellular phones and how they identify
> themselves to base stations and eventually effect the HLR/VLR.  Do
> cellular phones periodically broadcast their MIN/ESN when the phone is
> on?  Or, do the base stations poll in some way?  How does a given
> system know where a particular subscriber is when a call comes in for
> that ID?

In the AMPS and TACS standards a mobile that originates a call will
provide its MIN (mobile ID) and ESN (Electonic Serial Number) in the
origination message. This is then used to validate the mobile station.
In GSM, AMPS-DC (U.S. TDMA) and CDMA the scheme is similar. The
location of this access is stored by the VLR functionality of the
system for use in locating the station later.

In all signalling methods there is also the concept of registration.
This function can be triggered by different conditions (time based,
change of location, power on ...). When a registration is done the
stored location information in the VLR is updated. This function is
not required for a 'basic' system but most of our customers use it.

I am not aware of any polling that is done by any system.

> Also, is there an interest group or something related to cellular and
> wireless technology that I can join?

I would suggest CTIA.

> I have struggled with the question of whether computer-based HLR is
> marketable.  I know it makes technical sense, but I'm not sure if
> operators are willing to move the existing HLR off the switch.  What
> makes HLR marketable on a computer?  Multiple applications/services
> capabilities?  Faster database support?  Lower cost per subscriber?
> AIN service platform (SN, SCP)?  Any thoughts on this?

I think that an HLR/VLR combo is a very marketable product. All of
your 'parameters' are necessary.

> Direct email would be appreciated.  I would like to discuss this with
> those that have an interest.  Thanks for any assistance.  Please email
> directly.

I can be reached at:

serviss.rtsg.mot.com
Jerry Serviss  Cellular Infrastructure Group  Motorola Inc.

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 13:49:31 EST
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Where is Simtel20?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


> A while ago in this Digest there were a lot of messages about the
> closing of Simtel20. That has apparently come to pass (back in
> September?).

Simtel 20 was closed down by the administration of White Sands Missile
Range as of COB (Close of Business) on September 30, which means 5pm
Mountain time.

The site "oak.oakland.edu" is the primary mirror for the replacement
site, which is not accessible from the Internet.  It also has much
more connections than Simtel ever did.

> 2: Does anyone know how I could subscribe to Info-IBMPC.

The subscription address should probably be [e-mail]


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1993 01:55:34 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Keith Petersen)
Subject: Re: Where is Simtel20?


SIMTEL20 was shut down by the Army on September 30 due to lack of
funds.  I had to find a new home for the MS-DOS collection.

For security reasons the SimTel Software Repository is located on a
host that is not accessible by Internet users, however its files are
available by anonymous ftp from the primary mirror site OAK.Oakland.Edu
(141.210.10.117) located in Rochester, Michigan, and from the secondary
mirror sites:

   St. Louis, MO: wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)
   Corvallis, OR: archive.orst.edu (128.193.2.13)
Falls Church, VA: ftp.uu.net (192.48.96.9
       Australia: archie.au (139.130.4.6)
         England: src.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.2.1)
         Finland: ftp.funet.fi (128.214.6.100)
         Germany: ftp.uni-paderborn.de (131.234.2.32)
          Israel: ftp.technion.ac.il (132.68.1.10)
     Switzerland: ftp.switch.ch (130.59.1.40)
          Taiwan: NCTUCCCA.edu.tw (140.111.1.10)

SimTel files may obtained by e-mail from various ftp-mail servers or
through the BITNET/EARN file servers.  For details see file
/pub/msdos/filedocs/mailserv.inf.  Gopher users can access the
collection through Gopher.Oakland.Edu.  World Wide Web (WWW) and
Mosaic users can connect to the URL http://www.acs.oakland.edu to
access the files on OAK.Oakland.Edu.

> 2: Does anyone know how I could subscribe to Info-IBMPC.

To subscribe send e-mail to:  [e-mail]

MSDOS-Ann is a mailing list that has announcements of new uploads to
the MS-DOS archive sites.  To subscribe, send e-mail to listserv@TACOM-
EMH1.Army.Mil with this command in the body of the message:

                     subscribe msdos-ann


Keith Petersen, General Manager of the SimTel Software Repository, a
service mark of Coast to Coast Telecommunications, Clarkston, MI, U.S.A.
Internet: [e-mail]     or       [e-mail]
Uucp: uunet!umich!vela!w8sdz                       BITNET: w8sdz@OAKLAND

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: Inexpensive Modem (or Should it be Cheap?)
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1993 10:40:56 GMT


Several contributors have mentioned the $99.00 V.32bis fax-modem deal
at MacWarehouse, but A. Padgett Peterson ([e-mail])
mentioned not having a non-800 number for them.

You can reach MacWarehouse at [phone], fax [phone].
CompuServe subscribers can reach them by using "GO MW".  By mail, 1720
Oak Street, P.O. Box 3013, Lakewood NJ 08701.

The blurb in their catalog says it's a "LineLink(tm) 144e", which is
"100% Hayes AT command set compatible."  The package includes
MacKNOWLEDGE communications (terminal) software and the hardware
handshaking cable.  However, the fax software is an additional $29.95
for MaxFax software, with which you can send 16-gray-scale faxes at
14,400 bps.  The modem is item #MOD-0145 $99.00; the fax software is
item #BND-0281 $29.95; shipping is $3 per order in the U.S., sales tax
for CT/NJ/OH residents.

Of course, anyone outside the U.S. ordering this modem may have to
contend with local telco restrictions, since it's probably not
registered with the PTTs in Germany, UK, etc.


Linc Madison  *  Oakland, California  *  [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 06 Dec 1993 05:18:00 GMT
From: niall gallagher <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Demodulating Modem Conversations


In Telecom Digest #724 (Wed, Nov 24) [e-mail] wrote:

> I am stumped with how I can demodulate modem communications
> in-progress.  My project includes displaying the originating AND
> answering data, though not both at the same time.  I envisioned
> recording it, and piping it into my modem.  Not so.  How would I go
> about convincing a modem to listen to a tape recorded conversation or
> "tapped" in realtime. (Problems there include messing up the current
> conversation).

Unfortunately (or should that be fortunately) it is very difficult to
"tap" modem calls. The basic problem is that high speed modems (V.32
and above) use the full bandwidth of the telephone channel in both
directions for simultaneous transmission and reception of data.

The modems at either end can extract the Rx data because they *know*
what they have transmitted and using echo-cancellation techniques can
determine what the Rx data is. At any point in between the modem and
the CO, there is a two-wire circuit and anybody listening in would
pick up the combined Tx and Rx data -- ie. garbage.

If you have access to the circuit after it has been through the hybrid
at the CO which separates the combined channels into distinct transmit
and receive, the problem becomes more manageable and I'm sure that
some enterprising government agency somewhere has built the required
decoding equipment.


Regards,

Niall Gallagher      Bell-Northern Research, Ottawa, Canada
[e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #799
******************************


Received: from delta.eecs.nwu.edu by MINTAKA.LCS.MIT.EDU id aa05068;
          6 Dec 93 5:18 EST
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA05191
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Mon, 6 Dec 1993 02:07:19 -0600
Received: by delta.eecs.nwu.edu id AA21258
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oQ/var/spool/mqueue.big -odi -oi -ftelecom-request telecomlist-outbound); Mon, 6 Dec 1993 02:07:01 -0600
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 1993 02:07:01 -0600
From: TELECOM Moderator <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V13 #800

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 6 Dec 93 02:07:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 800

Inside This Issue:                       Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Robert L. McMillin)
    Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk (Rich Comroe)
    Re: NY Telephone Big Talk - Their Response (Barton F. Bruce)
    Re: The Coming of the Information Age (Robert L. McMillin)
    Re: The Coming of the Information Age (Paul Barnett)
    Re: Advice Wanted on Small Network Options (Barton F. Bruce)
    Re: How About IntraLATA/Limited InterLATA Toll Competition? (F. Goldstein)
    Re: Minitel Access Through Internet? (Jack Hamilton)
    Re: Best 900mhz Cordless? (Bill Berbenich)
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Robert L. McMillin)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: Surf City Software/TBFW Project
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1993 19:03:09 GMT


On Thu, 25 Nov 1993 02:45:41 GMT, [e-mail] (Will Estes) said:

>> ISDN was originally a way to get 56KB service ... but modems on
>> regular analog lines can almost do this today.  ISDN vs market
>> forces.  ISDN 0, Market 1.

> I think you are missing the big picture here.  Within one year, people
> are going to be able to buy unlimited 10 Megabit per second connections
> to the net via existing cable TV cable, with a V.FAST or similar channel
> going upstream.  This is going to cost $99/month or less for unlimited
> network use.

And who will be willing to pay $99/month for that?  I certainly
wouldn't.  Talk to me when you have it down to $20/month or less.

[deletia regarding telco lack of vision WRT digital networking]

> But they aren't doing that.  And what is going to happen is that
> people are going to flock to these high-speed cable systems in large
> numbers, and that is going to allow the cable TV companies to achieve
> a critical mass and foothold in what will be one of the fastest
> growing telecommunications markets ever.  By making ISDN cheap and
> widely available the telephone companies would have a shot at holding
> down the growth of cable-based Internet access.

And what good, exactly, will cable-based Internet access be if it's
too expensive to use?  And how much of the time will their digital
pipe actually work?  The cable companies, it should hardly need
pointing out, have a depressingly bad record when it comes to service.
They do not have to deliver service under emergency conditions, nor
has that ever been one of the requirements.

I have some news for the TCIs of the world: if they're going to be
talking about their digital networks replacing or supplanting analog
telephony, they'd better start thinking about how they're going to
respond to hurricanes and drunk drivers.  Right now, if you lose
service, it could be *days* before you get it back.

To roughly quote somebody else's .sig, I'd much rather get my cable TV
from the phone company than my phone service from the cable company.
I think that everyone here agrees that low-cost digital networking is
a Good Thing (though some might change their minds once they realize
that this makes it easier to ship high-skill jobs overseas to people
working for a tenth of First World wages), but the advantages cable
companies have -- entrepreneurial drive and speed to market -- are
more than offset by cavalier attitudes about customer service.  If you
thought last years' month-long Sprint outage of South Carolina was
bad, you ain't seen nothin' yet.


Robert L. McMillin | Surf City Software | [e-mail] | Dude!

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

From: [e-mail] (Comroe-CDCS37 Rich)
Subject: Re: No ISDN Despite Big Talk
Organization: Motorola, Inc.
Date: Sun, 05 Dec 1993 16:49:57 GMT


R. Kevin Oberman writes:

> The cost of ISDN varies tremendously. It's really quite cheap for my home
> service in California tied to my employer's Centrex service. Clearly more
> expensive elsewhere.

Fred R. Goldstein writes:

> Well here I am, posting my first note over my BRANDY-SPANKIN' NEW ISDN
> RESIDENCE LINE!  I had an ISDN line before as part of a trial, but
> this is a genuine tariffed line provisioned by New England Telephone
> from my local central office, the same one that provides analog dial
> tone to the analog home >phone.

Apparently 'some' RBOCs are offering residential ISDN service!  Here
in the MidWest I've been experimenting with ISDN at work for a few
years.  However, when I recently moved residences (just three months
ago), I was surprised when Illinois Bell Telephone refused to offer
ISDN to my new house.  When I asked how come, they told me that it was
only tariffed for business, and consequently not available for a
residence.  I'm curious if the two residential ISDN owners cited above
have 'residential service' or business service to the home ... or was
IBT all wet with the story that it wasn't available (the residential
service agent didn't know what ISDN was, and had to find a supervisor
to informed me that it wasn't available.)


Rich Comroe  [e-mail]   Motorola, Inc.

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NY Telephone Big Talk - Their Response
Organization: Digital Equipment Computer Users Society
Date: 5 Dec 93 17:40:06 -0500
Organization: Cambridge Computer Associates, Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Carl
Oppedahl) writes:

> Readers will recall that on November 2 I wrote to the president of New
> York Telephone, grumbling that the various business offices had said
> there were no plans to provide ISDN in Yorktown Heights nor in the
> 212-787 telephone exchange.  I posted the letter here.

> (It's a tariffed service, by the way.  I thought part of the
> definition of a common carrier serving under tariff is that no orderly
> customer could be refused ... hmmm...)

> Anyway, here is what I heard back.  It seems clear that NYTel is
> cream-skimming -- serving only the highly profitable areas that want

What they are doing in MA is to FX it to you at their expense from
some CO that is suitably equipped. If not enough folks sign up in the
trial period, then they will later charge a flat rated FX charge to
keep you up and running. This is to let ANYONE order it to prove there
is or is not local justification to equip a CO for it.

Instead, go to utility commision hearings and clammor for no charge
FXing and see if Teleport systems or others are colocated in your CO.
Telco might just have to deliver ISDN originating in someone else's
#5ESS.  Suggest at such hearings that if telco can't deliver it,
others should be encouraged to fill the vacuum.

The cross town mileage on digital fiber is so cheap once they get on
it that distance means nothing (in reality -- not in the tarrifs).  It
is getting on and off the fiber that costs. ONE mega ISDN CO for the
area could/should provide ISDN. The digital trunking needed to support
this should already be in or scheduled for everything else they do,
and replaces tons of obsolete and very expensive to maintain JUNK.
They may have to train some of their techs to read so they can read
the new manuals, but they should be doing that anyway.

The BIGGEST rub may be training their joke-grade sales force. The
answer to that is to ONLY sell it through their 'authorized' agents --
even for home ISDN. NYNEX seems to have century old labor relations
policies and enjoys worker moral/quality to match. The agents are
outside companies and can do a much better job and train faster.

An example of their weak sales ability is their frame relay product
which is great, but only the larger accounts served by select quality
sales staff use it. They need to let the rest of the customer base in
on the new secrets.

Having tariffs on line and FTPable and having pricing configuration
programs online for ANYONE to use would work wonders for the vast
numbers of folks savvy enough to use them. NYNEX is in the dark ages
in too many ways and for a company in the communications business this
is very sad. A huge percentage of collected revenue MUST be supporting
a grossly inefficient internal bureaucracy which has little or no
incentive to upgrade itself.

I think having the agents was an admission of this and a quick way
around some labor obstacles and probably a quick way for some former
telco folks to get into a juicy new business.

Writing to telco is fine for a first step. Make it very clear that it
is JUST a first step. Their inactivity totally screws chances for may
kinds of growth in the NY area. If some other state or area has a
telco offering cutting edge services at low prices economic
development is more apt to happen THERE. Telco is NOT in a vacuum.
They HAVE to deliver or now be bypassed or even replaced. Make it
clear it isn't just for your self that you are complaining but as a
public spirited citizen you hate to see growth in your community
stunted by their incompetence. Feel free to say the same about the
utility commission, too.

Of course there IS provision for 'special assembly' provisioning of
services.  If you really only want it for you and are not so public
spirited, and if you get noisy enough, maybe someone can help you get
a 'special assembly' installation for peanuts more than having it in
your CO. This won't be possible if they have a clear tariffed path to
FX it at megabucks to you. But if there is NO tarrifed way, 'special
assembly' perhaps can keep you quiet. Not too big a chance, but well
worth asking. ASK the upper management folks, NOT the pead-on peons.
They can internally 'suggest' helping you solve your problem.


Move to some other state.

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

Date: Sun, 5 Dec 93 08:20 PST
From: [e-mail] (Robert L. McMillin)
Subject: Re: The Coming of the Information Age


On Fri, 3 Dec 93 05:35:56 PST, [e-mail] said:

> The Telecommunications Revolution

> How Union Jobs Are Being Lost In an Expanding Industry

>      -- by Kim Moody

>      Thousands of telecommunications jobs are being lost as phone
> companies cut union jobs through service consolidations and use the
> savings to expand into new, mostly nonunion services.

[deletia]

> BELLCORE PLAN

>      The seven regional Bell companies are moving in the same
> direction. In 1991 Bellcore, research arm of the seven regional Bell
> operating companies, came up with its version of reengineering, the
> "information networking vision." It plans to eliminate jobs through a
> combination of new technology and service consolidation.

>      Its chief goals are:

>  * End-to-End Automation--"no human activity" from the time
>    of an order to delivery of service.

>  * Work Elimination -- avoiding "manual functions"
>    altogether.

>  * Universal Craft -- consolidate work to produce the all-
>    purpose worker.

>  * Customer Participation -- eliminate jobs by giving
>    customers the ability to order services, report
>    troubles, or check billing directly over the phone.  The
>    regional Bells are implementing this approach with a
>    vengence.

And more to the point, so what?  I've said this many times in the past
about other pro-union balderdash, but by the line of thinking given
here, we should abandon the digital switch and place all calls through
the operator in order to preserve jobs.  It's understandable that the
unions would be saying this -- that's their job, to preserve the jobs
of their members.  But all too often, they take a stand that's simply
contrary to the good of the customers their company sells to, hurting
the company *and* themselves.  We shall see more of this "let's cut
off our noses to spite our faces" attitude presently.

> COMPETITIVE CHAOS

>      The trend toward total deregulation is certain to create the kind
> of cut-throat cometition in telecommunications that it did in the
> airlines and savings and loan industries.

The airlines are a particularly bad pony for the union to trot out in
this instance.  According to a recent article in the {Atlantic
Monthly}, the airlines are more profitable, cheaper, and even safer
than they ever were back in the old days of regulated service.  And if
the object is to compare the current telephony deregulation to the S&L
debacle, the author needs to tread rather lightly: the key ingredient
missing in telephony deregulation present in the savings and loan
collapse was government guarantees of success -- that is, no matter
how badly their owners mismanaged them, the Feds always guaranteed
depositors' money.  So, there were plenty of perverse incentives to
invest in highly speculative deals.

>      Cliff Bean of Arthur D. Little Inc. says of the FCC's airwave
> auction, "It's just creating chaos."

God forbid!

> UNION RESPONSE

>      These developments are placing jobs, wages, and benefits under
> enormous pressure as the unions in the old phone companies become
> marginalized.

 ...

>      The third part of the national CWA strategy involves various
> forms of labor-management cooperation, such as the Workplace of the
> Future program at AT&T or the Total Quality programs at the Bells.
> Although they are supposed to give the union a voice in company plans,
> it is plain that the companies have gone their own way and routinely
> ignored all the union's protests over job elimination and working
> conditions.

And if the union weren't so myopically concerned about retaining old,
low-tech jobs, it would be finding ways to help the company.  It's
rather obvious that automation is a fact of life; one can either get
out of its way or one can drag one's feet.

As the article shows further, the CWA also opposes BellSouth Total
Quality "due to the continuing abuse our members have experienced in
the Network Department over the past many months."  Aside from
"extreme amounts of overtime" the article fails to say what this abuse
consists of, but one certainly gets the impression of an organization
dedicated to screwing the end customer while thumbing its collective
nose at the company.

If the CWA thinks it can continue these spiteful attitudes on a large
scale indefinitely, it has another think coming.  Local dialtone
competition is about to occur large-scale; service and reliability
will separate the wheat from the chaff.  So far, the CWA's attitude
places it squarely with the chaff.  As expected, they don't even
mention this prospect in their plan, making it all but certain they'll
be blindsided by the 18-wheeler of competition when it comes down
their street.

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul Barnett)
Subject: Re: The Coming of the Information Age
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 17:59:01 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

>     For years federal and state regulation limited competition in
> telecommunications and shielded the union from market forces.  But
> regulation is being dismantled to promote competiton among all the
> different service providers.

>     These developments are placing jobs, wages, and benefits under
> enormous pressure as the unions in the old phone companies become
> marginalized.

Welcome to the rest of the (real) world, CWA.  The rest of us have to
work whatever hours are necessary to do our job right, because the
success or failure of our employer will determine our own fate as
well.

We don't have a government agency setting prices for shoddy service.
Our customers can take their business to someone else if we don't meet
their needs.

>     In the long run, [CWA} proposes a new national regulatory agency to
> oversee the entire information industry. In practice, however, the CWA
> has sometimes supported those aspects of deregulation that allow the
> Bells into new services.

Oh, I see.  You want to go back to forcing the consumer to doing
business with you, and pay inflated prices so that you can go on doing
(or not doing) your job as before.  No, thank you.

>     In any industry bent on "work elimination" and "end-to-end
> automation," one of the few effective regulators of competition and
> job-loss is the reduction of work time.

This is a great idea!  Many more people can have a job if each
individual doesn't have to do as much work.  Are you going to take a
pay and benefit cut corresponding to your reduction in output?  No?
What happens when a competitor with lower labor costs then provides a
superior product at lower prices?  Your employer goes out of business.
Then you don't have a job at all.  So much for "regulation of
job-loss".

I suggest that CWA redirect their energy to increasing the
productivity of their members so that their employers will not find it
necessary to reduce costs.  You might have to work a little (or a lot)
harder, but if you feel that your employer is taking unfair advantage
of you, there's always someone else out there that shares your
inflated opinion of yourself and will pay you what you think you are
worth.  There isn't?  Then maybe you should lower your expectations.

As I said before, welcome to the real world.  It's a jungle out here,
and if you don't have what it takes to survive, then I suggest that
you take the civil service exam and get a job with the federal govern-
ment.


Paul Barnett
MPP OS Development     (214)-497-4846
Convex Computer Corp.  Richardson, TX


[Moderator's Note: Ha ha ha -- now, now, was that flame toward our
civil serpents necessary? If you must flame against some certain
segment of society, why not lawyers? Admittedly, some federal
government back-office areas are snake pits (or worse; it has been
said Social Security's back office is the arm pit of federal
employment), but lawyers need to be abused occassionally also.

Consider for example the story of the cannibal's grocery store. You
knew they had one, right? A cannibal lady is doing her weekly
shopping, and she stops at the meat department to purchase some
brains. One bin has social workers' brains; they are marked at
one dollar per pound. The next bin has federal civil serpents
brains; they are marked at two dollars per pound. The third bin has
lawyer's brains; they are marked at fifty thousand dollars per ounce.
The cannibal lady calls over the manager of the grocery store and
asks him why are lawyer's brains so expensive ... the manager says,
"don't you realize how many lawyers they have to kill to come up
with an ounce of brains?" ... :)  When you tell this story to
others, feel free of course to swap out the categories according
to your own biases. You may wish to substitute politicians, certain
radio personalities, even a certain Moderator!  :)   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Advice Wanted on Small Network Options
Organization: Digital Equipment Computer Users Society
Date: 5 Dec 93 17:51:32 -0500


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Ken
Stillson) writes:

> I'm trying to construct a small, standalone network with about 10
> PC's and two Macs.  (The macs would be nice, but not necessary to
> integrate).
 ...

> Does anyone know of other solutions?  We don't need high bandwidth; Is
> there really no network that provides a 16 rs232 input switch and runs
> with existing com ports?

Good no-name ethernet card clones of popular ones (so drivers just
work) are well less than $50.

10Base-T hubs are well under $25 a port (non-managed). Fixing the UART
disaster in the average PC requires an I/O card with a 16550 UART for
a minimum of maybe $25 and possibly MUCH more.

Skip ASYNC nonsense. Even Novell is now talking about THE net rather
than their many individual nets. So which is that? **THE INTERNET**,
of course!

Novell *EVERYTHING* over IP not IPX, and CONNECTED to the world.

Your options with ethernet are vast. You will not impress anyone with
PCs connected by their async ports (I am assuming this is all in an
office, and not dialup).

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

From: [e-mail] (Fred R. Goldstein)
Subject: Re: How About IntraLATA/Limited InterLATA Toll Competition by LEC's?
Date: 6 Dec 1993 05:50:53 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton MA USA


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jack
Decker) writes:

> My idea is this: Allow local telephone companies to carry toll calls
> to ADJACENT LATA's only, on the condition that LEC's must compete with
> each other and the IXC's for intraLATA traffic.  In other words, on a
> call to an adjacent LATA, you'd have the option of using a 10XXX code
> to force the call to go via your LEC rather than your long distance
> carrier.  On an intraLATA call, you'd have the option to your your
> LEC, or any other LEC operating in your LATA that has toll
> capabilities (for example, as a GTE customer I'd be able to select
> Ameritech [formerly Michigan Bell] to handle my intraLATA calls by
> dialing Ameritech's 10XXX prefix).  Note that no defaults would
> change ... if you didn't dial a 10XXX code, your call would be handled
> as it is now....

> What do you think of this idea?

I've had the same thought for some time now. One really annoying
problem with the LATA rules is that they create "Chinese walls" along
their boundaries.  Is Nashua to Lowell really that different from,
say, Lowell to Boston?  The latter are farther apart but within a
LATA.  A blanket waiver for contiguous LATAs does a lot to solve this.

Toll calls aren't all.  Private lines, which we depend upon for data
networks, lack today's waiver for local calls.  For example, it's a
local phone call from Lawrence, MA to Salem, NH, so the LATA boundary
is irrelevant for POTS users.  But a private line has to go via an
IXC, via POPs in each LATA.  It's costly and inefficient.  And need I
mention the mess that LATA boundaries make of cellular?  BOTH cellular
carriers here are RBOCs.

We already have intra-LATA competition in Mass.  NETel has lowered
their business toll rates considerably since it arrived.  Naturally,
MCI's and Sprint's and AT&T's gazillion lawyers and lobbyists will
fight this idea tooth and nail if it ever gets too far!


Fred R. Goldstein   k1io  [e-mail]
Opinions are mine alone; sharing requires permission

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Re: Minitel Access Through Internet?
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1993 19:22:54 GMT


[e-mail] (mahon) wrote:

> I am looking for a way of accessing Minitel through Internet.  Has
> anybody heard about a gateway for this?  (minitelnet ???)  Thanks in
> advance.

Here's part of the FAQ for soc.culture.french.  There's more detail in
that FAQ (obtainable by reading the newsgroup, or from rtfm.mit.edu),
but basically the answer is "no".


Subject: 6. Teletel et l'Internet sont-ils interconnectes ?
            Are Teletel and the Internet interconnected?

Non.                                | No.
                                    |
Il n'y a pas de service connu qui   | There is no known Teletel service which
par teletel permette d'utiliser les | allows to use the ressources of the
ressources de l'Internet.           | Internet.
Pour des solutions alternatives,    | For alternative information, read
lisez les paragraphes suivants.     | following paragraphs.


Subject: 7. Puis-je me connecter a l'Internet avec un Minitel ?
            Can I connect to the Internet with a Minitel?

Vous pouvez acceder a l'Internet    | You can use the Internet from your
depuis votre Minitel si et seulement| Minitel if, and only if, you can
si vous pouvez vous connecter a une | access a machine which is connected
machine elle meme accessible a la   | to both the Internet and either
fois depuis l'Internet et avec un   | Teletel or directly with the regular
Minitel (via Teletel ou le RTC).    | phone network.
                                    |
Pour traduire, cela veut dire qu'il | To translate, this means that you will
vous faut un arrangement particulier| need a special arrangement with can
qui peut vous etre fourni par votre | be provided by your employer if he has
employeur s'il en a les ressources. | the ressources.
                                    |
Il doit etre possibilite d'acheter  | It must be possible to buy access to
des acces a certains centres de     | some academic computer centers. Sorry,
calcul academiques. Je n'ai ni      | I do not have names, nor rates.
tarifs, ni noms.                    |


Subject: 8. Puis-je appeler des services Teletel depuis l'Internet ?
            Call I call Teletel services from the Internet ?

Il faut pouvoir effectuer l'opera-  | You mist be able to execute the
tion inverse de la precedente, c'est| inverse operation of the above, ie
a dire pouvoir acceder a une machine| access a system which will then allow
qui vous permet ensuite d'appeler le| you to call either Teletel or directly
reseau Teletel et/ou Transpac.      | the Transpac network.

Il faut egalement des logiciels     | You also need adequate software.
adequats.                           |


Subject: 9. Puis-je recevoir/envoyer du courrier electronique avec un Minitel ?
            Can I receive/send electronic mail with a Minitel?

Oui.                                | Yes.
                                    |
Il existe maintenant differents ser-| There are now several commercial
vices commerciaux permettant d'en-  | service providers allowing to handle
voyer du courrier electronique a un | electronic mail with mailboxes on the
correspondant sur l'Internet (ou    | Internet (or Bitnet, ...).
Bitnet, ...).                       |
                                    |
Une liste d'operateurs de services  | A non exhaustive list of operators
reseau est donnee un peu plus loin  | is given in another section of this
dans ce document.                   | document, below.

Une autre solution consiste a utili-| Another solution is to use
ser des services proprietaires, si  | proprietary services, if both
les deux correspondants disposent   | persons have an access method.
d'un moyen d'acces.                 |


Jack Hamilton            POB 281107 SF CA 94128  USA
[e-mail]           kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na


[Moderator's Note: One sub-directory in the Telecom Archives has a lot
of information on accessing/using Minitel, but nothing about doing it
via Internet.   PAT]

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

Subject: Re: Best 900mhz Cordless?
From: [e-mail] (Bill Berbenich)
Date: Mon, 06 Dec 93 01:17:08 EST


I have the Cobra CP-910 cordless and it looks like a repackaged
version of the Escort/CM 900mhz cordless.  The features and functions
are identical in all respects that I have checked (haven't checked
beyond the owners manual and enclosed documentation actually).

Both are advertised as 900mhz, spread-spectrum models.  The range on
the Cobra is much better than on my old 46/49mhz cordless.  I am very
happy with the Cobra and will probably keep it.  Right now I am still
within the 30-day return period, but I am finding no real problems
with the phone (except a steep, but acceptable price).

Service Merchandise just started carrying the Cobra CP-910.  That is
where I bought mine.  Their price, after tax, is $346.42.  The phone
seems to only come in black.  There are two receive volume levels,
controlled by a switch on the handset.  I find that the high position
is the one I use most.

An EE friend of mine got the Escort/CM phone by direct mail order and
was kind enough to let me borrow it to do some light functionality
testing.  He paid $399 plus shipping for his phone.  His phone is
white - other colors may or may not be available.

Bottom line: I have found that sound quality on my Cobra is very
consistent and good, but not of a "corded" quality.  The versatility
of getting consistent cordless signal quality within about a one block
radius of my home is worth the minor degradation and loss in audio
quality in that model.


Bill


[Moderator's Note: Radio Shack's 900 meg cordless phone seems to be
the one manufactured by Cobra, but I can't be sure of it. RS has
their cordless priced in the middle to upper three hundred range and
it does work quite well. I've tested it and gone about triple the
distance I could get with the traditional cordless phones before it
began to flake out on me, and that was in a dense urban area.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #800
******************************